Protective layer for reimageable medium

A reimageable recording medium comprising:

• a substrate;
• a display layer comprising a photochromic material that is imageable upon exposure to an imaging light of a first wavelength;
• and
• a protective layer comprising a plurality of microcapsules comprising a diarylethene material, the diarylethene material being switchable between a UV absorbing state and a UV transparent state.

A method for forming a temporary image comprising:

• a) providing a reimageable medium comprising a substrate, a display layer comprising a photochromic material, and a protective layer, the protective layer comprising a plurality of microcapsules encapsulating a diarylethene material that is switchable between a UV light absorbing state and a UV light transparent state;
• b) exposing selected areas of the medium to light of a first wavelength sufficient for switching the protective layer from a UV light absorbing state to a UV light transparent state;
• c) exposing the selected areas of the medium to light of a second wavelength to convert the photochromic material from a colorless state to a colored state, thereby forming a viewable image;
• and
• d) exposing the medium to light of a third wavelength sufficient to switch the protective layer from a UV transparent state to a UV absorbent state.