POSITIVE IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND DEVELOPER USED IN SAME

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a positive image forming method in which superior contrast between image and non-image areas is ensured, the rate of a residual film in the image area is sufficiently kept, fringy stain is not caused and no sensitivity to light in the UV region and superior handleability under a white fluorescent lamp are ensured when a positive image forming material with a layer of a positive type photosensitive composition comprising a photothermal converting material and a novolak resin is developed and a developer used in the method. SOLUTION: In the positive image forming method, a positive image forming material with a layer of a positive type photosensitive composition comprising a photothermal converting material which absorbs light of a light source for imagewise exposure and converts it to heat, a surfactant and a novolak resin on the surface of the base is developed with an alkali developing solution containing a specified phosphoric ester compound having ethyleneoxy repeating structural units to form a positive image. The developing solution used in the method contains prescribed amounts of an alkali metallic hydroxide and an alkali metallic silicate and has a prescribed pH.