Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. Three-dimensional articles have a surface having two or more portions that each have a radius of curvature that are at least partially separated by an intermediate portion that has a lesser radius of curvature. The transfer material may be pre-formed and transferred to the surface of the articles and may extend continuously across at least parts of the two portions and the intermediate portion.

Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. Three-dimensional articles have a surface having two or more portions that each have a radius of curvature that are at least partially separated by an intermediate portion that has a lesser radius of curvature. The transfer material may be pre-formed and transferred to the surface of the articles and may extend continuously across at least parts of the two portions and the intermediate portion.

Provided in one example herein is a method of printing. The method includes disposing onto a transfer paper an ink composition to form thereon an image, the ink composition including pigments and latex particulates. The method includes transferring the image from the imaged transfer paper onto a substrate comprising fabric by a lamination process. The lamination process includes: laminating together the substrate, the imaged transfer paper, and a release paper, whereby the image is transferred from the transfer paper onto the substrate.

Provided in one example herein is a method of printing. The method includes disposing onto a transfer paper an ink composition to form thereon an image, the ink composition including pigments and latex particulates. The method includes transferring the image from the imaged transfer paper onto a substrate comprising fabric by a lamination process. The lamination process includes: laminating together the substrate, the imaged transfer paper, and a release paper, whereby the image is transferred from the transfer paper onto the substrate.

An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket. Optionally, the decorator may include two or more support elements.

An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket. Optionally, the decorator may include two or more support elements.

A transfer medium can include a transfer film, including an adhesion layer and a protection layer attached to the adhesion layer, wherein the transfer film is transparent or translucent. The transfer medium can also include a removable liner, including a base layer and silicone release layer. A deformable layer can be positioned between the base layer and the silicone release layer. An inner surface of the silicone release layer can be adhered to an outer surface of the protection layer.

A transfer medium can include a transfer film, including an adhesion layer and a protection layer attached to the adhesion layer, wherein the transfer film is transparent or translucent. The transfer medium can also include a removable liner, including a base layer and silicone release layer. A deformable layer can be positioned between the base layer and the silicone release layer. An inner surface of the silicone release layer can be adhered to an outer surface of the protection layer.

A thermal indicia transfer comprises a fixing layer between a carrier sheet and a printed ink layer. The ink comprises plastic particles, a solvent, an indicia additive, a dispersing agent, and optionally a binder. The fixing layer is coated onto the carrier sheet and cured. The ink layer is printed onto the fixing layer where the plastic particles are held in place by the tackiness and structure of the fixing layer. The printed ink layer is dried at a temperature high enough to remove the solvent from the ink layer, but low enough to prevent melting of the plastic particles.

A color shifting heat transfer label includes a carrier and a color design layer on the carrier. The color design layer is formulated from an ink having a color shifting effect. The color design layer is configured to separate from the carrier to define a color shifting feature that is adhered to a target object upon application of heat and pressure. The color shifting feature is adhered to the target object to define a plane defined by the color shifting feature such that the color shifting feature exhibits a first color when viewed from an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the plane defined by the color shifting feature and a second color, different from the first color when viewed from an angle of about 45 degrees or less relative to the plane defined by the color shifting feature.