It is the object of the present invention to provide a new polymer coating for low temperature plastics and plastic foams that allows for the application of disperse dyes in a sublimation process that preserves the original properties of the underlying plastic substrate. The composition includes an optically clear synthetic organic polymer base holding two layers, a first reflective layer supported by the low temperature plastic substrate that includes IR radiation reflecting additives, and a second layer supported by the first layer having light scattering particulate additives. The disperse dyes utilized in the invention may include additives to absorb IR radiation provided by an external IR source positioned above the disperse dyes causing the dyes to sublimate and diffuse quickly into the light scattering layer. The combination of these layers allows for diffusion of the disperse dye ink into the light scattering layer while protecting the low temperature plastic below.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a new polymer coating for low temperature plastics and plastic foams that allows for the application of disperse dyes in a sublimation process that preserves the original properties of the underlying plastic substrate. The composition includes an optically clear synthetic organic polymer base holding two layers, a first reflective layer supported by the low temperature plastic substrate that includes IR radiation reflecting additives, and a second layer supported by the first layer having light scattering particulate additives. The disperse dyes utilized in the invention may include additives to absorb IR radiation provided by an external IR source positioned above the disperse dyes causing the dyes to sublimate and diffuse quickly into the light scattering layer. The combination of these layers allows for diffusion of the disperse dye ink into the light scattering layer while protecting the low temperature plastic below.

A thermal transfer and process for producing it that provides a fully-digital printed heat transfer capable of little to no process changeover between different graphics. Specifically, the method comprises printing a digital image onto a treated adhesive substrate, applying the image side to a carrier substrate, then digitally cutting and removing substrate not containing graphic elements through a combination of kiss-and-through cutting to produce a high stretch, multi-color photographic quality print transfers for the apparel and soft goods industry.

A thermal transfer and process for producing it that provides a fully-digital printed heat transfer capable of little to no process changeover between different graphics. Specifically, the method comprises printing a digital image onto a treated adhesive substrate, applying the image side to a carrier substrate, then digitally cutting and removing substrate not containing graphic elements photographic quality, durable print transfers for the apparel and soft goods industry.

A fabric printable medium includes a fabric base substrate including yarn strands and voids among the yarn strands; a finishing coating attached to the yarn strands of the fabric base substrate to form coated yarn strands; and pore spaces among the coated yarn strands and coinciding with at least some of the voids of the fabric base substrate. The finishing coating includes a crosslinked polymeric network. The fabric printable medium further includes a fire retardant coating applied to aback-side of the coated yarn strands.

Methods for marking a seat belt webbing with an infrared compound are described herein. The methods comprise ablating a surface of the seat belt webbing by directing one or more laser pulses toward the seat belt webbing; and coating the ablated surface of the seat belt webbing with the infrared compound, wherein the infrared compound increases absorptivity or reflectivity of the seat belt webbing to infrared radiation. Methods for optically monitoring operation of the seat belt webbing in a vehicle and distinguishing between proper positioning and improper positioning of the seat belt webbing are also disclosed.

Microporous structures in face films are described for improving printability of the films. Also described are laminates and pressure sensitive adhesive laminates including the microporous structured face films. Various related methods are additionally described.

A fabric print medium can include a woven fabric substrate, a first barrier layer on an imaging side of the woven fabric substrate where the first barrier layer includes first barrier layer binder and first barrier layer flame retardant, a primer layer on the first barrier layer wherein the primer layer includes primer layer binder and primer layer pigment filler, an imaging layer on the primer layer where the imaging layer includes imaging layer film-forming binder and where the first barrier layer, the primer layer, and the imaging layer have a combined thickness from 10 μm to 70 μm, and a non-woven support layer on a back side of the woven fabric substrate.

A topcoat comprising a cationic acrylic polymer and cationic polyurethane is provided. The cationic acrylic polymer and/or the cationic polyurethane may be crosslinked. The topcoat is a universal print receptive topcoat which has improved adhesion of a variety of printing techniques, including for low migration inks. The topcoat may be coated on a substrate, such as a label or paper. The topcoat advantageously has strong adhesion to the substrate or paper.

A fabric print medium can include a woven fabric substrate, a first barrier layer on an imaging side of the woven fabric substrate where the first barrier layer includes first barrier layer binder and first barrier layer flame retardant, a primer layer on the first barrier layer wherein the primer layer includes primer layer binder and primer layer pigment filler, an imaging layer on the primer layer where the imaging layer includes imaging layer film-forming binder and where the first barrier layer, the primer layer, and the imaging layer have a combined thickness from 10 μm to 70 μm, and a non-woven support layer on a back side of the woven fabric substrate.