A method of reducing surface roughness on a surface of a relief image printing element, wherein the relief image printing element comprises at least one layer of photopolymer that has been selectively imagewise exposed to actinic radiation to selectively crosslink and cure portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer, wherein the portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer that are crosslinked and cured form the relief image and the portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer that are not crosslinked and cured are removable in a subsequent development step, the method comprising the steps of: a) thermally developing the relief image printing element to remove the portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer that are not crosslinked and cured by: i) heating the at least one layer of photopolymer to a sufficient temperature to soften uncured portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer; ii) causing contact between the at least one layer of photopolymer and a blotting material, wherein when the blotting material contacts the at least one layer of photopolymer, the softened uncured photopolymer portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer are absorbed into the blotting material; and iii) separating the blotting material from the at least one layer of photopolymer; b) contacting the at least one layer of photopolymer with a smooth material while pressure and heat are applied to the smooth material in forcing it into contact with the at least one layer of photopolymer; and; c) separating the smooth material from the at least one layer of photopolymer; wherein the smooth material comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyethylene, polypropylene and combinations of the foregoing, and wherein the smooth material comprises a release coating thereon. a) thermally developing the relief image printing element to remove the portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer that are not crosslinked and cured by: i) heating the at least one layer of photopolymer to a sufficient temperature to soften uncured portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer; ii) causing contact between the at least one layer of photopolymer and a blotting material, wherein when the blotting material contacts the at least one layer of photopolymer, the softened uncured photopolymer portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer are absorbed into the blotting material; and iii) separating the blotting material from the at least one layer of photopolymer; i) heating the at least one layer of photopolymer to a sufficient temperature to soften uncured portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer; ii) causing contact between the at least one layer of photopolymer and a blotting material, wherein when the blotting material contacts the at least one layer of photopolymer, the softened uncured photopolymer portions of the at least one layer of photopolymer are absorbed into the blotting material; and iii) separating the blotting material from the at least one layer of photopolymer; b) contacting the at least one layer of photopolymer with a smooth material while pressure and heat are applied to the smooth material in forcing it into contact with the at least one layer of photopolymer; and; c) separating the smooth material from the at least one layer of photopolymer;