Abstract: A photographic film assemblage comprising: a plurality of photographic elements connected in end-to-end fashion and a separable portion connected to and between adjacent pairs of the elements is disclosed wherein each of the separable portions has at least a weakened segment that separates when pulled and allows adjacent pairs of the elements to separate. At least one layer is connected to one of the elements so as to extend generally longitudinally along the film assemblage and be in overlying relationship to at least the weakened portion. The layer is constructed and sized to reduce friction on the film assemblage in operative relationship to the pressure applying members to thereby enhance separation of the separable portions and the elements.

Abstract: An improved self-developing film unit comprising: a processing fluid supply including a rupturable reservoir of processing fluid; an image recording assembly of the self-developing type including first and second overlying layers one of which is exposable to form a latent photographic image, and a spacer connected to and between the first and second layers for providing a processing space therebetween for allowing processing fluid to pass therethrough; a fluid trap at a trailing end portion of the film unit for collecting excess processing fluid traveling through the processing space; a first fluid-tight coupling device including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling the reservoir to a leading end of the processing space for allowing processing fluid from a ruptured reservoir to be introduced into the processing space and initiate processing of the latent image; and, second fluid-tight coupling device including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling a trailing end of the processing space with the trap fo

Abstract: An image forming material is disclosed which comprises an image receiving sheet having been laminated on an imaging sheet, the imaging sheet comprising a support and provided thereon, an image forming layer contacting the image receiving sheet, an image being formed by exposing the material to a high density energy light to reduce adhesion between the image forming layer and the support at exposed portions without substantially changing adhesion between the image forming layer and the image receiving sheet and then peeling the image receiving sheet from the image forming layer to transfer the image forming layer at exposed portions to the image receiving sheet, wherein both surfaces of the image receiving sheet before the lamination have an average surface roughness Ra of 0.05 to 0.4 .mu.m.

Abstract: An improved self-developing film unit comprising: processing fluid supply means including a rupturable reservoir of processing fluid at a leading end portion of the unit; image recording means of the self-developing type including first and second overlying layers one of which is exposable to form a latent photographic image, and spacer means connected to and between said first and second layers for providing a processing space therebetween for allowing processing fluid to pass therethrough; fluid trap means at a trailing end portion of the film unit for collecting excess processing fluid traveling through said processing space; first fluid-tight coupling means including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling said reservoir to a leading end of said processing space for allowing processing fluid from a ruptured reservoir to be introduced into said processing space and initiate processing of the latent image; and, second fluid-tight coupling means including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling a trailing

Abstract: According to the present invention an element comprising a layer on a glass support characterised in that: (i) the thickness of said glass support is less than 1.2 mm, (ii) said glass support has a failure stress (under tensile stress) equal to or higher than 5.times.10.sup.7 Pa and (iii) the sides in the longitudinal direction have a rounded border with a radius in the order of magnitude of half of the thickness of the glass support.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic base (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) an antistress layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and comprising gelatin, characterized in that said antistress layer comprises at least 30 mg/m.sup.2 of a matting agent with a weight average diameter of at least 3 .mu.m.

Abstract: An image forming process comprising the steps of: imagewise-exposing a heat developable light-sensitive material comprising a support having thereon at least a light-sensitive silver halide, a binder and a dye-donating compound, wherein the dye-donating compound forms or releases a diffusive dye corresponding or reversely corresponding to a reduction reaction of the silver halide into silver; supplying water to the exposed material; heat developing the water-supplied material to form a diffusive dye image therein; and transferring the diffusive dye image onto a dye-fixing element, wherein the water-supplying step comprises jetting of a water droplet having a volume of not more than 0.01 mm.sup.3, and the light-sensitive material has a contact angle of not more than 50 degrees as determined at 0.5 second after the impact of the water droplet onto the light-sensitive material.

Abstract: A method of forming an image on an image forming material is disclosed which comprises a transparent support having a first surface side and a second surface side and provided on the first surface side, an imaging layer, the method comprising the step of forming a mirror image on the imaging layer so that the formed image is visible from the second surface side, wherein the second surface side has a glossiness of 80 to 115.

Abstract: A method for processing a photosensitive material characterized in that an exposed photosensitive material is subjected to dip coating with a processing solution, according to which there are no problems encountered in plate making by the conventional dip developing method and coating developing method, rapid processing can be attained, maintenance is easy, less waste processing solution is produced, and lithographic printing plates on which uniform print images can be formed from the top end portion thereof by silver complex diffusion transfer process, and an apparatus used for the processing.

Abstract: A thermal transfer image receiving material is disclosed which comprises a support having a first surface and a second surface, a cushion layer and an image receiving layer provided on the first surface in that order, and a back coat layer provided on the second surface, wherein the surface of the back coat layer has a suction pressure of 300 mmHg or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer (iii) a first antistress layer and (iv) a second antistress layer, said antistress layers being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and each independently comprising unhardened gelatin, characterized in that said second antistress layer comprises at least 30 mg/m.sup.2 of a matting agent with a weight average diameter of more than 3 .mu.m.

Abstract: A method of producing a radiation-induced colorant transfer image on a support, includes the steps of: providing an image-receiving element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer; providing a colorant donor element having a colorant transfer layer on a colorant element support and wherein colorant can be transferred from a transfer surface of the colorant donor element to the image-receiving layer in response to selectively applied radiation; providing a rigid element being configured to provide a surface having peaks and valleys; pressing either the colorant element support surface or the image-receiving support surface against the rigid element so as to cause either the colorant transfer layer surface or the image-receiving surface, respectively, to conformally have peaks and valleys; causing the peaks of the colorant transfer layer or the image-receiving layer to engage either the image-receiving element or the colorant donor element, respectively; and applying radiation to the colora

Abstract: An image media assembly comprising: a doner element, a receptor element, and means for maintaining the elements in a predetermined position wherein one element overlies the other, said means including a vacuum present between the elements.

Abstract: A prepress color proof can be prepared using suitable donor elements and an intermediate receiver element that has a roughened outer image receiving layer so that the color image is transferred with high image resolution. The intermediate receiver element can also have a cushioning layer beneath the outer image receiving layer that reduces the tendency for entrapped dirt particles to form minus density spot defects. In addition, a unique carrier plate can be used to carry the donor and intermediate receiver elements through laminating equipment. This carrier plate has a thermoplastic adhesive layer with sufficient tackiness to prevent irreversible dimensional change during lamination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process using a photographic material comprising on a support a silver halide emulsion layer and a layer containing physical development nuclei comprising the steps of:image-wise exposing said photographic material;developing a thus obtained image-wise exposed photographic material by guiding said image-wise exposed photographic material through an alkaline processing liquid comprising a hydrophobizing agent, in 15s or less andsubsequently guiding a thus obtained developed photographic material through a stabilizing liquid;characterized in that said stabilizing liquid comprises a compound having a mercapto-group having a pK.sub.a of 4.5 or less.

Abstract: A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet is disclosed which can provide a sharp image, has excellent suitability for printing in respect of halftone color reproduction and gradation reproduction, has high glossiness and smoothness, a cushioning property, and an excellent appearance because fine scratches, if any, on the surface of the sheet is invisible to the naked eye.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithographic printing plate excellent in scratch resistance, stain resistance, print image quality and ink-removability. The lithographic printing plate comprises a support and, coated thereon in succession, at least one undercoat layer, a silver halide emulsion layer and a physical development nuclei layer, characterized in that the lithographic printing plate has an arithmetical mean deviation of the profile Ra of 0.6 or less and the layers on the silver halide emulsion layer-provided side of the support contain 2.0 g/m.sup.2 or more of a matting agent.

Abstract: An image media assembly comprising: a donor element, a receptor element, and means for maintaining at least the elements in a predetermined position wherein one element overlies the element, said means including a vacuum present between the elements.

Abstract: A process for image formation by silver salt diffusion transfer which comprises developing an imagewise exposed photosensitive element containing a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer with an alkaline processing element containing a silver halide solvent to thereby convert at least part of the silver halide present in the unexposed area of the emulsion layer into a transferable silver complex and then transferring at least part of the silver complex to an image-receiving element containing an image-receiving layer containing silver-precipitating nuclei to thereby form an image on the image-receiving element, said silver halide emulsion contained in the silver halide emulsion layer in the photosensitive element being a tabular grain emulsion which is obtained by chemically sensitizing tabular silver halide grains and depositing a silver iodobromide having a silver iodide content of from 2 to 15 mol % on the surface of the resulting grains in an amount of from 3 to 20 mol % and which has a total average

Abstract: A dye fixing element for use in an image formation system which is adapted to superimpose a light-sensitive element and a dye fixing element provided on separate supports upon each other so that diffusible dyes are transferred to said dye fixing element to form an image, which is characterized in that a matting agent is incorporated in either a layer nearer to said support than a dye fixing layer in said dye fixing element or a layer provided between said dye fixing layer and a surface protective layer.The dye fixing element can be used to provide a good matte image that satisfies the requirements for matte surface, i.e., low gloss, texture that prevents the image from being seen white, difficulty for white spot in occurring on the transferred image, and surface condition that gives no glare.

Abstract: An improved film format for a self-developing, peel-apart film unit having flexible positive and negative sheet elements and a pod of developer liquid, wherein at least one of the sheet elements bends when a force is applied to a trailing edge thereof to effect sheet element movement. Pockets are formed on the leading end of each sheet element so that a force may be readily coupled thereto without bending either sheet element while they are being moved, for example, into a developer liquid spread system for subsequent film processing.

Abstract: The invention provides a diffusion transfer receiver comprising a support with a non-light-sensitive image receiving layer coated onto each face thereof, said image receiving layer in each case comprising a catalytic nuclei layer for physical development of transferred complexed silver halide and each composite comprising a diffusion modifying active component which is preferably a tone controlling compound. The composites of Side 1 and Side 2 are different constitutions so as to provide receivers suitable for different end users. For example Side 1 can be made suitable for creative designers while Side 2 can be made suitable for pre-sensitized plate-makers.The invention also provides a method for improving transmission density of a receiver sheet in a non-light-sensitive image receiving layer of a silver diffusion transfer process which method comprises utilizing in the receiver layer an S-thiuronium alkyl sulfonate transmission density enhancer.

Abstract: An image receiving material comprises an image receiving layer provided on a support. The image receiving layer contains particles of a thermoplastic compound. The image receiving layer has a porous surface formed by the particles. According to the present invention, the image receiving material is prepared by forming the image receiving layer on the support and heating the image receiving layer at a temperature of higher than a softening point of the thermoplastic compound to widen pores in the porous surface. The image receiving material is preferably used in combination with a light-sensitive material which comprises a support and a light-sensitive layer in which light-sensitive microcapsules are dispersed. The light-sensitive microcapsules contain silver halide, a reducing agent, an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compound and a color image forming substance.

Abstract: An improved film format for a self-developing, peel-apart film unit having flexible positive and negative sheet elements and a pod of developer liquid, wherein at least one of the sheet elements bends when a force is applied to a trailing edge thereof to effect sheet element movement. Pockets are formed on the leading end of each sheet element so that a force may be readily coupled thereto without bending either sheet element while they are being moved, for example, into a developer liquid spread system for subsequent film processing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light-sensitive element for lithographic printing plates excellent in stain resistance and water-carrying capacity which comprises a support and, coated thereon in succession, at least one undercoat layer, a silver halide emulsion layer and a physical development nuclei layer wherein at least one of the layers on the silver halide emulsion layer-provided side of the support contains 0.1-2.0 g/m.sup.2 of a matting agent of 5.mu. in average particle size and the light-sensitive element has an arithmetical mean deviation of profile Ra of 1.2 or less.

Abstract: Method for making lithographic aluminum offset printing plates according to the DTR-process by photo-exposing a photosensitive monosheet layer assemblage comprising a hydrophilic aluminum foil, an intermediate layer comprising hydrophobic polymer beads prepared by polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s) and having an average diameter not lower than 0.2 .mu.m, and a silver halide emulsion layer, applying an aqueous alkaline solution to the photo-exposed silver halide emulsion layer in the presence of a developing agent and a silver halide solvent to form a silver image and to allow unreduced silver halide or complexes formed thereof to diffuse imagewise from the developed silver halide emulsion layer to said aluminum foil to produce thereon a silver image, and separating said emulsion layer and said intermediate layer from the imaged aluminum foil. The invention also relates to the photosensitive monosheet layer assemblage used for making such printing plates.

Abstract: An image recording method, where the image is transferred by superposing an exposed light-sensitive material and an image receiving material on the surface of a drum.Before superposing, in circumferential direction with respect to the axial direction of the drum reduced or magnified image is exposed onto the light-sensitive material.When a reduced image has been exposed, the exposed light-sensitive material will be positioned between the image receiving material and the surface of the drum. When a magnified image has been exposed, the image receiving material will be positioned between the exposed light-sensitive material and the surface of the drum. In this way an image without distortions will be transferred.

Abstract: A system for providing a personal booklet, such as a passport, with a picture of the face and personal data of the bookholder to thereby provide the booklet holder's identity. The system includes entering a picture of the face of an applicant, the picture being attached to an application form, as a figure image into an image composing device, entering personal data of the applicant entered in the application form as a character image, providing a composite image of the figure and character images, printing the composite image onto a thermal transfer type photosensitive printing paper, transfering the printed composite image onto an image receiving layer coated on a transparent cover sheet bound in the booklet, and sandwiching the image receiving material layer between a supporting sheet bound in the booklet next to the transparent cover sheet and the transparent cover sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for and a method of recording an image in which a heat-developable light-sensitive material and an image-receiving material are superposed on each other and the superposed two materials are inserted between an outer periphery of a heating drum and an endless belt wound around a plurality of rollers and are wound around the outer periphery of the heating drum by pressing the two materials against the outer periphery of the heating drum by the endless belt, and the heating drum is rotated by being pressed by the endless belt, so as to heat develop the heat-developable light-sensitive material and allow an image formed by heat development to be transferred onto the image-receiving material.

Abstract: A monosheet type self-processing film unit comprising a masking member formed with an image area defining opening, a photosensitive sheet, a developer containing pod, a trapping member, a transparent cover sheet, and a spacer member interposed between the photosensitive and transparent cover sheets.

Abstract: A photographic element which is adapted for an image-forming process using a thermal-developing-process image-forming apparatus equipped with rollers for conveying photographic elements capable of forming images by thermal development and which comprises a support having a stiffness in the machine direction of 4.0 to 5.0 g.cm and a stiffness in the transverse direction of 2.9 to 3.4 g.cm.

Abstract: An image-receiving element, adapted to the production of a diffusion transfer photograph adhesively bondable to a substrate material, comprises first and second separable sheet-like support members adhesively bonded to one another by a layer of adhesive therebetween, the adhesivity of the first sheet-like support to the adhesive layer being less than the adhesivity of the second sheet-like support to the adhesive and less than the cohesivity of the adhesive layer. The second sheet-like support member carries on the side thereof opposed from the adhesive layer at least a water-permeable and dyeable image-receiving layer which receives a photographic dye image by diffusion transfer processing.

Abstract: A self-processing film unit has an over sheet for covering a surface which is exposed after an image recording sheet with a positive image recorded therein has been peeled off. The over sheet is superimposed on the exposed surface after peeling-off and adheres to the exposed surface to prevent processing liquid remaining on that exposed surface from soiling the hands or clothing of the user.

Abstract: A peel-apart type diffusion transfer unit comprising at least an image receiving layer and a peeling layer on a support wherein the peeling layer essentially consists of (A) a layer containing a copolymer which contains repeating units (monomer units) derived from an ethylenic unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, and (B) a layer which contains a cellulose ester.

Abstract: A receiver sheet for producing high density images, preferably in a photosensitive imaging system is disclosed. The receiver sheet is characterized by containing a particulate developer material which does not substantially compress upon the application of pressure. The resistance to pressure is accomplished by using a receiver sheet which has a discontinuous thickness or by incorporating a stilt material into the developer material. Also disclosed is an imaging system which has a discontinuous thickness donor sheet to prevent the developer material from substantially compressing upon the application of pressure.

Abstract: An instant or self-developing transparency film assemblage for producing a 35 mm film transparency ready for mounting in a frame for subsequent viewing in cooperation with a viewer or projector. The film assemblage includes (1) a film chip having an opaque rear surface (2) a first opaque leader for initially covering a front or lens facing surface of the film chip to protect a photosensitive or image-recording layer of the film chip from exposure during the loading of the latter into a camera, (3) a second leader for enabling an operator to pull an exposed film chip between a pair of spread rollers which spread a processing liquid between layers of the film chip to initiate formation of a visible image therein, and (4) a sheet of opaque material which is adapted to be laid across the lens facing surface as the film chip is moved between the spread rollers.

Abstract: A photographic element comprising particulate benzoguanamine-formaldehyde condensation polymer is improved in writability and anti-adherence while maintaining photographic properties. A photographic element, particularly a dye-fixing element comprising a dye-fixing layer on one surface of a support and a hydrophilic colloid-containing back layer on the other surface of the support is improved in image density variation and anti-adherence when the back layer contains at least about 0.002 cm.sup.3 /m.sup.2 of particles having a particle size of more than about 10 .mu.m.

Abstract: A photographic element comprising particulate benzoguanamine-formaldehyde condensation polymer is improved in writability and anti-adherence while maintaining photographic properties. A photographic element, particularly a dye-fixing element comprising a dye-fixing layer on one surface of a support and a hydrophilic colloid-containing back layer on the other surface of the support is improved in image density variation and anti-adherence when the back layer contains at least about 0.002 cm.sup.3 /m.sup.2 of particles having a particle size of more than about 10 .mu.m.

Abstract: A color diffusion transfer photographic film unit and a method for forming image therewith which comprises a photosensitive sheet comprising a light-reflective support having disposed thereon in order outwardly from the support (a) a layer having neutralizing function, (b) a dye image-receiving layer, (c) a separating layer and (d) at least one light-sensitive emulsion layer comprising a light-sensitive silver halide, the light-sensitive emulsion layer being associated with at least one dye image-forming material; a transparent cover sheet superposed on the outermost layer of the photosensitive sheet; and rupturable storage means for providing a developing solution substantially opaque to light between the light-sensitive emulsion layer and the transparent cover sheet; provided that at least one of the light-reflective support and layer thereon disposed on the side of the light-sensitive emulsion layer opposite the transparent cover sheet is substantially opaque to light.

Abstract: A self-developing integral film assemblage or unit adapted to be advanced between a pair of liquid spreading members in a camera to distribute a processing composition between a first positive or image-receiving sheet and a second negative or image-recording sheet. The composition is supplied from a pod which is located at a leading end of the film unit and excess thereof is absorbed by a trap at a trailing end of the unit. The first and second sheets are properly spaced by an intermediate masking sheet of uniform thickness which has an image-defining aperture therein. This mask assures that a uniform thickness of the processing composition is spread between the first and second sheets. The mask may also include a cutout adjacent to and outside of the image area defined by the aperture so as to enable an underlying portion of the second sheet to be photographically exposed to indicia relating to the exposure.

Abstract: Method of making a personal identification document exhibiting textual data and a portrait of the person, characterized in that it comprises the steps of forming a monochrome photographic textual image in a monochrome photographic silver halide material, forming a color photographic portrait image in a color photographic silver halide material, producing from these images corresponding monochrome and colored diffusion transfer images in image-receiving layers on opposite sides of a common receptor sheet, said receptor sheet, which bears the resulting diffusion transfer images, constituting a said personal identification document. The invention also provides a receptor sheet for use in such method.

Abstract: An image-forming method which comprises:imagewise exposing a light-sensitive material comprising a light-sensitive layer provided on a support wherein the light-sensitive layer contains silver halide, a reducing agent, a polymerizable compound and a color image forming substance;simultaneously or thereafter developing the light-sensitive material to polymerize the polymerizable compound within the area where the latent image of the silver halide has been formed, and thereby fixing the color image forming substance on the support within the area;pressing the light-sensitive material on an image-receiving material comprising an image-receiving layer provided on a support wherein the image-receiving layer contains a granulated thermoplastic compound, to transfer the unfixed color image forming substance to the image-receiving material; andheating the image-receiving material.

Abstract: A photographic film assemblage includes a pair of sheets bonded together around their edges and being in liquid communication with a sealed rupturable container of film processing liquid. An aperture in one of the sheets is covered by a film chip which, subsequent to exposure, is exposed to the processing liquid through the aperture after the container is ruptured. An image-receiving portion of the film chip is manually separable from the assemblage after suitable developing has occurred. Preferably, the image-receiving portion is a positive color transparency of a 35 MM size ready for immediate placement in a film mount for subsequent use in a viewer or projector.

Abstract: An image-receiving member of sheet material has a portion on which a positive image is adapted to be formed. A pod of processing liquid is secured to the sheet material outside of the image-forming portion. Each pod is preferably divided into two processing fluid containing portions, such that an advancing roller can contact the flat portion devoid of processing liquid in order to advance the image-receiving sheet without rupturing the pod. The mask defining the area on which a positive image is formed, can be either a continuous sheet having openings at regular intervals, or it can be formed by connector sheets alternately coupled to image-receiving sheets in combination with longitudinal masking strips affixed directly to the image-receiving sheet.

Abstract: A transparency film assemblage having a film frame of the instant or self-developing type and a roller assembly specifically adapted for use with the assemblage during the spreading of a processing liquid between an emulsion side of the film frame and a strip sheet. The film assemblage includes a sheet of material having a tab at one end which when pulled, subsequent to the spreading of the processing liquid between the film frame's emulsion side and a strip sheet, removes the strip sheet from covering relation with the film frame while simultaneously covering the film frame's emulsion layer which is now attached to the strip sheet. The roller assembly includes a pair of rollers which are configured to provide a sequence of gaps having varying predetermined thicknesses during the movement of a film assemblage therebetween.

Abstract: A peel-apart instant film unit including two separate sheets comprising a photosensitive sheet and an image-receiving sheet, has a coloring member provided on one end of the photosensitive sheet so as to contact a developer reagent spread between the two sheets for processing. The coloring member is adapted to change in color upon the completion of the processing of the film unit as a result of the chemical reaction of the coloring member brought into contact with the developer reagent. The color change of the coloring member, which is observed from the outside of the film unit, indicates the completion of the processing of the film unit. The coloring member includes a time delay substance that initially separates the reagent spread between the sheets, from the substance that changes color. That time delay substance is permeable by the reagent at a rate such that the reagent reaches that substance and causes the color change only upon the completion of the development of the film unit.

Abstract: This application discloses novel self-developing film units of the integral type. The film units have spacers or rails positioned between the superposed sheets for controlling the thickness of the applied layer of processing fluid. The rupturable pod is attached to the remainder of the film unit at only one edge, so that it may "float" after the processing fluid has been applied. A spacer is bonded to the mask in the area overlying the pod. The mask may be folded over and around only the leading and trailing ends of the film unit.

Abstract: An instant photographic method uses a photosensitive member in the form of a roll, of a length to receive a plurality of exposures, and an image-receiving member in the form of either a roll or a sheet. The photosensitive member is cut off to the length of a single frame of film after the exposure of its leading end. Before or after cutting off the member or members, the exposed leading end of the photosensitive member and the image-receiving member are superposed. Between the superposed members a processing liquid is distributed and spread in a uniform layer for diffusion transfer processing. During the processing, negative and positive images are produced simultaneously on the photosensitive and image-receiving members, respectively, according to the latent image previously created on the photosensitive member by exposure.

Abstract: A peel-apart type instant film unit comprising an image receiving sheet separably adhered in a heat sealing manner to a mask member which is peeled apart from the former after the development thereof. There is provided therebetween a weak sealing layer comprising an adhesive layer of a thermoplastic polymer having hydrophilic groups and a separating layer which is alkali resistant and has a good separation property relative to the adhesive layer. The weak sealing layer can provide an easy separation between the separating and adhesive layers so as perfectly to transfer the adhesive layer to the image receiving sheet to provide a fine appearance and a writeable image frame on the image receiving sheet. The mask member is made of any polyethylene compounded paper sheets and is provided with a processing liquid-resisting layer inside the weak sealing layer for the purpose of preventing the permeation of processing liquid thereto.

Abstract: A photosensitive material containing a hydrophilic pigment is exposed to light to form a pigment pattern defining a particular image. The photosensitive material is brought into intimate contact with an image receiving material having a pigment fixing layer. The mutually contacting materials are heated so that the pigment may be transferred from the photosensitive material to the pigment fixing layer. A pigment diffusion assistant, is supplied to an area between the mutually contacting materials before they are heated for pigment transfer. The diffusion assistant spreads along a line along which the two materials are in contact with each other and promotes the transfer of the pigment.