Abstract: Thermally processable imaging elements in which the image is formed by imagewise heating or by imagewise exposure to light followed by uniform heating and in which a polyalkoxysilane is incorporated in the imaging composition to provide enhanced adhesion are protected against undesirable width-wise curling by interposing a barrier layer between the support and the image-forming layer. The barrier layer, which is composed of poly(silicic acid) and a water-soluble hydroxyl-containing monomer or polymer that is compatible therewith prevents migration from the image-forming layer to the support of by-products of hydrolysis of the polyalkoxysilane which can cause width-wise curl and consequent jamming of processing equipment.