Abstract: An imaging member is composed of a hydrophilic imaging layer having a hydrophilic heat-sensitive polymer containing heat-activatable thiosulfate groups, and optionally a photothermal conversion material. Upon application of energy that generates heat, such as from IR irradiation, the polymer is crosslinked and rendered more hydrophobic. The imaging layer is disposed on an interlayer on a support, which interlayer comprises a Group IVB element (such as titanium, hafnium or zirconium) compound for improved mechanical and imaging properties. The exposed imaging member can be contacted with a lithographic printing ink and used for printing with or without post-imaging wet processing. This imaging member is particularly useful for direct write imaging using IR lasers or thermal printing heads.

Abstract: A novel fluorinated aromatic acetal polymer comprises at least one unit of A and at least one unit of B or C, or at least one unit of each of A, B and C and optionally further comprises at least one unit of either D or E or at least one unit of each of D and E, wherein the units A and B and/or C, and optionally D and/or E are linked together by single covalent C-C bonds and have the formulae: 1

Abstract: The present invention includes an imageable element, which includes a sheet substrate, an imaging layer and a silicone layer, which comprises a crosslinked silicone polymer. The crosslinked silicone polymer is the curing product of a vinyl functional polysiloxane copolymer and a hydrosiloxane compound. The curing is catalyzed by a platinum carbonyl complex. Upon imagewise exposure and development, an imaged element is obtained, which is mounted on a dry printing press containing lithographic ink and used to produce printed stock.

Abstract: A system and method for correction and reconstruction of digital color images make use of one or more of a set of algorithms for color calibration and correction, and reconstruction. An algorithm for optimized bit depth reduction also can be used to match the response curve of the scanner to that of the scanned media, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio and decreasing artifacts such as pixelization, which can result from sampling the tone curve too coarsely. In a photographic film application, in particular, a color calibration and correction algorithm enables correction of the image for variations in hue from film type to film type, over-exposure or under-exposure, exposure-induced hue shifts, hue shifts caused by lighting effects, processing related hue shifts, and other variables in film processing, while preserving overall hue of the subject matter in the originally photographed image.

Abstract: Phenolic resin compositions formulated for use in lithographic exposure processes are given a heat treatment at 40-90° C. for at least 4 hours shortly after their coating onto lithographic substrates, to produce lithographic printing forms. It is found that such a heat treatment improves later exposure processes, in particular by rendering the sensitivity of the compositions less variable, over time.

Abstract: A lithographic printing form precursor comprises an imagable coating on a roughened and anodized aluminum support. The precursor is prepared by a process comprising: (a) anodising an aluminum sheet; and (b) without having effected a chemical treatment step after the anodising step, applying a composition comprising a polymeric substance to the anodised surface of the aluminum sheet and drying the composition to form the imagable coating thereon, wherein the coating contains a pigment and does not contain a dye. Undesired staining of the lithographic printing form during development is avoided by using the precursor in the lithographic printing process.

Abstract: The photosensitive printing plate of the present invention comprises a substrate, a photosensitive layer formed on the substrate, and mat particles formed on the photosensitive layer, wherein the mat particles contain a copolymer which contains at least one (meth)acrylamides as a unit. The method of producing the photosensitive printing plate of the present invention is a method which comprises the steps of forming a photosensitive layer on a substrate, and coating the photosensitive layer with a solution prepared by dissolving a copolymer containing at least one (meth)acrylamides as a unit in a solvent to form mat particles. The photosensitive printing plate of the present invention has excellent vacuum contact properties and resistance to friction and pressure and is free from tack on the surface when used, avoids problems in developing properties during long storage times, and is superior in terms of solubility in an exhausted developer.

Abstract: A novel fluorinated aromatic acetal polymer comprises at least one unit of A and at least one unit of B or C, or at least one unit of each of A, B and C and optionally further comprises at least one unit of either D or E or at least one unit of each of D and E, wherein the units A and B and/or C, and optionally D and/or E are linked together by single covalent C—C bonds and have the formulae: wherein RA is H or C1-C11 alky, or an aryl group that does not contain fluorine, and RB and RC are an aryl groups that contain fluorine. The polymer is prepared by reacting a hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate polymer or copolymer with at least one non-fluorinated aldehyde component, and at least one fluorinated aromatic component. The polymer is useful is preparing a photosensitive composition which comprises at least one diazo resin and at least one such fluorinated aromatic acetal polymer.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive composition comprises: (i) at least one component capable of absorbing IR radiation; and (ii) a diazonium polycondensation product soluble in an organic solvent; with the proviso that the composition does not contain components capable of reacting with decomposition products produced from IR radiation exposure of the diazonium polycondensation product. The composition may additionally comprise a polymeric binder of the type useful for conventional negative-working printing plates. The composition is suitable for preparing thermally imageable printing plate precursors and printing plates and may also be used in a method for providing an image on such plate precursors and printing plates.

Abstract: A thermally sensitive imaging member can be imaged using thermal energy such as from an IR-emitting laser and then used for lithographic printing. The imaging member includes a support having an ink-repellant subbing layer and a thermally sensitive, ink-repellant surface imaging layer. Imaging causes a “switching” in the exposed surface regions to a more oleophilic or ink-accepting nature. Post-imaging processing is unnecessary in this imaging system. The surface imaging layer includes a thermally sensitive copolymer of silicone “soft” segments and thermally sensitive “hard” segments as well as a photothermal conversion material that is IR radiation sensitive.

Abstract: A fluid composition suitable for ink jetting upon a substrate, which includes a copolymer having a low surface energy and a plurality of tertiary amine sites, where the tertiary amine sites are at least partially neutralized with an acid; a nonionic or cationic surfactant; and water. The fluid composition may be used to prepare a printable media comprised of a substrate and an ink receptive thermoplastic image layer supported on the substrate; where the ink receptive layer contains a copolymer having a low surface energy and a plurality of tertiary amine sites, the amine sites being at least partially neutralized with an acid.

Abstract: A printing plate is prepared by the method comprising: (a) providing a substrate; and (b) applying by ink jetting to the substrate a fluid composition comprising a compound which comprises at least one nitrogen-containing heterocyclic moiety, providing a printing plate that is ready-to-use on a press without having to develop it. The printing plate of this invention is capable of extended press run length and advantageously avoids the need of chemical development.

Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared using a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer that comprises recurring units comprising quaternary ammonium carboxylate groups. These quaternary ammonium carboxylate groups include at least one substituted-alkylene(C1-C3)-phenyl group. The imaging member can also include an infrared radiation sensitive material to provide added sensitivity to heat that can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.

Abstract: An imageable element comprises: (A) a substrate; and (B) an imageable composition applied to the substrate comprising: (1) a first layer, comprising: (a) a photosensitive composition capable of absorbing actinic radiation; and (b) a photothermal converter; and (2) an ablatable second layer contiguous to the first layer, wherein the second layer is opaque to the actinic radiation. This imageable element advantageously is useful in both positive and negative working printing plate applications, increases the efficiency of use of mask-generating radiation such as IR radiation and eliminates the need for chemicals and additional time to create a mask.

Abstract: A precursor for electronic parts, for example printed circuit boards, has a negative-working thermally-imagable layer on a substrate, for example a copper board or semiconductor. The layer comprises a cross-linking agent, a thermally-activated acid generator, and a polymeric substance containing polyvinylphenol units and alkyl acrylate units. Such as layer has improved mechanical properties with maintenance of good imaging properties.

Abstract: A thermal imaging member can be imaged using infrared radiation such as from an IR-emitting laser and used for lithographic printing. The imaging member includes a support having an ink-repellant thermally sensitive imaging layer and an ink-repellant surface layer that is swellable in waterless ink solvents. Imaging ablates the imaging and surface layers, but minimal debris is generated so wiping or washing is not required. The imaging layer including a thermally sensitive copolymer of silicone “soft” segments and thermally sensitive “hard” segments, as well as a photothermal conversion material that is IR radiation sensitive.

Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, can be prepared using a hydrophilic imaging layer comprised of a heat-sensitive hydrophilic polymer that comprises recurring units comprising quaternary ammonium carboxylate groups. The imaging member can also include an infrared radiation sensitive material to provide added sensitivity to heat that can be supplied by laser irradiation in the IR region. The heat-sensitive polymer is considered “switchable” in response to heat, and provides a lithographic image without wet processing.

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: A method of producing a printing plate comprises:

Abstract: A method for correcting mistakes and other imperfections in printing members is disclosed. Ink accepting areas of the printing member are rendered non-ink accepting by treatment with a deletion fluid. Deletion fluids include, for example, acids, alkalis, and oxidizing formulations. A preferred deletion fluid is concentrated sulfuric acid.