Patent ID: 6562555
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: B41C,B41N,G03F

Abstract:
A method for developing an exposed lithographic printing plate precursor using a developer and replenisher, the method comprises the steps of:a) developing the exposed printing plate precursor with the developer; and b) adding the replenisher to the developer so that the activity of the developer remains relatively constant; wherein: the printing plate precursor comprises an imageable layer: the imageable layer comprises a material that is soluble or dispersible in aqueous alkaline solution; the developer comprises an alkaline material and a developer-soluble coating attack-suppressing agent; the replenisher comprises the alkaline material and the coating attack-suppressing agent; the alkaline material in the replenisher is at a higher concentration than the alkaline material in the developer; the coating attack-suppressing agent in the replenisher is at a higher concentration than the coating attack-suppressing agent in the developer; and the concentration of coating attack-suppressing agent in the replenisher is that concentration that will keep the aggressiveness of the developer substantially constant during the developer loading cycle.