Using planar polystyrene targets with embedded Al tracer dots, improved x-ray spectroscopic measurements of density and temperature profiles in laser-produced plasmas were obtained. Time-integrated, spatially resolved spectra of the Al tracer emission were collected at laser intensities where the energy absorption and transport is expected to be classical. The plasma density and temperature profiles were determined by comparing the observed x-ray line intensities with collisional-radiative equilibrium calculations. Plasma profiles were obtained for the region blowoff plasma with densities between one-tenth and twice critical for the 1.05 μ laser excitation. Near agreement is found between the measured density and temperature profiles and 2-D (cylindrical) hydrodynamic calculations with energy absorption via classical inverse bremsstrahlung and energy transport via classical thermal conduction.