Patent ID: 6844141

Claim:
A method for forming an image, the method comprising the steps of: a) thermally imaging a multi-layer imageable element and forming an imaged imageable element comprising imaged and complementary unimaged regions; wherein: imaging is carried out using stochastic screening; 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; wherein: the developer is a solvent based developer; the developer has a pH below about 10.5; and a replenisher is added to the developer; and the volume of replenisher added to the developer is about 80 ml/m 2 to about 400 ml/m 2 of imaged element developed in the developer.