A thermal transfer printer includes a first supply unit configured to supply an intermediate transfer medium in which, on one surface of a first base, a transfer layer including a receiving layer is disposed, a second supply unit configured to supply a thermal transfer sheet in which, on one of surfaces of a second base, a colorant layer and a particle layer are disposed, a printing unit configured to heat the thermal transfer sheet, to transfer a colorant from the colorant layer to the receiving layer to form an image, and to transfer the particle layer onto the receiving layer, a third supply unit configured to supply a transfer-receiving body, and a transfer unit configured to place the intermediate transfer medium and the transfer-receiving body on top of each other such that the transfer-receiving body faces the particle layer on the receiving layer, and to heat the intermediate transfer medium.

A process for printing on to a 3-dimensional article is described. An image is printed on to a first side of a stretchable carrier membrane having a first side and a second side. The membrane is mounted in a plane within a frame between a heating chamber defined on one side of the membrane, and an article receiving chamber defined on the other side of the membrane. A 3-dimensional article to be printed is placed on to a generally flat platen positioned generally parallel to the said plane, optionally with a nest for the article thereon, within the article receiving chamber. A thermo- and vacuum-forming step is performed in which there is relative movement of the platen with respect to the membrane in a direction perpendicularly to the said plane to bring the article into register with the image printed on the membrane and to carry the article into intimate contact with the membrane through the said plane into the heating chamber. A source of vacuum is applied to the membrane from the said other side, and heat is applied to the membrane from the said one side at a first temperature sufficient to soften the membrane, whereby the membrane is thermo- and vacuum-wrapped at least partially about the article with the membrane in intimate contact with surface details of the article. A dye-diffusion step is performed in which infra-red radiation is applied to the article with the membrane wrapped therearound using at least two infra-red sources to heat the membrane and underlying surface of the article over substantially a half-spherical solid angle uniformly to a temperature in excess of the first temperature and for a time sufficient to cause the printed image to diffuse into the surface of the article but insufficient to damage the article.

A printing assembly for thermal transfer printing is disclosed. The assembly comprises at least one first printing system comprising a transfer member having an imaging surface on the front side, a coating station at which a monolayer of thermoplastic particles is applied to the imaging surface, an imaging station at which electromagnetic radiation (EM) is applied, optionally via the rear side of the transfer member, to selected regions of the imaging surface to render the particles coating the selected regions tacky, a transfer station at which only the regions of the particles coating that have been rendered tacky are transferred to a substrate to form an adhesive image; and at least one more downstream printing system. The transfer member includes on its front side an EM radiation absorbing layer, the imaging surface being formed on, or as part of, the absorbing layer, and on its rear side a body which can optionally be transparent to EM radiation.

An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use in a printing system to transport an ink image from an image forming station to an impression station for transfer of the ink image from the ITM onto a printing substrate, wherein the ITM is an endless flexible belt of substantially uniform width which, during use, passes over drive and guide rollers and is guided through at least the image forming station by means of guide channels that receive formations provided on both lateral edges of the belt, wherein the formations on a first edge differ from the formations on the second edge by being configured for providing the elasticity desired to maintain the belt taut when the belt is guided through their respective lateral channels.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of indirect printing with an aqueous ink. In some embodiments, an intermediate transfer member (ITM) comprising a silicone-based release layer surface is employed. For example, the release layer surface satisfies at least one of the following properties: (i) a receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the silicone-based release layer surface is at most 60°; and (ii) a 10-second dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the silicone-based release layer surface is at most 108°. Related apparatus, systems and treatment formulations are disclosed herein.

The present invention refers to a coated transfer paper for receiving digital printing inks, maintaining high tonal fidelity, the paper being treated to transfer the image when it contacts a receiving base, preventing transfer to surfaces that do not have the receiving base. In addition, the invention relates to a printing method that combines the techniques of screen printing and digital printing, using the transfer paper.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of indirect printing with an aqueous ink. In some embodiments, an intermediate transfer member (ITM) comprising a silicone-based release layer surface is employed. For example, the release layer surface satisfies at least one of the following properties: (i) a receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the silicone-based release layer surface is at most 60°; and (ii) a 10-second dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the silicone-based release layer surface is at most 108°. Related apparatus, systems and treatment formulations are disclosed herein.

A method for decorating a sliding board including on its visible part, a composite material formed of a fibrous layer coated with hardenable resin, includes preparing a transfer film that includes a face covered with a pattern constituted of an arrangement of grains of at least one type of ink. The ink includes colourants and a crosslinked polymer. The method also includes positioning the face of the transfer film covered with the pattern on all or some of the external surface of the composite material, applying pressure and temperature conditions generating the softening or/then hardening of the resin to as to incrust the grains of the pattern in the superficial layer of the composite material while conserving the arrangement of the grains, and peeling the transfer film.

A recording method includes a colored ink adhering step of adhering a colored ink composition to an intermediate transfer medium by an ink jet method to form a recording region A, a clear ink adhering step of adhering a clear ink composition to at least a portion of a recording medium to form a region B, and a transfer step of transferring an image formed in the recording region A to the region B of the recording medium by heating in a state where the recording region A of the intermediate transfer medium faces the region B of the recording medium. The colored ink composition contains a sublimation dye, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, and the intermediate transfer medium has a peeling layer containing a resin having a glass transition point of 100° C. or more and 200° C. or less.

The present disclosure relates to formulations for use with an intermediate transfer members of indirect printing systems and printing methods utilizing same. The present disclosure further relates to intermediate transfer members having a release layer surface covered with the formulations of the invention. The present disclosure also relates to printed substrates, printed articles and printed patterns produced using the formulations of the invention and to kits comprising the formulations.