The present invention provides a receptor element for use in thermal
transfer imaging. The receptor element includes a coating having a
polymeric binder and a biguanide bleaching agent. The biguanide bleaching
agent is capable of bleaching an infrared-absorbing dye when the
biguanide bleaching agent and the infrared-absorbing dye are in contact.
A particularly suitable biguanide bleaching agent is
1-(o-tolyl)biguanide. The invention also provides compositions and
methods for manufacturing a receptor element. Also provided by the
invention is an imaging system for thermal transfer imaging. The imaging
system includes a color-bearing element and a bleaching element, wherein
the bleaching element includes a coating having a polymeric binder and a
biguanide bleaching agent. The invention further provides methods useful
in the production of integral proofs.