The present invention provides a positive-working, thermally imageable
element generally comprising a multi-layered imageable coating. The
invention provides an imageable element comprising a substrate, an
ink-receptive top layer, and an underlayer, the underlayer including a
specific copolymer described herein. The copolymer can be a polymer
comprising constitutional units derived from: a) a monomer having a
cyclic urea group; b) a monomer comprising an N-substituted maleimide; c)
a (meth)acrylamide or (meth)acrylate monomer; and d) a (meth)acrylic acid
or vinyl benzoic acid monomer. In another embodiment, the copolymer can
be a polymer comprising constitutional units derived from: a) a monomer
having a cyclic urea group; b) a (meth)acrylic acid or vinyl benzoic acid
monomer; c) and a (meth)acrylonitrile monomer. The imageable element may
be used to prepare a lithographic printing plate that is resistant to
press chemistry and can optionally be baked to increase press runlength.