Abstract: A dispersion of a carbonate type blocked color developer having a hydroxyl group having a color developing function which is blocked by an O-substituted oxycarbonyl group (--(C.dbd.O)OR.sub.1), and a metal salt of an organic acid or inorganic acid or a leuco dye are mixed to obtain an opaque undeveloped coating color, and the coating color is coated on paper or the like to obtain a recording sheet. Also, the coating color is further mixed with a light absorbent to obtain an opaque undeveloped coating color, which is coated on paper or the like to obtain an optical recording sheet.

Abstract: An image light-transmitting transparent film comprises a first transparent resin layer which is a base film; and a second transparent resin layer, the surface of which is a roughened surface which can be smoothed out by heating and pressure, in which the roughened surface of the second transparent resin layer is formed of a second transparent resin and particles of a resin soluble into the second transparent resin.

Abstract: Heat-sensitive imaging element comprising a support carrying a binder layer, optionally an intermediate adhesive layer, and and a barrier layer that is ablatable by a laser beam or permeabilizable under the influence of a laser beam, wherein said binder layer contains at least one hydrophobizing agent capable of diffusing under the influence of heat through holes made in said barrier layer or through permeabilized parts of said barrier layer and capable of reacting with the oleophobic surface of a printing plate precursor brought in face-to-face contact with said barrier layer. The present invention also relates to a process for producing a lithographic printing plate, wherein use is made of such heat-sensitive imaging element.

Abstract: Black colored dye mixture for use in thermal dye sublimation transfer composed of at least four dyes and comprising two dyes having absorption maxima in the spectral range between 470 and 600 nm that are at least 30 nm apart from each other.

Abstract: An ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon, in order, a barrier layer and a colorant layer comprising a colorant dispersed in a polymeric binder, the colorant layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein the barrier layer comprises a vinyl polymer having recurring units of the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a halogen atom; a haloalkyl group with at least one halogen atom in its .beta.-position of the carbon to which R.sup.1 or R.sup.2 is attached; a ketal group; an acetal group; a thioketal group; a thioacetal group; a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group; or a group containing a double or triple bond between any two atoms, one of which is adjacent to the carbon to which R.sup.1 or R.sup.2 is attached;with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represents a group containing a double or triple bond between any two atoms, one of which is adjacent to the carbon to which R.sup.1 or R.

Abstract: A thermal mass transfer imaging process comprises the thermal mass transfer of a white or metallic donor layer which is then at least partially over-coated with a thermally transferred dye image.

Abstract: A thermal transfer system for transferring material in an imagewise manner by means of thermal transfer printing from a donor element to an image receiving element is used to prepare printing plates. In one construction, a donor element, which is prepared by coating a photoinitiator (and optionally a sensitizer) in a binder on a backing material, is used with an image receiving element, which is prepared by coating a photopolymer (and optionally a sensitizer) on a substrate having a microporous hydrophilic crosslinked silicated surface. In an alternative construction, a donor element, which is prepared by coating a sensitizer in a binder on a backing material, is used with an image receiving element, which is prepared by coating a photopolymer and photoinitiator on a substrate having a microporous hydrophilic crosslinked silicated surface.

Abstract: A process of forming a single color, dye ablation image having an improved D-min comprising imagewise-heating by means of a laser, a dye-ablative recording element comprising a transparent support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith to absorb at a given wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, the image dye being substantially transparent in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and absorbs in the region of from about 300 to about 700 nm and does not have any substantial absorption at the wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, the laser exposure taking place through the dye side of the element, and removing the ablated image dye material to obtain the image in the dye-ablative recording element, wherein the element contains a substantially transparent, hydrophilic, organic or inorganic polymeric dye barrier layer between the support and the dye layer.

Abstract: Laser-addressable thermal transfer donor elements for producing color proofs, printing plates, films, printed circuit boards, and other media are disclosed. The thermal transfer donor elements include a substrate with a gas-producing polymer layer thereon, and an array of discrete nanostructured elements embedded within the gas-producing polymer layer. The gas-producing polymer layer has a thermally available nitrogen content of greater than about 10 weight percent. Each of the nanostructured elements includes an elongated structure conformally coated with a radiation absorbing material. A thermal mass transfer material (e.g., a metal or colorant such as a dye or pigment) is included in or over the gas-producing polymer layer.

Abstract: Dye-image receiving element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye-image receiving layer comprising a plasticizer, characterized in that the plasticizer is a di(hetero)aryl carbonate having not more than four recurring units between the two (hetero)aryl moieties.

Abstract: A dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon an interlayer containing an inorganic hydrate salt, the interlayer being overcoated with a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, and the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith.

Abstract: A system and method of image reproduction in color with preferential tone mapping are provided in which the method includes the steps of capturing original scene parameters and creating a visual reproduction of the scene, the method additionally comprising:performing a transformation of said captured scene parameters, said transformation being such that, taken in conjunction with untransformed characteristics of the capturing and creating steps, it results in a reproduced tone mapping having instantaneous gamma values of viewed reproduction density relative to density of the original scene which are greater than a minimum value of A and less than A plus 0.35 times scene exposure density over a scene exposure density range of from 0.60 to 1.45 as measured relative to a zero density, 100% diffuse reflector in the original scene, the instantaneous gamma values within scene exposure density range further lying entirely within a range of values subtended by an angle of 14.degree.

Abstract: A transparent recording medium is disclosed which can directly record a fine, precise image. With the recording medium, a compact, fine image occupying a small storage space can be easily enlarged and confirmed by an enlarged projection. It is prepared by applying a coating liquid for recording comprising a developer in which a hydroxyl group with a developing function is blocked by an N-substituted carbamoyl group or an O-substituted oxycarbonyl group, an iron salt of an organic acid or a leuco dye, a near-infrared absorbing agent, and a binder, uniformly dissolved in an organic solvent such as MEK, to a transparent plastic substrate, and drying to obtain a transparent recording layer with a thickness of 3 .mu.m to 8 .mu.m. A visible, precise, fine direct image can then be recorded using a semiconductor laser beam.

Abstract: Dye-donor element comprising a support provided with a dye layer containing a cyan indoaniline dye and/or another cyan azomethine dye, together with a cyan thiazolylazoaniline dye.

Abstract: A laser dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon, in order, a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder and a polymeric overcoat which does not contain any image dye, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith to absorb at a given wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, the image dye is substantially transparent in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and absorbs in the region of from about 300 to about 700 nm and does not have substantial absorption at the wavelength of the laser used to expose the element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a binder, wherein the binder comprises a water-dispersible vinyl copolymer having a glass transition temperature below about 54.degree. C. and having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents hydrogen or methyl;D represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group; or --COOR.sup.3, where R.sup.3 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group of about 5 to about 8 carbon atoms, or an organic group containing ethylenic unsaturation;E represents --C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --; --CONHR.sup.4 --; or --COOR.sup.4 --, where R.sup.4 represents an alkylene group of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms;M represents a mono-charged cation,;x represents 75 to 98 mole percent; andy represents 2 to 25 mole percent.

Abstract: Dye-donor element for thermal dye recording comprising a dye layer comprising a dye and leuco-indoaniline dye as a light-stabilizer. The leuco-indoaniline dye is preferably a compound according to the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H or any substituent, n is 0-4 each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 (same or different) is H or acyl, X is 0 or represents atoms completing a ring (system), each of R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 (same or different) is H, (cyclo)alkyl, aryl, alkyloxy, aryloxy, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl, --OH, halogen, --NH--SO.sub.2 R.sup.12, --NH--COR.sup.12, --O--SO.sub.2 R.sup.12, or --O--COR.sup.12, or R.sup.4 and R.sup.7 together and R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 together represent the atoms completing a ring (system), or R.sup.4 and R.sup.8 and/or R.sup.5 and R.sup.9 together and R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 together represent the atoms completing a heterocyclic nucleus, each of R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 (same or different) is H, (cyclo)alkyl, aryl, a heterocyclic nucleus, or R.sup.8 and R.sup.

Abstract: Dye-image receiving element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye-image receiving layer and optionally a toplayer wherein the dye-image receiving layer or the toplayer comprises the cured product of a moisture-curable binder composition prepared by mixing the following components (A) and (B):(A) 30 to 99 parts by weight of at least one copolymer of olefinically unsaturated compounds having a weight-average molecular weight [Mw] of at least 1500 and containing chemically incorporated moieties capable of undergoing an addition reaction with amino groups, and(B) 1 to 70 parts by weight of organic substances containing blocked amino groups from which substances under the influence of moisture compounds having free primary and/or secondary amino groups are formed,wherein i) the copolymers of component (A) contain intramolecularly bound carboxylic anhydride moieties, with the anhydride equivalent weight of the copolymers being from 196 to 9800 and ii) the bi

Abstract: A photosensitive material comprises a photosensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt, a reducing agent, a polymerizable polymer precursor, a photopolymerization initiator and a heat-diffusible coloring matter. As a preferred embodiment, the photosensitive material comprises a photosensitive layer containing the photosensitive silver halide, the organic silver salt and the reducing agent, a polymerizing layer containing the polymerizable polymer precursor and the photopolymerization initiator, and a coloring material layer containing the heat-diffusible coloring material. A image forming method employing the photosensitive material comprises the steps of a) subjecting the photosensitive material to imagewise exposure; b) heating the photosensitive material; c) subjecting to whole areas exposure at least the polymerizing layer; and d) heating at least the coloring material layer to transfer the heat-diffusible coloring matter to an image-receiving material, thus forming a color image.

Abstract: A process of forming a single color, dye ablation image having an improved D-min comprising imagewise-heating by means of a laser, in the absence of a separate receiving element, a dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith to absorb at a given wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, the image dye being substantially transparent in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and absorbs in the region of from about 300 to about 700 nm and does not have any substantial absorption at the wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, the laser exposure taking place through the dye side of the element, and removing the ablated image dye material to obtain an image in the dye-ablative recording element, wherein the infrared-absorbing material is a cyanine dye having a perfluorinated organic counterion.

Abstract: A process of forming a single color, dye ablation image having a reduced D-min comprising imagewise-heating, by means of a laser, a dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, the laser exposure taking place through the dye side of the element, and removing the ablated image dye material by means of an air stream to obtain an image in the dye-ablative recording element, wherein the image dye is thermally bleachable and decomposes upon laser exposure.

Abstract: A dye transfer receptor sheet suitable, for thermal dye transfer imaging is described. The receptor sheet comprises a substrate having a receptor layer comprising a vinyl resin mixed or blended with a linear saturated thermoplastic polyester having aliphatic and aromatic groups.

Abstract: A dye transfer receptor sheet suitable for thermal dye transfer imaging is described which can provide a metal background to the transfered image. The receptor sheet comprises an organic polymeric substrate having a vapor deposited metal layer, a primer layer comprising a linear saturated thermoplastic polyester and a thermoset alkyd polyester, and a receiving layer.

Abstract: An image is formed by subjecting to imagewise exposure an image forming medium containing at least a heat-diffusible coloring matter, a photosensitive silver halide, an organic silver salt, a reducing agent, a polymerizable polymer precursor and a photopolymerization initiator; heating the image forming medium thus treated; subjecting it to polymerization exposure to form a polymerized area and an unpolymerized area in the image forming medium; separating the polymerized area from the unpolymerized area; and superposing an image receiving medium onto the unpolymerized area to transfer the heat-diffusible coloring matter in the unpolymerized area to the image receiving medium.

Abstract: A process of forming a single color, dye ablation image having an improved D-min comprising imagewise heating by means of a laser, a dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder and an infrared-absorbing material, the laser exposure taking place through the dye side of the element, and removing the ablated image dye material to obtain an image in the dye-ablative recording element, and wherein the element contains an interlayer containing infrared-absorbing material and which is located between the support and the dye layer.

Abstract: A thermal imaging process comprising the step of imagewise heating a donor element so as to transfer therefrom colored matter onto a contacting receptor element, characterized in that before said imagewise heating said receptor element contains in a layer at least one substance that by heat applied in the transfer of said colored matter undergoes a change giving rise to an increase in optical density.

Abstract: An image forming method, comprises the steps of, using an image forming medium containing a heat-diffusible coloring matter, a polymerizable polymer precursor and a polymerization initiator; causing said polymerizable polymer precursor of said image forming medium to selectively polymerize to form a latent image comprised of a polymerized area and an unpolymerized area; andheating said image forming medium on which said latent image has been formed and which is laid overlapping on an image receiving medium, so as to satisfy the following formula (A):Tg.sub.1 .ltoreq.Ttrans.ltoreq.Tg.sub.2 (A)wherein Ttrans represents a temperature of said image forming medium, Tg.sub.1 represents a glass transition point of said unpolymerized area, and Tg.sub.

Abstract: A color sheet comprising; a flexible substrate or film; and a dye layer formed on the substrate including a sublimating dye of yellow, magenta or cyan and a near infrared absorbing pigment with a near infrared absorption without a substantial visible absorption.A color transfer method comprises the steps of: preparing a color sheet above mentioned; abutting the dye layer of the color sheet onto an image receiving sheet to be printed; and irradiating an optical laser beam to the dye layer, the laser beam having a wavelength in the near infrared region absorbed by the near infrared absorbing pigment, whereby a light energy absorbed by the near infrared absorbing pigment is converted into a heat energy thereby sublimating the sublimating dye and transferring the sublimated dye onto the image receiving sheet arranged so as to face the dye layer.As a result, a recording speed and a resolution are remarkably improved with the color sheet and the color transfer method using it.

Abstract: Novel photomask blanks and methods for producing photomasks using laser-imaging apparatus. The photomask blanks include at least one layer that absorbs laser energy and ablates in response thereto, and, where unremoved as a result of the imaging process, perform the masking function by blocking the passage of actinic radiation; and a a mechanically strong, durable and flexible substrate that is substantially transparent to actinic radiation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye in a polymeric binder which is non-transferable by heat, and wherein the dye layer also contains an epoxide stabilizer, other than the binder, in an amount of up to about 25% by weight of the binder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a monocolor dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising solid, homogeneous beads which contain an image dye, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, said beads being dispersed in a vehicle.

Abstract: A process of forming a single color, dye ablation image having an improved D-min comprising imagewise-heating by means of a laser, a dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, the laser exposure taking place through the dye side of the element, and removing the ablated image dye material to obtain an image in the dye-ablative recording element, wherein the polymeric binder has a polystyrene equivalent molecular weight of at least 100,000 as measured by size exclusion chromatography.

Abstract: Dye-donor element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer, said dye-donor element comprising a support provided with a dye layer containing a dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, characterized in that said dye corresponds to the following formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a alkylthio group, a arylthio group, an acylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, which groups may be substituted, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together can form a saturated or aromatic or heterocyclic ring fused-on the cyclohexadiene ring, which ring may be substituted;B represents ##STR2## wherein R.sup.4 -R.sup.11 are defined in the specification; K represents ##STR3## wherein: R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 (independently) represent hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, which groups may be substituted, or R.sup.12 and R.sup.

Abstract: Dye-donor element for use according to a laser-induced thermal dye transfer, said dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer and an infrared-absorbing dye which is different from the dye in the dye-layer, characterized in that said infrared-absorbing dye is a 2-carbazoyl-4-[N-(o,o'-disubstituted, p-substituted aminoaryl)imino]-1,4-quinone or a 2-hydroxaminocarbonyl-4-[N-(o,o'-disubstituted,p-substituted aminoaryl)imino]1,4-quinone.

Abstract: Laser-addressable thermal transfer donor elements for producing color proofs, printing plates, films, printed circuit boards, and other media are disclosed. The thermal transfer donor elements include a substrate having a microstructured surface. The microstructured surface contain a plurality of randomly positioned discrete protuberances of varying heights and shapes. The donor elements further include a black metal layer on the microstructured surface and a gas-producing polymer layer over the black metal layer. The gas-producing polymer in the gas-producing polymer layer has a thermally available nitrogen content of greater than about 10 weight percent. A thermal mass transfer material (e.g., a colorant such as a dye or pigment) is included in or over the gas-producing polymer layer.

Abstract: Dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising at least one magenta dye having extremely low side absorption in the blue and red regions of the spectrum, said dye corresponding to the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H, (cyclo)alkyl, or aryl; X represents the atoms completing a heterocycle; Z is an electron-withdrawing group; Y is an electron-withdrawing group or --N(R.sup.2)R.sup.3 ; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together represent the atoms completing a heterocycle; or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together represent .dbd.C(R.sup.4)R.sup.5, or each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represents (same or different) (cyclo)alkyl, aryl, or an electron-withdrawing group; each of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 (same or different) represents H, (cyclo)alkyl, aryl, a heterocycle, SO.sub.2 R.sup.6, COR.sup.6, CSR.sup.6, POR.sup.6 R.sup.7, OR.sup.8, NR.sup.8 R.sup.9, SR.sup.8, or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 together represent the atoms completing an aliphatic ring or a heterocycle, each of R.sup.6 and R.sup.

Abstract: Dye-donor element for use according to thermal dye transfer comprising at least one dye corresponding to the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein Z is --CN, --COOR.sup.1 or --CONR.sup.2 R.sup.3 ; R.sup.1 is --H, (cyclo) alkyl, or aryl; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is --H, (cyclo)alkyl, aryl, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together represent the atoms necessary to complete a heterocyclic nucleus; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 is --H, (cyclo)alkyl, aryl, a heterocyclic ring, SO.sub.2 R.sup.8, COR.sup.8, CSR.sup.8, POR.sup.8 R.sup.9, OR.sup.6, NR.sup.6 R.sup.7, SR.sup.6, or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 together represent the atoms necessary to complete a aliphatic ring, a heterocyclic ring including a heterocyclic ring carrying a fused-on aliphatic or aromatic ring; R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 is (cyclo)alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, aralkyl, aryl, a heterocyclic group, or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 together represent the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring; R.sup.8 and R.sup.

Abstract: This invention relates to a laser imageable donor material that is capable of transferring pigment to a receiver, such as plain paper, polymeric film, metal and the like. The donor material is composed of at least a transparent film, an overlying layer of vapor coated black aluminum, and a dye coating or pigment coating dispersed on top of the black aluminum. A material which generates gas when irradiated may also be present as a separate layer under or in the dye or pigment layer and above the black aluminum layer. The construction can be addressed with diode lasers and diode-pumped solid state lasers.The invention can be used to produce large format digital halftone color proofs using high power air-cooled diode-pumped Nd:YAG and Nd:YLF lasers. Other materials could be transferred from the donor sheet in this process as well as the colorant (dye or pigment) layer.

Abstract: Dye-donor element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer comprising a support having on one side thereof a dye layer and containing a substituted di(hetero)aryl carbonate as thermal solvent.

Abstract: A thermal dye transfer process, and intermediate receiver used therein, for obtaining a color image which is used to represent a printed color image obtained from a printing press comprising (a) forming a thermal dye transfer image in a polymeric dye image-receiving layer of an intermediate dye-receiving element comprising a support having thereon said dye image-receiving layer by imagewise-heating a dye-donor element and transferring a dye image to the dye image-receiving layer, (b) adhering the dye image-receiving layer to a surface of a final receiver element by heat laminating the intermediate dye receiving element to the final receiver element, and (c) stripping the intermediate dye receiving element support from the dye image-receiving layer, wherein the intermediate dye receiving element further comprises a cushion layer between the support and the dye image-receiving layer, the shear modulus of the cushion layer being less than the shear modulus of the support and less than ten times the shear modulus

Abstract: Blends of poly(caprolactone) and poly(vinyl chloride) have been found to have good dye permeability. They have been incorporated into photothermographic constructions as barrier interlayers and dye-receiving layers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a binder, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein the binder has been coated from an aqueous dispersion and consists essentially of a hydrophilic polymer which has been set, the dye layer having an overcoat layer comprising spacer beads dispersed in a polymeric binder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a binder, and wherein the binder has been coated from an aqueous solution and consists essentially of a hydrophilic polymer which has been set.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of preparing a dye-donor element used in thermal dye-transfer processing comprising:a) coating a support with a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a binder, the binder comprising a hydrophilic polymer coated from an aqueous solution containing a surfactant;b) washing the dye-donor element with water to remove residual surfactant in the dye layer; andc) drying the dye-donor element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a binder, and wherein the binder has been coated from an aqueous solution and consists essentially of a hydrophilic polymer, said element also having thereon at least one underlayer consisting of a swellable polymer located between said support and said dye layer.

Abstract: A thermal dye transfer process, and intermediate receiver used therein, for obtaining a color image which is used to represent a printed color image obtained from a printing press comprising (a) imagewise-heating by means of a laser a dye-donor element in contact with a polymeric dye image-receiving layer of an intermediate dye-receiving element, thereby transferring a dye image to the dye image-receiving layer, the intermediate dye-receiving element comprising the dye image-receiving layer and a layer substantially opaque to light at the wavelength the laser is operated at, (b) adhering the dyed polymeric dye image-receiving layer to a final receiver element, and (c) separating the opaque layer from the dyed image-receiving layer. Preferably, the opaque layer is reflective, and most preferably specularly reflective.

Abstract: Laser-addressable thermal transfer materials for producing color proofs, printing plates, films, printed circuit boards, and other media are disclosed. The materials contain a substrate coated thereon with a propellant layer wherein the propellant layer contains a material capable of producing nitrogen (N.sub.2) gas at a temperature of preferably less than about 300.degree. C.; a radiation absorber; and a thermal mass transfer material. The thermal mass transfer material may be incorporated into the propellant layer or in an additional layer coated onto the propellant layer. The radiation absorber may be employed in one of the above-disclosed layers or in a separate layer in order to achieve localized heating with an electromagnetic energy source, such as a laser. Upon laser induced heating, the transfer material is propelled to the receptor by the rapid expansion of gas.

Abstract: A process for forming a color image which may be used to represent a printed color image to be obtained from a printing press comprising (a) forming a thermal dye transfer image in a polymeric dye image-receiving layer of an intermediate dye-receiving element by imagewise-heating a dye-donor element and transferring a dye image to the dye image-receiving layer, (b) laminating a polymeric dye-migration barrier layer to the imaged dye image-receiving layer, and (c) laminating the dye-migration barrier layer and imaged dye image-receiving layer together to the surface of a paper substrate. By applying a dye-migration barrier layer to the imaged dye image-receiving layer and subsequently laminating both layers to the paper substrate together, the final paper substrate is subjected to only a single lamination step, and wrinkles caused by multiple laminations can be virtually eliminated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye in a binder and an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein said infrared-absorbing material is a platelet silver metal colloid having a minimum effective diameter of at least 20 nm.

Abstract: An image forming medium comprising an image forming layer comprising at least a heat-diffusible coloring matter, a polymerizable binder and a polymerization initiator, wherein the polymerizable binder has a film-forming property and contains three or more polymerizing functional groups per one molecule.