Abstract: A self-contained thermal transfer label apparatus including a release stock supporting a release coating and, over the release coating, a first adhesive coating and a face stock. The face stock is severed into labels aligned in sequence along the face stock. An ultraviolet light curable second adhesive is disposed on portions of the upper surface of the face stock exterior to the labels. A donor ribbon strip is disposed in registry with the face stock, the donor ribbon strip providing a thermal transfer coating in engaged contact with the second adhesive and adjacent to the labels. The thermal transfer coating has a surface tension greater than a surface tension of the second adhesive so that it can be removed, taking that portion of the adhesive in contact with it. The donor ribbon strip is severed exterior to the labels enabling removal of peripheral portions of the donor ribbon strip while leaving further portions of the donor ribbon strip over the labels for later marking the labels.

Abstract: A self-contained thermal transfer label is disclosed herein. The product is formed as paper stock having an area of release material applied to a surface portion thereof. A layer of adhesive material is applied upon the release material. A thermal transfer donor ribbon is mated to the label by the area of adhesive material. The donor ribbon is treated, prior to mating with the label, such that the surface tension at the donor ribbon is modified to a level substantially different from that of the release material. As a consequence, when the donor ribbon is removed from the label, after printing on the label, the adhesive remains secured to the donor ribbon, rather than the underlying label. A result is a label that may support a higher quality image, but without adhesive residue after the donor sheet is peeled away. Various applications of the product are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Printing substrate materials (e.g., paper, cardboard, card stock, label stock, facsimile paper, thermally sensitive record materials, plastic film, et cetera . . . ) having at least one layer of an air dryable ultraviolet protective primer formed thereon. One or more layers of topcoat, such as a radiation curable topcoat, may be applied over top of the primer of the present invention to form a complete primer/topcoat system on the substrate material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultraviolet curable/ultraviolet protective overcoating for application to heat and/or pressure sensitive record materials known to undergo degratory effects when exposed to ultraviolet radiation within a known "photodegratory" wavelength range. The overcoatings of the invention generally contain a first additive which promotes curing of the overcoating by UV radiation outside of the "photodegratory" range and a second additive which remains present within the cured overcoat and serves to absorb or otherwise prevent transmission of UV radiation within the "photodegratory" range. Additionally, the overcoatings of the invention may contain a third additive capable of acting as a free radical scavenger within the cured overcoating, thereby preventing or minimizing certain degratory effects of free radicals within or adjacent to the cured overcoating.