Abstract: There are obtained from N-(hydroxypolyoxaalkylene)imidyl compounds and (meth)acrylic acid esters thereof homopolymers or copolymers with olefinically unsaturated comonomers. These polymers are photosensitive and are suitable as photographic recording material, as adhesives and as agents for surface coating.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel photosensitive recording material and a method for using the recording material in the production of planographic printing plates. The recording material comprises a support and a negative-working photosensitive layer that contains a diazonium salt polycondensation product as the photosensitive compound and, in addition, a colorless inorganic pigment which is insoluble in water and organic solvents and which has an average particle diameter from 1 to 20 .mu.m. The pigment is present in a quantity from 0.01 to 2% by weight, relative to the non-volatile constituents of the layer, and is evenly distributed in the layer. Due to the pigment content, a rough layer surface is formed, which has the effect of reducing the time required for creating a vacuum in a vacuum frame into which the recording material is mounted. The presence of the pigment in the layer also produces an improved tonal rendering in the print obtained.

Abstract: For the production of printing plates, in particular lithographic printing plates by exposing a photopolymerizable recording material imagewise to actinic light and then effecting development with an aqueous alkaline developer, it is proposed to use photopolymerizable recording materials possessing a photopolymerizable copying layer (L) applied on a dimensionally stable base, where, in addition to containing ethylenically unsaturated photopolymerizable low molecular weight compounds, one or more photoinitiators, dyes and/or pigments, and, if required, further additives and/or assistants, the said copying layer (L) also contains, as a binder, one or more oligomeric and/or relatively high molecular weight copolymers which are soluble or dispersible in aqueous alkaline media and are based on cyclic dienes, in particular unsubstituted or substituted cyclopentadiene or unsubstituted or substituted di- or tricyclopentadiene.

Abstract: A negative working light-sensitive lithographic plate requiring no dampening solution and a plate making process are described, the negative working light-sensitive lithographic plate comprising a support having, in sequence, on said support, (A) a light-sensitive layer containing (1) an o-quinonediazide compound and (2) a coupling component which causes a diazo coupling reaction under a basic environment, and (B) a silicone rubber layer, and the plate making process comprising imagewise exposing the negative working light-sensitive lithographic plate and developing said exposed plate to obtain a lithographic plate requiring no dampening solution, wherein a step of processing with base is carried out after imagewise exposure.

Abstract: A laser-imageable assembly comprising a transparent substrate having on a surface thereof an energy absorbent transfer layer comprising particles which absorb laser energy dispersed in a heterogeneous resin layer. Heterogeneity may be achieved by appropriately drying the coated substrate.The assembly may also comprise one or more additional layers of primer, protective and lubricant coatings.A preferred assembly comprises a polyester substrate with a graphite-containing heterogeneous transfer layer.

Abstract: A light-sensitive printing plate precursor is described comprising a support having provided thereon a light-sensitive layer, said light-sensitive layer having spray-coated and dried thereon an aqueous liquid containing a resin in a dissolved or dispersed state.

Abstract: A photosensitive polymer composition including the following components A, B, and C is presented.A. 100 parts by weight of partially saponified polyvinyl acetate having a saponification degree of 60 to 99 mole %;B. 20 to 200 parts by weight of polyfunctional acrylate or methacrylate having a molecular weight of not more than 2000 and having at least two acryloyl or methacryloyl groups in the same molecule thereof and a number of a hydroxyl group or groups not more than the number of said acryloyl and methacryloyl groups in the same molecule thereof; andC. 1 to 60 parts by weight of a saturated compound having a molecular weight of not more than 1000 and a boiling point of not less than 150.degree. C. and having at least one hydroxyl group in the molecule thereof.This photosensitive polymer composition is extremely effective for use in a water-developable sensitive printing plate having an excellent image-reproducibility and flexibility.

Abstract: Photocured layers possessing a defined controllable hardness are produced by exposing a layer of a photopolymerizable or photocrosslinkable mixture, which contains a partially crystalline polymeric binder possessing olefinic double bonds capable of undergoing polymerization, to actinic light, by a method in which the photocurable layer, prior to exposure to actinic light, is subjected to a heat treatment in which the partially crystalline parts of the polymeric binder are partially or completely fused.

Abstract: Process for preparation of dot-etched, photopolymerizable lithographic film which comprises (a) exposing imagewise a photopolymerizable element consisting essentially of a support and two caustic or water soluble layers, the upper layer being clear, unpigmented photopolymer and the lower layer being a polymeric binder having dispersed therein a chemically soluble pigment, e.g., colloidal silver or other metal; and optionally an overcoat layer; developing the exposed element with caustic solution and then water; and treating the developed image with a solubilizing agent, e.g., K.sub.2 Fe(CN).sub.6, FeCl.sub.3,Na.sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3, KCNS, KOH, NH.sub.3, etc. A dot-etched lithographic film is prepared.

Abstract: The contact of an image-bearing film to the surface of a photosensitive polyamide printing plate is improved by forming an anti-stickiness layer on the photosensitive polyamide layer, the anti-stickiness layer comprising a polymer which is soluble or dispersible in a developer for the photosensitive polyamide, and having a thickness of 0.2 to 20.mu. and having a matted surface.

Abstract: Photopolymer relief plates are produced by applying a photopolymerizable relief-forming layer R, which contains a thermal polymerization inhibitor liberating nitrosyl free radicals on ultraviolet irradiation, to a dimensionally stable base which bears an adhesive layer A for the layer R, the layer A containing 0.01 to 10 percent by weight of a compound ##STR1## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are identical or different and each is alkyl or R.sup.5 --(O-alkylene).sub.x --, R.sup.5 being H or alkyl and x being 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, and then exposing, and developing, the layer R in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A dry planographic plate has an image area and a non-image area in the shape of an image. The non-image area is constituted by a silicone rubber layer. The surface of the plate is coated with a thin film containing an organic polymer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing relief printing plates made of a photo-sensitive polymeric material, including the steps of providing a photographic negative having opaque areas and transparent areas defining a desired printing relief pattern, applying a layer of viscous photo-sensitive resin on the photographic negative, providing a flexible support base having a roughened surface, and applying it onto the layer of viscous resin with the roughened surface contacting the layer of resin, projecting ultra-violet radiation on the negative for hardening any of the resin which is exposed to the ultra-violet radiation through the transparent areas of the negative thereby forming the printing relief and causing the resin to adhere to the roughened surface during the hardening thereof, and removing the negative and recovering any of the resin which was behind the opaque areas of the negative and was not hardened.

Abstract: A photo-polymerizable dispersion composition is disclosed. The dispersion composition includes a silver halide which is dispersed within a polyfunctional vinyl monomer and a high molecular binder. The binder is obtained by vinyl polymerization and contains a water insoluble polymer having amide groups and carboxyl group. The resulting dispersion composition can be utilized to form high polymer images having a good oleophilic property which exhibit less swelling even if developed in an aqueous developing solution.

Abstract: Imagewise differential oleophilicity is formed on a planographic printing member by imagewise photoexposure, generally with a Yag laser, of an aluminium silicate image forming layer, generally of a boehmite hydrate layer such as is formed by contact of anodized or other aluminium substrate with sodium silicate. A print resistant image may be formed by applying to an image surface having imagewise differential oleophilicity a selective coating composition comprising an organic phase, generally in an amount of 90 to 75% by volume, containing film forming resin and that will preferentially wet and deposit resin on the image areas, and an aqueous phase, generally in an amount of 10 to 25% by volume, that will preferentially wet and prevent resin deposition on the background areas, and hardening the resin.

Abstract: An improved planographic printing plate comprised of a metal substrate, a sealing layer, an interlayer formed from a monomer or polymer of an organic compound having at least one cationic, quaternary substituted ammonium group, and a photosensitive layer on the surface of the interlayer. The printing plates are water developable and characterized by cleaner non-imaging areas during printing operations. The method of preparing such planographic printing plates is also described and illustrated.

Abstract: A water developable, photopolymerizable composition and printing plates prepared from such composition are disclosed. The photopolymerizable composition includes at least one water soluble polymer, such as polyvinyl alcohol or partially saponified polyvinyl acetate, at least one photopolymerization initiator, and the condensation reaction product of N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide, N-alkyloxymethyl acrylamide or N-alkyloxymethyl methacrylamide with a melamine derivative of the following formula: ##STR1## wherein, R.sub.1 is CH.sub.2 OR, R.sub.2 is H or CH.sub.2 OR, and R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl. A thermal polymerization inhibitor may also be included in the composition.Plates prepared from the composition demonstrate improved hardness and water resistance, compared to previously known photopolymerizable compositions, and also achieve excellent image quality.

Abstract: Process for improving the printing quality of photohardenable reproduction materials for the production of relief printing plates whose surface has been abraded before imagewise exposure, by filling in the abraded relief with the photohardenable material itself or with a thermoplastic binder.

Abstract: A method of replenishing a developer during the development of photosensitive plates in a conveyor-type automatic developing machine connected to a replenishing device in which the dissolution of the photosensitive layer in the non-image area of a photosensitive plate is measured with a sensor. The sensor is positioned at a certain point in the developing zone of the machine, and, when the measured dissolution reaches a certain level, the replenishing device is automatically actuated to supply a predetermined amount of replenisher to the developer.

Abstract: Light sensitive condensed copolymers or multi-polymers of at least two distinct diazonium salts of the types specified herein. The product is characterized by high light speed, good shelf life and very good resistance to thermal and electrical degradation.

Abstract: A presensitized printing plate which has a photopolymerizing composition layer provided on at least one side of a support, with the photopolymerizing composition being constituted with (A) a polymer containing in its side chains groups represented by the following general formula (I) and carboxylic groups: ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogeno group, a carboxyl group, a sulfo group, a nitro group, a cyano group, and amido group, an amino group, or an unsubstituted or a substituted alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylamino, arylamino, alkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl group; and Z represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, --NH-- or --NR-- (R=alkyl)), (B) a monomer or an olygomer having at least two polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated double bonds, and (C) a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: The present application describes a light-sensitive copying material comprising a support and a light-sensitive layer which contains a surface-active polysiloxane comprised of dialkyl siloxane units and oxyalkylene units. By the addition of the polysiloxane a more uniform coating is achieved, even if only a single solvent is used for the coating solution.

Abstract: A photosensitive plate suitable for preparation of a waterless lithographic printing plate, which comprises a support material and a photosensitive layer provided thereon, said photosensitive layer being made of a photosensitive composition comprising an emulsion polymerization product of an acrylic or methacrylic monomer having a perfluoroalkyl group in the side chain and a water-soluble photosensitive substance resin whose water-solubility is variable by irradiation of ultraviolet rays.

Abstract: Multilayer photosolubilizable litho element comprising (1) support, (2) photosolubilizable dye or pigment-containing layer having an optical density in the visible region of the spectrum of at least 2.0 comprising a quinone diazide and at least one acidic polymeric binder, and (3) photosolubilizable layer comprising a quinone diazide compound and at least two acidic polymeric binders having carboxylic acid substituents, one binder having an acid number below 110, preferably poly(methylmethacrylate/methacrylic acid). The element is useful as a single exposure positive contact litho film.

Abstract: A photocrosslinkable substantially linear polyester polymer having sensitivity to visible light is provided which contains at least 10 mole %, based on the entire polymer, of units derived from a phenylenebis(.alpha.-cyanobutadienecarboxylic acid) and has a reduced viscosity of at least 0.2 dl/g. A typical use of the polymer is in making printing plates.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for manufacturing sheets, foils, or strips which involves chemically, mechanically, and/or electrochemically roughening and anodically oxidizing aluminum or aluminum alloy surfaces, followed by two post-treatment steps. In the first step, the metal surface is treated with an aqueous alkali metal silicate solution; thereafter, the surface is treated with an aqueous solution comprising alkaline earth metal ions. The materials produced according to this process are particularly used as supports for offset-printing plates.

Abstract: The present invention describes a light-sensitive copying material comprising a support and a light-sensitive layer which contains from 0.01 to 10 percent by weight of a non-ionic ester which is obtained by reacting a perfluoro-carboxylic acid with a polyalkylene glycol or of an ether which is obtained by reacting a highly fluorinated or a perfluorinated alkanol with a polyalkylene glycol. By the addition of the fluorinated compound, a more uniform coating is achieved, even when one solvent alone is used for the coating solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a photochemical process for the preparation of printing plates wherein a printing plate comprising a photosensitive composition coated on a support is exposed to a pattern of laser light, the intensity of which is modulated in accordance with an input source of information and said printing plate is subsequently developed by removal from said support of that portion of the photosensitive coating composition which is not exposed to said pattern of laser light, the improvement comprising utilizing a pattern of laser light generated by a laser at a wavelength greater than about 450 nm, and utilizing as a photosensitive composition a negative-working condensate of a para-aminobenzene diazonium compound, said compound being present in a quality of at least 25% of the total coating weight.

Abstract: An improved planographic printing plate comprised of a metal substrate, a sealing layer, an interlayer formed from a monomer or polymer of an organic compound having at least one cationic, quaternary sustituted ammonium group, and a photosensitive layer on the surface of the interlayer. The printing plates are water developable and characterized by cleaner non-imaging areas during printing operations. The method of preparing such planographic printing plates is also described and illustrated.

Abstract: A permanent curl is provided in flexographic printing plates comprising a flexible sheet support and a photosensitive layer of a photopolymerizable elastomeric composition having a dry thickness of about 0.005 to 0.250 inch wherein after liquid development the printing plate is dried, 20.degree. to 80.degree. C. for at least 0.25 hour, and is postexposed by overall actinic radiation exposure for 1 to 30 minutes, at least the postexposure occurring while the printing plate is present on a curved surface, e.g., a printing cylinder. The process is useful for rubber and block copolymer-containing printing plates.

Abstract: Bilayer photosensitive imaging articles comprising a substrate coated with an image layer and a resist layer are disclosed. The substrate may be transparent, translucent or opaque to give imaging articles useful in different applications. The image layer which should be from about 0.3-3.0 microns in thickness includes an organic film-forming vehicle from the group of copolymers of the formula: ##STR1## where P is styrene, ethylene or methyl vinyl ether; m is 1-3; n is 1,10; X is OH, OHN.sub.2, ONH.sub.4, OR, ONH.sub.3 R, ONH.sub.2 R.sub.2, ONHR.sub.3, ONH.sub.3 RNH.sub.2, ONa, OK, OLi; R is an alkyl group in the range C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 optionally including a functional group such as ketone, alcohol, esther, ether alcohol or aryl; m=1-3, n=1-10; and the molecular weight is between 1,000-150,000. The image layer may also include a coloring medium. The resist layer, which should be from about 0.5 to about 2.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive composition comprising an iodine-containing azide compound at least a part of which can be fixed substantially in a polymer by exposure to a radiation and a polymer, or a radiation-sensitive composition comprising an azide compound, an iodine compound at least a part of which can be fixed substantially in a polymer by exposure to a radiation and a polymer. This composition can be subjected to the dry development with oxygen plasma after the exposure followed by heating.

Abstract: Process for preparing flexographic photopolymer elements by passing into the nip of a calender a photopolymer composition mass comprising elastomeric binder, monomeric compound, and photoinitiator and calendering the photopolymer composition either between (1) a support and multilayer cover element consisting essentially of a flexible cover film, optionally a flexible polymeric film, e.g., polyamide, and a layer of elastomeric composition which is photosensitive or becomes photosensitive during or after calendering, or between (2) two supports, one of which is removed prior to contact, e.g., by lamination or pressing, with the multilayer cover element. The flexographic photopolymer elements are useful for flexographic printing, e.g., dry-offset, letterpress printing.

Abstract: A multi-layer element for the production of printing plates and relief plates which is based on an elastomeric polymer binder and is firmly anchored to a polyester base by means of an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer consists of a thermally hardened mixture which is insoluble in aromatic hydrocarbon solvents or aliphatic halohydrocarbon solvents and contains (c1) from 90 to 40% by weight, based on the sum of (c1) and (c2), of an hydroxyl-containing polyurethane, hydroxyl-containing epoxy, hydroxyl-containing phenoxy resin, polyester-ol or polyether-ol resin which has been hardened and crosslinked with isocyanate, and which has from about 4 to 20% by weight, based on the non-crosslinked and hardenable resin, of free OH groups before hardening and crosslinking with isocyanate, and (c2) from 10 to 60% by weight, based on the sum of (c1) and (c2), of an OH-free polycarbonate which is compatible with the resin (c1) before the latter is hardened and crosslinked.

Abstract: Process for improving ozone resistance of photosensitive flexographic relief printing plates prepared from at least 30% by weight of a block copolymer as defined, at least 1% by weight of at least one addition polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compound, and a polymerization initiator wherein there is applied to the dry relief surface of said plates a solvent solution containing at least 1% by weight of a nickel or zinc dialkyldithiocarbamate compound where alkyl is from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The treated plates which possess improved ozone resistance are useful for flexographic printing.

Abstract: Presensitized lithographic printing plates, having extended press run life, are provided by electrolytically passing a current through the light-sensitive material in the prefabricated plate. Press runs of up to sixty percent longer than expected are possible with plates which are so treated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed which will rapidly provide a uniform layer of photopolymerizable material for a printing plate. A regulated flow of liquid photopolymerizable resin is supplied from an external reservoir into a manifold which is approximately C-shaped in cross-section and has one at least partially open side face. A gate is disposed before the open side face of the manifold and this gate is vertically adjustable so that together the gate and open side face define an orifice slot or passageway from which a uniform curtain of the resin may flow onto a platemaking surface. The manifold member has a downward projecting wedge shaped lip which acts as a doctor blade on the liquid resin layer deposited as the manifold is moved across the plate-making surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to proof film-type light sensitive diazonium materials containing accelerators selected from sulfur and/or amide-containing compounds which are capable of accelerating the contact exposure of negative-working diazonium compounds when such diazonium compounds are subjected to UV radiation. These accelerators enhance essentially photosensitivity speed. The invention also relates to presensitized reproduction materials comprising diazonium materials containing these accelerators.

Abstract: A radiation-polymerizable mixture is described comprising (a) a compound which has at least two terminal ethylenically unsaturated groups and which can form a crosslinked polymer by means of free radical initiated chain addition polymerization, (b) a polymeric binder, (c) a radiation-activatable polymerization initiator which can be activated by radiation, and (d) a compound which is thermally crosslinkable with the polymeric binder (b), with the polymerization product of compound (a) and/or with itself and which, if its crosslinking groups are epoxy groups, has at least three epoxy groups. A photopolymerizable copying material is also disclosed having a flexible transparent temporary support and a transferable thermoplastic photopolymerizable layer comprising the foregoing radiation-polymerizable mixture. The photopolymerizable layer, after photocrosslinking, can be additionally cured by thermal crosslinking and is therefore suitable for the manufacture of solder resists and high performance printing plates.

Abstract: An image reproducing material comprising a supporting sheet bearing a metal or metallic compound layer having a thickness of 100 to 1000 .ANG. and a photosensitive resin layer, which is characterized in that said photosensitive resin layer contains (1) an ethylenically unsaturated compound which is polymerizable by the action of free radical and chain propagative, (2) a compound showing photochromism by radical mechanism, (3) a free radical producing agent and (4) an acitinic light absorber. There is also provided an image formed (reproduced) material obtained by patterned exposing the above image reproducing material and then processing the same, a method for obtaining such image formed material and also a method for dot-etching such image formed material. By the use of these materials and methods, dot-etching can be effected easily and there are obtained sharp images without the formation of pin holes.

Abstract: Process for making a lithographic printing plate having an oleophilic amplified image prepared by(a) providing a silicated aluminum substrate with a hydrophilic, anionic, negatively charged surface and a layer on said surface of a light sensitive, cationic, positively charged, water soluble diazonium material having at least two reactive sites per molecule, each reactive site being capable of being chemically altered by actinic light or chemically reacted with an anionic material;(b) selectively and incompletely exposing the diazo layer to actinic light to alter only a portion of the reactive sites thereby adhering the diazo material to the substrate in the exposed areas;(c) coupling the diazo layer with an anionic material to reinforce diazo in the exposed areas in situ and remove diazo from the unexposed areas by contacting the substrate after exposure with an anionic material in water in a quantity and for a time sufficient to couple the anionic material with the diazo and dissolve the coupled product from

Abstract: An improved method of making a half-tone gravure printing plate in which a planographic or relief half-tone positive and a gravure screen are printed on a photosensitive resist forming material. In the method, the lowering of the quality of printed matter resulting from formation of moire pattern can be prevented and an error caused by the reproduction step between a new half-tone positive and an original half-tone positive can be corrected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light-curable mixture, comprising a light-sensitive compound comprising a diazonium salt polycondensation product or an organic azido compound; and a binder comprising a polymer at least swellable in an aqueous-alkaline solution and which comprises alkenylsulfonylurethane or cycloalkenylsulfonylurethane side groups. Also disclosed are light-sensitive copying materials prepared with the mixtures.

Abstract: An improvement in the method of preparing a coating or layer of reprographic material upon a substrate which includes the conventional steps of coating the substrate surface with a layer of resinous binder curable upon exposure to radiant energy including electron beam and ultraviolet radiation, the binder layer containing reprographic solids. The resinous binder is applied as a fluid and is irradiated until a coherent and adherent layer is formed. The method includes the steps of forceably applying and tautly maintaining a sheet of a smooth flexible film against the surface of the curable resinous binder while directing a beam of radiant energy through the sheet and onto the binder while the layer of flexible film is held thereagainst. The exposure to radiant energy is continued until the resinous binder is substantially completely cured, whereupon the sheet of flexible film is removed from the surface of the binder.

Abstract: The invention relates to oligomeric and/or polymeric radiation-reactive precursor stages of polymers on the basis of heterocycles and has the objective to make available radiation-reactive precursor stages of this kind in which the problems arising due to the need of using organic solvents are eliminated. For this purpose, the invention provides addition products of cyclic carboxylic-acid anhydrides with hydroxyl group-containing compounds, where the hydroxyl group-containing compounds represent addition products of olefinically unsaturated monoepoxides on carboxyl group-containing prepolymers of polyimides, polyisoindoloquinazoline diones, polyoxazine diones and polyquinazoline diones or on amino group-containing prepolymers of polyimidazoles and polyimidazopyrrolones or on hydroxyl group-containing prepolymers of polyoxazoles. The radiation-reactive precursor stages according to the invention are suited, for example, for the manufacture of highly heat-resistant relief structues.

Abstract: The photosensitive printing plate of this invention features incorporation of an organic foaming agent in the photosensitive composition that constitutes the photosensitive layer, said organic foaming agent being thermally decomposed upon drying of said composition under heating to thereby roughen the surface of the photosensitive layer. According to this invention, no specific mechanical treatment is required for forming the photosensitive layer and also there is no need of remodeling the existing coating equipments, and further, the vacuum contact time can be appreciably lessened, so that this invention can greatly improve the working efficiency in plate making and markedly reduce the production cost.

Abstract: Photosensitive elements comprising a layer of a solvent-soluble, thermoplastic, elastomeric, block copolymer, a nongaseous ethylenically unsaturated compound, and an addition polymerization initiator activatable by actinic light interposed between a support and cover sheet, a flexible polymeric film, e.g., polyamide, being interposed between the cover sheet and the surface of the layer. The elements are useful in preparing printing plates, particularly flexographic printing plates, and other relief images.

Abstract: A laminate suitable for the production of printing plates and relief plates, and possessing a photosensitive layer, which is soluble in water or in an aqueous solution, and contains a hydrophilic polymeric binder, applied to a base, contains, between the base and the photosensitive layer, an intermediate layer which consists of a mixture of a polymeric binder compatible with the polymeric binder of the photosensitive layer, and a diacrylate or dimethacrylate monomer which contains urethane groups and is obtained by reacting a hydroxyalkyl acrylate or hydroxyalkyl methacrylate with a diisocyanate. After application to the base, the intermediate layer is cured at 110.degree.-220.degree. C. before the photosensitive layer is applied.

Abstract: A laminate suitable for the production of printing plates and relief plates, and possessing a photosensitive layer, which is soluble in water or in an aqueous solution, and contains a hydrophilic polymeric binder, applied to a base, contains, between the base and the photosensitive layer, an intermediate layer which consists of a mixture of a polymeric binder which is compatible with the polymeric binder of the photosensitive layer and contains at least 30% by weight of a reaction product of a polyvinyl alcohol with acrylic anhydride and/or methacrylic anhydride, with at least one monomer which is compatible therewith and selected from the group consisting of the hydroxyalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and the diacrylates and dimethacrylates containing urethane groups. After application to the base, the intermediate layer is cured at 110.degree.-220.degree. C. before the photosensitive layer is applied.

Abstract: Photopolymerizable compositions are described containing a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a photoinitiator or initiator system, and selected acidic polymeric binders. The organic binder mixture contains a compound chosen from each of two selected classes. These photopolymerizable compositions yield superior processability, i.e., on developing and stripping, in solely aqueous alkaline media devoid of organic solvents, decreased softness and/or tackiness, and improved adhesion when compared to the prior art. The compositions are particularly useful for preparing photoresists.