Eastman Kodak Company
LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE PRECURSOR AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract:

IR-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursors provide a high contrast and stable printout image using an IR radiation-sensitive composition. This composition includes: a free radically polymerizable component, an IR absorber, an initiator composition, color-forming compound(s) such as a specific leuco dye, and compound(s) represented by the following Structure (P): ##STR00001## wherein X is --O--, --S--, --NH--, or --CH.sub.2--, Y is >N-- or >CH--, R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an alkyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently halo, thioalkyl, thiophenyl, alkoxy, phenoxy, alkyl, phenyl, thioacetyl, or acetyl, and m and n are independently 0 or an integer of 1 to 4. The printout image exhibits a color contrast between the exposed and non-exposed regions of a .DELTA.E greater than 8. A .DELTA.E of at least 5 is maintained between the exposed and the non-exposed regions with exposure to white light for at least one hour. These precursors, when IR-exposed, can be developed on-press.