Abstract: A method for metallising solid substrates involves the use of non-equilibrium plasma treatment of a supported metal precursor layer. This technique can be used to make pure metal or alloy coatings. An oxidising plasma pre-treatment step of the supported metal precursor layer, or the incorporation of a plasma polymer coupling layer prior to metallisation, can result in improved adhesion. The method can be applied to the preparation of lithographic printing plate precursors.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprises a grained and anodised aluminium substrate coated with a metallic layer, preferably a silver layer, on top of which is applied a layer of an oleophilic resin. Imagewise exposure of the precursor by means of a high intensity laser beam allows for the direct provision of press ready plates showing increased cleanliness in background areas and providing excellent start-up properties on press, high image quality and improved press durability, without the requirement for the use of intermediate film and developer chemistry, or the need for any post-exposure processing. Lower levels of metal deposition on the substrate surface result in the plate precursors showing enhanced sensitivity on exposure, whereupon removal of the metallic layer occurs in the exposed areas.

Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a grained and anodized aluminium substrate having coated thereon a silver halide emulsion layer, the back surface of said substrate being coated with an inert coating which does not chemically or physically interact with an adjacent silver halide layer when two plates are placed in front to back contact. Fogging of the silver halide layer is avoided and the use of the back coating eliminates the requirement for the use of tissue interleaving when wrapping and packing the lithographic printing plate precursors.

Abstract: A method of image formation which comprises (a) providing a radiation sensitive plate comprising a substrate and a coating containing a heat softenable disperse phase, an aqueous soluble or swellable continuous phase and a radiation absorbing substance, (b) image-wise exposing the plate to at least partially coalesce the particles of the disperse phase in the image areas, (c) developing the image-wise exposed plate to remove the coating in the unexposed areas, and (d) heating the developed plate or subjecting it to irradiation to effect insolubilization of the image. Good quality images of high durability are obtained.

Abstract: Laminates of aluminum and plastic form the substrate of printing plate precursors that are suitable for imaging in conventional roll-fed imagesetters or phototypesetters.

Abstract: A light sensitive material suitable for coating onto a support to produce a light sensitive plate for use in, for example, the manufacture of a printing plate comprises groups of the formula: ##STR1## attached to carbon atoms of a polymer, wherein --Z-- is --o-- or ##STR2## or ##STR3## wherein R.sub.5 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R is an aromatic radical; a is zero or unity; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, cyano groups, or specified aliphatic or aromatic groups; X is a deactivating group; R.sub.4 is a hydrogen atom, a carboxyl group, a cyano group or a specified aliphatic or aromatic group; and Ph is a phenyl group. The material may be produced by reacting a polymer containing epoxide groups, hydroxyl groups, or primary and/or secondary amino groups with the halosulphonyl group of a compound having the formula: ##STR4## wherein R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 R.sub.3, and a having the above meanings, wherein X has the above meaning or is a halosulphonyl group and R.sub.