Abstract: A reusable printing form is treated after printing. The printing form has a substrate provided with amphiphilic molecules and it is cleaned to remove printing ink and provided with amphiphilic molecules, for fresh printing in the course of a reimaging process. Here, the printing form is provided with amphiphilic molecules in the course of the reimaging process substantially before cleaning to remove the printing ink.

Abstract: A measurement field allows determining the smearing limit during printing, in particular during lithographic wet offset printing. The measurement field is arranged on a printing form, in particular a printing plate, which has printing, ink-carrying regions and nonprinting, dampening solution-carrying regions on its surface. A dampening solution-carrying property in the region of the measurement field is reduced by a nanoscopic coating (e.g., with amphiphilic molecules) or an unscreened, microscopic coating (e.g., a polymer coating) in comparison with the dampening solution-carrying property in the nonprinting regions of the surface of the printing form. The nanoscopic coating or the microscopic coating advantageously leads to a shifting of the smearing limit, that is to say to a displacement of the starting point of scumming, by the dampening solution requirement which is increased for scum-free printing within the region of the measurement field.

Abstract: A method for treating a re-imageable printing form includes surface modifying a surface of the printing form acting as a printing area in a nanoscopic range by chemically functionalizing the surface through covering with molecules, in particular amphiphilic molecules or polymers. The printing form is subjected to a primary process of imaging by laser radiation, and subjected to a primary process of application of at least one lithographic fluid, for example dampening solution, printing ink and/or varnish. The molecules are fixed in image regions by the primary process of imaging. The molecules are removed in non-image regions substantially by at least one primary process different than the application of printing ink, in particular by imaging, application of dampening solution or chemical developing. An apparatus for treating a re-imageable printing form, a machine for processing printing material and a method for treating a surface contacting printing material, are also provided.

Abstract: Imageable printing forms are irradiated by radiant energy corresponding to the image information, the energy being absorbed in the printing form. The energy coupled in this manner is available for patterning the printing form surface. A printing form having a plurality of substantially planar functional zones, which have at least one informational zone that is modifiable in accordance with image information and an absorption zone for absorbing energy from a radiation is distinguished in that a buffer zone is provided which differs at least partially from the absorption zone, receives energy from the absorption zone, and releases energy to the informational zone.

Abstract: A print substrate-contacting element having an ink-repellent coating on a surface of a microstructured carrier is described, the coating including at least one derivative of an amphiphilic organic compound whose polar region has an acidic character. A method for coating a surface of a microstructured carrier of a print substrate-contacting element is distinguished by the application of an amount of substance, which includes at least one derivative of an amphiphilic organic compound whose polar region has an acidic character, by treating the surface with an alcoholic solution of the amount of substance. The print substrate-contacting element can very advantageously be the surface of a back-pressure cylinder in a print substrate-processing machine, in particular in a printing press. The coating method can be carried out in a print substrate-processing machine.

Abstract: A reusable printing plate, in particular for use both in wet offset printing and in dry offset printing, includes a printing area and a metal oxide surface treated with at least one fluorinated phosphonic acid. A printing press and a printing unit having the printing plate, a process for imaging the printing plate and a process for preparation of a fluorinated organic phosphonic acid are also provided.

Abstract: A measurement field allows determining the smearing limit during printing, in particular during lithographic wet offset printing. The measurement field is arranged on a printing form, in particular a printing plate, which has printing, ink-carrying regions and nonprinting, dampening solution-carrying regions on its surface. A dampening solution-carrying property in the region of the measurement field is reduced by a nanoscopic coating (e.g., with amphiphilic molecules) or an unscreened, microscopic coating (e.g., a polymer coating) in comparison with the dampening solution-carrying property in the nonprinting regions of the surface of the printing form. The nanoscopic coating or the microscopic coating advantageously leads to a shifting of the smearing limit, that is to say to a displacement of the starting point of scumming, by the dampening solution requirement which is increased for scum-free printing within the region of the measurement field.

Abstract: A method for treating a re-imageable printing form includes surface modifying a surface of the printing form acting as a printing area in a nanoscopic range by chemically functionalizing the surface through covering with molecules, in particular amphiphilic molecules or polymers. The printing form is subjected to a primary process of imaging by laser radiation, and subjected to a primary process of application of at least one lithographic fluid, for example dampening solution, printing ink and/or varnish. The molecules are fixed in image regions by the primary process of imaging. The molecules are removed in non-image regions substantially by at least one primary process different than the application of printing ink, in particular by imaging, application of dampening solution or chemical developing. An apparatus for treating a re-imageable printing form, a machine for processing printing material and a method for treating a surface contacting printing material, are also provided.

Abstract: A reusable printing form is treated after printing. The printing form has a substrate provided with amphiphilic molecules and it is cleaned to remove printing ink and provided with amphiphilic molecules, for fresh printing in the course of a reimaging process. Here, the printing form is provided with amphiphilic molecules in the course of the reimaging process substantially before cleaning to remove the printing ink.

Abstract: A reusable printing plate, in particular for use both in wet offset printing and in dry offset printing, includes a printing area and a metal oxide surface treated with at least one fluorinated phosphonic acid. A printing press and a printing unit having the printing plate, a process for imaging the printing plate and a process for preparation of a fluorinated organic phosphonic acid are also provided.

Abstract: Imageable printing forms are irradiated by radiant energy corresponding to the image information, the energy being absorbed in the printing form. The energy coupled in in this manner is available for patterning the printing form surface. A printing form having a plurality of substantially planar functional zones, which have at least one informational zone that is modifiable in accordance with image information and an absorption zone for absorbing energy from a radiation is distinguished in that a buffer zone is provided which differs at least partially from the absorption zone, receives energy from the absorption zone, and releases energy to the informational zone.

Abstract: Presented is a reusable printing form including a printing area that has a metal oxide surface, in particular a native oxidized titanium surface, which is treated with at least one amphiphilic organic compound whose polar region has an acidic character. In an advantageous embodiment, n-heptadecanyl hydroxamic acid {CH3-(CH2)16-C(O)—NH—OH} and/or n-octadecanyl phosphonic acid {CH3-(CH2)17-P(O)—(OH)2} is used. Also described is a method for imaging a reusable printing form. The reusable printing form can be used for offset printing.

Abstract: A print substrate-contacting element having an ink-repellent coating on a surface of a microstructured carrier is described, the coating including at least one derivative of an amphiphilic organic compound whose polar region has an acidic character. A method for coating a surface of a microstructured carrier of a print substrate-contacting element is distinguished by the application of an amount of substance, which includes at least one derivative of an amphiphilic organic compound whose polar region has an acidic character, by treating the surface with an alcoholic solution of the amount of substance. The print substrate-contacting element can very advantageously be the surface of a back-pressure cylinder in a print substrate-processing machine, in particular in a printing press. The coating method can be carried out in a print substrate-processing machine.

Abstract: Presented is a reusable printing form including a printing area that has a metal oxide surface, in particular a native oxidized titanium surface, which is treated with at least one amphiphilic organic compound whose polar region has an acidic character. In an advantageous embodiment, n-heptadecanyl hydroxamic acid {CH3—(CH2)16—C(O)—NH—OH} and/or n-octadecanyl phosphonic acid {CH3—(CH2)17—P(O)—(OH)2} is used. Also described is a method for imaging a reusable printing form. The reusable printing form can be used for offset printing.

Abstract: An imaging device for forming an image on a printing form, includes an imaging head containing a multiplicity of mutually parallel conductive pins separated from one another by an insulating material, a voltage source for a high-frequency alternating voltage, and a multiplicity of electronic switches, respectively, connected at one end thereof to one of the conductive pins, and at the other end thereof to the voltage source. Also disclosed are a method of operating the imaging device, and a printing form whereon the imaging method is performed.

Abstract: A method for clearing a re-imageable printing form, includes treating the printing form with a fluid clearing medium; a device for performing the method; and a printing machine including the device.