Abstract: Multilayer, positive working, thermally imageable elements are disclosed. The elements produce bakeable lithographic printing plates that are resistant to press chemistries. The elements have a substrate, an underlayer, and a top layer. The underlayer comprises a resin or resins having activated methylol and/or activated alkylated methylol groups, such as a resole resin, and a polymeric material that comprises, in polymerized form, (a) methacrylic acid; (b) N-phenylmaleimide, N-cyclohexylmaleimide, N-benzylmaleimide, or a mixture thereof; and (c) one or more monomers of the structure: in which: R1 is H or methyl; X is —(CH2)n—, where n is an integer from 2 to 12; —(CH2—CH2—O)p—CH2—CH2—, where p is an integer from 1 to 3; or —Si(R?)(R?)— where R? and R? are each independently methyl or ethyl; and m is 1, 2, or 3.

Abstract: A method for forming an image useful as a lithographic printing plate is disclosed. The imageable precursor comprises a water solubilized phenolic resin made up of an insoluble phenolic resin and a surfactant. The precursor can be imaged with an imaging solution, either off press or on press, using ink jet imaging techniques. The resulting imaged precursor can be developed using an aqueous liquid, such as water or a fountain solution, either off press or on press.

Abstract: Multilayer, positive working, thermally imageable, bakeable imageable elements are disclosed. The elements have a substrate, an underlayer, and a top layer. The underlayer comprises a resin or resins having activated methylol and/or activated alkylated methylol groups, such as a resole resin, and a polymeric material that comprises, in polymerized form about 5 mol % to about 30 mol % of methacrylic acid; about 20 mol % to about 75 mol % of N-phenylmaleimide, N-cyclohexylmaleimide, N-benzylmaleimide, or a mixture thereof; optionally, about 5 mol % to about 50 mol % of methacrylamide; and about 3 mol % to about 50 mol % of a compound represented by the formula: CH2C(R2)C(O)NHCH2OR1, in which R1 is C1 to C12 alkyl, phenyl, C1 to C12 substituted phenyl, C1 to C12 aralkyl, or Si(CH3)3; and R2 is H or methyl. The elements produce bakeable lithographic printing plates that are resistant to press chemistries.

Abstract: Thermally imageable, positive working, multilayer imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The elements comprise a substrate; an underlayer over the substrate; a top layer over the underlayer, and a photothermal conversion material. The top layer comprises a binder and an ionic liquid. A preferred binder is poly(methyl methacrylate).

Abstract: Thermally imageable elements useful as on-press developable lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The elements comprise a substrate and a layer of an imageable composition over the substrate. The imageable composition comprises a photothermal conversion material, particles of a polyurethane polymer, and, optionally, a water soluble polymer. The polyurethane polymer comprises urethane linkages in the main chain, but does not comprise side chain urethane groups.