A
mask element for flexographic printing is provided. The
mask element can be used for preparing a
mask that has a mask image. The mask element can include: a transparent polymeric carrier sheet; a
barrier layer on the transparent polymeric carrier sheet, wherein the
barrier layer comprises non-crosslinked
nitrocellulose; and an imaging layer on the
barrier layer, wherein the imaging layer includes a non-
silver halide thermally-ablatable material comprising non-crosslinked
nitrocellulose,
carbon black, and an
infrared (IR) dye. In some aspects, the mask element further includes a transparent overcoat layer on the imaging layer. The mask can include: imaged regions in the imaging layer, wherein the imaged regions have optical apertures that are substantially devoid of the
carbon black and non-crosslinked
nitrocellulose thereof; and non-imaged regions in the imaging layer, wherein the non-imaged regions have the non-crosslinked nitrocellulose,
carbon black, and
infrared dye.