Patent ID: 7704679
Filing Date: 2010-04-27
Classification: B41C,B41N,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 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, including a first and at least a second gumming unit, wherein the precursor is consecutively developed in the first and the second gumming units with a gum solution, thereby removing non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support and gumming the plate in a single step.