Abstract: A heat-sensitive negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor comprising: a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer; and an image-recording layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles and an infrared light absorbing dye; characterized in that: said image-recording layer further comprises a compound, said compound comprising an aromatic moiety and at least one acidic group or salt thereof and having a most bathochromic light absorption peak at a wavelength between 300 nm and 450 nm.

Abstract: Negative-working imageable elements can be imaged and processed to provide lithographic printing plates, especially with sulfuric acid-anodized aluminum substrates. These elements have an imageable outermost layer that contains two different polymeric binders, a primary polymeric binder is optionally present a discrete particles, and a secondary polymeric binder comprising a poly(vinyl acetate) that has a degree of hydrolysis of less than 60 mol %. These imageable elements can be designed for either off-press or on-press development.

Abstract: A plate making method of a lithographic printing plate precursor includes: exposing imagewise a lithographic printing plate precursor including a support and an image-forming layer and containing (A) a compound generating an acid with light or heat, (B) an aromatic hydrocarbon compound or heterocyclic compound substituted with a functional group containing a nitrogen atom and (C) an aromatic aldehyde protected with an acid-decomposable group; and removing an unexposed area of the image-forming layer of the lithographic printing plate precursor by supplying at least one of dampening water and ink on a cylinder of a printing machine.

Abstract: Provided is a directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor that comprises at least a heat sensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer formed on a substrate in this order and has a high sensitivity not only immediately after the precursor production but also after the passage of time. In the directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor, the heat sensitive layer contains liquid bubbles filled with a liquid with a boiling point in the range of 210 to 270° C. Also provided is a production method for making a directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor.

Abstract: Positive-working imageable elements having improved sensitivity, high resolution, and solvent resistance are prepared using a water-insoluble polymeric binder comprising vinyl acetal recurring units that have pendant hydroxyaryl groups, and recurring units comprising carboxylic acid aryl ester groups that are substituted with a cyclic imide group. These imageable elements can be imaged and developed to provide various types of elements including lithographic printing plates.

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

Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer a heat and/or light-sensitive coating including an infrared absorbing agent, said heat and/or light-sensitive coating comprising a first layer comprising a binder including a monomeric unit including a sulfonamide group; characterized in that the binder further comprises a monomeric unit including a phosphonic acid group or a salt thereof, and that the monomeric unit comprising the phosphonic acid group is present in an amount comprised between 2 mol % and 15 mol %.

Abstract: An imageable element can be imaged using non-ablative processes. This element has a non-silicone, non-crosslinked layer contiguous to and under an ink-repelling crosslinked silicone rubber layer. These elements can be used for providing lithographic printing plates useful for waterless printing (no fountain solution). Processing after imaging is relatively simple with either water or an aqueous solution consisting essentially of a surfactant or mechanical means to remove the crosslinked silicone rubber layer and a minor portion of the non-silicone, non-crosslinked layer in the imaged regions.

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

Abstract: Both positive-working and negative-working imageable element can have a radiation-sensitive imageable layer that has at least one pigment colorant that does not change color when heated, and at least one dye that can change color when heated. The dye is soluble in the solvent or mixture of solvents used to coat the radiation-sensitive imageable layer on a substrate and the pigment colorant is not. This combination of pigment colorant and dye provide excellent image contrast after imaging, development, and postbaking. The pigment colorant and the dye independently have a maximum absorption of from about 480 to about 700 nm.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for preparing a composite printing form from a single precursor that is capable of forming a relief and a carrier. The single precursor can be a single photosensitive element or a single laser-engravable print element having a reinforced elastomeric layer. The single precursor has a size that is at least 70% of a size of the carrier. The single precursor is located on the carrier by approximately positioning the precursor on the carrier that has no registration markings. Precise registration of the single precursor is achieved by using digital information generated from a computer to create the registered image on the composite form. The method is particularly suited for preparing composite printing forms for relief printing, and in particular for preparing composite printing forms for flexographic printing of corrugated substrates.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a plasma display member wherein generation of defects such as interruption and short-circuit of a pattern obtained after exposure and development is suppressed and yield is improved, even when a foreign material is adhered on a photo mask or photo mask is scratched. An exposing method for a display member wherein a display member having a photosensitive layer formed on a base substrate is exposed through a photo mask having a desired pattern. The exposing method for the display member is characterized in that the photo mask and the base substrate are relatively shifted during exposure operation.

Abstract: A photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor for infrared laser includes in the following order: a support having a hydrophilic surface; a lower layer containing a polymer compound having at least a unit derived from a polymerizable monomer represented by the following formula (I); and an upper layer containing a polymer compound having a group represented by the following formula (II) in a side chain, wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents a methylene group or an ethylene group, R3 represents a methyl group, and X represents O or NH, wherein Z1, Z2 and Z3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent composed of at least one nonmetallic atom.

Abstract: A processing method of a lithographic printing plate precursor includes: exposing imagewise a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support on a surface of which at least one of: a hydrophilizing treatment; and an undercoat layer has been provided and an image-recording layer, to cure an exposed area of the image-recording layer; and undergoing developing processing with an aqueous solution having pH of from 2 to 10, wherein the aqueous solution comprises an amphoteric surfactant and an anionic surfactant selected from an anionic surfactant having an aliphatic chain and a total number of carbon atoms included in the aliphatic chain of 6 or more and an anionic surfactant having an aromatic ring and a total number of carbon atoms of 12 or more, and a content of the anionic surfactant is from 0.1 to 3.3% by weight of the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for preparing lithographic printing plates for on-press development, including sequentially feeding the plates to an imaging station to produce a plurality of latent image reference marks allocated among at least two margins along a respective two sides of the plate, and a latent print image within the margins. The imaged plates are transported from the imaging station to a plate bending station where the short ends of the plate are bent over. Between the imaging station and the bending station, the unimaged areas of the coating in at least two of the margins are removed to reveal the reference marks without developing the latent print image. Preferably, the reference marks are revealed while the plate is temporarily aligned in landscape orientation at stop, such as at the feeder to the bending station.

Abstract: Negative-working imageable elements have an imageable layer comprising a free radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition capable of generating radicals sufficient to initiate polymerization of the free radically polymerizable component upon exposure to imaging radiation, a radiation absorbing compound, one or more polymeric binders, and at least 5 weight % of core-shell particles comprising a hydrophobic polymeric core and a hydrophilic polymeric shell that is covalently bound to the polymeric core. The hydrophilic polymeric shell has one or more zwitterionic functional groups. These elements can be imaged such as by IR lasers to provide lithographic printing plates.

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

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

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes, in the following order: a support; an image-recording layer which is capable of forming an image by removing an unexposed area of the image-recording layer with at least one of printing ink and dampening water on a printing machine after exposure and contains an infrared absorbing dye, a polymerization initiator, a polymerizable compound and a binder polymer having an alkylene oxide group; and a protective layer containing a hydrophilic polymer which contains at least a repeating unit represented by the formula (1) as defined herein, a repeating unit represented by the formula (2) as defined herein, and a repeating unit represented by the formula (4) as defined herein, and in which a content of the repeating unit represented by the formula (4) is from 0.3 to 5.0% by mole based on total repeating units of the hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: A method of on-press developing a high-speed laser sensitive lithographic printing plate with ink and/or fountain solution is described. The plate comprises on a substrate a photosensitive layer soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution and capable of hardening upon exposure to a laser. The plate is exposed with a laser and on-press developed with ink and/or fountain solution. At least a portion of the on-press development is performed with the plate under a yellow-red light, in substantial darkness, or under a light that is different from the light for printing and does not cause hardening of the photosensitive layer during on-press development.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates can be prepared with enhanced contrast between the image and background by coloring the imaged or exposed regions using a coloring fluid containing a water-insoluble colorant (dye or pigment) and an organic solvent that swells the imaged regions sufficiently for the colorant to be embedded or diffused therein.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support, tin image-recording layer which contains (A) an infrared absorbing agent, (B) a radical polymerization initiator and (C) a radical polymerizable compound and in which an unexposed area can be removed by supplying printing ink and dampening water after exposure, and an overcoat layer in this order, wherein the overcoat layer contains at least two kinds of inorganic stratiform compounds having different crystal structures.

Abstract: Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors can be imaged and then processed using a single processing solution in a processing apparatus without rinsing or gumming before the resulting lithographic printing plates are used for printing. The single processing solution (developer) comprises at least 2.5 weight % of a nonionic surfactant having an HLB value greater than 15 and at least 5 weight % of a polar organic solvent. Processing is accomplished without replenishment and reduced sludge formation is seen at the end of the processing cycle.

Abstract: An exposure method comprises: forming an immersion region on a substrate; exposing the substrate by irradiating the substrate with an exposure light via a liquid of the immersion region; and preventing an integration value of a contact time during which the liquid of the immersion region and a first region on the substrate are in contact, from exceeding a predetermined tolerance value.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates can be prepared and made ready for lithographic printing with simple wet development or processing. A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor is exposed to infrared radiation for example at 200 to 300 mJ/cm2. The exposed precursor can be simply processed with water or an aqueous solution, and uniformly exposed to radiation, heat, or both. The positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor has a hydrophilic aluminum substrate, a crosslinked hydrophilic inner layer, and an oleophilic surface layer that is weakly bonded to the crosslinked hydrophilic inner layer.

Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer, and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) optionally, heating the precursor in a preheating unit, and d) developing the precursor off-press in a gumming unit by treating the coating of the precursor with a gum solution, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the coating from the support, wherein the coating further includes a compound capable of interacting with the support, the compound being present in the photopolymerizable layer and/or in the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A presensitized plate having a long press life and excellent resistance to scum and corrosive micro-stains and capable of on-press development is provided. The presensitized plate includes a photosensitive layer containing (A) a sensitizing dye, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound, and (D) a binder polymer; and a protective layer which are formed on a support in this order. The support is prepared from an aluminum alloy plate containing intermetallic compound particles with a circle equivalent diameter of 0.2 ?m or more at a surface density of 35,000 pcs/mm2 or more and aluminum carbide particles with a maximum length of 1 ?m or more in an amount of up to 30,000 pcs/g.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising: an aluminum support having a hydrophilic surface; and a photosensitive layer comprising a binder polymer having an acid value of 0.3 meq/g or less, wherein the photosensitive layer comprises a pigment dispersed with a pigment dispersant which is free from a —COOH group, a —PO3H2 group and a —OPO3H2 group.

Abstract: Images can be provided using a method comprising thermally imaging a negative-working imageable element to provide an imaged element with exposed regions and non-exposed regions, the exposed regions consisting essentially of coalesced core-shell particles, and developing the imaged element on-press to remove only the non-exposed regions using a lithographic printing ink, fountain solution, or both. The imageable element comprises a single thermally-sensitive imageable layer consisting essentially of an infrared radiation absorbing compound and core-shell particles that coalesce upon thermal imaging. The core of the core-shell particles is composed of a hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer, the shell of the core-shell particles is composed of a hydrophilic polymer that is covalently bonded to the core hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer, and the thermally-sensitive imageable layer comprises less than 10 weight % of free polymer.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: (1) providing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor including on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating, (2) image-wise exposing the precursor with IR-radiation or heat, and (3) developing the image-wise exposed precursor with an alkaline developing solution including a compound having at least two onium groups. According to the above method, a printing plate is formed with an improved developing latitude or an improved exposure latitude.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer and a coating provided thereon, the coating including an image-recording layer which includes hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles, a binder, and an infrared absorbing dye; wherein the hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles have an average particle diameter, measured by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy, of more than 10 nm and less than 40 nm; the amount of the IR-dye, without taking into account an optional counter ion, is more than 0.80 mg per m2 of the total surface of the thermoplastic polymer particles, measured by Hydrodynamic Fractionation; and the amount of hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles relative to the total weight of the ingredients of the imaging layer is at least 60%.

Abstract: A method of conditioning the surface of a work piece, particularly of a strip or sheet, more particularly of a lithostrip or lithosheet, including an aluminum alloy is provided. The method for conditioning the surface of a work piece and a work piece including an aluminum alloy enabling an increasing manufacturing speed in electro-chemically graining and maintaining at the same time a high quality of the grained surface, includes a conditioning method which comprises at least the two steps, degreasing the surface of the work piece with a degreasing medium and subsequently cleaning the surface of the work piece by pickling.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink composition having at least (A) a polymerization initiator, (B) an ester or amide of (meth)acrylic acid having a 1,3-dioxolane ring skeleton or a 1,3-dioxane ring skeleton or (B?) an ester or amide of (meth)acrylic acid having a 1,3-diketone structure, and (C) a colorant. The invention further provides an inkjet recording method and a method for producing a planographic printing plate, each of which includes at least (I) ejecting the ink composition onto a hydrophilic support and (II) curing the ink composition by irradiating the ejected ink composition with active radiation so as to form a hydrophobic image region on the hydrophilic support. The invention furthermore provides a planographic printing plate formed by the method for producing a planographic printing plate.

Abstract: Printing members that include a topmost layer comprising a polymer and a silicone surfactant are durable and enable use of low imaging-power densities. The protective layer may contain an inorganic crosslinker.

Abstract: A method of making imaged elements such as lithographic printing plates is achieved by imagewise exposing a positive-working imageable element using energy of less than 300 mJ/cm2 to provide exposed and non-exposed regions. The imaged element is developed using an alkaline, silicate-free solution containing a carbonate to remove predominantly only the exposed regions to provide an image. The imageable element comprises a substrate and a radiation absorbing compound, and has an imageable layer on the substrate that comprises a developability-enhancing compound and a poly(vinyl acetal) in which at least 25 mol % of its recurring units comprise pendant nitro-substituted phenolic groups.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates are prepared by imaging and developing negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors that include certain particulate polymeric binders in the photosensitive imageable layer. Such particulate polymeric binders are poly(urethane-acrylic) hybrids. Development is carried out using a working strength developer that includes one or more organic solvents in a total amount of at least 7 weight % and an anionic surfactant in an amount of at least 5 weight %.

Abstract: A developer solution can be used to prepare lithographic printing plates from negative-working precursors. The developer solution has a pH of at least 4 and up to and including 11. It also comprises both an ethylene/propylene glycol block copolymer and either or both of a sugar alcohol or a mono- or oligosaccharide. This combination of components provides desired processing to provide lithographic printing plates that can be used for printing without any post-development treatments with other solutions.

Abstract: Imaged lithographic printing plates are processed using a developer that is replenished with only water, but replenishment is at a rate to allow developer volume to slowly decrease from a developer reservoir. This allows for a longer processing cycle especially when the developer is supplied from a container having a defined amount and applied using spray devices where water evaporation from the developer can be significant. Water lost by evaporation is replenished while water carried out by lithographic printing plates is not replenished.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a support; and an image-recording layer containing (A) an infrared absorbing agent, (B) a radical polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) an epoxy compound having a molecular weight of 1,000 or less.

Abstract: Positive-working imageable elements can be imaged and processed using a processing solution that comprises at least 0.03 N of an organic amine or a mixture thereof, whose conjugated acids have a pKa greater than 9 and a boiling point greater than 150° C. The imageable element is a single-layer, infrared radiation-sensitive positive-working imageable element comprising a substrate and an infrared radiation absorbing compound. It also has an imageable layer that comprises a developability-enhancing compound and a poly(vinyl acetal) in which at least 25 mol % of its recurring units comprise pendant phenol, naphthol, or anthracenol groups that are substituted with one or more electron-withdrawing groups.

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

Abstract: A silicate-free alkaline aqueous developer composition has a pH of at least 12 and comprises a hydroxide alkali agent, a metal cation M2+ selected from barium, calcium, strontium, and zinc cations, a chelating agent for the metal cation, and an alkali metal salt that is different than the other components. These developer compositions can be used to process imaged positive-working lithographic printing plate precursors to prepare lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: A method is used to prepare lithographic printing plates by developing positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor that has a single imageable layer that comprises a polymer binder having recurring units represented by Structure (Ib) below: wherein the recurring units of Structure (Ib) are present in an amount of at least 25 and up to and including 60 mol %, all based on total recurring units in the polymer binder, and R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted hydroxyaryl group in which the hydroxyl group is ortho to the ester linkage, to form exposed and non-exposed regions in the imageable layer. The resulting imaged lithographic printing plate is developed using a silicate-free developer composition having a pH of at least 12 and comprising at least 0.001 gram-atom/kg of a metal cation M2+ selected from the group consisting of barium, calcium, strontium, and zinc cations.

Abstract: A developing solution containing at least one of compounds represented by the formulae <1>, <2> and <3> as defined herein, and having a pH of from 2 to 10; and a method for producing a lithographic printing plate, including imagewise exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor including an image recording layer and a support to cure the image recording layer in the exposed area, and developing the exposed lithographic printing plate precursor with an aqueous solution containing at least one of the compounds represented by the formulae <1>, <2> and <3> as defined herein and having a pH of 2 to 10 are provided.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive imaging element includes an IR dye, and more particularly a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor includes the IR dye. A method for making the lithographic printing plate produces a print-out image of high contrast upon exposure to IR-radiation or heating.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a simple method for treatment of a washing waste liquid, which enhances the flocculation effect and also enhances filtration characteristics of a flocculated washing waste liquid in a flocculation treatment of a washing waste liquid generated in processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Disclosed is a method for treatment of a washing waste liquid generated in a processing apparatus of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, which comprises (1) adding a cationic polymer flocculant to the washing waste liquid, then (2) adding an anionic polymer flocculent, followed by (3) filtration.

Abstract: Affinity transitions from hydrophobic to hydrophilic states, rather than ablation mechanisms, facilitate the creation of an imagewise lithographic pattern on a printing plate. In various embodiments, a lithographic printing member comprises a topmost “imaging” layer that undergoes, in response to heat, a transition from a hydrophobic and oleophilic state to a hydrophilic state (which may or may not also be oleophilic); and a substrate disposed below the imaging layer. The affinity change in the imaging layer may be due essentially to a foaming agent therein. The foaming agent decomposes upon heating, creating a gas that foams the surface of the imaging layer. The resulting spongelike texture enables the surface to retain water, i.e., renders it hydrophilic.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support; and an image forming layer formed from a photosensitive composition, wherein the photosensitive composition includes: a photopolymerization initiator; a polymerizable compound; and a binder polymer including a graft chain, and the graft chain is a hydrophilic graft chain including a hydrophilic group.

Abstract: Negative-working, infrared radiation-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursors have an imageable layer on a substrate. The imageable layer includes a free radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition capable of generating free radicals upon exposure to infrared radiation, a polymeric binder, one or more infrared radiation absorbing compounds, and an inorganic phosphoric acid or inorganic phosphoric acid precursor. The lithographic printing plate precursors can be designed for either off-press or on-press development after IR imaging.

Abstract: On-press developable, negative-working, infrared radiation-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursors have an imageable layer on a substrate. The imageable layer includes a free radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition capable of generating free radicals upon exposure to infrared radiation, a polymeric binder, a first infrared radiation absorbing compound that has a tetraaryl pentadiene chromophore, and a second infrared radiation absorbing compound that is different than the first infrared radiation absorbing compound. The first IR absorbing compound absorbs in both the IR and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and provides coloration for visual inspection of the lithographic printing plates.