Toner fixing method and apparatus and image bearing receiving sheet

A method of treating a multicolor toner image carried on the outer surface of a thermoplastic outer layer of a receiving sheet, said toner image including a plurality of layers of heat softenable dry toner, which toner is made up of toner particles having an average diameter of 8 microns or less, and which layers have been adhered together and partially embedded in said thermoplastic layer by a heat transfer process, but which layers extend above the surface of said thermoplastic layer in a relief image which varies according to the image, said method comprising:

• placing said image carrying surface in contact with a surface of a material which latter surface is smooth, hard and has low surface energy,
• with said thermoplastic layer at a temperature at or above its glass transition temperature, applying a force urging said surfaces together to provide a pressure of at least 100 pounds per square inch between the surfaces to further embed said toner image in said thermoplastic layer and reduce the relief image,
• allowing said thermoplastic layer to cool below its glass transition temperature while still in contact with said smooth, hard surface, and
• separating said cooled thermoplastic layer from said web.