Patent ID: 7524615

Claim:
A method of processing a lithographic printing plate comprising in order: (a) providing a lithographic printing plate comprising (i) a hydrophilic substrate, (ii) an oleophilic photosensitive layer comprising an alkaline soluble polymeric binder, a monomer having at least 3 (meth)acrylate groups, a free radical initiator, and an sensitizing dye, and (iii) a water soluble or dispersible overcoat; wherein the weight ratio of all the monomers having at least 3 (meth)acrylate groups to all the alkaline soluble polymeric binders is from 1.5 to 6.0; (b) exposing said plate with a laser having a wavelength of from 250 to 430 nm at a dosage of less than 300 μJ/cm 2 according to digital imaging information to cause hardening of the photosensitive layer in the exposed areas; and (c) heating said plate to an elevated temperature of 50 to 200° C. for 1 to 600 seconds; and (d) developing said plate with an aqueous alkaline developer having a pH of from 10.0 to 13.5 to remove the non-exposed areas of the photosensitive layer.