Patent ID: 8323874
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: B41C,G03F

Abstract:
1. A method of making a lithographic printing plate ready for lithographic printing, the method consisting essentially of: A) imagewise exposing a positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor using infrared radiation to provide both exposed and non-exposed regions in said imaged precursor, B) applying a single processing solution having a pH of from 6 to 11 to said imaged precursor both: (1) to remove predominantly only said exposed regions, and (2) to provide a protective coating over all of the exposed and non-exposed regions of the resulting lithographic printing plate, the single processing solution comprising a hydrophilic polymer to provide the protective coating, and C) removing excess processing solution from the resulting lithographic printing plate using a squeegee or nip rollers and optionally postbaking or curing the resulting lithographic printing plate, wherein the method is carried out without using a rinsing or gumming step after the single processing solution is applied.