| abstract |
A method for producing a photopolymer image comprising (a) exposing, imagewise, a photosensitive element to actinic radiation, said element comprising a substrate coated with a photosensitive layer containing dispersed silver halide particles in operative association with a continuous film-forming phase of polymeric coupler, said coupler having (i) a number average molecular weight of about 2,000 to 100,000, (ii) a content of about 10 to 100 milliequivalents per 100 g of polymeric coupler of acidic methylene coupler groups and about 15 to 175 milliequivalents per 100 g of polymeric coupler of at least one of carboxylic, sulfonic and phosphonic acid groups, and (iii) the ability to couple with a monofunctional developing agent thus becoming water-insoluble; (b) developing (insolubilizing) the latent image; and (c) removing the undeveloped, soluble portion of the photosensitive element by washing with aqueous solvent. |