Methods and systems for decorating molded plastic articles having uneven surfaces or hollow structures

A flexible heat transfer die comprising:

• a thermal interface material (TIM) portion;
• and at least one reinforcement material in contact with the TIM portion, wherein the reinforcement material dimensionally constrains the TIM portion in at least two directions.

A system for applying indicia from a thermal printing ink transfer to a surface of a plastic article, the system comprising:

• a heated assembly movable by an apparatus from a position in contact with a heat source to a position compressed against the surface of the plastic article, the assembly comprising a pad printing transfer pad having a contact side and a platform base opposite the contact side, and a flexible heat transfer die draped around the contact side of the pad printing transfer pad,
• wherein the heat source is maintained at a temperature sufficient to heat a portion of thermal interface material (TIM) dimensionally contained in a reinforcement material present in the flexible heat transfer die, to a steady state temperature upon repeated contact of the assembly with the heat source, and
• wherein the indicia from the thermal printing ink transfer is transferred to the surface of the plastic article when the heated assembly is compressed against the surface of the plastic article while the thermal printing ink transfer is disposed between the heated assembly and the plastic article.