Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lithographic printing plate precursor includes the steps of providing a support as a web, coating an image recording layer on the front side of the support, and depositing a back layer on the back side of the support using a deposition technique which is capable of depositing the back layer according to a predefined image. The method enables stacking and recutting of lithographic printing plate precursors without the need for interleafs.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lithographic printing plate precursor includes the steps of providing a support as a web, coating an image recording layer on the front side of the support, and depositing a back layer on the back side of the support using a deposition technique which is capable of depositing the back layer according to a predefined image. The method enables stacking and recutting of lithographic printing plate precursors without the need for interleafs.

Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer a heat and/or light-sensitive coating including an infrared absorbing agent, said heat and/or light-sensitive coating comprising a first layer comprising a binder including a monomeric unit including a sulfonamide group; characterized in that the binder further comprises a monomeric unit including a phosphonic acid group or a salt thereof, and that the monomeric unit comprising the phosphonic acid group is present in an amount comprised between 2 mol % and 15 mol %.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lithographic printing plate precursor includes the steps of providing a support as a web, coating an image recording layer on the front side of the support, and depositing a back layer on the back side of the support using a deposition technique which is capable of depositing the back layer according to a predefined image. The method enables stacking and recutting of lithographic printing plate precursors without the need for interleafs.

Abstract: A method for preparing a flexographic printing master on a sleeve includes using a reusable sleeve. The reusable sleeve includes a self adhesive on its outer surface. In a first preferred embodiment, a support is removably attached to the reusable sleeve after which a relief image is formed on the support by an inkjet method. In a second preferred embodiment, a Direct Laser Engraving (DLE) flexographic printing master precursor is removably attached to the reusable sleeve, after which a relief image is formed by DLE. The flexographic printing masters can then be removed from the sleeve after printing, and the sleeve can be reused to make new printing masters.

Abstract: An alkali soluble resin is disclosed comprising a first monomeric unit including at least one sulfonamide group and a second monomeric unit derived from the monomer according to the following structure (I) wherein R1 represents a structural moiety comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group; R2, R3 and R4 independently represent hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group or, the necessary atoms to form a five to eight membered ring.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate is disclosed which comprises the steps of: (1) providing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating, (2) image-wise exposing said precursor with IR-radiation or heat, and (3) developing said image-wise exposed precursor with an alkaline developing solution, characterised in that a sludge inhibiting agent is present in said precursor or in said developing solution or in said precursor and said developing solution, and wherein said sludge inhibiting agent is a triazaindolisine compound. According to the above method, the formation of sludge is inhibited or reduced.

Abstract: A method for making a positive-working lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: (1) providing a heat-sensitive printing plate precursor including on a support, having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating; (2) image-wise exposing the precursor with heat and/or light; and (3) developing the exposed precursor with an aqueous alkaline developing solution including lithium ions at a concentration of at least 0.05% wt and a salt of an aliphatic carboxylic acid; wherein the molar ratio of the aliphatic carboxylic acid to the lithium ions is ?1.

Abstract: A method for developing a printing plate precursor comprising the step of immersing the precursor in an aqueous alkaline developing solution comprising a (co)polymer comprising a monomeric unit which is represented by the following formula (I): wherein L is a linking group; R1, R2 and R3 independently represent hydrogen or an alkyl group; R4 represents an optionally substituted hydroxyaryl group; x=0 or 1; y=0 or 1 and when y=0 then x=1 and L is further bound to C* to form a cyclic structure.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, and a coating thereon, said coating comprising an IR absorbing agent and a polyvinylacetal binder, said polyvinylacetal comprising an acetal group having an acetal carbon atom substituted by a phenolic group, a naphtol group or an antracenol group, a second recurring unit comprising an acetal group having an acetal carbon atom substituted by an alkyl group having a hydrocarbon chain containing 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and a third recurring unit comprising an acetal group having an acetal carbon atom substituted by an alkyl group having a hydrocarbon chain containing 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms wherein the alkyl group of the acetal group of the third recurring unit is different from the alkyl group of the acetal group of the second recurring unit. The precursor exhibits an improved sensitivity on exposure and the stability against daylight exposure is further improved.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor comprising (1) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (2) a heat-sensitive coating, comprising an underlayer on said support and thereon an upperlayer, an IR absorbing agent in at least one of said underlayer and upperlayer, a phenolic resin in said upperlayer, and a first polymer in said underlayer, characterized in that said first polymer is an alkaline soluble polymer comprising a first sulfonamide containing monomeric unit having a specified structure according to formula I or formula II and a second amide containing monomeric unit having a specified structure according to formula III. The printing plates show an improved chemical resistance of the coating and a reduced undercutting of the image forming parts of the coating.

Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer a heat and/or light-sensitive coating including an infrared absorbing agent, said heat and/or light-sensitive coating comprising a first layer comprising a binder including a monomeric unit including a sulfonamide group; characterized in that the binder further comprises a monomeric unit including a phosphonic acid group or a salt thereof, and that the monomeric unit comprising the phosphonic acid group is present in an amount comprised between 2 mol % and 15 mol %.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: (1) providing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor including on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating, (2) image-wise exposing the precursor with IR-radiation or heat, and (3) developing the image-wise exposed precursor with an alkaline developing solution including a compound having at least two onium groups. According to the above method, a printing plate is formed with an improved developing latitude or an improved exposure latitude.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, and a coating thereon, said coating comprising an IR absorbing agent and a contrast enhancing compound, characterized in that said contrast enhancing compound has the structure of formula (I). The printing plate comprising the contrast enhancing compound improves the thermoresponsivity of the coating and is capable of improving the resistance of the coating in the non-exposed areas against the alkaline developer.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating including an IR absorbing agent, a phenolic resin, and a first polymer, wherein the first polymer is an alkaline soluble polymer including a monomeric unit having a structure according to Formula I or Formula II, wherein at least one of the aromatic groups Ar1 and Ar2 is an optionally substituted heteroaromatic group:

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of providing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor including on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating; image-wise exposing the precursor with IR-radiation or heat; and developing the image-wise exposed precursor with an alkaline developing solution, wherein an anti-sludge agent is present in the precursor or in the developing solution or in the precursor and the developing solution, and wherein the anti-sludge agent is a 5-membered heteroaromatic compound, including —NH— group wherein the hydrogen is capable of being deprotonated in the alkaline developing solution, selected from the group consisting of an optionally substituted benztriazole, 1,2,3-triazole, tetrazole, or indazole compound. According to the above method, the formation of sludge is inhibited or reduced.

Abstract: An alkali soluble resin is disclosed comprising a first monomeric unit including at least one sulfonamide group and a second monomeric unit derived from the monomer according to the following structure (I) wherein R1 represents a structural moiety comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerisable group; R2, R3 and R4 independently represent hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group or, the necessary atoms to form a five to eight membered ring.

Abstract: A method for making a positive-working lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: (1) providing a heat-sensitive printing plate precursor including on a support, having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating; (2) image-wise exposing the precursor with heat and/or light; and (3) developing the exposed precursor with an aqueous alkaline developing solution including lithium ions at a concentration of at least 0.05% wt and a salt of an aliphatic carboxylic acid; wherein the molar ratio of the aliphatic carboxylic acid to the lithium ions is ?1.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including a support, with a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, and a coating provided thereon, the coating including an image-recording layer which includes thermoplastic particles; exposing the precursor to heat or infrared radiation; and developing the exposed precursor in an alkaline aqueous solution; wherein the alkaline aqueous solution includes at least 0.05 g/l of lithium ions.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate is disclosed which comprises the steps of: (1) providing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating, (2) image-wise exposing said precursor with IR-radiation or heat, and (3) developing said image-wise exposed precursor with an alkaline developing solution, characterised in that a sludge inhibiting agent is present in said precursor or in said developing solution or in said precursor and said developing solution, and wherein said sludge inhibiting agent is a triazaindolisine compound. According to the above method, the formation of sludge is inhibited or reduced.