Importance

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Abstract

A method for thermally developing a relief precursor comprising a supporting layer and photopolymer layer having cured and uncured portions comprising the steps:

(a) fixing the relief precursor with the supporting layer adjacent to a movable support;(b) repeatedly moving the support with the relief precursor fixed thereon in a multitude of movement cycles;(c) heating the relief precursor to a temperature sufficient to cause the uncured portions of the photopolymer layer to soften or liquefy;(d) contacting the relief precursor with a development medium to allow the liquefied material of the uncured portions to be adhered to and removed by the development medium;wherein the heating and contacting is carried out in cycles A, B, C or D each corresponding to a single movement cycle such that(i) in a cycle A, the relief precursor is heated with higher heating power and not contacted the relief precursor with the development medium;(ii) in a cycle B, the relief precursor is heated with higher heating power and contacted with the development medium;(iii) in a cycle C, the relief precursor is not heated or heated with lower heating power and contacted with the development medium;(iv) in a cycle D, the relief precursor is not heated or heated with lower heating power and not contacted with the development medium;wherein cycle B is carried out once or more and at least one of cycles A, C or D is carried out once or more.

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First Claim