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: A method and apparatus for processing a lithographic printing plate includes development with an alkaline solution and gumming with a first gum solution and subsequently with a second gum solution, wherein both gum solutions are provided in a cascade configuration whereby the second gum solution overflows into the first gum solution.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a lithographic printing plate material includes a development unit and a closed loop recirculation system including at least one inlet opening for removing a development solution and at least one inlet opening for injecting the development solution.

Abstract: A method for processing a lithographic printing plate, comprising includes development with an alkaline solution and gumming with a first gum solution and subsequently with a second gum solution, wherein both gum solutions are provided in a cascade configuration whereby the second gum solution overflows into the first gum solution.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a lithographic printing plate material includes a development unit including a development cavity, the cavity including a bottom plate, a cover plate and sidewalls which together define a volume which is closed with the exception of an entry aperture which allows a plate material to enter the cavity and an exit aperture which allows a plate material to leave the cavity; wherein the cover plate is provided with at least one protruding element at the side facing the development unit.

Abstract: A method for processing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate material includes the steps of first treating the plate material with an alkaline development solution followed by treating the plate material with an aqueous solution containing a buffer.

Abstract: A method for processing a lithographic printing plate includes development with an alkaline solution and gumming with a first gum solution and subsequently with a second gum solution, wherein both gum solutions are provided in a cascade configuration in which the second gum solution overflows into the first gum solution and wherein an alkaline silicate-free developer is used.

Abstract: A method for processing a lithographic printing plate includes development with an alkaline solution and gumming with a first gum solution and subsequently with a second gum solution, wherein both gum solutions are provided in a cascade configuration wherein the second gum solution overflows into the first gum solution and wherein the plate material includes an aluminium support having a hydrophilic surface which includes more than 2.0 g/m2 of aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A method for processing a lithographic printing plate includes development with an alkaline solution and gumming with a first gum solution and subsequently with a second gum solution, wherein both gum solutions are provided in a cascade configuration whereby the second gum solution overflows into the first gum solution and wherein the gum solution(s) include a nitrate salt.

Abstract: A method for processing a lithographic printing plate material includes treating the plate material with an alkaline development solution, and treating the plate material with an aqueous liquid whereby the aqueous liquid is sprayed to both the front side and the backside of the plate material.

Abstract: A copolymer includes (i) a plurality of ethylenic moieties A having a structure according to the following formula: wherein R2 and R3 independently represent hydrogen, a halogen or an optionally substituted linear, branched or cyclic alk(en)yl group, or an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group, and (ii) a plurality of acetal moieties B having a structure according to the following formula: wherein L represents a divalent linking group; x=0 or 1 and R1 represents an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group including at least one hydroxyl group and optionally one or more additional substituent(s), and at least one electron withdrawing group in ortho or para position relative to the at least one hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A copolymer includes (i) a plurality of ethylenic moieties A having a structure according to the following formula: wherein R2 and R3 independently represent hydrogen, a halogen, or an optionally substituted linear, branched, or cyclic alk(en)yl group, or an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic, and (ii) a plurality of acetal moieties B having a structure according to the following formula: wherein L represents a divalent linking group; x=0 or 1; and R1 represents an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group including at least one hydroxyl group. Use of these polymers in the coating of lithographic printing plates provides a good abrasion resistance while the balance between the ink acceptance, arising from the ethylenic moieties, and the solubility in an alkaline developer, arising form the acetal moieties, can be controlled efficiently.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a lithographic printing plate include a plate transport for conveying the plate through the apparatus, a plate detector for locating the plate in the apparatus and for determining a plate width, one or more nozzles for depositing developer on the plate, wherein the one or more nozzles are arranged to shuttle over the plate or are arranged as a fixed array that spans at least the width of the plate. The plate detector is coupled to the one or more nozzles to selectively actuate the one or more nozzles that are positioned to deposit developer across the plate area, which results in a significant reduction of developer consumption. In preferred embodiments, the nozzles apply developer in accordance with the image on the plate, which enables an even lower consumption of developer.

Abstract: A copolymer includes (i) a plurality of ethylenic moieties A having a structure according to the following formula: wherein R2 and R3 independently represent hydrogen, a halogen, or an optionally substituted linear, branched, or cyclic alk(en)yl group, or an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic, and (ii) a plurality of acetal moieties B having a structure according to the following formula: wherein L represents a divalent linking group; x=0 or 1; and R1 represents an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group including at least one hydroxyl group. Use of these polymers in the coating of lithographic printing plates provides a good abrasion resistance while the balance between the ink acceptance, arising from the ethylenic moieties, and the solubility in an alkaline developer, arising form the acetal moieties, can be controlled efficiently.

Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor which comprises on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat and/or light-sensitive coating comprising an infrared adsorbing agent and a binder including a monomeric unit including a salicylic acid group and a monomeric unit including a sulfonamide group.

Abstract: An alkali soluble resin is disclosed comprising a first monomeric unit including at least one sulfonamide group and a second monomeric unit derived from the monomer according to the following structure (I) wherein R1 represents a structural moiety comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group; R2, R3 and R4 independently represent hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group or, the necessary atoms to form a five to eight membered ring.

Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer a heat and/or light-sensitive coating including an infrared absorbing agent and a compound including a benzoxazine group.

Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor which comprises on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat and/or light-sensitive coating comprising an infrared absorbing agent and a binder including a monomeric unit including a salicyclic acid group and a monomeric unit including a sulfonamide group.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, and a coating thereon, said coating comprising an IR absorbing agent and a contrast enhancing compound, characterized in that said contrast enhancing compound has the structure of formula (I). The printing plate comprising the contrast enhancing compound improves the thermoresponsivity of the coating and is capable of improving the resistance of the coating in the non-exposed areas against the alkaline developer.

Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer a heat and/or light-sensitive coating including an infrared absorbing agent and a compound including a benzoxazine group.