MULTI-LAYER THERMALLY IMAGEABLE ELEMENT

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermosensitive element for making a planographic printing plate having improved sensitivity to an infrared laser imaging apparatus. SOLUTION: A thermally imageable element is prepared which has a hydrophilic substrate; an absorbing layer; and a top layer; the above top layer contains a first polymeric material; the above top layer is ink-receptive and insoluble in an aqueous alkali developing solution; each of the above top layer and the above absorbing layer can be removed by an aqueous alkali developing solution after thermal exposure; the above absorbing layer essentially comprises a photothermal conversion material or a mixture of the photothermal conversion material and, optionally, a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants.