Method of making a lithographic printing plate

US8088558B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AGFA GRAPHICS NV · BE

Inventors

• Alexander Williamson · Mortsel, BE
• Marc Van Damme · Heverlee, BE
• Willi-Kurt Gries · Mainz, DE
• Hubertus Van Aert · Pulderbos, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 9, 2006
• Grant date: Jan 3, 2012
• Expiry date: Sep 19, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B41C2210/24
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes 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 reactive binder; b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter; c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit; d) developing the precursor off-press in a gumming unit by treating the coating of the precursor with a gum solution, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support, wherein the reactive binder is a polymer containing a monomeric unit which includes a group having an ethylenically unsaturated bond.