| abstract |
Seamless, sleeve-shaped dry and wet lithographic printing members that can be recycled after use include a strong, durable, hollow cylinder or sleeve that is attached to the plate mandrel or cylinder jacket of an offset printing press or platemaking apparatus. In one version, the sleeve is surrounded by a photopolymer, which is itself surrounded by a mask coating opaque to radiation that is actinic with respect to the photopolymer. Subsequently, the imaged construction is exposed to actinic radiation, and the unexposed photopolymer, along with the overlying mask, is removed by ordinary chemical means. In another version, a thermally transferable material surrounds a cylinder, and is itself surrounded by a withdrawal layer. Exposure of the thermally transferable layer to laser radiation adheres the transferable layer to the cylinder, and the adhered layer exhibits an affinity for fountain solution and/or ink opposite to that exhibited by the cylinder. The withdrawal layer is then peeled away, leaving exposed portions adhered to the cylinder. |