The present disclosure concerns a method and system for providing a patterned structure (3p) on an acceptor substrate 4). The method comprises providing a donor substrate (10) arranged between a light source (5) and an acceptor substrate (4). A mask (7) is arranged between the light source (5) and the donor substrate (10). The mask (7) comprises a mask pattern (7p) for patterning light (6). The patterned light (6p) impinging the donor substrate (10) causes the donor material (3) to be released from the donor substrate (10) and transfer to the acceptor substrate (4) to form the patterned structure (3p) thereon. The patterned light (6p) is divided by the mask pattern (7p) into a plurality of separate homogeneously sized beams (6b) simultaneously impinging the donor substrate (10) for causing the donor material (3) to be released from the donor substrate (10) in the form of separate homogeneously sized droplets (3d).

A thermal transfer sheet and intermediate transfer medium, and a print forming method, capable of forming a thermal transfer image having good transferability when transferring a transfer layer including a receiving layer onto a transfer receiving article, and capable of improving the durability of a print obtained by transferring the transfer layer including the receiving layer, on which the thermal transfer image has been formed, onto a transfer receiving article. The thermal transfer sheet includes a substrate, primer layer and colorant layer, wherein the primer layer contains one or more selected from the group consisting of particles derived from colloidal inorganic particles, polyvinyl alcohol resins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone resins, and polyurethane resins. The intermediate transfer medium includes another substrate, a protective layer, and a receiving layer, wherein the protective layer and the receiving layer are layered in this order on one surface of the another substrate.

A thermal transfer sheet and intermediate transfer medium, and a print forming method, capable of forming a thermal transfer image having good transferability when transferring a transfer layer including a receiving layer onto a transfer receiving article, and capable of improving the durability of a print obtained by transferring the transfer layer including the receiving layer, on which the thermal transfer image has been formed, onto a transfer receiving article. The thermal transfer sheet includes a substrate, primer layer and colorant layer, wherein the primer layer contains one or more selected from the group consisting of particles derived from colloidal inorganic particles, polyvinyl alcohol resins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone resins, and polyurethane resins. The intermediate transfer medium includes another substrate, a protective layer, and a receiving layer, wherein the protective layer and the receiving layer are layered in this order on one surface of the another substrate.

Printing process in which a substrate to be printed is disposed opposite an ink carrier having an ink layer, the ink layer being irradiated regionally by a laser beam, said layer accelerating by absorption of the laser beam in the substrate direction, wherein for laser absorption the ink layer comprises reflective particles, a solvent, and a soluble polymer, wherein the reflective particles have an aspect ratio>25, the aspect ratio being defined as the average particle size/average particle thickness.

A fiber assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fiber. The fiber includes a core part that contains a coloring compound, a photothermal conversion material, and a color developer/reducer, and a sheath part that covers the core part and has a heat-insulating property.

A fiber assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fiber. The fiber includes a core part that contains a coloring compound, a photothermal conversion material, and a color developer/reducer, and a sheath part that covers the core part and has a heat-insulating property.

An innovative and highly efficient light system is disclosed herein. The light system includes a housing with an inner shroud and an outer shroud, a first light source and a second light source. The inner shroud is disposed within the outer shroud, and both light sources are disposed within the inner shroud. The second light source may produce light and heat. The heat from the second light source may be absorbed by the first light source to enable the first light source to more efficiently produce light. The light system may provide light from both the first light source and the second light source simultaneously. The inner surface of the outer shroud may contain an infrared reflective coating configured to retain the heat produced from the second light source within the housing while still enabling the output of the visible light produced by the first and second light sources.

An innovative and highly efficient light system is disclosed herein. The light system includes a housing with an inner shroud and an outer shroud, a first light source and a second light source. The inner shroud is disposed within the outer shroud, and both light sources are disposed within the inner shroud. The second light source may produce light and heat. The heat from the second light source may be absorbed by the first light source to enable the first light source to more efficiently produce light. The light system may provide light from both the first light source and the second light source simultaneously. The inner surface of the outer shroud may contain an infrared reflective coating configured to retain the heat produced from the second light source within the housing while still enabling the output of the visible light produced by the first and second light sources.

A thermal transfer apparatus includes a fixture, a foil securing film, a film retainer, a foil transfer tool, and a carriage conveyor. The fixture retains a transfer object. The foil securing film is disposed above the fixture. The foil securing film allows light to pass therethrough. The foil securing film presses, from above, a thermal transfer foil on the transfer object so as to secure the thermal transfer foil onto the transfer object. The film retainer retains the foil securing film. The film retainer moves the foil securing film in an up-down direction relative to the fixture. The foil transfer tool presses the foil securing film and the thermal transfer foil on the transfer object. The foil transfer tool emits light to the foil securing film. The carriage conveyor moves the foil transfer tool relative to the fixture.

A thermal transfer apparatus includes a fixture, a foil securing film, a film retainer, a foil transfer tool, and a carriage conveyor. The fixture retains a transfer object. The foil securing film is disposed above the fixture. The foil securing film allows light to pass therethrough. The foil securing film presses, from above, a thermal transfer foil on the transfer object so as to secure the thermal transfer foil onto the transfer object. The film retainer retains the foil securing film. The film retainer moves the foil securing film in an up-down direction relative to the fixture. The foil transfer tool presses the foil securing film and the thermal transfer foil on the transfer object. The foil transfer tool emits light to the foil securing film. The carriage conveyor moves the foil transfer tool relative to the fixture.