Patent ID: 7935476

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, a compound having a mercapto group, 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 at least 1.1; (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) developing said exposed plate with an aqueous alkaline developer having a pH of from 9.0 to 13.5 to remove the non-exposed areas of the photosensitive layer.