US Patent 7588656 Thermal transfer imaging element and method of using same

The present invention pertains to a donor element comprising a support layer, a transfer layer supported by the support layer, and a second layer disposed between the support layer and the transfer layer, wherein the second layer contains a binder and optionally an uncured crosslinking agent, but substantially no pigment. The binder in the second layer has a molecular weight Mn that causes the second layer to be substantially transferred with the transfer layer when the donor element is exposed to light.