Abstract: A method of printing uses an inkjet print head to print an ink containing about 0.01 to about 15 wt. % of a wetting agent onto an intermediate transfer surface to form an image on the intermediate transfer surface. The method transfers the image from the intermediate transfer surface to a final medium while the ink is partially wet. The wetting agent may be a 1,2 alkyldiol having 4-10 carbon atoms or a diether alcohol having 6-14 carbon atoms. 1,2 hexanediol and hexylcarbitol, respectively, are particularly suitable wetting agents. If 1,2 hexanediol is used as the wetting agent, the ink may contain about 1.0 to about 5.0 wt. % hexanediol. If hexylcarbitol is used as the wetting agent, the ink may contain about 0.1 to about 2.5 wt. % of hexylcarbitol. The intermediate transfer surface may be coated with a coating solution. In this case, the ink should have a surface energy different from that of the coating solution by no more than about about 10 dynes/cm.

Abstract: A method of printing uses a liquid applicator to apply a coating solution ontaining polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a polyvinyl pyrrolidone copolymer to an intermediate transfer medium. An image is printed onto the intermediate transfer medium using an ink jet printing device. The coating solution contains an organic solvent, which is preferably a glycol solvent or a diol solvent. Suitable solvents include trimethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, di propylene glycol, tri propylene glycol, 1,2 butane diol, 2 pyrrolidone, gamma butyrolactone and glycerol. The coating solution is applied in an amount of 0.01 to 10 mg/cm2. The coating solution may contain 0.01 to 20 wt. % of polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a polyvinyl pyrrolidone copolymer, 5-95 wt. % of an organic solvent and 5-95 wt. % water. More preferably, the coating solution contains 0.01 to 15 wt. % of polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a polyvinyl pyrrolidone copolymer, 5-95 wt. % of an organic solvent and 5-95 wt. % water.