Etch bleaching process

In an etch-bleaching process wherein a hydrophilic layer in/on which a silver image exists is first treated with an etch-bleaching solution, to remove those portions of the hydrophilic layer corresponding to the silver image the improvement wherein the hydrophilic layer is subsequently treated with an aqueous solution containing at least one of an oxyacid of chlorine and a salt thereof to remove etched residue of the hydrophilic layer in the area corresponding to the silver image.