[0001] The present invention relates to a process for preparing a lithographic plate.
[0002] Upon manufacturing a lithographic printing plate, a gumming up step is performed
as the final process. In the gumming up step, a protecting agent, i.e., so-called
desensitizing gum is applied onto the surface of the printing plate. This is applied
to the plate for the purposes of preventing adhesion of contaminants on the plate
after the plate is manufactured and till the plate is set on a printing press to thereby
prevent occurrence of background contamination on printed matters and for preventing
the formation of defects on the plate surface during storing the plates in the heaped
up state or upon hitting them against a foreign substance. The most important purpose
of the gumming up step is to prevent the lowering of the hydrophilic properties of
non-image areas due to oxidization encountered when the plate surface is directly
exposed to air and to enhance the hydrophilic properties thereof. For these reasons,
the gumming up is a step indispensable for the plate making process.
[0003] As a gumming solution, there has been used, for a long time, a composition comprising
an aqueous solution of gum arabic having a concentration ranging from about 15 to
30% by weight to which additives such as surfactants, pH-adjusting agents and preservatives
are optionally added.
[0004] However, the desensitizing ability of gum arabic is so strong that the ink receptivity
of image areas is often lowered. Therefore, it is sometimes observed that many unacceptale
printed matters are formed till those having satisfactory ink concentration are surely
obtained during printing operations.
[0005] There has been proposed an emulsion gum solution comprising an oil phase containing
a lipophilic surfactant, such as an organic solvent soluble lipophilic surfactant,
dissolved in a petroleum fraction and a water phase containing a water soluble organic
high molecular compound dissolved therein. In such emulsion gum solution, gum arabic
serves as not only a desensitizing agent but also a protective colloid to stabilize
the emulsion.
[0006] However, gum arabic is a natural substance which is produced only in limited regions
in the world and its amount of harvest is greatly influenced by various factors such
as the climate at the regions. Thus the stable supply thereof is not always expected.
[0007] Under such circumstances, many attempts have been directed to the use of a variety
of water-soluble polymeric compounds as desensitizing gum lithographic plate finishers
instead of gum arabic.
[0008] For instance, Japanese Patent Un-examined Publication (hereunder referred to as "J.P.
KOKAI") No. Sho 54-97102 (B.P. 2010298) discloses dextrin, sterabic, arabogalactan,
alginic acid salts, polyacrylic acids, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,
polyacrylamide, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose
and salts of carboxyalkyl celluloses. Moreover, Japanese Patent Publication for Opposition
Purpose (hereunder referred to as "J.P. KOKOKU") No. Sho 54-41921 discloses pullulan
and pullulan derivatives; J.P. KOKAI No. Sho 58-197091 discloses polyvinyl pyrrolidone;
and J.P. KOKAI No. Sho 56-133193 (U.S.P. 4,349,391) discloses polyvinyl alcohols.
J.P.KOKAI No. Sho 59-57242 discloses modified starch derivatives which include roasted
starch such as British gum, enzyme-modified dextrin such as enzyme dextrin and Schardinger
dextrin, acid-treated starch such as solubilized starch, oxidized starch such as dialdehyde
starch, gelatinized starch such as modified or non-modified gelatinized starch, esterified
starch such as phosphoric acid starch, fatty acid starch, sulfuric acid starch, nitric
acid starch, xanthogenic acid starch and carbamic acid starch, etherified starch such
as carboxyalkylated starch, hydroxyalkylated starch, sulfoalkylated starch, cyanoethylated
starch, allylated starch, benzylated starch, carbamylethylated starch and dialkylamino
starch, crosslinked starch such as methylol crosslinked starch, hydroxyalkyl crosslinked
starch, phosphoric acid crosslinked starch and dicarboxylic acid crosslinked starch,
and starch graft copolymer such as starch polyacrylamide copolymer, starch polyacrylic
acid copolymer, starch polyvinyl acetate copolymer, starch polyacrylnitrile copolymer,
cationic starch polyacrylate copolymer, cationic starch polyvinyl compound copolymer,
starch styrene maleic acid copolymer and starch polyethylene oxide copolymer.
[0009] However, all the plate finishers using water soluble organic polymeric compounds
instead of gum arabic are inferior in the ability to desensitize non-image areas to
that of gum arabic and therefore, if they are used as emulsion type gum solutions,
the oil phase components often contaminate non-image areas.
[0010] Further, the water-soluble organic polymeric compounds are inferior in the property
of protective colloid to gum arabic and therefore, emulsion type gum solutions using
the polymeric compounds undergo phase separation into oil and aqueous phases in a
few days.
[0011] Moreover, an expensive machine such as a homogenizer and labors are required to prepare
an emulsion tupe gum solution.
[0012] To make up for these disadvatages, a non-emulsion type gum solution has been known.
However, as explained earlier, the non-emulsion type gum solution using a large amount
of gum arabic has disadvantages in that it is inferior in ink receptivity in image
areas and that gum arabic is not stably supplied. On the other hand, a non-emulsion
type gum solution containing a water-soluble organic polymeric compound instead of
gum arabic is sufficient in the ability of preventing contamination in non-image areas
because it does not contain a lipophilic component, but it is insufficient in ink
receptivity in image areas so that many unacceptable printed matters are produced
at the beginning of printing operation.
[0013] EPA-0 326 715 describes a process of preparing a lithographic plate which comprises
the steps of in order imagewise exposing to light a presensitized plate comprising
an aluminium support having a lithographically suitable light sensitive layer, developing
the plates with a developer/finisher solution to remove areas of the light-sensitive
layer thereby obtaining a lithographic plate having an image area and a non-image
area. The developer/finisher contains: a) a mono-, di- or tri-sodium, potassium or
lithium phosphate; and b) benzyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol and phenoxypropanol; and
c) polyvinyl pyrrolidone, dextrin, poly (methyl vinyl ether/maleic acid) and gum arabic;
and d) citric acid and benzoic acid; and e) sodium or potassium octyl sulfate; and
f) sodium, potassium and lithium benzoate; and g) sodium, potassium and ammonium citrate;
and h) sodium, potassium and ammonium sorbate; and i) water to give 100.0% by weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a lithographic plate finisher (hereunder
referred to as "plate finisher") having good ability of desensitizing non-image areas
but not reducing ink receptivity of image areas.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a plate finisher which is stable
against phase separation even when the amount of gum arabic used is small.
[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide a plate finisher which can
easily be prepared with an inexpensive machine.
[0017] The forgoing objects can be quite effectively attained by the present invention by
providing a process of preparing a lithographic plate which comprises the steps of,
in order, image wise exposing to light a presensitized plate comprising an aluminum
support having a lithographically suitable light-sensitive layer, developing the plate
with an aqueous alkaline solution to remove either light-exposed or light-unexposed
area of the light-sensitive layer thereby obtaining a lithographic plate consisting
of an oleophilic image area and a hydrophilic non-image area and applying to the plate
a lithographic plate finisher comprising, in uniform solution, at least one water
soluble resin, an organic solvent whose solubility in water at 20
° C is not more than 5% by weight, and water.
DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention will be explained in detail.
SOLVENTS
[0019] The plate finisher used in the process of the present invention comprises a solvent
whose solubility in water at 20
° C is not more than 5% by weight. The addition of such solvent improves ink receptivity
of image areas.
[0020] Examples of such solvent include benzyl alcohol, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, ethylene
glycol benzyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, hexyl glycol, hexyl diglycol,
propyl propylene diglycol, methyl phenyl carbitol, diethylene glycol dibutyl ether,
n-amyl alcohol, metyl amyl alcohol, isophorone, methyl cyclohexanone and acetophenone.
Among them, benzyl alcohol is most preferred because it is highly stable and inexpensive
but does not give out strong odor.
[0021] In the invention, the solvent may be used alone or in combination. The amount of
the solvent used is preferably 0.1 to 10 % and more preferably 0.5 to 5 % by weight
based on the total weight of the plate finisher. If it is less than 0.1 % by weight,
ink receptivity of image areas is reduced. On the other hand, if it exceeds 10 % by
weight, the plate surface becomes sticky and the drying property is deteriorated.
Solvents whose solubility in water is more than 5 % by weight have no or insufficient
effect on the prevention of lowering of ink receptivity of image areas.
WATER-SOLUBLE RESINS
[0022] The plate finisher may contain a variety of water-soluble resins.
[0023] Examples of such resins include natural high molecular compounds such as starches
derived from sweet potato, potato, tapioca, wheat, corn and waxy corn; those derived
from sea weeds such as carrageenan, laminaran, sea weed mannan, funori (a glue plant),
Irish moss, agar and sodium alginate; mucilage derived from plants such as tororo-aoi
mucin, mannan, quince seed mucin, pectin, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, xanthine gum,
guar bean gum, locust bean gum, gum arabic, carob gum and benzoiun gum; mucilage derived
from microorganisms such as homopolysaccharides (e.g., dextran, glucan and levan)
and heteropolysaccharides (e.g., succinoglucan and xanthane gum); proteins such as
glue, gelatin, casein and collagen; semisynthetic sompounds such as propylene glycol
alginate and cellulose derivatives such as viscose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose,
methyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl
cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate;
processed starches such as roasted dextrin (e.g., white dextrin, yellow dextrin and
British gum), enzyme-modified dextrin such as enzyme dextrin and Schardinger dextrin,
acid-treated starch such as solubilized starch, oxidized starch such as dialdehyde
starch, gelatinized starch such as modified or non-modified gelatinized starch, esterified
starch such as phosphoric acid starch, fatty acid starch, sulfuric acid starch, nitric
acid starch, xanthogenic acid starch, carbamic acid starch and succinic acid starch,
etherified starch such as carboxyalkylated starch, hydroxyalkylated starch, sulfoalkylated
starch, cyanoethylated starch, allylated starch, benzylated starch, carbamylethylated
starch and dialkylamino starch, crosslinked starch such as methylol crosslinked starch,
hydroxyalkyl crosslinked starch, phosphoric acid crosslinked starch and dicarboxylic
acid crosslinked starch, and starch graft copolymer such as starch polyacrylamide
copolymer, starch polyacrylic acid copolymer, starch polyvinyl acetate copolymer,
starch polyacrylnitrile copolymer, cationic starch polyacrylate copolymer, cationic
starch polyvinyl compound copolymer, starch styrene maleic acid copolymer and starch
polyethylene oxide copolymer; and synthetic compounds such as polyvinyl alcohol, modified
polyvinyl alcohol such as partial acetal of polyvinyl alcohol, allyl modified polyvinyl
alcohol, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl ethyl ether and polyvinyl isobutyl ether,
poly(meth)acrylic acid derivatives such as sodium polyacrylate, partially saponified
polyacrylate, partially saponified product of acrylate copolymer, salt of polymethacrylate
and polyacrylamide, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,
polyvinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, carboxy vinylpolymer, styrene-maleic
acid copolymer and styrene-crotonic acid copolymer.
[0024] These water-soluble resins may be used in the plate finisher alone or in combination
in an amount of, preferably, 5 to 40 %, more preferably 10 to 30 % by weight based
on the total weight of the plate finisher.
[0025] In the present invention, it is possible to significantly lower the amount of gum
arabic to be used in the plate finisher. Although gum arabic may not be used at all
in the finisher, it is preferable to use gum arabic in an amount of 1 to 20 % by weight
based on the total weight of the water-soluble resin used in the finisher to give
sufficient desensitizing ability to non-image areas.
pH ADJUSTING AGENTS
[0026] In general, the plate finisher is preferably used in the acid region, i.e., at pH
ranging from 2 to 6. The pH value is generally adjusted by adding a mineral acid,
an organic acid, an inorganic salt, an alkali agent or the like to the plate finisher.
The amount thereof generally ranges from 0.01 to 3 % by weight.
[0027] Useful examples of the foregoing mineral acids are nitric acid, sulfuric acid and
phosphoric acid and those of the organic acids are citric acid, acetic acid, oxalic
acid, malonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid,
levulinic acid, phytic acid, benzoic acid, butyric acid, maleic acid, picolinic acid
and organophosphonic acids .
[0028] Useful examples of the foregoing inorganic salts are water soluble alkali metal salts
and ammonium salts of nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, molybdenic acid,
acetic acid, polyphosphoric acid and boric acid, such as sodium nitrate, potassium
nitrate, ammonium nitrate, monosodium phosphate, disodium phosphate, monopotassium
phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, sodium
sulfate, potassium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, sodium molybdate, potassium molybdate,
ammonium molybdate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, ammonium acetate, sodium tripolyphosphate,
sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, soium borate and ammonium borate and
those of the foregoing alkali agents are alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide,
potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide, and amines such as ammonia, monoethanol
amine, diethanol amine and triethanol amine.
[0029] The foregoing mineral acids, organic acids, inorganic salts or alkali agents may
be used alone or in combination.
SURFACTANTS
[0030] A surfactant can be added to the plate finisher to improve the surface conditions
or the like of the resulting coated film and to stably solubilize the solvent whose
solubility in water at 20
° C is not more than 5 % by weight. Examples of the surfactants usable herein include
anionic, nonionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants.
[0031] Examples of such anionic surfactants include fatty acid salts, alkylbenzene sulfonic
acid salts, straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonic acid salts, alkyl sulfonic acid salts,
a -olefin sulfonic acid salts, alkyl phosphoric acid ester salts, dialkyl sulfo succinic
acid ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfonic acid salts, polyoxyethylene
alkyl ether phophoric acid salts, alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acid salts, N-lauroyl
sarcosine salts, sulfonic acid salts of condensates of naphthalene and formaldehyde,
and diphenylether disulfonic acid salts.
[0032] Examples of the nonionic surfactants are polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene
alkyl phenol ethers, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene brock copolymers, polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid esters, polyethylene
glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amines, fatty acid monoglycerides,
sorbitan fatty acid esters, pentaerythritol fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid
esters and amine oxides.
[0033] Examples of the amphoteric surfactants are alkylcarboxy betaines, alkylamino carboxylic
acids and alkylimidazolines.
[0034] Examples of the cationic surfactants are tetraalkyl ammonium salts, trialkyl benzyl
ammonium salts and alkyl imidazolinium salts. In addition, there may be mentioned
fluorine atom containing surfactants and silicon atom containing surfactants.
[0035] Among them, the anionic and/or nonionic surfactants are more effective.
[0036] The surfactants may be used alone or in combination. The amount thereof used is not
limited to a specific range, but preferably it ranges from 0.01 to 10% by weight on
the basis of the total weight of the plate finisher.
WETTING AGENTS, PRESERVATIVES AND OTHER ADDITIVES
[0037] In addition to the foregoing components, the plate finisher may further comprise
a lower alcohol such as glycerin, ethylene glycol and triethylene glycol as a wetting
agent. The amount of the wetting agent preferably ranges from 0.1 to 5.0 % by weight,
more preferably 0.5 to 3.0 % by weight based on the total weight of the plate finisher.
Moreover, the plate finisher may comprise other additives such as preservatives. Examples
thereof are benzoic acid and derivatives thereof, phenol, formalin, sodium dehydroacetate
and 3-isothiazolones. These compounds may be used in an amount ranging from 0.005
to 2.0 % by weight of the plate finisher. Further, the plate finisher may contain
other additives which are used in conventional plate finishers, for example, anti-foaming
agents, chelating agents and coloring agents.
METHOD OF THE PREPARATION OF THE PLATE FINISHER
[0038] The plate finisher can be prepared by dissolving with agitation the solvent, a water
soluble resin, a surfactant, a pH adjusting agent, a wetting agent and a preservative
in water or if necessary in hot water. Since the plate finisher is a non-emulsion
type gum solution, it is unnecessary to prepare a water phase and an oil phase and
subsequently to emulsify the mixture with a homogenizer unlike an emulsion type gum
solution. Thus, the plate finisher can be prepared easily with an inexpensive equipment.
PRESENSITIZED PLATE
[0039] The plate finisher may be applied to various kinds of lithographic printing plates,
in particular the plate finisher can suitably be applied to those obtained by imagewise
exposing a presensitized plate (called "PS plate") comprising an aluminum substrate
provided thereon with a light-sensitive layer and then developing the same. Examples
of preferred such PS plates include those comprising an aluminum substrate provided
thereon with a light-sensitive layer composed of a mixture of a diazo resin (a salt
of a condensate of p-diazodiphenylamine and paraformaldehyde) and shellac as disclosed
in British Patent No. 1,350,521; negative working PS plates such as those comprising
an aluminum substrate provided thereon with a light-sensitive layer composed of a
mixture of a diazo resin and a polymer mainly composed of repeating units derived
from hydroxyethyl methyacrylate or hydroxyethyl acrylate as disclosed in British Patent
Nos. 1,460,978 and 1,505,739; and positive working PS plates such as those comprising
an aluminum substrate provided thereon with a light-sensitive layer composed of a
mixture of o-quinonediazide light-sensitive substance and a novolak type phenol resin
as disclosed in J.P. KOKAI No. Sho 50-125806. Preferred examples of such PS plates
further include PS plates comprising an aluminum substrate provided thereon with a
light-sensitive layer composed of a photocross-linkable photopolymer specifically
described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,426; PS plates comprising an aluminum plate provided
thereon with a light-sensitive layer composed of a photopolymerizable photopolymer
composition as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,072,528 and 4,072,527; and PS plates
comprising an aluminum plate provided thereon with a light-sensitive layer composed
of a mixture of an azide and a water-soluble polymer as disclosed in British Patent
Nos. 1,235,281 and 1,495,861.
APPLICATION OF THE PLATE FINISHER
[0040] A method in accordance with the present invention using the plate finisher will hereunder
be explained specifically with reference to an example in which a PS plate is used.
[0041] First of all, a PS plate is imagewise exposed to light and then developed to give
a lithographic printing plate.
[0042] A developer usable in the foregoing development is an alkaline solution whose principal
solvent is water. The developer optionally comprises additives such as organic solvents,
anionic surfactants and inorganic salts in addition to an alkaline agent.
[0043] Specific examples of the alkaline agents include inorganic alkaline agents such as
sodium silicate, potassium silicate, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, lithium
hydroxide, sodium tertiary phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium
carbonate and ammonium carbonate; and organic alkaline agents such as mono-, di- or
tri-ethanolamine and propanolamine. The amount thereof used in the developer preferably
ranges from 0.05 to 4 % by weight and more preferably 0.1 to 2 % by weight.
[0044] Examples of useful organic solvents are alcohols such as n-propyl alcohol and benzyl
alcohol; and glycol ethers such as phenyl cellosolve. The organic solvents are added
to the developer preferably in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 15 % by weight and more
preferably 1 to 5 % by weight.
[0045] Examples of anionic surfactants include alkylsulfuric acid ester salts such as sodium
laurylsulfate; alkylarylsulfonic acid salts such as sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate;
sulfonic acid salts of dibasic fatty acid esters such as sodium di-(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate;
alkylnaphthalenesulfonic acid salts such as sodium n-butylnaphthalene-sulfonate; and
polyoxyethylene alkyl(phenol) ether sulfates and in particular alkylnaphthalenesulfonic
acid salts such as n-butylnaphthalenesulfonic acid salt are suitably used. The amount
of the anionic surfactants in the developer preferably ranges from 0.1 to 5 % by weight
and more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 % by weight.
[0046] Examples of inorganic salts are water-soluble alkali metal or alkaline earth metal
salts of inorganic acids such as phosphoric acid, silicic acid, carbonic acid and
sulfurous acid and, particularly preferred are alkali and alkaline earth metal salts
of sulfurous acid. The amount of these inorganic salts in the developer in general
ranges from 0.05 to 5 % by weight and preferably 0.1 to 1 % by weight.
[0047] It is also advantageous that the developer further comprises other additives such
as antifoaming agents and wetting agents, if necessary.
[0048] The imagewise exposed PS plate can be developed with the foregoing developer in various
known manners. Specific examples of methods for developing the imagewise exposed PS
plate include a method comprising dipping the PS plate in a developer; a method comprising
spraying a developer on the light-sensitive layer of the PS plate through a plurality
of nozzles; a method comprising rubbing the light-sensitive layer of the PS plate
with a sponge containing a developer; and a method comprising applying a developer
to the surface of the light-sensitive layer of the PS plate with a roller.
[0049] The resulting lithographic printing plate thus developed is washed with water, the
water is squeezed from the surface of the PS plate, then a proper amount of the plate
finisher of the present invention is poured onto the plate surface. Then, the plate
surface is rubbed with a sponge so that the plate finisher is uniformly distributed
throughout the plate surface. As a result, non-image areas of the plate surface can
be protected and hence the lithographic printing plate can stably stored.
[0050] The plate finisher can be applied to the plate surface in various manner, for example,
by applying the plate finisher to the resulting lithographic printing plate after
the development and water washing by use of an automatic gumming-up machine; supplying
it to the printing plate immediately after the development without water washing;
or applying it to the printing plate after water washing with a small amount of water
or after rinsing with a rinse solution containing a surfactant by use of an automatic
gumming-up machine.
[0051] The lithographic printing plate is in general washed with water, prior to the printing
operation to remove the gum on the plate surface (so-called degumming step) and then
printing is performed in a conventional manner. However, the plate finisher makes
it possible to directly perform the printing operation without carrying out such a
degumming step. Moreover, the process of the present invention provides acceptable
clear printed matters immediately after the initiation of the printing operation without
providing a great number of unacceptable printed matters as usually observed when
conventional gumming solution is used. Non-image areas treated by the plate finisher
are kept highly hydrophilic. Thus, the plate finisher can provide good printed matters
free of background contamination.
EXAMPLES
[0052] The present invention will hereunder be explained in more detail with reference to
the following non- limitative working Examples and the effect practically achieved
by the present invention will also be discussd in detail in comparison with Comparative
Examples.
[0053] In the following Examples and Comparative Examples, the term "%" means "% by weight"
unless otherwise specified.
Example 1
(a) Lithographic printing plate
[0054] An aluminum plate having a thickness of 0.24 mm was degreased by immersing it in
7% aqueous solution of tertiary sodium phosphate maintained at 60
° C , washed with water and rubbed with a nylon brush with pouring an aqueous suspension
of pumice stone to carry out graining. After washing with water, it was immersed in
5% aqueous solution of potassium silicate (molar ratio of Si0
2/K
20 = 2.0) maintained at 70
° C for 30 to 60 seconds. After sufficiently washing with water, the aluminum plate
was dried.
[0055] The aluminum substrate thus treated was coated with a solution of a light-sensitive
composition (hereunder referred to as "light-sensitive solution") comprising 2.0 parts
by weight of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymer (synthesized according to the method
disclosed in Example 1 of British Patent No. 1,505,739), 0.12 part by weight of 2-methoxy-4-hydroxy-5-benzoylbenzenesulfonic
acid salt of a condensate of p-diazodiphenylamine and paraformaldehyde, 0.03 part
by weight of Oil Blue #603 (available from ORIENT CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.),
15 parts by weight of 2-methoxyethanol, 10 parts by weight of methanol and 5.0 parts
by weight of ethylene chloride to obtain a PS plate having a coated amount of the
light-sensitive layer of 1.8 g/m
2 (weighed after drying).
(b) Plate finisher
Gum solution I
[0056]

[0057] After the starches were dissolved in hot water at 80
° C and cooled, the other components were added and dissolved with stirring to prepare
a plate finisher.
Gum solution II
[0058] The same as Gum solution I except that benzyl alcohol was not added.
Gum solution III
Aqueous solution A
[0059]

[0060] In the same manner as in the preparation of Gum solution I, Solution A was prepared.
Solution B was gradually added to Solution A with vigorous agitation to obtain an
emulsion which was further emulsified with a homogenizer to prepare a plate finisher.
Gum solution IV
[0061] The same as Gum solution III except that Gum solution I was substituted for Solution
A.
(c) Test
[0062] The PS plate prepared in step (a) was exposed to light through a negative transparency
having halftone dot image. The exposed plate was processed in an automatic processor
(Model 600 EII manufactured by FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.) having a developing zone
provided with an aqueous developer comprising 3.0 parts by weight of sodium sulfite,
30.0 parts by weight of benzyl alcohol, 20.0 parts by weight of triethanolamine, 5.0
parts by weight of monoethanolamine, 10.0 parts by weight of sodium t-butylnaph- thalenesulfonate
and 1000 parts by weight of pure water, to develop the exposed plates, and a finishing
zone provided with one part by volume of Gum solution I, II, III or IV prepared in
step (b) and one part by volume of tap water, to apply each of the plate finishers
to the developed plates immediately after the development without washing with water.
Lithographic printing plates were thus prepared.
[0063] These printing plates were previously allowed to stand for 3 days in a thermo-humidistat
at a temperature of 45
° C and a relative humidity (RH) of 85% or for 10 days at a room temperature. Each of
the plates was set on a printing press Heidelberg SOR-M and printing operation was
conducted without removing the gum in an usual manner using dampening water containing
10 % isopropyl alcohol. The number of spoiled printed matters before acceptable clear
printed matters were obtained, background contamination and stability of the gum solutions
were determined. The stability of the gum solutions was evaluated by storing the solutions
under ambient conditions and observing the phase separation of the solutions. The
results are shown in Table 1.

[0064] Comparative Example b used a conventional emulsion type gum solution III wherein
a large amount of gum arabic was used. Comparative Example c used Gum solution IV
wherein the amount of gum arabic was reduced and a large amount of a conventional
water-soluble resin was used. Comparing with Comparative Example b, Comparative Example
c was small in the number of spoiled printed matters but produced contamination in
non-image areas during printing and was so unstable that the solution was separated
into a water phase and an oil phase in a few days. Comparative Example a wherein the
oil phase was removed was low in background contamination during printing and high
in solution stability but produced many spoiled printed matters.
[0065] In contrast, Example 1 of the present invention wherein benzyl alcohol was added
was smaller in the number of spoiled printed matters than the conventional emulsion
type gum solution (Comparative Example b) and was low in background contamination
during printing and high in solution stability. Further, the gum solution of Example
1 was prepared more easily using more inexpensive equipment than the emulsion type
gum solutions of Comparative Examples b and c.
Example 2
(d) Lithographic printing plate
[0066] A light-sensitive solution was prepared by dissolving, in 40 parts by weight of methyl
cellosolve, 1 part by weight of naphthoquinone-1,2-diazide-5-sulfonic acid ester of
polyhydroxyphenyl obtained by polycondensing acetone and pyrogallol as disclosed in
J.P. KOKOKU No. Sho 43-28403 and 2 parts by weight of novolak type cresol-formaldehyde
resin.
[0067] A grained aluminum plate having a thickness of 0.2 mm was sufficiently washed and
then dried. The foregoing light-sensitive solution was applied to the surface of the
aluminum plate with a whirler and then dried to thus obtain a positive working PS
plate having a light-sensitive layer in an amount of about 0.2 g
/m2.
(e) Test
[0068] The PS plate prepared in step (d) was exposed to light through a positive transparency
having halftone dot iamage, developed with 3% aqueous solution of sodium silicate,
washed with water and dried.
[0069] The exposed plate was processed in an automatic processor (Model 800 EB manufactured
by FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.) having a developing zone provided with 3 % aqueous sodium
silicate solution, to develop the exposed plates, and a finishing zone provided with
one part by volume of Gum solution I, II, III or IV prepared in step (b) and one part
by volume of tap water, to apply each of the plate finishers to the developed plates
immediately after the development without washing with water. Lithographic printing
plates were thus prepared.
[0070] These printing plates were previously allowed to stand for 3 days in a thermo-humidistat
at a temperature of 45
° C and a relative humidity (RH) of 85% or for 10 days at a room temperature. Each of
the plates was set on a printing press Heidelberg SOR-M and printing operation was
conducted without removing the gum in an usual manner using dampening water containing
10 % isopropyl alcohol. The results are shown in Table 2.

Table 2 shows that Example 2 gave good results like Example 1.
Example 3, 4 and 5
[0071] The same procedures as in Examples 1 and 2 were repeated except that benzyl alcohol
in Gum solution I was replaced by ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, propylpropylene
diglycol or n-amyl alcohol. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0072] In all Examples, the number of spoiled printed matters was much smaller than Comparative
Examples a and d and no background contamination was observed during printing.
[0073] The plate finisher is excellent in the desensitizing ability and does not deteriorate
the ink receptivity of image areas. Therefore, the lithographic printing plate prepared
by the process of this invention has good ink receptivity from the beginning of the
printing operation. Moreover, the plate finisher is excellent in stability over time
and can be prepared easily with an inexpensive equipment.
1. A process of preparing a lithographic plate which comprises the steps of, in order,
image wise exposing to light a presensitized plate comprising an aluminium support
having a lithographically suitable light-sensitive layer, developing the plate with
an aqueous alkaline solution to remove either light-exposed or light-unexposed area
of the light-sensitive layer thereby obtaining a lithographic plate consisting of
an oleophilic image area and a hydrophilic non-image area and applying to the plate
a lithographic plate finisher comprising, in uniform solution, at least one water
soluble resin, an organic solvent whose solubility in water at 20 ° C is not more than 5% by weight, and water.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein the solvent whose solubility in water at 20 ° C is not more than 5 % by weight is selected from the group consisting of benzyl alcohol,
ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, ethylene glycol benzyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl
ether, hexyl glycol, hexyl diglycol, propyl propylene diglycol, methyl phenyl carbitol,
diethylene glycol dibutyl ether, n-amyl alcohol, methyl amyl alcohol, isophorone,
methyl cyclohexanone and acetophenone.
3. The process of claim 1 wherein the solvent is benzyl alcohol.
4. The process of claim 1 wherein the amount of the solvent used is 0.1 to 10 % by
weight based on the total weight of the plate finisher.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein the amount of the solvent used is 0.5 to 5 % by
weight based on the total weight of the plate finisher.
6. The process of claim 1 wherein said water-soluble resin is selected from the group
consisting of starches derived from sweet potato, tapioca, wheat, corn and waxy corn;
those derived from carrageenan, laminaran, sea weed mannan, funori (a glue plant),
Irish moss, agar and sodium alginate; mucilage derived from tororo-aoi mucin, mannan,
quince seed mucin, pectin, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, xanthine gum, guar bean gum,
locust bean gum, gum arabic, carob gum and benzoiun gum; dextran, glucan, levan, succinoglucan
and xanthane gum; glue, gelatin, casein and collage; propylene glycol alginate, viscose,
methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, methyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose,
carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and
hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate; processed starches, enzyme-modified dextrin,
acid-treated starch, oxidized, gelatinized starch, esterified, fatty acid starch,
sulfuric acid starch, nitric acid starch, xanthogenic acid starch, carbamic acid starch
and succinic acid starch, etherified starch, crosslinked, and starch graft copolymer;
polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, poly(meth)acrylic acid derivatives;
polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl
acetate copolymer, carboxy vinylpolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer and styrene-crotonic
acid copolymer and is contained in an amount of 5 to 40 % based on the total weight
of the plate finisher.
7. The process of claim 1 wherein said water-soluble resin comprises gum arabic in
an amount of 1 to 20 % by weight based on the total weight of the water-soluble resin.
8. The process of claim 1 wherein the plate finisher further comprises at least one
wetting agent selected from the group consisting of glycerin, ethylene glycol and
triethylene glycol in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 % by weight based on the total
weight of the plate finisher.
9. The process of claim 1 wherein the plate finisher further comprises at least one
surfactant selected from the group consisting of fatty acid salts, alkylbenzene sulfonic
acid salts, straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonic acid salts, alkyl sulfonic acid salts,
a - olefin sulfonic acid salts, alkyl phosphoric acid ester salts, dialkyl sulfo succinic
acid ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfonic acid slats, polyoxyethylene
alkyl ether phophoric acid salts, alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acid salts, N-lauroyl
sarcosine salts, sulfonic acid salts of condensates of naphthalene and formaldehyde,
diphenylether disulfonic acid salts; polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene
alkyl phenol ethers, polyoxyethylene-polyoxyproplene block copolymers, polyoxyethylene
sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid ester, polyethylene
glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amines, fatty acid monoglycerides,
sorbitan fatty acid ester, pentaerythritol fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters,
amine oxides; alkylocarboxyl betaines, alkylamino carboxylic acids, alkylimidazolines;
tetraalkyl ammonium salts, trialkyl benzyl ammonium salts, alkyl imidazolinium salts;
fluorine atom containing surfactants and silicon atom containing surfactants in an
amount of 0.01 to 10% by weight based on th total weight of the plate finisher.
10. The process of claim 1 wherein the plate finisher further comprises at least one
pH adjusting agent and has pH of 2 to 6.
11. The process of claim 1 wherein the plate finisher further comprises at least one
preservative selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, derivatives thereof,
phenol, formalin, sodium dehydroacetate and 3-isothiazolones in an amount ranging
from 0.005 to 2.0 % by weight of the plate finisher.
12. The process of claim 1 wherein the plate finisher further comprises at least one
selected from the group consisting of anti-foaming agents, chelating agents and colouring
agents.
13. The process of claim 1 wherein said light-sensitive layer comprises a light-sensitive
diazo rein and a polymeric binder.
1. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer lithographischen Platte, das in der genannten Reihenfolge
die folgenden Stufen umfaßt:
bildmäßiges Belichten einer vorsensibilisierten Platte mit einem Aluminium-Träger
und einer darauf aufgebrachten lithographisch geeigneten lichtempfindlichen Schicht
mit Licht,
Entwickeln der Platte mit einer wäßrigen alkalischen Lösung zur Entfernung entweder
des belichteten Bereichs oder des nicht-belichteten Bereichs der lichtempfindlichen
Schicht unter Bildung einer lithographische Platte, die besteht aus einem oleophilen
Bildbereich und einem hydrophilen Nicht-Bildbereich, und
Aufbringen eines lithographischen platten-Finishers auf die Platte, der in Form einer
einheitlichen Lösung enthält mindestens ein wasserlösliches Harz, ein organisches
Lösungsmittel, dessen Löslichkeit in Wasser bei 20 ° C nicht mehr als 5 Gew.-% beträgt, und Wasser.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin das Lösungsmittel, dessen Löslichkeit in Wasser
bei 20 ° C nicht mehr als 5 Gew.-% beträgt, ausgewählt wird aus der Gruppe, die besteht aus
Benzylalkohol, Ethylenglycoldibutyläther, Ethylenglycolbenzyläther, Ethylenglycolmonophenyläther,
Hexylglycol, Hexyldiglycol, Propylpropylendiglycol, Methylphenylcarbitol, Diethylenglycoldibutyläther,
n-Amylalkohol, Methylamylalkohol, Isophoron, Methylcyclohexanon und Acetophenon.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin das Lösungsmittel Benzylalkohol ist.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin die verwendete Menge des Lösungsmittels 0,1 bis
10 Gew.-%, bezogen auf das Gesamtgewicht des Platten-Finisher, beträgt.
5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin die verwendete Menge des Lösungsmittels 0,5 bis
5 Gew.-%, bezogen auf das Gesamtgewicht des Platten-Finishers, beträgt.
6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin das wasserlösliche Harz ausgewählt wird aus der
Gruppe, die besteht aus Stärken, die stammen aus süßer Kartoffel, Tapioka, Weizen,
Mais und wachsartiger Stärke; solchen, die stammen aus Carrageenan, Laminaran, Seegrasmannan,
Funori (einer Leim-Pflanze), Irisch Moos, Agar und Natriumalginat; Muzilago, das stammt
aus Tororo-aoi-Mucin, Mannan, Quittensamen-Mucin, Pectin, Traganthgummi, Karaya-Gummi,
Xanthingummi, Guarbohnengummi, Johannisbrotgummi, Gummiarabicum, Carobagummi und Benzoiungummi;
Dextran, Glucan, Levan, Succinoglucan und Xanthangummi); Leim, Gelatine, Casein und
Collagen; Propylenglycolalginat, Viscose, Methylcellulose, Ethylcellulose, Methylethylcellulose,
Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carboxymethylcellulose, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose
und Hydroxypropylmethylcellulosephthalat; behandelten Stärken, Enzym-modifiziertem
Dextrin, säurebehandelter Stärke, oxidierte, gelatinierte Stärke, veresterte Fettsäure-Stärke,
Schwefelsäure-Stärke, Salpetersäure-Stärke, Xanthogensäure-Stärke, Carbamidsäure-Stärke
und Bernsteinsäure-Stärke, verätherte Stärke, vernetzte Stärke und Stärke-Pfropf-Copolymere;
Polyvinylalkohol, modifizierter Polyvinylalkohol, Poly(meth)acrylsäurederivate; Polyethylenglycol,
Polyethylenoxid, Polyvinylpyrrolidon, Polyvinylpyrrolidon-Vinylacetat-Copolymer, Carboxyvinylpolymer,
Styrol-Maleinsäure-Copolymer und Styrol-Crotonsäure-Copolymer, und in einer Menge
von 5 bis 40 Gew.- %, bezogen auf das Gesamtgewicht des Platten-Finishers, darin enthalten
ist.
7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin das wasserlösliche Harz Gummiarabicum in einer
Menge von 1 bis 20 Gew.-%, bezogen auf das Gesamtgewicht des wasserlöslichen Harzes,
enthält.
8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin der Platten-Finisher außerdem mindestens ein Netzmittel,
ausgewählt aus der Gruppe, die besteht aus Glycerin, Ethylenglycol und Triethylenglycol,
in einer Menge in dem Bereich von 0,1 bis 5,0 Gew.-%, bezogen auf das Gesamtgewicht
des Platten-Finishers, enthält.
9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin der Platten-Finisher außerdem mindestens ein oberflächenaktives
Agens, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe, die besteht aus Fettsäuresalzen, Alkylbenzolsulfonsäuresalzen,
geradkettigen Alkylbenzolsulfonsäuresalzen, Alkylsulfonsäuresalzen, a-Olefinsulfonsäuresalzen,
Alkylphosphorsäureestersalzen, Dialkylsulfobernsteinsäureestersalzen, Polyoxyethylenalkyläthersulfonsäuresalzen,
Polyoxyethylenalkylätherphosphorsäuresalzen, Alkylnaphthalinsulfonsäuresalzen, N-Lauroylsarcosinsalzen,
Sulfonsäuresalzen von Kondensaten von Naphthalin und Formaldehyd, Diphenylätherdisulfonsäuresalzen;
Polyoxyethylenalkyläthern, Polyoxyethylenalkylphenoläthern, Polyoxyethylen-Polyoxypropylen-Block-Copolymeren,
Polyoxyethylensorbitanfettsäureestern, Polyoxyethylenglycerinfettsäureestern, Polyethylenglycolfettsäureestern,
Polyoxyethylenfettsäureaminen, Fettsäuremonoglyceriden, Sorbitanfettsäureestern, Pentaerythritfettsäureestern,
Saccharosefettsäureester, Aminoxiden; Alkylcarboxylbetainen, Alkylaminocarbonsäuren,
Alkylimidazolinen; Tetraalkylammoniumsalzen, Trialkylbenzylammoniumsalzen, Alkylimidazoliniumsalzen;
ein Fluoratom enthaltenden oberflächenaktiven Agentien und ein Siliciumatom enthaltenden
oberflächenaktiven Agentien, in einer Menge von 0,01 bis 10 Gew.- %, bezogen auf das
Gesamtgewicht des Platten-Finisher, enthält.
10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin der Platten-Finisher außerdem mindestens ein
pH-Wert-Einstellungsmittel enthält und einen pH-wert von 2 bis 6 hat.
11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin der Platten-Finisher außerdem mindestens ein
Konservierungsmittel, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe, die besteht aus Benzoesäure, Derivaten
davon, Phenol, Formalin, Natriumdehydroacetat und 3-Isothiazolonen, in einer Menge
in dem Bereich von 0,005 bis 2,0 Gew.-% des Platten-Finishers, enthält.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin der Platten-Finisher außerdem mindestens einen
Vertreter aus der Gruppe der Antischaumbildner, der Chelatbildner und der Färbemittel
enthält.
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, worin die lichtempfindliche Schicht ein lichtempfindliches
Diazoharz und ein polymeres Bindemittel enthält.
1. Procédé de préparation de plaque lithographique comportant les phases dans l'ordre,
d'exposition à la lumière en image d'une plaque présensibilisée comportant un support
en aluminium ayant un revêtement lithographique approprié sensible à la lumière, le
développement de la plaque en solution alcaline aqueuse pour éliminer les zones de
revêtement sensible à la lumière soit exposées soit non-exposées à la lumière obtenant
ainsi une plaque lithographique qui consiste d'une zone oléophile d'image et d'une
zone hydrophile sans image et l'application à la plaque d'un produit finisseur de
plaque lithographique, comportant une solution uniforme d'un mininum d'une résine
soluble à l'eau, d'un solvant organique dont la solubilité aqueuse à 20 ° C est de 5% par poids au maximum, et d'eau.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dont le solvant soluble dans l'eau à 20 ° C est de 5% par poids au maximum est sélectionné à partir du groupe comportant l'alcool
benzyle, l'éther dibutyle glycol éthylène, l'éther benzyle glycol éthylène, l'éther
monophényle glycol éthylène, le glycol hexyle, le diglycol hexyle, le diglycol propylène
propyle, le carbitol phényle méthyle, l'éther dibutyle glycol diethylène, l'alcool
n-amyle, l'alcool amyle méthyle, l'isophorone, le cyclohexanone méthyle et l'acéto-
phénone.
3. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 dont le solvant est l'alcool benzyle.
4. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 dont le volume de solvant utilisé est de 0,1
à 10% par poids basé sur le poids global du finisseur de plaque.
5. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 dont le volume de solvant utilisé est de 0,5
à 5% par poids basé sur le poids global du finisseur de plaque.
6. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 suivant laquelle la résine soluble à l'eau
est sélectionnée à partir du groupe consistant d'amidons tels que les dérivés de patate
douce, tapioca, blé, maïs et maïs farineux; les dérivés tels que de carraeegenan,
laminaran, mannan d'algue marine, funori (plante à colle forte), mousse perlée, d'agar
et d'alginate de sodium; les mucilages tels que dérivés de tororo-aoi mucine, mannan,
mucine de graine de coing, pectine, gommes tragacanthe, karaya, xanthine, de fève
de guar, de caroube, arabique, et benzoïne; gommes dextrane, glucane, levane, succinoglucane
et xanthane; glu, gélatine, caséine et collage; alginate propylène glycol, viscose,
méthyle cellulose, éthyle cellulose, méthyle éthyle cellulose, hydroxyéthyle cellulose,
carboxyméthyle cellulose, hydroxypropyle cellulose, hydroxypropyle méthyle cellulose
et hydroxypropyle méthyle phthalate cellulose; amidons traités, dextrine d'enzyme
modifié, amidon: traité à l'acide, oxydisé, gélatinisé, estérifié, amidon d'acide
gras, d'acide sulfurique, d'acide nitrique, d'acide xanthogénique, d'acide carbamique
et d'acide succinique, d'amidon estérifié, réticulé, et l'amidon greffé copolymère;
l'alcool polyvinyle, l'alcool polyvinyle modifié, les dérivés d'acides poly(méth)acryliques;
le glycol polyéthylène, l'oxyde polyéthylène, le pyrrolidone polyvinyle, le copolymère
d'acétate de polyvinyle pyrrolidone vinyle, le polymère vinyle carboxyle, le copolymère
d'acide maléique styrène et le copolymère d'acide crotonique styrène à raison de 4
à 40% par rapport au poids de finisseur de plaque.
7. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 suivant laquelle la résine soluble à l'eau
comporte la gomme arabique à raison de 1 à 20% par poids selon le poids global de
résine soluble à l'eau.
8. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 suivant laquelle le finisseur de plaque comporte
au minimum un agent mouillant sélectionné à partir du groupe comportant la glycérine,
le glycol éthylène et le glycol triéthylène à raison de 0,1 à 5,0% par poids basé
sur le poids total de finisseur de plaque.
9. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 suivant laquelle le finisseur de plaque comporte
au minimum un agent tensio-actif sélectionné à partir du groupe de sels d'acide gras,
sels d'acide sulfonique alcoyle benzène, sel d'acide sulfonique alcoyle benzène en
chaîne rectiligne, sels d'acide sulfonique alcoyle, sels d'acide sulfonique a-oléfine,
sels ester d'acide phosphorique alcoyle, sels ester d'acide succinique sulfo dialcoyle,
sels d'acide sulfonique éther polyoxyéthylène alcoyle, sels d'acide phosphorique éther
polyoxyéthylène alcoyle, sels d'acide sulfonique napththaline alcoyle, sels de sarcosine
N-lauroyle, sels d'acide sulfonique de condensats de napththaline et formal, sels
d'acides sulfoniques diphényle éther; éthers polyoxyéthylène alcoyle, éthers polyoxyéthylène
phénol alcoyle, copolymères blocs polyoxyéthylène-polyoxypropylène esters d'acide
gras sorbitane polyoxyéthylène esters d'acide gras glycérine polyoxyéthylène, esters
d'acide gras glycol polyéthylène, amines d'acide gras polyoxyéthylène, mono- glycérides
d'acide gras, ester d'acide gras sorbitane, esters d'acide gras pentaerythritol, esters
d'acide gras de sucrose, oxydes d'amine; bétaïnes carboxyle alcoyle, acides carboxyliques
amino alcoyle, imidazolines alcoyle; sels d'ammonium tétra-alcoyle, sels d'ammonium
benzyle tri-alcoyle, sels imidazolinium alcoyle; atome de fluorure contenant tensio-actifs
et atome de silicium contenant des tensio-actifs à raison de 0,01 à 10% par poids
basé sur le poids global du finisseur de plaque.
10. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 suivant laquelle le finisseur de plaque comporte
en outre au minimum un agent d'ajustage de pH et comporte un pH entre 2 et 6.
11. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 suivant laquelle le finisseur de plaque comporte
au minimum un agent préservateur sélectionné à partir du groupe formé d'acide benzoïque,
ses dérivés, phénol, formaline, dehydroacétate de sodium et des 3-isothiazolones à
raison de 0,005 à 2,0% par poids de finisseur de plaque.
12. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 suivant laquelle le finisseur de plaque comporte
au minimum un poste sélectionné à partir du groupe formé d'anti-moussants, d'agents
chélatants et d'agents colorants.
13. Le procédé selon la revendication 1 suivant laquelle le revêtement sensible à
la lumière comporte un contrôle diazo sensible à la lumière et un agglomérant polymérique.