Embossed compact disc surfaces for laser thermal labeling

A method for transferring colorant from a donor element having a colorant layer with transferable colorant and a layer for absorbing infrared laser light to heat the colorant so as to transfer colorant to a dye receiving layer to form a desired label comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an embossed surface on the dye receiving layer having desired spacing to minimize mottling;
• b) positioning the embossed surface of the dye receiving layer in the focal plane of a focused laser beam with a colorant donor element being positioned in transferable relationship with the dye receiving layer;
• c) focusing an infrared laser beam on the colorant donor element to cause the absorbing layer to heat the donor element to a sufficient temperature to transfer colorant to the dye receiving layer to thereby effect the transfer of colorant from the donor element to the dye receiving element;
• and
• d) providing relative movement between the dye receiving layer and the laser beam and modulating the laser beam in correspondence with a label to thereby effecting laser thermal colorant transfer to thereby effecting laser thermal colorant transfer to the embossed surface on the dye receiving layer from the donor element in correspondence with the desired label so that the embossed spacing provides a high quality mottle free label.