The Year of the Flexo Plate

• Exposing the face of the plate (through a film negative or with a laser imagesetter) to harden the image areas;

• Washout of non-image areas;

• Drying to remove washout fluids;

• Post exposure to UV to "cure" the image; and

• Finishing to remove residual tackiness.

Solvent wash systems are the most mature, but they are typified by long drying times and are considered less environmentally friendly than the newer water wash and dry thermal systems. Within the past five or six years drying times for solvent wash systems have improved as manufacturers switched to percholorethylene alternative solvents (PAS), but these solvents can still be respiratory and eye irritants, so proper plateroom protection should be worn. While not usually considered hazardous waste materials, solvent wash byproducts must still be tested for toxicity and compliance with local disposal regulations.