Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto one or more surfaces of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. The apparatuses and methods may include providing a deposition device, such as a printing device; providing a transfer component; depositing a material onto a portion of the transfer component with the deposition device; modifying the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to conform the transfer component to at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the three-dimensional article; and transferring the transfer material onto the one or more surfaces of the article.

A protective film that can be included in multi-layer film laminates for use in marketing, advertising campaigns, particularly outdoor or other environment impacted promotions and safety applications. The film includes at least two different polyurethane polymers and is free or substantially free of polyvinyl chloride based polymer. One polyurethane has an ultimate elongation less than 200%, and another polyurethane has an ultimate elongation more than 400%. The film may be transparent, translucent, clear or have other desirable optical properties.

The disclosure relates to a coating apparatus for applying a layer of particles to a receiving surface. The apparatus comprises a pressurized air source, an application chamber partially bounded by the receiving surface into which an air stream is delivered by the air source, an air return path for returning air from the application chamber to an intake of the air source to form an air circulation loop, a dosing device for introducing particles to be coated onto the receiving surface into the air circulation loop, and a controller serving to regulate the dosing device so as to maintain the particle concentration within predetermined limits. A method of applying a layer of particles is also provided, as well as printing systems benefiting from the present coating apparatus.

The invention relates to a transfer paper (4) for use for transferring a print of ink onto a fabric, said transfer paper comprising: i) a base paper (2); ii) an additive (8) comprising a starch component, and a binding agent; wherein said starch component being a starch selected from the group comprising: unmodified starch or a modified starch or a mixture thereof; and wherein said binding agent being a binding agent selected from the group comprising: an alkyl ketene dimer, a tall oil/fumaric acid copolymer, a styrene/acrylate copolymer and an alkenyl succinic anhydride and a mixture thereof; wherein said base paper (2) comprises an amount of said additive by being impregnated therewith; and wherein said base paper (2) having a water uptake as defined by a Cobb-45 value of 10-100 g/m.sup.2 and a having a Gurley porosity of 10-140 seconds. The present invention furthermore relates to uses of the transfer paper (4).

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.

According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of measuring the amount of fountain solution employed in a digital offset lithography printing system. Fountain solution thickness is measured using a glass roll at a lower temperature than the fountain solution. The lower temperature causes the fountain solution to undergo a change in state and in a solid state the fountain solution crystalizes and changes roll opacity with the thickness of the film. When radiated with a light source the opacity is continuously measured through the surface of the roller. The thickness of the crystallized fountain solution can then be determined via the opacity level increase by the crystallization and the impact to the opacity on the glass roll.

The invention relates to a transfer paper (4) for use for transferring a print of ink onto a fabric, said transfer paper comprising: i) a base paper (2); ii) an additive (8) comprising a starch component, and a binding agent; wherein said starch component being a starch selected from the group comprising: unmodified starch or a modified starch or a mixture thereof; and wherein said binding agent being a binding agent selected from the group comprising: an alkyl ketene dimer, a tall oil/fumaric acid copolymer, a styrene/acrylate copolymer and an alkenyl succinic anhydride and a mixture thereof; wherein said base paper (2) comprises an amount of said additive by being impregnated therewith; and wherein said base paper (2) having a water uptake as defined by a Cobb-45 value of 10-100 g/m.sup.2 and a having a Gurley porosity of 10-140 seconds. The present invention furthermore relates to uses of the transfer paper (4).

A device for picking up and applying a cosmetic composition, in particular makeup, having a flexible support defining an, in particular continuous, application surface intended to receive the cosmetic composition, and at least two elements that are movable with respect to one another and are connected to the support, such that a relative movement of these two elements brings about a mechanical stress on the support and causes the latter to deform between a configuration for picking up cosmetic composition and an application configuration.

The invention relates to a transfer paper for transferring images onto substrates, comprising a carrier having a wax coating; a layer (A) arranged thereon, containing a wax emulsion, a binding agent, an inorganic crystalline substance, and a pigment; a layer (B) arranged on layer (A), containing an organic polymer, an inorganic crystalline substance, a fixing agent, a copolymer and a pigment; and a layer (C) arranged on layer (B), containing an organic polymer, a binding agent, an inorganic crystalline substance, a wax emulsion, a copolymer and a pigment. The invention also relates to a method for transferring images onto substrates using the transfer paper.

Described herein is a process for heat transfer printing, the process comprising: electrostatically printing a transparent release composition onto a transfer material to form a release layer disposed on the transfer material; electrostatically printing an electrostatic ink composition on the release layer to form an image layer disposed on the release layer; contacting a thermoplastic film with the image layer; contacting the thermoplastic film with a target substrate under conditions such that the thermoplastic film adheres to the target substrate and the release layer is softened; and separating the target substrate and the transfer material such that the thermoplastic film, image layer and release layer are transferred to the target substrate. A heat transferrable printed image is also described herein.