A method of preparing a film negative including the steps of dispersing a UV ink in a desired pattern on a UV printing substrate; and curing the UV ink with a source of actinic radiation to crosslink and cure the UV ink and create the UV printed polymer layer in the desired pattern. The UV ink is at least substantially solvent-free and printing substrate does not contain an adhesive layer or an ink-receptive layer and is not been modified to be ink-receptive. The film negative may be used in a process of making a flexographic printing element.