A method for preparing a printing form and a method of printing are disclosed. A coating of a radiation sensitive ink on a lithographic support having a hydrophilic surface is imaged. The unexposed areas of the coating are removed to produce a printing form, which is used for printing. Preferably, the same radiation sensitive ink is used for printing as is used in the coating, and, preferably, the desired printing run length is predetermined and the thickness of the coating determined according to the desired run length.