Abstract: A printing system which uses a single layer printing member coated on to a cylinder is provided. For waterless offset application, the single layer printing member consists of an oleophobic imaging layer containing an oleophobic resin, coated on an oleophillic cylinder. For wet application, the single layer may either be hydrophilic, coated on a oleophillic cylinder; or vice versa. The single layer printing member is composed of a resin having either oleophobic, hydrophilic or oleophillic properties, to which an infra red absorbing component or components may be added.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing stencil and a method for its preparation. There is thus provided, In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a printing stencil comprising a porous stencil carrier layer, preferably of a non-woven tissue, which is impregnated with a solid or liquid radiation curable material. The printing stencil may further comprise a mask laid upon or integral to the stencil layer for defining areas transparent and areas non transparent to curing irradiation. There is thus also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for the preparation of a printing stencil, said printing stencil comprising a stencil carrier layer and a stencil layer, which is impregnated with a radiation curable material.

Abstract: A short run offset printing member is provided which includes a substrate layer that is substantially oleophilic to conventional hydrocarbon-based printing inks, with a second infra-red radiation ablatable and hydrophilic layer over it. The infra-red radiation ablatable layer is coupled with an infra-red radiation absorbing covering to permit ablation of the infra-red radiation ablatable layer.

Abstract: A printing method is provided that includes providing a substrate, such as paper or the like, and placing an image over the substrate, by ink jet printing. The resultant inked image is then fixed, such that it can not be smeared, smudged or distorted on the substrate, by placing a coating over at least the image. This method is also designed for use with offset printing equipment, and thus, eliminates problems associated with drying and set-off of the ink jet ink, permitting such a machine to include an ink jet head, and to be run to produce impressions at normal offset press speeds.

Abstract: There is disclosed an IR ablateable driographic printing plate (10) including a substrate (12), an IR absorbing layer (14) comprised substantially of a first water based emulsion and a top IR ablatable layer (16) comprised substantially of a second water based emulsion. The term water based is used herein to indicate the precursor materials from which each layer is being deposited are dissolvable in water and not in an organic solvent or solvents.

Abstract: UV curable ink-jet inks for continuous ink-jet printing and drop on demand (DOD) ink-jet printing are provided which are preferably applied to substrates capable of absorbing part of an ink droplet applied thereupon. The ink compositions of the present invention include a mixture of water which serves as a solvent, a water miscible polymerizable material capable of being cured upon the application of UV light, a photoinitiator, and a colorant which may be a dye or a color pigment. The ink compositions may also include a bridging fluid.

Abstract: An improved transparent bullet-proof laminate is formed with an energy absorbing transition layer located between preformed laminae of glass and/or plastic, such as polycarbonate, the transition layer constituting a cured aliphatic urethane acrylate with optionally up to 70% of a monofunctional monomeric acrylate, the transition layer in liquid form having a viscosity preferably no greater than 1000 cps and in cured state having a toughness of at least 0.1 MPa, and elastic modulus no greater than 25 MPa and an elongation of at least 20%.

Abstract: A lithographic plate blank for imaging on a laser printer comprises a sheet of flexible electrically non-conductive material and an image receiving etchable layer coating bonded on a surface thereof, the coating including zinc oxide, a resin binder, and an electrical property regulating agent and being effective to provide the plate with a surface resistance of between 10.sup.11 and 10.sup.14 ohms per square and a dark decay rate of at least 15 volts per second. A method of preparation of a blank plate and a method of preparation of an imaged plate are disclosed.

Abstract: A specially coated paper which has been prepared for imaging in an electrophotographic reproduction process, and a method for developing an image produced on this paper so that it may be used as a lithographic printing plate. The base material is polyester and is coated with either a thermoplastic or cross-linking resin or mixture of resins. The layer which is used for coating the polyester is loaded with zinc oxide. Once the printing plate has been prepared, it is then imaged in a photocopier or laser printer using the indirect electrophotographic process. Background dots can then be eliminated by application of a specific mixture to the printing plate before printing. The mixture preferably consists of an emulsion with an external hydrophilic phase, and an internal lipophylic/solvent phase held together by a surfactant or mixture of surfactants.

Abstract: A blank and method for using the same wherein the blank for conversion to a stencil by spark erosion through a stencil layer to a conductive face is arranged so that the layer and face do not have to be peeled apart and chemical and physical interaction between them is avoided, by bonding them only close to one edge of the blank. To prevent shrinkage of the layer to be perforated, a supporting backing is attached thereto to be peeled away before perforation. The conductive face on a backing sheet can be detached along a perforated line close to said edge. A spine that remains attached to the perforated layer facilitates mounting the stencil in a machine.

Abstract: In addition to having two lithographic layers of complementary lithographic character, an electrically inscribable lithographic printing blank may be provided with a solid but solvent-removable protective surface layer serving to inhibit spurious abrasion of the underlying layer during inscription of the blank and prior handling and storage. To prepare a printing plate from the blank, an electric current is passed between the blank and an electrical stylus so as to inscribe through the protective layer and immediately underlying layer and expose the bottom layer locally, whereafter the protective layer is removed by treatment with solvent to expose the surface of the underlying layer.