Waterless Xerolithographic Printing Masters.

Masters for waterless lithographic printing processes have been generated using standard xerographic toners and heat-curable adhesive silicone elastomers. The simple process steps involve transfer of xerographic toner images to films of either uncured or pseudo-cured silicone gum, final thermal curing and, optionally, removal of toner by solvent. Two distinct plate types, named TATUS (Toner Adhesion To Uncured Silicone) and TIPSI (Toner Induced Porous Sponge Image) were prepared TATUS prints from the raised, fused toner image adhering to the adhesive silicone surface while TIPSI prints from sponge-like regions formed under the toner image during the plate processing and exposed by solvent removal of the toner. Print testing has been successfully done in both the offset and direct modes using each plate type.