Importance

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Abstract

A specially coated paper which has been prepared for imaging in an electrophotographic reproduction process, and a method for developing an image produced on this paper so that it may be used as a lithographic printing plate. The base material is polyester and is coated with either a thermoplastic or cross-linking resin or mixture of resins. The layer which is used for coating the polyester is loaded with zinc oxide. Once the printing plate has been prepared, it is then imaged in a photocopier or laser printer using the indirect electrophotographic process. Background dots can then be eliminated by application of a specific mixture to the printing plate before printing. The mixture preferably consists of an emulsion with an external hydrophilic phase, and an internal lipophylic/solvent phase held together by a surfactant or mixture of surfactants. Optionally, the external phase may also contain an aqueous solution of ferrocyanide or tannic acid or any other known conversion agent so that it may be applied to the plate without the need for previously etching it with the conventional electrostatic conversion etch. The plates may be imaged in laser printers, so that printing plates may be obtained directly from both digital and analog information on equipment that need not be dedicated to such use, which is already owned by potential users.

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First Claim