Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element for making a lithographic printing plate according to silver salt diffusion transfer processing, said imaging element comprising on a support a silver halide emulsion layer and a receiving layer, said receiving layer comprising (i) physical development nuclei, (ii) an inorganic colloidal substance and (iii) a hydrophilic polymer being a homo- or copolymer of acrylamide or methacrylamide.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method is provided for preparing physical development nuclei for use in silver salt diffusion transfer processing, said physical development nuclei comprising a heavy metal sulphide, said method comprising the steps of:precipitating said heavy metal sulphide by bringing a water soluble heavy metal compound in reactive association with a water soluble sulphide in an aqueous liquid andsaid precipitation being carried out in the presence of a hydrophilic polymer so as to disperse said heavy metal sulphide, said hydrophilic polymer comprising a heterocyclic group, characterized in that said heterocyclic group is present in a recurring unit of said hydrophilic polymer, said recurring unit being comprised in said polymer in an amount between 0.1 mol % and 5 mol %.

Abstract: A process for simply and rapidly producing a lithographic printing plate is disclosed, which comprises image-wise exposing a silver halide photosensitive material comprising a substantially water-insoluble basic metal compound and optionally having a physical-development nucleus layer on the external surface thereof, superposing the silver halide photosensitive material either after or simultaneously with the image-wise exposure on an image-receiving material which contains a complex-forming compound and has a physical-development nucleus layer on the external surface thereof or on a sheet which contains a complex-forming compound, in such a manner that the coating side of the photosensitive material is in contact with the coating side of the image-receiving material or the sheet, heating the superposed materials in the presence of a reducing agent and water, and subsequently separating both materials from each other to form a silver image as an ink-receptive area on the physical-development nucleus layer by

Abstract: A method for generating a screened reproduction of a multiple tone image comprising the steps of frequency modulation screening the multiple tone image to obtain screened data representing tones of the multiple tone image in terms of halftone dots, reproducing the halftone dots on an imaging element by means of a scanwise exposure, characterized in that the scanwise exposure for rendering a halftone dot is time modulated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithographic printing plate having a silver halide emulsion layer and a layer containing physical development nuclei on a support, the improvement wherein a water-soluble polymer having a structural unit represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents H or alkyl; Q represents divalent linking group; R.sup.2 represents divalent linking group or direct bond; and A represents a functional group represented by the formula: --S--C(.dbd.N--R.sup.4)--NH--R.sup.3, --Z--X(.dbd.Y)--(R.sup.5).sub.m or --W--(SH).sub.n where respective substituents are defined in the specification is contained in the layer containing physical development nuclei.

Abstract: There are disclosed a process for preparing a printing plate which comprises the steps of providing, on a support, a layer containing a water-soluble polymer which becomes water-insoluble by a metal ion, and feeding the metal ion imagewisely from the surface of the layer to form an image pattern comprising the hardened water-soluble polymer on the support, anda plate for preparing a printing plate which comprises a support and a layer containing a water-soluble polymer which becomes water-insoluble in contact with a metal ion provided on the surface of the support.

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 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,characterized in that said aqueous alkaline solution comprises less than 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining an imaging element suitable for use in a silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the steps of coating a support with a layer comprising physical development nuclei and a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive silver halide emulsion, said photosensitive layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, characterized in that said physical development nuclei consist of a substantially homogeneous solid solution of two or more different metals and are prepared by pulsed high flux radiolysis.According to the invention there is further provided a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of image-wise exposing an imaging element prepared as defined above and subsequently developing a thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element by means of an alkaline processing solution in the presence of a developing agent and a silver halide solvent.

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 an imaging element comprising on a support a photosensitive layer comprising at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion comprising a heterocyclic compound containing at least one nitrogen atom in the ring and an image receiving layer comprising physical development nuclei in 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 heterocyclic compound containing at least one nitrogen atom in the ring comprises at least one mercapto- or thione group and one substituent comprising at least 5 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, aralkyls and alkyl

Abstract: A method for generating a screened reproduction of a multiple tone image comprises the steps of frequency modulation or stochastic 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 an imaging element by means of a scanwise exposure, wherein the size or composition of the halftone dot is modulated, by varying the number of microdots (or rels) composing a halftone dot.

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 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 silver halide emulsions being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving 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 a silver image in said image receiving layer, (c) 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 contains thiosulphate salts in an amount ranging from 0.000 mole/l to 0.

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 and (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, characterized in that said photosensitive layer comprises a substituted or unsubstituted 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone in an amount between 0.2 mg/g and 15 mg/g of silver halide expressed as an equivalent amount of silver nitrate.

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 and (iii) an intermediate layer between said image receiving layer and said photosensitive layer, characterized in that said intermediate layer comprises particles of an alkali insoluble polymeric organic compound obtainable by polycondensation, said particles having a number average size between 0.02 .mu.m and 10 .mu.m.According to the present invention there is also provided a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process by using said imaging element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process using a photographic material comprising on a support a silver halide emulsion layer and a layer containing physical development nuclei comprising the steps of:image-wise exposing said photographic material;developing a thus obtained image-wise exposed photographic material by guiding said image-wise exposed photographic material through an alkaline processing liquid comprising a hydrophobizing agent, in 15s or less andsubsequently guiding a thus obtained developed photographic material through a stabilizing liquid;characterized in that said stabilizing liquid comprises a compound having a mercapto-group having a pK.sub.a of 4.5 or less.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing the cause of bad performance of a printing plate obtained using the silver salt diffusion transfer process. According to the method a problem table is used to relate a problem to one or more possible causes. A test table is used to identify tests to verify a possible cause of the problem and a toolkit is provided including equipment needed for carrying out tests. Using the method a technician can identify possible causes for a problem, identify the tests capable of verifying one or more causes and perform the tests to confirm the cause of the problem. In the event a cause is not confirmed the technician can investigate other possible causes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a concentrated dampening solution for use in a lithographic printing process having a pH between 3 and 6 and comprising a water-soluble organic solvent, a phosphate salt and a transparent pigment in an amount between 1 g/l and 30 g/l, characterized in that said concentrated dampening solution further contains a total concentration of citrate anions between 0.5 mmole and 25 mmole/l.

Abstract: Laminates of aluminum and plastic form the substrate of printing plate precursors that are suitable for imaging in conventional roll-fed imagesetters or phototypesetters.

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 and developing said imaging element in the presence of developing agent(s) and silver halide solvent(s) using an alkaline processing liquid characterized in that said development is carried out in the presence of a meso-ionic compound. The present invention further provides an imaging element and alkaline processing liquid for use in said method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an aluminum foil comprising the steps of roughening and anodizing an aluminum foil, posttreating said roughened and anodized aluminum foil with an aqueous bicarbonate solution and subsequently rinsing said posttreated foil with water characterized in that the temperature of said water ranges from 30.degree. C. to 55.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising in the order given (i) a hydrophilic base, (ii) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (iii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iv) an intermediate layer between said image receiving layer and said photosensitive layer, characterized in that said intermediate layer comprises particles of a water insoluble inorganic compound having a number average size not lower than 0.02 .mu.m and lower than 3 .mu.m.According to the present invention there is also provided a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process by using said imaging element.sup.+.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithographic printing plate excellent in scratch resistance, stain resistance, print image quality and ink-removability. The lithographic printing plate comprises a support and, coated thereon in succession, at least one undercoat layer, a silver halide emulsion layer and a physical development nuclei layer, characterized in that the lithographic printing plate has an arithmetical mean deviation of the profile Ra of 0.6 or less and the layers on the silver halide emulsion layer-provided side of the support contain 2.0 g/m.sup.2 or more of a matting agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic base comprising on a hydrophobic support a packet of subbing layers contiguous to a hydrophilic layer containing a hydrophilic (co)polymer or (co)polymer mixture and being hardened with a hydrolysed tetraalkyl orthosilicate crosslinking agent characterized in that said packet of subbing layers contains as undermost layer a layer comprising, a polymer latex having hydrophilic functionality and as uppermost layer a layer comprising a hydrophilic binder and silica in a weight ratio of the hydrophilic binder to silica of less than 1.

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 3 g/m.sup.2, (it) a photosensitive layer comprising a spectrally sensitised silver halide emulsion, said emulsion consisting principally of silver chloride but containing bromide ranging from 0.1 mole % to 40 mole % and iodide ranging from 0 to 2 mole % and (iii) a receiving layer containing physical development nuclei in water permeable relationship with said photosensitive layer, characterized in that the ratio by weight of gelatin to silver halide (expressed as an equivalent amount of AgNO.sub.3) in said photosensitive layer is at least 1.35.

Abstract: There is provided a method for making a lithographic printing plate according to the DTR-process from a printing plate precursor comprising on a hydrophilic surface of a support in the order given a layer of physical development nuclei and a silver halide emulsion layer from an original containing continuous tones comprising the steps of:frequency modulation screening said original to obtain screened data,image-wise exposing said printing plate precursor according to said screened data,developing a thus obtained image-wise exposed lithographic printing plate precursor by means of an alkaline processing solution in the presence of a developing agent and a silver halide solvent yielding a lithographic printing plate, characterized in that the frequency modulated halftone dot with the greatest main dimension on said lithographic printing plate has a main dimension of more than 21 .mu.m.

Abstract: A modulated writing light beam (18) having a wavelength to which an imaging element (33) is sensitive and a reference light beam (46) having a wavelength to which the imaging element (33) is insensitive are generated and simultaneously directed to a moving optical device (22) to cause the writing light beam (18) to scan across the surface of the imaging element (33) in a first scanning direction (C) and the reference light beam (46) to scan across the surface of a light detecting element (50) in the first scanning direction (C) to generate signals indicative of the position of the writing light beam (18) on the surface of the imaging element (33). The writing light beam (18) is modulated and the imaging element (33) is moved in a second scanning direction (B) in response to the signals generated by the light detecting element (50). Thereafter the exposed imaging element (33) is processed to prepare a lithographic printing plate.

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 exposing and developing an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer and (ii) a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive silver halide emulsion, removing the layer(s) on top of the image receiving layer thereby exposing the imaged surface of the support and treating said exposed imaged surface of the support with a finisher having a temperature between 30.degree. C. and 60.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an image receiving element comprising an aluminum foil as support comprising the steps of roughening and anodizing said aluminum foil and applying an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei on said aluminum foil characterized in that said roughened and anodized aluminum foil is posttreated with an aqueous solution containing one or more organic compounds having at least one cationic group.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image receiving material comprising a receiving layer containing physical development nuclei characterized in that said physical development nuclei are grown on a colloidal smectic clay. Said image receiving material may be provided wih a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer or may form a separate receiving element.The image receiving materials of the present invention can also be used for making lithographic printing plates having good printing properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising on one side of a support 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 and on the other side of the support at least one backing layer comprising gelatin and a dye and/or a dye precursor characterized in that said dye or dye precursor is such that after treatment of said imaging element in an alkaline solution with a pH of 10.9 for 20 s at a temperature of 30.degree. C. the backing layer has a reflection spectrum when treated for 20 s at 20.degree. C. in a neutralizing solution with a pH of 7.5 that is visually different from the reflection spectrum when treated for 20 s at 20.degree. C. in a neutralizing solution with a pH of 8.5.

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 and (iii) an antistress composition in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer, said antistress composition comprising unhardened gelatin in an amount ranging from 0.60 to 1.75 g/m.sup.2, characterized in that at least 50% by weight of said unhardened gelatin belongs to one or more gelatin species whereof a 10% by weight aqueous solution at 36.degree. C. and pH 6 has a viscosity lower than 35 mPa.s at a shearing rate of 1000 s.sup.-1.

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 silver halide emulsion(s) wherein less than 1 mole % of the silver halide is silver bromide and an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei and developing said imaging element using an alkaline processing liquid with a pH lower than 11.5 in the presence of developing agent(s) and a meso-ionic compound.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging element having a flexible support and comprising on said support a photosensitive layer comprising a silver halide emulsion and an image-receiving layer comprising physical development nuclei, said layers being in water permeable contact with each other, characterized in that said flexible support is a polyester film having a thickness between 0.15 and 0.35 mm and consisting of polyethylene 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate. There is also 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 an imaging element comprising on a support a silver halide emulsion layer and an image receiving layer comprising physical development nuclei being in water permeable contact with said silver halide emulsion layer, characterized in that said image receiving layer comprises a colloidal clay.According to the 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 image-wise exposed imaging element by means of an alkaline processing solution in the presence of a developing agent and a silver halide solvent.

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: 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 and (iii) an intermediate layer between said image receiving layer and said photosensitive layer, characterized in that said intermediate layer comprises particles of an alkali insoluble non-polymeric organic compound having a melting point of at least 50.degree. C, said particles having a number average size between 0.1 .mu.m and 10 .mu.m.According to the present invention there is also provided a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process by using said imaging element+.

Abstract: There is provided a method for obtaining a lithographic printing plate requiring no wet processing comprising the steps ofimage-wise exposing using a laser beam a heat mode recording material comprising on a support a recording composition comprising a hydrophobic polymer and a substance capable of converting the laser beam radiation into heat while said heat mode recording composition is in contact with the acceptor layer of an acceptor element comprising a flexible support, said acceptor layer comprising a hardened non-proteinic hydrophilic polymer obtained by reacting a non-proteinic hydrophilic polymer containing a hydroxyl group or an amino or amido group having a free hydrogen with a hardener capable of reacting with said groups andseparating said heat mode recording material from said acceptor material,characterized in that said recording composition comprises a thermal transferable dye which is transferred at the exposed areas from the recording material to the surface of the acceptor element.

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 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,developing said imaging element by means of an alkaline developing solution comprising at least 0.1 mole/l of ascorbic acid as the main developer and at least 0.015 mole/l of an auxiliary developer of the class of the 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidones in the presence of silver halide solvent(s) characterized in that said developing solution comprises at least 0.003 mole/l of thiosulfate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining an imaging element suitable for use in a silver salt diffusion transfer process by the steps of:preparing an image receiving element by coating the anodized surface of an aluminum foil with an image-receiving layer comprising physical development nuclei,preparing a photosensitive layer packet by coating a temporary base with at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer,pressing the thus formed photosensitive layer packet with its photosensitive silver halide emulsion coated side against said image receiving layer, which has been wet with an aqueous moistening liquid, andoptionally removing said temporary base, characterized in that between said temporary base and said at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer a barrier layer is present which is substantially free of developing agents, is substantially unhardened, comprises one or more hydrophilic binders in an amount of at least 0.25 g/m.sup.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for lithographic printing comprising the following steps:preparing a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process by (1) 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 in water permeable relationship with said emulsion layer, (2) developing said imaging element in the presence of developing agent(s) and silver halide solvent(s) using an alkaline processing liquid and (3), if said emulsion layer is overlying said image receiving layer, removing the layers overlying said image receiving layer,mounting said lithographic printing plate to a lithographic printing press, andprinting while supplying to said lithographic printing plate a dampening solution and a printing ink characterized in that the dampening solution as used on the printing plate contains less than 1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprises the step of washing the imaging element by applying a curtain of an aqueous medium onto the surface of the element at its silver halide emulsion layer side, across the width of the element, substantially transverse to its processing direction, and in countercurrent to the processing direction of the element.

Abstract: A process is described for producing a lithographic printing plate. The process comprises the steps of imagewise exposing a single sheet lithographic plate material consisting of a flexible support, having thereon a) at least an underlayer containing an acid ossein gelatin, b) a light sensitive silver halide layer, and c) a physical development nucleating surface layer, and, after said exposing, processing said plate material in a diffusion transfer developer or alkaline activator solution to develop imaged portions as hydrophilic areas and retain non-exposed areas as oleophilic areas on said plate.

Abstract: Heat-developable silver-based photosensitive imaging element comprising a heat-reducible organic silver salt, a photosensitive silver halide, a developing agent, and a releasing compound that upon reaction with either the reduced or the oxidized form of the developing agent is capable of releasing a hydrophobizing agent. The invention also relates to a method for producing a lithographic printing plate comprising image-wise exposing an imaging element, bringing the exposed element in face-to-face contact with an oleophobic surface of a printing plate precursor, heating the imaging element while in contact or before being brought in contact with the oleophobic surface to cause reduction of the organic silver salt and to cause the release of the hydrophobizing agent from the releasing compound, allowing the hydrophobizing agent to diffuse to the oleophobic surface to render the surface image-wise oleophilic, and separating the resulting lithographic printing plate from the imaging element.

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 exposing and developing an imaging element comprising on a support a silver halide emulsion layer and an image-receiving layer in the presence of a silver halide solvents corresponding to the following formula:Z.sup.1 --(R.sup.1 --X.sup.1).sub.n --(R.sup.2 --X.sup.2)--L--(X.sup.3 --R.sup.3)--(X.sup.4 --R.sup.4).sub.m --Z.sup.2 (I)wherein X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3 and X.sup.4 each independently represents --S--, --NH-- or --N(R.sup.5 --Z.sup.3)--, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 each independently represents an alkylene, an alkenylene or an alkynylene, n and m each independently represents an integer from 0 to 4, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.

Abstract: A modified gelatin is disclosed wherein part of the free carboxyl groups is replaced by modifiers having more acid end-standing groups chosen from --SO.sub.3 M, --OSO.sub.3 M, --SSO.sub.3 M, ---OPO(OH).sub.2, --OPO(OH)(OR.sup.2), --PO(OH).sub.2, --PO(OH)(OR.sup.2).In a preferred embodiment such a modified gelatin is incorporated in a DTR photographic material which after processing can serve as a lithographic printing plate. Thanks to the more hydrophilic character of the modified gelatin the differentiation between printing and non-printing areas is improved and toning at printing start-up is reduced.

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 andtreating the thus obtained developed imaging element using a finishing liquid having a pH of at least 8.5 being substantially free of oxidizing compounds.Less useless copies are generated at the start of the printing process using a printing plate obtained according to the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a treating solution for lithographic printing plates having ink receptive silver images in which the compound having a mercapto group or a thione group and an oleophilic group which is added to improve ink-receptivity can be solubilized without damaging the ink-receptivity and with using no solvent and in which hydrophilic colloid particles are excellent in time stability. The solution contains at least one alkanolamine and a compound having a mercapto group or a thione group and an oleophilic group and being free from sulfo group and carboxyl group. Preferably, the solution additionally contains an amino acid and hydrophilic colloid particles which are inorganic fine particles having an average particle size of 0.1 .mu.m or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining a photographic material by coating on a support at least one layer comprising at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion wherein the silver halide crystals contain silver chloride for at least 60 mole %, silver bromide in a range from 5 mole % to 40 mole % and silver iodide in a range from 0 mole % to 1 mole %, characterized in that a water soluble iridium compound is added between the end of the physical ripening and the end of the chemical ripening to said silver halide emulsion at a pH between 4 and 6.5, at a pCl between -0.3 and 1 and at a ratio by weight of gelatin to silver halide, expressed as equivalent amount of silver nitrate between 0.05 and 0.5.

Abstract: The present invention provides a finisher 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), characterized in that said polyglycol(s) comprise(s) at least 50% by weight ethyleneoxide groups and/or propyleneoxide groups whose total sum is at least 7 and is (are) present in said finisher in a total amount of at least 10 g/l and there is further provided a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising on the same side of a support in the order given a base layer, a light sensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion and a surface layer comprising physical development nuclei characterized in that said base layer and/or said light-sensitive layer comprises gelatin being hardened with a divinylsulfonyl hardener such that the time needed to completely brake down said base layer, light sensitive layer and surface layer using an aqueous solution of 0.14% by weight of NaOCl at 25.degree. C. is between 1000s and 1600s. A lithographic printing plate can be obtained with such imaging element according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process and exhibits an improved printing endurance.

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 liquid having a pH between 5 and 7 characterized in that said neutralization liquid contains a total concentration of phosphate ions between 0.2 mol/l and 0.4 mol/l.