| abstract |
A printing process employing a processless printing plate material is disclosed, the process comprising the steps of (a) imagewise exposing a printing plate material comprising a support with a hydrophilic surface and an image formation layer provided on the hydrophilic surface, (b) mounting the exposed printing plate material on a plate cylinder of a printing press, (c) supplying a dampening solution and printing ink to the mounted printing plate material, whereby the image formation layer at non-image portions is removed to obtain a printing plate, and (d) further supplying the dampening solution and printing ink to the resulting printing plate, wherein the dampening solution contains water, a wetting property improving agent and a phosphorous compound in an amount of not more than 0.01 mol/liter, the dampening solution having a pH of from 4.5 to 8.0. |