The present invention provides a method for obtaining a negative type lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of (i) image-wise exposing a diffusion transfer reversal imaging element comprising a direct positive silver halide emulsion that mainly forms an internal latent image and a layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) fogging said image-wise exposed imaging element, (iii) developing said imaging element using a surface developer, (iv) transfering the undeveloped silver salts in the non-exposed areas to said layer containing physical development nuclei and (v) image-wise depositing said silver salts on said physical development nuclei in the presence of physical development restraining compound(s).