Patent ID: 6087069
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: B41C

Abstract:
A method of printing comprising:a. providing a printing member fabricated according to steps comprising:i. providing a substrate and, thereover, a first layer, the substrate and the first layer having different affinities for a liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and a liquid to which ink will not adhere; andii. depositing onto the first layer a boron ceramic layer removable by a liquid to which ink will not adhere;b. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing member to laser output so as to ablate selected portions of at least the first layer, thereby directly producing an array of image features;c. subjecting the printing member to a liquid to which ink will not adhere so as to remove the inorganic layer and wet unablated portions of the printing member;d. applying ink to the member; ande. transferring the ink to a recording medium.