Abstract: Method of on-press developing a thermosensitive lithographic printing member with ink and/or fountain solution is described. The printing member comprises on a substrate a thermosensitive layer soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution and capable of hardening upon exposure to an infrared radiation. The printing member can be a pre-coated plate or can be prepared on press by coating a thermosensitive layer onto a substrate that is a sheet material or a seamless sleeve mounted on a plate cylinder or is the surface of a plate cylinder of the lithographic press.

Abstract: This patent describes an on-press developable thermosensitive lithographic plate having on a substrate a thermosensitive layer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, an infrared absorbing dye, and an onium or borate salt free radical initiator. The plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared laser on a plate exposure device, and then mounted on a lithographic press for on-press development with ink and/or fountain solution and lithographic printing. No regular development process with a liquid developer is needed after exposure. Alternatively, the plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared laser while mounted on a plate cylinder of a lithographic press, on-press developed with ink and/or fountain solution, and then print images to the receiving sheets.

Abstract: A variable data lithographic printing device comprises surrounding a printing cylinder a photosensitive layer coater, an exposure source, optionally a developer, an inking applicator, optionally a transfer system, and optionally an eraser. During printing operation, each surface areas of the rotating cylinder continuously undergo the cycle of coating, imagewise exposure, optionally developing, inking, printing of inked imaging to the receiving medium, and optionally erasing processes. The developing means can be omitted if an ink and/or fountain solution developable photosensitive layer is used. In an alternative design, the cylinder is replaced with a continuous supply of a ribbon with lithographic substrate surface. In another alternative design, the cylinder and the coater are replaced with a continuous supply of a pre-sensitized ribbon comprising on a substrate a photosensitive layer.

Abstract: This patent describes an on-press developable thermosensitive lithographic plate having on a substrate a thermosensitive layer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, an infrared absorbing dye, and an onium or borate salt free radical initiator. The plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared laser on a plate exposure device, and then mounted on a lithographic press for on-press development with ink and/or fountain solution and lithographic printing. No regular development process with a liquid developer is needed after exposure. Alternatively, the plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared laser while mounted on a plate cylinder of a lithographic press, on-press developed with ink and/or fountain solution, and then print images to the receiving sheets.

Abstract: On-press ink and/or fountain solution developable lithographic printing plates having on a roughened substrate a substantially conformal thermosensitive layer capable of hardening upon exposure to an infrared radiation; The surface of the thermosensitive layer has peaks and valleys substantially corresponding to the major peaks and valleys of the substrate microscopic surface, allowing low tackiness and good block resistance. The plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared radiation and then on-press developed with ink and/or fountain solution by rotating the plate cylinder and engaging ink and/or fountain solution roller. The developed plate can ten directly print images to the receiving sheets. The imagewise exposure can be performed off press or with the plate being mounted on the plate cylinder of a lithographic press.

Abstract: This patent describes a lithographic printing plate comprising on a substrate a semisolid radiation-sensitive layer capable of hardening upon exposure to a suitable radiation, and a method of imaging such a plate using laser radiation. The utilization of a semisolid radiation-sensitive layer allows faster photospeed and better curing efficiency as desired for digital laser exposure. Several plate designs can be utilized to overcome the tackiness issue associate with the semisolid layer, such as conformally coating the radiation-sensitive layer on a rough substrate and utilizing an overcoat. Plates having an ink and/or fountain solution or dispersible semisolid radiation-sensitive layer can be directly developed with ink and/or fountain solution while solution while mounted on press, with the imagewise laser exposure being carried out on press or off press.

Abstract: This patent describes a lithographic printing plate comprising on a substrate a semisolid radiation-sensitive layer capable of hardening upon exposure to a suitable radiation, and a method of imaging such a plate using laser radiation. The utilization of a semisolid radiation-sensitive layer allows faster photospeed and better curing efficiency as desired for digital laser exposure. Several plate designs can be utilized to overcome the tackiness issue associated with the semisolid layer, such as conformally coating the radiation-sensitive layer on a rough substrate and utilizing an overcoat. Plates having an ink and/or fountain solution soluble or dispersible semisolid radiation-sensitive layer can be directly developed with ink and/or fountain solution while mounted on press, with the imagewise laser exposure being carried out on press or off press.

Abstract: New methods and compositions are provided that enable application and processing of photoresist as thick coating layers, e.g. at dried layer (post soft-bake) thicknesses of in excess of 2 microns. Resists can be imaged at short wavelengths in accordance with the invention, including 248 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic printing plate comprising on a roughened substrate a substantially conformal photosensitive layer and a substantially conformal overcoat. The photosensitive layer is substantially conformally coated on the roughened substrate surface and the overcoat is substantially conformally coated on the photosensitive layer surface so that the surface of the overcoat has peaks and valleys substantially corresponding to the major peaks and valleys of the substrate microscopic surface. The lithographic plate of such a configuration can provide no or low tackiness and excellent block resistance, while allowing excellent press durability. For on-press developable lithographic plate, such a plate configuration also allows excellent on-press developability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new polymers that contain repeat units of phenol and photoacid-labile esters that contain an alicyclic group, preferably a bulky group that suitably may contain 7 to about 20 carbons, such as an alkyladamantyl, ethylfencyl, tricyclo decanyl, or pinanyl group. Polymers of the invention are useful as a component of chemically-amplified positive-acting resists.

Abstract: This patent describes on-press ink and/or fountain solution development of lithographic plates having on a substrate a thermosensitive layer capable of hardening or solubilization upon exposure to an infrared laser radiation. The plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared laser and then on-press developed with ink and/or fountain solution by rotating the plate cylinder and engaging ink and/or fountain solution roller. The developed plate can then directly print images to the receiving sheets. The imagewise exposure can be performed off the press or with the plate being mounted on the plate cylinder of a lithographic press.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic printing plate comprising on a roughened substrate a substantially conformal photosensitive layer and a substantially conformal overcoat. The photosensitive layer is substantially conformally coated on the roughened substrate surface and the overcoat is substantially conformally coated on the photosensitive layer surface so that the surface of the overcoat has peaks and valleys substantially corresponding to the major peaks and valleys of the substrate microscopic surface. The lithographic plate of such a configuration can provide no or low tackiness and excellent block resistance, while allowing excellent press durability. For on-press developable lithographic plate, such a plate configuration also allows excellent on-press developability.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate comprises on a substrate a thermo-deactivatable photosensitive layer that is photohardenable before exposure to an infrared radiation and can be rendered incapable or having reduced rate of photohardening upon exposure to an infrared radiation. Optionally, an oleophobic top layer may be deposited on the photosensitive layer to form a waterless plate. Such a plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared laser to thermally deactivate the photosensitive layer in the exposed areas, followed by overall actinic light exposure to harden the infrared laser non-exposed areas. The exposed plate can be developed with a suitable developer to remove the infrared laser exposed areas. A plate with an ink and/or fountain solution soluble or dispersible photosensitive layer of this invention can be developed on a printing press with ink and/or fountain solution during initial press operation.

Abstract: This patent describes an on-press ink and/or fountain solution developable lithographic printing plates having on a substrate a thermosensitive layer capable of hardening upon exposure to an infrared radiation. The plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared radiation and then on-press developed with ink and/or fountain solution by rotating the plate cylinder and engaging ink and/or fountain solution roller. The developed plate can then directly print images to the receiving sheets. The imagewise exposure can be performed off the press or with the plate being mounted on the plate cylinder of a lithographic press.

Abstract: This invention discloses an on-press developable lithographic plate comprising on a substrate a photosensitive layer and a top ultrathin ink and/or fountain solution soluble or dispersible overcoat with a coverage of 0.001 to 0.150 g/m2. The incorporation of such an ultrathin overcoat can provide excellent white light stability, high contrast, excellent ink receptivity, and fast on-press development.

Abstract: This patent describes on-press process of a lithographic plate comprising on a substrate a photosensitive layer and a top laser sensitive mask layer. The plate is exposed by first digitally exposing the plate with an infrared radiation to selectively remove or render transparent to an actinic radiation exposed areas of the mask layer and then overall exposing the plate with the actinic radiation to cause hardening or solubilization of the photosensitive layer in the infrared laser exposed areas. The exposed plate is processed on a printing press by contacting the plate with ink and/or fountain solution during initial press operation to remove the mask layer and develop the photosensitive layer. Optionally, an ink and/or fountain solution soluble or dispersible interlayer may be interposed between the mask layer and the photosensitive layer.

Abstract: This patent describes a method of imaging a printing plate comprising on a substrate a photosensitive layer and a top laser ablatable mask layer. The method includes imagewise exposing the plate with an infrared laser to remove the mask layer in the exposed areas, overall exposing the plate with an actinic light to harden or solubilize the photosensitive layer in the areas where the mask layer has been removed, and further exposing the plate with the infrared laser radiation in the laser non-exposed areas to remove the remaining mask layer. The fully exposed plate can be developed to bare the substrate in the non-hardened or solubilized areas of the photosensitive layer.

Abstract: This invention discloses a lithographic plate comprising on a roughened substrate a substantially conformal radiation-sensitive layer. The radiation-sensitive layer can be a photo hardenable or photo solubilizable layer, or can be a laser ablatable layer. The radiation-sensitive layer is substantially conformally coated on the roughened substrate surface in a way so that the surface of the radiation-sensitive layer has peaks and valleys substantially corresponding to the major peaks and valleys of the substrate microscopic surface. The lithographic plate of such a configuration can provide no or low tackiness and excellent block resistance, while allowing excellent press durability. For on-press developable lithographic plate, such a plate configuration also allows excellent on-press developability.

Abstract: This invention discloses a negative-working on-press developable lithographic printing plate utilizing a non-hydrophilic solid particulate dispersion in the photosensitive layer to enhance on-press developability and non-tackiness of lithographic printing plate. The photosensitive layer is capable of being softened and dispersed by ink, and the plate can be developed on a printing press equipped with ink and fountain solution during regular press operation. Incorporation of non-hydrophilic particles can improve on-press developability or reduce tackiness without sacrificing other properties.

Abstract: This invention discloses lithographic printing plates having a thin releasable interlayer interposed between a rough and/or porous substrate and a radiation-sensitive layer. The radiation-sensitive layer is bonded to the rough and/or porous substrate through mechanical interlocking. Insertion of a thin releasable interlayer in such a configuration minimizes cross-contamination between the substrate and the radiation-sensitive layer, protects the substrate from attack by environmental species and reduces ink scumming tendency of the plates while still allowing good bonding between the substrate and the radiation-sensitive layer.