Abstract: An improved transparent media for ink printing is described. The media is a phase change ink recording media comprising: a polyethylene terephthalate support; a 1-15 mg/dm2 lower receptor layer coated on the support wherein the lower receptor layer comprises: silica with a particle size of no more than 0.3 &mgr;m and a polymer; wherein the total weight of the polymer and the silica is 82-97%, by weight, silica and 3-18%, by weight, polymer. The media also comprises an optional upper receptive layer comprising a matrix polymer, an inorganic particulate material and a soft polymer matrix.

Abstract: An improved transparent media for ink printing is described. The media is a phase change ink recording media comprising: a polyethylene terephthalate support; a 1-15 mg/dm2 lower receptor layer coated on the support wherein the lower receptor layer comprises: silica with a particle size of no more than 0.3 &mgr;m and a polymer; wherein the total weight of the polymer and the silica is 82-97%, by weight, silica and 3-18%, by weight, polymer. The media also comprises an optional upper receptive layer comprising a matrix polymer, an inorganic particulate material and a soft polymer matrix.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for recording a gradient image on transparent media. The apparatus has at least one solid phase change ink and a solid null image element. A printing head melts the solid phase change ink to form a molten phase change ink and melts the solid null image element to form a molten null image element. The molten phase change ink and the molten null image element are deposited, in an imagewise pattern, onto a transfer surface. A cooling mechanism cools the molten phase change ink and the molten null image element in the imagewise pattern to form a malleable phase change ink and a malleable null image element in the imagewise pattern on the transfer surface. The malleable phase change ink and the malleable null image element are transfered to a media from the transfer surface in the imagewise pattern.

Abstract: An improved transparent media for ink printing is described. The media is a phase change ink recording media comprising: a polyethylene terephthalate support; a 1-15 mg/dm.sup.2 lower receptor layer coated on the support wherein the lower receptor layer comprises: silica with a particle size of no more than 0.3 .mu.m and a polymer; wherein the total weight of the polymer and the silica is 82-97%, by weight, silica and 3-18%, by weight, polymer. The media also comprises an optional upper receptive layer comprising a matrix polymer, an inorganic particulate material and a soft polymer matrix.

Abstract: An improved transparent media for ink printing is described. The media is a phase change ink recording media comprising: a polyethylene terephthalate support; a 1-15 mg/dm.sup.2 receptor layer coated on the support wherein the receptor layer comprises: silica with a particle size of no more than 0.3 .mu.m and a polymer; wherein the total weight of the polymer and the silica is 82-97%, by weight, silica and 3-18%, by weight, polymer.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus for recording a gradient image on transparent media comprising: at least one solid phase change ink; a solid null image element; a heating system capable of melting the solid phase change ink to form a molten phase change ink and capable of melting the solid null image element to form a molten null image element; a printing head capable of receiving the molten phase change ink and the molten null image element and depositing them in an imagewise pattern onto a transfer surface; a transfer surface capable of receiving the imagewise pattern; a cooling mechanism for cooling the molten phase change ink and the molten null image element in the imagewise pattern to form a malleable phase change ink and a malleable null image element in the imagewise pattern on the transfer surface; a media; a transfer mechanism capable of transferring said malleable phase change ink and said malleable null image element in said imagewise pattern on said transfer surface to said media.