Abstract: Lithographic masters for improved image quality in direct printing process are provided. The masters are formed with a relatively soft elastomeric or resilient layer on a suitable supporting master substrate. An image layer of up to 2.5 microns is supported by the resilient layer. A resilient blanket supports the printing master or receiver sheet.

Abstract: A novel method for preparing a stencil master, a novel stencil and a method for printing therefrom are provided. The method for preparing the stencil comprises coating a suitable screen with a curable silicone containing a curing catalyst, depositing a particulate image pattern on said coated screen with a material which selectively inactivates said curing catalyst below said image pattern, curing the resultant nonimaged silicone to an elastomeric ink releasable condition and removing the particles from said particulate image pattern and the uncured silicone below said pattern to provide perforations in imagewise configuration. The method for printing comprises the additional steps of contacting the resultant screen with an image receiving member and passing ink through said perforations to thereby form an inked image on said receiving member.

Abstract: Methods of imaging and printing are provided whereby a transparent self-supporting substrate is coated with a transparent abhesive polymer and an image formed by inking said polymer and simultaneously subjecting said polymer to electromagnetic radiation to reduce the cohesive force of said ink or increase the adhesive force so as to selectively deposit ink in image configuration on said adhesive polymer, and transferring said inked image to a receiver sheet.

Abstract: Hydrophilic printing masters are provided comprising coating a self-supporting master substrate with a hydrophilic polymer containing carboxylic acid functionality and selectively converting this polymer in image configuration to a hydrophobic condition by heat.