Abstract: A method for eliminating unwanted ink-receptive sections in positive working printing plates resulting from shading of the surface layer during exposure by the clamps holding the plate on the exposure apparatus following development of an imagewise exposed precursor. Accordingly the areas that are shaded are identified prior to development and the surface layer is scored in those areas to a depth and density sufficient to result in the scored layer being removed during development but not deep enough to damage the underlying hydrophilic layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patterned substrate and methods of forming patterns on a substrate, in which a thermally sensitive composition composed of an inorganic nanopaste is applied onto a surface of a substrate to form a layer. The layer may be imaged and developed to form a pattern area that adheres to the surface of the substrate. The patterned substrate may be used in the production of printing plates and masks.

Abstract: A method for eliminating unwanted ink-receptive sections in positive working printing plates resulting from shading of the surface layer during exposure by the clamps holding the plate on the exposure apparatus following development of an imagewise exposed precursor. Accordingly the areas that are shaded are identified prior to development and the surface layer is scored in those areas to a depth and density sufficient to result in the scored layer being removed during development but not deep enough to damage the underlying hydrophilic layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming an image on a printing plate, in which a nanopaste is imagewise ink-jet applied onto a surface of a substrate. The layer is then treated to form an image area. The method is useful in the formation of printing plates and radiation opaque masks.

Abstract: A method for heat treatment of printing plates includes arranging a plurality of printing plates into a stack, interspersing a plurality of thermally conductive plates at a plurality of levels in the stack, and placing the stack of plurality of printing plates with the interspersed conductive plates in an ambient of heated medium, wherein the conductive plates are larger laterally than the printing plates such that portions of the top and bottom surfaces of the conductive plates are exposed to the ambient of heated medium and thereby collect and conduct heat into the interior regions of the stack where the conductive plates are in thermal contact with, heating the interior regions up at a higher rate than would be achieved without the conductive plates in place.

Abstract: A method for forming an image by imaging and developing a multi-layer imageable element, in which the developer is fresh developer and the developer is not reused, is disclosed. Much smaller variation in dot percentage is obtained when each imaged imageable element is developed in fresh developer than when the developer is reused to develop additional imaged imageable elements. The method is especially suited to the formation of images using stochastic screening. Either a solvent based developer or a high pH developer may be used.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for exposing a lithographic printing plate wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of laser diodes emitting light of wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm. The light from each of the laser diodes is directed onto the lithographic printing plate such that each spot on the lithographic printing plate receives light emitted from at least one of the laser diodes. Preferably, the lithographic printing plate is a violet-sensitive lithographic member and the lithographic member is a printing press plate. The power of each laser diode may be between 5 mW and 30 mW, and preferably the laser diodes emit light of wavelength between 390 nm and 430 nm.

Abstract: A method for heat treatment of printing plates includes arranging a plurality of printing plates into a stack, interspersing a plurality of thermally conductive plates at a plurality of levels in the stack, and placing the stack of plurality of printing plates with the interspersed conductive plates in an ambient of heated medium, wherein the conductive plates are larger laterally than the printing plates such that portions of the top and bottom surfaces of the conductive plates are exposed to the ambient of heated medium and thereby collect and conduct heat into the interior regions of the stack where the conductive plates are in thermal contact with, heating the interior regions up at a higher rate than would be achieved without the conductive plates in place.

Abstract: A method for forming an image by imaging and developing a multi-layer imageable element, in which the developer is fresh developer and the developer is not reused, is disclosed. Much smaller variation in dot percentage is obtained when each imaged imageable element is developed in fresh developer than when the developer is reused to develop additional imaged imageable elements. The method is especially suited to the formation of images using stochastic screening. Either a solvent based developer or a high pH developer may be used.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making an electronic part in which a nanopaste composed of inorganic nanoparticles and a carrier is applied onto a surface of a substrate. The composition is then processed to form an electrically conductive pattern area that adheres to the surface of the substrate. Optionally, the conductivity of the pattern area may be improved by heating.

Abstract: A positive working, multi-layer thermally imageable element is disclosed. The element comprises a substrate, an underlayer, and a top layer. The top layer comprises a crosslinked polymeric material. The element may be thermally imaged and developed to form a lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming an image on a printing plate, in which a nanopaste is imagewise ink-jet applied onto a surface of a substrate. The layer is then treated to form an image area. The method is useful in the formation of printing plates and radiation opaque masks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patterned substrate and methods of forming patterns on a substrate, in which a thermally sensitive composition composed of an inorganic nanopaste is applied onto a surface of a substrate to form a layer. The layer may be imaged and developed to form a pattern area that adheres to the surface of the substrate. The patterned substrate may be used in the production of printing plates and masks.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making an electronic part in which a nanopaste composed of inorganic nanoparticles and a carrier is applied onto a surface of a substrate. The composition is then processed to form an electrically conductive pattern area that adheres to the surface of the substrate. Optionally, the conductivity of the pattern area may be improved by heating.

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 presence of unwanted ink-receptive sections on developed positive-working lithographic plates due to shading by plate-holding clamps during imaging, is avoided by the use of clamps that are substantially transparent to the imaging radiation. In the case where the plate precursors can be imaged by heat, the presence of unwanted unexposed sections can also be avoided by selectively heating those sections shaded by the clamps, while avoiding heating the image section of the plate.

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 presence of unwanted ink-receptive sections on developed positive-working lithographic plates due to shading by plate-holding clamps during imaging, is avoided by the use of clamps that are substantially transparent to the imaging radiation. In the case where the plate precursors can be imaged by heat, the presence of unwanted unexposed sections can also be avoided by selectively heating those sections shaded by the clamps, while avoiding heating the image section of the plate.

Abstract: A positive working, multi-layer thermally imageable element is disclosed. The element comprises a substrate, an underlayer, and a top layer. The top layer comprises a crosslinked polymeric material. The element may be thermally imaged and developed to form a lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: Multi-layer thermally imageable elements, useful as a lithographic printing plate precursors, are disclosed. The elements contain a top layer, an absorber layer that contains a photothermal conversion material and a hydrophilic substrate. An optional underlayer may also be present between the absorber layer and the hydrophilic substrate. The elements can be thermally imaged and processed with an aqueous alkaline developer.