Abstract: A lithographic imaging member is prepared by applying an ink jetable fluid to a fluid-receiving element that includes a clay-containing fluid-receiving surface layer. This layer also includes a water-soluble binder and a silane hardening agent. The applied fluid is an aqueous solution of a silane having multiple hydroxy, alkoxy or acetoxy groups that is readily absorbed in the clay-containing surface, and dried to provide an oleophilic image.

Abstract: A positive image can be obtained from a positive-working element that is sensitive to infrared radiation. The element comprises an imaging layer containing an alkali-soluble reactive resin (such as a phenolic resin), an infrared radiation absorbing compound, a thermochemical acid generating compound, and a dissolution inhibitor that has acid-cleavable C—O—C groups. Upon laser exposure, a Bronsted acid is generated which then breaks the bonds of the C—O—C groups, allowing the exposed regions of the reactive resin to be solubilized in an alkaline developer solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to IR-sensitive compositions containing an initiator system comprising: (a) at least one compound capable of absorbing IR light (b) at least one compound capable of producing radicals and (c) at least one polycarboxylic acid comprising an aromatic moiety substituted with a heteroatom selected from N, O and S and also at least two carboxyl groups wherein at least one of the carboxyl groups is bonded to the heteroatom via a methylene group. These compositions are inter alia extraordinarily suitable for the manufacture of printing plates.

Abstract: A method for preparing a printing form and a method of printing are disclosed. A coating of a radiation sensitive ink on a lithographic support having a hydrophilic surface is imaged. The unexposed areas of the coating are removed to produce a printing form, which is used for printing. Preferably, the same radiation sensitive ink is used for printing as is used in the coating, and, preferably, the desired printing run length is predetermined and the thickness of the coating determined according to the desired run length.

Abstract: A heat imagable article has, in a single layer polymeric coating or in an inner layer of a multi-layer polymeric coating on a substrate, a polymeric matrix material, for example a phenolic resin, and, dispersed therein, polymeric particles, for example of polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene. The coating may contain a radiation absorbing compound so that suitable electromagnetic radiation, preferably infra-red radiation, may be used to heat the coating imagewise. The presence of the particles increases the physical robustness of the layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cationic latex particles that can complex with anionic dyes to provide water fastness and further to provide a medium in which inherently unstable anionic dyes can be brought in close proximity with other anionic components, by complexation to cationic latices, in order to stabilize the anionic dyes especially with regard to light and oxidative degradation. In particular this invention will provide for methods of generating waterfast and improved lightfast ink jet images.

Abstract: An imagable composition, for example a coating on a lithographic printing plate, comprises a carboxylic acid derivative of a cellulosic polymer and a diazide moiety, and may be imaged in various ways, including by ultra-violet radiation, by infra-red radiation and by heat. The presence of the cellulosic polymer can act to enhance resistance to certain organic liquids and/or to increase operating speed.

Abstract: Imageable elements useful as lithographic printing members are disclosed. The elements contain a substrate, an underlayer, and a top layer. The underlayer contains a combination of polymeric materials that provides resistance both to fountain solution and to aggressive washes, such as a UV wash. The underlayer can be used in either thermally imageable or photochemically imageable elements.

Abstract: There is described a method of preparing a lithographic plate which comprises coating on a lithographic support having a hydrophilic surface a layer of a radiation sensitive coating, imaging the coating then acting on the plate while on the press with aqueous fount solution to remove the unexposed areas of the coating, to reveal the hydrophilic surface of the plate and to leave an ink receptive image, wherein the radiation sensitive coating comprises a diazo salt of formula (I): wherein R1 is an anion, R2 and R3 represent optional substitution, R4 is —N— and —S— and R5 is a group which, after exposure of the plate renders the residue of the diazo salt oleophilic and fount solution insoluble.

Abstract: Thermally imageable lithographic printing plate precursors and heat-sensitive compositions for use in these printing plate precursors are disclosed. The compositions contain an aqueous developer soluble polymer, such as a phenolic resin; a compound that reduces the aqueous developer solubility of the polymer; and optionally, and infrared absorber. Examples of compounds that reduce the aqueous developer solubility of the polymer are those that contain at least one quarternized nitrogen atom, such as quinolinium compounds, benzothiazolium compounds, pyridinium compounds, and imidazoline compounds. On thermal imaging, the irradiated areas become more soluble in the aqueous developer and can be removed to form a positive image.

Abstract: A printing plate precursor for direct receipt of an image-wise applied ink receptive layer the precursor having a desorbable surfactant adsorbed on at least one surface in an amount effective to improve the resolution of the subsequently image-wise applied ink receptive layer. The printing plate precursor can be used to prepare a printing plate having improved resolution. The printing plate may be prepared by (a) applying a desorbable surfactant to at least one surface of a printing plate substrate, (b) removing non-adsorbed surfactant from the surface, (c) applying a fluid composition containing an ink receptive material onto at least a portion of the surface in the form of a desired image, thereby providing an ink receptive image layer; and (d) removing the desorbable surfactant from any area of the surface which does not form part of the desired image.

Abstract: A process for treating alkaline solutions obtained from lithographic printing plate processing comprises admixing at least one alkaline solution and at least one acidic solution in the presence of at least one aqueous solution to obtain a discharge solution having a pH in the range of about 5.0 to 11.5. Another process for treating alkaline solutions obtained from lithographic printing plate processing comprises admixing at least one alkaline solution and at least one aqueous waste water solution to obtain an aqueous alkaline solution, and admixing the resultant aqueous alkaline solution with at least one acidic solution to obtain a discharge solution having a pH in the range of about 5.0 to 11.5, and to control systems for such processes, and methods of controlling such processes. The alkaline solution has a pH greater than 7.0, preferably greater than about 12.5, and the acidic solution has a pH less than 7.0, preferably less than about 2.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particular acetal copolymers and radiation-sensitive compositions comprising said copolymers and, inter alia, are excellently suitable for the production of lithographic printing plates. In particular, the invention relates to acetal copolymers containing furylvinylidene, thienylvinylidene or pyrrolylvinylidene.

Abstract: Photosensitive polyesters having dye moieties incorporated into the polyester backbone are disclosed. The photosensitive polyesters contain an unsaturated photosensitive moiety comprising photopolymerizable —CH═CH—CO— groups and dye moieties derived from dyes that are copolymerizable diols. Negative-working photosensitive elements, such as negative-working printing plates, can be prepared using these photosensitive polyesters.

Abstract: There is described a method of preparing a lithographic plate which comprises coating on a lithographic support having a hydrophilic surface, a layer of a heat sensitive coating, digitally imaging the coating, then processing the plate with water to remove the unexposed areas of the coating to reveal the hydrophilic surface of the plate and to leave an ink receptive image, wherein the heat sensitive coating comprises a diazo salt of formula (I): wherein R1 is an anion, R2 and R3 represent optional substitution, R4 is —N— or —S— and R5 is a group which, after exposure of the plate, renders the residue of the diazo salt oleophilic and fount solution insoluble.

Abstract: A lithographic printing surface is prepared using a thermal lithographic printing plate which requires no chemical development to remove areas of the imaged plate. The processless thermal lithographic printing plate has a sheet substrate; a hydrophilic layer on the sheet substrate; and a thermally sensitive imaging layer on the hydrophilic layer. The hydrophilic layer contains about 30 weight % of an aluminosilicate or clay, and preferably has an exterior surface which is micro-porous. The imaging layer preferably is micro-porous. The imaging layer is exposed imagewise using infrared laser radiation to produce an imaged layer. The imaged layer is treated with a conditioner liquid to produce a lithographic printing surface.

Abstract: The invention is aqueous alkaline composition comprising at least one alkali metal silicate, glycerol, at least one glycol and phosphoric acid and/or phosphates. The composition can be used as a developer and replenisher for developing either positive-working or negative-working alkaline developable lithographic printing plates (including thermal plates) independently of the interlayer present in the printing plate.

Abstract: Imagable articles comprising positive working polymeric resins coating onto substrates are given a heat treatment comprising their controlled slow cooling from an elevated temperature. The imagable articles include precursors for lithographic printing plates and for printed circuits. The controlled slow cooling improves the development characteristics of the coatings after an imaging step.

Abstract: A method for producing a predetermined resist pattern on e.g. a lithographic printing plate, circuit board or mask, comprises the patternwise exposure to suitable radiation of a composition which comprises a novolac resin and a diazonium salt. The composition is rendered preferentially soluble to a developer in the regions which were exposed.

Abstract: Heat-imagable negative working lithographic printing forms employ negative working heat sensitive compositions comprising a water soluble binder and particles of pigment in association with a thermoplastic resin. Heat causes fusion of the particles to the binder. Heated regions are thereby rendered insoluble to aqueous developers. Unheated areas are soluble in developer or fount solutions, so development may take place “on-press” during the initial phase of a print run.