Provided are processes of applying a decorative imaging to a substrate that includes providing a stamp pad comprising a child and environmentally friendly disperse dye composition, inking a stamp with the disperse dye composition, optionally transferring the disperse dye composition from the stamp to an intermediate ink receptive surface using the rubber stamp to thereby place an image on an intermediate ink receptive surface, and transferring the image to a dye receptive object by application of sufficient heat and pressure. The disperse dye compositions provided herein are safe, environmentally friendly, and able to be used in stamp pad imaging processes.

Provided are processes of applying a decorative imaging to a substrate that includes providing a stamp pad comprising a child and environmentally friendly disperse dye composition, inking a stamp with the disperse dye composition, optionally transferring the disperse dye composition from the stamp to an intermediate ink receptive surface using the rubber stamp to thereby place an image on an intermediate ink receptive surface, and transferring the image to a dye receptive object by application of sufficient heat and pressure. The disperse dye compositions provided herein are safe, environmentally friendly, and able to be used in stamp pad imaging processes.

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 absorber; UV inhibitor; pigment, and antioxidant.

Various of the disclosed embodiments concern printing systems configured to deposit flexible dye sublimation inks onto flexible transfer materials. Together, the flexible ink and transfer material allow images to be transferred onto complex-shaped, i.e. non-planar, surfaces of a substrate. The flexible ink may be, for example, a thermoformable UV dye sublimation ink or a superflexible UV dye sublimation ink. In order to transfer an image onto the substrate, the transfer material is pressed onto the surface of the substrate. The substrate, transfer material, or both are heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the ink to sublimate. During the sublimation process, dye is able to permeate the substrate and form a transferred image. The flexible ink formulation may also include a soluble or solvent-sensitive component. In such embodiments, a solvent can be jetted onto the substrate and/or transfer material to remove residual ink.

Various of the disclosed embodiments concern printing systems configured to deposit flexible dye sublimation inks onto flexible transfer materials. Together, the flexible ink and transfer material allow images to be transferred onto complex-shaped, i.e. non-planar, surfaces of a substrate. The flexible ink may be, for example, a thermoformable UV dye sublimation ink or a superflexible UV dye sublimation ink. In order to transfer an image onto the substrate, the transfer material is pressed onto the surface of the substrate. The substrate, transfer material, or both are heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the ink to sublimate. During the sublimation process, dye is able to permeate the substrate and form a transferred image. The flexible ink formulation may also include a soluble or solvent-sensitive component. In such embodiments, a solvent can be jetted onto the substrate and/or transfer material to remove residual ink.

Provided are a combination of a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium which is capable of accurately transferring only a transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium desired to be transferred onto a transfer receiving article in the production of a print, and a thermal transfer sheet which is used in combination with an intermediate transfer medium. Also provided are a method for producing a print, comprising accurately transferring only a transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium desired to be transferred onto a transfer receiving article, and a thermal transfer printer which is used in this method for producing a print. In the thermal transfer sheet which is used in combination with an intermediate transfer medium, inhibit layer 2 is disposed on substrate 1, and the inhibit layer 2 contains a carnauba wax.

A system and method which allows for a pre-constructed article of clothing to having printing on substantially all of its external surface area. Specifically, an image may be simultaneously printed across multiple components of a clothing article. The method generally provides for transfer of a digital image, such as a digital photograph, to be applied to an article of clothing in a manner that prints an entire two-dimensional surface of the clothing with a coherent image that maintains coherency when the article of clothing is worn. There is also provided an article of clothing produced using the systems and methods.

A system and method which allows for a pre-constructed article of clothing to having printing on substantially all of its external surface area. Specifically, an image may be simultaneously printed across multiple components of a clothing article. The method generally provides for transfer of a digital image, such as a digital photograph, to be applied to an article of clothing in a manner that prints an entire two-dimensional surface of the clothing with a coherent image that maintains coherency when the article of clothing is worn. There is also provided an article of clothing produced using the systems and methods.

A method for texturing a thermoplastic substrate, while forming a dye sublimation image in the thermoplastic substrate is provided. A stack comprising a thermoplastic substrate and a plurality of processing layers is provided, wherein the plurality of processing layers comprise a dye carrier having a dye image and an elastomeric membrane and wherein at least one of the processing layers of the stack is textured. A vacuum pressure is provided on the stack through an elastomeric membrane, wherein the stack is clamped together. The stack is heated to at least a sublimation temperature of the stack, wherein texture from at least one of the process layers is transferred to the thermoplastic substrate. The thermoplastic substrate is cooled to a release temperature. The vacuum pressure is removed. The thermoplastic substrate is removed from the stack.

A method for texturing a thermoplastic substrate, while forming a dye sublimation image in the thermoplastic substrate is provided. A stack comprising a thermoplastic substrate and a plurality of processing layers is provided, wherein the plurality of processing layers comprise a dye carrier having a dye image and an elastomeric membrane and wherein at least one of the processing layers of the stack is textured. A vacuum pressure is provided on the stack through an elastomeric membrane, wherein the stack is clamped together. The stack is heated to at least a sublimation temperature of the stack, wherein texture from at least one of the process layers is transferred to the thermoplastic substrate. The thermoplastic substrate is cooled to a release temperature. The vacuum pressure is removed. The thermoplastic substrate is removed from the stack.