Abstract:
A method for providing lithographic printing plates is achieved by imaging a lithographic printing plate precursor and processing it with fresh (not reused) samples of a processing solution that both develops and protects the resulting lithographic image. The lithographic printing plate precursors can be either negative-working or positive-working.
Abstract:
An imaged and developed element, such as a lithographic printing plate, is provided by violet radiation imaging of a negative-working imageable element having an outermost imageable layer that includes a free radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition that provides free radicals upon violet irradiation, a sensitizer, and a polymeric binder having pendant reactive vinyl groups. The element also includes an additive that is represented by the following Structure (II): wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently hydrogen, or alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl groups. The imaged element can be developed using a gum having a pH greater than 6 and up to about 11 and comprising at least 1 weight % of one or more anionic surfactants.
Abstract:
A negative-working imageable element has an imageable layer that includes an initiator composition including an iodonium cation and a boron-containing anion at a molar ratio of at least 1.2:1, an infrared radiation absorbing compound, a primary polymeric binder, and a spirolactone or spirolactam colorant precursor. The imaged element exhibits improved print-out.
Abstract:
Negative-working imageable elements that can be imaged using infrared radiation comprise an imageable layer and a protective overcoat on a hydrophilic substrate. The imageable layer includes an IR-sensitive cyanine dye. The protective overcoat predominantly comprises one or more poly(vinyl alcohol) resins, each of which has a hydrolysis level of 85% or less. The use of this particular overcoat composition used in combination with the IR-sensitive cyanine dye provides improved tolerance to fogging by white light while maintaining desired imaging speed.
Abstract:
Positive-working imageable elements comprise a radiation absorbing compound and inner and outer layers on a substrate having a hydrophilic surface. The inner layer comprises a polymeric material that is removable using an alkaline developer and comprises a backbone and attached groups represented by the following Structure Q: wherein L1, L2, and L3 independently represent linking groups, T1, T2, and T3 independently represent terminal groups, and a, b, and c are independently 0 or 1. The imageable elements have improved resistance to development and printing chemicals and solvents.
Abstract:
Single-layer and multilayer imageable elements have a substrate and at least one imageable layer and can be used to prepare positive-working lithographic printing plates. The imageable elements also include a radiation absorbing compound and a solvent-resistant polymer binder comprising an —N(R)—C(═X)—N(R′)—S(═O)2— moiety that is attached to the polymer backbone, wherein X is O or S, R and R′ are independently hydrogen, halo, or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. This solvent-resistant polymer binder is located in the imageable layer closest to the substrate and provides improved chemical resistance.
Abstract:
A method of preparing negative-working, single-layer imageable elements improves their storage stability in a humid environment. The method includes enclosing the coated imageable elements in a water-impermeable sheet material that substantially inhibits the transfer of moisture to and from the imageable element. Such imageable elements include a radiation-sensitive composition that includes a radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition to provide radicals upon exposure to imaging radiation, a radiation absorbing compound, and a polymeric binder having poly(alkylene glycol) side chains.
Abstract:
A positive-working imageable element comprises inner and outer layers and a radiation absorbing compound such as an IR absorbing dye. The inner layer includes a polymeric material that is removable using an alkaline developer. An ink receptive outer layer is not removable using an alkaline developer before its exposure to imaging radiation. The outer layer includes a polymer binder having pendant epoxy groups that are substantially unreacted during exposure.
Abstract:
Positive-working imageable elements comprise a radiation absorbing compound and inner and outer layers on a substrate having a hydrophilic surface. The inner layer comprises a polymer that is removable using an alkaline developer and in which from about 1 to about 50 mol % of its recurring units are derived from one or more of the ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers represented by the following Structure (I): CH2═C(R1)C(═O)NR2(CR3R4)nOH (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, or phenyl, and n is 1 to 20. The imageable elements having improved resistance to development and printing chemicals and solvents.
Abstract:
An imageable element useful as a flexographic printing plate precursor is disclosed. The element is made up of a flexible substrate; a photosensitive layer, which contains a negative working photosensitive composition; an optional barrier layer; and a masking layer. The masking layer is thermally bleachable, comprises a dye that typically has an absorption maximum between about 250 nm and about 600 nm, more typically between about 300 nm and about 500 nm, and is substantially free of photothermal conversion materials.