Abstract: In one example of the disclosure, a substantially transparent substrate is provided at a printer. A primer layer is applied upon a first surface of the substrate. A security ink layer that includes security information is applied upon the primer layer. An opaque background ink layer is applied upon the security ink layer. A corona treatment is applied to a second surface, located on an opposite side of the substrate relative to the first surface. A release ink layer is applied upon the corona-treated second surface. An opaque cover image ink layer is applied upon the release ink layer.

Abstract: Described herein is a liquid electrophotographic ink composition comprising a first thermoplastic resin comprising a copolymer comprising an alkylene monomer and a monomer comprising an epoxide group, and a second thermoplastic resin comprising a copolymer comprising a monomer comprising an anhydride group.

Abstract: In one example of the disclosure, a substantially transparent substrate is provided at a printer. A primer layer is applied upon a first surface of the substrate. A security ink layer that includes security information is applied upon the primer layer. An opaque background ink layer is applied upon the security ink layer. A corona treatment is applied to a second surface, located on an opposite side of the substrate relative to the first surface. A release ink layer is applied upon the corona-treated second surface. An opaque cover image ink layer is applied upon the release ink layer.

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: Here is provided a method of printing on a substrate, the method comprising: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate has been primed by a primer composition comprising water, an epoxide crosslinker, polyethyleneimine and a glycol co-solvent, the primer composition having formed a primer layer on the substrate, and printing an electrostatic ink on the primer layer. A fluid set comprising the primer composition and an electrostatic ink is also described herein.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for heat transfer printing, the process comprising: electrostatically printing a transparent release composition onto a transfer material to form a release layer disposed on the transfer material; electrostatically printing an electrostatic ink composition on the release layer to form an image layer disposed on the release layer; contacting a thermoplastic film with the image layer; contacting the thermoplastic film with a target substrate under conditions such that the thermoplastic film adheres to the target substrate and the release layer is softened; and separating the target substrate and the transfer material such that the thermoplastic film, image layer and release layer are transferred to the target substrate. A heat transferrable printed image is also described herein.

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: A method of forming a flexible printed material is described. The method comprises applying a layer of primer onto a flexible substrate; electrostatically printing onto the layer of primer a liquid electrostatic ink composition; applying a curable overprint varnish composition onto the printed electrostatic ink composition and curing the overprint varnish composition using electron beam irradiation. The curable overprint varnish composition comprises an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated oligomer, or mixtures thereof, and less than 10 wt. % of a cross-linking additive based on the total weight of the curable overprint varnish composition. A flexible package comprising the flexible printed material is also described.

Abstract: Herein is described a scratch-off structure comprising the following layers in order: a substrate having a first layer showing information thereon, a second layer comprising a polymeric film and being substantially transparent; a third layer comprising a transparent electrostatic ink; a fourth layer, wherein the fourth layer is coloured. Methods for making scratch-off structures and collections of scratch-off structures are also described.

Abstract: In an aspect, there is provided a method of foil printing that may comprise providing a substrate having a surface comprising a first area and a second area, wherein the first area has printed thereon a first electrostatic ink composition comprising a first thermoplastic resin and substantially lacking a pigment and the second area has printed thereon a second electrostatic ink composition comprising a second thermoplastic resin and a pigment; applying a liquid solvent composition to the first electrostatic ink composition on the first area and the second electrostatic ink composition on the second area, to swell the first and second thermoplastic resins; and contacting a foiling material with the first electrostatic ink composition on the first area, such that the foiling material selectively adheres to the first area on the surface of the substrate. In another aspect, an electrostatic and foil printing system for performing the method is provided.

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: Disclosed herein is an electrostatic ink composition comprising a component selected from a fatty acid ester having a plurality of hydroxyl substituents and a fatty acid amide having a plurality of hydroxyl substituents. Also described herein are scratch-off structures and methods for producing them.

Abstract: Described herein is process for heat transfer printing, the process comprising: liquid electrostatically printing a liquid electrostatic ink composition on a polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film to form a printed film; and contacting the printed film with a target substrate under conditions such that the printed film adheres to the target substrate. Also described herein is a process for printing a heat transferable printed image and a heat transferable printed image.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for heat transfer printing, the process comprising: electrostatically printing a transparent release composition onto a transfer material to form a release layer disposed on the transfer material; electrostatically printing an electrostatic ink composition on the release layer to form an image layer disposed on the release layer; contacting a thermoplastic film with the image layer; contacting the thermoplastic film with a target substrate under conditions such that the thermoplastic film adheres to the target substrate and the release layer is softened; and separating the target substrate and the transfer material such that the thermoplastic film, image layer and release layer are transferred to the target substrate.

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 printing on a textile substrate. The method may comprise: a. applying a primer comprising a cross-linkable primer resin onto a surface of the textile substrate to form a primer layer; b. electrophotographically printing onto the primer layer an electrostatic ink composition comprising a cross-linkable thermoplastic resin to form a printed layer; c. applying a cross-linking composition comprising a cross-linking agent to the printed layer, wherein i. the cross-linking agent penetrates into at least the electrostatic ink composition and the primer layer; and/or ii. the cross-linking agent is a non-isocyanate agent; and d. activating the cross-linking agent. Printed textiles are also described.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a seam between a first region of polymer film and a second region of polymer film. The method comprises pretreating a first region of a polymer film by applying a pretreatment composition comprising solid lubricant particles onto the first region of polymer film; priming the pretreated polymer film with a primer; electrophotographically printing an electrophotographic ink composition onto the primed polymer film to form a printed image; and solvent-bonding the pretreated first region of polymer film to the second region of polymer film to form a seam.

Abstract: In one example of the disclosure, a substantially transparent substrate is provided at a printer. A primer layer is applied upon a first surface of the substrate. A security ink layer that includes security information is applied upon the primer layer. An opaque background ink layer is applied upon the security ink layer. A corona treatment is applied to a second surface, located on an opposite side of the substrate relative to the first surface. A release ink layer is applied upon the corona-treated second surface. An opaque cover image ink layer is applied upon the release ink layer.