Process for preparation of a masking element for forming a multicolor printing plate

Claim 1

A process for preparation of a masking element which is used to prepare a series of masking plates, each plate for a different color, said plates used to prepare a printing plate used in multicolor printing, said process comprising: (a) providing a photosensitive element comprising: a transparent film support; a thin film metal layer adhering to the film support; and a photosensitive masking layer comprising a high molecular weight film-forming binder and a photosensitizing agent or a combination of a layer of a high molecular weight film-forming binder with a superimposed layer of a photosensitizing agent, said masking layer adhering to said metal layer, said photosensitive masking layer being liquid developable and capable of forming a relief image, said photosensitive masking layer adhering to the underlying metal film with sufficient strength to remove said metal film from said transparent film when peeled off after development; (b) superimposing a line manuscript over the photosensitive masking layer; (c) exposing the photosensitive element through said line manuscript: (d) liquid developing the exposed element to remove exposed or unexposed areas of the photosensitive masking layer thereby forming a relief image in said photosensitive masking layer while leaving said metal layer intact and; (e) peeling off of the film support a selected area or areas of the photosensitive masking layer remaining after development, with adhering metal film of a shape corresponding to that of the selected area or areas, leaving adhered to the film support other areas of the photosensitive masking layer and corresponding, underlaying areas of said metal layer, to produce the masking element.