Abstract: The present invention provides a method of imaging a printing plate precursor in which a printing plate precursor including a substrate and an image forming layer is imagewise contacted with a catalyst, for example, by imagewise ink-jet application. The image forming layer is then heated and developed in a suitable developer liquid such that portions of the image forming layer that are contacted with the catalyst resist development while portions of the image forming layer that are not contacted with the catalyst are removed during development.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally imageable film having at least one thermally degradable binder, at least one infrared absorber, and additives. The thermally imageable film is transparent and remains transparent when exposed to white light wavelengths of about 390 to 750 nm or ultraviolet light wavelengths of about 190 to 390 nm. Upon imagewise exposure to infrared thermal radiation, the thermally imageable film forms an opaque area at the point of contact with the IR thermal radiation, the opaque areas of the film being ultraviolet light impermeable. The present invention also provides for a mask precursor or a relief printing plate precursor where the thermally imageable layer is coated directly onto a substrate as well as a method of making a mask or a relief printing plate using the thermally imageable film.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imageable element including a substrate, a first layer applied to the substrate and a second layer applied to the first layer. The first layer may contain polymeric material and a radiation absorbing compound. The second layer may contain a hydroxyl group-containing polymer that includes a heat-labile moiety.

Abstract: Thermally imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The elements comprise a top layer over a support. The top layer comprises a phenolic resin and an ionic liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally imageable composition, which includes an acid curable composition, an acid generator, a strong acid and optionally an infrared absorber. The present invention further provides an imageable element, which includes a substrate and a thermally imageable composition according to the present invention coated on a surface of the substrate. Also provided are methods of producing an imaged element according to the present invention.

Abstract: Vesicular images are formed by thermal imaging of imageable layers containing thermally imageable vesicular imaging compositions. The vesicular images can be used as masks for imaging printing plate precursors. In one aspect, a printing plate precursor made up of a flexible substrate; a photosensitive layer that contains a negative working photosensitive composition; an optional barrier layer; and the imageable layer is thermally imaged to produce an integral mask. Blanket exposure through the mask with ultraviolet and/or visible radiation followed by development produces a printing plate. The method is especially suited for the production of flexographic printing plates.

Abstract: Vesicular images are formed by thermal imaging of imageable layers containing thermally imageable vesicular imaging compositions. The vesicular images can be used as masks for imaging printing plate precursors. In one aspect, a printing plate precursor made up of a flexible substrate; a photosensitive layer that contains a negative working photosensitive composition; an optional barrier layer; and the imageable layer is thermally imaged to produce an integral mask. Blanket exposure through the mask with ultraviolet and/or visible radiation followed by development produces a printing plate. The method is especially suited for the production of flexographic printing plates.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imageable composition, which includes a bottom layer including a first strong, non-volatile acid having a pKa of not more than about 8 and coated thereon a top layer including an acid curable composition, an acid generator, an infrared absorber and optionally a colorant. The present invention further provides an imageable element, which includes a substrate and an imageable composition according to the present invention coated on a surface of the substrate. Also provided is method of producing an imaged element according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally imageable composition, which includes an acid curable composition, an acid generator, a strong acid and optionally an infrared absorber. The present invention further provides an imageable element, which includes a substrate and a thermally imageable composition according to the present invention coated on a surface of the substrate. Also provided are methods of producing an imaged element according to the present invention.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition can be used to prepare negative-working photosensitive elements such as lithographic printing plates. The composition includes a first photocrosslinkable aromatic resin having photocrosslinkable groups and a number average molecular weight of at least about 1500. Also included is a mixture of a polyalkyleneglycol diacrylate and polyacrylate polymerizable monomers, a photocrosslinkable polyester, a photoinitiator, and a photosensitizer. The photosensitive resins are present at a total weight ratio to the polymerizable monomers of at least 1.5:1.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition can be used to prepare negative-working photosensitive elements such as lithographic printing plates. The composition includes a first photocrosslinkable aromatic resin having photocrosslinkable groups and a number average molecular weight of at least about 1500. Also included is a polymerizable monomer, a photocrosslinkable polyester and a photoinitiator. The photosensitive resins are present at a total weight ratio to the monomer of at least 1.5:1.