Patent ID: 8026043
Filing Date: 2011-09-27
Classification: B41C,G03F

Abstract:
1. A method of making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer, a top layer and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator, and a binder; b) image-wise exposing the coating by a laser in a plate setter; c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit; and d) treating the precursor in a gumming station, the gumming station including a first gumming units and at least a second gumming unit; wherein the precursor is washed in the first gumming unit by applying a gum solution to the coating thereby removing at least a portion of the top layer; and subsequently, the precursor is developed in the second gumming unit with a gum solution thereby removing non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support and gumming the plate in a single step.