Printing form precursor, a process for making the precursor, and a method for preparing a printing form from the precursor

A photosensitive element, particularly a photopolymerizable printing form precursor; a method of preparing the photosensitive element to form a printing form for use in relief printing; and a process of making the photosensitive element are disclosed. The printing form precursor includes a layer of a photosensitive composition, a digital layer that is adjacent to a side of the photosensitive layer, and a cell pattern layer that is disposed between the photosensitive layer and the digital layer. The cell pattern layer includes a plurality of features, and is composed of an ink that is opaque to actinic radiation and transparent to infrared radiation. Since the cell pattern layer is integral with the printing form precursor, digital imaging can occur rapidly with relatively low resolution optics to form a mask without needing to also form a microcell pattern of the digital layer.