Computer-to-plate (CTP), in-the-round imaging is creating opportunities for flexographic package printers.

By Jean-Marie Hershey

A primer on ITR

ITR actually refers to two forms of imaging: laser ablation mask (LAM) imaging and direct laser engraving (DLE). The digital ITR process most printers are familiar with today involves imaging by means of laser ablation of a carbon layer “mask” that covers the photopolymer plate or sleeve, followed by conventional UV exposure, removal of uncured photopolymer, solvent washing, and drying. The photopolymer sleeve itself comes in two formats. The first is a continuous pre-manufactured sleeve with a seamless layer of photopolymer topped by a LAM coating, ready for imaging, exposure, and processing. The alternative involves mounting individual pieces of photopolymer on a base sleeve with stickyback tape, then imaging, exposing, and processing it as described above.