Abstract: A thermal transfer and process for producing it that provides a fully-digital printed heat transfer capable of little to no process changeover between different graphics. Specifically, the method comprises printing a digital image onto a treated adhesive substrate, applying the image side to a carrier substrate, then digitally cutting and removing substrate not containing graphic elements through a combination of kiss-and-through cutting to produce a high stretch, multi-color photographic quality print transfers for the apparel and soft goods industry.

Abstract: A thermal transfer and process for producing it that provides a fully-digital printed heat transfer capable of little to no process changeover between different graphics. Specifically, the method comprises printing a digital image onto a treated adhesive substrate, applying the image side to a carrier substrate, then digitally cutting and removing substrate not containing graphic elements photographic quality, durable print transfers for the apparel and soft goods industry.

Abstract: A process for producing a digital printed heat transfer, the process comprising the steps of: 1) obtaining a substrate having a release layer; 2) applying a primer suitable for electrophotographic toner to the release layer; 3) digitally-printing electrophotographic toner to define a graphic within a defined region of a substrate inclusive of both printed and unprinted areas within that region; 4) digitally printing a tacky viscoelastic binder in registration with the printed areas of the digitally-printed graphic; 5) applying a polyurethane-based powder adhesive to the defined region of said substrate; 6) removing loose powder adhesive that does not adhere to the defined regions of said graphic; and 7) fusing and bonding the adhesive to the digital printed graphic. The binder precisely secures the adhesive powder to the printed graphical areas. The result is then cooled to set the image for use as a heat transfer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thermal transfer from a high-loft substrate such as velvet. The method begins with a high-loft material sheet. The sheet is registered in a vacuum press, and a vacuum is applied to one side. A sublimation graphic is printed onto an opposing side of the high-loft material sheet. Next, an adhesive layer is laminated onto the opposing side of the printed sheet. The sheet is optionally laser-etched on the printed side, and is laser-cut into a desired shape. A protective release sheet is applied over the printed graphic. The method makes it possible to sublimation-print the transfer onto high-loft fabric such as velvet and yet still retain fine graphical registration and detail.

Abstract: A thermal transfer and process for producing it that provides a fully-digital printed heat transfer capable of little to no process changeover between different graphics. Specifically, the method comprises printing a digital image onto a treated adhesive substrate, applying the image side to a carrier substrate, then digitally cutting and removing substrate not containing graphic elements through a combination of kiss-and-through cutting to produce a high stretch, multi-color photographic quality print transfers for the apparel and soft goods industry.

Abstract: A thermal transfer and process for producing it that provides a fully-digital printed heat transfer capable of little to no process changeover between different graphics. Specifically, the method comprises printing a digital image onto a treated adhesive substrate, applying the image side to a carrier substrate, then digitally cutting and removing substrate not containing graphic elements photographic quality, durable print transfers for the apparel and soft goods industry.

Abstract: A multidimensional heat-seal emblem having a digitally-printed image on one side in registration to a three-dimensional relief profile. The emblem has enhanced aesthetic impact, flex, stretch, durability and is suitable for soft goods. A method of production is also disclosed that provides 0.05 mm level relief detail with high profile features up to 6 mm in height.

Abstract: A thermal transfer and process for producing it that provides a fully-digital printed heat transfer capable of little to no process changeover between different graphics. Specifically, the method comprises printing a digital image onto a treated adhesive substrate, applying the image side to a carrier substrate, then digitally cutting and removing substrate not containing graphic elements through a combination of kiss-and-through cutting to produce a high stretch, multi-color photographic quality print transfers for the apparel and soft goods industry.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thermal transfer from a high-loft substrate such as velvet. The method begins with a high-loft material sheet. The sheet is registered in a vacuum press, and a vacuum is applied to one side. A sublimation graphic is printed onto an opposing side of the high-loft material sheet. Next, an adhesive layer is laminated onto the opposing side of the printed sheet. The sheet is optionally laser-etched on the printed side, and is laser-cut into a desired shape. A protective release sheet is applied over the printed graphic. The method makes it possible to sublimation-print the transfer onto high-loft fabric such as velvet and yet still retain fine graphical registration and detail.

Abstract: A galvanometric laser for cutting and/or etching textile embellishments such as transfers or applique's and a method of operation thereof that is capable of visually capturing an incoming graphic image and referencing a cut pattern to the captured image and dynamically adjusting the cut pattern during cutting, etching and/or application of energy from the laser to thereby compensate for distortions in the fabric. The device includes a conveyor with an imaging station at which the graphic product is indexed under a high-resolution static camera with color recognition capability for the purposes of image capture. A high intensity bottoms-up light source resident at the imaging station provides ample illumination regardless of whether the design elements are face up toward the camera or face down toward the light source, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A process for producing a colorfast thermal appliqué using a polyester knit fabric blank, dye-sublimation printing a graphic image on the fabric blank, and laminating a triple-layer polyurethane adhesive on another side of the printed fabric blank. The triple-layer adhesive comprises a first layer of clear ink resistant polyurethane adhesive followed by a white-pigmented ink resistant polyurethane adhesive and a third clear layer of ink-resistant polyurethane adhesive. The first layer of the triple-layer adhesive is fused under combined temperature and pressure to the polyester blank until said first and second layers impregnates into said fabric blank. The fabric blank is then cut into a discrete finished appliqué that does not substantially change the physical and visual characteristics of a performance fabric substrate to which the appliqué is applied.

Abstract: A digitally produced heat transfer can be manufactured by digitally printing an image onto the protective coating that is receptive to ink and/or toner to form a printed area and an unprinted area of the protective coating, and digitally printing an attractant precisely onto the printed area and not onto the unprinted area. An adhesive powder can be applied onto the printed area and the unprinted area. The adhesive powder can then be removed from the unprinted area and the remaining adhesive powder can be bonded to the printed area. A digitally produced heat transfer can include a protective coating that is receptive to ink and/or toner, a digital image printed onto the protective coating to form a printed area and an unprinted area of the protective coating, an attractant digitally printed precisely onto the printed area, and an adhesive powder applied onto the attractant.

Abstract: A galvanometric laser for cutting and/or etching textile embellishments such as transfers or applique's and a method of operation thereof that is capable of visually capturing an incoming graphic image and referencing a cut pattern to the captured image and dynamically adjusting the cut pattern during cutting, etching and/or application of energy from the laser to thereby compensate for distortions in the fabric. The device includes a conveyor with an imaging station at which the graphic product is indexed under a high-resolution static camera with color recognition capability for the purposes of image capture. A high intensity bottoms-up light source resident at the imaging station provides ample illumination regardless of whether the design elements are face up toward the camera or face down toward the light source, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A thermal transfer and process for producing it that provides a fully-digital printed heat transfer capable of little to no process changeover between different graphics. Specifically, the method comprises printing a digital image onto a treated adhesive substrate, applying the image side to a carrier substrate, then digitally cutting and removing substrate not containing graphic elements through a combination of kiss-and-through cutting to produce a high stretch, multi-color photographic quality print transfers for the apparel and soft goods industry.

Abstract: A process for producing a colorfast thermal appliqué using a polyester knit fabric blank, dye-sublimation printing a graphic image on the fabric blank, and laminating a triple-layer polyurethane adhesive on another side of the printed fabric blank. The triple-layer adhesive comprises a first layer of clear ink resistant polyurethane adhesive followed by a white-pigmented ink resistant polyurethane adhesive and a third clear layer of ink-resistant polyurethane adhesive. The first layer of the triple-layer adhesive is fused under combined temperature and pressure to the polyester blank until said first and second layers impregnates into said fabric blank. The fabric blank is then cut into a discrete finished appliqué that does not substantially change the physical and visual characteristics of a performance fabric substrate to which the appliqué is applied.

Abstract: A processor producing a colorfast thermal appliqué using a polyester kiln fabric dye-sublimation printing a graphic image on the fabric blank, and laminating a triple-layer polyurethane adhesive on another side of the printed fabric blank. The triple-layer adhesive comprises a first layer of clear ink resisting polyurethane adhesive followed by a white-pigmented is resistant polyurethane adhesive and a third clear layer or ink-resistant polyurethane adhesive. The first layer of the triple-layer adhesive is fused tinder combined temperature and pressure to the polyester blank until said first and second layers impregnates into said fabric blank. The fabric blank is then cut into a discrete finished appliqué that does not substantially change the physical and visual characteristics of a performance fabric substrate to winch the appliqué is applied.

Abstract: A decorative pocket applique with a graphical element that can be heat-applied to most any garment to create a functional pocket with aesthetic value. The applique is made of 100% polyester fabric woven or knit which is dye-sublimated-printed to create an exterior decorative image or logo. The applique interior has a perimeter made of a thermoplastic adhesive consisting of either nylon, polyester or some combination thereof that is used to seal a folded top lip or edge of the intended pocket to itself and the remaining perimeter adhesive to a piece of apparel or garment.

Abstract: A process for producing a colorfast thermal appliqué using a polyester knit fabric blank, dye-sublimation printing a graphic image on the fabric blank, and laminating a triple-layer polyurethane adhesive on another side of the printed fabric blank. The triple-layer adhesive comprises a first layer of clear ink resistant polyurethane adhesive followed by a white-pigmented ink resistant polyurethane adhesive and a third clear layer of ink-resistant polyurethane adhesive. The first layer of the triple-layer adhesive is fused under combined temperature and pressure to the polyester blank until said first and second layers impregnates into said fabric blank. The fabric blank is then cut into a discrete finished appliqué that does not substantially change the physical and visual characteristics of a performance fabric substrate to which the appliqué is applied.

Abstract: An appliqué comprising an outer perimeter fabric frame of a particular weave, fiber composition and cut, coated with a laminating adhesive, and inlayed with a central fabric panel formed of mesh or other perforated or highly porous material. Lamination causes the adhesive to melt through the mesh central panel and bond the two layers to an underlying performance fabric substrate. The resulting appliqué forms a robust and launderable bond, but does not substantially change the physical and visual characteristics of a performance fabric substrate to which the appliqué is applied. Moreover, a layered embroidery appearance can be created by contrast coloring the fabric frame versus central fabric panel, and this is further enhanced by printing a multi-color graphic along the periphery of the fabric frame.

Abstract: A decorative pocket applique with a graphical element that can be heat-applied to most any garment to create a functional pocket with aesthetic value. The applique is made of 100% polyester fabric woven or knit which is dye-sublimated-printed to create an exterior decorative image or logo. The applique interior has a perimeter made of a thermoplastic adhesive consisting of either nylon, polyester or some combination thereof that is used to seal a folded top lip or edge of the intended pocket to itself and the remaining perimeter adhesive to a piece of apparel or garment.