Image formation by thermal transfer

Abstract

A method is disclosed for the formation of an image comprising the steps of (1) image-wise exposing, in the presence of a photopolymerizable compound, a photosensitive element comprising a support and at least one photosensitive layer containing a silver halide sensitive to actinic radiation, an organic silver salt and a reducing agent, (2) heating said photosensitive layer while in contact with a receiving element and allowing non-photopolymerized compound in the non-exposed areas to transfer and penetrate in said receiving element, and, (3) separating said receiving element from said photosensitive element. The obtained image can be a useful visible image produced on at least one of the separated elements, or it can be a hydrophobic polymer image on a hydrophilic background formed in the finally separated-receiving element which is usable as a printing plate. In the former embodiment the receiving element comprises a support and a layer containing a pigment, e.g. carbon black. In the latter embodiment the receiving element must comprise a hydrophilic surface, e.g. a support coated with a hydrophilic layer, or a metal support having a hydrophilic surface. The photopolymerizable compound preferably bears one or more functional (meth)acrylate groups. Most preferably this compound is chosen from particular classes of reactive multifunctional monomers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.