Abstract: A storage unit (14) stores a setting point list (14b) in which a predetermined setting point and an operation screen at the setting point are associated with each other. A generation unit (15b) sets, as a node, an operation screen on which processing content is reflected, generates an operation screen flow (14c) representing a processing order of the node by using an operation manual, and associates the operation screen flow (14c) and the setting point. An extraction unit (15d) extracts, from the operation screen flow (14c), a route from a node corresponding to a screen being operated to a setting point at a subsequent stage of the node. A presentation unit (15e) presents, to an operator, an operation screen on the extracted route.

Abstract: Provided are a developer suitable for both positive working and negative working photosensitive lithographic printing plates for lithography and a replenisher thereof which comprise as a development stabilizer at least one compound selected from the group consisting of sugars, oximes, phenols and fluorinated alcohols in a proportion of at least 0.01 mole/l and have their pH values in the range of 11.0 to 13.5 by containing an alkali agent and a developer for photosensitive lithographic printing plates which comprises (1) a compound represented by formula (A) or (B) described in the present specification, (2) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of phenols, sugars, oximes and fluorinated alcohols which have buffering effect in the pH range of 11.5 to 13.5 and (3) a specific alkali agent, and has a pH of 11.5 to 13.5.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a substrate for presensitized plates for use in making lithographic printing plates comprises the steps of electrolytically surface-roughening an aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate in a nitric acid-containing electrolyte and then etching the surface with an alkali or an acid to thus form irregularity in the order of not more than 0.1 .mu.m within pits formed on the surface during the electrolytic surface roughening treatment. The method makes it possible to provide a lithographic printing plate stably and simultaneously having excellent printing durability and good resistance to background contamination of non-image areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aluminum support for a lithographic plate, whose surface is electrochemically roughened and has the following conditions:a) an arithmetic mean of the pit diameters of the electrolytically etched support is 4 .mu.m or less,b) a difference between an arithmetic mean (D.sub.L) of the maximum pit diameter of the support in the rolling direction and an arithmetic mean (D.sub.LT) of the maximum pit diameter of the support in the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction is larger than 10% of the maximum pit diameter (a larger one of D.sub.L and D.sub.LT),c) the number of pits detected with a surface roughness tester having a profilometer using a stylus having a tip radius of 1 .mu.m is at last 200/mm, andd) an average centerline roughness is 0.2 .mu.m to 1.0 .mu.m.According to the present invention, a lithographic plate having the aluminum support is excellent in both of a printing durability and a stain proofness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for electrically surface-roughening an aluminum support comprising forming an organic or inorganic coating on the aluminum support before the electrolytic surface-roughening of the aluminum plate. According to the present invention, a lithographic printing plate whose non-image area is difficult to be stained and which has an excellent printing durability is obtained.

Abstract: In a process for producing a support for a lithographic printing plate, at least one surface of an aluminum sheet is subjected to roughening treatment and subsequently to anodic oxidation treatment at a current density of at least 1 A/dm.sup.2 in an electrolytic solution containing 0.1 to 5% by weight of an alkaline electrolyte. Even if scratches are formed on non-image areas of a printing plate prepared from the support according to the invention, such scratches cause less stains on a printed matter.

Abstract: A process of preparing a lithographic support, the lithographic support produced by the process and a presensitized plate are disclosed. The process comprises chemically graining at least one surface of an aluminium plate with an aqueous solution containing chloride, fluoride or a mixture thereof and thereafter electrochemically graining the surface. The presensitized plate comprises a lithographically suitable light-sensitive coating on the lithographic support.

Abstract: A process for producing an aluminum support for a lithographic printing plate, comprising chemical graining of an aluminum plate with an etching solution, is disclosed. The etching solution contains a mineral acid and an unsaturated concentration aluminum salt of a mineral acid. The printing plate produced from the support exhibits high printing durability and excellent performance in preventing stains in non-image areas.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate support and a process for producing it are disclosed. The plate is produced by providing an aluminum alloy material which is comprised of 0.20 to 1.0% Fe, 0.005 to 0.1% of an element selected from the group consisting of Sn, In, Ga and Zn and the remainder being aluminum. The alloy may further contain 0.1 to 2% Cu. After providing the aluminum material either or both of its surfaces are subjected to a chemical etching treatment in order to provide a uniform and dense grain structure on the surface forming primary pits in the surface having a particularly defined average size. The surface is then subjected to electrochemical etching treatment in an acidic electrolytic solution in order to provide secondary pits on the surface also having a particularly defined average size. The support base may be further treated to provide in additional coating thereon or directly coated with a light-sensitive layer in order to provide a light-sensitive lithographic printing plate.