Lithographic imaging with constructions having inorganic oleophilic layers

A method of imaging a lithographic printing member, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a printing member having a printing surface and including first and second inorganic layers and an inorganic support under the first and second layers, the first layer, but not the second layer, being formed of a material subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation, the first and second layers differing in affinity for at least one of ink and a liquid to which ink will not adhere, the second layer being a hydrophilic metal oxide comprising indium tin oxide;
• b. selectively exposing, in a pattern representing an image, the printing surface to laser radiation so as to ablate the first layer but not the second layer;
• and
• c. removing remnants of the first layer where the printing member received radiation.

A lithographic printing member comprising:

• a. an inorganic first layer;
• b. an inorganic second layer underlying the first layer;
• and
• c. an inorganic support under the first and second layers;
• wherein
• d. the first layer, but not the second layer, is formed of a material subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation;
• e. the first and second layers differ in affinity for at least one of ink and a liquid to which ink will not adhere;
• and
• f. the inorganic support comprises a metal, the second layer providing thermal insulation between the ablatable first layer and the inorganic support.

A lithographic printing member comprising:

• a. an inorganic first layer;
• b. an inorganic second layer underlying the first layer;
• and
• c. an inorganic support under the first and second layers;
• wherein
• d. the first layer, but not the second layer, is formed of a material subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation;
• e. the first and second layers differ in affinity for at least one of ink and a liquid to which ink will not adhere;
• and
• f. the first layer comprises a doped compound of at least one metal with at least one non-metal, the at least one non-metal being selected from the group consisting of boron, carbon, nitrogen, silicon and oxygen, a dopant being integrated within the compound and imparting oleophilicity thereto.

A lithographic printing member comprising:

• a. an inorganic first layer;
• b. an inorganic second layer underlying the first layer;
• and
• c. an inorganic support under the first and second layers;
• wherein
• d. the first layer, but not the second layer, is formed of a material subject to ablative absorption of imaging radiation;
• and
• e. the first and second layers differ in affinity for at least one of ink and a liquid to which ink will not adhere, the second layer being a hydrophilic metal oxide comprising indium tin oxide.