Indirect printing process for applying selective phase change ink compositions to substrates

A process for using a phase change ink composition, which comprises

• a. combining a phase change ink colorant composition and a modified phase change ink career composition to produce said phase change ink composition having fluidic and mechanical properties which meet the parameters needed for indirect application thereof;
• b. raising the temperature of said phase change ink composition to a first operating temperature to form a liquid phase change ink composition;
• c. providing a liquid intermediate transfer means at a second operating temperature less than the first operating temperature for receiving said phase change ink composition in a liquid phase;
• d. applying droplets of said phase change ink composition in a liquid phase to said liquid intermediate transfer means in a pattern;
• e. cooling said pattern of said phase change ink composition to a malleable solid phase on said liquid intermediate transfer means to a temperature less than the second operating temperature;
• f. transferring said pattern of said malleable solid phase change ink composition from said liquid intermediate transfer means to a receiving substrate;
• g. fixing the pattern of said malleable solid phase change ink composition to said substrate to form a printed substrate, said phase change ink composition having a compressive yield strength which will allow it to be malleable to spread and deform without an increase in stress when compressive forces are applied thereto and sufficient internal cohesive strength to avoid shear banding and weak behavior when said phase change ink composition is transferred and fixed to said substrate;
• and
• h. cooling the pattern of said malleable solid phase change ink composition to ambient temperature such that it possesses a ductility on said substrate after said fixing.