Method for concealing optical defects in surfaces

A method for concealing optical defects in surfaces, the method comprising:

• a) obtaining a digital image by a digital optical recording of at least one optical defect and a surrounding surface;
• b) obtaining an imitation of the surface in a region of the at least one optical defect by image processing of the digital image of the at least one optical defect;
• c) printing a mirror-inverted, true-to-scale representation of the surface imitation onto a transfer film;
• d) soaking the transfer film in order to partially dissolve ink applied onto the transfer film;
• e) applying an activator onto a printed side of the transfer film in order to make the ink tacky or onto the surface in order to bond the ink thereto;
• f) aligning the transfer film onto the surface so that the surface imitation on the transfer film coincides with the optical defect on the surface;
• g) pressing the transfer film onto the surface;
• h) peeling the transfer film from the surface;
• i) pressing on the ink remaining on the surface;
• and
• j) after complete drying of the activator and of the ink:
• applying a protective layer onto the surface imitation.