Abstract:
A method of producing a flexographic printing plate using a continuous liquid interphase is provided herein. This method allows for significantly reduced production times and fewer preparation steps compared to standard non-continuous techniques and results in less waste than typical methods for preparing flexographic printing plates. The printing plate provided by using continuous liquid interphase production results in a printing plate with desirable elastomeric elongation, desirable hardness, plate thickness in the range of 0.030 inches to 0.250 inches, and comprises printing dots with desirable characteristics.
Abstract:
A method for processing a lithographic printing plate comprising development with an alkaline solution and gumming with a first gum solution and subsequently with a second gum solution, wherein both gum solutions are provided in a cascade configuration whereby the second gum solution overflows into the first gum solution and wherein the gum solution(s) include a nitrate salt.
Abstract:
A negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor has a substrate and an imageable layer disposed on the substrate. This imageable is removable with a lithographic printing ink, a fountain solution, or both. The imageable layer comprises (A) a free radical polymerizable compound, (B) a free radical polymerization initiator, and (C) a polymer that has a polysaccharide backbone and a free radical polymerizable group that is different than (A). Such precursors are on-press developable and exhibit excellent on-press development stability over time and excellent printing properties.
Abstract:
A method of roughening a surface of a printing form precursor. The method comprises subjecting at least a part of the surface to energy in the form of pulses of electromagnetic radiation to produce a uniformly hydrophilic roughened surface on at least a part of the printing form precursor and optionally converting the uniformly hydrophilic roughened surface of the printing form precursor to a uniformly hydrophobic roughened surface. The method is useful for providing a surface for use in a subsequent imaging and/or printing process in lithographic printing. Methods of providing a printing form comprising an image formed of hydrophobic regions and hydrophilic regions using said method and a method of printing using said method are also described, as are printing forms so produced and imaging devices and apparatus for carrying out the said methods.
Abstract:
The method according to the present invention for preparing a lithographic printing plate comprising a lithographic image consisting of printing areas and non-printing areas comprises the steps of: - jetting and curing droplets of a first curable fluid on a hydrophilic support thereby forming a printing area of the lithographic image; - jetting and curing droplets of a second curable fluid in a non-printing area of the lithographic image thereby forming a hydrophilic protective layer on the hydrophilic support.