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 sling is provided herein for supporting mugs during sublimation printing. The sling includes an elongated base with first and second stanchions mounted thereto. First and second arms extend between, and are pivotally mounted to, the first and second stanchions. At least one silicone wrap is secured to the first and second arms so as to be suspended therebetween. The first and second arms are movable between an open state, where the first and second arms are spaced a first distance to allow a mug to pass therebetween into resting engagement with the at least one silicone wrap, and a closed state, where the first and second arms are spaced a second distance less than the first distance. Advantageously, the sling of the subject invention provides a fixture for supporting one or more mugs for sublimation printing for use in an oven without need for individually mounting silicone wraps.

A sling is provided herein for supporting mugs during sublimation printing. The sling includes an elongated base with first and second stanchions mounted thereto. First and second arms extend between, and are pivotally mounted to, the first and second stanchions. At least one silicone wrap is secured to the first and second arms so as to be suspended therebetween. The first and second arms are movable between an open state, where the first and second arms are spaced a first distance to allow a mug to pass therebetween into resting engagement with the at least one silicone wrap, and a closed state, where the first and second arms are spaced a second distance less than the first distance. Advantageously, the sling of the subject invention provides a fixture for supporting one or more mugs for sublimation printing for use in an oven without need for individually mounting silicone wraps.

An automated system is provided herein for fixing sublimation transfers to mugs in preparation for sublimation printing, the system including: a conveyor; an intake for sublimation transfers; a vertically adjustable transfer platen having an upwardly facing support surface; a feeder for conveying the sublimation transfers from the intake to the support surface; a linear actuator for moving mugs from the conveyor to a target location above the support surface; first and second tape applicators; and vertically adjustable first and second wrapping arms. With a sublimation transfer resting on the support surface, and a target mug in the target location, the transfer platen is caused to press the sublimation transfer against the target mug, and the first and second wrapping arms are caused to elevate to wrap lateral portions of the sublimation transfer about the target mug, to provide a prepared mug for sublimation printing.

In one method, a piece of nonwoven PET or PP fabric is formed into a tote bag using a bag forming device. Seams of the tote bag are ultrasonically welded using an ultrasonic bag welding device. The ultrasonic bag welding device includes at least one sonotrode. In another method, BOPP film is received and a full-color graphic is printed on the BOPP film for each tote bag using a printer. The printed BOPP film is received from the printer and nonwoven PP or PET fabric is received from a roll of nonwoven PP or PET fabric using a laminator. The printed BOPP film is laminated to the nonwoven PP or PET fabric. The printed BOPP film laminated to nonwoven PP or PET fabric is received from the laminator and a finished version of each tote bag is produced using an ultrasonic bag welding device.

In one method, a piece of nonwoven PET or PP fabric is formed into a tote bag using a bag forming device. Seams of the tote bag are ultrasonically welded using an ultrasonic bag welding device. The ultrasonic bag welding device includes at least one sonotrode. In another method, BOPP film is received and a full-color graphic is printed on the BOPP film for each tote bag using a printer. The printed BOPP film is received from the printer and nonwoven PP or PET fabric is received from a roll of nonwoven PP or PET fabric using a laminator. The printed BOPP film is laminated to the nonwoven PP or PET fabric. The printed BOPP film laminated to nonwoven PP or PET fabric is received from the laminator and a finished version of each tote bag is produced using an ultrasonic bag welding device.

A sublimation printing production line for a workpiece having a cylindrical outer surface includes a sublimation paper loading station, workpiece wrapping station, a baking station, and a sublimation paper dismantling stations. The sublimation paper loading station has a workpiece conveyor belt and a sublimation paper conveyor belt that operate synchronously and in parallel. The sublimation paper is positioned on to an elastic fastening jacket, which is then tightly wrapped around the workpiece with the ends buckled together to secure the sublimation paper to the workpiece and making the sublimation image clearer, more colorful, and ensuring the quality of the sublimation.

A sublimation device includes a first heater and a second heater. The first heater includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface. The distal end is disposed opposite the proximal end. The inner surface extends between the proximal end and the distal end and at least partially forms a cavity. The second heater is disposed proximate the distal end of the first heater.

A transfer paper for heat transferring of ink to a textile, the transfer paper includes a base paper and a coating, and has a grease proof characteristics at a kit level of at least 3, such as 3 to 8, and the transfer paper having a dimensional stability of less than 1% over a period of 10 seconds.

A transfer paper for heat transferring of ink to a textile, the transfer paper includes a base paper and a coating, and has a grease proof characteristics at a kit level of at least 3, such as 3 to 8, and the transfer paper having a dimensional stability of less than 1% over a period of 10 seconds.