Slip film for relief image printing element

A method of preparing a photosensitive printing blank, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) coating a slip film onto a coversheet and drying the slip film;
• and
• b) depositing at least one layer of photosensitive material on top of the dried slip film coated coversheet and laminating a substrate layer to an exposed face of the at least one layer of photosensitive material;
• wherein the slip film comprises:
• i) a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and polyvinylpyrrolidone;
• and
• ii) 0.1 to 5.0 percent by weight of an additive, where the additive is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, mineral oils, styrene-butadiene oils, butadiene oils, and copolymers of acetonitriles;
• wherein prior to drying, the slip film also comprises a solvent selected from the group consisting of toluene, acetone, primary alcohols, methylethyl ketone, 2-propanol, and combinations of one or more of the foregoing.