Patent ID: 6992688

Claim:
The invention is a method for forming an image comprising the steps of: a) thermally imaging a multi-layer imageable element and forming an imaged imageable element comprising imaged and complementary unimaged regions; in which: the imageable element comprises a substrate, an underlayer over the substrate, and a top layer over the underlayer; the element comprises a photothermal conversion material; the top layer is substantially free of the photothermal conversion material; the top layer is ink receptive; before thermal imaging, the top layer is not removable by an alkaline developer; after thermal imaging, the imaged regions are removable by the developer; and the underlayer is removable by the developer; and b) developing the imaged imageable element with the developer and removing the imaged regions without substantially affecting the unimaged regions; in which: the developer is fresh developer; and the developer is not reused.