A thermal transfer apparatus includes a fixture that holds a transfer object, a pressing body that presses a thermal transfer foil placed on the transfer object, and a light source with a light output that varies depending on a temperature and which applies heat to the thermal transfer foil pressed by the pressing body, and also includes a foil transfer tool that transfers the thermal transfer foil onto a transfer object and a pressing body moving mechanism that moves the pressing body relative the fixture, and a fan that sends air to the light source.

A controller includes a memory that stores image data in a vector format representing a shape in the vector format, a contour extractor that extracts a contour of the shape based on the image data in the vector format, a reduced-size contour generator that generates reduced-size contours inside the contour by sequentially reducing inwardly the contour extracted by the contour extractor, and a moving controller that controls a carriage moving mechanism such that a foil transfer tool moves along the reduced-size contours and the contour in order from an innermost reduced-size contour to the contour at an outermost side.

A color shifting heat transfer label includes a carrier and a color design layer on the carrier. The color design layer is formulated from an ink having a color shifting effect. The color design layer is configured to separate from the carrier to define a color shifting feature that is adhered to a target object upon application of heat and pressure. The color shifting feature is adhered to the target object to define a plane defined by the color shifting feature such that the color shifting feature exhibits a first color when viewed from an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the plane defined by the color shifting feature and a second color, different from the first color when viewed from an angle of about 45 degrees or less relative to the plane defined by the color shifting feature.

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 process for transferring microstructures to a flexible or rigid final substrate that offers advantages in both speed and precision is provided. The inventive process involves subjecting a transfer film in a continuous roll-to-roll process to the following operations: either forming microstructures on, or transferring microstructures to a surface of the transfer film; and then transferring the microstructures from the transfer film onto a surface of the final substrate. The microstructures are single or multi-layer structures that are made up of: voids in a substantially planar surface, the voids optionally filled or coated with another material; raised areas in a substantially planar surface; or combinations thereof.

The present invention relates to heat transfers that include silicone based heat transfer inks and digitally printed toner images, particularly for use on fabrics, apparel items, garments and accessories. The present subject matter is especially suitable for use in heat-transferable labeling or creating embellishments on polyester fabrics and garments.

A multiple responsive effect heat transfer label includes a carrier, and first and second responsive effect design layers. The first responsive effect design layer is positioned on the carrier and the second responsive effect design layer is positioned on the first responsive effect design layer. The first responsive effect design layer is formulated from an ink that changes color when subjected to a first environmental stimulus and the second responsive effect design layer is formulated from an ink that changes color when subjected to a second environmental stimulus different from the first environmental stimulus. The color change of the first responsive design layer is independent of the color change of the second responsive design layer. The first responsive design layer is configured to separate from the carrier and the second responsive design layer separates with the first responsive design layer to define a multiple responsive effect feature adhered to a target object upon application of heat and pressure. A method of providing a durable, multiple responsive effect feature on a target object is also disclosed.

A foam printing method includes producing and programming a design being formed on a substrate using a computer program, forming the design on a plate, removing a part of a surface of the substrate along the design, combining the substrate and the plate to coincide a designed portion formed on the plate and a removed portion of the substrate, printing a foam constituting the design on the plate combined with the substrate, separating the plate from the substrate and drying the substrate, and applying a pressure to the foam passing the plate to be set on the substrate to be foamed. The foam passes the designed portion of the plate to be set on the removed portion of the substrate during the printing.

A process and a transfer film for transferring microstructures to a flexible or rigid final substrate that offers advantages in both speed and precision is provided. The inventive process involves subjecting a transfer film in a continuous roll-to-roll process to the following operations: either forming microstructures on, or transferring microstructures to a surface of the transfer film; and then transferring the microstructures from the transfer film onto a surface of the final substrate. The microstructures are single or multi-layer structures that are made up of: voids in a substantially planar surface, the voids optionally filled or coated with another material; raised areas in a substantially planar surface; or combinations thereof.

A variable gloss heat transfer label includes a carrier, a matting layer on a portion of the carrier and a design layer having a first portion provided over the carrier and a second portion provided over the matting layer. The design layer is configured to separate from the matting layer and the carrier, and transfer and adhere the first and second portions of the design layer to a target object upon application of heat and pressure. The first portion of the design layer that is transferred to the target object from the carrier has a different gloss than the second portion of the design layer that is transferred to the target object from the matting layer. The label can be configured to include a carrier, a glossing layer on a portion of the carrier and a design layer having a first portion provided over the carrier and a second portion provided over the glossing layer.