Abstract: A thermal transfer medium for use in mass transfer printing comprises a substrate bearing on at least part of one surface thereof a coating of an overlay material comprising polyester having a glass transition greater than 50° C. (preferably at least 75° C.) and a molecular weight in the range 6,000 to 10,000. The overlay material combines good transfer characteristics, barrier properties and durability and is highly transparent.

Abstract: A receiver medium for digital imaging comprises a substrate having a dye-receiving surface bearing a coating comprising a highly branched functionalised polymer of generally globular form, e.g. a dendrimer, dispersed in a host polymer. Functional groups at or near the surface of the branched polymer, may interact with and bind dye molecules having complementary functional groups, eg dyes as disclosed in WO 96/34766, e.g. by acid-base interaction, thus having the effect of chemically fixing the dye within the coating on the receiver medium. Because dye molecules can be chemically bound to the branched polymer in the receiver sheet, it is possible to use host polymer materials of lower Tg than generally required in the prior art, with the host polymer typically having a Tg of less that 50° C. This means that dye molecules can have significantly increased diffusivity through the coating, prior to interaction, resulting in a more even distribution of dye through the coating than has been possible hitherto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating material for producing a porous ink-absorbent coating on a substrate to be used in ink-jet printers, comprising radiation curable material and particulate material in a liquid carrier, wherein the weight ratio of particulate material to radiation curable material is greater than 1:1. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a coated substrate using such a coating material. Advantageously, the coating material of the present invention does not crack upon curing, and conveniently forms a porous coating having a glossy surface, while retaining a porous structure for ink-absorption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating material for producing a porous ink-absorbent coating on a substrate to be used in ink-jet printers, comprising radiation curable material and particulate material in a liquid carrier, wherein the weight ratio of particulate material to radiation curable material is greater than 1:1. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a coated substrate using such a coating material. Advantageously, the coating material of the present invention does not crack upon curing, and conveniently forms a porous coating having a glossy surface, while retaining a porous structure for ink-absorption.

Abstract: An inkable sheet suitable for use as an ink jet recording sheet comprises a non-porous thermoplastics polymeric film substrate having on a surface thereof a porous, ink-absorbent, resin layer. The porous layer which comprises voids capable of absorbing and retaining an aqueous-organic ink-solvent medium by capillary action, may comprise a hydrophobic resin, a hydrophilic resin or a blend thereof, and may be bonded to a substrate, such as a film of polyethylene terephthalate, by an intermediate adhesive resin layer. The sheet is particularly suitable in the production of an imaged transparency for use in a transmission mode.

Abstract: Compounds and ink compositions. An ink composition comprising a compound of Formula (1) and salts thereof: ##STR1## wherein Ch represents an arrangement of atoms which causes the compound to absorb electromagnetic radiation;R.sup.a and R.sup.b each independently is a spacer group;Y is an interactive functional group;w and x each independently is 0 or an integer equal to or greater than 1; andm and n each independently is an integer equal to or greater than 1, provided that w and x are not both equal to zero and when one of w or x is 0 at least one of m and n is equal to or greater than 2. For use in ink jet printing and electrophotography.

Abstract: A dye diffusion thermal transfer printing dye sheet comprising a substrate having a coating comprising a dye of Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein Ch is a chromogen;R.sup.a and R.sup.b each independently is a spacer group;Y is an interactive functional group selected from the group comprising OH and COOH;w and x each independently is 0 or an integer equal to or greater than 1; andm and n each independently is an integer equal to or greater than 1, provided that w and x are not both equal to 0 and when one of w or x is 0 at least one of m and n is equal to or greater than 2 and when Y represents hydroxy, m+n is greater than 2.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing dye sheet comprising a substrate, a dye coat comprising a dye and a polymeric binder on the substrate and an over coat of styrene/butadiene copolymer on the dye coat is disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing sheet comprising a substrate having a coating of a disazo of Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: each R independently is selected from --H; --CH.sub.3 ; --CN; --NO.sub.2 ; m--COT.sup.1 ; --SO.sub.2 T.sup.1 ; m--COOT.sup.2 ; --COOPh; --SO.sub.2 F; --SO.sub.2 Cl; and --COOT.sup.2 OT.sup.3;n is 1 or 2;R.sup.2 is --H or C.sub.1-4 -alkyl;R.sup.3 is --CN;R.sup.4 is --H, C.sub.1-6 -alkylCO.OC.sub.1-6 -alkyl-, C.sub.1-6 -alkylOCOC.sub.1-6 -alkyl- or C.sub.1-6 -alkyl;R.sup.5 is C.sub.1-6 -alkylCO.OC.sub.3-6 -alkyl- or C.sub.1-6 -alkylOCOC.sub.3-6 -alkyl-; andR.sup.6 is selected from --H; C.sub.1-4 -alkyl; and --NHCOT.sup.1 ; whereinT.sup.1 is C.sub.1-6 -alkyl or phenyl, T.sup.2 is C.sub.1-6 -alkyl, and T.sup.3 is C.sub.1-6 -alkyl.The above transfer printing sheets are used to produce printed receiver sheets in a dye diffusion thermal transfer printing process.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing sheet comprising a substrate having a coating of a disazo dye of Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: R is selected from --H; --CN; --NO.sub.2 ; --COT.sup.1 ; --SO.sub.2 T.sup.1 ; --COOT.sup.1 ;--SO.sub.2 F; and --SO.sub.2 Cl;eachR.sup.1 is independently selected from --H; --F, --Cl, --Br; and --CF.sub.3 ;n is 1, 2 or 3;R.sup.2 is --H or C.sub.1-4 -alkyl;R.sup.3 is --CN;R.sup.4 is a straight or branched chain C.sub.1-6 -alkyl;R.sup.5 is ##STR2## (sec.butyl); and R.sup.6 is selected from --H; C.sub.1-4 -alkyl; and --NHCOT.sup.1 ;wherein T.sup.1 is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl or phenyl.

Abstract: An inkable sheet comprises a substrate and ink-absorbent layer, the surface of which exhibits an internal contact angle of at least 120.degree.. A modifying treatment provides a microporous surface zone of reduced apparent hydrophilicity which accepts a high loading of an aqueous-based ink. Ink patterns of high resolution are thereby achievable.

Abstract: A coating composition for a plastics substrate such as a polyester film, comprises a polymeric amine, a polyepoxyresin and an etchant, and optionally includes a vinyl polymer. The composition is of utility as a priming medium in the production of photographic and reprographic elements, printing plates, inkable sheets, and the like.

Abstract: An assembly for use in the production of a relief printing plate comprises a polymeric substrate, a primer layer and a resin layer thereon, the resin layer being at least 2 microns thick and comprising a low molecular weight copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, optionally with a termonomer, particularly a hydroxyl-containing termonomer. The primer layer may contain a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, and the substrate may be a polyester, particularly a polyethylene terephthalate film.

Abstract: An inkable sheet comprises a base sheet, such as a PET film, having on a surface thereof an ink-absorbent resin layer comprising an acrylic or methacrylic polymer containing free carboxylic acid groups and a plasticizer therefor.

Abstract: An inkable sheet comprises a base sheet, such as a PET film, having on a surface thereof an ink-absorbent resin layer comprising a vinyl pyrrolidone polymer and an acrylic or methacrylic polymer.

Abstract: A coating composition for a plastics substrate such as a polyester film, comprising a polymeric amine, a polyepoxyresin and an etchant, and optionally includes a vinyl polymer. The composition is of utility as a priming medium in the production of photographic and reprographic elements, printing plates, inkable sheets, and the like.

Abstract: A laser-imageable assembly comprising a transparent substrate and an associated energy absorbent transfer layer comprising particles which absorb laser energy dispersed in a resin, the assembly comprising at least one further layer selected from(a) an intermediate priming layer,(b) a protective coating layer, and(c) a lubricant coating layer.The transfer layer is preferably rendered heterogeneous - for example, by appropriately drying the coated substrate.A preferred substrate is a polyester film.

Abstract: A laser-imageable assembly comprising a transparent substrate having on a surface thereof an energy absorbent transfer layer comprising particles which absorb laser energy dispersed in a heterogeneous resin layer. Heterogeneity may be achieved by appropriately drying the coated substrate.The assembly may also comprise one or more additional layers of primer, protective and lubricant coatings.A preferred assembly comprises a polyester substrate with a graphite-containing heterogeneous transfer layer.