a multi - purpose modular infra - red ablatable graphic arts tool providing solutions to achieve economy of scale for infrared ablatable graphics arts products by a novel modular approach of using common ingredients and by combining functions to produce multipurpose materials with synergistic advantages over the component products from which they have been derived . this is done by combining the properties of a photomask film with those of a printing plate , so that the same material can be used as a film or a plate or can function as both to produce a plate with proofing functions .