Heat sensitive printing plate precursors

摘要

The present invention provides a method of preparing a lithographic printing plate, said method comprising: providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising: i) a grained and anodised aluminium substrate where the anodic weight is between 6.0 and 20 g/m<2>, having coated thereon; ii) a metallic layer; and imagewise exposing the precursor on an external drum thermal imaging device. The method provides press ready plates showing high image quality, good press properties and high durability on press without the requirement for the use of costly intermediate film and developer chemistry, and the attendant inconvenience resulting from the use of these materials.