Abstract: A method for processing a heat-sensitive positive-working lithographic printing plate material is disclosed which comprises at least two layers: —a first layer comprising an oleophilic resin and/or a vinyl acetal (co)polymer; —a second layer comprising a (co)polymer which is located between the support and the first layer; comprising the steps of: —treating the plate material with an alkaline development solution, —treating the plate material with a first gum solution and consecutively with a second gum solution which are configured as a cascade whereby the second gum solution overflows into the first gum solution; and which gum solutions include a buffer; characterized in that the pH of the first gum solution reaches a steady state value above the pKa value of the (co)polymer present in the second layer.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of a) exposing imagewise to IR-radiation a heat mode imaging element 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 unpenetrable by an alkaline developer and contains a compound capable of converting light into heat, wherein said first layer and said top layer may be one and the same layer; and b) developing said imagewise exposed heat mode imaging element with said alkaline developer whereby the exposed areas of the first and the top layer, which may be the same, are dissolved and the unexposed areas of the first layer remain undissolved characterized in that said alkaline developer has a pH of at least 12 and a surface tension of at least 30 mN/m.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an imaging element comprising on a support having a hydrophilic surface in the order given a photosensitive layer insoluble in an aqueous alkaline solution and capable of becoming soluble in said aqueous alkaline solution upon exposure with actinic light and a thermosensitive layer comprising a masking dye rendering said thermosensitive layer opaque to light for which said photosensitive layer has spectral sensitivity and said imaging element further comprising a compound A capable of converting light into heat comprised in said thermosensitive layer or a layer adjacent thereto, characterized in that said thermosensitive layer further comprises thermoplastic particles of a hydrophobic polymer.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for making on-press lithographic printing plates which require no processing. The method comprises the steps of:a. mounting a heat-sensitive imaging material, comprising on a lithographic base having a hydrophilic surface, a metallic layer or a metal oxide layer and on top thereof an oleophobic layer having a thickness of less than 5 .mu.m, on a print cylinder of a printing press;b. image-wise exposing said imaging material with an IR-laser;c. rotating said print cylinder while supplying an aqueous dampening liquid and/or ink to said image forming layer of said imaging material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a finisher for a lithographic plateobtained by a DTR process comprising (a) hydrophobizing agent(s) in a total concentration between 0.1 g/l and 10 g/l, (a) surface-active compound(s) and (a) polyglycol(s) or (a) carbohydrate(s), characterized in that said finisher further comprises a non-proteinic hydrophilic film-forming binder selected from the group consisting of dextrin, maltodextrin and dextran in a concentration between 10 and 200 g/l.