Disclosed herein is a method for forming a surface relief microstructure, including the steps of A) applying a curable composition to at least a portion of the frontside of the paper substrate, B) contacting at least a portion of the curable composition with surface relief microstructure, C) curing the composition by using at least one UV lamp which is arranged on the backside of the paper substrate, and D) depositing a metallic layer, and optionally a layer of a transparent high refractive index material, on at least a portion of the cured composition, wherein the UV lamp has an emission peak in a UV-A range of 320 nm to 400 nm and additionally in a near VIS range of 400 nm to 450 nm, the curable composition comprises a photoinitiator which absorbs in the UV-A range and also in the near VIS range.

A thermally expandable sheet includes: a first thermally expansive layer that is formed on one side of a base and contains a first thermally expandable material and a first binder, the first thermally expansive layer having a first ratio of the first thermally expandable material with respect to the first binder; and a second thermally expansive layer that is formed on the first thermally expansive layer and contains a second thermally expandable material and a second binder, the second thermally expansive layer having a second ratio of the second thermally expandable material with respect to the second binder, wherein the first ratio is lower than the second ratio.

A thermally expandable sheet includes: a first thermally expansive layer that is formed on one side of a base and contains a first thermally expandable material and a first binder, the first thermally expansive layer having a first ratio of the first thermally expandable material with respect to the first binder; and a second thermally expansive layer that is formed on the first thermally expansive layer and contains a second thermally expandable material and a second binder, the second thermally expansive layer having a second ratio of the second thermally expandable material with respect to the second binder, wherein the first ratio is lower than the second ratio.

A sublimated polymer composition with improved weatherability having a coating applied to a substrate by a sublimation process. The substrate includes about 60-90% by weight of polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyester, polyether and combinations thereof; UV adsorber; UV inhibitor; pigment, and antioxidant.

An irradiation device for causing distension of a thermally distensible sheet that distends due to heat, comprising: a temperature sensor; a humidity sensor; an irradiation unit that irradiates the thermally distensible sheet with electromagnetic waves; and a controller configured to: estimate an amount of moisture contained in the thermally distensible sheet on the basis of values of measurements from the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor, set a relative speed between the irradiation unit and the thermally distensible sheet in accordance with the estimated amount of moisture in the thermally distensible sheet, and cause the irradiation unit or the thermally distensible sheet to move relative to each other at the relative speed that has been set while irradiating the thermally distensible sheet with the electromagnetic waves.

A technique is described for the application of three-dimensional (3D) relief to a substrate such as a ceramic tile using digital inkjet technology. In an example embodiment, the introduced technique includes application of binder ink to a portion of the surface of a substrate using a digital inkjet process. This binder ink forms a barrier layer which protects the portion of the surface of the substrate. Next, a brushing process is applied to remove unprotected portions of the substrate, thereby forming the 3D relief in the substrate.

A method of making high-quality wood prints without the use of ultraviolet printing or dye sublimation printing is described herein. The methods provide for the application of an image area comprising a printed image to a wooden substrate to produce wall hangings, ornaments, plaques and the like that include high-resolution printed graphics with wood grains and textures visible for creating the aesthetic of high-quality wood prints. The invention allows for the production of high-quality wood prints in retail photo processing installations from graphics provided by customers, for example, on computer-readable media capable of being printed using standard technologies such as ink jet or laser jet printing. The invention provides a lower-cost alternative for consumers to obtain customized, high-quality wood prints and provides retailers with kits of materials necessary to meet consumer demand for the products described herein.

An information processing apparatus generates data for forming a layer of ink to be cured by being irradiated with an ultraviolet ray, on an uneven portion formed on a recording medium using ink to be cured by being irradiated with an ultraviolet ray, and the information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire first data that has information corresponding to a depth of a groove to be generated on a surface of the uneven portion in a case where the uneven portion is formed on the recording medium, and a generation unit configured to generate second data that represents a number of lamination times of ink or a recording amount of ink for forming the layer of ink, based on the first data.

An information processing apparatus generates data for forming a layer of ink to be cured by being irradiated with an ultraviolet ray, on an uneven portion formed on a recording medium using ink to be cured by being irradiated with an ultraviolet ray, and the information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire first data that has information corresponding to a depth of a groove to be generated on a surface of the uneven portion in a case where the uneven portion is formed on the recording medium, and a generation unit configured to generate second data that represents a number of lamination times of ink or a recording amount of ink for forming the layer of ink, based on the first data.

A concave and convex pattern forming apparatus, includes a pattern forming unit that forms a pattern with a transparent infrared absorbing material on a surface of a foam body that is foamed by heating; and an irradiation unit that irradiates, with infrared rays, the surface having a pattern formed by the pattern forming unit.