Negative-working imageable element can be used to prepared lithographic printing plates. These elements include a water-soluble contrast dye having a λmax in the range of from about 450 to about 750 nm and having an absorption that is lower than 10% with respect to the absorption of the radiation sensitive compound in the element at the wavelength used for exposure. The contrast dye is present in sufficient H-aggregation such that less than 40% of the entire absorption spectrum from the contrast dye is contributed by it in non-H-aggregated form.