Abstract: A method for directly imaging a lithographic printing surface using infrared radiation without the requirement of pre- or post-UV-light exposure, or heat treatment employs a printing plate which contains a support with a hydrophilic surface overcoated with an imaging layer. The imaging layer contains at least one polymer having bonded pendent groups which are hydroxy, carboxylic acid, tert-butyl-oxycarbonyl, sulfonamide, amide, nitrile, urea, or combinations thereof; as well as an infrared absorbing compound. The imaging layer may contain a second polymer which has bonded pendent groups which are 1,2-napthoquinone diazide, hydroxy, carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, hydroxymethyl amide, alkoxymethyl amide, nitrile, maleimide, urea, or combinations thereof. The imaging layer may also contain a visible absorption dye, a solubility inhibiting agent, or both.

Abstract: This invention relates to a binder containing the units A, B, C, D and E, wherein A is present in an amount of 10 to 60 mole % and is of the formula ##STR1## B is present in an amount of 1 to 30 mole % and is of the formula ##STR2## C is present in an amount of 5 to 60 mole % and is of the formula ##STR3## D is present in an amount of 0 to 60 mole % and is of the formula ##STR4## and E is present in an amount of 1 to 40 mole % and is of the formula ##STR5## wherein X is an aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic spacer group,R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic group,R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are hydrogen or alkyl groups with carbon numbers of from 1 to 18 andY is a saturated or unsaturated chain- or ring-shaped spacer group, and photosensitive compositions containing this binder.

Abstract: Polymeric binders for photosensitive compositions exhibiting improved ink acceptance, good developability and wetting, high photosensitivity, good image resolution, and larger printing runs for plates employing such photosensitive compositions.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive compositions, printing plates containing such compositions, imageable by infrared and ultraviolet/visible radiation and imaging method using same. The compositions comprise a thermal-activated acid generator; a crosslinking resin; a binder resin comprising a polymer containing reactive pendant groups selected from hydroxy, carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, and alkoxymethylamides; an infrared absorber; and optionally a UV/visible radiation-activated acid generator for UV/visible sensitization.

Abstract: Binders useful in photosensitive compositions contain units A, B, C and D, wherein A is present in an amount of 0.5 to 15 wt. % and is of the formula ##STR1## B is present in an amount of 10 to 35 wt. % and is of the formula ##STR2## C is present in an amount of 10 to 50 wt. % and is of the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, and D is present in an amount of 25 to 70 wt. % and is of the formula ##STR4## wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 3 and R.sup.2, R.sup.3 are hydrogen or methyl and R.sup.4 is alkyl, aralkyl or aryl.

Abstract: This invention relates to a binder containing the units A, B, C, D and E, wherein A is present in an amount of 10 to 60 mole % and is of the formula ##STR1## B is present in an amount of 1 to 30 mole % and is of the formula ##STR2## C is present in an amount of 5 to 60 mole % and is of the formula ##STR3## D is present in an amount of 0 to 60 mole % and is of the formula ##STR4## E is present in an amount of 1 to 40 mole % and is of the formula ##STR5## wherein X is an aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic spacer group,R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic group,R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are hydrogen or alkyl groups with carbon numbers of from 1 to 18 andY is a saturated or unsaturated chain- or ring-shaped spacer group,and photosensitive compositions containing this binder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to binders and photosensitive compositions comprising said binders. The binder comprises units A, B, C and D, wherein A is present in an amount of 0.5 to 15 wt. % and is of the formula ##STR1## B is present in an amount of 10 to 35 wt. % and is of the formula ##STR2## C is present in an amount of 10 to 50 wt. % and is of the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1 is methyl, ethyl, propyl or isopropyl, and D is present in an amount of 25 to 70 wt. % and is of the formula ##STR4## wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 3 andR.sup.2, R.sup.3 are hydrogen or methyl andR.sup.4 is alkyl, aralkyl or aryl.