Patent ID: 7670450

Claim:
A process for transferring an image onto a receptor, comprising the steps of: providing on a substrate a light-to-heat conversion layer and a transfer layer coated on the light-to-heat conversion layer, the transfer layer including an organic material; placing the transfer layer in contact with a surface of the receptor; irradiating the light-to-heat conversion layer in an imagewise pattern with a light source to thermally transfer portions of the transfer layer corresponding to the imagewise pattern to the receptor, forming on the receptor organic interfaces between the transferred portions and the receptor; annealing at least one layer on the receptor prior to the irradiating step; and annealing the portions of the transfer layer after transfer to the receptor, the annealing comprising applying a thermal treatment to the organic interfaces before applying additional layers to the transferred portions, the thermal treatment being sufficient to reduce defects within the organic interfaces.