Dimensionally stable lithographic printing plates with a sol-gel layer

A method of making a lithographic printing plate comprising:

• I) providing an element comprising:
• a) a support web;
• b) a thermal insulating layer;
• and
• c) a coextensive ink repellent layer comprising a crosslinked polymeric matrix comprising a colloid of an oxide or a hydroxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of beryllium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, gadolinium, germanium, arsenic, indium, tin, antimony, tellurium, lead, bismuth, a transition metal and combinations thereof;
• wherein a photothermal conversion material is present in the ink repellent layer, in a stratum located between the thermal insulating layer and the ink repellent layer, or in both the ink repellent layer and the stratum, wherein the ink repellant layer contains less than 5% hydrocarbon groups by weight;
• and,
• II) exposing the element to a laser beam having an intensity greater than 0.1 mW/μ2 for a time sufficient to give a total exposure of 200 mJ/cm2 or greater to form an exposed lithographic printing plate.