An offset printing plate and method of manufacturing comprising providing a hard, hydrophilic supporting base material of steel, depositing a layer of dull, porous, ink-rejecting chromium directly onto the surface of the steel base material, the chromium layer having a thickness no greater than one micron and being sufficiently thin and porous to permit the desirable properties of hardness and hydrophilicity of the subjacent steel base material to manifest themselves through the chromium layer during printing, and sufficiently thin to permit removal of the chromium layer from a selected area of the offset printing plate by scraping to expose the subjacent surface of the steel base material. A layer of photosensitive resist material is then applied to the plate, the photosensitive resist material being hydrophobic and ink-receptive after insolation and being of sufficient thickness to substantially prevent oxidation of the steel base material through the porous chromium layer during the normal storage period of the offset printing plate prior to use. The chromium may be deposited by immersing the hydrophilic steel base material in the chromium plating solution held at a temperature of between 25.degree. and 35.degree. C. for an initial period of time without a plating current, then applying the plating current, followed by cutting the current to product the dull and porous chromium layer. Alternatively, the chromium deposit may be formed by plating the base material at a temperature of between 5.degree. and 8.degree. C.