The invention relates to a process for the production of a multi-layer image, preferably a multi-color image. A transfer film which is applied to a paper ubstrate and which is treated with laser irradiation is used. The transfer film has a laser-sensitive layer and a background layer arranged therebeneath. The laser-sensitive layer comprises laser-sensitive material, for example laser-sensitive pigments or other laser-sensitive coloring agents. The laser-sensitive material in the layer is region-wise bleached by laser irradiation. That results in a so-called laser-induced image component. As it is transparent or partly transparent, the background layer which is arranged therebeneath and which can have a printed image then becomes visible from above in that region. That therefore gives a multi-layer image which is formed by the laser-induced image component and by the background layer jointly.