There is provided polymeric particles having a particle size between about 60 nm and about 1000 nm and comprising a polymer, the polymer comprising a hydrophobic backbone, a near infrared absorbing segment having attached thereto a near infrared absorbing chromophore having an absorption peak between about 700 nm and about 1100 nm; and a near infrared transparent segment. Method of manufacture these particles are also provided. A coating composition comprising the above-polymeric particles and a reactive iodonium oligomer is also provided. Finally, a negative-working lithographic offset printing plate comprising a substrate; a hydrophilic under layer; and a laser imageable upper layer, wherein the laser imageable upper layer comprises the above polymeric particle is also provided.