Abstract: An imaged and developed element, such as a lithographic printing plate, is provided by infrared radiation imaging of a negative-working imageable element having an outermost imageable layer that includes an acid generating compound that generates acid upon exposure to imaging infrared radiation, an infrared radiation absorbing compound, an acid activatable crosslinking agent that has acid activatable reactive groups, and a polymeric binder that is capable of undergoing an acid-catalyzed condensation reaction with the crosslinking agent. The imaged element is heated at from about 120 to about 150° C. for up to two minutes, and then developed with a single processing solution to remove only the non-exposed regions and to provide a protective layer prior to lithographic printing.

Abstract: Both single-layer and multi-layer positive-working imageable compositions can be used in positive-working elements having a substrate and at least one imageable layer. These elements can be used to prepare lithographic printing plates. The imageable elements include a radiation absorbing compound and a hydroxystyrene polymer having repeating branched hydroxystyrene units.

Abstract: Positive-working imageable elements comprise a radiation absorbing compound and inner and outer layers on a substrate having a hydrophilic surface. The inner layer comprises a polymer that is removable using an alkaline developer and in which from about 1 to about 50 mol % of its recurring units are derived from one or more of the ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers represented by the following Structure (I): CH2?C(R1)C(?O)NR2(CR3R4)nOH ??(I) wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, or phenyl, and n is 1 to 20. The imageable elements having improved resistance to development and printing chemicals and solvents.

Abstract: Imageable elements that contain copolymers soluble in alkaline solutions are disclosed and methods for forming imaging using the imageable elements are disclosed. The alkali soluble copolymers comprise about 3 to about 50 mol % of one or more of the monomers of the formula: CH2?CH(R1)—C(O)—X—Y—R2; in which: R1 is H or CH3; R2 is succinimide or phthalimide; X is O or NH; and Y is —(CH2)n—, in which n is an integer from 2 to 12. The imageable elements are useful as lithographic printing plate precursors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positive-working, thermally imageable element generally comprising a multi-layered imageable coating. The invention provides an imageable element comprising a substrate, an ink-receptive top layer, and an underlayer, the underlayer including a specific copolymer described herein. The copolymer can be a polymer comprising constitutional units derived from: a) a monomer having a cyclic urea group; b) a monomer comprising an N-substituted maleimide; c) a (meth)acrylamide or (meth)acrylate monomer; and d) a (meth)acrylic acid or vinyl benzoic acid monomer. In another embodiment, the copolymer can be a polymer comprising constitutional units derived from: a) a monomer having a cyclic urea group; b) a (meth)acrylic acid or vinyl benzoic acid monomer; c) and a (meth)acrylonitrile monomer. The imageable element may be used to prepare a lithographic printing plate that is resistant to press chemistry and can optionally be baked to increase press runlength.

Abstract: A method for forming images useful as lithographic printing plate precursors is disclosed. An imageable element in which the imageable layer comprises an acid generator, a crosslinking agent, and a binder is imaged with ultraviolet radiation and developed with a solvent based developer. The acid generator is an iodonium, sulfonium, or diazonium salt in which the anion is an organic sulfate or thiosulfate anion. The binder comprises a copolymer that contains a reactive pendent group capable of undergoing acid crosslinking, in which the reactive pendent group is hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, alkoxymethyl, or a mixture thereof. The method is especially suited for use with direct digital ultraviolet imaging devices. The resulting image is useful as a lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positive-working, thermally imageable element generally comprising a multi-layered imageable coating. The invention provides an imageable element comprising a substrate, an ink-receptive top layer, and an underlayer, the underlayer including a specific copolymer described herein. The copolymer can be a polymer comprising constitutional units derived from: a) a monomer having a cyclic urea group; b) a monomer comprising an N-substituted maleimide; c) a (meth)acrylamide or (meth)acrylate monomer; and d) a (meth)acrylic acid or vinyl benzoic acid monomer. In another embodiment, the copolymer can be a polymer comprising constitutional units derived from: a) a monomer having a cyclic urea group; b) a (meth)acrylic acid or vinyl benzoic acid monomer; c) and a (meth)acrylonitrile monomer. The imageable element may be used to prepare a lithographic printing plate that is resistant to press chemistry and can optionally be baked to increase press runlength.

Abstract: Multi-layer, negative working imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The elements contain, in order, a support; an underlayer; and an imageable layer. The imageable layer comprises a negative working imageable composition; and the underlayer is soluble or dispersible in a developer. Elements that can be imaged with ultraviolet or visible radiation and elements that can be imaged with infrared radiation or with heat are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a printing plate from a printing plate precursor having a radiation-sensitive layer, sensitive to radiation in a first frequency spectrum such as the far or near infrared, and to radiation in a second frequency spectrum other than the first frequency spectrum such as visible or ultraviolet. The plate is exposed twice. Once to imaging radiation in the first frequency spectrum and again to radiation in the second frequency spectrum. The second frequency spectrum exposure is done only to the areas of the plate undesirably shaded during the imagewise exposure.

Abstract: A method for forming images useful as lithographic printing plate precursors is disclosed. An imageable element in which the imageable layer comprises an acid generator, a crosslinking agent, and a binder is imaged with ultraviolet radiation and developed with a solvent based developer. The acid generator is an iodonium, sulfonium, or diazonium salt in which the anion is an organic sulfate or thiosulfate anion. The binder comprises a copolymer that contains a reactive pendent group capable of undergoing acid crosslinking, in which the reactive pendent group is hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, alkoxymethyl, or a mixture thereof. The method is especially suited for use with direct digital ultraviolet imaging devices. The resulting image is useful as a lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: A method for forming a printing plate from a printing plate precursor having a radiation-sensitive layer, sensitive to radiation in a first frequency spectrum such as the far or near infrared, and to radiation in a second frequency spectrum other than the first frequency spectrum such as visible or ultraviolet. The plate is exposed twice. Once to imaging radiation in the first frequency spectrum and again to radiation in the second frequency spectrum. The second frequency spectrum exposure is done only to the areas of the plate undesirably shaded during the imagewise exposure.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of ink jetting oleophilic images onto a substrate. The composition includes an oleophilic polymer having polar moieties that is soluble in an organic carrier and adheres to a substrate. Compositions of the present invention may be used to form oleophilic image areas for lithographic printing.

Abstract: Multi-layer, negative working imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The elements contain, in order, a support; an underlayer; and an imageable layer. The imageable layer comprises a negative working imageable composition; and the underlayer is soluble or dispersible in a developer. Elements that can be imaged with ultraviolet or visible radiation and elements that can be imaged with infrared radiation or with heat are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved hydrophilized substrate for planographic printing is disclosed. The substrate contains a support and a hydrophilic layer over the support. The hydrophilic layer contains titanium dioxide (titania) particles. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic layer contains a mixture of coated and uncoated titanium dioxide particles, and, optionally, alumina particles. A method for preparation of the substrate and a printing member comprising the substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved hydrophilized substrate for planographic printing is disclosed. The substrate contains a support and a hydrophilic layer over the support. The hydrophilic layer contains titanium dioxide (titania) particles. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic layer contains a mixture of coated and uncoated titanium dioxide particles, and, optionally, alumina particles. A method for preparation of the substrate and a printing member comprising the substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved hydrophilized substrate for planographic printing is disclosed. The substrate contains a support and a hydrophilic layer over the support. The hydrophilic layer contains titanium dioxide (titania) particles. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic layer contains a mixture of coated and uncoated titanium dioxide particles, and, optionally, alumina particles. A method for preparation of the substrate and a printing member comprising the substrate are also disclosed.