A method and device for laser-induced marking. The method comprises providing an article having a marking surface including a non-flat area, providing a first laser transfer foil, providing a first laser unit for emitting first laser light, providing a first hard adaptor that is essentially transparent to the first laser light, the first hard adaptor having a contacting surface that essentially is a negative of at least a part of the marking surface of the article, contacting the first laser transfer foil with the marking surface of the article by the first hard adaptor such that the first laser transfer foil is arranged between the marking surface of the article and the contacting surface of the first hard adaptor, and irradiating the first laser light through the first hard adaptor onto the first laser transfer foil. The device comprises 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 an 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.

A method for printing uses at least one ink. The method includes: a step of focusing a laser beam so as to generate a cavity in an ink film; a step of forming at least one ink droplet from a free surface of the ink film; and a step of depositing the droplet onto a depositing surface of a receiving substrate positioned at a given distance from the film. The laser beam is oriented in the direction opposite the gravitational force. The free surface of the film is oriented upwards towards the depositing surface placed above the ink film.

A process and apparatus for sublimating 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 to sublimate the desired number of products substantially simultaneously. The apparatus is configured to print the images according to the spatial arrangement. The apparatus is configured, using a control, to sublimate multiple products substantially simultaneously in a single thermal cycle.

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.

Method for protecting printed data on a varnish area of a transfer film of a heat-transfer machine, including: a varnishing step during which the varnish area and a plastic card advance simultaneously under the thermal head and during which the thermal head heats in order to deposit the varnish on the plastic card, generating a deformation of the transfer film at a text printed on the plastic card; a rewinding step during which the transfer film is rewound in order to position the varnish area upstream of the thermal head, and the plastic card is repositioned upstream of the thermal head; and a defacing step during which the varnish area and the plastic card advance simultaneously under the thermal head and during which the thermal head heats at the level of the text and at the deformation in accordance with a sign scheme making the deformation illegible.

Retransfer printing methods and systems are described where a variable stripping process is utilized while stripping all or a portion of the retransfer film (also known as intermediate transfer media) from the surface of a substrate. The variable stripping process includes stripping the retransfer film from different sections of the substrate surface while applying different tensions to the retransfer film and/or at different transport speeds of the retransfer film and the substrate.

In a thermal transfer sheet in which a transfer layer is provided on a substrate, the transfer layer has a layered structure in which a receiving layer, an intermediate layer, and a masking layer are layered in this order from the side of the substrate, the receiving layer is a solvent-based receiving layer containing a solvent-based resin and a silicone oil, the intermediate layer is a water-based intermediate layer containing a water-based resin, and the masking layer is a solvent-based masking layer containing a solvent-based resin and a colorant.

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 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 to sublimate the desired number of products substantially simultaneously. The apparatus is configured to print the images according to the spatial arrangement. The apparatus is configured, using a control, to sublimate multiple products substantially simultaneously in a single thermal cycle.

An automated heat transfer press and method for automated heat transfer pressing provides an electric linear actuator motor that induces an arced translation of a first plate onto a second plate for dye sublimation printing. The arced motion of the first plate enables the first plate to press against the second plate at an angle, rather than a vertical pressing action; whereby adaption to a variously sized and dimensioned substrates is possible. A second link bar adjusts alignment of the second plate with first plate. An electric linear actuator motor manipulates a rod through electrical power. Rod is extended to create linear motion. The rod operatively connects to a hinged arm, applying linear force that causes the hinged arm to displace the first plate at arced motion. A control portion regulates the linear actuator motor to press and release the plates against each other in predetermined temperatures and intervals.