Methods for producing an information carrier produced by: (1) providing an information carrier precursor comprising a 5 rigid sheet or support; a receiving layer configuration having an image-receiving side and a non-image-receiving side, the receiving layer configuration comprising at least one pigment and at least one binder, (2) pattern-wise or integrally at least partially transparentizing the receiving layer configuration with a vaporizable liquid thereby providing a transparent pattern on the at least partially transparentized receiving layer; (3) using a light source to write a pattern or modify the pattern in the layer or element capable of a machine-readable change upon absorption of UV, visible or IR 25 radiation after transmission through at least part of the transparentized areas of the receiving layer configuration; evaporating the vaporizable liquid, thereby producing an information carrier.