A method for producing a polymeric vehicle add-on part having a decorative element is presented. According to one aspect, the method includes provision of a first polymeric material phase and transfer of a decorative element from a carrier film onto a first surface of the first polymeric material phase by hot stamping using a punch. A second polymeric material phase is then applied on the first surface of the first polymeric material phase so to arrange the decorative element between the first polymeric material phase and the second polymeric material phase. According to another aspect, the first polymeric material phase or the second polymeric material phase is transparent.

Disclosed is a method of producing a pattern for a decorative panel. The method includes applying a clear gel coat on a mold to form a clear layer. The clear layer is cured and then digitally printed with one or more inks so as to produce a pattern on the clear layer. Also disclosed is a decorative panel including a clear layer, an opaque layer and a pattern digitally printed on the clear layer, between the clear and opaque layers, such that the pattern is visible through the clear layer.

Disclosed is a method of producing a pattern for a decorative panel. The method includes applying a clear gel coat on a mold to form a clear layer. The clear layer is cured and then digitally printed with one or more inks so as to produce a pattern on the clear layer. Also disclosed is a decorative panel including a clear layer, an opaque layer and a pattern digitally printed on the clear layer, between the clear and opaque layers, such that the pattern is visible through the clear layer.

A method of applying a multi-color finish to a plumbing fixture includes depositing a first coating on the plumbing fixture; selectively applying a masking material in a graduated fashion over at least a portion of the first coating to define a gradient from a first portion of the plumbing fixture that is substantially completely covered by the masking material to a second portion of the plumbing fixture that has substantially no masking material; depositing a second coating over the masking material; and removing the masking material from the plumbing fixture such that the plumbing fixture has a surface finish including a transition region representing a gradual transition between the first coating and the second coating.

A method is for producing an ornamental design (O) in a clearcoat layer (K). The ornamental design (O) is produced by a selective matting of the clearcoat layer (K) by working the clearcoat layer (K) by a laser. The working of the clearcoat layer may be performed by a UV laser. Additionally, the working of the clearcoat layer K may be performed by electromagnetic waves at a wavelength of about 355 nm. Furthermore, the working of the clearcoat layer K may be performed by a laser operating at a frequency of about 23 500 Hz. Still further, the working of the clearcoat layer (K) may be performed by a laser operating with a pulse duration of about 2 μs. The working of the clearcoat layer (K) may be performed by a laser operating with a line spacing of about 0.03 mm.

A method for texturing a plastic substrate, while forming a dye sublimation image in the plastic substrate is provided. A first side of a dye carrier sheet having an image formed thereon of a dye sublimation ink is placed on a second side of the plastic substrate to form a stack. A first side of a textured cover is placed on a side of the stack. A clamping pressure is provided on the textured cover and the stack, wherein the stack and textured cover are clamped together. The stack is heated to at least a sublimation temperature of the stack, which causes the dye sublimation ink to sublimate and penetrate through the second side of the plastic substrate, creating a dye sublimation image in the plastic substrate and wherein texture from the textured cover is transferred to a side of the plastic substrate.

Embodiments are directed to laser-based processes for forming features on the surface of a part. The feature may include a geometric element, a color element, and/or a surface finish element. In some cases, the laser-formed features are formed as a pattern of textured features that produce an aesthetic and/or tactile effect on the surface of the part. In some cases, the texture features may be sufficiently small that they may not be discerned by the unaided human eye. Also, in some cases, a multiple laser-based processes are combined to form a single feature or a finished part having a specific aesthetic and/or tactile effect.

A method to permanently mark an item of laminated jewelry involves creating a laminate of two metals, and upper layer typically formed of a more precious metal such as gold, platinum or palladium that do not readily oxidize laminated onto the surface of a less precious metal, such as silver, which can be oxidized to create a dark color (e.g. black). A laser is used to create characters and/or designs in the upper layer by vaporizing portions thereof to effectively remove those portions. This exposes the upper surface of the less precious metal that does become oxidized. An oxidizer, such as liquid sulfur, is then used to blacken the silver, typically a dark gray. However, if more contrast is needed by making the marked text, designs etc. darker than gray a second step can be used by applying an additional oxidizing agent to turn the dark gray to substantially black.

A process for producing a surface covering with an embossed printed surface is described. A substrate (16) is continuously moved through a production line, and this substrate (16) is first provided, in a printing equipment (12), with a printed pattern and thereafter, in an embossing equipment (14), with an embossed pattern, which is registered with the printed pattern. The printing equipment (12) produces the printed pattern in-line with the production of the embossed pattern. During printing in the printing equipment (12), the printed pattern is stretched or compressed, dynamically responsive to indicators of misalignments between the printed pattern and the embossed pattern, so as to correct or prevent the misalignments. A production line for carrying out this process is also proposed.

Disclosed is a method of producing a pattern for a decorative panel. The method includes applying a clear gel coat on a mold to form a clear layer. The clear layer is cured and then digitally printed with one or more inks so as to produce a pattern on the clear layer. Also disclosed is a decorative panel including a clear layer, an opaque layer and a pattern digitally printed on the clear layer, between the clear and opaque layers, such that the pattern is visible through the clear layer.