Lithographic printing press and method for on-press imaging laser sensitive lithographic plate
A lithographic printing press having a plate cylinder in a covered compartment suitable for on-press imaging and developing a laser sensitive plate is described. The plate cylinder as well as certain other press parts is covered by non-transparent and/or safe-light-passing-only covers so that no or only limited amount of unsafe light passes onto the plate mounted on the plate cylinder during on-press imaging and development. The plate comprises on a substrate 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. The plate is on-press exposed with the laser, developed with ink and/or fountain solution, and then directly prints inked images to the receiving sheets.