Receiving element for use in thermal transfer printing

A substantially non-photosensitive thermal imaging process using (i) a donor element comprising on a support a donor layer containing a binder and a thermotransferable reducing agent capable of reducing a silver source to metallic silver and (ii) a receiving element comprising on a support a receiving layer comprising a silver source, capable of being reduced by means of heat in the presence of a reducing agent, a binder and a stabiliser selected from the group consisting of benzotriazoles, heterocyclic mercaptanes, sulphinic acids, 1,3,4-triazo-indolizines, 1,3-dinitroaryl compounds, 1,2,3-triazoles, phthalic acids and phthalic acid derivatives, said thermal imaging process comprising the steps of

• bringing said donor layer of said donor element into face to face relationship with said receiving layer of said receiving element,
• image-wise heating a thus obtained assemblage, thereby causing image-wise transfer of an amount of said thermotransferable reducing agent from the donor element to said receiving element in accordance with the amount of heat supplied and separating said donor element from said receiving element.