Methods of obtaining deep through penetration of colorants into polyvinyl chloride compositions, and the resulting products

A method of obtaining deep through penetration into firmed printable gelled plastisol or sintered dry-blend polyvinyl chloride compositions which comprises:

• applying a transfer paper or other release surface coated with a low energy, sublimable disperse dye having a molecular weight of from about 200 to about 400 to the surface of a firmed, printable gelled plastisol or sintered dry-blend polyvinyl chloride composition prepared from polyvinyl chloride resin in finely divided particulate form having a particle size of from about 0.5 micron to about 420 microns, from about 25 parts to about 150 parts of plasticizer per one hundred parts of polyvinyl chloride resin, and from about 0.4 parts to about 10 parts of a heat stabilizer per one hundred parts of polyvinyl chloride resin, said low energy, sublimable disperse dye being in direct, intimate contact with said polyvinyl chloride composition;
• applying heat to said polyvinyl chloride composition and said low energy sublimable disperse dye having a molecular weight of from about 200 to about 400 in the range of from about 300.degree. F. to about 470.degree. for a period of time of from about 6 seconds to about 20 seconds, whereby said low energy, sublimable disperse dye sublimes and, while in the vapor phase, penetrates into said firmed printable gelled plastisol or sintered dry-blend polyvinyl chloride composition and said polyvinyl chloride resin is substantially completely fused by being substantially completely solvated with said plasticizer;
• and removing said transfer paper or other release surface after said low energy, sublimable disperse dye has penetrated into said firmed, printable gelled plastisol or sintered dry-blend polyvinyl chloride composition and said polyvinyl chloride resin has been fused.