Abstract: A laser-engravable flexographic printing element comprising an elastomeric, relief-forming, laser-engravable, thermally and/or photochemically crosslinkable layer comprising, as binder, at least 5% by weight of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene having a content of 1,2-linked butadiene units of from 80 to 100%, a degree of crystallinity of from 5 to 30% and a mean molecular weight of from 20,000 to 300,000 g/mol on a flexible, dimensionally stable support. The elastomeric, relief-forming, laser-engravable layer preferably comprises: (a) from 50 to 99.9% by weight of one or more binders as component A consisting of (a1) from 5 to 100% by weight of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene having a content of 1,2-linked butadiene units of from 80 to 100%, a degree of crystallinity of from 5 to 30% and a mean molecular weight of from 20,000 to 300,000 g/mol as component A1, and (a2) from 0 to 95% by weight of further binders as component A2, (b) from 0.

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: An object of the present invention is to provide an interleaf paper for packaging planographic printing plates and preventing breakage of the plate-making layer at the time packaging, and a planographic printing plate package structure using a plurality of the above-mentioned interleaf paper. According to the invention, the interleaf paper for packaging the planographic printing plates is an interleaf paper, which contacts a plate-making layer of a planographic printing plate when packaging the planographic printing plates, and the interleaf paper contains Mg, Al, and Si, each at 0.5% by weight or less.

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: Solubility transitions rather than ablation mechanisms facilitate selective removal of the imaging layer of a lithographic plate, which allows for imaging with low-power lasers that need not impart ablation-inducing energy levels.

Abstract: A method for forming an image useful as a lithographic printing plate is disclosed. The imageable precursor comprises a water solubilized phenolic resin made up of an insoluble phenolic resin and a surfactant. The precursor can be imaged with an imaging solution, either off press or on press, using ink jet imaging techniques. The resulting imaged precursor can be developed using an aqueous liquid, such as water or a fountain solution, either off press or on press.

Abstract: A photosensitive lithographic printing plate comprises a photosensitive layer and a protective layer formed in this order on a support, wherein the photosensitive layer has a maximum peak of spectral sensitivity within a wavelength range ranging from 390 to 430 nm, the minimum exposure for the photosensitive lithographic printing plate for image formation at a wavelength of 410 nm (S410) is at most 100 ?J/cm2, and the relation between the minimum exposure for image formation at a wavelength of 450 nm (S450) and the minimum exposure for image formation at a wavelength of 410 nm (S410) is 0<S410/S450?0.1.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of organically developable, photopolymerizable flexographic elements on flexible metallic supports by coating a flexible metallic support with a tack-free adhesive coating composition which is insoluble and non-swelling in printing inks and organic developers, attaching an elastomeric, photopolymerizable layer to a protective film, and laminating the photopolymerizable layer to the metallic support coated with said adhesive coating composition. A photopolymerizable flexographic element comprising a photopolymerizable layer which is attached to a metallic support by means of a tack-free adhesive film that is non-swelling and insoluble in printing inks and organic developers.

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: A method for structuring a surface includes, by an assigned modification device, creating a latent structure of at least a first layer of the surface, which has a polymer therein, so as to form hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions for producing a printing form for offset printing, by selectively applying a gaseous, readily volatile solvent as a modifying agent to at least one locally limited region of the surface over at least one exposure time interval. A device for performing the method, a printing form exposer, a printing unit and a printing machine including the surface-structuring device according to the invention, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition, which is primarily energy sensitive in the near infrared and infrared region, and which comprises a dual polymer system, an infrared absorbing material that absorbs at the desired wavelength, an acid generating compound, and, optionally, an acid stabilizing compound. The composition may be applied to the proper substrate and is useful to provide offset lithographic printing plates, color proofing film or photoresist.

Abstract: An exposure system is provided that surrounds a photopolymer on a rotating cylinder ablation system. The exposure system linearly follows the ablation source and operates to expose the ablated (masked) plate with high intensity illumination from all sides so as to continuously expose all points on the photopolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified pigment products comprising a pigment having attached at least one organic group represented by the formula —X-Sp-Alk, wherein X, which is directly attached to the pigment, represents an arylene, heteroarylene, or alkylene group, Sp represents a spacer group, and Alk represents an alkenyl or alkyl group containing 50-200 carbon atoms. The use of these modified pigment products in non-aqueous dispersion compositions and in several applications, including printing plates, electrophoretic displays, liquid crystal displays, and ink, coating, toner, and polymer compositions is also disclosed.

Abstract: A member for a mask film comprising a substrate film transmitting ultraviolet light and a resin layer not transmitting ultraviolet light which is disposed on one face of the substrate film, allows elimination of color by irradiation with a laser beam, has a transmittance of ultraviolet light of 0.1% or smaller and has a thickness of 0.1 to 30 ?m; a process for producing a mask film using the member; and a process for producing a printing plate of a photosensitive resin using the mask film. The mask is advantageously used for preparing a printing plate such as a photosensitive printing plate. The member for a mask provides the mask film by etching with a laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerizable coating composition suitable for the manufacture of printing plates developable on-press. The coating composition comprises (i) a polymerizable compound and (ii) a polymeric binder comprising polyethylene oxide segments, wherein the polymeric binder is selected from the group consisting of at least one graft copolymer comprising a main chain polymer and polyethylene oxide side chains, a block copolymer having at least one polyethylene oxide block and at least one non-polyethylene oxide block, and a combination thereof. The invention is also directed to an imageable element comprising a substrate and the polymerizable coating composition.

Abstract: QHB-Modified free radical polymerizable compounds and free radical polymerizable compositions that comprise these compounds are disclosed. A QBH-modified free radical polymerizable compound has at least one moiety that comprises at least one free radical polymerizable group; a supporting backbone, and at least one and preferably at least two moieties capable of forming four or more, typically four, hydrogen bonds with similar or complementary units on other molecules or portions of molecules. Free radical polymerizable compositions that contain these compounds may be used in any of the well-known applications for free radical polymerizable compositions. They are especially useful for the formation of imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively process material on a processing surface of a printing form to create a fine structure or pattern for images or text. At least one fiber laser comprising a pump source and a laser fiber is provided. A laser gun is mounted adjacent the printing form and has at least a focusing optics. The fiber laser outputs a laser beam which is diffraction-limited to permit the focusing optics to focus the laser beam onto the processing surface of the printing form as a spot having a spot size sufficiently small to process the processing surface to create the fine structure or pattern images or text.

Abstract: The present invention relates to IR-sensitive compositions containing an initator system comprising: (a) at least one compound capable of absorbing IR radiation selected from triarylamine dyes, thiazolium dyes, indolium dyes, oxazolium dyes, cyanine dyes, polyaniline dyes, polypyrrole dyes, polythiophene dyes and phthalocyanine pigments (b) at least one compound capable of producing radicals selected from polyhaloalkyl-substituted compounds (c) at least one polycarboxylic acid represented by the following formula I wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of O, S and NR7, each of R4, R5 and R6 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, aryl which is optionally substituted, —COOH and NR8CH2COOH, R7 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, —CH2CH2OH, and C1-C5 alkyl substituted with -COOH, R8 is selected from the group consisting of —CH2COOH, —CH2OH and —(CH2)2N(CH2COOH)2 and r is 0, 1, 2 or 3 with the proviso that at least one of R4, R5, R

Abstract: A method for making a printing plate is disclosed comprising mounting a printing plate to a holder; applying a non-permanent patterned coating to an outer surface of the printing plate by moving a coating applicator relative to the holder; and, exposing the printing plate to actinic radiation through the patterned coating without removing the printing plate from the holder. The invention avoids handling-induced damage by performing coating and exposure steps in a single apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid transfer article is provided including a support assembly and an imaged surface formed directly on the surface of the support assembly by digital photopolymerization. The support assembly is in the form of a polymeric base, and the liquid transfer article is formed by providing a liquid photopolymer on the surface of the base and then irradiating the polymer with a light source to form the image. The liquid transfer article is reimagable and may be used in gravure printing processes, as well as other printing applications.

Abstract: Flexographic printing plates are produced by thermal development by a process in which an imagewise exposed flexographic printing element is developed by heating and removing the softened, unpolymerized parts of the relief-forming layer, the flexographic printing element used comprising an olefin/(meth)acrylate copolymer having an olefin content of from 50 to 94 mol %. The photopolymerizable flexographic printing element comprises an olefin/(meth)acrylate copolymer having a content of from 50 to 94 mol % of olefin monomers, from 6 to 50 mol % of (meth)acrylate monomers and from 0 to 5 mol % of further comonomers. This flexographic printing element is used for the production of flexographic printing plates both by thermal development and by development by means of washout compositions.

Abstract: A process for making a flexographic printing plate is provided, the process including a step of forming an image mask on a flexographic printing starting plate by discharging an oil-based ink by an ink-jet method, the flexographic printing starting plate having a support and a photosensitive resin layer provided thereon; a step of subjecting the photosensitive resin layer to overall exposure via the image mask; and a step of developing the photosensitive resin layer thus exposed.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a printing plate capable of preventing paste of high viscosity adhering to an edge of a squeegee from being transferred to and left on a through hole of a printed circuit board when the paste is being filled by a squeegeeing method. The printing plate has a metal sheet (3) provided with a squeegee cleaning section (7) formed thereon and fixed to the back surface of a slanting area (5) of mask (2) attached to a plate framework (1). The through hole of the printed circuit board is filled with paste only after paste of high viscosity adhering to the edge of the squeegee is removed by the squeegee cleaning section (7), to prevent the paste from being left on the through hole, and thereby achieving the printed circuit board of excellent quality.

Abstract: Laser imageable flexographic printing elements, including printing plates and printing sleeves and methods of making the laser imageable flexographic printing elements using a collapsible cross-linkable material comprising a curable elastomer, a material that absorbs laser radiation at a selected wavelength, and microspheres are disclosed. A laser is used to collapse and melt the collapsible cross-linkable material to form a relief image on the printing element. The printing element is thereafter cured by face exposure to crosslink and cure the formed relief image. The invention addresses a market need for eliminating chemical processing of printing elements, thus going from printing element to press much more quickly and using an environmentally friendly process.

Abstract: An image evaluation method of the planographic printing plate comprises the steps of (A) producing a standard developer-treated planographic printing plate by preparing a planographic printing plate precursor comprising a substrate and a photosensitive layer, which includes an aqueous alkaline solution-soluble resin and a compound that absorbs light and generates heat, on the substrate, exposing the planographic printing plate precursor under a condition that forms a checkerboard image of rectangles having one side that is 5 to 50 &mgr;m in length, and then developing the image with a standard developer; (B) producing a subject developer-treated planographic printing plate in the same manner as the above-mentioned step (A) except the development is carried out with a subject developer to be evaluated; and (C) comparing the above-mentioned checkerboard images resulted from the standard developer-treated planographic printing plate, with that resulted from the subject developer-treated planographic printing pla

Abstract: A method for producing a photosensitive planographic printing plate containing the steps of: (i) carrying out electrolysis to an aluminum support in an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid or nitric acid so as to provide the aluminum support with a roughened surface; (ii) coating a photosensitive composition on the roughed surface of the aluminum support to obtain a photosensitive layer, the photosensitive composition containing: (A) a monomer having an ethylenic double bond which is addition polymerizable; (B) a photointiator composition containing an iron arene complex compound; and (C) a polymer binder, (iii) drying the photosensitive layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a pattern forming method including providing a polymerization initiation layer which is obtained by fixing, by a cross-linking reaction, a polymer having functional groups having polymerization initiation ability and cross-linking groups at side chains, on a support, and forming a pattern including a preparation zone and a non-preparation zone of a graft polymer by preparing the graft polymer on the surface of the polymerization initiation layer using graft polymerization, by contacting a compound having a polymerizable group on the polymerization initiation layer and supplying energy imagewise; an image forming method which applies the pattern forming method; a pattern forming material; and a planographic printing plate.

Abstract: A process for forming a negative image useful as a printing plate is disclosed. A photosensitive assembly that comprises (a) a hydrophilic support, (b) a first layer that comprises a polymer that is soluble or dispersible in an aqueous alkaline solution, (c) a second layer that comprises at least one o-quinonediazide compound, and (d) an infrared absorbing compound is: (1) flood exposed with ultraviolet radiation; (2) imagewise exposed with infrared laser radiation; and (3) developed to produce the negative image.

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 description is given of a laser-engravable recording material for producing relief printing plates, in particular for producing flexographic printing plates, comprising a dimensionally stable support and a recording layer comprising silicone rubbers and inorganic ferrous solids and/or carbon black as absorbers for laser radiation; of processes for producing relief printing plates by laser engraving such recording materials; and of relief printing plates having a printing relief comprising silicone rubbers and inorganic ferrous solids and/or carbon black.

Abstract: An alkaline developing solution for development of a presensitized plate for use in making a lithographic printing plate, which developing solution comprises a polyoxyalkylene adduct of alkylene diamine, and at least one selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants; a method for preparing a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of light-exposing a presensitized plate for use in making a lithographic printing plate, and developing the light-exposed plate with the above alkaline developing solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a planographic printing plate precursor having an intermediate layer containing a polymer having a structure represented by the formula (I) at its side chain and an infrared laser photosensitive positive recording layer, disposed on a support in this order. In the formula (I), Y represents a connecting group connected with a main chain of the polymer, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group and R2 represents a divalent hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate precursor and its fixing method on a plate cylinder of a printing press are disclosed, the planographic printing plate precursor comprising a flexible substrate and provided thereon, an ink repellent layer or a hydrophilic layer wherein the planographic printing plate precursor has an 830 nm light transmittance of not less than 10%

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel thermosetting resin compositions which do not require solvent to provide a system having suitable viscosity for convenient handling. Invention compositions have the benefit of undergoing rapid cure. The resulting thermosets are stable to elevated temperatures, are highly flexible, have low moisture uptake and are consequently useful in a variety of applications, e.g., in adhesive applications since they display good adhesion to both the substrate and the device attached thereto.

Abstract: A machine (10) hardens polymer steel backed foil stamping plates. The machine (10) includes a housing (11) providing a surface (12) upon which the plate to be hardened rests. Magnets (16) are provided to urge the steel backed polymer plate into contact with the surface (12). The polymer plate is heated to a temperature of 60 to 70° C. for 5 to 10 minutes. The polymer plates are employed in stamping and embossing of foil to another material such as paper or plastics.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition comprising, a polymerizable compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group, a metallic arene compound, and an acid generating agent, wherein, the polymerizable compound is a multifunctional acrylate compound containing an amide bond and a secondary or tertiary amine group in the molecule, and the acid generating agent is a compound containing a trihalomethyl group, a dihalomethyl group or a dihalomethylene group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming an image on a light sensitive planographic printing plate material comprising a hydrophilic support and provided thereon, a light sensitive layer containing an addition polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, a polymer binder, and a sensitizing dye having an absorption maximum in the wavelength regions of from 390 to 430 nm, the minimum laser exposure amount necessary to form an image on the material being from 1.

Abstract: Disclosed are a printing plate material comprising a substrate and provided thereon, a component layer comprising a hydrophilic layer and an image formation layer, the hydrophilic layer being provided closer to the substrate than the image formation layer, wherein the hydrophilic layer contains an electron providing dye precursor, the image formation layer contains an organic electron accepting developing agent, and the component layer contains a light heat conversion material.

Abstract: This invention describes photopolymer printing plate developing solvents comprising diisopropylbenzene, alone or in combination with one or more co-solvents. Compared with solvents of the prior art, the developing solvents of the present invention have lower toxicity, higher flash points, a milder and more pleasant odor, increased resistance to thermal decomposition, higher solvency, faster dry time, and pose reduced threat to the environment. The solvents of the present invention can exhibit azeotropic-like properties resulting in improved recycling characteristics and reduced drying times. Also, the solvents of the present invention exhibit a degree of selective solvency towards non-crosslinked photopolymers vs. crosslinked photopolymers that is not seen in solvents of the prior art.

Abstract: A plate-making method is capable of recording a sharp image on a photosensitive plate, and is applicable to a process operation executed in a light room, while adverse influences caused by laser flares can be hardly received. Ultra-short pulse laser light emitted from a Ti:Al2O3 laser light source is modulated by an AOM (acousto-optic modulating element). The modulated laser light is focused by a collective lens onto a high-sensitive photopolymer layer of a photosensitive plate-making material. The focused ultra-short pulse laser light may cause a photopolymerization reaction in a laser-light-irradiated portion of the high-sensitive photopolymer layer by way of a multiple photon absorption phenomenon, so as to form a hardened portion.

Abstract: Flexographic printing plates are produced by exposing the photopolymer plates to a light source and washing out (developing) the masked out, non-exposed areas with a solvent. The invention provides alkyl ester solvents suitable for use in the development of photopolymer printing plates. The solvents, which include alkyl esters alone or mixed with co-solvents and/or non-solvents, are effective in developing a large number of different photopolymer printing plates and can produce images superior to those obtained with commercially available solvents currently used in such applications.

Abstract: A photosensitive lithographic printing plate comprises a photosensitive layer and a protective layer formed in this order on a support, wherein the photosensitive layer has a maximum peak of spectral sensitivity within a wavelength range ranging from 390 to 430 nm, the minimum exposure for the photosensitive lithographic printing plate for image formation at a wavelength of 410 nm (S410) is at most 100 &mgr;J/cm2, and the relation between the minimum exposure for image formation at a wavelength of 450 nm (S450) and the minimum exposure for image formation at a wavelength of 410 nm (S410) is 0<S410/S450≦0.1.

Abstract: A method for producing a lithographic printing plate is disclosed, comprising performing the plate-making by scan exposing a lithographic printing original plate comprising a hydrophilic support having thereon a photosensitive layer containing i) at least one polyurethane resin binder, ii) at least one compound having an addition polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated bond, and iii) at least one photopolymerization initiation system. Also disclosed are a photosensitive composition for use in the photosensitive layer of the lithographic printing original plate.

Abstract: Lithographic printing form precursors comprising positive working polymeric coatings on substrates may during storage or transportation undergo undesirable changes in their imaging properties. It has been found that acceptable properties can be restored by carrying out a heat treatment which involves a relatively short heating stage followed by accelerated cooling.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive resin composition which is excellent in the compatibility (dispersibility) of photosensitive resin composition components, developability with aqueous developer solution, water resistance, image reproducibility, print wear characteristics in printing with a water base ink and plate wiping-off resistance in removal of ink adhered to any printing plate.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing UV exposure to edges of a printing plate which occurs when the printing plate is subjected to UV illumination. The method involves a spray head comprising one or more spray nozzles for spraying edge masking material toward the printing plate and a controller connected to control relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate. The method comprises receiving, at the controller, information related to the locations of the edges of the printing plate. In response to the information received at the controller, the controller provides controlled relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate causes the spray nozzles to spray edge masking material onto the edges of the printing plate. The method may be performed by a variety of apparatus.

Abstract: A multicolor image forming material comprising: an image receiving sheet comprising an image receiving layer; and at least five heat transfer sheets different in color each comprising a substrate, a light-heat conversion layer and an image forming layer, each of the heat transfer sheets being adapted to be superposed on the image receiving sheet with the image forming layer facing the image receiving layer and irradiated with laser light to transfer the irradiated area of the image forming layer to the image receiving layer to record an image on the image receiving sheet, wherein the area of the recording has a size of 515 mm by 728 mm or larger, and at least one of the heat transfer sheets comprises titanium oxide as a colorant in the image forming layer thereof.

Abstract: A method for exposing print media formed as printed plates with the use of UV light from a light source that is modified by a projection unit with respect to direction and/or intensity, the method comprising the steps of in a first process appearing an image of a calculated and stored partial image from the projection unit on the print medium; in a second process positioning the projection unit relative to the print medium by a positioning unit; optimizing joining of partial images into one image by running the first process and the second process in parallel with coordination of the first process and the second process by a higher-level unit via control of lines, and by providing at least one unit in which one or more trigger signals are generated for starting and ending the second process to move the projection unit to a next partial unit, and for the first process for starting and ending an exposure, so that the trigger signals are evaluated by a receiver formed as the higher-level unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a laser-engravable flexographic printing element comprising a thermally crosslinked, elastomeric, laser-engravable relief-forming layer E, having the following steps:

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed for imaging and photo-processing flexographic media. The imaging system includes an input opening through which flexographic media may be input to the imaging system, an imaging unit, a photo-processing unit, and an output opening. The imaging unit is for imaging the flexographic media that is received through the input opening, and provides imaged flexographic media. The photo-processing unit receives the imaged flexographic media, and photo-processes the imaged flexographic media by illuminating the flexographic media. The photo-processing unit provides photo-processed imaged flexographic media. The photo-processed imaged flexographic media may exit the imaging system through the output opening.