Receivers and their use in thermal imaging

This invention relates to improved processes and products for effecting laser-induced thermal transfer imaging. More specifically, the invention relates to a pigment image receiving layer having surface irregularities. A receiver element for use in a thermal imaging process, wherein a surface of a pigment-image receiving layer of the receiver element has a roughness, and the surface is brought into contact with a thermally imageable element, wherein the pigment-image receiving layer provided on the receiver element has an average roughness (Ra) of less than about 1 and has surface irregularities having a plurality of peaks, at least about 50 of the peaks having a height of at least about 200 nm and a diameter of about 100 pixels over a surface area of about 458 by about 602 . These roughened receiver elements substantially reduce the micro-dropouts.