Eastman-Kodak Company

Efrat Konstantini

Jianbing Huang

Ophira Melamed

Eynat Matzner

An imageable element can be imaged using non-ablative processes. This element has a non-silicone, non-crosslinked layer contiguous to and under an ink-repelling crosslinked silicone rubber layer. These elements can be used for providing lithographic printing plates useful for waterless printing (no fountain solution). Processing after imaging is relatively simple with either water or an aqueous solution consisting essentially of a surfactant or mechanical means to remove the crosslinked silicone rubber layer and a minor portion of the non-silicone, non-crosslinked layer in the imaged regions.

Imageable elements and methods useful for providing waterless printing plates

A non-ablative negative-working imageable element has first and second polymeric layers under a crosslinked silicone rubber layer. These elements can be used in a simple method to provide lithographic printing plates useful for waterless printing (no fountain solution). Processing after imaging is relatively simple using either water or an aqueous solution containing very little organic solvent to remove the imaged regions. The crosslinked silicone rubber layer is ink-repelling and only the first layer that is closest to the substrate contains an infrared radiation absorbing compound to provide thermal sensitivity.

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Bat Yam, Israel

Efrat Konstantini