1. A printer for forming an image in a layer of microcapsules, comprising: image receiving means for receiving an image in a layer of field attractive microcapsules, the image receiving means comprising a locally variable attractive field member and controlling means for controlling the locally variable attractive field member to selectively apply an attractive field at at least one predetermined location of the locally variable attractive field member so that a layer of field attractive microcapsules can be formed by selectively applying a corresponding local attractive field at the at least one predetermined location of the locally variable attractive field member.