Abstract: A novel two step process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color ink jet images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. A novel ink receptive element, which is used in the process, comprises a temporary carrier layer; a protective layer; and an adhesive ink receptive layer. The novel imaging process comprises: A) depositing an ink image layer on the surface of the ink receptive element, so that the ink image layer is adhered to the surface of the adhesive, ink receptive layer; B) pressure laminating the receptor substrate to the ink image layer to form a laminated image element; and C) removing the temporary carrier layer from the protective layer of the laminated image element to form a protected imaged substrate. The protective layer then serves to protect the ink image from abrasion and environmental contaminants.

Abstract: A novel transfer element for protecting, graphic arts images is disclosed. The transfer element consists essentially of, a temporary carrier layer, a substantially silane-free protective layer, and an adhesive layer permanently adhered to the protective layer. In particular, the temporary carrier layer is a polymeric sheet material, a foraminous sheet material, or composites thereof; and the protective layer comprises a cross-linked cellulose ester. When the transfer element of this invention is used, the temporary carrier layer is removed, as the final step, from the protective layer which remains substantially intact. The transfer element is useful in manufacturing protected images of all sizes and is particularly suited to protecting large format images such as billboards.

Abstract: A novel process for forming protected, electrographic image on a substrate is disclosed. An electrographic element used in the process comprises a supporting layer, a conductive layer, and a dielectric layer. A protective element used in the process comprises a temporary support layer, a protective layer, and an adhesive layer. The novel electrographic imaging process comprises the steps of producing a toned electrographic image on the surface of the electrographic element; applying and adhering the adhesive layer of the protective element to the toned electrographic image to form an imaged composite; removing the supporting layer from the composite to uncover the conductive layer; pressure laminating the final substrate to the conductive layer; and then removing the temporary support layer from the protective layer to form the protected, electrographic image on the substrate of choice.