Abstract: A planographic printing member precursor comprises a first component, for example a hydroxy group containing polymer, and a second component which may be a siloxane or a compound of general formula (I), wherein M represents a silicon or a titanium atom and each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is independently selected from hydrogen or halogen atoms; a hydroxy group; an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group; an optionally substituted alkoxy group; or an optionally substituted saturated or unsaturated cyclic or heterocyclic group. On exposure, the second component reacts with the first component to define an oleophobic/hydrophilic material in exposed areas and in non-exposed areas the second component is removed, on processing of the precursor.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate processor having an immersion developing tank followed by a developer exit tank in which a printing plate driven through the immersion tank is subjected to a spray of clean developer wherein the exit tank is isolated from the developing tank and there is associated with the exit tank developer spray system a clean developer recirculating loop. The recirculating loop includes a holding tank, a pump and a filter and its elements are isolated, separate and distinct from the developing tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to printing plate coating compositions comprising: (a) a carbon pigment dispersible in water; (b) at least one polymer comprising at least one ionomeric polymer subunit; and (c) at least one high molecular weight thickening agent which shows pseudoplastic behavior. The printing plate precursor of this invention is prepared by coating a printing plate substrate with the coating composition.

Abstract: A method for the refreshment and reuse of loaded developers used in lithographic printing is disclosed. A polyoxyalkylene derivative is added to a silicate-containing loaded developer. Insoluble material is separated and the alkalinity level of the resulting essentially colorless liquid adjusted to produce a refreshed developer. The refreshed developer may be used to develop additional exposed imageable elements.

Abstract: A direct-to-press imaging method comprises:

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of ink jetting oleophilic images onto a substrate. The composition includes an oleophilic polymer having polar moieties that is soluble in an organic carrier and adheres to a substrate. Compositions of the present invention may be used to form oleophilic image areas for lithographic printing.

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: The present invention provides a flexible and convenient method that combines a digital color image with the versatility of an analog imaging method to create a hybrid digital/analog image, wherein an analog image is formed directly on a digitally generated image.

Abstract: The presence of unwanted ink-receptive sections on developed positive-working lithographic plates due to shading by plate-holding clamps during imaging, is avoided by the use of clamps that are substantially transparent to the imaging radiation. In the case where the plate precursors can be imaged by heat, the presence of unwanted unexposed sections can also be avoided by selectively heating those sections shaded by the clamps, while avoiding heating the image section of the plate.

Abstract: Thermally imageable elements and methods for their preparation and use are disclosed. The elements contain, in order, a substrate; an underlayer; and an ink-repellent layer. The underlayer contains a crosslinked allyl functional polyurethane. A photothermal conversion material is present in either in the underlayer or in an absorber layer between the underlayer and the ink-repellent layer. Thermal imaging and development removes the ink-repellent layer and reveals the underlayer in the exposed regions to form an imaged element useful as a waterless lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: Negative-working, water-developable imageable elements, useful as printing plate precursors, and methods for their use, are disclosed. The elements can be imaged with ultraviolet radiation, with infrared radiation, or with heat. The elements contain an imageable composition that contains a latent Brönsted acid, a water-soluble or water-dispersible binder, and an acid-activated cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Lithographic printing form precursors comprising positive working polymeric coatings on substrates may during storage or transportation undergo undesirable changes in their imaging properties. It has been found that acceptable properties can be restored by carrying out a heat treatment which involves a relatively short heating stage followed by accelerated cooling.

Abstract: Positive-working thermally imageable elements, useful as printing plate precursors and having reduced ablation when thermally imaged, and methods for their preparation are disclosed. In one aspect, the elements contain a hydrophilic substrate, an underlayer, a barrier layer, and a top layer. The underlayer comprises a photothermal conversion material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a negative-working radiation imageable lithographic printing plate precursor, preferably having only two polymeric layers on a support. The first (bottom) layer is composed of oleophilic polymers and a photothermal converter which converts radiation to heat. The second polymeric layer (top) is composed of crosslinked hydrophilic polymers which absorb aqueous fountain solution and repel ink. The oleophilic polymers in the first layer contain functional groups are interlayer chemically bonded to the hydrophilic polymer in the second layer to provide interlayer adhesive bonding between the two layers. The plate is imagewise exposed to radiation, such as with an IR laser, resulting in non-ablative adhesion-weakening between the two layers so that the plate can be developed by fountain solution and/or ink on press whereby the top layer in the exposed area is removed on the press to reveal the ink-receptive image area.

Abstract: The present invention includes an imageable element, which can be: (a) an imageable element comprising an imaging layer which comprises: an aromatic diazonium salt containing compound having an alkoxy substituent and an aromatic diazonium salt containing compound free of an alkoxy substituent; a polyvinyl acetal binder; and a sheet substrate; or (b) an imageable element comprising an imaging layer which comprises: an aromatic diazonium salt containing compound having an alkoxy substituent and an aromatic diazonium salt containing compound free of an alkoxy substituent; and a sheet substrate. The imaging layer includes a total aromatic diazonium salt containing compound content of at least 10 weight percent. The molar ratio of the aromatic diazonium salt containing compound having an alkoxy substituent to the aromatic diazonium salt containing compound that is free of an alkoxy substituent is from about 1.0:1 to 70:1. Upon imagewise exposure and development, an imaged element is obtained.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a microporous film comprising the steps of:

Abstract: Imageable articles comprising positive working polymeric coatings on substrates are given a heat treatment as part of their manufacture, notably at a moderate temperature for an extended period. This heat treatment improves the development characteristics of the coatings in use. It has been found that by carrying out the heat treatment on articles wrapped in a water-impermeable material or in a humidity-enhanced oven, development characteristics may be further improved, especially adjacent to the edges of articles. The imageable articles include precursors for lithographic printing plates and for printed circuits.

Abstract: A coating solution useful in the preparation of printing plate precursors comprises: a) a radiation sensitive composition C comprising a phenolic resin; b) at least one thermoplastic polymer P which has a solubility in aqueous alkaline media ranging from sparingly soluble to insoluble; c) a first solvent component A which is capable of solubilizing both composition C and thermoplastic polymer P; d) a second solvent component B having a volatility less than component A, wherein component B is capable of volatilizing composition C but not thermoplastic polymer P, and composition C and thermoplastic P are homogeneously dissolved in a mixture of components A and B; and e) at least one further polymer AP having a higher molecular weight than the phenolic resin of composition C, wherein polymer AB is miscible with the phenolic resin and immiscible with thermoplastic polymer P.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermally sensitive imagable article and compositions therefor. The imagable article comprises a coating on a substrate, the coating comprising an amino acid or amide, and a compound capable of generating an acid upon heating. The coating optionally comprises a radiation absorbing compound. When imagewise exposed the coating has the property that exposed regions become relatively insoluble in a developer liquid whereas regions that have not been exposed remain relatively soluble in the developer and dissolve in the developer, leaving the exposed substrate in those regions.

Abstract: Imageable elements useful in lithographic printing, and processes for their use, are disclosed. The elements comprise a hydrophilic substrate, an imageable layer over the substrate, and a thermally activated crosslinking agent. The imageable layer comprises a polymeric material that comprises one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, carboxylic acid anhydride, phenolic hydroxyl, and sulphonamide. A preferred crosslinking group is the oxazoline group. The element is heated after exposure and development to crosslink a polymeric material.