Abstract: Thermally imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plates, and methods for forming an image using the thermally imageable elements are disclosed. The element contains a support with a hydrophilic surface, an underlayer over the hydrophilic surface, and a top layer over the underlayer. The top layer contains a polymeric material, such as a novolac resin, a resol resin, or a mixture thereof, but does not require a compound that functions as a solubility-suppressing component for the polymeric material. Consequently, the top layer is free of materials that function as solubility-suppressing components for the polymeric material. In one embodiment, the element, preferably the underlayer, absorbs infrared radiation. Following thermal exposure, the element is developed with an aqueous alkaline developer having a pH of at least 7 to about 11, typically about 10.