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 method for manufacturing a wear and tear-indicating product includes mixing an elastomeric material, an ink affinitive material and an ink repulsive material, followed by molding to obtain an ink receiving sheet; disposing a sublimation transfer paper including a sublimation ink on the ink receiving sheet; heat pressing the sublimation transfer paper, so that the sublimation ink is released from the sublimation transfer paper and permeates into the ink receiving sheet, so as to obtain a colored ink receiving sheet formed with multiple color indicating areas that contain the ink affinitive material and sublimation ink permeating thereinto; removing the sublimation transfer paper from the colored ink receiving sheet.

The invention relates to a transfer paper (4) for use for transferring a print of ink onto a fabric, said transfer paper comprising: i) a base paper (2); ii) an additive (8) comprising a starch component, and a binding agent; wherein said starch component being a starch selected from the group comprising: unmodified starch or a modified starch or a mixture thereof; and wherein said binding agent being a binding agent selected from the group comprising: an alkyl ketene dimer, a tall oil/fumaric acid copolymer, a styrene/acrylate copolymer and an alkenyl succinic anhydride and a mixture thereof; wherein said base paper (2) comprises an amount of said additive by being impregnated therewith; and wherein said base paper (2) having a water uptake as defined by a Cobb-45 value of 10-100 g/m.sup.2 and a having a Gurley porosity of 10-140 seconds. The present invention furthermore relates to uses of the transfer paper (4).

The present invention relates to inkjet printable transfer media for transferring a sublimation dye and/or another functional active ingredient to a surface of an article by means of heat in a thermoformable process, to methods for preparing such inkjet printable transfer media and for providing at least a part of a surface of an article with sublimation dye and/or another functional active ingredient as well as the use of such inkjet printable transfer media in different technical fields.

The invention relates to a thermal sublimation paper which can be printed with inks containing a sublimatable dye, in particular ink-jet inks, in which paper a hydrophilic thermal transfer layer to be printed is formed on a porous base paper. Thermoplastic particles with an average particle size of between 0.3 and 5 μm and a melting point of between 35° C. and 190° C. are present in the thermal transfer layer. This thermal sublimation paper can be advantageously produced as follows: an aqueous coating slip is applied to a porous base paper having a Cobb value of between 55 and 150 g/m.sup.2, in particular between 70 and 150 g/m.sup.2, in a paper-making or coating machine, online or offline, said aqueous coating slip containing thermoplastic particles and constituents suitable for forming a hydrophilic thermal transfer layer, and a drying step is subsequently carried out in order to obtain the thermal sublimation paper. The thermal sublimation paper can be used advantageously to mint flat materials, in particular films and textiles.

Provided is an image transfer material, comprising a support, optionally at least one barrier layer, a melt transfer layer, and an image receiving layer. Also provided is a process for preparing the image transfer material. Further provided is a heat transfer process using the disclosed material. In the heat transfer process, after imaging, the image receiving layer and melt transfer layer are peeled away from the optionally barrier-coated support material and placed, preferably image side up, on top of a receptor element. A non-stick sheet is then optionally placed over the imaged peeled material and heat is applied to the top of the optional non stick sheet. The melt transfer layer then melts and adheres the image to the receptor element. A composition comprising: at least one self-crosslinking polymer, and at least one dye retention aid.

The invention relates to an absorbent medium for improving the overprintability, in particular by inkjet printing, of a security element, in particular an optically variable security element, comprising a binder, at least one pigment and an in particular aqueous solvent. The invention furthermore relates to a transfer film with an absorbent layer made of such an absorbent medium as well as a method for personalizing a security element using such a transfer film.

Art meets technology in this invention of a Metal Postcard. Combining the technology of sublimation on metal, and artful images, this invention creates a luminescent Metal Postcard that can stand the test of time, as it will withstand exposure to the elements. Metal Postcards give the sender and receiver, both, the reassuring feeling that their thoughts and sentiment expressed by the card, will last exponentially beyond the life span of a paper card. Because the Postcard is made of a single sheet of metal, and has been determined by the U.S. Postal Service as approved to send through the mail, and that it will last longer than paper, makes it superior to its predecessors, paper and mixed element/paper postcards. It is simplicity in form; one piece of metal, two-sided with an image on one side and a postcard template with a greeting or note, an area for an address of the recipient and an area for a postal stamp, on the other side, yet it is technologically complex using the sublimation process on metal. This metal postcard delivers an iridescent and beautiful greeting and can be displayed as one would any piece of art.

The present invention refers to a coated transfer paper for receiving digital printing inks, maintaining high tonal fidelity, the paper being treated to transfer the image when it contacts a receiving base, preventing transfer to surfaces that do not have the receiving base. In addition, the invention relates to a printing method that combines the techniques of screen printing and digital printing, using the transfer paper.

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.