Image-forming substrate and image-forming system using same

An image-forming system comprising:

• an image-forming substrate including a base member, a layer of microcapsules, coated over said base member, that contains a first type of microcapsule filled with a first dye, and a second type of microcapsule filled with a second dye, said first type of microcapsule exhibiting a first pressure/temperature characteristic such that, when said first type of microcapsule is squashed and broken under a first predetermined pressure at a first predetermined temperature, said first dye seeps from said squashed and broken microcapsule, said second type of microcapsule exhibiting a second pressure/temperature characteristic such that, when said second type of microcapsule is squashed and broken under a second predetermined pressure at a second predetermined temperature, said second dye seeps from said squashed and broken microcapsule;
• and
• an image-forming apparatus that forms an image on said image-forming substrate, said image-forming apparatus including a pressure application unit that exerts said first-and second predetermined pressures on said layer of microcapsules, said pressure application unit including a transparent plate member, a layer of radiation absorbent material coated over a surface of said transparent plate member, a first platen member elastically pressed against said layer of radiation absorbent material at said first predetermined pressure, and a second platen member elastically pressed against said layer of radiation absorbent material at said second predetermined pressure, with said image-forming substrate being interposed between said first and second platen members and said layer of radiation absorbent material, said image-forming apparatus further including an irradiating unit that irradiates said layer of radiation absorbent material with a first beam of radiation and a second beam of radiation, such that two portions of said layer of microcapsules, encompassed by two local areas of said layer of radiation absorbent material irradiated by said first and second beams of radiation, are heated to said first and second predetermined temperatures.