Abstract: A manufacturing line for manufacturing a print belt comprising a support-forming strip and a photopolymerized resin forming printing characters, the line comprises spreader means adapted to spread the resin on the strip, photopolymerizer means adapted to solidify that portion of the resin that is to correspond to the printing characters, remover means adapted to remove the non-photopolymerized resin from the strip, and drive means adapted to drive the strip in translation in such a manner that each of its transverse sections passes in succession in register with the spreader means, the photopolymerizer means, and the remover means.

Abstract: A negative-working heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor, comprising a substrate having a water-receptive surface which has provided thereon sequentially: (1) a thermal cross-linking layer comprising an aqueous alkali-soluble resin having aromatic hydroxyl groups, a cross-linking agent capable of cross-linking the resin by heating in the presence of an acid catalyst and an acid generator; and (2) a water-soluble overcoat layer; wherein at least one layer of the overcoat layer and the thermal cross-linking layer comprise a compound capable of converting light into heat.

Abstract: An epoxy based resin which exhibits good laser ablation and good adherence to a substrate such a copper is provided by adding to the resin a dye or dyes having substantial energy absorption at the emission wave lengths of lasers used to laser ablate the resin. The resin with the dye or dyes included is coated onto a substrate and cured, or laminated onto a substrate in the cured condition. The required openings are formed in the cured film by laser ablation. This allows for the use of optimum techniques to be used to form micro vias.

Abstract: A clearance between an upper knife and a lower knife of a slitter is set at 30 to 100 &mgr;m, and the slitter cuts a sensitized printing plate. In the sensitized printing plate cut by the slitter, there is a shear droop which is 20 to 30 &mgr;m high at the cut part, and a burr which is less than 50 &mgr;m high. If the maximum height of a surface roughness of a cut surface of the sensitized printing plate is 1.2 &mgr;m to 12 &mgr;m on the average, a hydrophilic property of the cut part improves and the stain of a frame can be decreased.

Abstract: A first structural unit includes a laser image-setting head, and a second structural unit includes a loading compartment to accommodate a cassette housing having a thermal transfer ribbon on spools having hubs. After a cassette is inserted in the loading compartment, the compartment is closed so that drive rollers engage the hubs without play. To produce a printing plate, the second structural unit is then brought over the first structural unit in the manner of a telescope by a moving device, and the thermal transfer ribbon is brought to the laser image-setting head. The thermal transfer ribbon inserted into the loading compartment is guided by self-centering means so that it does not contact the cassette housing, and is positioned with respect to the plate cylinder by guide rollers. Wear-free and therefore fast ribbon guidance can be performed, and automation of the movement sequences of the thermal transfer ribbon can be achieved.

Abstract: A printing method is disclosed wherein a grained and anodized aluminum support is coated with an image recording layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles. The heat-sensitive imaging material thus obtained is then image-wise exposed and processed, thereby obtaining a material having a lithographic image which consists of hydrophobic printing areas on a hydrophilic support and which is used as a printing master in a printing press. After the press run, the lithographic support is recycled by removing the hydrophobic printing areas from the hydrophilic surface of the aluminum support. The recycled support is then reused in a next cycle of coating, exposing, processing and printing. By using a grained and anodized aluminum support having a hydrophilic surface with a surface roughness, expressed as arithmetical mean center-line roughness Ra, which is less than 0.45 &mgr;m, the run length of the printing master is improved.

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: A process for preparing a printing plate. In this process a photopolymer printing plate is exposed to a source of actinic radiation, and this exposure causes the photopolymer to change at least one of its physical properties. Thereafter, a portion of the photopolymer is removed. The developed printing plate is then irradiated with deep ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of from about 170 to about 290 nanometers.

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

Abstract: A photothermographic light-sensitive material for making a printing plate comprising a support having thereon a light-sensitive layer containing light-sensitive silver halide grains, organic silver salt grains, a reducing agent and a binder, wherein the organic silver salt grain comprises a organic silver salt having 10 or more of carbon atoms and the photothermographic light-sensitive material has an outermost layer at a light-sensitive layer side of the support having a coefficient of water absorption of not less than 0.7%.

Abstract: A method for imaging patterning compositions comprising the steps of:

Abstract: The present invention relates to IR-sensitive compositions suitable for the manufacture of printing plates developable on-press. The IR-sensitive compositions comprise a first polymeric binder which does not comprise acidic groups having a pKa value≦8; a second polymeric binder comprising polyether groups; an initiator system; and a free radical polymerizable system comprising at least one member selected from unsaturated free radical polymerizable monomers, free radical polymerizable oligomers and polymers containing C═C bonds in the back bone and/or in the side chain groups. The initiator system includes (i) at least one compound capable of absorbing IR radiation; (ii) at least one compound capable of producing radicals selected from polyhaloalkyl-substituted compounds; and (iii) at least one polycarboxylic acid of formula R4—(CR5R6)r—Y—CH2COOH, wherein oxi<redii+1.

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: Negative working thermally imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors and methods for their use are disclosed. The elements have a substrate, a layer of imageable composition over the substrate, and, optionally, an overcoat layer over the layer of imageable composition. The imageable composition has an allyl-functional polymeric binder. Optimum resolution and on-press performance can be attained without a post-exposure bake. The elements do not require a post-exposure bake and can be used in on-press development applications.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate manufacturing method is disclosed which comprises the step of developing a presensitized planographic printing plate with a developer with a pH of from 11.5 to less than 12.5 which does not substantially contain an organic solvent, wherein the presensitized planographic printing plate comprises a support having a roughened hydrophilic surface with a center line average surface roughness Ra of from 0.5 to 0.8 &mgr;m, and provided thereon, a photopolymerizable light sensitive layer and an oxygen shielding layer in that order, the photopolymerizable light sensitive layer containing A) an addition polymerizable monomer having an ethylenic double bond, B) a photopolymerization initiator, C) a sensitizing dye, and D) a polymer binder, and the oxygen shielding layer containing E) polyvinyl alcohol and F) polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

Abstract: A resist pattern, containing a material capable of generating an acid by exposure to light, is covered with a resist containing a material capable of crosslinkage in the presence of an acid. The acid is generated in the resist pattern by application of heat or by exposure to light, and a crosslinked layer is formed at the interface as a cover layer for the resist pattern, thereby causing the resist pattern to be thickened. Thus, the hole diameter of the resist pattern can be reduced, or the isolation width of a resist pattern can be reduced.

Abstract: A surface modification layer having a surface modification coefficient of 0.1 to 0.5 is formed on the surface of an organic insulating film on a substrate. A metal wiring is provided on the surface of the organic insulating film having the surface modification layer formed at the surface thereof. Thus, the bonding strength between the metal wiring and the organic insulating film is enhanced.

Abstract: A method of developing a photosensitive planographic printing plate which includes a support and a recording layer and which has been exposed to a light beam with a developer, wherein the photosensitive planographic printing plate is immersed in the developer while being conveyed, and development is accelerated by brushing the immersed photosensitive planographic printing plate with a brush member produced by winding, around a peripheral surface of an axially rotating roller, a brushing band composed of a sheet-like substrate containing a hairy material woven therein.

Abstract: A positive image-forming material for use with infrared laser is provided. The material includes a substrate, a layer (A) containing not less than 50% by weight of a copolymer which contains, as a copolymerization component, not less than 10% by mol of at least one of the following monomers (a-1) to (a-3), wherein (a-1) is a monomer having in the molecule a sulfonamide group wherein at least one hydrogen atom is linked to a nitrogen atom, (a-2) is a monomer having in the molecule an active imino group represented by the following general formula (I): and (a-3) is a monomer selected from acrylamide, methacrylamide, acrylate, methacrylate and hydroxystyrene, which respectively have a phenolic hydroxyl group; and a layer (B) containing not less than 50% by weight of an aqueous alkali solution-soluble resin having a phenolic hydroxyl group. The layer (A) and the layer (B) contain a compound which generates heat upon absorbing light.

Abstract: A polymer based on the reaction of an excess of diisocyanate with saturated polyolefine diols to form an oligomer and further reaction of the oligomer with hydroxyacrylates or hydroxymethacrylates is discussed. The polymer is then blended with ethylenically unsaturated monomers and a photoinitiator to produce a photosensitive composition which is useful in fabricating printing plates.

Abstract: A method for producing printing plate precursors by dual-feed technology is described. The obtained printing plate precursors contain polymer particles in the photosensitive layer and show high print run stability.

Abstract: Aluminium sheet suitable for use as a lithographic plate support has a surface that is uniformly rough by virtue of: a rippled topography having an aspect ratio of at least 1.3 on a sale of 5-200 &mgr;m; and a superimposed pitted structure on a scale of 1-20 &mgr;m. A method of making the aluminium sheet involves pack rolling two aluminium ribbons to generate facing surfaces having the transverse rippled structure; followed by a small amount of a conventional roughening or graining treatment to develop the pitted structure.

Abstract: An aqueous developer for photopolymerizable flexographic printing plates containing a combination of an amino alcohol and/or an amino carboxylic acid and a surfactant or a combination of two surfactants and a process for preparing flexographic printing forms by the use of this developer are described.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate and a manufacturing method thereof are provided in which a deterioration in quality and performance of the planographic printing plate due to coating defects caused by foreign matter adhering to a support can be prevented. The planographic printing plate has stable quality such as uniform sensitivity with respect to writing by an infrared ray laser or the like and uniform developability. The planographic printing plate includes a support, a primer layer, and a recording layer superposed in that order. In the manufacturing method, a step of forming the primer layer, in which a coating solution for a primer layer is applied onto the support, is carried out at least two times. At this time, before a coating solution for a previous primer layer has completely dried, a coating solution for a subsequent primer layer is applied. This type of application is preferable in terms of coating uniformity and prevention of an increase in coating thickness.

Abstract: Self-aligned aperture masks are produced using a positive-acting photoresist (18) which is developed with a liquid developer. The apertures (30) of the mask have lower levels of inter-aperture variability than masks produced using mechanical transfer of toner particles (FIGS. 4-5 and 7-8), both for the apertures of a given mask and between masks.

Abstract: A method for forming selectively colored printing plates using photosensitive recording elements is disclosed wherein the photosensitive recording element contains a photopolymerizable recording layer comprising a photopolymerizable monomer, a radical photoinitiator, a color former, and a color photoinitiator.

Abstract: A method for producing printing plate precursors by dual-feed technology is described. The obtained printing plate precursors contain polymer particles in the photosensitive layer and show high print run stability.

Abstract: Dry film resists of the invention in general comprise a photoactive component, a highly viscous or solid (at room temperature, ca. 25° C.) crosslinker component, and preferably a flexibilizing agent. Preferred dry film constructions of the invention do not require the use of a protective cover sheet due to the composition's very dry nature.

Abstract: A waterborne photoimageable composition or photoresist comprises a latex binder polymer based on a waterborne dispersion of a photopolymerizable urethane acrylate oligomer having sufficient carboxylic acid functionality to render it develop able in alkaline aqueous solution and a photo initiator chemical system and other components to produce an aqueous coatable and alkali develop able photoresist composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photosensitive recording material comprising a base, a photopolymerisable layer and a covering layer containing a mixture of at least one water-soluble or at least water-dispersible polymer and at least one additive, the additive being selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated alkylenediamines, alkoxylated (C10-C25) alkanols, phosphoric acid (C1-C15) alkyl esters and phosphoric acid (C1-C15) alkyl esters and the amount of the additive being in the range of 0.001 to 10.0% by weight, relative to the total weight of the non-volatile components of the covering layer. The present invention also relates to a process for preparing an offset printing plate with this recording material.

Abstract: Clean running printing plates for flexographic printing may be prepared by the co-photopolymerization of a mixture comprising a liquid, acrylate or methacrylate-terminated polyurethane oligomer, an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and a photopolymerization initiator. The liquid oligomer is preferably the acrylated or methacrylated reaction product of a diisocyanate, a liquid hydrophobic polyalkylene oxide, and a diol that is at least one of polypropylene oxide and a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, where reaction with a hydroxy-containing acrylate or methacrylate compound incorporates terminal acrylate or methacrylate groups into the oligomer. The photopolymerizable blend may be used to form printing plates for flexographic printing, where the plates have a reduced tendency to pick up paper fibers, dust and dried ink during the printing process. Methodology for preparing the printing plates, and printing with the printing plates of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A metal substrate is treated with a plurality of rotating brushes and a slurry of particulate material such that the treated surface is capable of absorbing incident infrared laser radiation. The substrate is itself capable of being visibly imaged by selective writing with an infrared laser. The substrate is coated with an ablatable coating which is transparent to the imaging infrared laser radiation. Selective exposure to infrared laser radiation ablates this coating in the laser exposed areas as a result of the absorption of infrared radiation by the substrate. The substrate can be anodized after rotary brush graining and still retain its ability to be imaged and ablate a coating. The coated article can be imaged in a computer-to-plate infrared laser imaging device. Depending on the specific coating and substrate selection, the imaged article can be used in a conventional lithographic printing process or in a dryographic printing process.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive composition, for example a coating on a lithographic printing plate, comprises a carboxylic acid derivative of a cellulosic polymer. The composition may contain a radiation absorbing compound and suitable electromagnetic radiation, preferably infra-red radiation, may be used to heat the composition imagewise. The presence of the cellulosic polymer enhances resistance to certain organic liquids.

Abstract: A plate making film has a layer provided on a transparent substrate, the layer consisting essentially of a polymeric compound composed of a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1): &Brketopenst;AXAR1&Brketclosest;  (1) where A is x, y and z each denote an integer of 1 or more, X is a residue of an organic compound having 2 active hydrogen groups, Y is a hydrocarbon group having 1 or more carbon atoms, and R1 is a dicarboxylic acid compound residue, or a diisocyanate compound residue. On the plate making film, an image is formed, preferably, by ink jets using, preferably, a plate making ink containing a mono- or disazo dye which is a yellow dye highly ultraviolet absorbing properties for a wavelength of 350 to 450 nm. An inexpensive, high resolution, high grade photomask for plate making is produced thereby.

Abstract: A platemaking system uses an intermediate imaging mask made of a film of photochromic material, preferably bacteriorhodopsin. The film is normally transparent, but it is temporary made opaque by exposure to light of a certain wavelength. An image is formed on the mask using light of the appropriate wavelength, which renders portions of the mask opaque. The mask is then interposed between a photosensitive printing plate and a light source which produces light to which the plate is sensitive, exposing the printing plate and thereby transferring the desired image onto the plate. The described method is preferably implemented using a transparent rotating drum that is coated with a bR film. As the drum rotates past a green or yellow laser, a desired image is written onto the film by the laser's beam. The drum rotates the image until it is opposite a photosensitive printing plate, and a light source inside the drum exposes the plate through the mask to transfer the image.

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: 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: High-quality composite printing elements are prepared without the need for precise registration of constituent photocurable elements by disposing at least one photocurable element, and preferably a plurality of photocurable elements, upon a surface of a printing element in approximate register and then transferring a computer-generated negative onto a surface of the elements.

Abstract: A process for treating the periphery of an unexposed photosensitive resin plate, which comprises irradiation of light having a wavelength of not longer than 300 nm on the periphery of the unexposed photosensitive resin plate until the periphery is free of stickiness. The process of the present invention solves problems such as sticking of the peripheral resin of unexposed plates to packages, sticking of unexposed resin to a working table, exposure table or vacuum adhesion sheet, sticking of dust, and so on on the periphery of unexposed plates, and sticking of unexposed resin to hands when handling, while eliminating all defects in handling during the steps of making printing plates.

Abstract: A process is provided for a printing form for wet offset printing. A printing style is formed on an ink-transferring surface of the printing form (12) by forming ink-absorbing and ink-repelling areas. For illustration, the ink-transferring surface is wetted with a moistening agent. The areas of the moistened surface that are to be made into ink-absorbing areas are dried in a specific manner, and a material that absorbs printing ink is uniformly applied to the ink-transferring surface with the still dry areas. It is also possible to uniformly apply to the ink-transferring surface first a flowable material that absorbs printing ink, to dry the areas to be made into ink-absorbing areas in a specific manner, and to remove it from the areas to be made into ink-repelling areas by means of moistening agent.

Abstract: Laser-imageable flexographic printing plates and a method of making same are disclosed. A thin polymeric film doped with a UV absorber is laminated to a photopolymer layer. The film is ablated from the photopolymer using a laser operating at a selected wavelength to create an in situ negative. The resulting negative can be subjected to typical UV flood exposure and development.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring an imaged printing plate which enables the user to assess the ratio of imaged to non-imaged surface area. According to the method light is projected from a light source (3) over that area of the imaged plate to be measured, the area is enlarged by magnifying means (2), an image of the enlarged area is obtained via a c.c.d. camera (1), electronic signals are captured and red from the camera via an electronic framegrabber (7) to provide an electronic image representing the enlarged area, and the captured image is fed to an electronic circuit for analysis to determine said ratio of surface area.

Abstract: A silver halide light-sensitive material comprises a support and a silver halide gelatin emulsion layer. The silver halide gelatin emulsion layer or an optionally provided hydrophilic layer contains a tanning developing agent. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the tanning developing agent has a molecular structure in which two to six benzenediol or benzenetriol rings are connected with a linking group. According to the second embodiment of the invention, the tanning developing agent consists of a polymer having side chains containing benzenediol or benzenetriol rings. According to the third embodiment of the invention, the tanning developing agent consists of a benzenediol or benzenetriol ring having an aliphatic substituent group having 5 to 40 carbon atoms or an aromatic substituent group having 7 to 40 carbon atoms. A tanning developing solution and a lithographic printing plate are also disclosed.

Abstract: An edge-covering material and a process for preventing undesirable ridges from exposure of laser-processible, photopolymerizable printing plates premounted on sleeves or cylinders is disclosed. The edge-covering material containing at least one soluble, film-forming polymer, at least one UV absorber, and a solvent or a solvent mixture is applied on the edges of the photo-polymerizable printing plate before imagewise exposure of the photopolymerizable printing plate.

Abstract: A method of making improved aluminum printing plates comprising graining the aluminum plates, de-smutting them by treating them with nitric acid solution, then rinsing with hot water, acetating the aluminum plates, and silicating the aluminum plates. The plates are then coated with a photoresist, pattern exposed and developed. The printing plates of the invention have improved characteristics; they have excellent adhesion of the resist in image areas, and ink repellency in non-image areas. The developed printing plates have excellent durability without baking.

Abstract: High-quality composite printing elements are prepared without the need for precise registration of constituent photocurable elements by disposing at least one photocurable element, and preferably a plurality of photocurable elements, upon a surface of a printing element in approximate register and then transferring a computer-generated negative onto a surface of the elements.

Abstract: High-quality composite printing elements are prepared without the need for precise registration of constituent photocurable elements by disposing at least one photocurable element, and preferably a plurality of photocurable elements, upon a surface of a substantially planar carrier sheet in approximate register and then transferring a computer-generated negative onto a surface of the elements.

Abstract: A negative-working photosensitive resin composition is disclosed, comprising (A) a film-forming polymer, (B) an unsaturated compound having a radical polymerizable ethylenic double bond, (C) a photopolymerization initiator, and (D) a thermal polymerization inhibitor, wherein the resin composition further contains (E) at least one member selected from compounds represented by following formula (I):

Abstract: Compounds of the formulae I, II, III, IV and V 1

Abstract: A printing plate element is disclosed, comprising a substrate and a component layer containing a first material which is water-insoluble or capable of varying from being water-soluble to being water-insoluble at a prescribed temperature of not less than 60° C. and a second material which is water-soluble and has a melting point of 60 to 300° C. A method of preparing a printing plate is also disclosed, comprising imagewise exposure of the printing plate element and removing an unexposed area of the printing plate element with aqueous solution.