A photopolymer printing plate is a polymer that changes its properties when exposed to light. The structural change in the plate is that the image areas which are used to transfer ink onto the substrate are hardened as a result of cross-linking through the curing process. Changes in plate properties can be manipulated through the selection of polymer sub-units and also using efficient energy light sources. Most commonly plates are typically cured through U.V radiation; ultraviolet light.

Photopolymer printing plates include plates of varying surface tensions, plate hardness and flexibility. All solvents used in the wash-out process are recycled and re-used.