A lithographic printing plate precursor including a hydrophilized aluminum support, and a water-soluble or water-dispersible negative type image recording layer provided on the aluminum support, in which an arithmetic average height Sa of a surface of an outermost layer on a side where the image recording layer is provided is in a range of 0.3 μm to 20 μm; a method of producing a lithographic printing plate precursor; a lithographic printing plate precursor laminate formed of the lithographic printing plate precursor; a plate-making method for a lithographic printing plate; and a lithographic printing method.

A lithographic printing plate precursor including a hydrophilized aluminum support, and a water-soluble or water-dispersible negative type image recording layer provided on the aluminum support, in which an arithmetic average height Sa of a surface of an outermost layer on a side where the image recording layer is provided is in a range of 0.3 μm to 20 μm; a method of producing a lithographic printing plate precursor; a lithographic printing plate precursor laminate formed of the lithographic printing plate precursor; a plate-making method for a lithographic printing plate; and a lithographic printing method.

A method and apparatus for measurement of density of a photosensitive printing plate (130) having a mask (132) embodying image information corresponding to an image to be printed. A density measurement system includes a first radiation source (112) spaced apart from and adjacent the plate and configured to emit radiation having a first wavelength or range of wavelengths toward the plate. A densitometer (110) spaced apart from and adjacent the plate in a fixed relationship relative to the first radiation source receives and measures an amount of the first radiation transmitted through or reflected by the plate and the mask during relative movement between the plate and the density measurement system. The densitometer readings are processed to provide an output correlating to quality of the mask. The density measurement system may be coupled to an exposure system (120,122,124) for curing the plate.

A method and apparatus for measurement of density of a photosensitive printing plate (130) having a mask (132) embodying image information corresponding to an image to be printed. A density measurement system includes a first radiation source (112) spaced apart from and adjacent the plate and configured to emit radiation having a first wavelength or range of wavelengths toward the plate. A densitometer (110) spaced apart from and adjacent the plate in a fixed relationship relative to the first radiation source receives and measures an amount of the first radiation transmitted through or reflected by the plate and the mask during relative movement between the plate and the density measurement system. The densitometer readings are processed to provide an output correlating to quality of the mask. The density measurement system may be coupled to an exposure system (120,122,124) for curing the plate.

A punching station for arranging one or more penetration elements in or through an edge portion of a relief plate precursor or for arranging one or more perforations in the edge portion. The punching station includes a punching means comprising one or more penetration elements or perforating elements, the punching means configured for arranging the one or more penetration elements or perforating elements through or in an edge portion of the relief plate precursor. An abutment means is aligned with the punching means and configured for forming an abutment for the edge of the relief plate precursor. A detection means is configured to detect at two or more locations along the abutment means whether the edge portion of the relief plate precursor is correctly positioned against the abutment means. A signalling means is configured to communicate a signal in function of the detection by the detection means.

An apparatus for treating a relief plate precursor, such as a printing plate precursor, with a liquid, includes a treatment compartment for treating the relief plate precursor with a liquid, and a transport system for use with one or more transport bars. A transport bar thereof is configured to be coupled to a relief plate precursor. The transport system is configured to move the transport bar with the coupled relief plate precursor through the treatment compartment. The transport bar is provided with a coupling portion configured to couple the transport bar to the transport system. A protection system is configured to guide and evacuate liquid such that the transport system is protected against wetting with the liquid of the treatment compartment.

Some examples include checking the quality of printed products that are consecutively produced by multiple printing presses to have at least three printed patterns spaced apart from one another. The printed patterns are printed using different printing processes, such as a steel engraving process, an offset printing process, and a screen printing process that may be used for printing the three printed patterns of each printed product. A screen printing press is used for the screen printing process, with multiple steel plates being alternately used in the same production operation for the steel engraving process in an intaglio printing press. For at least two of the steel plates involved in carrying out the steel engraving process, a processing unit may selectively ascertain the deviation of the respective value of the relevant distances associated with the printed patterns, which may be instantaneously ascertained from a defined scale.

An apparatus and method of manufacturing a multiplayer image blanket with a platinum catalyzed fluorosilicone topcoat for a variable data lithography printing system. The blanket consists of multiple layers that may be: (A) a commercial carcass having a Sulphur free rubber outer layer, a suitable primer layer for improving the inter-layer adhesion, and the platinum catalyzed fluorosilicone topcoat; or (B) seamless polyimide substrate coated with a platinum cured silicone, a primer layer, and the fluorosilicone topcoat.

An apparatus and method of manufacturing a multiplayer image blanket with a platinum catalyzed fluorosilicone topcoat for a variable data lithography printing system. The blanket consists of multiple layers that may be: (A) a commercial carcass having a Sulphur free rubber outer layer, a suitable primer layer for improving the inter-layer adhesion, and the platinum catalyzed fluorosilicone topcoat; or (B) seamless polyimide substrate coated with a platinum cured silicone, a primer layer, and the fluorosilicone topcoat.

A plate handling system (500, 600) for transporting printing plates between workstations in a process workflow. A plurality of vacuum gripper end effectors (512) configured to grip the printing plates are mounted to a computer-controlled transporter (514) configured to translate in at least three orthogonal directions and to rotate about at least one rotational axis. At least one sensor (560) detects orientation of the plate relative to a staging location and a controller (630) causes the transporter to move based upon programmed instructions in accordance with information provided by the sensor. A mobile preparation table (1000) may be provided in the staging location. A thickness measurement system (1090) may be included in some embodiments.