Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a three-dimensional stiffening element from a powder selected from the group consisting of a meltable plastic powder and a powder mixture comprising the meltable plastic powder comprising applying the powder to an auxiliary carrier in a template screen printing process with the aid of a template and subsequently transferring the thus obtained stiffening element to a substrate, the improvement comprising subsequent to the step of applying to the auxiliary carrier, compressing and sintering the powder with a hot molding plug to obtain a blank; lifting the plug while removing the blank from the auxiliary carrier and further melting the sintered plastic particles of the blank which are in contact with the molding plug; and said step of transferring comprising transferring the further melted blank onto the substrate disposed therebelow while lowering the molding plug.

Abstract: A stiffening material composed of 30 to 80 weight percent filler particles and 70 to 20 weight percent binder which is thermoplastically deformable and has melt-adhesive properties in the temperature range of 50.degree. to 80.degree. C., wherein the filler particles are plastic particles or particles having plastic surfaces with a particle size distribution of 50 to 500 microns.