Imageable elements that contain copolymers soluble in alkaline solutions are disclosed and methods for forming imaging using the imageable elements are disclosed. The alkali soluble copolymers comprise about 3 to about 50 mol % of one or more of the monomers of the formula: CH.sub.2.dbd.CH(R.sup.1)--C(O)--X--Y--R.sup.2; in which: R.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3; R.sup.2 is succinimide or phthalimide; X is O or NH; and Y is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n--, in which n is an integer from 2 to 12. The imageable elements are useful as lithographic printing plate precursors.