On-press development of lithographic plate utilizing plate holder for exposed plate

A method of processing a lithographic printing plate, comprising in order:

• (a) providing a lithographic plate comprising (i) a substrate and (ii) a photosensitive layer;
• said photosensitive layer being capable of hardening (for negative plate) or solubilization (for positive plate) upon exposure to a laser having a wavelength selected from 200 to 1200 nm, and the non-hardened or solubilized areas of said photosensitive layer being soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution;
• (b) imagewise exposing said plate with said laser on an imager to cause hardening or solubilization of said photosensitive layer in the exposed areas;
• and automatically sliding said exposed plate from said imager into a light-tight box of a plate holder through a light-tight slot on said box, wherein said light-tight slot allows said plate to slide into or out of said box without letting light into said box, and said plate holder is connected to said laser imager during said laser exposure;
• (c) detaching said plate holder from said imager, and transporting said plate holder to the proximity of a lithographic press;
• (d) engaging said plate holder with the press, and sliding said exposed plate out of said box of said plate holder to mount onto the plate cylinder of the press;
• and
• (e) developing said plate with ink and/or fountain solution on said press to remove the non-hardened or solubilized areas of said photosensitive layer.

A method of processing a lithographic printing plate, comprising in order:

• (a) providing a lithographic printing plate comprising (i) a substrate;
• and (ii) a photosensitive layer soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution and capable of hardening upon exposure to a laser having a wavelength selected from 200 to 1200 nm;
• (b) imagewise exposing said plate with said laser on a laser imager to cause hardening of the photosensitive layer in the exposed areas;
• (c) placing said exposed plate in a plate holder;
• (d) transferring said plate from said plate holder to mount onto the plate cylinder of a lithographic press;
• and
• (e) developing said plate with ink and/or fountain solution on said lithographic press to remove the non-hardened areas of the photosensitive layer.