Abstract: Lithographic printing plates are prepared from lithographic printing plate precursors that have an imageable layer comprising hydrophobic thermosetting particles that comprise a curable composition having certain properties. Upon exposure to imaging radiation such as infrared radiation, the hydrophobic thermosetting particles are cured and fused to each other and to the substrate. Such particles can be readily removed in the non-exposed regions of the imageable layer by dry rubbing or other simple processes without the use of alkaline developers or gumming solutions.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates can be prepared and made ready for lithographic printing without wet development or processing. A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor is exposed to ablating infrared radiation of an energy of at least 1 J/cm2 to form a lithographic printing plate ready for lithographic printing. The positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor has a hydrophilic aluminum substrate, and on the substrate, a crosslinked hydrophilic inner layer, and an oleophilic surface layer that is chemically bonded to the crosslinked hydrophilic inner layer. An intermediate layer provided between the crosslinked hydrophilic inner and oleophilic surface layers. Either this intermediate or the oleophilic surface layer, or both, generally includes an infrared radiation absorbing compound.

Abstract: A single manufacturing pass for manufacturing a multilayered self-organized coating onto a substrate to provide all of the functions usually provided in multiple-pass coatings for manufacturing an infrared imageable offset lithographic printing plate; and a process whereby two or more polymeric materials that cannot usually co-exist in solution may be dissolved in suitably dilute solvent mixtures which, when coated onto a substrate and the solvents evaporated, deposit a continuous graduation of polymeric mixtures vertical to the substrate, caused by the self-assembly process.

Abstract: A single manufacturing pass for manufacturing a multilayered self-organized coating onto a substrate to provide all of the functions usually provided in multiple-pass coatings for manufacturing an infrared imageable offset lithographic printing plate; and a process whereby two or more polymeric materials that cannot usually co-exist in solution may be dissolved in suitably dilute solvent mixtures which, when coated onto a substrate and the solvents evaporated, deposit a continuous graduation of polymeric mixtures vertical to the substrate, caused by the self-assembly process.

Abstract: The gel method of printing variable information of the present invention involves applying inks onto a substrate that is part of or attached to a cylinder of the printing machine. Imaging is by means of an energy source in the UV, visible or infrared regions, modulated to represent a digital image pattern that has been composed on a computer. The consequence of imaging is to gel the ink and increase its adhesion to the substrate of the printing cylinder. The non-gelled background ink with lower adhesion is then removed by a squeegee action and returned to an ink reservoir. The remaining image is transferred to an offset blanket or directly to print stock by pressure. The process does not use a master, but produces an image that is erased after printing with each cylinder rotation so that the next rotation producing the next print can have fresh information written upon it.

Abstract: The gel method of printing variable information of the present invention involves applying inks onto a substrate that is part of or attached to a cylinder of the printing machine. Imaging is by means of an energy source in the UV, visible or infrared regions, modulated to represent a digital image pattern that has been composed on a computer. The consequence of imaging is to gel the ink and increase its adhesion to the substrate of the printing cylinder. The non-gelled background ink with lower adhesion is then removed by a squeegee action and returned to an ink reservoir. The remaining image is transferred to an offset blanket or directly to print stock by pressure. The process does not use a master, but produces an image that is erased after printing with each cylinder rotation so that the next rotation producing the next print can have fresh information written upon it.