Image forming process and light-sensitive image forming material

An image forming process comprising the steps of:

• imagewise exposing to light a light-sensitive image forming material comprising a support, a light-heat conversion layer provided thereon, an image forming layer provided on the light-heat conversion layer and a cover sheet provided on the image forming layer, to increase a bonding strength between the light-heat conversion layer and the image forming layer in the exposed area, and
• removing the cover sheet from the image forming material together with the image forming layer in the unexposed area so as to form a positive image on the cover sheet and to leave a negative image on the light-heat conversion layer which corresponds to the image forming layer in the exposed area.

An image forming process comprising the steps of:

• imagewise exposing to light a light-sensitive image forming material comprising a support, a light-heat conversion layer provided thereon and an image forming layer provided on the light-heat conversion layer, to decrease a bonding strength between the light-heat conversion layer and the image forming layer in the exposed area,
• pressing a receiving sheet onto the image forming layer, and
• removing the receiving sheet from the image forming material together with the image forming layer in the exposed area so as to form a negative image on the receiving sheet and to leave a positive image on the light-heat conversion layer which corresponds to the image forming layer in the unexposed area.

An image forming process comprising the steps,

• imagewise exposing to a laser beam from a semiconductor laser, a light-sensitive image forming material comprising a support, a light-heat conversion layer provided thereon, an intermediate layer comprising a polymer which produces a gas upon heating provided on the light-heat conversion layer, an image forming layer provided on the intermediate layer, and a cover sheet provided on the image forming layer, to decrease a bonding strength between the light-heat conversion layer and the image forming layer in the exposed area, and
• removing the cover sheet from the image forming material together with the image forming layer in the exposed area so as to form a negative image on the cover sheet and to leave a positive image on the light-heat conversion layer which corresponds to the image forming layer in the unexposed area.

A light-sensitive image forming material which comprises a support, a light-heat conversion layer provided thereon comprising a light-absorbing material and a thermoplastic resin, an intermediate layer comprising a polymer which produces a gas upon heating provided on the light-heat conversion layer, and an image forming layer comprising a coloring material provided on the intermediate layer, and has a property that a bonding strength between the light-heat conversion layer and the image forming layer is increased by being exposed to light.