Abstract: Product and process for heat transfer labeling employing a release layer that is resistant to discoloration, cracking and crawling. The release layer is formed by a blend of oxidized and unoxidized polyethylenes in proportions that prevent objectionable discoloration and hold a superimposed design in situ in order to relieve stresses that could otherwise produce cracking and crawling during heat transfer labeling. Viscosity can be suitably controlled by the addition of a minority amount of paraffin.

Abstract: A screen printing process for imprinting an ink design over release coat substrates carried on a web to form heat transferrable labels. The process includes screen printing an ink design image onto the substrate followed by passing the imprinted substrates through a drying section and subsequently transferring the design image to an article. The ink formulation used in the screen printing step is composed of a base ink vehicle containing a polyamide adhesive resin and a film forming component, a thixotropic filler and a plasticizer. The formulation exhibits fluidity, adhesive and plasticity characteristics which made the ink particularly suitable to imprint and form heat transferable labels by silk screen printing.