Method and system for thermal transfer printing are disclosed. The system comprises a transfer member having an imaging surface on the front side, a coating station at which a monolayer of particles made of, or coated with, a thermoplastic polymer is applied to the imaging surface, an imaging station at which electromagnetic radiation (EM) is applied via the rear side of the transfer member to selected regions of the particles-coated imaging surface to render the particles thereon tacky within the selected regions, and a transfer station at which only the regions of the particles coating that have been rendered tacky are transferred to a substrate. The transfer member includes on its rear side a body transparent to EM radiation and on its front side an EM radiation absorbing layer, the imaging surface being formed on, or as part of, the absorbing layer.

Method and system for thermal transfer printing are disclosed. The system comprises a transfer member having an imaging surface on the front side, a coating station at which a monolayer of particles made of, or coated with, a thermoplastic polymer is applied to the imaging surface, an imaging station at which electromagnetic radiation (EM) is applied via the rear side of the transfer member to selected regions of the particles-coated imaging surface to render the particles thereon tacky within the selected regions, and a transfer station at which only the regions of the particles coating that have been rendered tacky are transferred to a substrate. The transfer member includes on its rear side a body transparent to EM radiation and on its front side an EM radiation absorbing layer, the imaging surface being formed on, or as part of, the absorbing layer.

A device for carrying a substrate, for example a drinking cup, and clamping against the substrate, for example against an outer wall of the drinking cup, a clamping sheet, wherein the clamping sheet comprises a flexible and bendable material with a width and a length, said length being measured between longitudinal ends of the clamping sheet, wherein coupling members are provided at longitudinal ends of the clamping sheet, said coupling members comprising rods protruding in the width direction of the clamping sheet. The device is characterized in that the device comprises first recesses for receiving rods of a first width side that are positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of the clamping sheet and comprises second recesses for receiving rods of a second width side that are positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of the clamping sheet, and the device comprises a support member for carrying the device and the substrate.

A device for carrying a substrate, for example a drinking cup, and clamping against the substrate, for example against an outer wall of the drinking cup, a clamping sheet, wherein the clamping sheet comprises a flexible and bendable material with a width and a length, said length being measured between longitudinal ends of the clamping sheet, wherein coupling members are provided at longitudinal ends of the clamping sheet, said coupling members comprising rods protruding in the width direction of the clamping sheet. The device is characterized in that the device comprises first recesses for receiving rods of a first width side that are positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of the clamping sheet and comprises second recesses for receiving rods of a second width side that are positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of the clamping sheet, and the device comprises a support member for carrying the device and the substrate.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of indirect printing with an aqueous ink formulation applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer member. Related apparatus, systems and treatment formulations are disclosed herein.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of indirect printing with an aqueous ink formulation applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer member. Related apparatus, systems and treatment formulations are disclosed herein.

A printing assembly is disclosed for thermal transfer printing onto a surface of a substrate. The assembly comprises at least one first printing system comprising a transfer member having opposite front and rear sides with 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 energy is applied by a thermal print head, optionally via the rear side of the transfer member, to selected regions of the imaging surface to render particles coating the selected regions tacky, a transfer station at which the imaging surface of the transfer member and the substrate surface are pressed against each other to transfer to the substrate the particles that have been rendered tacky to form an adhesive image; and at least one more printing system downstream from the first system.

A printing assembly is disclosed for thermal transfer printing onto a surface of a substrate. The assembly comprises at least one first printing system comprising a transfer member having opposite front and rear sides with 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 energy is applied by a thermal print head, optionally via the rear side of the transfer member, to selected regions of the imaging surface to render particles coating the selected regions tacky, a transfer station at which the imaging surface of the transfer member and the substrate surface are pressed against each other to transfer to the substrate the particles that have been rendered tacky to form an adhesive image; and at least one more printing system downstream from the first system.

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.