Method for preparation of printing plate by electrophotographic process

Abstract

A method for preparation of a printing plate by an electrophotographic process comprising providing a peelable transfer layer (T) containing a resin (A) capable of being removed upon a chemical reaction treatment on an electrophotographic light-sensitive element, forming a toner image on the transfer layer by an electrophotographic process, providing an adhesive layer (M) containing a thermoplastic resin (B) only on the toner image, transferring the toner image together with the transfer layer (T) and the adhesive layer (M) from the electrophotographic light-sensitive element to a primary receptor, transferring the toner image together with the transfer layer (T) and the adhesive layer (M) from the primary receptor to a receiving material having a surface capable of providing a hydrophilic surface suitable for lithographic printing at the time of printing, and then removing the transfer layer (T) in the non-image portion on the receiving material by the chemical reaction treatment. According to the method of the present invention, printing plates which produce prints of good image qualities having a lage proportion of image areas can be continuously obtained in a stable manner for a long period of time even when a thickness of the transfer layer is reduced or the transfer is conducted under conditions of low temperature, low pressure and high speed irrespective of the kind of toner employed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.