Flexographic printing element comprising an IR-ablatable layer with improved sensitivity

This invention relates to a photosensitive printing element used for preparing flexographic printing plates via computer-to-plate technology with a support, a photopolymerizable layer and an IR-ablatable layer substantially opaque to actinic radiation which comprises at least one heat-combustible polymeric binder, at least one IR-absorbing material and at least one aliphatic diester. Furthermore, this invention relates to a process for making a flexographic printing plate using such an element. Photosensitive printing element for preparing flexographic printing plates via computer-to-plate technology with a support, a photopolymerizable layer and an IR-ablatable layer substantially opaque to actinic radiation which comprises at least one heat-combustible polymeric binder, at least one IR-absorbing material and at least one aliphatic diester, and a process for making a flexographic printing plate using such an element.