Abstract: This invention relates to negative working color proofing sheet constructions which, upon exposure to an actinic radiation source through a screened image, can accurately reproduce said image. The construction is useful as a color proofing film which can be employed to accurately predict the image quality from a lithographic printing process. The image is produced by forming a composite of a receiver sheet, an adhesive layer, a color layer and cover sheet. Upon imagewise exposure, a negative image appears on the receiver base after dry peel apart development.

Abstract: Donor elements, assemblages, and associated processes are described for use in a laser-induced thermal transfer process, said elements comprising in the order listed (a) at least one flexible ejection layer comprising a first polymer having a decomposition temperature T.sub.1 and characteristic glass transition temperatures of T.sub.g.sup.0 and T.sub.g.sup.1 for unplasticized and plasticized polymer samples, respectively, wherein the tensile modulus of the flexible ejection layer(s) structure is less than or equal to 2.5 Gigapascals; (b) at least one heating layer; (c) at least one transfer layer comprising (i) a second polymer having a decomposition temperature T.sub.2, wherein T.sub.2 .gtoreq.(T.sub.1 +100.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image-formable material which comprises a support provided thereon a releasable cushion layer and an image-formable layer in this order,wherein the image-formable layer can be peeled off from the releasable cushion layer, the image-formable layer is transferable, and the releasable cushion layer comprises two or more layers and satisfies all of the following conditions (1), (2) and (3):(1) a lower layer itself has a Vicat softening temperature measured according to JIS-K7206 of 65.degree. C. or lower;(2) 65.degree. C.<Vicat softening temperature measured according to JIS-K7206 of uppermost layer resin .ltoreq.150.degree. C.; and(3) film thickness (.mu.m) of uppermost layer <?10log{(X-65)/230+1}!.sup.-1 wherein X represents a Vicat softening temperature measured according to JIS-K7206 of an uppermost layer resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing the sensitivity of laser induced thermal imaging by using certain sublimable compounds. The invention is useful in the field of thermal transfer imaging for the production of various graphic arts media.

Abstract: Reactive polymeric dyes are provided comprising a chromophoric moiety derived from at least one free radically polymerizable dye and an azlactone moiety derived from 2-alkenylazlactone such that the free radically polymerizable dye is incorporated into the backbone of the polymer. Alternatively, 2-alkenylazlactone is polymerized and then derivatized with a nucleophilic dye or dyes, such that the chromophoric potion of the dye is pendent to the polymer backbone. Both types of reactive polymeric dyes may also contain additional polymerized monomeric units. The reactive polymeric dyes of the present invention can be used in a photoresist system and in particular in a color proofing construction.

Abstract: A process for preparing an image on a substrate by applying a photoimageable composition on a first substrate, wherein the photoimageable composition, having a solids content from 25 to 60 weight percent, contains a partially neutralized acid-containing polymer formed from a precursor polymer having an acid number from 90 to 160 prior to neutralization and wherein 1 to 15% of acid-containing groups of the precursor polymer are neutralized with base; an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; a photoinitiator or photoinitiating system, water; 0-5% by weight a solution polymer, based on the weight of total polymer present in the composition; and 0-25% by weight of an organic solvent based on the total weight of the organic solvent and water; wherein the liquid composition is present as a stable emulsion, and wherein the liquid composition has a Brookfield viscosity, at 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A photosensitive material for the production of color proofing films for multicolor printing, having(A) a transparent, flexible film support,(B) a photopolymerizable layer which contains(B1) a polymeric binder,(B2) a free-radical-polymerizable compound,(B3) a substituted bistrihalomethyl-s-triazine having an absorption maximum in the range from 300 to 380 nm and an absorbance of greater than 11,000 at the absorption maximum, and an absorbance of less than 1400 at 400 nm and above, as photoinitiator, and(B4) a dye or a colored pigment in a primary color of multicolor printing, and(C) a thermoplastic adhesive layer on the photo-sensitive layer.The material is processed by lamination onto an image-receiving material, exposure of the material and peeling apart of film support and image-receiving material, leaving the unexposed layer areas on the image-receiving material together with the adhesive layer. To produce a multicolored image, these steps are repeated with at least one further single-color sheet.

Abstract: A method for forming a lithographic printing plate requiring no fountain solution, which comprises the steps of irradiating a lithographic printing plate precursor requiring no fountain solution comprising a support having a layer for converting a laser beam to heat (first layer) and a layer having an ink-repellent surface (second layer) provided thereon in this order with the laser beam absorbable by the first layer to conduct image exposure, pressing an adhesive sheet layer on the second layer, the sheet having a surface layer adhesive to a surface of the second layer, and thereafter separating the adhesive sheet, thereby forming an image which makes it possible to perform printing requiring no fountain solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides new image forming methods. The image forming methods use a combination of a light-sensitive material and an image receiving material. The light-sensitive material comprises a support, a strippable layer and a light-sensitive polymerizable layer in order. The light-sensitive polymerizable layer contains silver halide, a reducing agent and an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compound or a cross-linkable polymer. The light-sensitive polymerizable layer may further contain a colorant. An image forming method using the light-sensitive polymerizable layer containing no colorant comprises an exposing step, a developing step, a toning step and a transferring step. Another image forming method using the colorant-containing light-sensitive polymerizable layer comprises an exposing step, a developing step, a removing step and a transferring step.

Abstract: A process for the production of a lithographic printing plate is described, in which a photosensitive material comprising a substrate suitable for lithographic printing, a hydrophilic intermediate layer, a photopolymerizable layer which changes its adhesion to the hydrophilic layer and/or to the cover sheet on exposure to light and a transparent cover sheet provided with an exposure mask which is non-transparent to actinic light is exposed to actinic light through the exposure mask, and the photopolymerizable layer is developed to give the image by peeling off the cover sheet from the substrate.The process is carried out in all stages without the use of chemicals and gives printing plates having good oleophilic properties and a long press life.

Abstract: An image forming material is disclosed which comprises a support and provided thereon, an image forming layer containing colorant particles and a binder, the image forming layer having an optical density of 3.0 or more per 1 .mu.m thickness of the image forming layer at .lambda.max which is a wavelength giving a maximum transparent density in the spectral absorption wavelength range of 350 to 1200 nm of the image forming layer, wherein an image is formed by removing exposed portions of the image forming layer of the image forming material.

Abstract: A photosensitive material for the production of color proofing films for multicolor printing, having(A) a transparent, flexible film support,(B) a photopolymerizable layer which contains(B1) a polymeric binder,(B2) a free-radical-polymerizable compound,(B3) a substituted bistrihalomethyl-s-triazine having an absorption maximum in the range from 300 to 380 nm and an absorbance of greater than 11,000 at the absorption maximum, and an absorbance of less than 1400 at 400 nm and above, as photoinitiator, and(B4) a dye or a colored pigment in a primary color of multicolor printing, and(C) a thermoplastic adhesive layer on the photosensitive layer.The material is processed by lamination onto an image-receiving material, exposure of the material and peeling apart of film support and image-receiving material, leaving the unexposed layer areas on the image-receiving material together with the adhesive layer. To produce a multicolored image, these steps are repeated with at least one further single-color sheet.

Abstract: An image forming material is disclosed which comprises a support and provided thereon, an image forming layer containing a colorant, the image forming layer being hardened, wherein an image is formed by imagewise exposing the image forming layer to a high density energy light to reduce an adhesive force between the image forming layer and the support and by removing the exposed portions of the image forming layer of the image forming material.

Abstract: A photosensitive material useful for the production of lithographic printing plates, which contains (a) a support suitable for lithographic printing plates, (b) a hydrophilic layer which contains a crosslinkable organic polymer or is a layer formed by crosslinking such a polymer, (c) a photopolymerizable layer and (d) a transparent cover film, the adhesion of the photopolymerizable layer (c) to the hydrophilic layer (b) and/or to the cover film (d) being changed by exposure. The material permits the production of lithographic printing plates having high printing performance without the use of liquid processing agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing the sensitivity of laser induced thermal imaging by using certain diazo compounds. The diazo compounds contain functional groups adjacent the diazo substituent capable of stabilizing these compounds. The invention is useful in the field of thermal transfer imaging for the production of various graphic arts media.

Abstract: A photosensitive material useful for the production of lithographic printing plates, which contains (a) a support suitable for lithographic printing plates, (b) a hydrophilic layer which contains a crosslinkable organic polymer or is a layer formed by crosslinking such a polymer, (c) a photopolymerizable layer and (d) a transparent cover film, the adhesion of the photopolymerizable layer (c) to the hydrophilic layer (b) and/or to the cover film (d) being changed by exposure. The material permits the production of lithographic printing plates having high printing performance without the use of liquid processing agents.

Abstract: A negative-acting color proofing method provides a photosensitive element having a cover sheet; release layer having a polymer with phenolic groups; color layer having a binder, polymerizable monomer, colorant, and optional photoinitiator; a photoadhering layer, having a photosensitive polymer having unsaturated, photocrosslinkable groups and a molecular weight greater than about 3,000, a polymerizable monomer having at least one unsaturated group, and an optional photoinitiator. A at least one of the color layer and the photoadhering layer has a photoinitiator; and a first thermoplastic adhesive layer. A photomask is applied onto the thermoplastic adhesive layer and one imagewise exposes the color layer and photoadhering layers to actinic radiation through the photomask. After removing the photomask, the photosensitive element is laminated to a temporary receiver.

Abstract: A light-sensitive material for producing color-test films for multi-color printing is disclosed. The material has (A) a transparent flexible base film of a plastic, (B) a photopolymerizable layer containing (B1) a polymeric binder, (B2) a compound polymerizable by a free-radical mechanism, (B3) a compound capable of initiating the polymerization of (B2) under the action of actinic light, and (B4) a dye or a colored pigment in one of the basic colors of multi-color printing, and (C) a thermoplastic adhesion layer on the light-sensitive layer is described. A polymer of a vinyl alkyl ether is present in at least one of the layers (B) and (C). The material is processed by lamination to an image-receiving material, with subsequent exposure and peeling-apart of base film and image-receiving material. The unexposed layer areas remain together with the adhesion layer on the image-receiving material. These steps are repeated with at least one further part-color image.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising on a hydrophilic base a hydrophobic photopolymerizable composition capable of being irradiated with actinic light through the support and/or through the front and containing a photopolymerizable composition characterized in that a water-swellable barrier layer comprising at least one non-proteinic water-soluble film-forming polymer is located between said hydrophilic base and said hydrophobic photopolymerizable composition, contiguous to the hydrophilic base and is coated at a ratio of 0.01 to 2.0 g/m2, said water-swellable barrier layer being capable of being peeled off of said hydrophilic base by dry development.

Abstract: A light-sensitive material for producing color-test films for multi-color printing is disclosed. The material has (A) a transparent flexible base film of a plastic, (B) a photopolymerizable layer containing (B1) a polymeric binder, (B2) a compound polymerizable by a free-radical mechanism, (B3) a compound capable of initiating the polymerization of (B2) under the action of actinic light, and (B4) a dye or a colored pigment in one of the basic colors of multi-color printing, and (C) a thermoplastic adhesion layer on the light-sensitive layer is described. A polymer of a vinyl alkyl ether is present in at least one of the layers (B) and (C). The material is processed by lamination to an image-receiving material, with subsequent exposure and peeling-apart of base film and image-receiving material. The unexposed layer areas remain together with the adhesion layer on the image-receiving material. These steps are repeated with at least one further part-color image.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate is comprised of a support having a porous hydrophilic surface, such as grained and anodized aluminum, and an oleophilic imaging layer overlying the porous hydrophilic surface. The imaging layer is comprised of an oleophilic, radiation-absorbing, heat-sensitive, film-forming composition which is readily removable from the porous hydrophilic surface prior to imagewise exposure and which is adapted to form a lithographic printing surface as a result of imagewise exposure to absorbable electromagnetic radiation and subsequent removal of the non-exposed areas to reveal the underlying porous hydrophilic surface. Examples of suitable techniques for removing the non-exposed areas include contact with printing ink on the press, removal by lamination and peel development steps and removal by use of an integral stripping layer.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate is comprised of a support having a porous hydrophilic surface, such as grained and anodized aluminum, and an oleophilic imaging layer overlying the porous hydrophilic surface. The imaging layer is comprised of an oleophilic, radiation-absorbing, heat-sensitive, film-forming composition which is readily removable from the porous hydrophilic surface prior to imagewise exposure and which is adapted to form a lithographic printing surface as a result of imagewise exposure to absorbable electromagnetic radiation and subsequent removal of the non-exposed areas to reveal the underlying porous hydrophilic surface. Examples of suitable techniques for removing the non-exposed areas include contact with printing ink on the press, removal by lamination and peel development steps and removal by use of an integral stripping layer.

Abstract: A colour sheet suitable for use in peel-apart colour imaging comprising a substrate bearing a layer of pigmented photopolymerizable material overcoated with a hydrophilic barrier layer and an outer layer of an adhesive.

Abstract: A photosensitive material comprises a photosensitive composition comprising a photosensitive and heat-developable element and a photopolymerizable element. An imagewise unexposed area on the material is polymerized by imagewise exposure, heating and whole areal exposure. The photosensitive and heat-developable element comprises at least a photosensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt and a reducing agent of the formula ##STR1## The photopolymerizable element comprises at least a polymerizable polymer precursor and a photopolymerization initiator. An image forming method comprises the steps; subjecting a photosensitive material in the same layer to imagewise exposure and heating to form an image; and subjecting the resultant photosensitive material to whole areal exposure to polymerize and imagewise unexposed or exposed area thereof.

Abstract: In the present invention, one produces a negative-acting color proofing element comprising, sequentially: a strippable cover sheet which is transparent to actinic radiation; a crosslinked layer containing a polymer having phenolic groups; a color layer, containing a colorant, a polymeric binder, a polymerizable monomer and, optionally, a photoinitiator; a photoadhering layer, containing a linear photosensitive polymer containing ethylenically unsaturated, free-radical polymerizable groups and having a weight average molecular weight greater than 3,000, a polymerizable monomer, and, optionally, a free radical photoinitiator, a thermoplastic adhesive layer; and a receiver sheet, at least one of the color layer and the photoadhering layer containing a photoinitiator, which is brightener.

Abstract: Described is a photosensitive material for producing metal-colored images, comprisingA) a flexible transparent plastic support film,B) a photosensitive layer comprising a polymeric binder, a photosensitive substance and a pearl luster pigment, and optionallyC) a thermoplastic adhesion-promoting layer.The material of the invention makes it possible to produce color-proofing images for metal-colored multicolor prints by combining metal-colored single-color images with single-color images in the usual primary colors as desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photosensitive material for the production of color proofing films for multicolor printing comprising:A) a transparent, flexible film support,B) a photopolymerizable layer containing:B1) a polymeric binder,B2) a free radical-polymerizable compound,B3) a compound which is capable of initiating the polymerization of (B2) on exposure to actinic light, andB4) a dye or colored pigment in a primary color of multicolor printing, andC) a thermoplastic adhesive layer on the photosensitive layer,which contains at least about 1.5% by weight of a water-soluble, colorless, low-molecular-weight salt whose aqueous solution is not highly acidic.The material is processed by lamination onto an image-receiving material, exposure and peeling apart of the film support and the image-receiving material, the unexposed areas of the layer and the adhesive layer remaining on the image-receiving material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising contiguous to a hydrophilic surface of a support a hydrophobic photosensitive composition comprising a photosensitive acid precursor, an acid-sensitive composition which is capable of undergoing polymerization or cross-linking and a hydrophobic binder characterized in that said imaging element comprises one or more protective layers, at least one of the protective layers being contiguous to the hydrophobic photosensitive composition and being a transfer layer which is capable of adhering to a receptor element.

Abstract: A binary image comprising a plurality of first areas, at which a porous or particulate image-forming substance is adhered to a substrate, and a plurality of second areas, at which the substrate is free from the image-forming substance, is protected by laminating thereto a laminating sheet comprising a barrier layer, a durable layer and a support layer with the barrier layer facing the image, so that the barrier and durable layers adhere to both the first and second areas of the image. The support layer is then displaced away from the image such that the barrier and durable layers remain attached to the image. Both the barrier and durable layers are substantially transparent and the barrier layer comprises a polymeric organic material substantially impervious to the passage of hexane, isopropanol or water.

Abstract: The present invention provides new image forming methods. The image forming methods use a combination of a light-sensitive material and an image receiving material. The light-sensitive material comprises a support, a strippable layer and a light-sensitive polymerizable layer in order. The light-sensitive polymerizable layer contains silver halide, a reducing agent and an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compound or a cross-linkable polymer. The light-sensitive polymerizable layer may further contain a colorant. An image forming method using the light-sensitive polymerizable layer containing no colorant comprises an exposing step, a developing step, a toning step and a transferring step. Another image forming method using the colorant-containing light-sensitive polymerizable layer comprises an exposing step, a developing step, a removing step and a transferring step.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising on a support a photosensitive layer containing a photopolymerizable composition containing a urethane type monomer mixture according to the formula (I) as defined in the claims and description. There is further provided a method for obtaining images and/or a lithographic printing plate therewith.

Abstract: A peel-developable imaging medium for the imagewise recordation of information is provided, the imaging medium having therein a plurality of fracturable layers, the plurality comprising a porous or particulate image-forming layer and a release layer, and at least one of the fracturable layers having incorporated therein a boric ion generating species. In particular embodiments, the fracturable layers contain crosslinked borated polymeric binder. The laminar imaging medium is characterized by good imaging performance in an extended range of environmental conditions.

Abstract: Unique laser ablation transfer ("LAT") imaging technique presenting options of flexibility and versatility hitherto alien to LAT imaging science ("LATIS"), comprises LAT imaging onto special or conventional intermediate receptor elements, characteristically onto adhesive face surface thereof, and then laminating, notably hot laminating under pressure, the intermediate receptor thus imaged onto any one of a very wide variety of ultimate receptor substrates; thus produced are, e.g., original full-color prints or proofs, photomasks, monochrome or multichrome transparencies, and the like, having smooth or matte protective durable overcoatings.

Abstract: A transfer recording medium comprising a substrate and a distributed layer of image forming elements, and an image forming method using the recording medium are provided. The distributed layer comprises first and second image forming elements. The first image forming elements comprise at least two species of different coloring characteristics which are capable of decreasing their transferabilities when provided with at light and heat energy under respectively prescribed at least two energy application conditions corresponding to the coloring characteristics. The second image forming element is capable of decreasing its transferability under any one of the at least two energy application conditions.

Abstract: A binary image comprising a plurality of first areas, at which a porous or particulate image-forming substance is adhered to a substrate, and a plurality of second areas, at which the substrate is free from the image-forming substance, is protected by laminating thereto a laminating sheet comprising a durable layer and a support layer with the durable layer facing the image, so that the durable layer adheres to both the first and second areas of the image. The support layer is then displaced away from the image such that the durable layer remains attached to the image. The durable layer is substantially transparent and comprises a polymeric organic material having incorporated therein a siloxane, the siloxane being incorporated into the polymeric material in such a manner that it is not removed therefrom by hexane, isopropanol or water.

Abstract: A laminar thermal imaging medium is prepared from a first element comprising a first sheet transparent to image-forming radiation and having at least a surface zone or layer of polymeric material heat-activatable upon subjection of the thermal imaging medium to brief and intense radiation, the first element carrying a layer of porous or particulate image-forming substance having cohesivity in excess of its adhesivity for the polymeric heat-activatable layer, and, on the opposed side of the layer of porous or particulate image-forming substance from the surface zone or layer, a first layer of adhesive, and a second element comprising a second sheet carrying a second layer of adhesive. The second layer of adhesive comprises a polymeric hardenable adhesive comprising a macromolecular organic binder having acidic groups, and a photopolymerizable monomer.

Abstract: A binary image comprising a plurality of first areas, at which a porous or particulate image-forming substance is adhered to a substrate, and a plurality of second areas, at which the substrate is free from the image-forming substance, is protected by laminating thereto a laminating sheet comprising a barrier layer, a durable layer and a support layer with the barrier layer facing the image, so that the barrier and durable layers adhere to both the first and second areas of the image. The support layer is then displaced away from the image such that the barrier and durable layers remain attached to the image. Both the barrier and durable layers are substantially transparent and the barrier layer comprises a polymeric organic material substantially impervious to the passage of hexane, isopropanol or water.

Abstract: This invention relates to negative working color proofing sheet constructions which, upon exposure to an actinic radiation source through a screened image, can accurately reproduce said image. The construction is useful as a color proofing film which can be employed to accurately predict the image quality from a lithographic printing process. The image is produced by forming a composite of a receiver sheet, an adhesive layer, a color layer and cover sheet. Upon imagewise exposure, a negative image appears on the receiver base after dry peel apart development.

Abstract: A photosensitive material comprising (A) a flexible transparent film support, (B) a colored photosensitive layer which contains an organic binder (B1) a dye or a colored pigment (B2), a compound (B3), which forms a strong acid on exposure to radiation, and a compound (B4) which has at least one group cleavable by the acid, and (C) an adhesion-promoting layer which contains a thermoplastic polymer which has a softening temperature in the range from 40.degree. to 200.degree. C., wherein the adhesion (a.sub.1) of the unexposed photosensitive layer (B) to the adhesion-promoting layer (C) is less than the adhesion (a.sub.3) of the unexposed photosensitive layer (B) to the film support (A) and than the cohesions of the layers (B) and (C), and the adhesion (a.sub.3 ') of the exposed photosensitive layer (B) to the film support (A) is less than the adhesion (a.sub.

Abstract: A printing method for an in situ plate production process in which a photosensitive plate blank having a polymerization layer between a support and a release film is fixed to a plate cylinder either before or after forming a polymerization-nonpolymerization pattern in the polymerization layer. The polymerization layer can be a thermal development-type photosensitive layer for forming the pattern. The release film is then peeled apart from the plate blank to leave a printing plate on the plate cylinder, which can be used for printing and for an inking step. The printing pattern of the plate can be formed by selective removal of the unpolymerized part or by selective transfer of the release film to the polymerized part of the polymerization layer.

Abstract: A photosensitive material for the production of color proofing films for multicolor printing, having(A) a transparent, flexible film support of plastic,(B) a photopolymerizable layer which contains(B1) a polymeric binder,(B2) a free-radically polymerizable compound,(B3) a compound which is capable of initiating the polymerization of (B2) on exposure to actinic light, and(B4) a dye or a colored pigment in a primary color of multicolor printing, and(C) a thermoplastic adhesive layer having a layer weight of from about 2 to about 30 g/m.sup.2 on the photo-sensitive layer, wherein the thermoplastic adhesive layer contains from about 0.01 to about 0.5% by weight of a colorless pigment having a mean particle size which corresponds to from 1 to 100% of the layer thickness.

Abstract: A process for forming on any printing stock, single colored and multi-colored images using the expose-in-register and laminate-in-register processes is described. Images having high quality, good resolution, and color flexibility not heretofore economically feasible are obtained using the process of the invention.

Abstract: A photosensitive material comprising (A) a flexible transparent film support, (B) a colored photosensitive layer which contains an organic binder (B1) a dye or a colored pigment (B2), a compound (B3), which forms a strong acid on exposure to radiation, and a compound (B4) which has at least one group cleavable by the acid, and (C) an adhesion-promoting layer which contains a thermoplastic polymer which has a softening temperature in the range from 40.degree. to 200.degree. C., wherein the adhesion (a.sub.1) of the unexposed photosensitive layer (B) to the adhesion-promoting layer (C) is less than the adhesion (a.sub.3) of the unexposed photosensitive layer (B) to the film support (A) and than the cohesions of the layers (B) and (C), and the adhesion (a.sub.3 ') of the exposed photosensitive layer (B) to the film support (A) is less than the adhesion (a.sub.

Abstract: A peel-developable imaging medium for the imagewise recordation of information is provided, the imaging medium having therein a plurality of fracturable layers, the plurality comprising a porous or particulate image-forming layer and a release layer, and at least one of the fracturable layers being deposited from a dispersion containing a hydrophobic cycloaliphatic polyepoxide. The laminar imaging medium is characterized by good imaging performance in an extended range of environmental conditions.

Abstract: A process for the production of a color image is described, in which a photosensitive material that has a temporary support film, a colored photosensitive layer and an adhesion-promoting layer that can be activated by heat is laminated at high temperature and under pressure with an image-receiving material which carries, on a support, a pigment layer containing a white pigment. The photosensitive layer is exposed imagewise and developed to produce an image, the temporary support film is peeled off from the image-receiving material before or after exposure to light and, if required, these steps are repeated with at least one further photosensitive material whose colored layer has another color to produce a multi-colored image. The process gives color images having a smaller dot enlargement compared with a halftone original and is particularly suitable for the color testing of copy for multicolor printing.

Abstract: Color filter elements are prepared by the laser induced thermal transfer of colorant from a color donor to a transparent, non-birefringent substrate such as glass or polymeric film. Transparent pigments which are less prone to migration, more thermally stable, and considerably more lightfast than dyes can be used to prepare the color filter elements of this invention. Color filter elements are useful for elements in color displays such as liquid crystal display devices.

Abstract: An element and process of use in a laser-induced ablative transfer process, said element comprising (a) a support having a first surface, said first surface having a surface roughness with an R.sub.z value of r, and bearing on the first surface (b) at least one transfer coating comprising (i) a non-sublimable imageable component (ii) a laser-radiation absorbing component, and (iii) optionally a binder, wherein the imageable component and the laser-radiation absorbing component can be the same or different; wherein the transfer coating and any additional coating on the first surface of the support have a total thickness t; and further where r.gtoreq.1.5t is described.

Abstract: An element for use in a laser induced ablative transfer process, said element comprising a support bearing on a first surface thereof at least one coating comprising (i) a non-sublimable imageable component, (ii) a laser radiation absorbing component, (iii) a particular filler having an average particle size (S), and (iv) optionally a binder, wherein the non-sublimable imageable component and the laser radiation absorbing component can be the same or different; wherein the total thickness of all coatings present on the first surface is T and further wherein S.gtoreq.2T is described.

Abstract: A 2-diazo-1,2-quinone compound having a substituent group containing an alkyl group which is substituted by at least one fluorine atom is described. This compound has a capacity to change its polarity when exposed to light. The invention also provides an image forming material in which the invention compound is added to at least one of laminated layers. When these laminated layers are exposed to light, the adhesiveness of the compound-containing layer to its adjoining layer is reduced effectively due to the polarity-changing ability of the compound, thus making the easy delamination of the layers possible. This compound is applicable to many instances in which image receiving sheets are used, such as the formation of a multi-color image by a transfer method (a color proof, for example) and the preparation of a printing plate of the delamination development type.

Abstract: A laminar thermal imaging medium is prepared from a first element comprising a first sheet transparent to image-forming radiation and having at least a surface zone or layer of polymeric material heat-activatable upon subjection of the thermal imaging medium to brief and intense radiation, the first element carrying a layer of porous or particulate image-forming substance having cohesivity in excess of its adhesivity for the polymeric heat-activatable layer, and, on the opposed side of the layer of porous or particulate image-forming substance from the surface zone or layer, a first layer of adhesive, and a second element comprising a second sheet carrying a second layer of adhesive. The second layer of adhesive comprises a polymeric hardenable adhesive comprising a macromolecular organic binder having acidic groups, and a photopolymerizable monomer.