Thermally-responsive record materials are described containing a "complex" material formed from interactions at high pH between zinc stearate and ammonia and/or zinc stearate, ammonia and zinc oxide. The use of these materials in thermally-responsive sheets improves thermal image response and/or improves resistance to thermal image decline upon exposure to elevated temperature.

An improved heat-sensitive recording material is disclosed comprising a substrate, a binder, a chromogenic material, an electron-accepting color developer which reacts with said chromogenic material to form a color, and a color-stabilizing resin. The color stabilizing resin comprises an addition product of a diolefinic alkylated or alkenylated cyclic hydrocarbon or, an addition product of a phenol and a diolefinic alkylated or alkenylated cyclic hydrocarbon. The color-stabilizing resin, dye, and developer, have a weight percent resin phenolic group of about 5 or less. The heat-sensitive recording material has a fade index greater than 45. Imaged recording materials according to the invention resist fading when exposed to temperatures of 60.degree. C. for prolonged periods such as twenty-four hour oven tests.

A fingerprinting system comprising means capable of releasably retaining a liquid and a liquid composition releasably retained in said means, said liquid composition comprising a leuco color-former coupound, a dialkyl phthalate wherein the alkyl group contains 1-3 carbon atoms, a substrate for receiving fingerprints associated therewith, said substrate being coated on at least a portion of one surface thereof with a color developing substance comprising a phenol/aldehyde condensation product produced by the reaction together of an alkyl-substituted salicylic acid, an alkyl-substituted phenol, and an aldehyde, said condensation product having been reacted with a metal source.

A marking system that advantageously minimizes messiness during use is disclosed. The marking system comprises a marking composition comprising at least one color precursor in the form of a leuco dye. A marking instrument can be utilized to store the marking composition and/or apply the marking composition to a desired substrate. The substrate is provided with a coating comprising at least one color-triggering developer. Upon application of the leuco dye to the substrate, a chromophore, and hence, color, is formed. If, however, color is inadvertently triggered on an unintended surface, thereby resulting in an unwanted stain, the stain can be readily removed.