Abstract: A method of preparing a printing member or a printing member precursor involves contacting a substrate with an aqueous formulation comprising a polyester having pendent hydrophilic groups wherein said polyester has optionally been combined with a second compound. Said pendent hydrophilic groups may be selected from alkvleiie oxide moieties, carboxyl groups, amino groups, sulphonic groups, phosphoric groups, sulphuric acid ester salts, hydroxyl groups, salts of any other aforesa-id and quaternary immonium salts in general. Said printing member is preferably a lithographic printing member. It may be for use in wet or dry printing.

Abstract: A precursor for electronic parts, for example printed circuit boards, has a negative-working thermally-imagable layer on a substrate, for example a copper board or semiconductor. The layer comprises a cross-linking agent, a thermally-activated acid generator, and a polymeric substance containing polyvinylphenol units and alkyl acrylate units. Such as layer has improved mechanical properties with maintenance of good imaging properties.

Abstract: A composition used as a resist in the manufacture of electronic parts, for example printed circuits, and which is rendered soluble in a developer by patternwise delivery of heat, comprises a polymer of general formula (I), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or alkyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or alkyl group, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or alkyl group, and R4 represents hydroxyalkyl group, and wherein the ratio n/m is in the range 10/1 to 1/10.

Abstract: A method of producing a resist pattern on a substrate using a precursor which comprises a coating composition which includes a heat sensitive polymeric substance having functional groups Q thereon (wherein groups Q may be siloxane or optionally substituted fluoroalkyl groups) wherein groups Q cause the polymeric substance to have a reduced adhesive interaction with ink for use in waterless lithographic printing compared to aid polymeric substance in the absence of said groups, the method including the step of causing the patternwise application of heat to said coating composition and optional development thereby to define ink accepting areas in heat exposed areas and non-ink accepting areas in non-exposed areas.

Abstract: A planographic printing member precursor comprises a first component, for example a hydroxy group containing polymer, and a second component which may be a siloxane or a compound of general formula (I), wherein M represents a silicon or a titanium atom and each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is independently selected from hydrogen or halogen atoms; a hydroxy group; an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group; an optionally substituted alkoxy group; or an optionally substituted saturated or unsaturated cyclic or heterocyclic group. On exposure, the second component reacts with the first component to define an oleophobic/hydrophilic material in exposed areas and in non-exposed areas the second component is removed, on processing of the precursor.

Abstract: A planographic printing member precursor comprises a first component, for example a hydroxy group containing polymer, and a second component which may be a siloxane or a compound of general formula (I): wherein M represents a silicon or a titanium atom and each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is independently selected from hydrogen or halogen atoms; a hydroxy group, an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group; an optionally substituted alkoxy group; or an optionally substituted saturated or unsaturated cyclic or heterocyclic group. On exposure, the second component reacts with the first component to define an oleophobic/hydrophilic material in exposed areas and in non-exposed areas the second component is removed, on processing of the precursor.

Abstract: There is described a precursor for preparing a resist pattern, said precursor comprising an imageable layer which includes a relatively volatile compound that can be volatilised by application of heat, wherein imaging radiation can be applied to the precursor to heat areas thereof and volatilise said compound so that properties, for example, the ink accepting abilities of heated and non heated areas, are different.

Abstract: A method for producing a predetermined resist pattern on e.g. a lithographic printing plate, circuit board or mask, comprises the patternwise exposure to heat of a composition which comprises a novolac resin, a latent Bronsted acid and optionally a pigment. The composition is rendered preferentially soluble to a developer, in the regions which were heated.

Abstract: There is described a method of preparing a lithographic plate which comprises coating on a lithographic support having a hydrophilic surface a layer of a radiation sensitive coating, imaging the coating then acting on the plate while on the press with aqueous fount solution to remove the unexposed areas of the coating, to reveal the hydrophilic surface of the plate and to leave an ink receptive image, wherein the radiation sensitive coating comprises a diazo salt of formula (I): wherein R1 is an anion, R2 and R3 represent optional substitution, R4 is —N— and —S— and R5 is a group which, after exposure of the plate renders the residue of the diazo salt oleophilic and fount solution insoluble.

Abstract: There is described a method of preparing a lithographic plate which comprises coating on a lithographic support having a hydrophilic surface, a layer of a heat sensitive coating, digitally imaging the coating, then processing the plate with water to remove the unexposed areas of the coating to reveal the hydrophilic surface of the plate and to leave an ink receptive image, wherein the heat sensitive coating comprises a diazo salt of formula (I): wherein R1 is an anion, R2 and R3 represent optional substitution, R4 is —N— or —S— and R5 is a group which, after exposure of the plate, renders the residue of the diazo salt oleophilic and fount solution insoluble.

Abstract: A method for producing a predetermined resist pattern on e.g. a lithographic printing plate, circuit board or mask, comprises the patternwise exposure to suitable radiation of a composition which comprises a novolac resin and a diazonium salt. The composition is rendered preferentially soluble to a developer in the regions which were exposed.

Abstract: There is described a method of preparing a water-less lithographic printing form using a precursor which includes a support having a coating thereon comprising a diazo salt formed from an aromatic diazonium compound and an abhesive counter anionic moiety, the method comprising heat mode imaging the precursor and processing the imaged percursor on press by the application of printing ink to remove the abhesive products of the imaging so that areas of the precursor which have been imaged are ink-accepting.

Abstract: A method of preparing a planographic printing member is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a hydrophilic layer by thermally spraying a hydrophilic particulate material onto an ablatable layer. Typical hydrophilic materials are SiO2, Al2O3, Cr2O3, TiO2 and ZrO2. Spraying a plasma containing the hydrophilic material in an inert gas atmosphere is preferred method for forming the hydrophilic layer.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate includes a radiation sensitive layer which may comprise a rubber material. Application of heat causes exposed areas to be vulcanized. The plate may be developed by applying a force to the radiation sensitive layer, for example by rubbing, thereby to remove non-exposed areas.

Abstract: A formulation comprising a heat sensitive cross-linkable ink and carbon black is coated over substantially the entirety of an ink-repellent/ink-releasing surface of a printing cylinder of a printing press by heating the formulation and/or the outer surface of the printing cylinder so that the formulation adheres to the cylinder to provide a continuous coating thereon. The coated printing cylinder is then allowed to cool to ambient temperature whereafter it can be imaged using a digitally controlled laser. The imaged printing cylinder may be developed during press start up by application of waterless ink over the cylindter surface in order to remove the non-imaged areas comprising non-cross-linked ink. After completion of printing, the printing cylinder can be cleaned by using an appropriate solvent to solubilize the cross-linked ink in the imaged areas and subsequently re-used.