Transfer member for printing systems

A method for preparing a transfer member, the transfer member comprising on a first side a release surface for receiving ink and transferring an ink image to a substrate, the method comprising:

• a) providing a support layer adapted to form a rear side of the transfer member, the rear side being opposite the first side;
• b) providing an imaging layer, the imaging layer including a hydrophobic silicone matrix comprising hydrophilic carbon black particles non-covalently dispersed therein;
• c) optionally providing a release layer able to form the release surface;
• d) contacting the support layer, the imaging layer and the optional release layer, when at least one of any two adjacent said layers is at least partially cured;
• and
• e) fully curing the transfer member including said layers so that the surface distal to the support layer forms the release surface, said surface being part of the imaging layer or of the release layer;
• wherein the hydrophilic carbon black particles have one or more properties selected from the list consisting of:
• i. an oxygen content on the surface of the carbon atoms between 1.0 wt. % and 40 wt. %, 2 wt. % and 35 wt. %, 3 wt. % and 35 wt. %, 4 wt. % and 30 wt. %, 4 wt. % and 25 wt. %, 5 wt. % and 25 wt. %, 5 wt. % and 20 wt. %, 6 wt. % and 20 wt. %, 6 wt. % and 18 wt. %, 7 wt. % and 15 wt. %, 8 wt. % and 13 wt. %, or 10 wt. % and 13 wt. %, by weight of the carbon black particles;
• ii. a volatile components content between 1.5 wt. % and 50 wt. %, 2.5 wt. % and 50 wt. %, 3.5 wt. % and 40 wt. %, 5 wt. % and 40 wt. %, 5 wt. % and 30 wt. %, 5 wt. % and 25 wt. %, 7 wt. % and 30 wt. %, 10 wt. % and 30 wt. %, 10 wt. % and 25 wt. %, or 15 wt. % and 22 wt. %, by weight of the carbon black particles;
• iii. a surface zeta potential between −70 mV and −15 mV, −70 mV and −20 mV, −70 mV and −25 mV, −70 mV and −30 mV, −70 mV and −35 mV, −70 mV and −40 mV, −70 MV and −45 mV, −60 mV and −20 mV, −60 mV and −30 mV, −60 mV and −35 mV, −55 mV and −30 mV, −50 mV and −25 mV, −50 mV and −30 mV, or between −50 mV and −35 mV, as measured at a pH of at least 8.0;
• iv. a pH between 2.0 and pH 8.5, 2.5 and 7.5, 2.0 and 5.5, 2.0 and 4.5, 2.5 and 4.0, or between 2.0 and 3.5, when measured for an aqueous dispersion of said hydrophilic carbon black particles;
• v. a dibutyl phthalate (DBP) absorption value between 50 mL/100 g and 200 mL/100 g, 100 mL/100 g and 200 mL/100 g, or between 150 mL/100 g and 200 mL/100 g;
• and
• vi. a specific surface area between 50 m2/g and 650 m2/g, or between 100 m2/g and 550 m2/g, as determined by BET nitrogen absorption.