A dyeing method in which a transparent resin body having a surface applied with a dye is heated to fix the dye to the transparent resin body comprises a heating step of irradiating a laser beam having a wavelength less likely to be absorbed by the dye toward the transparent resin body applied with the dye on the surface while relatively scanning the laser beam with respect to the transparent resin body to heat a to-be-dyed region of the transparent resin body to fix the dye, wherein the laser beam is irradiation to heat by changing a laser beam irradiating condition with respect to a portion of the transparent resin body to be heated so that a heating temperature on the transparent resin body by irradiation of the laser beam is substantially equal throughout an entire area of the to-be-dyed region.

Aspects are directed to printing a garment and include a method having steps of providing a fabric panel containing polyester, applying an ink layer to a first area of the fabric panel, curing the ink layer, and applying a sublimation dye to the first area and a different second area of the fabric panel. Application of the sublimation dye causes the first area and the second area to have different color saturations. Other aspects include a garment with a fabric panel containing polyester that has a first surface with a first area and a different second area. The garment also includes an ink layer on the first surface and located at the first area and a sublimation dye absorbed by a portion of the fabric panel at the second area and on a surface of the ink layer at the first area.

To provide a method of producing a processed cloth capable of forming various concave-convex patterns on a cloth material in a simple manner. A method of producing a processed cloth comprising the steps of: preparing a cloth; printing a first sizing agent containing a foaming agent on at least a portion of the cloth material; and pressing the printed cloth with a heated metal plate to foam the foaming agent. The method of producing a processed cloth may further include a step of printing a second sizing agent containing a coloring agent on the cloth material. The method of producing the processed cloth may further include a step of sublimation transfer to the cloth material.

The present application is directed to a transferable film for dye sublimation, the film comprising, in an example implementation, a carrier film; and a dye sublimation-receptive layer comprising a base resin that undergoes crosslinking at elevated temperatures. In an example implementation, the dye sublimation-receptive layer comprises an acrylic copolymer with acrylate reactive groups. Methods of using the transferrable film to create a dye sublimation-receptive surface are also provided, as are substrates having a substantially non-receptive to dye sublimation inks onto which is formed a thermally crosslinked layer to the substrate surface.

An example of an inkjet pre-treatment fluid for dye sublimation printing consists of a humectant; a cationic polymer; a surfactant; a co-solvent present in an amount up to about 50 wt % based on a total weight of the inkjet pre-treatment fluid; and a balance of water. In an example of a printing method, the inkjet pre-treatment fluid is inkjet printed onto a textile substrate to form a pre-treated area on the textile substrate.

A foamed, opacifying element useful as a light-blocking article is prepared with a dry opacifying layer on a substrate. The dry opacifying layer is densified, followed by application of a functional composition formulation to form a functional composition upon drying and curing at a coverage of 0.5-15 g/m.sup.2. The functional composition comprises at least: (i) glass particles such as hollow glass particles at a coverage of 0.1-2.2 g/cm.sup.2, and can also include any or combination of a (iv) water-soluble or water-dispersible organic polymeric binder that may be crosslinked, thickeners, coating aids having an HLB of at least 5, (ii) lubricants, (iii) tinting materials, and (v) crosslinking agents. Among other properties, the presence of the glass particles provides additional heat absorption for the foamed, opacifying elements that can be formed into light-blocking materials.

A foamed, opacifying element is useful as a light-blocking article, and includes a substrate; an opacifying layer disposed on the substrate, and a functional composition disposed over the opacifying layer. The functional composition comprises a tinting material comprising one or more pigments, one or more dyes, or a combination thereof to provide a desired tint or colorant to the entire foamed, opacifying element.

A composite support includes a first layer or sheet made from a printable or dyed material, a second layer or flexible polymer layer, and a third layer made from a hydrophilic and film-forming polymer. A method of using the support, in particular in digital printing or in dyeing with sublimation dyes, is also disclosed.

A process of printing an image or images on the sails of a watercraft or other wind powered objects without altering or compromising the efficacy of the sails is described. The process employs a method of printing large-scale, single or multiple panel, continuous, high-resolution photographic and graphic images on wind-catching fabrics. The dynamics and curvatures of a sail are integrated into the manufacturing process when employed for sails, though the process may be applied to any large-scaled fabric print. The process of the present invention produces printed sails providing for the highest resolution photographic, art, and graphic printing with virtually no weight gain, nor effect on the sail's original performance. Modern equipment is employed to achieve printing of realistic, high quality images directly on to the fabric of sails without compromising flexibility or durability, as well as without infringing on the speed and agility of the sailing craft.

Aspects are directed to printing a garment and include a method having steps of providing a fabric panel containing polyester, applying an ink layer to a first area of the fabric panel, curing the ink layer, and applying a sublimation dye to the first area and a different second area of the fabric panel. Application of the sublimation dye causes the first area and the second area to have different color saturations. Other aspects include a garment with a fabric panel containing polyester that has a first surface with a first area and a different second area. The garment also includes an ink layer on the first surface and located at the first area and a sublimation dye absorbed by a portion of the fabric panel at the second area and on a surface of the ink layer at the first area.