An image forming apparatus includes a printhead configured to add energy to an image material; and a control unit configured to output, based on image data, a signal pattern for controlling energy to be added by the printhead to the image material including a plurality of color development layers that have different color development characteristic and develop colors in accordance with the added energy. When causing at least two of the plurality of color development layers to develop colors, the control unit generates, based on at least two signal patterns generated to cause the at least two color development layers to develop colors, a signal pattern of an OR of the at least two signal patterns and outputs the signal pattern.

An image forming apparatus includes a printhead configured to add energy to an image material; and a control unit configured to output, based on image data, a signal pattern for controlling energy to be added by the printhead to the image material including a plurality of color development layers that have different color development characteristic and develop colors in accordance with the added energy. When causing at least two of the plurality of color development layers to develop colors, the control unit generates, based on at least two signal patterns generated to cause the at least two color development layers to develop colors, a signal pattern of an OR of the at least two signal patterns and outputs the signal pattern.

An ink is provided. The ink includes a quinacridone pigment and an organic solvent having a solubility parameter of from 9.00 to 11.80 in an amount of from 30% to 60% by mass of total mass of the ink. Both a viscosity change rate and a particle diameter change rate of the ink, before and after the ink is heated at 80° C. for 4 weeks in a sealed state, are in the range of from −5% to 1%.

Examples relate to methods to print a garment and sublimation devices. A sublimation device comprises a heating system to heat an air flow and a holder to receive a garment. The holder comprises an outer surface to contact an inner side of the garment opposite to an outer side of the garment in which a print agent is to be deposited and an opening on the outer surface in fluid communication with the heated air flow.

A surface treatment method for a composite surface of a basic casing is provided. The composite surface is cooperatively formed by an outer surface and four sidewalls surrounding the outer surface. The surface treatment method includes following steps. A heat transferring film is provided. A printing pattern film is formed on a portion of the heat transferring film via a digital inkjet printing process. The heat transferring film is formed on the composite surface via a vacuum heat transfer process, with edges of the heat transferring film being wrapped around the sidewalls and the printing pattern firm being attached to the outer surface.

An image is formed on a principal surface and a side face of a card. A thermal transfer printing apparatus includes a first feeding unit configured to feed an intermediate transfer medium including a transfer layer that is disposed on one surface of a substrate in such a manner as to be peelable from the substrate, a second feeding unit configured to feed a thermal transfer sheet including a colorant layer disposed on one surface of a base material, a printing unit configured to heat the thermal transfer sheet based on image data and transfer an ink of the colorant layer onto the transfer layer to form an image, and a transfer unit configured to heat the intermediate transfer medium and transfer the transfer layer having the image formed thereon onto a principal surface and a side face of the card.

An image is formed on a principal surface and a side face of a card. A thermal transfer printing apparatus includes a first feeding unit configured to feed an intermediate transfer medium including a transfer layer that is disposed on one surface of a substrate in such a manner as to be peelable from the substrate, a second feeding unit configured to feed a thermal transfer sheet including a colorant layer disposed on one surface of a base material, a printing unit configured to heat the thermal transfer sheet based on image data and transfer an ink of the colorant layer onto the transfer layer to form an image, and a transfer unit configured to heat the intermediate transfer medium and transfer the transfer layer having the image formed thereon onto a principal surface and a side face of the card.

Disclosed is a reveal substrate comprising: a) a top substrate layer comprising an opaque polymer sensitive to application of heat or pressure, and becoming transparent upon being heated to a predetermined temperature or subjected to a predetermined pressure, and b) a bottom substrate layer having one or more colored areas on a top surface thereof, disposed such that said one or more colored areas are obscured by the opaque polymer prior to being heated to the predetermined temperature or subjected to the predetermined pressure, and are revealed subsequent thereto, wherein: each of the one or more colored areas comprises at least two different colors, and comprises a two-dimensional matrix formed by a plurality of color blocks, each one of the plurality of color blocks having only one color, and the color blocks are arranged to have a repeating color pattern. A method of using the same is also disclosed.

A cutting device includes: a cutter blade movable between a retracted position and a cutting position; a cutter cradle facing the cutter blade; and a first lever and a second lever those operated by a user. The cutter blade performs one of a half-cutting operation and a full-cutting operation with respect to a cut target when positioned at the cutting position. The cutter cradle is movable between: a full-cutting position where the full-cutting operation is performed by the cutter blade; and a half-cutting position where the half-cutting operation is performed by the cutter blade. When the first lever is operated, the cutter blade is moved to the cutting position while the cutter cradle remains at the half-cutting position. When the second lever is operated, the cutter blade is moved to the cutting position and the cutter cradle is moved between the full-cutting position and the half-cutting position.

In example implementations, a method is provided, which may include providing a carrier, applying a thermal release tape over the carrier, attaching a print head die, a drive integrated circuit (IC) and an interposer on the thermal release tape, wherein the print head die comprises ink feed holes formed in a back surface of the print head die, encapsulating the print head die, the drive IC and the interposer with an epoxy molded compound (EMC), removing the carrier and the thermal release tape, and forming a slot over an area of the EMC that covers the ink feed holes, wherein the ink feed holes are to be fluidically coupled to the slot.