Method and system for direct-to-press imaging

摘要

A direct-to-press imaging method comprises:(a) applying an imageable coating to a printing cylinder, wherein the imageable coating comprises a composition such as a thermally switchable polymer which changes affinity for a printing fluid upon exposure to imaging radiation such as infrared radiation delivered imagewise via a laser, and the imageable coating is substantially insoluble in the printing fluid;(b) imagewise exposing the imageable coating to actinic radiation to obtain an imaged coating;(c) printing a plurality of copies of an image from the imaged coating; and(d) reapplying the imageable coating as desired by repeating steps (a) through (c) at least once without substantially removing the prior imaged coating before reapplying the imageable coating.