Heat sensitive imaging element and method for making a printing plate therewith

摘要

The present invention discloses an imaging element comprising on a hydrophilic surface of a lithographic base an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and (ii) a compound capable of converting light to heat, said compound being comprised in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto, characterised in that said image forming layer further comprises a cross-linking agent capable of cross-linking said hydrophilic binder upon heating in a ratio between 1 :100 and 200:1 by weight versus the hydrophilic binder. The present invention further provides a method for making a printing plate therewith. According to this method, the above imaging element is preferably exposed by means of a laser and is subsequently developed with plain water or an aqueous liquid.