Abstract: A low volatile sublimation printing process comprises transferring a sublimation ink solid in an unsublimed form in a desired design by means of, for example, lithographic printing machinery, onto a medium such as paper. The image then is transferred from the medium onto a desired material in which sublimation takes place at the time of transfer onto that desired material. The sublimation ink can have a total volatile content of less than 10%, and preferably may have a total volatile content of less than 5%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a receiver layer, preferably thermally transferable, for use in dye diffusion thermal transfer printing comprising a swellable inorganic lamellar material, e.g. a clay, that is at least partially in an exfoliated or intercalated state, and to a dye diffusion thermal transfer ribbon comprising such a receiver layer.

Abstract: A transfer paper which comprises a transfer paper base and a disperse dye ink printed thereon or imparted thereto. The transfer paper is used in a dry transfer printing method in which the transfer paper is pressed against a synthetic fibrous material with heating to thereby transfer the dye (pattern) from the transfer paper to the fibrous material. The transfer paper is characterized in that the transfer paper base has a releasant layer comprising a synthetic resin soluble in organic solvents and an ink-receiving layer made from a mixture comprising a hydrophilic synthetic resin which softens or melts upon heating, a hydrophilic binder, and various aids, the ink-receiving layer being superposed on the releasant layer. With this transfer paper for dry transfer printing, a highly fine pattern can be printed with excellent reproducibility. Furthermore, the transfer paper enables quick delivery by so-called printing without platemaking. The method of dry transfer plating employs this transfer paper.

Abstract: Printed placemats, potholders, and oven mitts, and process for producing same using a high definition color sublimation printing technique. The sublimation printing technique applies a high quality image onto a print receiving layer that is incorporated into a printed placemat, potholder, or oven mitt. The print receiving layer can be adhesively bonded to the printed placemat, potholder, or oven mitt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for transferring a color pattern on or into an object, using a support which is printed with the color pattern. The color pattern is transferred from the support onto an object to be decorated. A gas jet is used to help apply the support to the object.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a decorated substrate comprising the steps of: submitting the substrate to a treatment to prepare its surface for the application of a coating; applying a coating to the surface of the substrate in one or more cycles; covering the surface of the substrate with a sheet comprising a decoration which is to be transferred to the surface of the substrate; and heating the substrate and the sheet comprising the decoration to effect the transfer of the decoration from the sheet onto the substrate. In this process, the coating is cured using electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength shorter than 400 nm, until a coating is obtained having a Tg between 50 and 130° C. and a scar resistance at 200° C. of at least 3N and wherein the temperature during the transfer of the decoration to the substrate is from 180 to 220° C. The process is particularly suited to the decoration of heat sensitive substrates, like MDF or wood.

Abstract: A process for transferring a decorative sublimation dye design formed on a transfer sheet to a continuous laminate by applying a sheet of cellulose web material impregnated with a thermosetting resin to a surface of a backer sheet to form a pre-laminate. A release sheet is applied to the exposed surface of the sheet of cellulose web material. The transfer sheet bearing the decorative sublimation dye design is applied to the exposed surface of the release sheet. Heat and pressure are applied to the pre-laminate layered with the release and transfer sheets, causing the cellulose web material to seep into the pores of the backer sheet to form a thermofused continuous laminate, and causing the design on the transfer sheet penetrates the thermofused continuous laminate through a sublimation process. The release and transfer sheets are then separated from the thermofused continuous laminate showing the transferred design.

Abstract: A method of digitally printing reactive ink contained in a heat meltable ink layer comprising dyes or pigments or other colorants, using a thermal printer. The ink layer comprises compounds with functional groups capable of reacting with active hydrogen, and compounds with functional groups containing active hydrogen, or functional groups capable of conversion to active hydrogen containing groups. The reactive ink contains one or more blocking agents which prevent initiation of the reaction during thermal printing. An image is thermally printed onto a substrate, at a first temperature, so that the ink is not reacted during the process of printing on to the medium. The image is subsequently transferred or permanently fixed on the substrate by the application of heat and pressure, which removes the blocking agent and reacts the ink, bonding the colorant to the substrate.

Abstract: A process for transferring a decorative sublimation dye design formed on a transfer sheet to a continuous laminate by applying a sheet of cellulose web material impregnated with a thermosetting resin to a surface of a backer sheet to form a pre-laminate. A release sheet is applied to the exposed surface of the sheet of cellulose web material. The transfer sheet bearing the decorative sublimation dye design is applied to the exposed surface of the release sheet. Heat and pressure are applied to the pre-laminate layered with the release and transfer sheets, causing the cellulose web material to seep into the pores of the backer sheet to form a thermofused continuous laminate, and causing the design on the transfer sheet penetrates the thermofused continuous laminate through a sublimation process. The release and transfer sheets are then separated from the thermofused continuous laminate showing the transferred design.

Abstract: A paper for thermal image transfer to flat porous surfaces is characterized by a paper support and a layer applied thereto which contains an ethylene copolymer or an ethylene copolymer mixture and a dye-receiving layer.

Abstract: Dye donor element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising at least one heterocyclic hydrazono dye, wherein said dye corresponds to the general formula:A=N-N=Hetwherein A is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic coupler group or a cyclic reactive methylene system, which may carry at least one substituent, and Het is a heterocyclic nucleus, which may carry at least one substituent.

Abstract: Dye donor element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising at least one heterocyclic hydrazono dye, wherein said dye corresponds to the general formula:A.dbd.N-N.dbd.Hetwherein A is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic coupler group or a cyclic reactive methylene system, which may carry at least one substituent, and Het is a heterocyclic nucleus, which may carry at least one substituent.

Abstract: An improved sublimation transfer process for printing color images on elastomer-coated fabric such as woven nylon is disclosed. The improved process includes a preliminary step in which a transfer sheet having sublimable dyes placed thereon is subjected to a pretreatment to condition it so as to avoid ghost images or haziness that would otherwise result when applying such process to elastomeric coated material. The pretreatment is carried out by placing the dye-containing transfer sheet in contact with a sheet of absorbent paper and heating this assembly under specified conditions to cause excess dyes to be conveyed into the absorbent sheet. The resulting dye-containing absorbent sheet is then removed, and printing may be carried out using known process conditions. The improved process is particularly useful for printing multicolor images on the back side of Velcro hook and loop tapes.

Abstract: Process of decorating an article having a substantially transparent surface portion, wherein a decorative design formed of sublimable coloring agents contained on a support is transferred into an opaque monolayer contrast sheet. The opaque monolayer contrast sheet is adhered to the surface portion to form a surface portion/contrast sheet complex having a joint therebetween. This complex is assembled to the remainder of the article to be decorated by applying heat for a period of time sufficient to adhere the complex to the article and to achieve further sublimation and migration of the coloring agents from the opaque monolayer contrast sheet into the joint.

Abstract: A method for decorating substrate materials such as flat metal sheet or cylindrical metal containers in which a linear polyester/adhesive laminate film is applied to the substrate either prior to or simultaneously with a flexible dye transfer carrier. Thus, on heating the laminate film bonds to the substrate and dye is transferred from the carrier to the film. After cooling the carrier is removed, leaving a high gloss, finely decorated laminate film/substrate.

Abstract: A method of printing a pattern on a surface receptive to sublimation dye, in which (a) the back of a carrier foil (1) provided with sublimation dye is caused to adhesively contact an auxiliary carrier (4) by means of an adhesive (5) of greater adhesiveness to the auxiliary carrier (4) than to the carrier foil (1), (b) the pattern to be transferred is cut or punched in mirror-reversed form in the carrier foil (1) without cutting through the auxiliary carrier (4), (c) excess carrier foil (11) is released from the auxiliary carrier (4), and (d) the auxiliary carrier (4) with the applied positive or negative cut or punched pattern (10) is caused to adhesively contact the surface, is pressed and heated. The sublimation foil (9) consists of a carrier foil (1) of paper or plastics whose front is provided with a layer of sublimation dye and whose back is provided with an auxiliary carrier (4) by means of an adhesive (5) of greater adhesiveness to the auxiliary carrier ( 4).

Abstract: The transfer sheet is used for dry thermal printing of water swellable celluluse fibers with dyestuffs which are insoluble in water of 60.degree. C. The dyestuffs are difficult to evaporate and cannot be used in a conventional heat transfer printing process. They are transferred at 230.degree. C. and a contact pressure of 10.sup.4 -10.sup.6 Pa from a base paper provided with a release coating, to cellulose fibers which have been swollen with water and the swollen state of which has been preserved after drying with a polyglycol. I order to increase the penetration of dyestuffs into the textile structure, it is recommended to lower the air pressure in the transfer area down to a pressure ranging from 1 to 5.times.10.sup.4 Pa.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying preselected dye images to members incident to processes of the type utilizing sheets bearing dyes in the mirror images of the preselected images, wherein the sheets are overlayed on the members and maintained in pressurized engagement therewith while the sheets and the members are heated. The apparatus comprises a bed for receiving a member thereon with a dye bearing sheet on the member and a resiliently flexible membrane which is positionable over the sheet on the member. A vacuum assembly of the apparatus is operable to evacuate the area between the membrane and the bed in order to draw the membrane into pressurized engagement with the sheet on the member. Radiant heating elements of the apparatus are operable to heat the membrane after the vacuum assembly has been actuated, whereby the dye on the sheet is applied to the member to produce the preselected image thereon.

Abstract: A process is described for printing dyes onto a textile material comprising the steps of forming a latent magnetic image in a magnetic imaging member comprising a ferromagnetic material on an electrically conductive support; developing the magnetic image by applying a ferromagnetic toner comprising a ferromagnetic component, a dye component which is substantially sublimable at from 160.degree. C. to 215.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of decorating a fabric is disclosed using a decoration material which contains a thin removable layer which is based on a thermoplastic polymeric film which also has elastomeric properties, and which also contains a dye or pigment. The layer is transferred to the fabric under the action of heat and pressure and subsequently heated further to break the layer down so that it does not adversely affect the handle or feel of the fabric being decorated. The decoration material may contain all of the components necessary to secure transfer of the decoration to the fabric and fixation of the dye or pigment in the fabric to a good degree of wash fastness. Simple heating and pressing treatments are the only ones necessary for effecting decoration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flock transfer sheet comprising a base sheet, a pattern layer overlaid on said base sheet and containing a heat-sublimable or heat-vaporizable dye as a main ingredient, a thickener layer overlaid on said pattern layer, a pile layer of short fibers electrostatically overlaid on said thickener layer, and a hot melt adhesive layer formed on said pile layer. Said thickener layer has a multiplicity of gas permeable micropores for allowing the sublimated or vaporized dye to penetrate and pass therethrough while leaving the thickener layer per se undyed. The present invention also provides a flock transfer printing process wherein the aforementioned flock transfer sheet is used to heat transfer the pattern formed by said pile layer to a blank stuff, such as woven or knitted fablics.

Abstract: In an improved method for the wet transfer printing of wool or wool-rich fabric the untreated fabric has introduced into it, as part of the wet transfer printing process, chlorine or a chlorine donor. The chlorine or chlorine donor is introduced before dye is transferred to the fabric, and when a chlorine donor is used as impregnating liquor for wet-transfer printing can be used to release chlorine from the donor.

Abstract: A transfer sheet comprising, in laminated combination, a substrate sheet and, provided thereabove, a coloring layer of desired pattern containing a coloring agent possessing heat transferability and a resist layer of a desired pattern containing a metal compound for resist printing and a binder, the metal compound having the capability of causing the coloring layer to lose its heat transferability, either of the coloring layer and the resist layer being nearer than the other to the substrate sheet. Because of the capability of the metal compound, the resist power is very great, whereby ample resist printing effect can be obtained with only an extremely thin resist layer.