Method for preparing negative-working wash-off relief images and non-photosensitive elements for use therein

Abstract

A method for preparing high resolution, negative-working, wash-off relief images, preferably using ink jet printing, comprising the sequential steps of: (a) providing a non-photosensitive layer comprising an acid-containing polymer; (b) applying an ink imagewise to the non-photosensitive layer to produce image areas and unimaged areas, said ink comprising an esterification agent which is capable of reacting with the acid groups in the polymer to form water-insoluble ester groups; (c) drying the non-photosensitive layer to induce or accelerate the esterification reaction between the acid groups and the esterification agent in the imaged areas; and (d) washing the non-photosensitive layer with an aqueous developer solution to remove the unimaged areas of the non-photosensitive layer is described.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.