Patent ID: 7033741

Claim:
A method of converting a recording element comprising: providing an imaged recording element having a convertible layer, the convertible layer comprising polymeric particles and a polymeric binder, the polymeric particles having a glass transition temperature T g1 , and the polymeric binder having a glass transition temperature T g2 ; heating the convertible layer to a temperature T p , T p being greater than T g1 and T g2 ; and converting the heated convertible layer of the recording element by advancing the recording element through a pair of rollers, the first roller of the pair of rollers being maintained at a first temperature T 1 and the second roller of the pair of rollers being maintained at a second temperature T 2 , T 1 and T 2 being less than T p , the convertible layer of the recording element becoming a converted layer after advancing through the pair of rollers, wherein the converted layer has an exit temperature T f , T f being less than T p .