Composites, methods, and systems for production of multi-color images which are developable at various wavelengths are disclosed and described. The color forming composite can include a first color forming layer having a first polymer matrix, a first color former, and a first developer where the first color former and the first developer can be in separate phases within the first color forming layer; a second color forming layer having a second polymer matrix, a second color former, and a second developer where the second color former and the second developer can be in separate phases within the second color forming layer; and at least one radiation absorber. The radiation absorber can be present in at least one of the first or second color forming layers. Additionally, the first color forming layer can have a first extinction coefficient that is higher than the second extinction coefficient of the second color forming layer.