A thermally imageable element can be imaged using heat alone without the need for photosensitivity or post-imaging processing. The element contains image-forming chemistry that comprises i) image precursor chemistry and ii) a catalyst or a catalyst precursor that upon imagewise heating is capable of promoting thermally induced image formation with the image precursor chemistry. The image-forming chemistry i) and ii) components are in reactive association and uniformly dispersed or dissolved within a binder in one or more layers of the element. Thus, the element is capable of being thermally addressed to provide a visible image as a result of thermally induced catalytic transformation of the image-forming chemistry.