Method for making a lithographic printing plate

A method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of:

• providing a negative-working, heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor including:
• a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, and a coating provided thereon, the coating including an image-recording layer which includes hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles, a binder, and an infrared absorbing dye;
• wherein
• the hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles have an average particle diameter, measured by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy, of more than 10 nm and less than 40 nm;
• the amount of the infrared absorbing dye, without taking into account an optional counter ion, is more than 0.70 mg per m2 of a total surface of the thermoplastic polymer particles, measured by Hydrodynamic Fractionation;
• and
• the amount of the hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles relative to a total weight of all ingredients of the imaging layer is at least 60%;
• exposing the precursor to infrared light;
• and
• developing the exposed precursor in an alkaline aqueous solution.