Abstract: A system for imaging a substrate has a first substrate, designated as Medium A. Medium A is digitally imaged, such as by printing a color image formed with CMYK inks. Medium A also has a glue ink layer formed over the image layer, and may have a white ink layer positioned between the image layer, and the glue ink layer. Another substrate, designated as Medium B, has a non-substantial film forming polymeric coating formulated for lamination of the polymeric coating on Medium A. Medium B is laminated under pressure onto Medium A to form the polymeric coating on the imaged portions of Medium A. The image is then transferred under heat and pressure from Medium A to a final substrate upon which the image is to appear. The image layer is formed over the white ink layer as it appears on the final substrate.

Abstract: A system includes liquid ink jet inks having pigments and sublimation dyes, a liquid enhancer ink formulated to print by an ink jet printer having a crosslinking agent that reacts with hydroxyl groups, and a transfer media comprising an ink receptive layer formed of a hydrophilic polymeric material that becomes swollen and tacky when exposed to the ink jet ink or the enhancer ink. The system is used to form an image on the transfer media by ink jet printing of the liquid ink jet inks and the liquid enhancer ink, wherein the imaged portion the polymeric material becomes swollen and tacky by application of the liquid ink jet inks and the liquid enhancer ink, transferring substantially only the image from the transfer media due to final substrate upon application of heat to the image. The system is nearly universal in its ability to transfer image substrates having varying properties.

Abstract: A system for producing digitally imaged goods comprises a central computing device for storing and encrypting digital images that communicates with a plurality of geographically separated computing systems, with each of the geographically separated computing systems controlling one or more image forming devices that form digital images on a product substrate to produce the goods. Enhanced security protocols, including blockchain-based ledgers and hardware security modules, ensure the protection and integrity of digital assets throughout the production process. Image forming devices (imaging devices) that are useful for forming digital images on a product substrate are selected from inkjet and laser printers, engravers, cutters and other imaging devices that respond to digital inputs.

Abstract: The present invention is devices and processes for producing digitally imaged products. Multiple digital images are encrypted with public keys that are unique to each digital image of the multiple digital images. A purchaser or producer of the product(s)to be imaged selects a digital image from the multiple digital images. A purchaser or producer provides payment information to the central computing device for an imaged substrate or substrates imaged with the digital image selected. An imaged product producer is provided with a private key. The imaged product producer decrypts the digital image using a private key assigned to the imaged product producer, and the imaged product producer produces an imaged substrate comprising the selected digital image formed on the substrate. Payment for the imaged substrate is allocated to participants, including allocating a portion of the payment for the imaged product to one or more creators of the digital image.

Abstract: An image is formed on a transfer medium comprising a hydrophilic tackifier. Any portion of the image that is dimensionally insufficient to permanently adhere the image to the receiver substrate is determined, and a colorless liquid ink comprising water is applied to cover and surround the portion of the image that is dimensionally insufficient to permanently adhere the image to the receiver substrate. When heat is applied to the image to transfer the image layer to a receiver substrate, water in the image layer swells the image layer and the hydrophilic tackifier becomes sufficiently tacky to permanently adhere the image to the receiver substrate.

Abstract: An image is formed on a transfer medium comprising a hydrophilic tackifier. Any portion of the image that is dimensionally insufficient to permanently adhere the image to the receiver substrate is determined, and a colorless liquid ink comprising water is applied to cover and surround the portion of the image that is dimensionally insufficient to permanently adhere the image to the receiver substrate. When heat is applied to the image to transfer the image layer to a receiver substrate, water in the image layer swells the image layer and the hydrophilic tackifier becomes sufficiently tacky to permanently adhere the image to the receiver substrate.