Abstract:
A planographic printing plate formed of a support having sequentially disposed thereon a first layer, that is structured by a heat-insulating material having a low thermal conductivity, and that is made hydrophilic by being processed with one of an alkali and a silicate in an alkali developing solution after exposure; and a second layer whose alkali developability is changed, without ablation, by being irradiated with an infrared ray. Alternatively, a support that is structured by a heat-insulating material whose thermal conductivity is low, and in which a surface thereof is made hydrophilic by being processed with one of an alkali and a silicate in an alkali developing solution after exposure, may also be used as the support.
Abstract:
There is provided a negative type image recording material that allows direct-plate making from digital data using an infrared laser and a method of plate-making using this negative type image recording material. The negative type image recording material comprises a compound (A) which is cross-linked with the aid of an acid, a binder polymer (B), a compound (C) which generates an acid upon heating, and (D) an infrared ray absorbing agent. The compound (A) which is cross-linked with the aid of an acid is a mixture of a lower molecular weight phenol derivative represented by the following general formula (I) with a polynuclear phenol cross-linking agent and/or resol resin. In the formula, Ar1 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon ring, R1, R2 and R3 represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 12 or less carbon atoms, respectively, m represents an integer of 2 to 4, and n represents an integer of 1 to 3. X represents a divalent connecting group, Y represents a monovalent, divalent, trivalent or tetravalent connecting group or a functional group having a terminal hydrogen atom, manifesting interaction with a cross-linking agent having a specific structure.
Abstract:
Provided is a positive working, wet lithographic printing member comprising a hydrophilic metal substrate having disposed thereon a hydrophilic layer, an ablative-absorbing, ink-accepting surface layer and, optionally, an ink-accepting overcoat layer that is not ablative-absorbing. Also provided are methods of preparing such lithographic printing plates, and methods of preparing imaged lithographic printing plates from such lithographic printing plates by imagewise exposure to a laser and a subsequent cleaning step to remove residual laser-induced debris and damaged areas from the hydrophilic layer. The use of water-dispersible carbon blacks with polar groups on the surface of the carbon black and water-based polymers, such as a polyvinyl alcohol, in the ablative-absorbing layer, with the optional addition of the durable, ink-accepting overcoat layer that is not ablative absorbing, improves the ease of the cleaning step and also improves the image resolution, adhesion, and durability upon imaging and use of the printing member.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of:(1) image-wise exposing to light an imaging element comprising (i) on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles capable of coalescing under the influence of heat and dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and (ii) a compound capable of converting light to heat, said compound being comprised in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto;(2) and developing a thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element by mounting it on a print cylinder of a printing press and supplying an aqueous dampening liquid and/or ink to said image forming layer while rotating said print cylinder.
Abstract:
Presensitized lithographic plates are prepared which permit direct formation of printable images on plates by digital computerization without the intervening formation of a photographic image with a quality that allows the plates to be used for high volume printing applications. The lithographic printing plate has a structure which contains a substrate; a positive or negative working photosensitive layer; and a thermally sensitive masking layer which is opaque to the actinic radiation but which is soluble in an aqueous medium. The masking layer contains a heat softenable disperse phase which is insoluble in the aqueous medium; a polymeric continuous phase which is soluble or swellable in the aqueous medium; and a colorant which strongly absorbs radiant energy and converts the radiant energy to heat. In use the masking layer is digitally exposed to a computer controlled laser image so that exposed image areas of the masking are insolublized in the aqueous medium; soluble areas of the mask layer are then removed to form an opaque image mask on the photosensitive layer which is then exposed to actinic radiation passing through the mask to solubilize or insolubilize exposed areas of the photosensitive layer; the photosensitive layer is then developed with the developer liquid to remove the soluble areas and any overlying mask areas to form the lithographic printing plate. Both wet and waterless lithographic printing plates may be digitally prepared in this manner.
Abstract:
A laser imageable direct write printing member for use with a laser producing laser radiation comprising a flexible sheet of plastic having first and second surfaces serving as a film substrate. A vacuum-deposited laser ablative coating is carried by said first surface formed of a metal selected from a group consisting of titanium, zirconium, aluminum hafnium and alloys thereof.
Abstract:
According to the present invention there is provided an imaging element for making a lithographic printing plate comprising on a support having a hydrophilic surface a photosensitive layer and a thermosensitive layer, said thermosensitive layer being opaque to light for which said photosensitive layer has spectral sensitivity and said thermosensitive layer being capable of rendered transparent upon exposure to laser light characterised in that an intermediate layer being soluble or swellable in an aqueous medium is provided between said photosensitive layer and said thermosensitive layer.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for imaging lithographic plates using laser devices that emit in the near-infrared region, and plates suitable for imaging with the apparatus and methods. Laser output either ablates one or more plate layers or physically transforms a surface layer, in either case resulting in an imagewise pattern of features on the plate. The image features exhibit an affinity for ink or an ink-abhesive fluid that differs from that of unexposed areas.
Abstract:
Lithographic printing plates suitable for imaging by means of laser devices that emit in the near-infrared region. Laser output ablates a titanium layer sandwiched between an oleophobic or hydrophilic layer and a polyester layer, resulting in an imagewise pattern of features on the plate. The image features exhibit an affinity for ink or an ink-abhesive fluid that differs from that of unexposed areas.