Patent ID: 8087355
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: B41C,G03F

Abstract:
1. A method of lithographically printing images on a receiving medium, comprising in order: (a) providing a lithographic plate comprising (i) a substrate, and (ii) a photosensitive layer comprising a polymeric binder, a free radical polymerizable monomer, a free radical initiator, and a sensitizing dye; said photosensitive layer being soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution and capable of hardening upon exposure to a radiation having a wavelength selected from 200 to 1200 nm; (b) imagewise exposing said plate with said radiation to cause hardening of said photosensitive layer in the exposed areas, so as to form hardened areas in the exposed areas and non-hardened areas in the non-exposed areas; (c) treating said exposed plate with a treating solution to cause at least one chemical or physical change in the photosensitive layer or on the substrate surface; (d) drying said treated plate to remove at least some of the water or solvent from the treating solution, wherein said plate is sufficiently dried so that said dried plate is at least free of wet-looking liquid on the surface; (e) developing said dried plate with ink and/or fountain solution on a lithographic press to remove the photosensitive layer in the non-hardened areas; and (f) lithographically printing images from said plate to the receiving medium.