A method for transferring a printing substance provided as a coating on a carrier onto a substrate by laser radiation from a laser beam source that comprises an amplifier and that has an output power includes initiating a transfer process at the start of an active phase during a first time period by a temporary increase in the output power above an upper power threshold of the laser radiation, and adjusting the output power during a second time period of the active phase following the first time period, wherein the output power is adjusted during the second time period constantly in the range between the upper power threshold and a lower power threshold. The laser radiation and the carrier are moved relative to one another and the output power of the laser beam source is time modulated.

A process and apparatus for sublimating printed images onto two or more products substantially simultaneously are disclosed. Software components are configured to receive input of a desired number of products to sublimate, and then determine a spatial arrangement of the printed images on transfer media to sublimate the desired number of products substantially simultaneously. The apparatus is configured to print the images onto the media according to the spatial arrangement, then position the media onto a substrate. The products are automatically placed on the media proximate to their corresponding printed images. The apparatus manipulates the media to substantially surround the products and places at least one image onto each side of each product to be sublimated. One or more heating platens engage the media to sublimate the images. The heating platens are configured, using a control, to sublimate multiple products substantially simultaneously in a single thermal cycle.

An apparatus for continuous sublimation thermal printing and/or reactivation, which includes a calendering unit and a

vacuum chamber which is adapted to contain the calendering unit in the phase of operation. The vacuum chamber has a body closed by a door at an open and flanged end of the body and a substantially horizontal axis of extension.

An apparatus configured to fly a light-absorbing material, includes a unit configured to irradiate a light-absorbing material absorbing light with a laser beam corresponding to a light absorption wavelength of the light-absorbing material to fly the light-absorbing material. When a preceding beam radiation region and a following beam radiation region overlap, the following beam radiation region is irradiated with the laser beam such that a beam centroid position is outside the preceding beam radiation region.

A device for laser-induced marking of an article having a marking surface comprising a non-flat portion to be marked, the device comprising: a first laser unit for emitting and scanning first laser light over a first transfer area; a first foil unit for providing a first laser transfer foil at the first transfer area; a carrier for providing the article at the first transfer area, the article having a marking surface comprising a non-flat surface area; a first hard adaptor that is transparent for the first laser light, the first hard adapter having a first contacting surface that is essentially a negative of the non-flat surface area of the marking surface; and a contacting unit for bringing the first laser transfer foil in contact with the marking surface by causing the first contacting surface to move one of the first laser transfer foil and the marking surface towards one another.

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 retransfer printing process that prevents dust and other contaminants from becoming statically or otherwise attached to the transfer layer of the retransfer film and/or to the print ribbon used to print on the retransfer film. In the described process, some or all of the unused retransfer film is rewound back onto the retransfer film supply and/or some or all of the unused print ribbon is rewound onto the print ribbon supply, for example until the next print job is submitted.

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.

Methods for producing, from hydrophilic carbon black particles and at least one curable hydrophobic silicone pre-polymer, elastomeric compositions comprising dispersed carbon black particles, as well as their corresponding cured products. Once the curing process has taken place, such compositions can be used for the preparation of numerous articles of wide industrial applicability.