These photopolymer plates are used in the commercial printing industrie for "flexographie" (printing with a "flexible" forme on rough surfaces). Printmaking artists like Dan Welden, have introduced it into the printmaking community in the 1970's. In the commercial industry photopolymer plates are only used for relief printing. In printmaking however it can be used both for relief as well as intaglio. Solarplates can be used as an alternative for laminating copper plates with, for example, films like ImagOn. Some people find laminating plates not an easy job. Solarplates are already "laminated" on a metal or plastic backing. On top of the polymer layer there is a a protective mylar sheet.
Flexography: Flexography is a printing process using a flexible forme. Actually a modern form of typography which can be used on almost all materials, like plastic, thin metal, cellofane, cardboard. It is mainly used for printing on non-porous materials as used in the food packaging industry. It is also used for printing "full surface" colours.
Photopolymer plates
Flexography is a printing process using a flexible forme. Actually a modern form of typography which can be used on almost all materials, like plastic, thin metal, cellofane, cardboard. It is mainly used for printing on non-porous materials as used in the food packaging industry. It is also used for printing "full surface" colours.