A marking system includes a composition having at least one color precursor, a moldable substrate having a color developer, and a marking instrument for applying the composition to the moldable substrate to form at least one mark on the moldable substrate. A method of producing a colored three-dimensional molded object includes the steps of manipulating a moldable substrate having a color developer into a molded shape having an outer surface; and applying, on the outer surface of the molded shape, a first composition having at least one color precursor to a first portion of the molded shape.

A method for producing an electrically conductive thin film on a substrate is disclosed. Initially, a reducible metal compound and a reducing agent are dispersed in a liquid. The dispersion is then deposited on a substrate as a thin film. The thin film along with the substrate is subsequently exposed to a pulsed electromagnetic emission to chemically react with the reducible metal compound and the reducing agent such that the thin film becomes electrically conductive.

A dye discharge composition exhibiting extended shelf life and/or pot life and high suitability for inkjet printing on dyed substrates, is disclosed. The composition comprises a reducing agent such as, for example, a sulfur-based reducing agent, and a chelating agent, such as a sodium salt of a polyamino carboxylic acid chelating agent. Use of the dye discharge composition in combination with a translucent colored composition and an optional opaque underbase composition, for forming an image on a dyed substrate is also disclosed. Processes for inkjet printing of an image on a dyed surface using the dye discharge composition, kits for use in such processes or an ink formulation containing same are also disclosed.

A method of forming a structure, including forming a photo-thermal conversion material on a medium having an expanding layer by printing, before the expanding layer is expanded, wherein the expanding layer is expanded when heated, forming at least one of a white material and a coloring material on the photo-thermal conversion material formed on the medium, by printing, and expanding the expanding layer by heating.

An apparatus for coating a donor surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises an application device to apply to the donor surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounds the application device forming an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing prevents egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum excess fluid and particles. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the donor surface, leaving substantially a single particle layer adhering to the donor surface upon exiting the apparatus.

An apparatus for coating a donor surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of thermoplastic particles, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises an application device to apply to the donor surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounds the application device forming an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing prevents egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum excess fluid and particles. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the donor surface, leaving substantially a single particle layer adhering to the donor surface upon exiting the apparatus.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to color compositions and methods of making a printed layer using the color composition as well as an article that can include the printed layer.

An ink jet method includes applying a first ink, a second ink, a first reaction liquid and a second reaction liquid to a recording medium to overlap each other in at least an area of the recording medium to form an image. The method includes a first reaction liquid applying step of applying the first reaction liquid to the recording medium, a first ink applying step of applying the first ink to the recording medium after the first reaction liquid applying step, a second ink applying step of applying the second ink to the recording medium after the first reaction liquid applying step and a second reaction liquid applying step of applying the second reaction liquid to the recording medium after the first reaction liquid applying step. The second reaction liquid has a higher surface tension than the first reaction liquid.

An ink jet recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting an aqueous ink from a print head of an ink jet recording apparatus includes applying an aqueous ink onto a recording medium, and cleaning a liquid contact member coming into contact with the aqueous ink in the ink jet recording apparatus with an aqueous cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid contains a surfactant, a first water-soluble organic solvent with a lower vapor pressure than water, a second water-soluble organic solvent with an SP value, measured by a Fedors method, of 9.8 or more to 14.2 or less, and a third water-soluble organic solvent with a water retention capacity of 50% or less in an amount by mass of 0.7 or more relative to the total amount by mass of the water-soluble organic solvents. The cleaning liquid has a pH of 8.5 or more.

An ink jet recording method includes a first reaction liquid applying step, a first ink applying step, a second reaction liquid applying step and a second ink applying step in this order. A viscosity of a mixed liquid 1-1 obtained by mixing the first reaction liquid and the first ink at a mass ratio of 7:100 is higher than a viscosity of a mixed liquid 2-1 obtained by mixing the second reaction liquid and the first ink at a mass ratio of 7:100, and a viscosity of a mixed liquid 1-2 obtained by mixing the first reaction liquid and the second ink at a mass ratio of 7:100 is higher than a viscosity of a mixed liquid 2-2 obtained by mixing the second reaction liquid and the second ink at a mass ratio of 7:100.