Provided is a lithographic printing plate precursor having a support and an image-recording layer on the support, in which the image-recording layer has an infrared absorber, a polymerization initiator, a polymerizable compound 1, a polymerizable compound 2, and a polymerizable compound 3, in which a molecular weight of the polymerizable compound 1 is less than 1,000, a weight-average molecular weight of the polymerizable compound 2 is 1,000 or more and 3,000 or less, and a weight-average molecular weight of the polymerizable compound 3 is more than 3,000 and 15,000 or less.

Provided herein is a topcoat composition comprising at least one fluorosilicone, a hydride-functional crosslinking agent, an infrared-absorbing filler, and at least one dispersant that is non-reactive with the hydride-functional crosslinking agent, by weight based on a total weight of the topcoat composition, wherein the topcoat composition has a degree of crosslinking between about 10 micrograms/hour/milligrams to about 20 micrograms/hour/milligrams. Further provided herein are methods of making the topcoat composition, as well as an imaging blanket and methods of reducing coating defects on a media coated using the imaging member.

Provided herein is a topcoat composition comprising at least one fluorosilicone, a hydride-functional crosslinking agent, an infrared-absorbing filler, and at least one dispersant that is non-reactive with the hydride-functional crosslinking agent, by weight based on a total weight of the topcoat composition, wherein the topcoat composition has a degree of crosslinking between about 10 micrograms/hour/milligrams to about 20 micrograms/hour/milligrams. Further provided herein are methods of making the topcoat composition, as well as an imaging blanket and methods of reducing coating defects on a media coated using the imaging member.

A heating circuit having an array of switching heating elements (e.g., field effect transistors, thin film transistors) provides a transient heat pattern over a surface (e.g., substrate, imaging member surface, transfer roll surface) moving relative to the heating circuit, to produce a pixelated heat image and heat a target pattern on the surface. Heat is generated by current flow in the heating elements, and the power developed by the heating circuit is the product of source-drain voltage and current in the channel. Digital addressing may accomplished by matrix addressing the array. Current may be supplied along data address lines by an external voltage controlled by digital electronics understood by a skilled artisan to provide the desired heat at a respective heating element pixels addressed by a specific gate line. The circuit may include a current return line that may be low resistance, for example, by using a 2-dimensional mesh.

Ink-based digital printing systems useful for ink printing include a rotatable charge-retentive reimageable surface layer configured to receive a layer of fountain solution. The fountain solution is carried to the charge retentive surface by a fog or mist including fountain solution aerosol particles, dispersed gas particles, and charge directors that impart charge to the fountain solution aerosol particles. The charge-retentive reimageable surface may be charged to a uniform potential, and selectively discharged using an ROS according to image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The charged fountain solution adheres to portions of the charge-retentive reimageable surface according to the electrostatic latent image to form a fountain solution image thereon. The fountain solution image can be partially transferred to an imaging blanket, where the fountain solution image is inked. The resulting ink image may be transferred to a print substrate.

Ink-based digital printing systems useful for ink printing include a rotatable charge-retentive reimageable surface layer configured to receive a layer of fountain solution. The fountain solution is carried to the charge retentive surface by a fog or mist including fountain solution aerosol particles, dispersed gas particles, and charge directors that impart charge to the fountain solution aerosol particles. The charge-retentive reimageable surface may be charged to a uniform potential, and selectively discharged using an ROS according to image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The charged fountain solution adheres to portions of the charge-retentive reimageable surface according to the electrostatic latent image to form a fountain solution image thereon. The fountain solution image can be partially transferred to an imaging blanket, where the fountain solution image is inked. The resulting ink image may be transferred to a print substrate.

According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of determining the amount of fountain solution employed in a digital offset lithography printing system. Fountain solution thickness is determined from diagnostic images that are printed and analyzed using the existing Image Based Controls (IBC). An analysis of the density of solids, halftones, and background as a function of the fountain solution control parameter is performed to decide on the appropriate level of fountain solution. A latitude window of control parameters is then derived for which the digital offset lithography printing system in operation minimizes the undesirable effects of too much or too little fountain solution.

According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of determining the amount of fountain solution employed in a digital offset lithography printing system. Fountain solution thickness is determined from diagnostic images that are printed and analyzed using the existing Image Based Controls (IBC). An analysis of the density of solids, halftones, and background as a function of the fountain solution control parameter is performed to decide on the appropriate level of fountain solution. A latitude window of control parameters is then derived for which the digital offset lithography printing system in operation minimizes the undesirable effects of too much or too little fountain solution.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of indirect printing with an aqueous ink. In some embodiments, an intermediate transfer member (ITM) comprising a silicone-based release layer surface is employed. For example, the release layer surface satisfies at least one of the following properties: (i) a receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the silicone-based release layer surface is at most 60°; and (ii) a 10-second dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the silicone-based release layer surface is at most 108°. Related apparatus, systems and treatment formulations are disclosed herein.

An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket. Optionally, the decorator may include two or more support elements.