Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the steps of: (a) image-wise exposing an imaging element comprising (i) a hydrophilic base, (ii) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (iii) an intermediate layer, and (iv) a silver halide emulsion layer,(b) applying an aqueous alkaline solution to the imaging element in the presence of (a) developing agent(s) and (a) silver halide solvent(s) to form image-wise in said image receiving layer a silver image,(c) treating the imaging element to remove the layer(s) on top of said image receiving layer,characterized in that said imaging element has been stored before image-wise exposure in a surrounding having at 22.degree. C. a relative humidity between 20% and 50%.According to the present invention there is also provided a package of the imaging element, making said imaging element suitable for use in the above defined method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the steps of:image-wise exposing an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei and (ii) a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive silver halide emulsion said photosensitive layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer,applying an aqueous alkaline solution to the imaging element in the presence of (a) developing agent(s) and (a) silver halide solvent(s) to form a silver image in said image receiving layer,treating the imaging element to remove the layer(s) on top of the image receiving layer, thereby exposing the imaged surface of the support by uncovering said silver image formed in said image receiving layer,characterized in that said aqueous alkaline solution comprises less than 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the steps of exposing and developing an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer and (ii) a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive silver halide emulsion, removing the layer(s) on top of the image receiving layer thereby exposing the imaged surface of the support and treating said exposed imaged surface of the support with a finisher having a temperature between 30.degree. C. and 60.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a finisher comprising (a) hydrophobizing agent(s) in a total concentration between 0.1 g/l and 10 g/l, (a) surface-active compound(s) and (a) polyglycol(s), characterized in that said polyglycol(s) comprise(s) at least 50% by weight ethyleneoxide groups and/or propyleneoxide groups whose total sum is at least 7 and is (are) present in said finisher in a total amount of at least 10 g/l and there is further provided a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising in the order given (i) a hydrophilic base, (ii) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei and (iii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, characterized in that said photosensitive layer or another optional layer being in water permeable relationship therewith contains at least one gelatin species whereof a 10% by weight aqueous solution at 36.degree. C. and pH 6 has a viscosity lower than 20 mPa.s at a shearing rate of 1000 s.sup.-1.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising on a flexible hydrophobic support (i) a hardened hydrophilic layer, containing a hydrophilic synthetic homocopolymer or copolymer and being hardened with a hydrolyzed tetraalkyl orthosilicate crosslinking agent, (ii) a receiving layer containing physical development nuclei contiguous to said hydrophilic layer, (iii) an intermediate layer comprising a non-proteinic hydrophilic film-forming polymer or hydrophobic polymer beads having an average diameter not lower than 0.2 .mu.m and having been prepared by polymerization of a ethylenically unsaturated monomer and (iv) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said receiving layer. The invention also relates to a method for making lithographic plates with said imaging element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process having improved printing properties comprising the step of developing an imaging element comprising in the order given (i) a hydrophilic base, (ii) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei and (iii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion in the presence of a 1-phenyl-5-mercapto-tetrazole, being substituted by one or two substituents from the group consisting of:(i) a --COOM group with M representing hydrogen, a metal cation, or an ammonium group,(ii) a --SO.sub.3 M.sup.1 group, M.sup.1 representing hydrogen, a metal cation, or an ammonium group,(iii) an acylamido group,(iv) and a substituent containing at least one of the aforementioned substituents (i)-(iv).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process using rinsing water, characterized in that alkali is added to said rinsing water before washing at most 20 m.sup.2 of said exposed and developed imaging element and/or before being in use for more than 24 hours in such an amount that a pH in said washing water between 10.5 and 13 is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process using rinsing water, characterized in that said rinsing water before washing at most 20 m.sup.2 of said exposed and developed imaging element and/or before being in use for more than 24 hours is brought in contact with (i) a metal of the group IB or IIB or VIII of the periodic table or (ii) with an alloy containing at least one of said metals or (iii) with a salt containing an ion of at least one of said metals.