Patent ID: 6942957

Claim:
An imageable element comprising: a substrate; an underlayer over the substrate; a top layer over the underlayer; in which: 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 to form imaged regions in the top layer, the imaged regions are removable by the alkaline developer; the top layer comprises a binder and an ionic liquid; the binder is selected from the group consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate); copolymers of methyl methacrylate with other acrylate or methacrylate monomers; polystyrene; copolymers of styrene with acrylate and methacrylate monomers; polyesters, polyamides, polyureas, polyurethanes, epoxy resins, and combinations thereof; the underlayer is removable by the alkaline developer; and the ionic liquid has a melting point less than 50° C.