A novel photosensitive recording element having a dimensionally stable substrate (A), a photopolymerizable relief-forming recording layer (B), which may consist of two or more individual layers (B), and an optically transparent top layer (C) firmly adhering to the surface of (B) is used for the production of a flexographic relief printing plate. Imagewise exposure of the photopolymerizable relief-forming recording layer (B) of the novel photosensitive recording element to actinic light results in a difference between the solubilities of its exposed and unexposed parts, so that its unexposed parts can be washed out (developed) with a solvent. On the other hand, the optically transparent top layer (C) of the novel photosensitive recording element is insoluble or nonswellable in the relevant solvent. The imagewise exposed novel photosensitive recording element can nevertheless be developed in one operation with the aid of an emulsion of the water-in-oil or oil-in-water type. These emulsions are also suitable for developing imagewise exposed photosensitive recording elements whose photopolymerizable relief-forming recording layer (B) consist of two or more individual layers (B) having different solubility properties. In this case too, development is effected in one operation.