Presstek, Inc.

Susan J Lanphear

Sonia Rondon

Thomas E Lewis

Printing members that include a topmost layer comprising a polymer and a silicone surfactant are durable and enable use of low imaging-power densities. The protective layer may contain an inorganic crosslinker.

Lithographic imaging with printing members having hydrophilic, surfactant-containing top layers

A plasma polymer layer facilitates selective removal of the imaging layer of a lithographic printing member, which allows for imaging with low-power lasers. The printing member can be used on press immediately after being imaged without the need for a post-imaging processing step.

Lithographic printing with printing members having plasma polymer layers

Cleaning compositions for ablation-type lithographic printing plates include solvent, non-solvent and lubricating components, the vapor pressures and concentrations of the various components being chosen such that the mixture never becomes too rich in solvent. In this way, the solvent's effect is directed primarily at thermal byproducts, which, because they are exposed and already partly decomposed, are more vulnerable to solvent action than the intact, anchored plate constituents in unimaged regions. The compositions are used in conjunction with mechanical rubbing of the plate surface following imaging.

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Nashua, NH, United States of America

Susan J Lanphear