The present invention relates to a dye-sublimation paper for printing with a solution containing at least one dye-sublimation dye, comprising a base paper having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, characterised in that the first surface is a hornified surface, in that a further layer for binding and/or fixing the dye-sublimation dye is applied to the first surface, and in that the dye-sublimation paper has a roughness on the coated side of ≤4.5 μm, measured according to ISO 8791-4, and a grammage of ≤30 g/m.sup.2, measured according to ISO 536, and to a method for the production thereof, and to a dye-sublimation paper obtainable by this method.

The present invention relates to a dye-sublimation paper for printing with a solution containing at least one dye-sublimation dye, comprising a base paper having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, characterised in that the first surface is a hornified surface, in that a further layer for binding and/or fixing the dye-sublimation dye is applied to the first surface, and in that the dye-sublimation paper has a roughness on the coated side of ≤4.5 μm, measured according to ISO 8791-4, and a grammage of ≤30 g/m.sup.2, measured according to ISO 536, and to a method for the production thereof, and to a dye-sublimation paper obtainable by this method.

An illustrative dye sublimation apparatus may comprise a pressure housing in the heating component. The pressure housing may apply a positive pressure on a membrane covering a combination of a printed sheet and a substrate. The positive pressure applied by the pressure housing may cause the printed sheet and substrate to snugly press against each other throughout a heating cycle. Furthermore, the positive pressure applied by the pressure housing may be even or approximately even throughout an upper surface of the membrane. The dye sublimation apparatus may utilize the pressure housing in addition or as an alternative to a negative pressure applied by a vacuum pump.

A shower pan and method of manufacture are described. Embodiments of the shower pan can include, but are not limited to, a solid surface top layer and a PET second layer that can be thermoformed, molded, and laminated in a single step. The solid surface top layer can be approximately ⅛″ to ¼″ thick and the PET second layer can be approximately ⅞″ to 1⅛″ thick. The shower pan may further include a third layer being fiberglass.

A shower pan and method of manufacture are described. Embodiments of the shower pan can include, but are not limited to, a solid surface top layer and a PET second layer that can be thermoformed, molded, and laminated in a single step. The solid surface top layer can be approximately ⅛″ to ¼″ thick and the PET second layer can be approximately ⅞″ to 1⅛″ thick. The shower pan may further include a third layer being fiberglass.

An illustrative dye sublimation apparatus may include a texture sheet with a pattern to be applied to a substrate. More specifically, the texture sheet is pressed into the substrate during the dye sublimation process in order to apply the pattern from the texture sheet while the substrate is heated and simultaneously being infused with an image from a printed sheet. The pressure applied to the texture sheet can vary, for example based on the temperature. Compared to the conventional systems in which substrates are pre-textured, the embodiments disclosed herein describe a process for simultaneous image-infusion and texture-application, which results in a substrate that is both infused and textured.

Methods and systems for adjusting formulation of pigments for dye sublimation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, by a processor, a selection of the substrate and the image to be dye sublimated into the substrate. The method also includes determining, by the processor, an amount of each pigment of sublimation ink to be used to print the image on a sheet based on a characteristic of the substrate. The method further includes printing, by a dye sublimation apparatus, the image on the sheet using the amount of each pigment of sublimation ink and infusing, by the dye sublimation apparatus, the image from the sheet into the substrate.

The present invention further relates a sublimation printing process of a multilayer system comprising a polyester top layer and at least one heat sensitive polymer layer whereby a temperature gradient is applied during sublimation printing such that the heat sensitive polymer layer is maintained at a temperature below its melting temperature and the polyester top layer is maintained at a temperature above its glass transition temperature to allow diffusion of a sublimation dye into the polyester top layer. The temperature gradient is maintained by using a heat sink element beneath the heat sensitive polymer layer. The temperature gradient can also be maintained by cooling the heat sink element. The cooling preferably occurs with a circulating coolant. The heat sink element comprises a polymer, a ceramic or a metal. The invention further relates to a sublimation printed multilayer system comprising a polyester top layer and at least one heat sensitive polymer layer. The present invention also relates to the multilayer system in the manufacturing of textile, tents, outdoor gear, apparel, clothing, bags, jackets, gloves.

The present invention further relates a sublimation printing process of a multilayer system comprising a polyester top layer and at least one heat sensitive polymer layer whereby a temperature gradient is applied during sublimation printing such that the heat sensitive polymer layer is maintained at a temperature below its melting temperature and the polyester top layer is maintained at a temperature above its glass transition temperature to allow diffusion of a sublimation dye into the polyester top layer. The temperature gradient is maintained by using a heat sink element beneath the heat sensitive polymer layer. The temperature gradient can also be maintained by cooling the heat sink element. The cooling preferably occurs with a circulating coolant. The heat sink element comprises a polymer, a ceramic or a metal. The invention further relates to a sublimation printed multilayer system comprising a polyester top layer and at least one heat sensitive polymer layer. The present invention also relates to the multilayer system in the manufacturing of textile, tents, outdoor gear, apparel, clothing, bags, jackets, gloves.

An apparatus for texturing a plastic substrate, while forming a dye sublimation image in the plastic substrate, wherein the plastic substrate has a first side and a second side, is provided. A textured cover is on a side of a platen, wherein the platen is on a first, untextured side of the textured cover. A first side of the dye carrier is on a second, textured side of the textured cover, and wherein the plastic substrate is supported on a second side of the dye carrier, wherein a first side of the plastic substrate is supported by the dye carrier, wherein the textured side of the textured cover has a texture to be transferred to the plastic substrate. A membrane is on the second side of the plastic substrate. A vacuum pump provides a vacuum between the membrane and the platen. A heater is positioned to heat the plastic substrate.