Abstract: A process for rendering an electrically conducting polymer essentially non-conducting is provided, in which the polymer is brought into direct electrical contact with an electrolyte. Furthermore, an electric voltage is applied to said polymer using at least two electrodes connected to a voltage supply, each electrode independently being in electrical contact with one of said polymer and said electrolyte. Said electrically conducting polymer is rendered non-conducting through electrochemical reactions occurring in the interface between said polymer and said electrolyte in response to said electric voltage.

Abstract: Upon a substrate subsequent layers of elastic ink are jetted using an ink jet printing system. Each layer is immobilised by a immobilisation step before jetting the following layer.

Abstract: An method is disclosed for on-site preparation of a relief image comprising the following steps: (a) laminating a material comprising, in the order given, a first peelable support (1), an image recording layer (2) and an adhesive layer (3) onto a UV-sensitive material comprising a support (7), an UV-sensitive layer (6) wherein the adhesive layer (3) is laminated to the UV-sensitive layer (6); (b) image-wise exposing the image recording layer (2) to form a mask; (c) flood exposing the UV-sensitive material through the mask; (d) developing the UV-sensitive material; wherein the peelable support (1) is removed either before step (b), (c) or (d). Steps (a) to (d) are performed within a period of less than 2 months. As a result the extent of monomer diffusion from the UV-sensitive layer to the image recording layer is reduced. Additionally the adhesion between the image recording layer and the UV-sensitive material is optimised.

Abstract: A process for the offset printing of a receiving medium with a functional pattern comprising in any order the steps of: applying a printing ink to a printing plate and wetting the printing plate with an aqueous fountain medium containing a solution or a dispersion containing at least one moiety having at least colouring, pH-indicating, whitening, fluorescent, phosphorescent, X-ray phosphor or conductive properties.

Abstract: An information carrier comprising a support and a receiving layer is disclosed, together with the method of preparation. The information carrier further comprises (optionally personalized) information applied, preferably by ink jet printing, on the receiver layer, and a new type of watermark, obtained by applying pattern-wise a curable varnish and curing it, and by curing an overall applied curable lacquer. One of the varnish and the lacquer have the ability upon penetration into the receiving layer of changing its transparency, thus creating a transparent watermark on an opaque background, or creating a opaque watermark on an transparent background. The finished information carrier is preferably cut in a set of multiple identification (ID) cards.

Abstract: A direct-to-plate method for obtaining a high quality lithographic printing plate is disclosed. The method comprises the application of a continuous layer of a radiation sensitive solution onto a lithographic substrate by means of an ink-jet printhead. Hereby waste of coating solution and contamination of the environment are avoided.

Abstract: A method for the manufacturing of a tamper proof carrier of information is disclosed comprising a support and an opaque porous ink receiving layer. The carrier comprises at least two sets of information, preferably a first set representing general information or security print, and a second set representing personalized information. The ink receiving layer is rendered transparent by impregnation with a UV curable lacquer whereby the underlying information is revealed. Upon UV curing its mechanical properties are improved. The finished information carrier is preferably cut in a set of multiple identification cards.

Abstract: A non-dye containing flexographic ink containing a polymer or copolymer of a 3,4-dialkoxythiophene in which the two alkoxy groups may be the same or different or together represent an optionally substituted oxy-alkylene-oxy bridge, a polyanion and a latex binder in a solvent or aqueous medium, characterized in that the polymer or copolymer of a 3,4-dialkoxythiophene is present in a concentration of at least 0.1% by weight in the ink and that the ink is capable of producing a colorimetrically additive transparent print; a method of preparing the flexographic ink; and a flexographic printing process therewith.

Abstract: A direct-to-plate flexographic printing plate precursor is disclosed including in the order given, a flexible support, a photopolymerizable layer containing an elastomeric binder, an image recording layer including a thermoplastic binder and optionally a cover layer characterized in that the image recording layer and the photopolymerizable layer can be liquefied so that they can be penetrated to a depth of at least 5% at a temperature of 110° C. by a ballpoint probe having a diameter of 3 mm, which is subjected to a force of 0.1 N. Furthermore, a method is provided for making a direct-to-plate if lexographic printing plate precursor.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive non-ablatable wasteless imaging element for providing a lithographic printing plate, comprising on a support a top layer which is capable of forming by image-wise exposure image-wise hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas, characterized in that said imaging element contains an IR-dye capable of changing its optical density by exposure of the imaging element.

Abstract: A method for preparing a lithographic printing plate by means of ink jet is disclosed. The ink jet fluid contains an oleophilizing compound chosen from the group consisting of a catechol, a pyrogallol, and a salicylic acid.

Abstract: Photosensitive printing element for preparing flexographic printing plates via computer-to-plate technology with a support, a photopolymerizable layer and an IR-ablatable layer substantially opaque to actinic radiation which comprises at least one heat-combustible polymeric binder, at least one IR-absorbing material and at least one aliphatic diester, and a process for making a flexographic printing plate using such an element.

Abstract: A method for preparing a lithographic printing plate by means of ink jet printing is disclosed. The ink jet fluid contains an oleophilizing compound having in its chemical structure a functional amidine group capable of reacting with the surface of a lithographic receiver.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing ink accepting areas of a printing surface of a lithographic printing master by treatment with an atmospheric plasma. Preferably, the plasma is directed to the printing surface as a plasma jet while the printing master is mounted on the plate cylinder of a printing press. The method enables to clean a support of a printing master and then reuse the cleaned support for making another printing master. Preferably, all the following steps are performed on-press: (i) making an imaging material by providing a support with an image recording layer; (ii) making a printing master having a printing surface comprising ink accepting areas by image-wise exposing and optionally developing the imaging material; (iii) starting a pressrun; (iv) a cleaning step using an atmospheric plasma and then repeating steps (i) to (iv).

Abstract: A heat-mode exposable imaging material is disclosed which is suitable for making a driographic printing master capable of accepting ink at exposed areas, said material comprising (i) a first layer containing more than 50% by weight of carbon or of an organic light absorbing compound, and (ii) an ink-abhesive second layer underlying said first layer, characterised in that said first layer is removable at non-exposed areas by starting a pressrun without substantially removing said second layer. In a preferred embodiment, the material comprises a support, a silicone coating and a surface coating which consists essentially of carbon, soot or graphite. After heat-mode exposure, the material is ink accepting at exposed areas and the surface coating is removed at non-exposed areas during the start of a pressrun, thereby revealing the silicone coating.

Abstract: A material is disclosed which is suitable for making a flexographic printing plate and comprises in the order given a base, a photopolymer layer and a photothermographic or thermographic recording layer which contains an organic silver salt. By image-wise exposing the recording layer, a photomask is obtained through which the photopolymer layer can be subsequently exposed. Using a suitable solvent, the (photo)thermographic recording layer can be removed and the unexposed areas of the photopolymer layer can be washed out simultaneously in a single development step. The relief image thus obtained can be used as a print master for flexographic printing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making on a transparent receiver material a continuous tone image, e.g. for medical diagnostic purposes, with an obtainable maximal transmission density in the visual region greater than 3.0, by means of ink jet. The method comprises ink-jetting combinations of at least one liquid black pigmented ink and at least one liquid grey ink to a transparent receiver comprising an ink receiving layer, a transparent support and a backing layer, said ink receiving layer comprising a N-containing polymer, preferably gelatin, as binder, and being substantially free of particles having an average size larger than 1 &mgr;m. Preferably the transparent receiver exhibits a haze value between 10 and 20%, determined according to standard test ASTM D 1003, due to the presence of a spacing agent in the backing layer.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a lithographic printing plate, comprising the step of dispensing in a predetermined pattern a hydrophobic or hydrophobizing composition onto a receiving element comprising on a support a layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hardened hydrophilic binder.

Abstract: A material is disclosed which is suitable for reducing the reflection of information displays such as a CRT, LCD, plasma tube, etc., and is characterised by an improved pencil hardness and excellent optical properties (lower average reflection, higher bandwidth). The anti-reflection material of the invention comprises an anti-reflective coating 20 and an optional top coat 10 on a flexible glass substrate 30 that is capable of being wound around a cylindrical core having a radius of 1.5 m. In a preferred method of the present invention the glass substrate 30 is provided with anti-reflective coating 20 using a continuous web coating process while being laminated to a polymer support 50 by using adhesive layer 40. Upon delamination (arrows 60) the adhesive layer 40 may remain fixed to glass substrate 30 (right embodiment of FIG. 1) or to polymer support 50 (left embodiment of FIG. 1).

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for making a negative working non-ablative imaging material, suitable for making a lithographic printing plate, including the steps of applying a dry powder containing at least a compound capable of converting light into heat and an organic compound on a surface of a non-electrically charged metal support, characterized in that the amount of organic compound in the powder ranges from 51 to 95% by weight.