Method for Transferring a Transfer Layer from a Carrier Film, Film Transfer Apparatus and Covering Surface for a Film Transfer Apparatus

A method for transferring a transfer layer from a carrier film to a printing material, the transfer layer and the carrier film together forming a transfer film, and the printing material having adhesive applied thereto at least in regions in an application unit, the method comprising the following steps:

• guiding the printing material, together with the transfer film, through a transfer nip formed by transfer and impression surfaces set against each other in a transfer unit;
• partially transferring the transfer layer, in the transfer nip, to the printing material, substantially in the regions to which adhesive is applied, under action of a first contact pressure;
• feeding the printing material, together with the transferred transfer layer, at least to one third unit having at least one nip formed by two surfaces set against each other;
• guiding the printing material with the transfer layer through the at least one nip for exerting a contact pressure at least on the printing material with the transfer layer in the at least one nip;
• varying the contact pressures in the transfer unit and the at least one third unit, at least by setting the surfaces forming the nips onto each other;
• varying at least one controlled variable from the group consisting of contact force and impression setting in the transfer unit and at least in one following third unit;
• detecting at least one of a set of measured variables including the contact pressure, the contact force and the impression setting in the transfer unit;
• detecting at least one of a set of measured variables including the contact pressure, the contact force and the impression setting in the third unit;
• and
• depending on the measured variables detected, regulating at least one controlled variable in at least one of the units including the transfer unit and the following third unit, for counteracting differences between the measured variables detected in the units.