Abstract: A gravure printing blank that can be easily and quickly imaged digitally by means of laser imaging and a method for preparing the same. The gravure printing blank comprises a metallic surface, a pre-polymer layer covering said metallic surface, comprising UV curable materials, photo initiators and binder resins and a photo-tool layer covering said pre-polymer layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a digital screen printing blank usable in a screen printing process, directly from digital information in the computer, in an economical fashion. In a preferred embodiment, a screen (28) is provided with a photosensitive layer (38), and a digitally determined image from a computer is printed on the screen by means of an inkjet printer. Preferably, a flat bed ink-jet imaging system is used so that the screen can be stretched in a frame and directly placed under the ink-jet head (44). The ink (46) used need not have strong colorant, but functions as a UV mask and thus must contain a UV absorbing pigment. The ink is not absorbed into the photosensitive layer, but remains as an undried image (56) on the surface. The ink must remain wet so that it does not spread and therefore gives a sharp image, and so that the UV absorbent material remains concentrated. The solvent of the ink must be chosen so as to assure that it will not affect the screen.

Abstract: An offset plate sensitive to UV or visible light, prepared simply and imaged digitally therewith in a CTP method, and also processed in a simple manner. The plate is provided as a photopolymer plate with increased sensitivity, and is used in a simple imaging-on-press system, using the surface of a lithographic printing cylinder itself as a plate substrate. The method of preparing the printing plate begins by applying a photosensitive liquid coating to the substrate, digitally imaging the coated substrate, using an actinic light source to polymerize portions of the liquid coating in accordance with the imaging, and washing the liquid.

Abstract: A multi-purpose modular infra-red ablatable Graphic Arts tool providing solutions to achieve economy of scale for infrared ablatable Graphics Arts products by a novel modular approach of using common ingredients and by combining functions to produce multipurpose materials with synergistic advantages over the component products from which they have been derived. This is done by combining the properties of a photomask film with those of a printing plate, so that the same material can be used as a film or a plate or can function as both to produce a plate with proofing functions.

Abstract: A gravure printing blank that can be easily and quickly imaged digitally by means of laser imaging and a method for preparing the same. The gravure printing blank comprises a metallic surface, a pre-polymer layer covering said metallic surface, comprising UV curable materials, photo initiators and binder resins and a photo-tool layer covering said pre-polymer layer.

Abstract: The gel method of printing variable information of the present invention involves applying inks onto a substrate that is part of or attached to a cylinder of the printing machine. Imaging is by means of an energy source in the UV, visible or infrared regions, modulated to represent a digital image pattern that has been composed on a computer. The consequence of imaging is to gel the ink and increase its adhesion to the substrate of the printing cylinder. The non-gelled background ink with lower adhesion is then removed by a squeegee action and returned to an ink reservoir. The remaining image is transferred to an offset blanket or directly to print stock by pressure. The process does not use a master, but produces an image that is erased after printing with each cylinder rotation so that the next rotation producing the next print can have fresh information written upon it.

Abstract: The multi-purpose modular infra-red ablatable graphic arts tool provided comprises solutions to economy of scale for infrared ablatable Graphics Arts products by a novel modular approach of using common ingredients and by combining functions to produce multipurpose materials with synergistic advantages over the component products from which they have been derived. This is done by combining the properties of a photomask film with those of a printing plate, so that the same material can be used as a film or a plate or can function as both to produce a plate with proofing functions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for digitally building up flexographic plates by ink jetting plate pre-cursor material onto a substrate via an offset blanket and forming the plates by successively polymerizing the ink jet fluid.

Abstract: An inkjet printing method ejects fluid droplets onto a transfer surface. On the transfer surface the droplets are treated. The droplets are then transferred to a substrate. The treatment decreases the sizes of the dots and increases their viscosity. Adjacent dots in the pattern may be printed in separate passes to retain dot integrity. The droplets may comprise UV-curable inks. The droplets may be partially cured by exposure to UV radiation while on the transfer surface.

Abstract: The gel method of printing variable information of the present invention involves applying inks onto a substrate that is part of or attached to a cylinder of the printing machine. Imaging is by means of an energy source in the UV, visible or infrared regions, modulated to represent a digital image pattern that has been composed on a computer. The consequence of imaging is to gel the ink and increase its adhesion to the substrate of the printing cylinder. The non-gelled background ink with lower adhesion is then removed by a squeegee action and returned to an ink reservoir. The remaining image is transferred to an offset blanket or directly to print stock by pressure. The process does not use a master, but produces an image that is erased after printing with each cylinder rotation so that the next rotation producing the next print can have fresh information written upon it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and materials for producing digitally imaged short-run gravure printing plates and cylinders comprising the steps of providing an image-ready printing blank having a substrate, a UV curing layer, and an IR absorbing, UV-opaque layer. Alternatively, the blank plate can be provided in a two-part construction comprising the metallic substrate and an IR-sensitive film for either processless ablation or ablation transfer imaging Digital imaging of the blank plate is performed using an IR laser which causes selective ablation of areas of the upper IR absorbing layer, thus forming an image structure having exposed and unexposed areas on the underlying UV curing layer. The plate is then flood-cured with UV radiation and washed to better expose the hardened image structure areas of the UV curing layer which have formed and which provide the cells for holding printing ink for use in the gravure printing process.

Abstract: An offset plate sensitive to UV or visible light, prepared simply and imaged digitally therewith in a CTP method, and also processed in a simple manner. The plate is provided as a photopolymer plate with increased sensitivity, and is used in a simple imaging-on-press system, using the surface of a lithographic printing cylinder itself as a plate substrate.

Abstract: A blank printed circuit board (10), for creating a circuit pattern thereon by direct imaging with infrared radiation. The blank printed circuit board (10) includes in sequence an insulating substrate (20), a metal layer (21), a resist layer (22) and a mask layer (23).

Abstract: The multi-purpose modular infra-red ablatable graphic arts tool provided comprises solutions to economy of scale for infrared ablatable Graphics Arts products by a novel modular approach of using common ingredients and by combining functions to produce multipurpose materials with synergistic advantages over the component products from which they have been derived. This is done by combining the properties of a photomask film with those of a printing plate, so that the same material can be used as a film or a plate or can function as both to produce a plate with proofing functions.

Abstract: An inkjet printing method ejects fluid droplets onto a transfer surface. On the transfer surface the droplets are treated. The droplets are then transferred to a substrate. The treatment decreases the sizes of the dots and increases their viscosity. Adjacent dots in the pattern may be printed in separate passes to retain dot integrity. The droplets may comprise UV-curable inks. The droplets may be partially cured by exposure to UV radiation while on the transfer surface.

Abstract: A thermal stencil sheet for use in a laser stencil printing system comprising a stencil sheet comprising a base layer, a radiation absorbing layer, and a thermal film overlying the radiation absorbing layer. The base layer comprises a porous fibrous material which is saturatable with liquid.

Abstract: An ablatable printing member comprising a base material and a coating is provided. The coating may comprise at least one polymeric layer containing magnetic particles embedded therein. In another application, an erasable printing member comprising a base material and an emulsion coating is provided. The emulsion coating may comprise a polymer dispersed with magnetic particles and may have a relatively low glass transition temperature.

Abstract: Printing and printed circuit board members and a method for producing printing member from a member is provided. The printing member includes a topmost protective layer, an IR ablatable layer, a substrate and a wash-off layer. The wash-off layer is washed with a solvent after imagewise ablation of the topmost protective layer so as to expose the substrate, so that the printing member is produced.

Abstract: A printing system which uses a single-layer printing member coated on to a cylinder is provided. For waterless offset application, the single-layer printing member may comprise an oleophobic imaging layer containing an oleophobic resin, coated on an oleophilic cylinder. The single-layer printing member is composed of a resin having either oleophobic or oleophillic properties, to which an infrared absorbing component or components may be added.

Abstract: A lithographic printing member comprises a base material and a coating provided thereon. The coating having one or more layers containing magnetic particles. Printing processes and products are also disclosed.