Abstract: Imagable precursors for masks and for electronic parts comprise a polymeric layer applied to a substrate. The layer comprises at least one polymer having infra-red absorbing groups carried as pendent groups on the polymer backbone. Certain infra-red absorbing groups may also act to insolubilize the polymer in a developer, until it is imagewise exposed to infra-red radiation. Imagewise application of heat, resulting from imagewise exposure of the precursor to infra-red radiation, renders the polymer layer more soluble in the developer than prior to exposure to the infra-red radiation.

Abstract: A precursor which may be imaged by heat is made up of a substrate, for example a copper board, and a composite layer structure composed of two layers. Preferably, the first layer is composed of an aqueous developable polymer mixture containing a photothermal conversion material which is contiguous to the substrate. The second layer of the composite is composed of one or more non-aqueous soluble polymers which are soluble or dispersible in a solvent which does not dissolve the first layer. The precursor is exposed with an infrared laser or a thermal print head, and upon aqueous development, the exposed regions are removed, revealing regions of the substrate surface able to be etched or otherwise treated. The second layer may also contain a photothermal conversion material. Alternatively, the composite layer may be free of photothermal conversion material when thermal imaging is carried out using a thermal print head. The precursor may be used, for example, as a mask precursor or electronic part precursor.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a precursor for preparing a resist pattern by heat mode imaging, the precursor comprising a heat sensitive composition, the solubility of which in an aqueous alkaline developer is arranged to increase in heated areas, and a means for increasing the resistance of non-heated areas of the heat sensitive composition to dissolution in an aqueous alkaline developer (the “developer resistance means”), wherein said developer resistance means comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: (A) compounds which include a poly(alkylene oxide) unit; (B) siloxanes; and (C) esters, ethers and amides of polyhydric alcohols, wherein said heat-sensitive composition comprises an aqueous alkaline developer soluble polymeric substance (i.e. the “active polymer”) and a compound which reduces the aqueous alkaline developer solubility of the polymeric substance (i.e.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally imageable composition, which includes an acid curable composition, an acid generator, a strong acid and optionally an infrared absorber. The present invention further provides an imageable element, which includes a substrate and a thermally imageable composition according to the present invention coated on a surface of the substrate. Also provided are methods of producing an imaged element according to the present invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to an imageable element that can be imaged and developed to produce a printing plate. The imageable element comprises a substrate and a radiation-sensitive imageable composition applied to the substrate. The imageable composition comprises (a) a first layer having (i) a photosensitive composition which undergoes a decrease in solubility in developer upon absorption of actinic radiation and (ii) an inhibitor, and (b) a second layer comprising an ink-repellent polymeric material. In one embodiment, the inhibitor is activated by heat or radiation of longer wavelength than actinic radiation. Upon activation, the inhibitor retards the solubility decrease of the photosensitive composition upon absorption of actinic radiation. In another embodiment, the inhibitor initially retards the solubility decrease of the photosensitive composition upon absorption of actinic radiation.

Abstract: Thermally imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plates, and methods for forming an image using the thermally imageable elements are disclosed. The element contains a support with a hydrophilic surface, an underlayer over the hydrophilic surface, and a top layer over the underlayer. The top layer contains a polymeric material, such as a novolac resin, a resol resin, or a mixture thereof, but does not require a compound that functions as a solubility-suppressing component for the polymeric material. Consequently, the top layer is free of materials that function as solubility-suppressing components for the polymeric material. In one embodiment, the element, preferably the underlayer, absorbs infrared radiation. Following thermal exposure, the element is developed with an aqueous alkaline developer having a pH of at least 7 to about 11, typically about 10.

Abstract: A printing plate is prepared by the process comprising: (a) providing a substrate; and (b) applying by ink jetting to the substrate a fluid composition comprising a cationic polymer and an anionic polymer, in non-aqueous solvent. The ionic polymers interact and adhere to the substrate, so that after drying a durable printing plate is formed, without chemical development. The printing plate of this invention is capable of extended press run length and advantageously avoids the need of chemical development.

Abstract: A composition used as a resist in the manufacture of electronic parts, for example printed circuits, and which is rendered soluble in a developer by pattemwise delivery of heat, comprises a polymer and optionally an infrared absorbing compound. However in contrast to conventional compositions no compound is present which alters the solubility of the polymer in an aqueous developer.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus for processing a resist pattern imaged on a substrate, notably a thermal lithographic printing plate, comprises a chemical development section, and a preheat oven upstream of the chemical development section. The preheat oven is controllable to provide for substantially uniform heating of the imaged lithographic plate (or other imaged resist pattern on the substrate) as the plate progresses through the apparatus. If desired a plate baking oven may be provided downstream of the chemical development section.

Abstract: A method for producing printing plate precursors by dual-feed technology is described. The obtained printing plate precursors contain polymer particles in the photosensitive layer and show high print run stability.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate substrate is conditioned for imaging in a printer engine by attaching a leader to the leading edge. The leader is sufficiently flexible to be drawn into the printer engine and is adapted to pull the plate substrate through the printer engine.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline developing system for alkaline-developable lithographic printing plates and a method for its use are disclosed. The developing system comprises one or more water-soluble suppressors of the following structure: R1 (CHOH)nR2 in which: n is 4 to 7; and either (i) R1 is hydrogen, aryl, or CH2OH; and R2 is alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, CH2OR3 in which R3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, CH2N(R4R5) in which R4 and R5 are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or CO2H; or (ii) R1 and R2 together form a carbon-carbon single bond. The developing system is especially suited for developing imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plates. The developing system is especially suited for use with elements in which (1) the imageable layer comprises at least one phenolic resin or at least one polymeric compound having pendent sulfonamide groups, and (2) the substrate is aluminum or and an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared with a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer having ionic moieties and an infrared radiation sensitive dye having multiple sulfo groups. The heat-sensitive polymer and IR dye can be formulated in water or water-miscible solvents to provide highly thermal sensitive imaging compositions. In the imaging member, the polymer reacts to provide increased hydrophobicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. For example, heat can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing a predetermined resist pattern on a substrate. The method includes the patternwise application of infrared radiation to a precursor which contains the substrate, having a coating thereon, wherein the coating contains a positive working composition; and the development of the pattern using a developer. The composition contains a polymeric substance having functional groups Q thereon, such that the functionalized polymeric substance has the property that it is developer insoluble prior to delivery of infrared radiation and developer soluble thereafter.

Abstract: A method of controlling the resolution of an image formed on a substrate comprises: (a) providing a substrate; (b) applying an image to the substrate by ink jetting onto the substrate a fluid composition comprising at least one surfactant, wherein the spreading of the fluid composition on the substrate in the presence of the surfactant is less than the spreading of the fluid composition on the substrate in the absence of the surfactant. The invention reduces the dot spreading which otherwise occurs when a substrate is imaged via ink jetting to prepare a printing plate.

Abstract: A thermally imageable element, useful as a lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed. The element comprises a hydrophilic substrate; an underlayer comprising a first polymeric material; and an ink-receptive top layer comprising a second polymeric material and a solubility-suppressing component. The solubility-suppressing component may be a separate dissolution inhibitor compound and/or the second polymeric material may also function as a solubility-suppressing component. On thermal exposure the exposed regions of the top layer becomes more readily soluble in an aqueous developer, allowing the developer to remove the top layer and reveal the surface of the hydrophilic substrate. The lithographic printing plate thus formed has excellent properties, including the absence of sludging of the developer.

Abstract: Multilayer photoimageable elements, useful for forming lithographic printing members, are disclosed. The elements comprise a support, a top layer, and a chemical resistant underlayer. The underlayer is resistant to aggressive washes, such as a UV wash. In one embodiment, the underlayer comprises a copolymer of N-substituted maleimide, methacrylamide, and methacrylic acid. A process for preparing a lithographic printing member is also disclosed.

Abstract: An imagable article comprises a thermally imagable coating on a substrate, the coating comprising a radiation absorbing compound and a metal compound which is thermally decomposable, to form a metal. The imagable article is imagewise exposed to electromagnetic radiation, which is converted to heat by the radiation absorbing compound. The imaged article is then subjected to a developer, and in regions that have been exposed the thermally decomposable metal compound is decomposed to elemental metal, and regions that have not been exposed dissolve in the developer leaving behind the regions of elemental metal.

Abstract: Copolymers useful in radiation-sensitive layers of printing plates have the units A, B and C wherein unit A is present in an amount of 5 to a maximum of 50 mol % and R1 and R4 are selected such that the homopolymer of A is alkali-soluble, B is present in an amount of 20-70 mol % and R2, R6 and R7 are selected such that the homopolymer of B has a high glass transition temperature, and C is present in an amount of 10-50 mol % and R3 and R5 are selected such that the homopolymer of C is water-soluble and that unit A is different from unit C.

Abstract: A composition for positive correction of lithographic printing plates, applicable by pen or by brush, is disclosed. The correction fluid contains a film forming phosphate ester and a solvent that does not dissolve image areas of the printing plate. A correction kit containing the composition and methods for correcting printing plates by additive correction are also disclosed.