Process for preparing relief images in imaged irradiated light-sensitive material having acid-cleavable compound by hot air treatment, overall irradiation and alkaline development

A process for preparing relief images, comprising the steps of:

• imagewise irradiating, according to a first pattern, a light-sensitive material comprised of a support and a light-sensitive layer which consists essentially of
• (a) a compound which has at least one C--O--C bond which is cleavable by acid,
• (b) a compound which forms a strong acid on irradiation, and
• (c) a binder which is soluble in water and soluble in aqueous-alkaline solutions, developing the irradiated layer to produce bared areas in the regions of irradiation;
• modifying said bared areas to provide a metal surface;
• before or after said modification, imagewise irradiating the remaining areas of the layer according to a second pattern;
• warming the irradiated material in heated air to an elevated temperature sufficient to render the imaged areas resistant to developing;
• bringing the material to a lower temperature;
• uniformly irradiating said remaining layer areas;
• and
• after said modification, developing said remaining layer areas to remove the non-irradiated areas of said second imagewise irradiation.