a method to obtain a lithographic printing master comprising the steps of : a ) image - wise or information - wise exposing to radiation a thermal negative - working lithographic printing precursor comprising : i ) a hydrophilic lithographic base ; and ii ) a radiation sensitive coating on a surface of said hydrophilic lithographic base , said coating comprising : hydrophilic polymer particles ; hydrophobic polymer particles ; and a converter substance capable of converting radiation into heat ; and b ) developing said exposed thermal negative - working lithographic printing precursor with an aqueous medium in order to remove the unexposed areas of said coating . the hydrophilic polymer particles are made by polymerization of at least one hydrophilic monomer and the hydrophobic polymer particles are made by polymerization of at least one hydrophobic monomer . the imaging element may be imaged and developed on - press and may be sprayed onto a hydrophilic surface to create a printing surface that may be processed wholly on - press . the hydrophilic surface may be a printing plate substrate or the printing cylinder of a printing press or a seamless sleeve around the printing cylinder of a printing press . this cylinder may be conventional or seamless .