Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing direct-imaged flexographic printing elements such that both the front and back exposure times are economically efficient for the manufacturer. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing at least one solid photocurable element. The solid photocurable element comprises a solid photocurable material comprising an oxygen scavenger, a support layer having an actinic radiation absorbing compound integrated uniformly throughout such that it absorbs at least some actinic radiation during exposure, and a photoablative mask layer. The methods of the invention involve creating a floor in the solid photocurable material by back exposure through the support layer having the actinic radiation absorbing compound, transferring a negative image directly onto the solid photocurable material by photoablating the photoablatable mask layer, followed by front exposure effective to cure the solid photocurable material.

Abstract: A positive-working imaging member is composed of a heat-sensitive surface imageable layer having a heat-sensitive polymer containing heat-activatable sulfoimino, sulfoalkyl, or sulfoamide groups, and a photothermal conversion material. Upon application of thermal energy, such as from IR irradiation, the sulfonate groups decompose rendering exposed areas more hydrophilic. The exposed imaging member can be contacted with a lithographic printing ink and used for printing without post-imaging wet processing. This imaging member is particularly useful for direct write imaging using IR lasers or thermal printing heads.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate comprises on a substrate a thermo-deactivatable photosensitive layer that is photohardenable before exposure to an infrared radiation and can be rendered incapable or having reduced rate of photohardening upon exposure to an infrared radiation. Optionally, an oleophobic top layer may be deposited on the photosensitive layer to form a waterless plate. Such a plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared laser to thermally deactivate the photosensitive layer in the exposed areas, followed by overall actinic light exposure to harden the infrared laser non-exposed areas. The exposed plate can be developed with a suitable developer to remove the infrared laser exposed areas. A plate with an ink and/or fountain solution soluble or dispersible photosensitive layer of this invention can be developed on a printing press with ink and/or fountain solution during initial press operation.

Abstract: A positive-type planographic printing material contains (a) a water-insoluble and alkaline water-soluble polymer including a main chain and having a phenol structure in the main chain, the phenol structure having an aromatic ring and at least one electron-withdrawing substituent on the aromatic ring; and (b) an infrared absorbing agent.

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 quaternary ammonium 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: 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 a polymer grafted carbon as a photothermal conversion material. The heat-sensitive polymer and polymer grafted carbon can be formulated in water or water-miscible solvents without agglomeration. 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: A method for forming a positive image, which comprises exposing an image-forming material comprising a substrate and a positive photosensitive composition layer containing a novolak resin and a photo-thermal conversion material which absorbs light from an image exposure light source and converts it to heat and not containing a thermally decomposable material which decomposes by the action of heat generated by the photo-thermal conversion material upon absorption of light from the image exposure light source, formed on the substrate, followed by development with an alkali developer containing an amphoteric surfactant to form a positive image.

Abstract: High-quality composite printing elements are prepared without the need for precise registration of constituent photocurable elements by disposing at least one photocurable element, and preferably a plurality of photocurable elements, upon a surface of a substantially planar carrier sheet in approximate register and then transferring a computer-generated negative onto a surface of the elements.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive material for making lithographic plates comprising in the order given on a support an IR-sensitive oleophilic layer and a cross-linked hydrophilic layer, wherein said heat-sensitive material is covered with a layer comprising at least an organic compound comprising cationic groups.

Abstract: A support for a printing plate is disclosed, comprising a substrate having thereon at least one component layer contains porous particles. The component layer further contains a flaky inorganic particles or a material having the function of converting light to heat. A printing plate comprising the support is also disclosed, having on the support an image forming layer containing a thermally fusible particles.

Abstract: An offset printing plate precursor comprising a substrate having provided thereon a layer containing a substance capable of absorbing radiant rays and converting the radiant energy to heat energy, and a thin layer, wherein printing is performed by following the steps of: (a) subjecting the printing plate precursor to irradiation with active light, (b) subjecting the printing plate precursor to irradiation with light/heat convertible radiant rays or heat treatment, to thereby imagewise distribute a hydrophilic area and a lipophilic area of the thin layer, and (c) bringing the thin layer into contact with printing ink to form a printing plate in which the lipophilic area has received the printing ink, to thereby perform offset printing.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat mode imaging element for making a lithographic printing plate having on a lithographic base with a hydrophilic surface a first layer including a polymer, soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution and a top layer on the same side of the lithographic base as the first layer which top layer is IR-sensitive and unpenetrable for an alkaline developer wherein said first layer and said top layer may be one and the same layer; characterized in that said top layer contains a polymer that lowers the dynamic friction coefficient of the top layer to less than 0.37, and wherein said polymer in the top layer is polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: An image recording material or photosensitive resin composition comprising: (A-1) a phenolic polymer having a structural unit represented by the following general formula I-(1) on a polymer backbone; (A-2) a polymer which has a structural unit represented by the following general formula II-(1) as a polymer backbone or a structural unit represented by the following general formula II-(2) as a side chain attached to a polymer backbone and which has a phenolic hydroxyl group; or (A-3) a mixture comprising a polymer having a phenolic hydroxyl group and a polymer which has a structural unit represented by the following general formula II-(1) as a polymer backbone or a structural unit represented by the following general formula II-(2) as a side chain of attached to a polymer backbone; and (B) an infrared ray absorbing agent.

Abstract: A resin composition comprises a copolymer (A) comprising ethylene as a major component produced with a single-site catalyst, and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (B) having an ethylene content of 20-60 mol. % and a degree of hydrolysis of 95% or above, the resin composition satisfying the equation (1): 1/99≦{weight of (A)}/{weight of (B)}≦99/1  (1) A preferred resin composition comprises a copolymer (A) which has a density of 0.90-0.94 g/cm3 and the resin composition further comprises a carboxylic acid-modified polyolefin (C) and satisfies the equations (2) and (3): 60/40≦{weight of (A)}/{(weight of (B)}≦:99/1  (2) 0.1/99.9≦X≦:20/80  (3) wherein X={weight of (C)}/{total weight of (A) and (B)}. Another preferred resin composition comprises a copolymer (A) which has a density of 0.85-0.

Abstract: A heat-mode exposable imaging material is disclosed which is suitable for making a driographic printing master capable of accepting ink at exposed areas, said material comprising (i) a first layer containing more than 50% by weight of carbon or of an organic light absorbing compound, and (ii) an ink-abhesive second layer underlying said first layer, characterised in that said first layer is removable at non-exposed areas by starting a pressrun without substantially removing said second layer. In a preferred embodiment, the material comprises a support, a silicone coating and a surface coating which consists essentially of carbon, soot or graphite. After heat-mode exposure, the material is ink accepting at exposed areas and the surface coating is removed at non-exposed areas during the start of a pressrun, thereby revealing the silicone coating.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing fine pattern of the invention comprises (a) a step of manufacturing a master substrate having a film of precious metal or an alloy thereof formed as an insoluble electrode on the electrode, (b) a step of forming a fine pattern film on the insoluble electrode with anion type electro-deposition, and (c) a step of exfoliating and transferring the fine pattern film onto another substrate. Another method of manufacturing fine pattern further includes a step of manufacturing a master substrate, of which a surface is provided with at least a repeatedly reproducible sacrificial electrode. Still another method of manufacturing fine pattern includes a step of forming a pattern electrode on a conductive substrate by electro-forming, and transferring the electrode onto another substrate. Yet another method of manufacturing fine pattern includes a structure wherein a transparent section is provided in a portion of a master substrate in order to facilitate a positional alignment.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate precursor obtained by laminating on a substrate, a layer composed of a hydrophobic polymer which can be made hydrophilic by heating, and a layer of which exposed portions can be removed by heat mode exposure.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and molded, extruded or formed phosphorescent plastic articles produced therefrom that contain non-radioactive, non-sulfide phosphorescent phosphor pigments that emit light in the visible spectrum, preferably metal oxide aluminate:europium-activated phosphorescent phosphor pigments, preferably in combination with polymer-soluble daylight fluorescent dyes, in transparent or translucent resins. The plastic articles produced from the compositions of the invention exhibit a remarkably rich, attractive, clear, brilliant fluorescent daylight color and a strong, long-lasting glow-in-the-dark luminescence having a color similar to that of the daylight color.

Abstract: A finishing solution is provided for application to thermally sensitive printing plates wherein image formation requires at least partial coalescence of particles within the imaging layer. The finishing solution includes a coalescing aid which comprises a solvent or mixture of solvents having solubility characteristics which facilitate softening or solubilization of the disperse phase and the continuous phase of the radiation sensitive coating of the plate, thereby allowing phase separation and reticulation to be avoided. A method of image formation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A priming concentrate composition is provided that may be deposited on a substrate and functions as an adhesion promoting composition for bonding a subsequently applied photoresist to the substrate. The composition contains, as an essential constituent, a polyelectrolyte having substituents derived from cyclic ethers, preferably epichlorohydrin and/or ethylene oxide. The priming composition can be applied to a stationary or moving substrate, as a concentrate or further diluted with an aqueous medium, by brushing, spraying or immersing and the like.