Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a silver salt diffusion transfer imaging element comprising the steps of coating in the order given on a grained and anodized side of an aluminum support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) optionally an antistress layer in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, characterized in that said aluminum support, provided with said image receiving layer, is kept at a relative humidity of at least 45% in an area of a machine, the said area being ahead of a coating head used for coating said photosensitive layer.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an imaging element comprising in the order given on a grained and anodized side of an aluminum support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) optionally an antistress layer in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, characterized in that underlying the photosensitive layer there is a layer comprising at least 10 mg/m.sup.2 of a copolymer containing at least 1 mole % of tetraallyloxyethane.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive imaging material for making lithographic printing plates which require no processing. The heat-sensitive imaging element comprises on a lithographic base having a hydrophilic surface a metallic or metal oxide layer and on top thereof an oleophobic polymeric layer having a thickness of less than 5 .mu.m and comprising a polymer containing phenolic groups.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for making a lithographic printing plate which comprises subjecting a lithographic printing plate precursor having a silver thin film on a grained and anodized aluminum base to exposure by a heat-mode laser beam whereby removing the silver thin film, wherein the aluminum base has a surface activity which can form physical development silver in an amount of 0.5 g/m.sup.2 or more when the base is processed by using the following Physical development solution 1 at 23.degree. C. for 30 minutes:Physical development solution 1 wherein 1 part by volume of Solution B is added to 5 parts by volume of Solution A;______________________________________ Solution A: Anhydrous sodium sulfite 180 g 10% Silver nitrate solution 75 ml Make up to 1000 ml with addition of water, Solution B: Anhydrous sodium sulfite 20 g Hydroquinone 20 g Make up to 1000 ml with addition of water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the steps of: (a) image-wise exposing an imaging element comprising (i) a hydrophilic base, (ii) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (iii) an intermediate layer, and (iv) a silver halide emulsion layer,(b) applying an aqueous alkaline solution to the imaging element in the presence of (a) developing agent(s) and (a) silver halide solvent(s) to form image-wise in said image receiving layer a silver image,(c) treating the imaging element to remove the layer(s) on top of said image receiving layer,characterized in that said imaging element has been stored before image-wise exposure in a surrounding having at 22.degree. C. a relative humidity between 20% and 50%.According to the present invention there is also provided a package of the imaging element, making said imaging element suitable for use in the above defined method.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aluminum lithographic printing plate material which comprises an aluminum substrate, a silver halide emulsion layer and a physical development nuclei layer between the aluminum substrate and the silver halide emulsion layer, said silver halide emulsion layer contains photographic gelatin and gelatin having a weight average molecular weight of about 50,000 or less is contained in said silver halide emulsion layer and/or under said layer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for making a lithographic printing plate which comprises subjecting a lithographic printing plate precursor having at least a hydrophilic layer on a support and a silver thin layer on the hydrophilic layer to exposure by a laser beam whereby imagewisely removing the silver thin layer and exposing the hydrophilic layer, wherein the hydrophilic layer adjacent to the silver thin layer contains at least one inorganic oxide.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a silver salt diffusion transfer imaging element comprising the steps of coating in the order given on a grained and anodized side of an aluminum support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) optionally an antistress layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, said aluminum support before being coated with a silver halide emulsion layer being guided over rollers, said rollers being exclusively rollers with a metallic surface, characterized in that the mean length of contact of the support with a contact roller (in meter) in the unwinding area is not more than 0.140 m.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process image-wise exposes an imaging element with a high intensity short time scanning exposure. The imaging element comprises on a support in the order given a silver halide emulsion layer and a layer containing physical development nuclei. A thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element is subsequently developed in the presence of a developing agent and silver halide solvent. The image-wise exposure is focused substantially within the silver halide emulsion layer of the imaging element. The present invention further provides an apparatus for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a silver salt diffusion transfer imaging element comprising the steps of coating in the order given on a grained and anodized side of an aluminum support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) optionally an antistress layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, said aluminum support before being coated with a silver halide emulsion layer being guided over rollers, said rollers being exclusively rollers with a metallic surface, characterized in that the mean length of contact of said support with said rollers per meter of unwinding length is more than 0.070 m.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the image-wise exposure of a heat-sensitive imaging element with a laser and developing said imaging element by rinsing it with plain water or an aqueous solution. To improve ink-uptake the imaging element is exposed on an external drum recorder whereby the pixel dwell time of the laser is above 0.1 .mu.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a silver salt diffusion transfer imaging element comprising the steps of coating in the order given on a grained and anodized side of an aluminum support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) optionally an antistress layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, said aluminum support before being coated with a silver halide emulsion layer being guided over rollers, characterized in that at least 90% of said rollers has an electrical resistance lower than 10.sup.9 ohm.

Abstract: Provided is a method for making a lithographic printing plate in which the development is carryied out by coating a developer on a photosensitive element comprising a support and at least a silver halide emulsion layer and a physical development nuclei layer, characterized in that coating amount of the developer is 60 ml or less for 1 m.sup.2 of the photosensitive element, and the developer contains at least one thioether compound and at least one alkanolamine compound as silver halide solvents. The resulting lithographic printing plate is high in printing endurance and has no stains in non-image portions. Furthermore, the running development processing can be stably carried out.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for making a lithographic printing plate having physical development nuclei between an aluminum support and a silver halide emulsion layer to which, after exposure, a treatment using at least a developing solution, a washing solution and a finishing solution is applied in this order,the improvement wherein at least one of the above processing solutions contains at least one compound selected from the groups (A) and (B) mentioned below:(A) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an amine compound having a propyleneoxy group and an ethyleneoxy group, an aliphatic acid amide compound having a propyleneoxy group and an ethyleneoxy group, and a quaternary ammonium compound having a propyleneoxy group and an ethyleneoxy group; and(B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of urea and a derivative thereof.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a silver salt diffusion transfer imaging element comprising the steps of coating in the order given on a grained and anodized side of an aluminum support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) optionally an antistress layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, said aluminum support before being coated with a silver halide emulsion layer being guided over rollers, said rollers being exclusively rollers with a metallic surface, characterized in that the ratio of the number of rollers with a metallic surface to the unwinding length of the aluminum support (in meter) is at least 0.60.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing an imaging element comprising the steps of coating in the order given on a grained and anodized side of an aluminum support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) optionally an antistress layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer comprising unhardened gelatin, characterized in that said aluminum support when being coated with said photosensitive layer is in contact with a guiding roller, heated at a temperature between 35 and 70.degree. C.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a silver complex diffusion transfer reversal material comprising a grained and anodized aluminum foil as support and a photosensitive silver halide emulsion coating, characterized in that said grained and anodized aluminum foil is corona treated in a corona station comprising a roller and at least one electrode, that has been coated with a dielectric coating before said foil is coated by a photosensitive layer.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate that works according to the silver salt diffusion transfer reversal process is disclosed. The lithographic properties of said plate can be improved by incorporating a hydrophilic amphoteric block copolymer, comprising a non-ionic block of acrylic units with pendant nitrile groups and an acrylamid(in)e block which comprises units with pendant basic and acidic groups. The hydrophilic amphoteric block copolymer is preferentially present in the image receiving layer of the lithographic printing plate. In an alternative embodiment, said block copolymer may be present in a treating solution used for processing said plate or applied onto said plate while printing. The hydrophilicity of the printing plate's surface is improved without deteriorating the ink-acceptance in the printing areas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the steps of:image-wise exposing an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei and (ii) a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive silver halide emulsion said photosensitive layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer,applying an aqueous alkaline solution to the imaging element in the presence of (a) developing agent(s) and (a) silver halide solvent(s) to form a silver image in said image receiving layer,treating the imaging element with a first lithographic finisher in order to remove the layer(s) on top of the image receiving layer, thereby exposing the imaged surface of the support by uncovering said silver image formed in said image receiving layer,treating said exposed imaged surface of the support with a second litho

Abstract: An imaging element (15, 122) comprising on a lithographic base at least one radiation sensitive or heat-sensitive layer composition, is image-wise exposed to radiation or heat. The composition is such that when exposed and developed, a lithographic surface is formed. The exposed imaging element is then passed through a closed treatment cell (26, 64, 66) in a processing apparatus in which the imaging element is brought into contact with a single developing fluid (44, 124). The closed treatment cell (26; 64, 66) comprises a housing (24; 114) having an entrance (28; 116) and an exit (30; 118) each closed by a path-defining roller (32; 128) in contact with a reaction surface (33; 130) to form a nip (34; 136) therebetween, through which the plate path (36; 72) extends. Sealing means (38; 138, 139) seal each path-defining roller (32; 128) to the housing.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a photothermographic material comprising on a support a photo-addressable thermally developable element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic heavy-metal salt, photosensitive silver halide in catalytic association with said substantially light-insensitive organic heavy-metal salt, a reductor for said substantially light-insensitive organic heavy-metal salt and a binder, said photothermographic material having on the same side of the support as said photo-addressable thermally developable element an outermost layer having two phases at least one of which being a dispersion phase of thermoplastic particles, characterized in that said two phases exhibit different affinities for at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink.

Abstract: A (photo)thermographic material is provided, capable of being used to produce a lithographic printing plate, comprising a support, a hydrophobic thermosensitive layer and a hydrophilic surface adjoining the hydrophobic thermosensitive layer, the thermosensitive layer containing an ingredient A, for example a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, which upon negative or positive image-wise heating reacts with at least one other ingredient B, for example a reducing agent therefor, in thermal working relationship therewith, producing a moiety which changes the adhesion between the thermosensitive layer and an adjoining hydrophilic surface to an extent such that negative or positive image-wise separation of the hydrophobic thermosensitive layer from the adjoining hydrophilic surface is enabled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a correcting liquid for silver imaged lithographic printing plates being an aqueous solution having a pH in the range between 5.5 and 8.5 and comprising a iron (III) complex salt of an organic acid, a sulphite or a metabisulphite, a silver halide solvent and an accelerator, said accelerator being an organic heterocyclic compound having a mercapto- or thione group and not having a hydrophilic substituent besides the said mercapto or thione group characterized in that said accelerator is present in an amount ranging from 0.04 to 0.4 mole per liter of correcting liquid.

Abstract: Provided is a method for making a lithographic printing plate according to which the area of a silver thin film of non-image area of a lithographic printing plate material comprising a support, at least a hydrophilic layer on the support and a silver thin film on the hydrophilic layer is exposed by laser beams to be fused and/or decomposed by heat transformed from laser energy thereby to disclose the hydrophilic layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a lithographic printing plate, which comprises subjecting a lithographic printing material having physical development nuclei between an aluminum support and a silver halide emulsion layer to exposure and then processing the lithographic printing material at least with a developing solution, a water washing solution and a finishing solution in this order, wherein the processing with the water washing solution is carried out by using a water washing solution containing a compound having a mercapto group or a thione group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a finisher for a lithographic plateobtained by a DTR process comprising (a) hydrophobizing agent(s) in a total concentration between 0.1 g/l and 10 g/l, (a) surface-active compound(s) and (a) polyglycol(s) or (a) carbohydrate(s), characterized in that said finisher further comprises a non-proteinic hydrophilic film-forming binder selected from the group consisting of dextrin, maltodextrin and dextran in a concentration between 10 and 200 g/l.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for processing a lithographic printing plate having a physical development nuclei layer between an aluminum support and a silver halide emulsion layer, which comprises processing the lithographic printing plate in the presence of a monocyclic azole compound having no mercapto group or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: According to the present invention an element comprising a layer on a glass support characterised in that: (i) the thickness of said glass support is less than 1.2 mm, (ii) said glass support has a failure stress (under tensile stress) equal to or higher than 5.times.10.sup.7 Pa and (iii) the sides in the longitudinal direction have a rounded border with a radius in the order of magnitude of half of the thickness of the glass support.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate from an original containing multiple tones comprising the steps of frequency modulation screening the multiple image to obtain screened data representing tones of the multiple tone image in terms of halftone dots; reproducing the halftone dots on a lithographic printing plate precursor having a surface capable of being differentiated in ink accepting and ink repellant areas upon scanwise exposure and an optional development step, by means of a scanwise exposure, wherein the scanwise exposure for rendering a halftone dot is intensity modulated.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a thermosensitive imaging element for obtaining a lithographic printing plate comprising on a hydrophilic surface of a support a layer comprising an organic metallic salt and in the same or an adjacent layer an organic reducing agent and a compound capable of converting light into heat, said organic metallic salt being reducible on heating by said reducing agent to an ink-accepting compound or to a compound which can react with a hydrophobizing agent to an ink-accepting compound, characterized in that said layer comprising an organic metallic salt comprises a hydrophobic binder in an amount between 0.00 g/m.sup.2 and 0.25 g/m.sup.2 and a hydrophilic binder in an amount between 0.00 g/m.sup.2 and 5.00 g/m.sup.2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a lithographic printing plate by subjecting a lithographic printing material having physical development nuclei between an aluminum support and a silver halide emulsion layer to exposure and then processing the lithographic printing material at least with a developing solution and a water washing solution in this order, which comprises performing the processing(s) with the developing solution and/or the water washing solution by using the developing solution and/or the water washing solution containing an organic compound which coagulates gelatin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic base (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) an antistress layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and comprising gelatin, characterized in that said antistress layer comprises at least 30 mg/m.sup.2 of a matting agent with a weight average diameter of at least 3 .mu.m.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a lithographic printing plate which utilizes the silver complex diffusion transfer process by subjecting the lithographic printing plate to exposure and then development processing and optionally stabilizing processing, which comprises performing the development processing/the stabilizing processing by using a developing solution/a stabilizing solution each containing a monothioether compound containing succinic acid, a salt thereof or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A method for processing a photosensitive material characterized in that an exposed photosensitive material is subjected to dip coating with a processing solution, according to which there are no problems encountered in plate making by the conventional dip developing method and coating developing method, rapid processing can be attained, maintenance is easy, less waste processing solution is produced, and lithographic printing plates on which uniform print images can be formed from the top end portion thereof by silver complex diffusion transfer process, and an apparatus used for the processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) an intermediate layer and (iii) a photosensitive layer containing one or more silver halide emulsions being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, characterized in that said intermediate layer comprises at least 0.08 mmole/m.sup.2 of a bromide salt.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a hydrophilic surface of an aluminum lithographic base comprising the steps of roughening and anodizing a side of an aluminum foil and sealing said side of the aluminum foil with hot water within a temperature range from 70.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. for at least 5 seconds and rinsing said side of the aluminum foil with water characterized in that between said hot water treatment and said rinsing said side of the aluminum foil is treated with an aqueous silicate solution within a temperature range from 70.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. for at least 5 seconds.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising on a support in the order given (i) a base layer comprising a binder in an amount between 1 and 4 g/m.sup.2, (ii) a photosensitive layer comprising a spectrally sensitised silver halide emulsion, and (iii) a receiving layer containing physical development nuclei in water permeable relationship with said photosensitive layer, characterized in that the base layer contains a latex polymer or copolymer with a glass transition temperature Tg not higher than 40.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer (iii) a first antistress layer and (iv) a second antistress layer, said antistress layers being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and each independently comprising unhardened gelatin, characterized in that said second antistress layer comprises at least 30 mg/m.sup.2 of a matting agent with a weight average diameter of more than 3 .mu.m.

Abstract: A method for generating a screened reproduction of a contone image comprises the steps of screening the contone image to obtain screened data representative for tones of the contone image and suitable for driving exposure of microdots on a radiation sensitive imaging element; exposing the microdots according to the screened data by at least one set or plurality (p) of radiation beams (b), characterized in that at a point in time (t) at least two radiation beams of the set of radiation beams impinge on a particular microdot (m) of a scanline (l). In particular is described a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the abovementioned steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the steps of:image-wise exposing an imaging element comprising on a support a photosensitive layer comprising a silver halide emulsion and an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei,developing said imaging element in the presence of developing agent(s) and silver halide solvent(s) using an alkaline processing liquid andneutralizing a thus obtained developed imaging element using a neutralization solution having a pH between 4 and 10.5 and comprising a hydrophobizing agent and a buffer characterized in that said neutralization solution comprises a salt of sulfurous acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a lithographic printing plate from a photographic element according to the silver complex diffusion transfer process employing a coating development process with a small amount of developer, wherein the coating amount of the developer is 60 ml or less per 1 m.sup.2 of the photographic element and the developer contains a mercaptooxadiazole having an alkyl group of 4 or more carbon atoms or aryl group and an alkanolamine and/or a meso-ionic compound. The resulting lithographic printing plate has a high printing endurance and free from stains on the background in spite of carrying out the development by a coating method with a small amount of the developer for a short period of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the steps of:image-wise exposing an imaging element comprising on a support a photosensitive layer comprising a silver halide emulsion and an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei,developing said imaging element in the presence of at least one developing agent and at least one silver halide solvent using an alkaline processing liquid andneutralizing a thus obtained developed imaging element using a neutralization solution having a pH between 4 and 10.5 and comprising a buffer characterized in that said neutralization solution comprises 2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the steps of:image-wise exposing an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei and (ii) a photosensitive layer comprising one or more photosensitive silver halide emulsions said photosensitive layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer,applying an aqueous alkaline solution to the imaging element comprising at least 0.05 mole/l of ascorbic acid as the main developer, at least 0.010 mole/l of an auxiliary developer of the class of the 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidones and an aminoalcohol in an amount from 0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating a plate surface of a lithographic printing plate, which comprises, after exposing and developing a lithographic printing plate having a support and at least a silver halide emulsion layer and a physical development nuclei layer provided on the support, treating the plate surface of the lithographic printing plate with a plate surface-treating solution containing at least one water-insoluble compound having a mercapto group or a thione group and a compound represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## wherein A represents a vinyl monomer unit having a carboxyl group, B represents a copolymerizable ethylenic unsaturated monomer unit, M represents a cation, k represents 30 to 90 mole %, m represents 10 to 50 mole %, and n represents 0 to 50 mole %.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising on a support in the order given a photosensitive layer comprising a silver halide emulsion and an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei in water permeable relationship with said emulsion layer, characterized in that said imaging element comprises at least 50 mg/m.sup.2 of tetramethyl reductic acid and at least 100 mg/m.sup.2 of ascorbic acid.According to the present invention there is further provided a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of image-wise exposing an imaging element as defined above and subsequently developing a thus obtained imaging element by an alkaline processing liquid in the presence of developing agent(s) and silver halide solvent(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an aluminium foil comprising the steps of roughening an aluminium foil and subsequently anodizing said aluminium foil characterized in that after said anodization said aluminium foil is cleaned using an aqueous bicarbonate containing solution. The present invention further provides a mono-sheet silver salt diffusion transfer material having as a support the alumium foil obtainable from the above defined method. The step of cleaning in the bicarbonate containing solution improves the adhesion of an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei to the aluminum foil as revealed from the increased amount of silver precipitated in the image receiving layer when the aluminum foil provided with an image receiving layer is used in a diffusion transfer reversal (DTR) process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a lithographic printing plate from an original containing continuous tones comprising the steps of:frequency modulation screening said original to obtain screened dataimage-wise exposing according to said screened data an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing one or more silver halide emulsions being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layerapplying an aqueous alkaline solution to the imaging element in the presence of (a) developing agent(s) and (a) silver halide solvent(s),treating the imaging element to remove the layer(s) on top of said image receiving layer, thereby uncovering said silver image formed in said image receiving layer,characterized in that said aqueous alkaline solution is substantially free from thiosulphate ions and bromide ions and contains an aminoalcohol in an amo

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing method using a silver salt lithographic printing plate obtained by imagewise exposing a silver salt lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support and, provided thereon, at least a silver halide emulsion layer and a physical development nuclei layer and then subjecting the exposed printing plate precursor to silver complex diffusion transfer development and using a dampening composition containing a nonionic surface-active agent represented by the following formula ?I!: ##STR1## wherein R represents an alkyl group of 1-9 carbon atoms, and n.sub.1 and n.sub.2 are mol numbers necessary for the polymer having an average molecular weight of 250 or more, and n.sub.1 /n.sub.2 is 0.5-2, and a polymer represented by the following formula ?II!: ##STR2## wherein m is a number which provides a number-average molecular weight of 2000-50000 for the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing one or more silver halide emulsions being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, characterized in that said one or more silver halide emulsions comprise substantially no silver bromide and that said imaging element comprises on top of said photosensitive layer an antistress layer, being in water permeable relationship with said photosensitive layer and comprising an unhardened gelatin in an amount ranging from 0.60 to 1.75 g/m.sup.2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the following steps:image-wise exposing with a high intensity-short time exposure with light with a wavelength between 600 nm and 700 nm an imaging element comprising on a support (1) a photosensitive layer comprising at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion sensitized to light by means of one or more cationic carbocyanine sensitizing dye having a maximum absorption between 600 nm and 700 nm, the silver halide crystals of said silver halide emulsion comprising more than 95 mole % of silver chloride per mole of silver halide and (2) an image receiving layer comprising physical development nuclei in a water permeable relationship with said photosensitive layer,developing said imaging element using an alkaline processing liquid in the presence of (a) developing agent(s) and (a) silver halide solvent(s),characterized in that said silver halide crystals conta