A radiation-sensitive composition comprises: (i) at least one component capable of absorbing IR radiation; and (ii) a diazonium polycondensation product soluble in an organic solvent; with the proviso that the composition does not contain components capable of reacting with decomposition products produced from IR radiation exposure of the diazonium polycondensation product. The composition may additionally comprise a polymeric binder of the type useful for conventional negative-working printing plates. The composition is suitable for preparing thermally imageable printing plate precursors and printing plates and may also be used in a method for providing an image on such plate precursors and printing plates.