Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing substantially intimate rolling contact between a portion of a donor sheet and a portion of an acceptor element in a laser-induced thermal transfer printer comprises a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum, an acceptor element affixed to and supported by the cylindrical drum, a rotatably mounted dispensing roller for dispensing a donor sheet, and a rotatably mounted receiving roller for receiving the donor sheet, so that the donor sheet is extended between the dispensing roller and the receiving roller. A plurality of rotatably mounted contact rollers configured to bring a portion of the donor sheet extended between the dispensing roller and the receiving roller into contact with a portion of the acceptor element is also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flat bed platesetter system and a method for its use, particularly for imaging printing plates. For providing a precise, continuous, rapid and format-independent system which is reliable, the present invention suggests to move the printing plate relative to a stationary bridge carrying a radiant energy emitting head by means of a low inertia carriage member effectively connecting the printing plate and drive means.

Abstract: A process for the post-treatment of an imaged lithographic printing plate comprises (a) Contacting a lithographic printing plate having image areas and non-image areas on a lithographic substrate with a solution comprising at least one phosphono-substituted siloxane of the following general formula (I) that is defined herein and (b) drying.

Abstract: Heat-sensitive element comprising a) an optionally pretreated substrate; b) a positive working coating comprising (i) at least 40 wt.-%, based on the dry weight of the coating, of at least one polymer soluble in aqueous alkaline developer selected from novolak resins, functionalized novolak resins, polyvinylphenol resins, polyvinyl cresols and poly(meth)acrylates with phenolic and/or sulfonamide side groups, (ii) 01-20 wt.-%, based on the dry weight of the coating, of at least one (C4-C20 alkyl)phenol novolak resin insoluble in aqueous alkaline developer, and (iii) optionally at least one further component selected from polymer particles, surfactants, contrast dyes and pigments, inorganic fillers, antioxidants, print-out dyes, carboxylic acid derivatives of cellulose polymers, plasticizers and substances capable of absorbing radiation of a wavelength from the range of 650 to 1,300 nm and converting it into heat.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive elements are described whose radiation-sensitive coating comprises both a photopolymerizable oligomer with a biuret structural unit and a photopolymerizable phosphazene oligomer.