Lithographic printing plate precursors are prepared with a unique substrate and one or more radiation-sensitive imageable layers. The substrate is prepared by two separate anodizing processes to provide an inner aluminum oxide layer having an average dry thickness (T.sub.i) of 650-3,000 nm and a multiplicity of inner micropores having an average inner micropore diameter (D.sub.i) of 15 nm. A formed outer aluminum oxide layer comprises a multiplicity of outer micropores having an average outer micropore diameter (D.sub.o) of 15-30 nm; an average dry thickness (T.sub.o) of 130-650 nm; and a micropore density (C.sub.o) of 500-3,000 micropores/m.sup.2. The ratio of D.sub.o to D.sub.i is greater than 1.1:1, and D.sub.o in nanometers and the outer aluminum oxide layer micropore density (C.sub.o) in micropores/m.sup.2, are further defined by the outer aluminum oxide layer porosity (P.sub.o) according to the following equation:

0.3P.sub.o0.8

where P.sub.o is 3.14(C.sub.o)(D.sub.o.sup.2)/4,000,000.

A lithographic printing plate precursor includes, on a support, a layer of graphite oxide capable of switching from a hydrophilic state into a hydrophobic state upon exposure to heat and/or light.

A lithographic printing plate precursor has a support and an image-recording layer on the support. The image-recording layer contains an infrared absorber, a polymer A that has a weight-average molecular weight of more than 15,000 and 150,000 or less, and a polymerizable compound B that has a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 or more and 15,000 or less, and the polymer A is a polymer represented by Formula (I):
A.sup.P-(B.sup.P).sub.nPFormula (I) In Formula (I), A.sup.P represents an nP-valent organic group having a hydrogen bonding group, B.sup.P represents a group having 2 or more Polymerizable groups, nP represents an integer of 2 or more, and weight-average molecular weight of A.sup.P/(molecular weight of B.sup.PnP) is 1 or less.

A lithographic printing plate precursor has a support and an image-recording layer on the support. The image-recording layer contains an infrared absorber, a polymer A that has a weight-average molecular weight of more than 15,000 and 150,000 or less, and a polymerizable compound B that has a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 or more and 15,000 or less, and the polymer A is a polymer represented by Formula (I):
A.sup.P-(B.sup.P).sub.nPFormula (I) In Formula (I), A.sup.P represents an nP-valent organic group having a hydrogen bonding group, B.sup.P represents a group having 2 or more Polymerizable groups, nP represents an integer of 2 or more, and weight-average molecular weight of A.sup.P/(molecular weight of B.sup.PnP) is 1 or less.

A template for imprint lithography can include a body. The body can include a base surface and a recession extending from the base surface. The recession can have steps and a feature. The steps can include a distal step that is farther from the base surface as compared to any other step, each step having a corresponding height. The feature can include the distal step includes a rounded or tapered sidewall; a surface along a deepest part of the recession is non-planar; or the height corresponding to the distal step is different from an average height corresponding to remaining steps. The template can be used in an imprint lithography apparatus. The template can be used in manufacturing articles when patterning different layers at the same time. The template is well suited for forming 3D memory arrays.

A planographic printing plate precursor includes: a support; and an image recording layer on the support, and the image recording layer contains a polymer having any group selected from a sulfonamide group, an amide group, an imide group and a carbonate group in a main chain and having a group represented by the following Formula (1):

XRa.sub.n(1)

wherein X represents a single bond or an oxygen atom, Ra represents an alkylene group having 6 to 40 carbon atoms in a case where X represents a single bond and Ra represents an alkylene group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms in a case where X represents an oxygen atom, and n represents an integer of 1 to 90

A method of manufacturing a patterned stamp for patterning a contoured surface is disclosed. The method comprises providing a pliable stamp layer carrying a pattern of features, forcing the pliable stamp layer onto the contoured surface with said pattern of features facing the contoured surface; applying a fluid support layer over the pliable stamp layer on the contoured surface; solidifying the support layer to form the patterned stamp; and removing the patterned stamp from the contoured surface. A corresponding patterned stamp, imprinting method and imprinted article are also disclosed.

A method of manufacturing a patterned stamp for patterning a contoured surface is disclosed. The method comprises providing a pliable stamp layer carrying a pattern of features, forcing the pliable stamp layer onto the contoured surface with said pattern of features facing the contoured surface; applying a fluid support layer over the pliable stamp layer on the contoured surface; solidifying the support layer to form the patterned stamp; and removing the patterned stamp from the contoured surface. A corresponding patterned stamp, imprinting method and imprinted article are also disclosed.

A method of manufacturing a patterned stamp (100) for patterning a contoured surface (10) is disclosed. The method comprises providing a pliable stamp layer (120) carrying a pattern of features (122), forcing the pliable stamp layer onto the contoured surface with said pattern of features facing the contoured surface; applying a fluid support layer (130) over the pliable stamp layer on the contoured surface; solidifying the support layer (140) to form the patterned stamp; and removing the patterned stamp from the contoured surface. A corresponding patterned stamp, imprinting method and imprinted article are also disclosed.

A method of manufacturing a patterned stamp (100) for patterning a contoured surface (10) is disclosed. The method comprises providing a pliable stamp layer (120) carrying a pattern of features (122), forcing the pliable stamp layer onto the contoured surface with said pattern of features facing the contoured surface; applying a fluid support layer (130) over the pliable stamp layer on the contoured surface; solidifying the support layer (140) to form the patterned stamp; and removing the patterned stamp from the contoured surface. A corresponding patterned stamp, imprinting method and imprinted article are also disclosed.