Abstract: A positive working printing form precursor comprises a thermally imagable composition which includes a hydroxyl group-containing polymer, for example a novolak resin. The composition has a weight of less than 1.1 gm?2. It has been found that using a low weight of the composition on the precursor improves the properties of the precursor, in particular by rendering the sensitivity of the precursor to imaging radiation less variable over time.

Abstract: Infrared absorbing compounds in which the anion is selected from the group consisting of 5-isatinsulfonate, 10-camphorsulfonate, and 4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzenedisulfonate are disclosed. Negative-working imageable elements containing these compounds have improved dot stability.

Abstract: Negative thermosensitive lithographic printing plates comprise on a hydrophilic substrate an oleophilic thermosensitive layer comprising a polymeric binder, urethane (meth)acrylate monomer having at least 6 (meth)acrylate groups, a non-urethane (meth)acrylate monomer having at least 4 (meth)acrylate groups, a free-radical initiator, and an infrared absorbing dye; wherein the weight ratio of said urethane (meth)acrylate monomer to said non-urethane (meth)acrylate monomer is from 0.10 to 3.0, and said thermosensitive layer is capable of hardening upon exposure to an infrared radiation. Lithographic plates with such compositions have excellent press durability.

Abstract: A method for forming an image, which comprises subjecting a photosensitive layer of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate having a photosensitive layer comprising a photopolymerizable composition formed on a support surface to scanning exposure with a laser light having a wavelength in a range of from 650 to 1,300 nm, developing an image, and then further subjecting the photosensitive lithographic printing plate having the developed image to whole image exposure with a light exposure energy of from 1 to 70 times larger than the light exposure energy at the time of the laser light scanning exposure.

Abstract: Multilayer, positive working, thermally imageable elements are disclosed. The elements produce bakeable lithographic printing plates that are resistant to press chemistries. The elements have a substrate, an underlayer, and a top layer. The underlayer comprises a resin or resins having activated methylol and/or activated alkylated methylol groups, such as a resole resin, and a polymeric material that comprises, in polymerized form, (a) methacrylic acid; (b) N-phenylmaleimide, N-cyclohexylmaleimide, N-benzylmaleimide, or a mixture thereof; and (c) one or more monomers of the structure: in which: R1 is H or methyl; X is —(CH2)n—, where n is an integer from 2 to 12; —(CH2—CH2—O)p—CH2—CH2—, where p is an integer from 1 to 3; or —Si(R?)(R?)— where R? and R? are each independently methyl or ethyl; and m is 1, 2, or 3.

Abstract: A method for treating a micro-emulsion that can be used for removing the ink-accepting areas of a lithographic printing master is disclosed, which enables to recycle the water from the used micro-emulsion. The method comprises the heating of the micro-emulsion to a temperature above 50° C. thereby obtaining an aqueous phase and an organic phase and separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of preparing an imaged member comprising a substrate having an imagable coating on a face thereof, the method comprising the steps of: (a) imaging a precursor of the member to produce an imaged member which includes image and non-image areas on the coated face; and (b) treating the substrate to increase its dimensional stability, the treatment comprising at least one of: (i) effecting a change in the chemical structure of the substrate, or (ii) coating a non-coated face of the substrate with a fluid, gel, or particulate solid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lithographic template, a method of forming the lithographic template and a method for forming devices with the lithographic template. The lithographic template (10, 110, 210) is formed having a substrate (12, 112, 212) and a charge dissipation layer (20, 120, 220), and a patterned imageable relief layer, (16, 116, 216) formed on a surface (14, 114, 214) of the substrate (10, 110, 210) using radiation. The template (10, 110, 210) is used in the fabrication of a semiconductor device (344) for affecting a pattern in the device (344) by positioning (338) the template (10, 11, 210) in close proximity to semiconductor device (344) having a radiation sensitive material (334) formed thereon and applying a pressure (340) to cause the radiation sensitive material to flow into the relief image present on the template (10, 110, 210).

Abstract: A method for making a relief printing plate from an imageable lithographic printing plate precursor. The relief printing plate has ink-receptive cured areas, and ink-repellent non-image areas. The method comprises the steps of: a) imaging the lithographic printing plate precursor to produce ink-receptive image areas and ink-repellent non-image areas; b) applying a curable composition to form a coating on ink-receptive image areas; and c) curing the coating to produce ink-receptive cured areas. The method of another embodiment further comprises the steps of: d) applying a curable composition to form a coating on ink-receptive cured areas; e) curing the coating on the cured areas; and f) repeating steps d) and e) to attain a desired relief depth for the ink-receptive cured areas. In the practice of an embodiment of the invention, a modified rotary printing press may be employed to make a relief printing plate from a lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing a light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor comprising a support, and provided thereon, a light sensitive layer and an overcoat layer in that order, the method comprising the steps of imagewise exposing the light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor, pre-washing the exposed light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor with a pre-washing solution in the presence of a compound represented by the following formula (1) or (2), or an N-alkyliminodiacetic acid or its salt, the alkyl having a carbon atom number of 1 to 3, and developing the pre-washed light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor with a developer,

Abstract: The regenerative plate making and printing process, and plate making and printing apparatus of the present invention are applied to a printing system requiring a separate developing step independent of a printing step.

Abstract: With the method according to the invention for producing a printing plate, in particular for flexoprinting, a layer of a curable elastomer is applied to a carrier (15) with a cylindrical surface area (26), subsequently the elastomer layer is cured to an essentially cylindrical endless printing form blank and possibly ground to a cylindrical peripheral form or processed otherwise, and afterwards the printing form blank (33) is separated along a line which is essentially parallel to the axial direction of the carrier and the printing plate produced in such a manner.

Abstract: A method for treating a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, which comprises exposing the photosensitive lithographic printing plate to laser light, developing with a developer containing an alkali metal silicate and then carrying out post-exposure treatment, said photosensitive lithographic printing plate being prepared by forming a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer having a film thickness of from 1.2 to 4 g/m2 and further forming a protective layer having a film thickness of from 2 to 8 g/m2 on a support having a centerline average height (Ra) of at least 0.35 ?m.

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 lithographic printing plate precursor having an image-forming layer capable of drawing images by heat or heat mode exposure, which comprises a support and a layer containing a heat decomposable dye having an absorption maximum wavelength in a visible region, not substantially having an absorption in an oscillation wavelength of a laser used for heat mode exposure, and having a heat decomposition initiation temperature of 250° C. or lower.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a lithographic printing plate, which comprises imagewise exposing a presensitized plate having a photopolymerizable layer on a substrate having a hydrophilic surface by scanning the plate with laser light having a wavelength of 450 nm or shorter, developing the exposed plate with a developer and further exposing the whole surface of the developed plate to light having a wavelength of 450 nm or shorter. The method provides a lithographic printing plate by which a fog of reflection that is easily occurred in an inner drum-type exposing device during a direct process can be reduced to provide a clear image as well as a high printing durability.

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+1.6 eV, where oxi=oxidation potential of component (i) in eV, and redii=reduction potential of component (ii) in eV.

Abstract: A method for reducing start up blinding in no-process lithographic printing plates is disclosed. An imageable element, comprising an imageable layer over a substrate, is thermally imaged. The imageable layer comprises a thermally sensitive polymer that comprises quaternary ammonium salts of carboxylic acids. Following imaging, the surface of the imaged imageable is contacted with an aqueous solution comprising 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt % of an added organic acid having a pKa of about 1 to about 6. This reduces the amount of waste produced by the printing process by reducing the number of unusable sheets produced during the “make ready” process.

Abstract: A process for producing a lithographic printing plate by on-press developing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor having on a metallic base in this order (1) an ink-receptive layer, (2) a hydrophilic layer containing colloidal particles of an oxide or hydroxide of at least one element, e.g., silicon or aluminum, and (3) a hydrophilic overcoat layer capable of being removed on a printing machine, which includes: rotating a plate cylinder having attached thereto the heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor which has been exposed; subsequently supplying an ink and a dampening water to the plate surface by simultaneously bringing a dampening roll and an inking roll into contact with the plate surface or by bringing a water-metering roll into contact with an inking roll and then bringing the inking roll, which functions also to dampen, into contact with the plate surface; and thereby removing the overcoat layer and the exposed parts of the hydrophilic layer.

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 plate-making method of a lithographic printing plate comprising exposing imagewise a photosensitive lithographic printing plate comprising an aluminum support and a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive composition of photopolymerization type, which contains a compound having a nitrogen atom and an ethylenically unsaturated double bond, a photopolymerization initiator and a polymer binder, and developing the exposed printing plate with a developing solution containing (1) an inorganic alkali agent and (2) a nonionic surface active agent having a polyoxyalkylene ether group.

Abstract: A method for preparing a lithographic printing plate which comprises imagewise exposing to light a presensitized plate useful for making a lithographic printing plate having an intermediate layer and a photosensitive layer on an aluminum substrate in this order and developing the imagewise exposed plate with a developer, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a polymer compound comprising at least a structure unit having an acid group and a structure unit having an onium group and said developer comprises an inorganic alkali salt and a nonionic surfactant having polyoxyalkylene ether group and pH of the developer ranges from 11.0 to 12.7. The method provides a lithographic printing plate, which shows good contrast between an image area and non-image area, no background contamination during printing, good stability with time and good printing durability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a top coat layer for a printing plate precursor. The top coat layer includes polycyanoacrylate particles, but is substantially free of photothermal conversion material. The topcoat layer may be applied onto a thermally sensitive layer containing polycyanoacrylate particles and a photothermal conversion material. The top coat layer may reduce ablation during radiation exposure without adversely affecting printing plate performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a top coat layer for a printing plate precursor. The top coat layer includes polycyanoacrylate particles, but is substantially free of photothermal conversion material. The topcoat layer may be applied onto a thermally sensitive layer containing polycyanoacrylate particles and a photothermal conversion material. The top coat layer may reduce ablation during radiation exposure without adversely affecting printing plate performance.

Abstract: A photopolymerization process is disclosed, which comprises exposing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate containing at least one of sensitizing dyes represented by the following general formula (I) to laser beam having a wavelength of not greater than 450 nm: wherein T represents OR, SR, N(R)2 or SO2R and at least one T is present in the ortho or para position of the vinyl group, with the proviso that when the site at which Y is connected to the phenyl ring is an oxygen atom, sulfur atom or nitrogen atom, T may not be present; X represents an oxygen atom, sulfur atom or NR; Y represents a nonmetallic atom group which forms a ring with the adjacent carbon atoms; and R's each represent a hydrogen atom or nonmetallic atom group and may be connected to each other.

Abstract: A laser imageable flexographic printing plate and a method of making the laser imageable flexographic printing plate using a collapsible UV cross-linkable material comprising a UV-curable elastomer, an IR dye, and microspheres is disclosed. The collapsible UV cross-linkable material is mixed together and then extruded to form a printing plate. An IR laser is used to collapse and melt the collapsible UV cross-linkable material to form a relief image on the printing plate. The printing plate is thereafter UV cured by face exposure to crosslink and cure the formed relief image. The invention addresses a market need for eliminating chemical processing of printing plates, thus going from plate to press much more quickly. The printing plate may also contain a thin layer of a high-density non-collapsible UV-curable elastomer between the collapsible layer and the cover sheet of the plate which acts as the print surface in the final plate.

Abstract: Infrared absorbing compounds that absorb at 800 nm±50 nm and at 1050 nm±50 nm, the two different regions of the infrared spectrum typically used for imaging, are disclosed. Thermally imageable elements that comprise these infrared absorbing compounds can be imaged with radiation in either of these two regions of the infrared spectrum. The elements are especially useful as lithographic printing plate precursors.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising: an aluminum support; an interlayer; and a photosensitive layer in this order, wherein the aluminum support is surface-roughened and has an anodic oxide coating, the interlayer comprises a compound comprising a di- or more valent metal element, and the photosensitive layer comprises an infrared absorbent, a radical generator and a radical polymerizable compound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal processing a photosensitive element includes heating a composition layer on a flexible substrate to a melt temperature of an unirradiated area of the composition layer and maintaining the flexible substrate at a temperature below the melt temperature while pressing a heated absorbent layer against the heated composition layer, and repeating these steps for multiple cycles. A further embodiment of the method includes a step of cooling the flexible substrate and layer laminate on each cycle to maintain the flexible substrate at the desired temperature below that of the heated composition layer.

Abstract: Laser-engravable flexographic printing elements including a thermally crosslinked, elastomeric, laser-engravable relief-forming layer E are made by producing a multilayer composite which has at least a two-layer composite formed of a depot layer D and an uncrosslinked precursor layer V for the relief-forming layer E which is directly adjacent to the depot layer D. Optionally, the multilayer composite may include further layers, such as support foils or films and/or protective films. The precursor layer V most preferably includes at least one elastomeric binder, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and, optionally an absorber for laser radiation and/or further additives. The depot layer D most preferably includes at least one elastomeric binder, and at least one thermally decomposing polymerization initiator and, optionally, an absorber for laser radiation and/or further additives.

Abstract: Infrared absorbing compounds in which both the anion and the cation absorb infrared radiation, imageable elements that contain these compounds, and methods for forming images using the imageable elements are disclosed. The compounds have the structure: in which Y1 and Y2 are each independently hydrogen, halo, alkyl, diphenylamino, or phenylthio; R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently hydrogen, methyl, or SO3−, with the proviso that two of R1, R2, R3, and R4 are SO3−; R5 and R6 are each independently an alkyl group; Z1, Z2, Z4, and Z5 are each independently a benzo group or a naphtho group; Z3 and Z6 are each independently two hydrogen atoms, a cyclohexene residue, or a cyclopentene residue; X1, X2, X3, and X4 are each independently S, O, NH, CH2, or C(CH3)2; and n1 and n2 are each independently 0 to 4.

Abstract: A directly imageable planographic printing plate that is high in image productivity and easy to check is produced by using a directly imageable planographic printing plate that comprises at least a substrate, a thermo-sensitive layer and a ink-repelling layer in this order, wherein the thermo-sensitive layer in the printing area contains a dye that has an absorption maximum in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm, and the difference between the reflected absorption of the non-printing area and the reflected absorption of the printing area, observed at the absorption maximum wavelength of the dye, is not less than 0.3 and not more than 2.0.

Abstract: A lithographic process comprises the steps of imagewise heating a presensitized lithographic printing plate and removing an unheated area of an image-forming layer to form a lithographic printing plate. The presensitized lithographic printing plate comprises a hydrophilic support and the image-forming layer. The image-forming layer contains a compound or a polymer having o-quinodimethane structures or precursor structures thereof. The lithographic printing plate is prepared by a reaction of the o-quinodimethane structures.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprises an image forming layer containing at least one polymer compound having a fluoroaliphatic group on the side chain, wherein the fluoroaliphatic group is derived from a fluoroaliphatic compound produced by a telomerization or oligomerization method.

Abstract: A method for making a relief printing plate, by using a lithographic printing plate to create ink-receptive areas on a receiver base. The relief printing plate has ink-receptive cured areas defining an image. The method comprises the steps of: a) imaging a lithographic printing plate precursor to produce a lithographic printing plate having ink-receptive image areas and ink-repellent non-image areas; b) applying a first curable composition to the lithographic printing plate, to form a coating of the first curable composition on ink-receptive image areas; c) contacting the coating to the receiver base to make an impression on the receiver base; and d) curing the impression on the receiver base to produce ink-receptive cured areas defining an image. In the practice of an embodiment of the invention, a modified rotary printing press may be employed to make a relief printing plate on a receiver base using a lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: A directly imageable planographic printing plate precursor, which may be of the positive or negative type, has at least a heat sensitive layer on a substrate. The heat sensitive layer contains a light-to-heat conversion material and a metal-containing organic compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a flexographic printing plate from a photosensitive element having a photopolymerizable layer and a thermally removable layer on the photopolymerizable layer. The process includes imagewise exposing the photosensitive element and thermally treating the exposed element to form a relief suitable for use in flexographic printing. The thermally removable layer can be transparent or opaque to actinic radiation. The invention also relates to a photosensitive element for use in this process. The photosensitive element includes a photopolymerizable layer and at least one thermally removable layer having a filler and a binder, wherein the binder is less than 49% by weight, based on the total weight of the binder and filler.

Abstract: A negative image-recording material which can be imagewise-exposed by IR radiation from IR lasers and enables direct image formation from digital data of a computer or the like. The material, when used in a lithographic printing plate, ensures good hardenability in an image area, exhibits good printing durability, even if not heated for image-formation, and ensures a large number of good prints from the printing plate. The material includes (A) an IR absorber having an oxidation potential of at most 0.35 V (vs. SCE), (B) a thermal radical generator and (C) a radical-polymerizing compound. The material is imagewise-exposed to IR radiation for image formation. Preferably, the IR absorber (A) has, in a chromophoric group, an electron-donating substituent having a Hammett's &sgr;para value of at most −0.10, and the thermal radical generator (B) is an onium salt.

Abstract: Imageable elements that contain silicate-coated polymer particles in the imageable layer, stacks of these elements, and methods for forming images using these elements are disclosed. The elements do not stick to each other when stacked without interleaving paper, and only one imageable element is lifted at a time when the imageable elements are handled by automatic processing equipment. Blanket piling is not observed when silicate-coated particles are present in the imageable layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing a light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor comprising a support, and provided thereon, a photopolymerizable light sensitive layer and an overcoat layer in that order, the method comprising the steps of imagewise exposing the light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor, pre-washing the exposed light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor with washing water, and developing the pre-washed light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor with a developer containing an alkali metal-containing compound, wherein the pre-washing step comprises first washing the exposed light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor with a first water being water which has been used at least one time for washing the exposed light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor, and then washing the resulting precursor with a second water being fresh water which has not been used before for washing the exposed light sensitive planographic printing plate pre

Abstract: A method for preparing a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of imagewise exposing, to light, a presensitized plate for use in making a lithographic printing plate, which comprises a grained and anodized substrate provided thereon with a photopolymerizable light-sensitive layer containing a compound having at least one addition-polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated double bond and a titanocene type initiator; and then developing the light-exposed presensitized plate using a developer which comprises a surfactant and a weak acid or a salt thereof having a dissociation constant pka ranging from 10 to 13, and has a pH value ranging from 11.5 to 12.8. The method exhibits excellent development performance, and gives good results to the resultant printing plate in terms of printing durability and scumming. In addition, the change in pH value of the developer is so small that the stable development can be ensured for a long period of time.

Abstract: A method of printing an image with a printing plate prepared from a printing plate precursor, which comprises a support having thereon an image forming layer A containing a water-soluble material, the method comprising the steps of: (a) imagewise exposing the layer A of the printing plate precursor so as to form an unexposed portion and an exposed portion; (b) supplying an emulsion ink containing an oil-based ink and water onto the layer A so that the unexposed portion is removed from the layer A so as to form a non image portion and the exposed portion remains in the layer A so as to form an image portion to give the printing plate, wherein the image portion is lyophilic and the non image portion is hydrophilic; and (c) printing the image on the printing plate to an image receiving material while further supplying the emulsion ink.

Abstract: The invention provides a photopolymer package for use in making a hand stamp plate, the package consisting of a sachet containing a photocurable liquid polymer, the walls of the sachet being formed of material capable of being released from the cured photopolymer. Methods for the formation of the package and the hand stamp plate are also provided. The invention eliminates the requirement for the use of a backing layer in the package and thereby offers significant advantages over the prior art in terms of cost and efficiency.

Abstract: An IR-sensitive composition comprising, in addition to a polymeric binder, a free radical polymerizable system consisting of at least one member selected from unsaturated free radical polymerizable monomers, oligomers which are free radical polymerizable, and polymers containing C═C bonds in the back bone and/or in the side chain groups and an initiator system, wherein the initiator system comprises the following components: (a) at least one material capable of absorbing IR radiation, (b) at least one compound capable of producing radicals and (c) at least one hereto-substituted arylacetic acid co-initiator compound indicated by the following general structures: 1

Abstract: Thermally imageable elements and methods for their preparation and use are disclosed. The elements contain, in order, a substrate; an underlayer; and an ink-repellent layer. The underlayer contains a crosslinked allyl functional polyurethane. A photothermal conversion material is present in either in the underlayer or in an absorber layer between the underlayer and the ink-repellent layer. Thermal imaging and development removes the ink-repellent layer and reveals the underlayer in the exposed regions to form an imaged element useful as a waterless lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a water-resistant support having provided thereon a light-sensitive layer containing fine titanium oxide grains doped with a metallic ion which absorb a visible ray and a complex composed of an organo-metallic polymer which is formed by a hydrolysis polymerization condensation reaction of a compound represented by formula (I) shown below and an organic polymer which has a group capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the organo-metallic polymer: (R0)nM(Y)x−n  (I) wherein R0 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group; Y represents a reactive group; M represents a metallic atom having from 3 to 6 valences; x represents a valence of the metallic atom M; and n represents 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, provided that the balance of x−n is not less than 2. A method for the preparation of a lithographic printing plate using the lithographic printing plate precursor is also disclosed.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates having on a hydrophilic substrate an oleophilic photosensitive layer comprising an oleophilic polymer, a free radical polymerizable monomer, and 4-piperonyl-2,6-bis(trichloromethyl)-s-triazine as free radical initiator and/or leucomalachite green as exposure indicating dye; wherein the weight ratio of the monomer to the polymer is larger than 1.0. The plates can be developed with ink and/or fountain solution on a lithographic printing press or with a non-alkaline aqueous developer comprising 60-99% by weight of water and 0.5 to 40% by weight of an alcohol solvent. A photosensitive dye can be added in the photosensitive layer to provide photosensitivity to a specific wavelength between 200 and 1200 nm. Unlike commonly used s-triazine initiator or leuco dye, 4-piperonyl-2,6-bis(trichloromethyl)-s-triazine or leucomalachite green does not insolubilize from the photosensitive layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing a light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor comprising a support, and provided thereon, a light sensitive layer and an overcoat layer in that order, the method comprising the steps of imagewise exposing the light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor, pre-washing the exposed light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor with a pre-washing solution in the presence of a compound represented by the following formula (1) or (2), or an N-alkyliminodiacetic acid or its salt, the alkyl having a carbon atom number of 1 to 3, and developing the pre-washed light sensitive planographic printing plate precursor with a developer, 1

Abstract: Acid-catalyzed positive resist compositions which are imageable with 193 nm radiation and/or possibly other radiation and are developable to form resist structures of improved development characteristics and improved etch resistance are enabled by the use of resist compositions containing imaging polymer having a 2-cyano acrylic monomer.

Abstract: A method of making a printing plate from a heat-sensitive PS plate of a positive-working mode for lithographic printing includes the steps of exposing the heat-sensitive PS plate to light and developing the PS plate using an alkaline developing solution containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactants and compounds having three or more of an ethylene oxide-terminal group in the molecule thereof. The PS plate has a substrate and an image forming layer formed thereon, said image forming layer comprising a lower layer which is formed on the substrate and contains a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin and an upper heat-sensitive layer which is overlaid on the lower layer and contains a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin and an infrared absorption dye and exhibits an elevated solubility with respect to alkaline aqueous solutions when heated.