Hydrophilization Agent Layer Suppresses Ink Bleeding on Printing Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Planographic printing plates face issues with edge stain during printing on larger paper sizes, as ink from the end portions of the plate is transferred, leading to contamination and reduced print quality, and existing methods to prevent this, such as using desensitizing solutions, result in bleeding over time.
Innovation Solution
A planographic printing plate precursor with a support layer, an image recording layer containing an infrared absorbing agent and a radical polymerizable compound with a urethane bond and ethylenically unsaturated groups, and a hydrophilization agent layer to prevent ink transfer and bleeding, while maintaining edge stain prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If desensitizing solutions are used to prevent ink transfer to end portions, then edge stain prevention is improved, but bleeding occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic desensitizing solution approach and replaces it with a physical barrier method. A hydrophilization agent layer is applied specifically to the end portions (1 cm width from each end) to create a hydrophilic barrier that prevents ink transfer without causing bleeding. This localized treatment extracts the harmful effect while maintaining the beneficial edge stain prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different regions of the printing plate. The end portions receive a hydrophilization agent layer with specific properties (hydrophilic characteristics) that differ from the rest of the plate surface. This local quality change creates a targeted barrier against ink transfer at the problematic end areas without affecting the overall printing performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional development treatments are used, then image quality is improved, but environmental pollution from waste liquid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful high-alkaline developer into a beneficial neutral or slightly acidic finisher treatment. The development process uses a finisher with pH close to neutral or slightly acidic, eliminating the harmful high-alkaline waste liquid while maintaining effective image formation. This transforms the development process from environmentally harmful to environmentally benign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the critical parameter of developer pH from high-alkaline (conventional) to neutral or slightly acidic (innovative). This parameter change fundamentally alters the environmental impact of the development process while maintaining its functional effectiveness in forming the image on the printing plate.
3Ease of manufacture
If on-press development is used to simplify the process, then development treatment is simplified, but ink transfer to end portions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a hydrophilization agent layer to the end portions before the printing process. This preliminary action creates a pre-formed hydrophilic barrier that prevents ink transfer during printing. The treatment is applied in advance to the specific end portion areas, and the barrier remains effective throughout the printing process, preventing ink migration without requiring complex development procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively suppresses ink transfer and bleeding, maintaining edge stain prevention and improving printing durability, even on larger paper sizes, by using a hydrophilization agent layer and specific radical polymerizable compounds in the image recording layer.
Implementation Method 1
an image recording layer containing an infrared absorbing agent and a radical polymerizable compound with a urethane bond and ethylenically unsaturated groups
Implementation Method 2
a radical polymerization initiator, a radical polymerizable compound
Data Source
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AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a planographic printing plate precursor which suppresses bleeding or transferring of a substance over time while maintaining edge stain preventing performance, a plate-making method of a planographic printing plate, and a printing method using the planographic printing plate. The planographic printing plate precursor includes a support; and an image recording layer formed on the support, in which layer arrangement described in any one of the following i to iv is provided, a hydrophilizatioin agent layer containing a hydrophilization agent is provided in a region in a specific position of the layer arrangement from the end portion of the planographic printing plate precursor to a portion inside the end portion by 1 cm, and the image recording layer includes an infrared absorbing agent and a specific radical polymerizable compound. i: a mode in which the support layer and the image recording layer are provided in this order. ii: a mode in which the support layer, an undercoat, and the image recording layer are provided in this order. iii: a mode in which the support layer, the image recording layer, and a protective layer are provided in this order. iv: a mode in which the support layer, the undercoat, the image recording layer, and the protective layer are provided in this order.