Automated simultaneous multiple article sublimation printing process and apparatus

A computer-implemented automated method for marketing customized dye sublimation products to a customer using a dye sublimation transfer printer apparatus including an interface device containing one or more processors, comprising:

• determining, via the one or more processors, pricing information associated with a desired purchase based on predetermined criteria, wherein the criteria include at least one of a type of product desired and a quantity of products desired, and wherein the information includes information relating to a discounted unit price based on sublimating an increased quantity of products;
• providing the determined pricing information to the customer via the interface device, wherein the pricing information includes the discounted unit price information;
• receiving a second input from the interface device after the pricing information is provided to the customer indicating a quantity of products that the customer desires to sublimate;
• receiving an input from the interface device indicating a selection by the customer of one or more images to sublimate onto the desired products;
• determining, via the one or more processors, a spatial arrangement of the images on a transfer media based upon the second customer input indicating a desired number of products to be sublimated;
• printing the images onto the transfer media, wherein the images are printed onto the media according to the determined spatial arrangement;
• positioning the desired number of products onto the transfer media in a manner corresponding to the determined spatial arrangement;
• configuring, via the one or more processors, a single thermal cycle for one or more heating platens such that the images will be sublimated substantially simultaneously onto each one of the desired number of products in a single thermal cycle;
• sublimating at least one image from the transfer media onto each of the desired number of products substantially simultaneously using the configured single thermal cycle;
• coordinating payment from the customer via the interface device for the products based on the determined pricing information and the quantity of products sublimated;
• prompting the customer to determine if additional sublimated products are desired;
• and
• providing the sublimated products to the customer.

An apparatus for sublimating images onto multiple products for a user in a retail environment, comprising:

• a user interface device including one or more processors configured to receive one or more digital image files representing one or more images, wherein the user interface is configured to determine a spatial arrangement of the images on a transfer media based upon the user's desired number of products to be sublimated;
• a dye sublimation transfer printer configured to print the images on the transfer media according to the determined spatial arrangement;
• a substrate configured to receive the transfer media from the printer;
• a transport mechanism configured to position the multiple products onto the transfer media and manipulate the transfer media to substantially surround the multiple products, wherein at least one printed image is positioned onto at least one side of each of the multiple products to be sublimated;
• one or more heating platens configured to engage the transfer media, and a control unit for configuring a single thermal cycle for the one or more heating platens such that the images will be sublimated substantially simultaneously onto each of the multiple products in a single thermal cycle.

A computer-implemented automated method for simultaneously sublimating images on two or more products using a dye sublimation transfer printer apparatus including an interface device containing one or more processors, comprising;

• prompting the user, via the interface device, to indicate a desired number of products to sublimate;
• receiving, via the interface device, one or more digital image files representing an image selected by the user for sublimating onto the products;
• presenting to the user, via the interface device, information relating to pricing of the desired products;
• determining, via the one or more processors, a spatial arrangement of the images on a transfer media based upon the user's desired number of products to be sublimated;
• printing the images onto the transfer media, wherein the images are printed onto the media according to the determined spatial arrangement;
• positioning the transfer media on a substrate;
• positioning the desired number of products onto the transfer media in a manner corresponding to the determined spatial arrangement;
• configuring, via the one or more processors, a single thermal cycle for one or more heating platens such that the images will be sublimated substantially simultaneously onto each one of the desired number of products in a single thermal cycle;
• engaging the transfer media with the one or more heating platens;
• and
• sublimating at least one image from the transfer media onto each of the desired number of products using the configured single thermal cycle of the one or more heating platens.