Patent ID: 6916596

Claim:
A process for making a photosensitive printing element comprising the steps of: providing a photosensitive element comprising: a) a backing layer; b) at least one layer of a photocurable composition on said backing layer; c) at least one ablation layer which is ablatable by laser radiation, wherein the ablation layer is in direct contact with the at least one photocurable layer and has a surface opposite the photocurable layer capable of being exposed to laser ablation, the ablation layer comprising: i) at least one ultraviolet radiation absorbing material; ii) at least one binder which is selected from the group consisting of polyacetals, polyacrylics, polyamides, polyimides, polybutylenes, polycarbonates, polyesters, polyethylenes, polyphenylene ethers, and polyethylene oxides; wherein the ablation layer is ablatable from the surface of the photocurable layer upon exposure to laser radiation; ablating said ablation layer using a laser, thereby providing ablated and unablated areas forming an image; flood exposing said ablated element to UV light without a negative, thereby curing said photocurable layer in areas under ablated areas of said ablation layer; and developing the exposed printing element.