Abstract: An image recording medium comprising a support having two major surfaces, an ink-receptive layer disposed on the first major surface of said support, and an adhesive layer disposed on the second major surface of said support, wherein the support is a porous body having gas permeable fine pores, a plurality of grooves capable of communicating with the exterior upon contacting with an adherend are provided on the adhering surface of said adhesive layer, the adhering surface being a surface opposite the surface contacting with the support and put into contact with the adherend, and said grooves are formed to satisfy the relationship between the depth D &mgr;m measured from the adhering surface and the thickness T (&mgr;m) of the adhesive layer, represented by the following formula: 0≦T−D≦10, provided that D≧16 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An ink jet inkjet receiver layer on a substrate consists of at least two layers of similar composition of binder and pigment, except that the layer next to the substrate has a smaller pigment/binder ratio versus the layer laid on top of it. Multiple layers making up the gradient are included.

Abstract: A recording medium for ink jet printers having superior effects in preventing recorded image deterioration such as lowering of image clarity, decrease in density, change in color tone, etc., under high temperature and high humidity, is provided. An ink receiving layer is formed on a base material by coating acrylic copolymer containing at least (meth)acrylate having a solubility parameter (&dgr;) of 15.0 to 23.0 MPa½ as a copolymerizing component, and thereby a recording medium for ink jet printers is produced.

Abstract: An improved ink jet recording material is disclosed comprising a resin coated paper support and an ink receiving layer, characterized in that between said support and said ink receiving layer there is an adhesion promoting layer present comprising a binder and a cationic inorganic pigment.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an ink receptor composition comprising greater than 30 weight percent polyvinylpyridine on a dry basis. The ink receptor composition may also further comprise a crossslinker and/or a mordant. In another aspect, the ink receptor composition comprises polyvinylpyridine and a mordant. In another aspect, the invention provides an ink receptor medium comprising a substrate having a substantially smooth or a microembossed surface and an ink receptor comprising polyvinylpyridine on the substantially smooth or the microembossed surface.

Abstract: An inkjet receiver layer is constructed of an alumina-containing layer also containing a binder with an essentially binder-free, colloidal, cationic silica top-coat. The colloidal cationic silica topcoat provides improved image quality (color gamut and gloss) and increased resistance to scratching, while maintaining a high absorption of ink.

Abstract: A compound of Formula (1) and salts thereof are useful as dyes for ink jet printing inks. In Formula (I) m is 1, 2 or 3; R1 and R2 are each independently optionally substituted alkoxy; and R4 and R5 are each independently H, optionally substituted alkyl or optionally substituted aryl; provided that at least one of R1 and R2 carries an —OH group.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer containing an ink jet image and an overcoat layer of a water-dispersible, hydrophobic polyester resin having the following general formula: In—P—Am wherein I is an ionic group; n is an integer from 1-3; P is a polyester backbone; A is an aliphatic group comprising a straight or branched chain fatty acid or triglyceride thereof having from about 6 to about 24 carbon atoms; and m is an integer from 3-8.

Abstract: A recording material having sufficient height and equivalent dimensions of mats formed thereon and a matting process capable of forming these improved mats. A matting process including the step of forming mats on the recording face laminated on the substrate of a recording media with a screen by screen printing and a recording material having the thus formed mats formed on the recording face thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink-jet recording sheet which has excellent glossiness and ink absorbability, improved storage stability of images, such as light fastness and water resistance, and satisfactory coating strength. An ink-jet recording sheet, in which the specular gloss at an angle of 60 degrees according to JIS Z8741 is 50% or more, includes an ink-absorbing layer disposed on a substrate, and a gloss-developing layer disposed on the ink-absorbing layer, the gloss-developing layer being formed by applying a coating compound containing a water-soluble zirconium salt onto the ink-absorbing layer, followed by drying. The content of the water-soluble zirconium salt, in terms of ZrO2, is 10% by weight or more of the total solids in the coating compound, and the coating compound optionally contains a binder resin in an amount not exceeding the zirconium salt content in terms of ZrO2.

Abstract: The present invention describes a dispersion comprising a vehicle and a modified pigment. The modified pigment has, when measured in an aqueous medium, a zeta potential of 0.0 mV at a pH of between 5.0 and 11.0. Inkjet ink compositions and an inkjet consumable set are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises an extruded image receptive layer that is receptive to solvent-based inkjet ink. Image receptive layers of the invention comprise a blend of an ink absorptive resin and a carrier resin. The ink absorptive resin is compatible with the carrier resin and had a Hildebrand Solubility Parameter within about 3.1 (MPa)1/2 of that of the solvent of the ink. In another aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a coextruded or extrusion coated image receptive layer and a core layer bonded together. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of printing images and methods of making an extrusion coated or coextruded image receptor medium.

Abstract: A means and method for protecting ink prints and other color surfaces, typically dye based prints from the adverse effects of moisture and oxygen, utilising a multilayered applied film including a first layer of polyvinylidene chloride, and a second resin layer overlying the first layer, facing a source of ultraviolet radiation, and including ultraviolet radiation absorbing and reflecting components. The film may be applied to opposite surfaces of a substrate which is then coated with an adhesive for application to the printed surface of the print.

Abstract: Disclosed are an ink-jet recording material for proof comprising a water-resistant support and at least one ink-receptive layer containing inorganic fine particles and a hydrophilic binder provided on the support, wherein the water-resistant support has a center line average roughness Ra75 with a cut off value of 0.8 mm according to JIS-B0601 of 1.0 &mgr;m or less, and an uppermost ink-receptive layer farthest from the water-resistant support contains a colorless or white matting agent having an average particle size of 1 to 10 &mgr;m and a colored pigment having an average particle size of 1 &mgr;m or less, and use of the same for proof.

Abstract: Ink jet media having low coefficients of friction to enable efficient sheet feeding performance and which are compatible with modern inks. In a preferred embodiment, ink jet media include a substrate, a coating including a binder, a pigment, and a low friction substance. The low friction substance, in an emulsified form, is selected from the group consisting of waxes, simple organic polymers, silicone polymers and fluoropolymers. The binder is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylversatate, polyethelene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinylacetate and it comprises between about 5% and about 30%, by weight, of the coating. Preferably, the pigment is alumina or silica. In addition, polyterfluoroethylene latex is utilized as a slip aid. A method of preparing ink jet media includes the steps of providing a substrate and a coating including a binder, as described above.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising cationic colloidal silicas and ink jet recording sheets prepared from such coatings is described. The coating comprises binder and polydispersed cationic colloidal silica. The cationic colloidal silica preferably has an average particle size in the range of about 1 to about 300 nanometers. It has been discovered that if a cationic polydispersed colloidal silica is employed in a glossy coating formulation, the coating provides a specular gloss of at least 30 at 60° C., even at a relatively high silica solids to binder solids ratio of 1:1 or greater, but also a coating having good to excellent printability characteristics.

Abstract: A heat activatable printable material for the ink-jet printing process comprising a support and a heat-activatable polymer layer. The polymers of the polymer layer is a mixture of nonionic water soluble polyethylene oxide polymers with the general formula H—[—O—CH2—CH2—]nOH, and an aliphatic polyester type polyurethane resin. The polymer layer is ink-jet printed and heat activated to adhere to a substrate with the support remaining on the polymer layer after adhesion of the polymer layer to the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to systems and coated substrates for ink-jet ink printing. The coated media substrate can comprise a substrate, having coated thereon, a porous coating, wherein the porous coating comprises silica having crown compounds covalently attached thereto. The system utilizes a coated media substrate wherein the coating is functionalized with crown compounds, and further provides an ink-jet ink composition that has an affinity for the crown compounds.

Abstract: Provided are ink jet recording media comprising a substrate and a porous layer, wherein the porous layer comprises an inorganic oxide, preferably an inorganic oxide xerogel, an organic polymer as a binder, an aminium radical cation, and an arylamine. The aminium radical cation and the arylamine are added to reduce the fading of the colorants in the ink jet media after imaging. Also provided are imaged ink jet media comprising such stabilizing additives and layers and methods of preparing such ink jet recording media and such imaged ink jet media.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording medium is disclosed. The ink accepting layer of the recording medium contains silica dispersion containing silica particles having a ratio of a free silanol group of 1.0 to 4.5. Silica particles and silica particle dispersion are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high gloss ink jet receiving medium with fast ink dry time, good dye fade resistance, good dimensional stability, and good durability. The coating comprises a polypeptide such as gelatin or modified gelatin. One of the following two types of plasticizers is also incorporated into the coating to reduce the curl of the coated sheets at low humidity: a) 2-Pyrrolidone and its derivatives such as hydroxyethyl pyrrolidone and N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone, and b) urea and its derivatives such as imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, 2-hydroxyethylethylene urea, and ethylene urea. A polyurethane dispersion is incorporated into the coating to increase the flexibility of the coating at low humidity and to reduce the tack of the coating at high humidity. The polymers can be crosslinked with one or a combination of crosslinkers such as trivalent metal ions, polyfunctional aziridine, and polyamide-epichlorohydrin resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink-jet recording sheet having a coloring agent accepting layer which contains a dispersion containing a cationic polymer with an average molecular weight of 60,000 or lower and having a sulfate ion concentration of 1.5% by mass or lower to the cationic polymer together with a water-soluble resin; an particle dispersion obtained by further granulating a pre-dispersion obtained by pre-dispersing a solution containing at least fine particles and a cationic polymer and the pre-dispersion and/or the particle dispersion is heated at room temperature for 5 hours or longer after pre-dispersion and/or after granulating; and a coating solution for coloring agent accepting layer obtained by adding a water-soluble resin to the particle dispersion.

Abstract: A process for making an article with an image protected by a clear fluoropolymer film includes coating the inner surface of the fluoropolymer film with a layer of hydrophobic, ink receptive polymer composition compatible with the fluoropolymer film. An image is printed on the layer of hydrophobic, ink receptive polymer composition using an inkjet printhead supplied with a non-aqueous solvent based ink. The clear, printed fluoropolymer film is then adhered to a substrate with the inner surface facing the substrate whereby the image is viewable through and protected by the fluoropolymer film.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising low sodium containing colloidal silicas and ink jet recording sheets prepared from such coatings are described. The coating comprises binder and colloidal silica preferably having an average particle size in the range of about 1 to about 300 nanometers and which has a solids to alkali metal ratio of at least the sum of AW(−0.013SSA+9), AW being the atomic weight of alkali metal present in the colloidal silica and SSA being the specific surface area of the silica. It has been discovered that if the alkali metal, e.g., sodium, content of colloidal silica is reduced, coatings prepared from such colloidal silica and applied to conventional ink jet recording sheet supports provide a specular gloss of at least 30 at 60° C., even at a relatively high silica solids to binder solids ratio of 1:1 or greater.

Abstract: Print paper for ink printing and method for producing and using the same is provided. The ink print paper includes a cationic dispersion polymer including nonionic monomers and cationic monomers. The cationic monomers at least include an effective amount of hydrophobic cationic monomers such that the cationic dispersion polymer effectively forms a film layer on a surface of the ink print paper to enhance ink print quality.

Abstract: An improved ink jet recording element is disclosed comprising a subbed polyester support, and an ink receiver layer containing a cationic compound, characterized in that between said support and said ink receiver layer there is an additional adhesion promoting layer present comprising a binder and a cationically modified silica.

Abstract: A substrate for ink-jet printing which is coated or impregnated with a water dissipatable nitrile polymer having a Mn of less than 25,000 comprising 5 to 70% w/w of nitrile monomers. Also processes for ink-jet printing and printed substrates.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording sheet comprising a reflective support having thereon a porous ink absorbing layer containing a dye or a pigment, wherein a color difference &Dgr;abL defined by the following formula is not more than 7:

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet having a high water resistance and capable of recording thereon clear ink images includes a substrate polymeric film or sheet; an undercoat layer formed on the substrate and including a polymeric binder having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or less and optionally pigment particles having an oil absorption of 250 ml/100 g or less and/or an aspect ratio of 2.0 to 100.0; and an ink receiving layer including a pigment and a polymeric binder.

Abstract: A laminated body for printing with a temporary display layer is configured so that the temporary display layer capable of being peeled, which includes at least one layer capable of printing and displaying, and a substrate layer including at least one layer are laminated. A surface side of the temporary display layer that does not contact with the substrate layer has a property of absorbing ink that contains a sublimable dye and includes a resin composition that does not generate a blocking phenomenon during a heat treatment for sublimating the sublimable dye to diffuse into the substrate layer and to dye the substrate layer. This laminated body allows the dye in the temporary display layer to sublimate by the application of heat so as to print an image in the substrate layer. By peeling the temporary display layer, original display can be presented with excellent long term durability and dimensional stability against heat.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image-transfer medium, comprising an ink vehicle-absorbing layer and a coloring material-retaining layer, and being so constituted that both layers are releasable each other.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method using a recording device including a recording head provided with an ejection outlet for ejecting ink and heating means for heating at least a part of a recording material; the method includes a recording step of recording by ejecting ink to a predetermined region on a recording material, using a recording head; a heating step of heating said region by heating means; and wherein the ink has an ink absorption coefficient Ka (ml.m−2.msec−½) relative to a plain paper, defined by Bristow method, is 1.0-5.0 and satisfies 0<ts≦200 msec where ts is a rapid expansion start point.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (a) a liquid medium comprising (i), (ii) or (iii): (i) a mixture of water and an organic solvent; (ii) an organic solvent free from water; or (iii) a low melting point solid; and (b) a dye of the Formula (1) or a salt thereof:  wherein A, B, Z, L, R1 and n are as defined in the description. Also claimed are certain dyes of Formula (1), inks, an ink jet printing process using the inks, a substrate printed with the inks, an ink jet printer cartridge containing the inks and an ink jet printer containing the ink jet printer cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an ink recording element comprising a support having thereon a hydrophilic absorbing layer, a laminate adhesion promoting polymer inner layer, and a hydrophilic overcoat polymer layer and a method therefor.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an ink recording element comprising a support having thereon a hydrophilic absorbing layer and a laminate adhesion promoting absorbing hydrophilic overcoat. The hydrophilic absorbing layer preferably comprises a natural or synthetic polymer, preferably gelatin. The laminate adhesion promoting absorbing hydrophilic overcoat polymer preferably comprises a mixture of acetoacetylated poly (vinyl alcohol) and polyurethane dispersion or latex polymer. In another embodiment, an ink printing method comprising providing an ink recording element as described above; and applying liquid ink droplets thereon in an image-wise manner is disclosed.

Abstract: An ink comprising: a) an aqueous medium; b) colorant; and c) a compound of Formula (1); M[X]n  (1)  wherein: M is a copper, nickel, cobalt or manganese cation; X is a carboxylic acid anion comprising at least four carbon atoms; and n is from 1 to 2 inclusive.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an ink recording element comprising at least one solvent absorbing layer comprising an amine inactivated absorbing gelatin. In a preferred embodiment, the element includes a hydrophilic overcoat layer comprising cellulose ether. The recording element may further comprise at least one hydrophilic inner layer comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) and located between the hydrophilic absorbing layer and the hydrophilic overcoat layer.

Abstract: A composition, preferably a synthetic paper, is disclosed comprising a plastics substrate having a printable polymer coating, wherein the coating has a density of from 0.3 to 0.7 g/cm3. The low density provides improved adhesion and printability properties compared with the prior ant, and permits the coating to be applied in a single layer of uniform density.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon a fusible, porous, image-receiving layer having non-porous polymeric particles having a core/shell structure having a polymeric, hydrophobic core covered with a polymeric, hydrophobic shell, the Tg of the polymeric, hydrophobic core being at least about 25° C. higher than the Tg of the polymeric, hydrophobic shell.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amorphous porous inorganic substance having small particle sizes and uniform pores, a process for synthesizing the same, and use of the same. The invention provides an amorphous porous inorganic substance having pores of a uniform pore diameter, which has an average particle size DL of 10 to 400 nm as measured by a dynamic light scattering method and a specific surface area difference, SB−SL, between a conversion specific surface area SL calculated from DL and a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area SB obtained by the BET method, of 250 m2/g or more. A process for synthesizing the same and use of the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet is provided which on recording produces an image with excellent gloss, and which is capable of producing a vivid full color image with a high print density. The ink jet recording sheet comprises a support, and an ink receiving layer containing &dgr;-alumina provided on top of this support, wherein the ink receiving layer contains at least 20% by weight of &dgr;-alumina. The ink receiving layer may also contain &ggr;-alumina and/or &thgr;-alumina. Furthermore, the ink receiving layer preferably contains from 65 to 97% by weight of the alumina mixture.

Abstract: A composition comprising a dye of Formula (I) and a dye of Formula (II) or salts thereof, and use of the composition in ink jet printing.

Abstract: A radiation-curable composition for use as a base coat in printing on plastics substrates such as polycarbonate. The radiation-curable composition comprises: (i) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer that is capable of being photopolymerized; (ii) a photoinitiator that is capable of initiating the polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer (i) when irradiated with ultra-violet light; (iii) an inorganic transfer agent; (iv) an adhesion promoter; and (v) optionally, a pigment. The base coat is suitable for use in printing plastics substrates using electrostatic offset printing.

Abstract: A printing medium has a base layer, an ink receptive layer coated on the base layer, and an undercoating layer formed between the base layer and the ink receptive layer. The undercoating layer has a highly glossy resin property. Accordingly, regardless of a type of a material that is used in the base layer, the printing medium always offers rapid ink absorption, a vivid color image, excellent color fixation, a high water and light resistance, and high glossiness.

Abstract: Ink jet printing paper carries a pigment coating comprising (a) a major proportion of a finely divided precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) having a surface area of at least 60 m2g−1, preferably 80 to 9O m2g−1 (b) a minor proportion of a gel-type silica and (c) binder. The silica is preferably present in an amount of 15 to 30% by weight of the total dry weight of silica and PCC. The pigment coating is preferably made up as an aqueous composition having a solids content of 25 to 35% and a Brookfield viscosity of 150 to 2000 mPa s and applied by a blade coating technique.

Abstract: An ink jet printing method having the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer of non-silicon-containing inorganic oxide particles, the particles having their surfaces treated with a silane coupling agent having a hydrophilic, organic moiety; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition; and D) printing on the image-receiving layer using the ink jet ink composition in response to the digital data signals.

Abstract: For providing an ink composition which can reduce matamerizm while reducing the total amount of inks used when such ink composition is simultaneously used with another ink composition, and prevent reduction of the image quality, the present invention provides an ink composition wherein the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the reflectance of an output color through an ink jet output over a light source wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm, in which such output color satisfies formulae (1), (2) and (3) below at a spatial coordinate (L* a* b*) stipulated by CIE under the D 50 light source is not more than 20%:

Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a substrate having thereon a porous image-receiving layer having a) organic particles encapsulated with an organic polymer having a Tg of less than about 100° C.; and b) water-insoluble, cationic, polymeric particles.