A negative-working imageable element has an imageable layer that includes an infrared radiation absorbing dye that upon exposure to thermal irradiation, changes from colorless to a visible color or from one visible color to another visible color, providing a ΔE of at least 5 between the exposed and non-exposed regions of the imageable layer within 3 hours of its exposure to 300 mJ/cm2 at a laser power of 15 Watts. The imageable element can be imaged to provide images with improved contrast for print-out. The imageable layer includes a primary polymeric binder that has a backbone to which are attached pendant poly(alkylene oxide) side chains, cyano groups, or both, and is optionally present in the form of discrete particles.