Abstract: A hybrid heat transfer label assembly and method for producing the label assembly are provided. The label assembly includes a carrier layer, a non-digitally printed protective layer disposed above the carrier layer, a digitally printed layer disposed above the non-digitally printed protective layer, and a non-digitally printed layer disposed above the digitally printed layer. The non-digitally printed protective layer, the digitally printed layer, and the non-digitally printed layer form a label that is configured to separate from the carrier layer and adhere to an article upon application of heat to the carrier layer.

Abstract: A sheet assembly can be cut into one or more cards. The sheet assembly includes an upper sheet configured to receive a first printing of first indicia for the one or more cards, a polymer core coupled with the upper sheet, and a lower sheet configured to receive a second printing of second indicia for the one or more cards. The lower sheet is coupled with the polymer core with the polymer core disposed between the upper sheet and the lower sheet. The upper sheet, polymer core, and/or the lower sheet is or are formed from a polymer binder with inorganic particles dispersed in the polymer binder. The inorganic particles can have a first density of the inorganic particles that is less than four times a second density of the polymer binder and/or a mass-median-diameter (D50) of the inorganic particles can be larger than ten microns in size.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly heat transfer label includes a carrier, a graphic layer including at least one ink layer formed from at least one substantially solid ink formulation, and an adhesive layer formed from a substantially solid heat activated adhesive formulation. The heat transfer label is configured to be substantially free of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Abstract: A heat transfer label includes a carrier, a graphic layer, a barrier layer, and an adhesive layer. The barrier layer may be formed from a substantially solid formulation comprising a functional polyol component and a functional polyisocyanate component, wherein the functional polyol component and the functional polyisocyanate component reacts with each other to form the barrier layer configured to block dye migration.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly heat transfer label includes a carrier, a graphic layer including at least one ink layer formed from at least one substantially solid ink formulation, and an adhesive layer formed from a substantially solid heat activated adhesive formulation. The heat transfer label is configured to be substantially free of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Abstract: A variable gloss heat transfer label includes a carrier, a matting layer on a portion of the carrier and a design layer having a first portion provided over the carrier and a second portion provided over the matting layer. The design layer is configured to separate from the matting layer and the carrier, and transfer and adhere the first and second portions of the design layer to a target object upon application of heat and pressure. The first portion of the design layer that is transferred to the target object from the carrier has a different gloss than the second portion of the design layer that is transferred to the target object from the matting layer. The label can be configured to include a carrier, a glossing layer on a portion of the carrier and a design layer having a first portion provided over the carrier and a second portion provided over the glossing layer.

Abstract: A textured heat transfer label includes a textured portion formed from a highly cross-linked UV ink and a thermoplastic background ink. The textured heat transferable label can also include metalized portions.

Abstract: A substantially halo-free heat transfer label is made using a 3D printing method. The heat transfer label includes a graphic layer and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is printed using a 3D printing method, which provides a substantially reduced adhesive halo when compared to heat transfer labels including a screen printed adhesive layer or that printed via other conventional printing methods.

Abstract: A textured heat transfer label includes a textured portion formed from a highly cross-linked UV ink and a thermoplastic background ink. The textured heat transferable label can also include metalized portions.

Abstract: A substantially halo-free heat transfer label is made using a 3D printing method. The heat transfer label includes a graphic layer and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is printed using a 3D printing method, which provides a substantially reduced adhesive halo when compared to heat transfer labels including a screen printed adhesive layer or that printed via other conventional printing methods.

Abstract: A transferable film includes a carrier layer and an intermediate portion. The carrier layer is configured to receive one or more additional layers and to be releasable from the one or more additional layers temporally proximate to an application of the transferable film to an object. The intermediate portion includes the one or more additional layers and a circuit. The one or more additional layers include a graphics layer. The intermediate portion is configured for application thereto of an adhesive layer, whereby the intermediate portion is configured to be interposed between the carrier layer and the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to the object for the application of the transferable film to the object.

Abstract: A textured heat transfer label includes a textured portion formed from a highly cross-linked UV ink and a thermoplastic background ink.

Abstract: A textured heat transfer label includes a textured portion formed from a highly cross-linked UV ink and a thermoplastic background ink.

Abstract: A pigmented adhesive, halo-free heat transfer label is created when adhesive properties are incorporated into colored inks used to print graphics on labels for items such as apparel. The resulting label has a halo-free graphic applied thereto that eliminates the need for a separate application of adhesive to the label. A pigmented adhesive composition for use with heat transfer type labels includes a hydroxyl-functional polyurethane dispersion, one or more polyurethane dispersions different from the hydroxyl-functional polyurethane dispersion, a blocked cross-linking agent, a catalyst for the blocked cross-linking agent, a pigment dispersion, and an adhesive powder, which are combined prior to the formation of a graphic created using the combined mixture, on the release layer of a substrate.

Abstract: A pigmented adhesive, halo-free heat transfer label is created when adhesive properties are incorporated into colored inks used to print graphics on labels for items such as apparel. The resulting label has a halo-free graphic applied thereto that eliminates the need for a separate application of adhesive to the label. A pigmented adhesive composition for use with heat transfer type labels includes a hydroxyl-functional polyurethane dispersion, one or more polyurethane dispersions different from the hydroxyl-functional polyurethane dispersion, a blocked cross-linking agent, a catalyst for the blocked cross-linking agent, a pigment dispersion, and an adhesive powder, which are combined prior to the formation of a graphic created using the combined mixture, on the release layer of a substrate.

Abstract: A selectively metallized heat transfer label for transfer to a substrate includes a support portion having a carrier layer and a release layer applied to the carrier layer, and a transfer portion including a protective layer applied to the release layer, a metallizable layer applied to the protective layer, a metal layer applied to the metallizable layer, a metal transferring adhesive layer applied to the metal layer and configured to adhere to both the metal layer and the desired substrate and a non-metal transferring ink layer applied to the metal layer and configured to adhere to the desired substrate but not to the metal layer. When heat and pressure are applied to the carrier, the metal transferring adhesive adheres to both the metal layer and the substrate while the non-transferring ink layer adheres only to the substrate.

Abstract: A selectively metallized heat transfer label for transfer to a substrate includes a support portion comprising a carrier layer and a release layer applied to the carrier layer, and a transfer portion comprising a protective layer applied to the release layer, a metallizable layer applied to the protective layer, a metal layer applied to the metallizable layer, a metal transferring adhesive layer applied to the metal layer and configured to adhere to both the metal layer and the desired substrate and a non-metal transferring ink layer applied to the metal layer and configured to adhere to the desired substrate but not to the metal layer. The protective layer and the metallizable layer can be formed from the same material, as separate layers. When heat and pressure are applied to the carrier layer using conventional heat transfer equipment, the metal transferring adhesive adheres to both the metal layer and the substrate while the non-transferring ink layer adheres only to the substrate.

Abstract: An ultraviolet post cure heat transfer label for application to an item includes a carrier web, a release coat applied to the carrier web and a composition including a cationic ultraviolet curable ink applied to the release coat. The ink has a solvent in a concentration of at a least about 20 percent by weight of the ink. The ink is dried in a non-UV process to form a storable film on the carrier web. The composition is transferred to the item and the ink is cured, by application of ultraviolet energy, following transfer to the item. A method for making the label and a method for marking an item are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer alloy is provided which comprises:(I) from 10-50 parts by weight of an impact resistant styrene acrylate alloy which comprises (i) from 90 to 30 parts by weight of a brittle polymer (e.g. a styrene/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, optionally with a (meth)acrylic acid comonomer), (ii) from 3 to 50 parts by weight of a rubbery polymer (e.g. a styrene/conjugated diolefin linear, tapered, radial di-block or tri-block copolymer), and (iii) from 15 to 67 parts by weight of a ductile polymer (e.g. a a styrene/conjugated diolefin linear, radial di-block or tri-block copolymer), and(II) from 90 to 50 parts by weight of an impact modified styrene polymer.The resulting polymer blends have good impact strength, tensile strength and gloss.

Abstract: Many cleaners, are extremely hard on many plastic products causing environmental stress cracking. Small household articles made from a polymer alloy of a clear brittle styrenic acrylate, a rubbery block styrene-diene copolymer, and a ductile styrene-diene polymer when exposed to such cleaners have significantly less environmental stress cracking.