Coating for Aqueous Inkjet Transfer

Abstract

An image transfer member (ITM) is provided with a skin over its surface in which the skin incorporates a hygroscopic agent. The hygroscopic agent is operable to make the ITM skin very hydrophilic or to provide a high surface energy. One such hygroscopic agent is glycerol that may be applied to the surface of the ITM with a carrier, such as water. In an image transfer process, the carrier is completely or partially removed, such as by drying, leaving a thin skin of the hygroscopic agent. Ink drops applied in an image pattern onto the skin spread without puddling or draw-backs, producing an optimum wet image.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.