Abstract: Described herein is a process for preparing a flexible packaging material comprising contacting a first flexible material of a layered substrate with an intermediate transfer member; wherein the layered substrate comprises the first flexible material and a thermally activatable laminating material disposed on the first flexible material; transferring an electrophotographic ink composition from a photoimaging plate onto the thermally activatable laminating material of the layered substrate on the intermediate transfer member to form an image layer on the thermally activatable laminating material; and contacting, under conditions of heat and/or pressure, the image layer with a second flexible material thereby forming the flexible packaging material. Also described herein is an electrophotographic printer for use in the process for preparing a flexible packaging material.

Abstract: Herein is described a method of providing a printed shrink sleeve, the method comprising: providing a printed substrate comprising a liquid electrophotographically printed ink image; and coating the liquid electrophotographically printed ink image of the printed substrate with a water-based overprint varnish composition. The water-based overprint varnish composition comprising: a varnish resin; a crosslinking component comprising: a compound containing at least two epoxide groups; a compound containing an epoxide group and a silane group; or a compound containing at least two carbodiimide groups; and hydrophobic particles, the ratio of the crosslinking component to the hydrophobic particles by weight being in the range of about 4.9:0.1 to about 1:4.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to selectively deflecting substrates. One example implementation includes an apparatus to selectively lift a part of a substrate away from a transfer member when the substrate is advancing in a substrate coating system relative to the transfer member, such that, across a width of the substrate, a first part of the substrate is coated by the transfer member and a second part of the substrate, that is lifted by the apparatus, remains uncoated.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to selectively deflecting substrates. One example implementation includes an apparatus to selectively lift a part of a substrate away from a transfer member when the substrate is advancing in a substrate coating system relative to the transfer member, such that, across a width of the substrate, a first part of the substrate is coated by the transfer member and a second part of the substrate, that is lifted by the apparatus, remains uncoated.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic (LEP) ink composition is described. The composition comprises: a pigment particle having an acidic surface modification; a basic charge director selected from:(i) a polymeric amine dispersant having a Total Base Number of at least 100 mg KOH/gram material, and (ii) a sulfosuccinate salt of the general formula MAn, wherein M is a metal, n is the valence of M, and A is an ion of the general formula (I): [R1—O—C(O)CH2CH(SO3)C(O)—O—R2]? (I); and a liquid carrier. The ink composition does not include a thermoplastic resin. Also described are a method of producing the ink composition, and a method of printing using the ink composition.

Abstract: Herein is described a method of providing a printed label. The method comprises applying a radiation curable overcoat composition to a liquid electrostatically printed ink disposed on a label substrate; wherein the radiation curable overcoat composition comprises radiation curable monomers and/or oligomers; a photoinitiator; a polyalkylsiloxane containing at least two reactive functional groups, wherein the reactive functional groups are selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino and a double bond; and a cross-linker containing at least two epoxide groups. Printed labels and a radiation curable overcoat composition are also described herein.

Abstract: Herein is described a method of providing a printed shrink sleeve, the method comprising: providing a printed substrate comprising a liquid electrophotographically printed ink image; and coating the liquid electrophotographically printed ink image of the printed substrate with a water-based overprint varnish composition. The water-based overprint varnish composition comprising: a varnish resin; a crosslinking component comprising: a compound containing at least two epoxide groups; a compound containing an epoxide group and a silane group; or a compound containing at least two carbodiimide groups; and hydrophobic particles, the ratio of the crosslinking component to the hydrophobic particles by weight being in the range of about 4.9:0.1 to about 1:4.

Abstract: Herein is described a method of providing a printed label. The method comprises: providing a printed label substrate having disposed thereon an electrostatically printed ink; applying a radiation curable overcoat composition to the printed ink, wherein the radiation curable overcoat composition comprises: radiation curable monomers and/or oligomers; a photoinitiator; and an organosilane having at least one hydrolysable group. Printed labels and an ink and overcoat set are also described herein.

Abstract: Herein is described a method of producing a printed label. The method may comprise: a. providing a label substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first and second surfaces form opposing surfaces of the label substrate; b. applying a primer comprising a cross-linkable primer resin onto the first surface of a label substrate to form a primer layer; c. electrophotographically printing onto the primer layer an electrostatic ink composition comprising a cross-linkable thermoplastic resin to form a printed layer; d. applying a cross-linking composition comprising a cross-linking agent to the printed layer, wherein the cross-linking agent penetrates into the electrostatic ink composition and the primer layer; and e. activating the cross-linking agent wherein an adhesive is present on the second surface of the label substrate in step a or applied to the second surface of the label substrate at any point in the method after step a. Printed labels are also described herein.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to selectively deflecting substrates. One example implementation includes an apparatus to selectively lift a part of a substrate away from a transfer member when the substrate is advancing in a substrate coating system relative to the transfer member, such that, across a width of the substrate, a first part of the substrate is coated by the transfer member and a second part of the substrate, that is lifted by the apparatus, remains uncoated.

Abstract: Herein is described a method of providing a printed label. The method comprises: providing a printed label substrate having disposed thereon an electrostatically printed ink; applying a UV curable overcoat composition to the printed ink, wherein the UV curable overcoat composition comprises (i) a component selected from UV curable monomers and UV curable oligomers, and (ii) a slip agent; curing the overcoat composition under UV irradiation with an output power of 2500 W or less. Printed labels and an ink and overcoat composition set are also described herein.

Abstract: Described herein is an electrostatic ink composition comprising a thermoplastic resin comprising a copolymer of an alkylene monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising an epoxide. Also descried herein is a method of printing comprising electrostatically printing an electrostatic ink composition on a surface of a substrate, the electrostatic ink composition comprising a thermoplastic resin comprising a copolymer of an alkylene monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising an epoxide; and reacting the epoxide with the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for printing a substrate. The process comprises applying an analogue primer over a print substrate. A transparent electrophotographic composition comprising a coupling agent is electrophotographically printed on the primer as a coupling layer. An electrophotographic ink composition is then printed on the coupling layer to form an image layer. The coupling layer is disposed between the primer and image layer and in contact with each of the primer and image layer.

Abstract: Herein is described a method of providing a printed label. The method comprises: providing a printed label substrate having disposed thereon an electrostatically printed ink; applying a radiation curable overcoat composition to the printed ink, wherein the radiation curable overcoat composition comprises: radiation curable monomers and/or oligomers; a photoinitiator; and an organosilane having at least one hydrolysable group. Printed labels and an ink and overcoat set are also described herein.

Abstract: There is provided a process for heat transfer printing, comprising electrostatically printing a transparent electrostatic ink composition (3) onto a transfer material (2), wherein the transparent electrostatic ink composition comprises a thermoplastic resin; printing an image (4) on the transparent electrostatic ink composition; contacting the image with a target substrate (1) under conditions such that the thermoplastic resin of the transparent electrostatic ink composition is softened or molten, and separating the target substrate and the transfer material, to leave the target substrate having thereon the image and an overlying layer of transparent electrostatic ink composition. Also disclosed is a fabric having thereon an image, the image having an overlying layer of transparent electrostatic ink composition.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing a laminate, comprising electrostatically printing a transparent electrostatic ink composition onto a base material, wherein the transparent electrostatic ink composition comprises a thermoplastic resin, and a charge adjuvant and/or a charge director; providing a substrate; and contacting the substrate with the transparent electrostatic ink composition while the thermoplastic resin is softened or molten, and then allowing the thermoplastic resin to harden, so that the electrostatic ink composition adheres the base material and the substrate together. Laminate materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a laminate, comprising a base material, a transparent electrostatic ink composition selectively disposed on portions of the base material, the transparent electrostatic ink composition comprising a thermoplastic resin, and a charge adjuvant and/or a charge director; a substrate adhered to the base material at the portions of the base material by the transparent electrostatic ink composition. A process for preparing a laminate and a blister pack are also disclosed.

Abstract: Herein is described a method of providing a printed label. The method comprises: providing a printed label substrate having disposed thereon an electrostatically printed ink; applying a UV curable overcoat composition to the printed ink, wherein the UV curable overcoat composition comprises (i) a component selected from UV curable monomers and UV curable oligomers, and (ii) a slip agent; curing the overcoat composition under UV irradiation with an output power of 2500 W or less. Printed labels and an ink and overcoat composition set are also described herein.

Abstract: Herein is described a method of producing a printed label. The method may comprise: a. providing a label substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first and second surfaces form opposing surfaces of the label substrate; b. applying a primer comprising a cross-linkable primer resin onto the first surface of a label substrate to form a primer layer; c. electrophotographically printing onto the primer layer an electrostatic ink composition comprising a cross-linkable thermoplastic resin to form a printed layer; d. applying a cross-linking composition comprising a cross-linking agent to the printed layer, wherein the cross-linking agent penetrates into the electrostatic ink composition and the primer layer; and e. activating the cross-linking agent wherein an adhesive is present on the second surface of the label substrate in step a or applied to the second surface of the label substrate at any point in the method after step a. Printed labels are also described herein.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of providing an overcoated printed substrate. The method may comprise: providing a printed substrate comprising a primer layer disposed on a print substrate and a liquid electrostatically printed layer disposed on the primer layer; and applying a UV curable overcoat composition to the printed layer of the printed substrate, wherein the UV curable overcoat composition comprises a UV curable resin and inorganic nanoparticles dispersed therein.