Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate is disclosed which comprises the steps of: (i) providing a negative-working, heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer and a coating provided thereon, the coating comprising an image-recording layer which comprises hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles and a hydrophilic binder, ?wherein the hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles have an average particle size in the range from 45 nm to 63 nm and wherein the amount of the hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles in the image-recording layer is at least 70% by weight relative to the image-recording layer; (ii) exposing the coating to heat or infrared light, thereby inducing coalescence of the thermoplastic polymer particles at exposed areas of the coating; (iii) developing the precursor by applying an aqueous, alkaline solution, thereby removing non-exposed areas of the coating from the supp

Abstract: A negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed comprising on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a coating comprising an infrared absorbing agent, a first layer comprising an aqueous dispersion comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles and a first hydrophobic binder, and a second layer located between said first layer and said support which comprises a second hydrophobic binder, characterized in that said first hydrophobic binder is a phenolic resin and said second hydrophobic binder is a polymer comprising at least one sulphonamide group.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lithographic printing plate precursor requiring no dampening water including: a support, a light-to heat conversion layer; and a silicone rubber layer in this order. The method includes: subjecting a surface of the support to a corona discharge treatment in a discharge amount of 0.01 to 0.12 kW/m2/minute; or subjecting a surface of the support to a corona discharge treatment so that the surface has an element ratio of oxygen to carbon of 0.41 or more, which is measured by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic; and providing the light-to-heat conversion layer directly on the surface of the support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a planographic printing plate precursor including on a support a photosensitive layer that contains a polymerizable composition containing a specific binder polymer having a repeating unit of formula (I), an infrared absorbent, a polymerization initiator and a polymerizable compound, wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2 represents a linking group which includes two or more atoms selected from a carbon atom, a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom and has a number of atoms of 2 to 82; A represents an oxygen atom or —NR3— in which R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and n represents an integer of 1 to 5. The invention also provides a planographic printing plate precursor provided with a specific photosensitive layer with respect to an alkaline developer.

Abstract: A composition for an optical film comprising a stabilized cyanine dye and a quencher compound, wherein the stabilized cyanine dye comprises a cation and a quencher anion, and the cation is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the following formulae (I) to (III): wherein each of rings A and A? which are independent of each other, is a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring or a pyridine ring, each of R1 and R1? which are independent of each other, is a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a C6-30 aryl group, a C1-8 alkyl group or a C1-8 alkoxy group, each of R2, R3 and R4 which are independent of one another, is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a C6-30 aryl group, a diphenylamino group or a C1-8 alkyl group, each of X and X? which are independent of each other, is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a selenium atom, a propan-2,2-diyl group, a butane-2,2-diyl group, a C3-6 cycloalkane-1,1-diyl group, —NH— or —NY1—, each of Y, Y? and Y1 which are independent of one another, is a C1-3

Abstract: A photosensitive composition containing: (A) a sensitizing dye; (B) a photopolymerization initiator; (c) a polymerizable compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond; and (D) a polymer binder, wherein the photopolymerization initiator exhibits a reaction rate constant with a semiquinone radical anion in the range of 2.0×102 to 1.0×108 (mol?1·l·s?1).

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive medium comprises hydrophilic polymer particles, the particles comprising a thermally softenable hydrophobic polymer, a hydrophilic polymer and a bonding compound capable of chemically bonding to the hydrophobic polymer and to the hydrophilic polymer. Th radiation-sensitive medium further may comprise a substance capable of converting radiation into heat. The radiation-sensitive medium is aqueous-ineluable when coated and dried, and becomes hydrophobic under the action of heat. The polymer particles are made by polymerization of at least one hydrophobic monomer and at least one bonding compound in the presence of the hydrophilic polymer. The radiation-sensitive medium may be provided as a coatable composition to be applied to substrates to form a processless radiation-imageable lithographic printing precursor.

Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate is disclosed which comprises the steps of providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer and (ii) a coating provided thereon which comprises hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles; exposing the coating to heat, thereby inducing coalescence of the thermoplastic polymer particles at exposed areas of the coating; developing the precursor by applying a gum solution to the coating, thereby removing non-exposed areas of the coating from the support. According to the above method, the plate precursor can be developed and gummed in a single step.

Abstract: A planographic printing method including: providing a planographic printing plate precursor including a substrate and an image recording layer which is disposed on the substrate and contains (A) an infrared absorber, (B) a polymerization initiator and (C) a polymerizable compound; imagewise exposing the planographic printing plate precursor with an infrared laser; and supplying oil-based ink and an aqueous component to the exposed planographic printing plate precursor without any development treatment, so as to print an image. A region of the planographic printing plate precursor that has not been exposed with an infrared laser is removed during the printing. The polymerizable compound of (C) is represented by the following formula (1): wherein Ar1, R1, Z and n are as defined in the claims and the specification.

Abstract: Described is a multi-layer body having two laser-sensitive layers 4, 32. The multi-layer body is a body laminated from the overlay films 30, 32, the inlets 90, 90 and the further overlay films 30, 30. At its underside the upper overlay film 30 has a layer structure applied there, by the application of a hot stamping film. The layer structure comprises a lacquer layer 50, a reflection layer 5r, a laser-sensitive layer 4, a background layer 5 and an adhesive layer 6. A diffraction and/or hologram structure 5b is provided in the lacquer layer 5c, the reflection layer 5r and the laser-sensitive layer 4. The second laser-sensitive layer is formed by the carbon-doped overlay film 32. By means of laser treatment, it is possible to produce a laser-induced, preferably colored image component in the upper laser-sensitive layer 4 and a further laser-sensitive image component, preferably in the form of a gray scale image, in the subjacent carbon-doped laser-sensitive layer 32.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor which comprises on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, an oleophilic coating comprising an infrared absorbing agent, an alkali-soluble polymeric binder and a polysiloxane which comprises at least one carboxylic acid group or a salt thereof. The disclosed printing plate precursor has an improved sensitivity and at the same time a high under exposure latitude and a high developer resistance.

Abstract: A heat sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed comprising on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a coating comprising an infrared light absorbing agent and a copolymer which comprises a plurality of recurring units X having a hydrophilic polymeric pendant group and a plurality of recurring units Y having a hydrophobic polymeric pendant group. Said coating is capable of switching from a hydrophilic state into a hydrophobic state after exposure to heat and/or infrared light.

Abstract: Thermally imageable multilayer imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors that have good solvent resistance are disclosed. The underlayer of the imageable element comprises an acidic copolymer that comprises, in polymerized form, about 10 mol % to about 75 mol % of one or more monomers of the formula: CH2?CH(R1)-Z-X—NH—CO—NH—C6H3—(R2)(CO2H); in which: R1 is H or CH3; R2 is H or OH; Z is —C6H4— or —C(O) —Y—; Y is —O— or —NH—; and X is selected from —C(CH3)2—, —CH(CH3)— and —(CH2)n—, in which n is an integer from 1 to 12.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition contains (A) a dye which is soluble in an organic solvent and in an alkaline aqueous solution and has an absorption in 700 to 1200 nm, (B) a radical polymerization initiator, (C) a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond, and (D) a binder polymer.

Abstract: A lithographic printing process which comprises the steps of: imagewise exposing to infrared light a presensitized lithographic plate which comprises a hydrophilic support and a removable image-forming layer containing an infrared absorbing agent having the absorption maximum within an infrared region and a dye precursor having substantially no absorption within a visible region to change the dye precursor to a visible dye having an absorption within a visible region within the exposed area, and to make the image-forming layer irremovable within the exposed area; removing the image-forming layer within the unexposed area of the lithographic plate mounted on a cylinder of a printing press; and then printing an image with the lithographic plate mounted on the cylinder of the printing press. The other processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides microparticles that create permanent tissue markings, such as tattoos, designed in advance for change and/or removal on demand, as well as methods for implanting the microparticles in tissue and changing and/or removing the resulting markings. Colored microparticles are constructed with specific electromagnetic absorption and/or structural properties that facilitate changing and/or removing tissue markings made using the microparticles by applying specific energy (such as electromagnetic radiation from a laser or flash-lamp) to the tissue marking site.

Abstract: Disclosed is a presensitized plate composed of a support having thereon an image recording layer which includes: an infrared absorber (A) that is a cyanine dye having at least one fused ring composed of a nitrogen-containing heterocycle in combination with an aromatic ring or a second heterocycle, and having on the aromatic ring or second heterocycle an electron-withdrawing group or a heavy atom-containing group, a radical generator (B), and a radical-polymerizable compound (C), and which is removable with printing ink and/or dampening water. The presensitized of the present invention can be imaged with an infrared light-emitting laser to directly record an image from digital data on a computer or the like and is then subjected to on-machine development without carrying out a development step, which is capable of providing a large number of good impressions with a practical amount of energy.

Abstract: There are described novel fluorescein dye compounds and imaging members and imaging methods utilizing the compounds. The fluorescein dye compounds exhibit a first color when in the crystalline form and a second color, different from the first color, when in the liquid, amorphous form.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition comprising: (A) a polymerizable compound represented by the following formula (I): A—{O—[(CH(—R1)CH(—R2))m—O]n—C(?O)—C(—R3)?CH2}p??(I) wherein R1, R2and R3 each represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, A represents a polyhydric alcohol residue or a polyhydric phenol residue, m represents an integer of from 1 to 6, n represents an integer of from 1 to 20, and p represents an integer of from 1 to 6; (B) an infrared absorber; and (C) an onium salt.

Abstract: A composition utilized in and a method for forming an electrode used in field emission type of display devices said composition is a photosensitive copper conductive composition comprising: a mixture of (a) copper powder at least 70 wt % out of 100 wt % copper powders having a particle size in the range of 0.2-3 ?m and (b) an inorganic binder with a softening point in the range of 380-580° C. in an amount of 1-40 wt % based on 100 wt % copper powders, said mixture being dispersed in an organic vehicle comprising (c) an organic polymer binder, (d) a phototoinitiator, (e) a photohardenable monomer, and an organic solvent; and the photosensitive copper conductive composition being fireable at a temperature in the range of 450-600° C. in a reductive atmosphere.

Abstract: Disclosed are a planographic printing plate material and a planographic printing plate preparing process, the planographic printing plate material comprising a support and provided thereon, an image formation layer containing a colorant (a) having an absorption band in a wavelength region of from 700 to 1200 nm, a polymerization initiator (b) and a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compound (c), wherein the polymerization initiator (b) is a compound represented by the formula R1—CX2—(C?O)—R2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photopolymerizable composition containing an addition-polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compound, a photopolymerization initiator, a polymer binder, and a sensitizing dye represented by the following formula (A), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and X are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imageable element including a lithographic substrate and an imageable layer disposed on the substrate. The imageable layer includes a radically polymerizable component, an initiator system capable of generating radicals sufficient to initiate a polymerization reaction upon exposure to imaging radiation, and a polymeric binder having a hydrophobic backbone and including both constitutional units having a pendant cyano group attached directly to the hydrophobic backbone, and constitutional units having a pendant group including a hydrophilic poly(alkylene oxide) segment. When the imageable element is imaged and developed, the resulting printing plate may exhibit improved on-press solvent resistance and longer press life.

Abstract: The present invention discloses printing plates comprising a substrate and a radiation-absorptive layer, wherein the radiation-absorptive layer comprises at least one modified pigment product. The modified pigment product comprises a pigment having attached at least one organic group and at least one amphiphilic counterion. Methods of imaging printing plates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing starting plate for an infrared laser is provided that includes a support having a hydrophilic surface and a heat-sensitive layer provided above the support. The heat-sensitive layer includes a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin, an infrared-absorbing dye, and a sulfonium salt represented by Formula below. The heat-sensitive layer increases its solubility in aqueous alkaline solution upon exposure to an infrared laser.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate precursor includes a substrate and an image recording layer provided thereon, the image recording layer being capable of recording through exposure to an infrared ray and containing at least (A) an infrared absorbing agent, (B) a polymerization initiator comprising an onium salt formed by an onium cation and a carboxylic acid anion, where the carboxylic acid anion has an acid group, a hetero atom and an aromatic group, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) a binder polymer. The planographic printing plate precursor is exposed imagewise with an infrared laser. Then, printing is carried out using the exposed planographic printing plate precursor, which is set in a printer without being subjected to any developing process, by feeding an oil based ink and an aqueous component onto the planographic printing plate precursor. Unexposed areas of the planographic printing plate precursor are removed during the printing process.

Abstract: This invention provides an undercoating layer material and a filler material containing a resin component having at least a substituent group which is capable of releasing a terminal group to form a sulfonic acid residue upon application of predetermined energy, and a solvent. The resin component has at least a repeating unit represented by formula (1): wherein n is an integer of 1 or more, X represents a C1 to C10 linear or branched alkyl chain, an aromatic or alicyclic alkyl chain or an alkyl ester chain, and Y is a substituent group forming a sulfonic acid residue upon application of predetermined energy.

Abstract: A thermally developable photographic material containing a support, provided thereon: (i) a photosensitive layer containing photosensitive silver halide particles, and (ii) a layer containing at least one represented by formula below on one or both surfaces of the support

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photosensitive flexographic printing element for the production of flexographic newspaper printing plates, comprising at least a flexible, metallic support, an adhesive layer applied thereto, a photopolymerizable layer which can be developed in organic media and which itself comprises at least one elastomeric binder, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, a photoinitiator or photoinitiator system and a plasticizer, a transparent substrate layer, and optionally a removable protective film, where the total thickness of the flexographic printing element is from 300 to 1000 ?m, the elastomeric binder has a weight average molecular weight Mw of from 80,000 to 150,000 g/mol and a Shore A hardness of from 50 to 80, and the amount of plasticizer is from 5 to 50% by weight, based on the amount of all constituents of the photopolymerizable layer, and to a process for the production of flexographic newspaper printing plates by imagewise exposure of the flexographic printing element to act

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing a photosensitive printing element that minimizes relief variation and improves image fidelity. The method involves a step of pre-curing the first (floor layer) of photocurable material prior to depositing an additional layer or layers of photocurable material that may be imaged and developed to produce a desired relief image on the surface of the photosensitive printing element. The photosensitive printing element is then thermally developed by contacting the photosensitive printing element with at least one roll that is capable of moving over at least a portion of the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element to remove the softened or melted non-crosslinked photopolymer.

Abstract: A method for preparing lithographic printing plates is disclosed. Imaged positive-working, thermally imageable, multi-layer imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are developed using solvent based developers. Development may be carried out by immersing the imaged imageable element in the developer.

Abstract: A negative-working, imageable element comprises a substrate and an IR-sensitive imageable layer comprising a dispersion of nanofibers of a preformed IR-sensitive polymer. The nanofibers can be composed of polyaniline, polypyrrole, or polythiophene. The IR-sensitive imageable layer containing the nanofibers can be imaged using infrared radiation and used for printing without further processing. Thus, both imaging and printing can be carried out on-press.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide that printing plate materials of the present invention exhibit excellent printing durability, less “out of color” registration, and improved printing image quality. Disclosed is a printing plate material possessing an image formation layer on one surface of a polyester support and not less than two backing layers on the other surface, wherein at least one of the backing layers is an electrically conductive layer, at least one of the backing layer is a layer containing at least one resin selected from polyester resin, acryl resin, acryl modified polyester resin and cellulose ester resin provided on the electrically conductive layer, and at least one of the backing layers contains an organic matting agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for increasing the level of safeguard in respect of forgery of paper documents. For that purpose, applied to the paper document is a transfer film or laminating film having a laser-sensitive layer. This multi-layer body is then treated with laser radiation. In that case, a laser-induced marking is produced in the laser-sensitive layer, for example, by laser-induced bleaching, laser-induced color change or laser-induced blackening. Respective individualization of the document can be effected by way of that laser-induced marking.

Abstract: In a laser-engravable flexographic printing element, the relief-forming layer comprises a conductivity carbon black having a specific surface area of at least 150 m2/g and a DBP number of at least 150 ml/100 g. Flexographic printing plates are produced by a process in which a printing relief is engraved into said flexographic printing element by means of a laser system.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having thereon two image-forming layers each containing a polymer insoluble in water and soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution, wherein an upper layer of the image-forming layers contains a copolymer including a monomer unit represented by formula (A) defined in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic printing plate precursor and a lithographic printing method using the lithographic printing plate precursor, which is capable of an image recording by infrared laser scanning and an on-press development and excellent in fine line reproducibility and press life while maintaining good on-press developing properties, the lithographic printing plate precursor comprising: a support; and an image recording layer capable of being removed by a printing ink and/or a fountain solution, in which the image recording layer comprises an infrared absorber and a graft polymer having a specific graft chain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing plate material comprising a surface roughened aluminum support, and provided thereon, an image formation layer containing a heat-curable polymer having a main chain polymer in the main chain, and an acryloyl group or a methacryloyl group in the side chain, a glass transition temperature Tg of the main chain polymer being from 0 to 100° C., wherein the printing plate material is capable of being developed on a printing press.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate material is disclosed, comprising a flexible support having thereon a hydrophilic layer and an image forming layer, wherein the flexible support having the hydrophilic layer exhibits a transmission density of 0.5 to 1.2, and the outermost surface of an unexposed area of the image forming layer exhibiting a glossiness of 0.1 to 10. A printing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coating fluid for printing plates which can be suitably used to make printing plates that permit images to be written in response to input digital data and that can be easily regenerated and reused. This coating fluid for printing plates comprises at least a carrier liquid, thermoplastic resin particles and an IR absorber, and the IR absorber has a decomposition starting temperature higher than the melt starting temperature of the thermoplastic resin particles.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises a hydrophilic support and an oleophilic coating thereon which comprises an infrared light-to-heat converter, an alkali-soluble binder and a polymeric developer accelerator. The polymeric developer accelerator is preferably a phenolic formaldehyde resin comprising at least 70 mol % of meta-cresol as recurring unit or at least 40 mol % of monohydroxy benzene cresol as recurring unit. The PDA may also be a phenolic resin which comprises at least 5 mol % of a recurring monomeric unit having at least one phenolic hydroxyl group and at least one alkali solubilising group. The polymeric developer accelerator improves the sensitivity while maintaining a good under-exposure latitude and a good developer resistance of the printing plate.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises a hydrophilic support and an oleophilic coating comprising an infrared absorbing agent and a polymer, which comprises a phenolic monomeric unit wherein the phenyl group of the phenolic monomeric unit is substituted by a group having the structure —N?N-Q wherein the —N?N— group is covalently bound to a carbon atom of the phenyl group and wherein Q is an aromatic group and wherein the substitution increases the chemical resistance of the coating.

Abstract: A method for preparation of a lithographic printing plate, which comprises the steps of: imagewise recording on a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having a hydrophilic surface and a thermosensitive layer, the thermosensitive layer comprising at least one of polymer particles and a microcapsule encapsulating an oleophilic compound therein; and rubbing the printing plate precursor by a rubbing member in the presence of a processing liquid to remove the thermosensitive layer of non-image portions.

Abstract: A positive-working, heat-sensitive material for making a lithographic printing plate by direct-to-plate recording is disclosed. The material comprises a hydrophobized grained and anodized aluminum support and a layer comprising a compound capable of converting light into heat provided onto said support, said support being obtainable by RF plasma treatment of a grained and anodized aluminum support in the presence of a fluorine containing gas.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light sensitive planographic printing plate which has an image forming layer containing (A) a coloring material having an absorption in a wavelength range of 700 nm through 1200 nm and (B) a radical generator on a support and is exposed by a laser beam with a light emission wavelength in a wavelength range of 700 nm through 1200 nm, the method comprising: at least coating process, dry process, cutting process, and inspection/sorting process, wherein either of the coating process, the dry process, the cutting process, or the inspection/sorting process is carried out under light of a light source comprising a light-emitting diode with an emission wavelength maximum in a range of 400 nm through 500 nm and a fluorescent phosphor to emit an yellow light by absorbing a light emission of the light-emitting diode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing an aluminum support for a planographic printing plate material, the process comprising the steps of electrolytically surface-roughening an aluminum plate in an electrolytic solution, employing a sinewave alternating current; and anodizing the surface-roughened aluminum plate, the electrolytically surface-roughening step comprising a first stage of electrolytically surface-roughening the aluminum plate in a first electrolytic solution containing hydrochloric acid as a main component at a current density of D1 for t1 at a quantity of electricity of Q1 and a second stage of electrolytically surface-roughening the aluminum plate in a second electrolytic solution containing hydrochloric acid as a main component at a current density of D2 for t2 at a quantity of electricity of Q2.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imageable element including a lithographic substrate and an imageable layer disposed on the substrate. The imageable layer includes a radically polymerizable component, an initiator system, and a polymeric binder. The imageable element further includes a tetraarylborate salt. The presence of the tetraarylborate salt may provide improved imaging speed and may enhance press life due to better adhesion between the imageable layer and the substrate. The tetraarylborate salt may be present in the imageable layer, an interlayer, or a separate layer between the substrate and the imageable layer. The imageable element may be imaged and mounted on-press without a separate development step.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprises an image-forming layer containing a polymerization initiator and a polymerizable compound, and a hydrophilic support, wherein the lithographic printing plate precursor comprises a compound containing at least one functional group having an interaction with a surface of the hydrophilic support.

Abstract: A radical polymerizable composition comprising (A) an alkali-soluble resin containing a radical polymerizable group, (B) a radical polymerizable compound, and (C) a radical initiator, wherein reactivity of a polymerizable group of the polymerizable compound 4B) to a polymerizable group of the polymerizable compound (B) is larger than reactivity of a polymerizable group of the polymerizable compound (B) to a radical polymerizable group of the alkali-soluble resin (A), and a reactivity of a radical polymerizable group of the alkali-soluble resin (A) to a polymerizable group of the polymerizable compound (B) is larger than reactivity of a radical polymerizable group of the alkali-soluble resin (A) to a radical polymerizable group of the alkali-soluble resin (A).

Abstract: While the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.