Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic printing for precursor having an imagable coating on an aluminum support, wherein the imagable coating comprises a polymeric substance comprising colorant groups, and wherein the aluminum support on which the coating is provided is anodized but not subsequently modified by means of a post-anodic treatment compound, and the coating does not comprise a colorant dye. The polymeric substance may also comprise pendent infra-red or developer dissolution inhibiting groups, and these groups may also be the colorant groups themselves.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photosensitive resin composition for forming a laser engravable printing element, comprising: (a) 100 parts by weight of a resin which is a plastomer at 20° C., wherein the resin has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 1,000 to 100,000 and has a polymerizable unsaturated group in an amount such that the average number of the polymerizable unsaturated group per molecule is at least 0.7, (b) 5 to 200 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of resin (a), of an organic compound having an Mn of less than 1,000 and having at least one polymerizable unsaturated group per molecule, and (c) 1 to 100 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of resin (a), of an inorganic porous material. Also disclosed is a laser engravable printing element formed from the above-mentioned resin composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a flexographic printing plate from a photosensitive element having a photopolymerizable layer and a thermally removable layer on the photopolymerizable layer. The process includes imagewise exposing the photosensitive element and thermally treating the exposed element to form a relief suitable for use in flexographic printing. The thermally removable layer can be transparent or opaque to actinic radiation. The invention also relates to a photosensitive element for use in this process. The photosensitive element includes a photopolymerizable layer and at least one thermally removable layer having a filler and a binder, wherein the binder is less than 49% by weight, based on the total weight of the binder and filler.

Abstract: An improved photopolymerizable resin composition for use in making flexographic printing plates, wherein the resin composition comprises a base polymer, a reactive crosslinking agent, a photoinitiator, and a nanoparticle-sized filler. Printing plates produced using the improved compositions of the invention have increased toughness, less tack, reduced cold flow, and higher hardness as compared to prior art compositions that do not contain nanoparticle fillers.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition is disclosed that includes (A) a heat-resistant polymer of the general formula (1): 1

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having thereon two image-forming layers each containing a polymer insoluble in water and soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution, wherein an upper layer of the image-forming layers contains a copolymer including a monomer unit represented by formula (A) defined in the specification.

Abstract: Laser-imageable flexographic printing plates and a method of making same are disclosed. A thin polymeric film doped with a UV absorber is laminated to a photopolymer layer. The film is ablated from the photopolymer using a laser operating at a selected wavelength to create an in situ negative. The resulting negative can be subjected to typical UV flood exposure and development.

Abstract: A laser-engravable flexographic printing element comprising an elastomeric, relief-forming, laser-engravable, thermally and/or photochemically crosslinkable layer comprising, as binder, at least 5% by weight of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene having a content of 1,2-linked butadiene units of from 80 to 100%, a degree of crystallinity of from 5 to 30% and a mean molecular weight of from 20,000 to 300,000 g/mol on a flexible, dimensionally stable support.

Abstract: The present invention is a puff heat transfer, a puff transfer composition, and a method of making a puff transfer composition. The puff transfer composition, i.e., ink, is actually loaded with the color. In particular, the transfer composition comprises effective amounts of a transfer base material, at least one pigment concentrate, and a puff base material. The transfer base material and the pigment concentrate may be mixed together and then loaded into the puff base material to form the transfer composition. The transfer composition may be deposited on a transfer sheet to make the heat transfer. The transfer sheet may be a substrate that is treated with QUILLON™. By using a substrate sheet that is treated with QUILLON™, the puff of the present invention has an improved, velvet-like feel when the transfer sheet is removed.

Abstract: A mask for use in a process for curing a photosensitive material. The mask comprises a structure having a top side and a bottom side opposite to the top side, and a pattern of transparent regions and opaque regions, wherein the opaque regions comprise at least first opaque regions having a first opacity and second opaque regions having a second opacity different from the first opacity. The opaque regions can comprise a substantially continuous pattern, a substantially semi-continuous pattern, a pattern formed by a plurality of discrete areas, or any combination thereof. The opaque regions can comprise a gradient opacity that gradually changes in at least one direction. The mask can have a three-dimensional topography comprising, for example, a pattern of protrusions extending from the bottom side of the mask and/or the top side of the mask. The protrusions can form a substantially continuous pattern, a substantially semi-continuous pattern, a discrete pattern, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Flexographic printing plate is made from a laser engravable flexographic printing element which includes on a support at least one laser engravable reinforced elastomeric layer of an elastomeric composition comprising an elastomeric binder, at least one monomer, a photoinitiator system that decreases in ultraviolet absorbance as polymerization proceeds and at least one additive which absorbs infrared radiation at 9 to 12 micrometers.

Abstract: The invention provides a photopolymer package for use in making a hand stamp plate, the package consisting of a sachet containing a photocurable liquid polymer, the walls of the sachet being formed of material capable of being released from the cured photopolymer. Methods for the formation of the package and the hand stamp plate are also provided. The invention eliminates the requirement for the use of a backing layer in the package and thereby offers significant advantages over the prior art in terms of cost and efficiency.

Abstract: Positive-working thermally imageable elements, useful as printing plate precursors and having reduced ablation when thermally imaged, and methods for their preparation are disclosed. In one aspect, the elements contain a hydrophilic substrate, an underlayer, a barrier layer, and a top layer. The underlayer comprises a photothermal conversion material.

Abstract: Acid-catalyzed positive resist compositions which are imageable with 193 nm radiation and/or possibly other radiation and are developable to form resist structures of improved development characteristics and improved etch resistance are enabled by the use of resist compositions containing imaging polymer having a 2-cyano acrylic monomer.

Abstract: A very low percentage dot screen is formed on a flexographic plate which prevents the severe compression normally found adjacent to zero percent areas of the flexographic plate. The dot screen reduces dot gain by distributing the compressive force of the flexographic printing plate on the printing surface. The total area of the dot screen is kept to a very low percentage of the total surface area being printed so that it will not alter perceived color.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for forming a photopolymerizable element useful as a flexographic printing plate having at least one layer of particulate material. The process includes forming a layer of a molten photopolymerizable material onto a support; and applying the particulate material onto an exterior surface of the photopolymerizable layer opposite the support within 48 hours of forming the layer of photopolymerizable material. The process optionally includes heating of the surface of the photopolymerizable layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing UV exposure to edges of a printing plate which occurs when the printing plate is subjected to UV illumination. The method involves a spray head comprising one or more spray nozzles for spraying edge masking material toward the printing plate and a controller connected to control relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate. The method comprises receiving, at the controller, information related to the locations of the edges of the printing plate. In response to the information received at the controller, the controller provides controlled relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate causes the spray nozzles to spray edge masking material onto the edges of the printing plate. The method may be performed by a variety of apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a laser-engravable flexographic printing element comprising a thermally crosslinked, elastomeric, laser-engravable relief-forming layer E, having the following steps:

Abstract: Flexographic printing plates are produced by thermal development by a process in which an imagewise exposed flexographic printing element is developed by heating and removing the softened, unpolymerized parts of the relief-forming layer, the flexographic printing element used comprising an olefin/(meth)acrylate copolymer having an olefin content of from 50 to 94 mol %. The photopolymerizable flexographic printing element comprises an olefin/(meth)acrylate copolymer having a content of from 50 to 94 mol % of olefin monomers, from 6 to 50 mol % of (meth)acrylate monomers and from 0 to 5 mol % of further comonomers. This flexographic printing element is used for the production of flexographic printing plates both by thermal development and by development by means of washout compositions.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed for imaging and photo-processing flexographic media. The imaging system includes an input opening through which flexographic media may be input to the imaging system, an imaging unit, a photo-processing unit, and an output opening. The imaging unit is for imaging the flexographic media that is received through the input opening, and provides imaged flexographic media. The photo-processing unit receives the imaged flexographic media, and photo-processes the imaged flexographic media by illuminating the flexographic media. The photo-processing unit provides photo-processed imaged flexographic media. The photo-processed imaged flexographic media may exit the imaging system through the output opening.

Abstract: Provided are new resins that comprise carbocyclic aryl units with hetero substitution units and photoresists that contain such resins. Particularly preferred photoresists of the invention comprise a deblocking resin that contains hydroxy naphthyl units and can be effectively imaged with sub-200 nm radiation such as 193 nm radiation.

Abstract: A printing plate is provided including a support assembly and a relief imaged surface formed directly on the surface of the support assembly by digital photopolymerization. The support assembly may be in the form of a cylindrical sleeve or a flat polymeric base. The printing plate is formed by providing a liquid photopolymer on the surface of the support assembly and irradiating the polymer with a source of actinic to form the relief image. The printing plate is reimagable and may be used in flexographic printing processes as well as other printing applications.

Abstract: Negative thermosensitive lithographic printing plates developable with a non-alkaline aqueous developer and method of developing such plates. The plate comprises on a substrate a thermosensitive layer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a free radical initiator, and an infrared absorbing dye. The plate can be imagewise exposed with an infrared laser to cause hardening in the exposed areas and then developed with a non-alkaline aqueous developer to remove the non-exposed areas. The non-alkaline aqueous developer can be water or an aqueous solution comprising at least 60% of water and having a pH of 2.0 to 10.0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitive plate having a support, and a photosensitive resin layer, a coating layer and a cover film successively laminated on the support, wherein the aforementioned coating layer contains an actinic ray absorbent having an absorption wavelength, which falls in the wavelength area of actinic rays absorbed by the photosensitive resin layer, and an average molecular weight of not less than 1,000.

Abstract: A first structural unit includes a laser image-setting head, and a second structural unit includes a loading compartment to accommodate a cassette housing having a thermal transfer ribbon on spools having hubs. After a cassette is inserted in the loading compartment, the compartment is closed so that drive rollers engage the hubs without play. To produce a printing plate, the second structural unit is then brought over the first structural unit in the manner of a telescope by a moving device, and the thermal transfer ribbon is brought to the laser image-setting head. The thermal transfer ribbon inserted into the loading compartment is guided by self-centering means so that it does not contact the cassette housing, and is positioned with respect to the plate cylinder by guide rollers. Wear-free and therefore fast ribbon guidance can be performed, and automation of the movement sequences of the thermal transfer ribbon can be achieved.

Abstract: A photosensitive printing element comprising a support; and a photopolymerizable layer comprising a photopolymerizable composition comprising at least one elastomeric binder, at least one monomer, an initiator having sensitivity to actinic radiation, and at least one photobleachable compound having sensitivity to actinic radiation; is described. Preferred photobleachable compounds are unsubstituted or substituted naphthylvinyl pyridines; unsubstituted or substituted styrylquinolines; diphenyl maleic anhydride; isomers of any of the foregoing; derivatives of any of the foregoing; and any combination of the foregoing. Such photosensitive printing elements are used to prepare flexographic printing plates and are useful in enhancing resolution and differentiating image areas from non-image areas in images produced therefrom by reducing the deleterious effect of scattered light.

Abstract: A flexographic printing plate is prepared from a photosensitive element having a photopolymerizable elastomeric layer with specific rheological properties. The element is imagewise exposed and thermally treated to form a relief structure suitable for flexographic printing.

Abstract: A process for preparing a printing plate. In this process a photopolymer printing plate is exposed to a source of actinic radiation, and this exposure causes the photopolymer to change at least one of its physical properties. Thereafter, a portion of the photopolymer is removed. The developed printing plate is then irradiated with deep ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of from about 170 to about 290 nanometers.

Abstract: Graft copolymers are used for the production of laser-engravable relief printing plates, the graft copolymers being obtained by free radical polymerization of vinyl esters in the presence of polyalkylene oxides and subsequent hydrolysis of the ester function. Processes for the production of transparent flexographic printing plates by means of laser engraving using said graft copolymers are described.

Abstract: A laser imageable flexographic printing plate and a method of making the laser imageable flexographic printing plate using a collapsible UV cross-linkable material comprising a UV-curable elastomer, an IR dye, and microspheres is disclosed. The collapsible UV cross-linkable material is mixed together and then extruded to form a printing plate. An IR laser is used to collapse and melt the collapsible UV cross-linkable material to form a relief image on the printing plate. The printing plate is thereafter UV cured by face exposure to crosslink and cure the formed relief image. The invention addresses a market need for eliminating chemical processing of printing plates, thus going from plate to press much more quickly. The printing plate may also contain a thin layer of a high-density non-collapsible UV-curable elastomer between the collapsible layer and the cover sheet of the plate which acts as the print surface in the final plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a flexographic printing plate from a photosensitive element having a photopolymerizable layer and a thermally removable layer on the photopolymerizable layer. The process includes imagewise exposing the photosensitive element and thermally treating the exposed element to form a relief suitable for use in flexographic printing. The thermally removable layer can be transparent or opaque to actinic radiation. The invention also relates to a photosensitive element for use in this process. The photosensitive element includes a photopolymerizable layer and at least one thermally removable layer having a filler and a binder, wherein the binder is less than 49% by weight, based on the total weight of the binder and filler.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided high performance, photoimageable resin compositions for flexographic printing, having excellent physical properties, e.g., resilience, hardness, toughness, and the like, as well as increased rates of cure upon exposure to radiation. In a further aspect of the invention, there are provided printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, wherein said printing plates are characterized as having excellent exposure sensitivity, the capability of rapidly curing upon exposure, excellent retention of fine details, and excellent colorless performance. Moreover, printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have good flexibility, excellent washout properties, and retain such properties over extended periods of storage. In another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the preparation of formulations comprising said compositions and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to IR-sensitive compositions suitable for the manufacture of printing plates developable on-press. The IR-sensitive compositions comprise a first polymeric binder which does not comprise acidic groups having a pKa value≦8; a second polymeric binder comprising polyether groups; an initiator system; and a free radical polymerizable system comprising at least one member selected from unsaturated free radical polymerizable monomers, free radical polymerizable oligomers and polymers containing C═C bonds in the back bone and/or in the side chain groups. The initiator system includes (i) at least one compound capable of absorbing IR radiation; (ii) at least one compound capable of producing radicals selected from polyhaloalkyl-substituted compounds; and (iii) at least one polycarboxylic acid of formula R4—(CR5R6)r—Y—CH2COOH, wherein oxi<redii+1.

Abstract: With the method according to the invention for producing a printing plate, in particular for flexoprinting, a layer of a curable elastomer is applied to a carrier (15) with a cylindrical surface area (26), subsequently the elastomer layer is cured to an essentially cylindrical endless printing form blank and possibly ground to a cylindrical peripheral form or processed otherwise, and afterwards the printing form blank (33) is separated along a line which is essentially parallel to the axial direction of the carrier and the printing plate produced in such a manner

Abstract: A polymer based on the reaction of an excess of diisocyanate with saturated polyolefine diols to form an oligomer and further reaction of the oligomer with hydroxyacrylates or hydroxymethacrylates is discussed. The polymer is then blended with ethylenically unsaturated monomers and a photoinitiator to produce a photosensitive composition which is useful in fabricating printing plates.

Abstract: Laser-imageable flexographic printing plates and a method of making same are disclosed. A thin polymeric film doped with a UV absorber is laminated to a photopolymer layer. The film is ablated from the photopolymer using a laser operating at a selected wavelength to create an in situ negative. The resulting negative can be subjected to typical UV flood exposure and development.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ink receptive film and methods of using the ink receptive film. The ink receptive film is generally suitable for etching patterns into substrates, and typically includes a photosensitive laminate structure containing at least an ink receptive, radiation transmissive layer; and at least one photosensitive resist layer.

Abstract: A photosensitive flexographic printing element for the production of flexographic printing plates by digital imaging by means of lasers which has an IR-ablative layer with a polyether-polyurethane as binder. A process for the production of flexographic printing plates using an element of this type.

Abstract: A photosensitive printing element is used for preparing flexographic printing plates. The photosensitive printing element comprises (a) a support and especially a flexible support, (b) a photopolymerizable layer comprising an elastomeric composition sensitive to non-infrared actinic radiation, said layer being soluble, swellable or dispersible in a liquid developer prior to exposure to said non-infrared actinic radiation, and (c) at least one layer comprising a radiation-sensitive imaging layer, such as an infrared radiation sensitive thermographic material that provides excellent image density (e.g., greater than 3.0) at least in the electromagnetic region of said non-infrared radiation sensitivity and preferably in both the visible and ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum upon exposure to infrared laser radiation and thermal development. Imaging of the imaging layer (e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing laser-engravable flexographic printing elements on flexible metallic supports comprising a cross-linked elastomeric layer and an absorber for laser radiation. The invention also relates to a method for producing flexographic printing plates by means of laser engraving using flexographic printing elements of the aforementioned type, and to flexographic printing plates produced using such a method.

Abstract: A process for making thermally imageable negative working compositions comprising the steps of:

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided high performance, photoimageable resin compositions for flexographic printing, having excellent physical properties, e.g., resilience, hardness, toughness, and the like, as well as increased rates of cure upon exposure to radiation. In a further aspect of the invention, there are provided printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, wherein said printing plates are characterized as having excellent exposure sensitivity, the capability of rapidly curing upon exposure, excellent retention of fine details, and excellent colorloss performance. Moreover, printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have good flexibility, excellent washout properties, and retain such properties over extended periods of storage. In another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the preparation of formulations comprising said compositions and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: There are disclosed a light-sensitive composition which comprises (A) a polymer having a phenyl group substituted by a vinyl group at a side chain, (B) a photopolymerization initiator and (C) a sensitizer which sensitizes the photo-polymerization initiator, or a light-sensitive composition which comprises (A′) a polymer, the above-mentioned (B) and (C), and (D) a monomer having at least two phenyl groups each of which is substituted by a vinyl group in the molecule of the monomer; and a method of forming a relief image which comprises coating the light-sensitive composition as mentioned above on a support, exposing the composition by exposure or scanning exposure and developing the same to form a relief image on the support.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photosensitive element for use as a flexographic printing plate and a process for preparing the plate from the element. The photosensitive element has at least one photopolymerizable elastomeric layer that comprises a binder, a monomer, a photoinitiator, an onium salt, and a leuco dye. Upon exposure to actinic radiation, the onium salt and leuco dye react resulting in a change of color in polymerized portions of the photopolymerizable layer. The color change provides enhanced image color contrast in the photosensitive element.

Abstract: A water-washable photosensitive flexo plate capable of reproducing images of a level as defined by a halftone resolution of 1% to 95% at 200 lines/inch, a minimum isolated dot having a diameter of 100 &mgr;m, and by a minimum isolated line having a width of 30 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A process for making a flexographic photopolymer printing plate includes providing a photosensitive element comprising a support, a layer of a photopolymerizable material on the support, and an infrared ablation layer which is ablatable by infrared radiation and substantially opaque to actinic radiation on the photopolymerizable material. The infrared ablation layer comprises at least one infrared absorbing material, a radiation opaque material, and at least one binder which is substantially incompatible with low molecular weight materials in the photopolymerizable layer. The infrared ablation layer is imagewise ablated with infrared laser radiation to form a mask. The photosensitive element is then overall exposed to actinic radiation through the mask, and treated with at least one developer solution to remove the remaining infrared ablation layer and areas of the photopolymerizable layer not exposed to actinic radiation.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin laminate comprising at least a support, a photosensitive resin layer and an IR ablation layer, wherein the IR ablation layer comprises an IR absorbent metal layer which is disposed in contact with the photosensitive resin layer.

Abstract: A polymer based on the reaction of an excess of diisocyanate with saturated polyolefine diols to form an oligomer and further reaction of the oligomer with hydroxyacrylates or hydroxymethacrylates is discussed. The polymer is then blended with ethylenically unsaturated monomers and a photoinitiator to produce a photosensitive composition which is useful in fabricating printing plates.

Abstract: A layer of a blank is subjected to a laser-engraving phase to manufacture a flexographic printing plate. The layer is produced in a material comprised of between 55 and 65% by weight of ethylene and between 35 and 45% by weight of propylene, which has been cured prior to the laser-engraving phase, and the laser-engraving phase is performed with a laser operating at a wavelength ranging between 248 and 340 nm. Processing steps such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation and crosslinking can, in this way, be eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solvent-developable printing formulations useful for the manufacture of printing plates. In particular, the present invention provides formulations which exhibit markedly improved processing characteristics when deposited on a printing plate, such as reduced tack, increased image resolution, and/or improved mechanical properties, e.g., tensile strength, elongation. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the preparation of said formulations and methods for use thereof.