| abstract |
A method of making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of: na) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising n(i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, n(ii) a coating on said support, comprising a photopolymerizable layer, a toplayer and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, n nwherein said photopolymerizable layer comprises a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator and a binder, nb) image-wise exposing said coating in a plate setter, nc) optionally, heating the precursor in a preheating unit, nd) treating the precursor in a gumming station, said gumming station comprises a first and at least a second gumming unit, n nwherein the precursor is washed in the first gumming unit by applying a gum solution to the coating, thereby removing at least part of the toplayer, and nwherein, subsequently, the precursor is developed in the second gumming unit with a gum solution, thereby removing non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support and gumming the plate in a single step. |