A process for making a flexographic printing plate comprising:</claim-text> 1) providing a photosensitive element comprising: at least one photopolymerizable layer on a support comprising an elastomeric binder, at least one monomer, and a initiator, and at least one thermally removable layer disposed above the photopolymerizable layer, the thermally removable layer selected from the group consisting of (a) an actinic radiation opaque layer comprising (i) at least one infrared absorbing material, (ii) a radiation opaque material, wherein (i) and (ii) can be the same or different, and at least one binder having a softening or melting temperature less than 190° C.; (b) a layer of a composition comprising at least one binder and filler, wherein the binder is less than 49% by weight based on the total weight of the binder and filler, and (c) a layer of particulate material having particle size of less than 23 micrometers; 2) imagewise exposing the photopolymerizable layer to actinic radiation forming polymerized portions and unpolymerized portions; and 3) thermally treating the element of step 2) by heating to a temperature sufficient to remove the thermally removable layer and to remove the unpolymerized portions of the photopolymerizable layer and form a relief. view more

The process of claim 1 wherein the thermally removable layer completely covers the photopolymerizable layer.

The process of claim 1 wherein the binder of the thermally removable layer (a) is selected from the group consisting of: polyamides, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate, copolymers of vinyl acetate and vinyl alcohol, copolymers of vinyl acetate and pyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene wax, polyacetal, polybutyral, polyalkylene, polycarbonates, polyester elastomers, cyclic rubber, copolymers of styrene and maleic anhydride, copolymers of styrene and maleic anydride partially esterified with alcohols, and combinations thereof. view more

The process of claim 1 wherein the thermally removable layer is (a).

The process of claim 1 wherein the binder of the thermally removable layers (a) and (b) has a softening or melting temperature between 100° C. and 190° C.

The process of claim 1 further comprising contacting the photosensitive element of step 2) with an absorbent material during the treating step 3).

The process of claim 1 wherein the thermal treating is heating the photosensitive element above about 40° C.

The process of claim 39 wherein the thermal treating is heating the photosensitive element to between 100 and 200° C.

The process of claim 36 wherein the heating of the photosensitive element and the contacting of the element with the absorbant material defines a cycle, and wherein the treating step comprises more than one cycle.

The process of claim 1 wherein the thermally removable layer is present prior to the imagewise exposing step 2).