Patent ID: 6182571
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: B41N,G03F

Abstract:
A method of preparing a planographic printing member, said method comprising the steps of:a) forming a hydrophilic layer on a support by contacting the support with a silicate solution comprising:water;a soluble alkali metal silicate; anda particulate material;in which:the soluble alkali metal silicate is in solution and the particulate material is dispersed in the silicate solution;the molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 to M.sub.2 O, in which M is an alkali metal, in the soluble alkali metal silicate is at least 2.5 and less than 6; andthe silicate solution comprises 5 to 20 wt % of the soluble alkali metal silicate;b) applying a modifying means over said hydrophilic layer; andc) providing an image layer over said hydrophilic layer, wherein an indicator means is associated with said image layer, said indicator means indicating whether said image layer is in a first or a second state.