A radiation-sensitive composition includes a free radically polymerizable
component, an initiator composition capable of generating free radicals
sufficient to initiate polymerization upon exposure to imaging radiation,
an infrared radiation absorbing dye having a tetraaryl pentadiene
chromophore, a polymeric binder comprising a polymer backbone to which
are directly or indirectly linked poly(alkylene glycol) side chains, and
a nonionic phosphate acrylate having a molecular weight of at least 250.
This composition can be used to prepare a negative-working imageable
element that is sensitive to suitable imaging radiation and can be imaged
at relatively low energy and developed either on-press or off-press.