A laser dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon, in order, a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder and a polymeric overcoat which does not contain any image dye, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith to absorb at a given wavelength of the laser used to expose the element, the image dye is substantially transparent in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and absorbs in the region of from about 300 to about 700 nm and does not have substantial absorption at the wavelength of the laser used to expose the element.