Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a coating provided on a support having a hydrophilic surface, the coating containing thermoplastic polymer particles and an IR-dye characterized in that the IR-dye contains a structural element according to Formula I wherein A represents hydrogen, halogen or a monovalent organic group; Y and Y? independently represent —CH— or —N—; R1 and R2 independently represent hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl group or represent the necessary atoms to form a ring; * represents the linking positions to the rest of the molecule.

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 processing solution is used to provide flexographic relief printing plates. This solution includes diisopropylbenzene, and one or more organic co-solvents, at least one of which is an aliphatic dibasic acid ester. The processing solution may also include one or more alcohols as co-solvents.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor in a positive-type with an infrared-sensitivity, having a support and an image recording layer provided on the support, the support having a hydrophilic surface, the recording layer having a particular resin, an amphoteric surfactant and/or an anionic surfactant, and an infrared absorbing agent, wherein the particular resin being at least one of resins selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane resin, a poly (vinyl acetal) resin, and maleimide resin A.

Abstract: A method of preparing a photosensitive printing blank, the method comprising the steps of: a) coating a slip film onto a coversheet and drying the slip film; and depositing at least one layer of photosensitive material on top of the slip film coated coversheet and laminating a substrate layer to the exposed surface of the photosensitive material. The slip film comprises: i) a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and polyvinylpyrrolidone; ii) optionally, an additive. The slip film at least substantially eliminates the formation of hot spots during an analog plate making process.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process and an apparatus for treating a photosensitive element to form a relief structure suitable for flexographic printing plate. The apparatus comprises an enclosure, a conveyor, a heatable roller with absorbent material conducted over it, and a roller that can significantly smooth or uniformly roughen the relief structure of the flexographic printing plate. Previously selectively cured photosensitive elements are developed by means of the heatable roller by blotting with the absorbent material, and the resulting relief structure is made uniform by way of a smoothing or roughening roller. The flexographic plates produced by the method and apparatus are especially suited to processes that require substantially smoothed or uniformly roughened printing plate surfaces, which are capable of producing better quality printing.

Abstract: A radiation sensitive composition which is primarily sensitive in the near UV and visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum is composed of a polymeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a radiation absorbing compound, a photoaccelerator, an onium compound, and an adhesion promoter, which are overcoated with an oxygen barrier layer. When applied to the proper support and processed, the composition is useful as an offset lithographic printing plate, color proofing film or image resist.

Abstract: A method of making a relief printing element in a liquid photopolymer platemaking process is described. The method comprises the steps of: (a) selectively exposing the liquid photopolymer to actinic radiation through a negative to crosslink and cure portions of the liquid photopolymer; and (b) reclaiming uncured portions of the liquid photopolymer to be reused in the platemaking process. The step of reclaiming uncured portions of the liquid photopolymer comprises (i) heating the printing element to decrease the viscosity of the uncured liquid photopolymer; and (ii) removing uncured liquid photopolymer from the surface of the relief image printing element so that recovery of uncured liquid photopolymer from the surface of the relief image printing element is enhanced.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support and an image-recording layer containing a star polymer, a radical polymerizable compound and a radical polymerization initiator, the star polymer is a star polymer in which a polymer chain is branched from a central skeleton via a sulfide bond and the polymer chain contains an acid group and a crosslinkable group in a side chain of the polymer chain.

Abstract: An infrared sensitive and chemical treatment free photosensitive composition, includes, based on weight percentage, 30-70% of a water soluble thermally cross-linking resin, 1-20% of a water-soluble photocross-linking polymerized resin, 10-50% of a photopolymerizable oligomer, 1-30% of a multifunctional monomer, 1-20% of a cationic photopolymerization initiator, and 1-20% of an infrared irradiation absorption dye. The photosensitive composition of the present invention is useful for preparation of an infrared sensitive and chemical treatment free lithographic plate. The lithographic plate of the present invention has a high sensitivity and a good mesh point reduction, and after exposure to an infrared light source, can be printed directly after being washed with tapped water or without any washing and processing step, and has a long run length.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes, in the following order: a support; an image-recording layer which is capable of forming an image by removing an unexposed area by an automatic development processor in the presence of a developer having pH of from 2 to 14 after exposure and contains (A) a sensitizing dye, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) a polymer which is insoluble in water and alkali-soluble; and a protective layer, and the protective layer contains (E) a hydrophilic polymer which has a repeating unit represented by the formula (1) as defined herein and a repeating unit represented by the formula (2) as defined herein and a sum of the repeating unit represented by the formula (1) and the repeating unit represented by the formula (2) is at least 95% by mole based on total repeating units constituting the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates a printing element comprising at least one polymer layer which has photoimageable constituents and additions to make the polymer layer either hydrophobic or hydrophilic.

Abstract: A CTP positive working lithographic printing original plate (precursor) is capable of being imaged and then developed using a negative developing solution. This positive working lithographic printing original plate has (1) a substrate thereon (2) a lower layer containing a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin and a photothermal conversion material, and (3) an uppermost layer containing a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin. In addition, the lower layer contains (a) a polymer having a perfluoroalkyl group and/or (b) a polymer having a siloxane group in a total amount of from 3 to 10% by mass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conductive composition which can be used to form an aqueous conductive ink with increased conductivity. The aqueous conductive composition contains conductive particles, preferably silver, an anionic wetting agent and a styrene-acrylic copolymer. The composition is highly conductive and requires reduced drying energy. In addition, it may be applied to low cost substrates by high speed printing processes.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition for flexographic printing having excellent resistance to an ink comprising an organic solvent and an emulsion ink used in flexographic printing, for example, a UV-curable ink or an ink using a vegetable oil or light naphtha and having excellent suitability for printing applications such as image reproducibility and print durability. The photosensitive resin composition for flexographic printing includes, at least, (a) one or more thermoplastic elastomers, (b) an acrylic-terminated liquid polybutadiene containing 1,2-bonds in an amount of 80% or more, (c) a photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer having at least one or more ethylenically unsaturated groups, and (d) a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: A method of making a flexographic printing sleeve form includes the steps of forming a sleeve body by providing one or more at least partially cured uniform layers on a sleeve carrier; forming a relief image on the sleeve body by imagewise jetting a curable jetting fluid; and optionally overall post-curing; characterized in that between formation of the sleeve body and formation of the relief image no polishing or grinding is performed.

Abstract: a method for preparing a lithographic printing plate that includes imagewise exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a coating provided on a support having a hydrophilic surface, the coating containing thermoplastic polymer particles and an infrared radiation absorbing dye characterized in that the coating further comprises a phenolic stabilizer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention involve three-layer printing members having a central layer that is non-conductive yet abalatable at commercially realistic fluence levels. In various embodiments, the central layer is polymeric with a dispersion of nonconductive carbon black particles therein at a loading level sufficient to provide at least partial layer ablatability and water compatibility of the resulting ablation debris.

Abstract: Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor a negative-working imagable layer and an outermost water-soluble overcoat layer that is disposed directly on the negative-working imagable layer. The outermost water-soluble overcoat layer comprises: (1) one or more film-forming water-soluble polymeric binders, and (2) organic wax particles dispersed therein. The organic wax particles have an average largest dimension of at least 0.05 ?m and up to and including 0.7 ?m, as determined from a scanning electron micrographic of the dried outermost water-soluble overcoat layer. Useful organic wax particles include fluorinated or non-fluorinated hydrocarbon wax particles.

Abstract: A system for forming structured microdots (154) on printing plate registration includes a printhead for forming a first plurality of square spots (156) less than or equal to 11 microns; wherein a first group (157) of the first plurality of square spots is formed in a first pattern (158); and wherein the first pattern is less than or equal to 66 microns and comprises a first microdot.

Abstract: A resin composition for laser engraving is provided that includes (Component A) a compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group and/or a silanol group, (Component B) a depolymerization catalyst and/or a depolymerization catalyst precursor, and (Component C) a depolymerizable binder polymer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention involve printing members that utilize a particle-fusion imaging mechanism but avoid susceptibility to handling damage. In particular, printing plates in accordance with the invention may utilize two phases, and these may originate, during manufacture, as two particle systems. Both systems are initially dispersed in a single coating applied as a layer, or in multiple coatings applied as adjacent layers, on a substrate. The second particle system exhibits a glass-transition or thermal coalescing temperature well above room temperature and also above the temperature at which the coating is dried. The coalescing temperature of the first particle system is below the drying temperature. As a result, when the coating is dried, the first particle system coalesces and forms a binder that entrains the second particle system, which has not coalesced.

Abstract: A method is described for producing an imaged lithographic printing plate, wherein the developer comprises a hydrophilic polymer which comprises (m1) primary, secondary and/or tertiary amino groups, and (m2) acid groups selected from —COOH, —SO3H, —PO2H and —PO3H2, and (m3) optionally alkylene oxide units —(CHR1—CH2—O)p—, wherein R1 is H or —CH3 and p is an integer from 1 to 50.

Abstract: A printing plate precursor for laser engraving, including a relief forming layer including a cured resin material formed by thermally crosslinking a resin composition including at least (A) non-porous inorganic particles, (B) a binder polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 20° C. or higher, and (C) a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CTP positive lithographic printing original plate which has satisfactory image contrast even after baking. Disclosed is a positive lithographic printing original plate, including a substrate, and an image forming layer containing a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin and a photo-thermal conversion material, formed on the substrate, wherein the image forming layer contains an acid dye as a colorant.

Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor has an outermost imageable layer that is present at a dry coverage weight of at least 0.7 g/m2 and up to and including 1.6 g/m2 and comprises a primary polymeric binder comprising recurring units of a hydroxyaryl acetal or a hydroxyaryl ester, or recurring units of both a hydroxyaryl acetal and a hydroxyaryl ester. The outermost imageable layer also contains an alkali-soluble secondary vinyl polymer that is not a primary polymeric binder and a non-polymeric polyhydric phenol. These precursors comprise an infrared radiation absorber to make them sensitive and imageable using infrared radiation. After imaging, the precursors can be processed (developed) using an relatively low pH developer such as a silicate- or metasilicate-free developer.

Abstract: Negative-Working Lithographic Printing Plate Precursors can be provided with desired contrast coloration after imaging using a coloring fluid that includes a water-insoluble colorant that is soluble in a water-insoluble fatty alcohol. The coloring fluid provides an optical density change in the exposed regions of at least OD2 that is greater than the original optical density of those regions, OD1. The coloring fluid can be applied immediately after imaging and before processing, or it can be applied as part of the developer or processing solution, or it can be applied after processing. The coloring fluid can also be applied to imaged precursors that are designed for either off-press or on-press development.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a support; and an image-recording layer containing (A) a polymerization initiator, (B) a sensitizing dye and (C) a polymerizable compound, and the image-recording layer or an undercoat layer which is optionally provided between the support and the image-recording layer comprises (D) a polymer compound comprising (a1) a repeating unit having a side chain having a structure represented by the following formula (a1-1) and (a2) a repeating unit having a side chain having at least one structure of the formulae (a2-1), (a2-2), (a2-3), (a2-4), (a2-5) and (a2-6) as defined herein.

Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor for infrared laser is provided that includes, layered sequentially above a support, a lower layer and an upper layer, the lower layer and/or the upper layer including an infrared absorbing agent, either the lower layer comprising an alkali-soluble group-containing graft copolymer or the upper layer comprising a sulfonamide group-, active imide group-, and/or amide group-containing graft copolymer, and the graft copolymer being a polyurethane resin having as a graft chain an ethylenically unsaturated monomer-derived constitutional unit. There is also provided a process for making a lithographic printing plate, the process including in sequence an exposure step of imagewise exposing by means of an infrared laser the positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor for infrared laser and a development step of developing using an aqueous alkali solution with a pH of 8.5 to 10.8.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed comprising the steps of a. providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a photopolymerizable coating comprising a photopolymerizable composition, and an overcoat layer comprising a water soluble low molecular weight acid, wherein said overcoat layer has a surface pH-value ranging between 1 to 6; b. image-wise exposing the precursor; c. optionally heating the exposed precursor; d. processing the obtained precursor by applying a gum solution and optionally brushing the precursor, and/or by mounting the precursor on a plate cylinder of a lithographic printing press and rotating the plate cylinder while feeding dampening liquid and/or ink to the coating.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprises an imageable layer comprising a free radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition capable of generating free radicals upon exposure to imaging infrared radiation, an infrared radiation absorbing dye that is defined by Structure (I) shown in the disclosure, which dyes comprise one or more ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups in an organic group that is attached to the methine chain. These infrared radiation absorbing dyes exhibit a reduced tendency to crystallize in the imageable layers in the presence of tetraaryl borate counter anions and therefore provide improved shelf life.

Abstract: The invention provides a near infrared absorption polymer comprising at least two different pendent infra-red chromophoric moieties covalently bonded to the backbone of an alkali-soluble resin, at least one of which is an indole cyanine dye and the other of which is a benz[e]-indole cyanine dye. When used in the coating of a heat sensitive positive working lithographic printing plate precursor the stabilization time needed after manufacture is significantly reduced, avoiding further conditioning processes before use. The precursors are preferably imagewise exposed with a near-infrared laser emitting at between 780 nm and 850 nm.

Abstract: A process for making a lithographic printing plate, comprising: an exposure step of imagewise exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor that comprises, above a hydrophilic support, a photosensitive layer comprising (A) a compound that generates a radical upon the application of light or heat, (B) a polymer having an aromatic carboxy group in a side chain, (C) a polymerizable compound, and (D) an infrared absorber; and a development processing step using one type of processing liquid, wherein the processing liquid has a pH of 8.5 to 10.8.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plate precursor comprising (a) a lithographic substrate with a hydrophilic surface and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating on the hydrophilic surface comprising (i) one or more types of monomers and/or oligomers and/or polymers, each comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a free-radical polymerization, (ii) at least one sensitizer, and (iii) at least one coinitiator capable of forming free radicals together with the sensitizer, said coinitiator being other than metallocenes, characterized in that the at least one sensitizer comprises a compound of formula (I) wherein at least one of the groups R9 to R12 is a bulky group which has a van der Waals volume of at least 55 ?3.

Abstract: An infrared sensitive, positive-working, image forming composition and element are disclosed. The image forming composition comprises a 1,1-di[(alkylphenoxy)ethoxy]cyclohexane, an infrared absorbing dye having a maximum absorption peak in the range of from about 700 nm to about 1100 nm, and a novolac polymer. The composition is applied and dried on a planar, hydrophilic substrate to form an image forming element, in particular, a planographic printing plate. Upon imagewise exposure to a near-infrared radiation source, the infrared dye absorbs light in the exposed areas and converts it to heat, which causes a disruption in the matrix of the image forming composition. Upon development with an aqueous alkaline developer, the exposed areas are removed while the nonexposed areas remain, thus forming a positive image.

Abstract: Electrochemically grained and anodized aluminum supports are treated with a post-treatment coating solution containing a polymer derived at least in part from vinyl phosphonic acid and phosphoric acid. This post-treated support is useful as substrates in the preparation of lithographic printing plate precursors. The post-treatment substrate treatment enables wide latitude in manufacturing and compatibility with silicate-free developers to achieve negligible background staining and oxide attack.

Abstract: A presensitized plate bringing about the lithographic printing plate which exhibits a high resistance to scumming and in which formation of bulges causing image dropouts is suppressed is provided with the lithographic printing plate support which includes an aluminum plate and an anodized film of aluminum provided on the aluminum plate, and has a micropore extending in the anodized film in the direction of depth from a film surface opposite with a film surface facing the aluminum plate. The micropore is sealed at least partially on its inside with protrusions made of boehmite, and the protrusions made of boehmite which are located on the anodized film have a mean height of less than 15 nm.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support and one or more layers, one of the one or more layers is a photosensitive layer containing an initiator compound, a polymerizable compound and a binder polymer, and a layer being in contact with the support of the one or more layers contains a copolymer containing a repeating unit having a zwitterionic structure and a repeating unit having a structure capable of interacting with a surface of the support.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes, in the following order: a support; an image-recording layer which is capable of forming an image by removing an unexposed area with at least one of printing ink and dampening water on a printing machine after exposure and contains (A) an infrared absorbing dye, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) a binder polymer having an alkylene oxide group; and a protective layer containing (E) a hydrophilic polymer containing at least a repeating unit represented by the formula (1) as defined herein and a repeating unit represented by the formula (2) as defined herein.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an engraved plate used in intaglio printing, said plate being engraved by a tool, for example a laser beam, characterized in that the engraving tool uses data from a depth-map, based on a three-dimensional raster image of the document to be printed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing element having at least one polymer layer which has photoimageable constituents and a chemically functionalized polymer to make the polymer layer either more hydrophobic or hydrophilic. In one embodiment, the printing element comprises two adjacent polymer layers on a substrate in which the photoimaged layer comprises a polymer chemically modified with hydrophobic fluoroalkyl side groups to provide differential wetting with hydrophilic inks.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor can be used to prepare a printing plate using thermal ablation. The precursor has a non-thermally ablatable first layer on a substrate. Over the first layer is a thermally ablatable outer layer that includes an IR absorbing compound in an ablatable polymeric binder. The first layer includes a sol gel as a continuous inorganic matrix and a discontinuous inorganic phase (inorganic particles) dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method of developing a photocurable printing blank to produce a relief pattern comprising a plurality of relief dots. The photocurable printing blank comprises a backing layer having at least one photocurable layer disposed thereon, a barrier layer disposed on the at least one photocurable layer, and a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on top of the barrier layer.

Abstract: A silicate-free alkaline aqueous developer composition has a pH of at least 12 and comprises a metal cation M2+ selected from barium, calcium, strontium, and zinc cations, and a chelating agent that has a complex formation constant (log K) for the metal cation of at least 3.5 and less than or equal to 4.5, and a log K for aluminum ion that is 7 or less. This developer composition can be used to process positive-working lithographic printing plate precursors to provide lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plate precursors can have an imageable layer that includes a polymeric binder having an acid number of at least 30 mg KOH/g of polymer to and including 150 mg KOH/g of polymer, at least 3 weight % of recurring units derived from one or more N-alkoxymethyl (alkyl)acrylamides or alkoxymethyl (alkyl)acrylates, at least 2 weight % of recurring units having pendant 1H-tetrazole groups, and at least 10 weight % of recurring units having pendant cyano groups. The use of such polymeric binders provides good bakeability and chemical solvent resistance, especially for positive-working precursors.

Abstract: A method is described for producing an imaged lithographic printing plate, wherein the developer comprises a hydrophilic polymer comprising (m1) structural units derived from at least one compound comprising both a polyalkylene oxide chain and a free radical polymerizable group, and (m2) structural units derived from at least one compound copolymerizable with the free radical polymerizable group of (i) and comprising at least one functional group with pKs<5.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates can be obtained by contacting infrared radiation-imaged negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors with a processing solution having a pH less than 9 and comprising a UV photoinitiator. After this processing, the lithographic printing plate is floodwise exposed with UV radiation. Providing a UV-photoinitiator in the processing solution followed by UV exposure can increase imaging sensitivity and printing plate run-length, and reduce print background.

Abstract: A method is used to make a laser-ablatable element for direct laser engraving that has a laser-ablatable, relief-forming layer that has a relief-image forming surface and a bottom surface. The relief-forming layer can be prepared by applying multiple formulations. Each formulation comprises a coating solvent, a laser-ablatable polymeric binder, and an infrared radiation absorbing compound. The infrared radiation absorbing compound concentration in the resulting sub-layers is different in each adjacent pair of sub-layers so that the concentration is always greater in each pair sub-layer that is closer to the substrate, and the concentration is progressively greater in the sub-layers as they are closer to the substrate after the coating solvent is removed, wherein the multiple sub-layers provide a relief-forming layer so that the sub-layer farthest from the substrate provides a relief-image forming surface.

Abstract: A method of controlling the shape of a plurality of relief dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a digital platemaking process is provided. The photosensitive printing blank comprises a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer. The method comprises the steps of: a) laser ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create an in situ negative in the laser ablatable mask layer; b) applying a barrier membrane to the photosensitive printing blank; c) exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation through the in situ negative; and d) developing the imaged and exposed photosensitive printing blank to reveal the relief image therein, said relief image comprising the plurality of relief dots.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor, comprising a support having thereon an image-recording layer containing (A) an infrared absorbing agent, (B) a radical polymerization initiator, (C) a radical polymerizable compound, (D) a polymer compound containing a polyoxyalkylene structure and (E) an ultraviolet absorbing agent and being capable of forming an image by supplying at least one of printing ink and dampening water on a printing machine after imagewise exposure to remove an unexposed area of the image-recording layer.