Transferable protective cover layers

Abstract

A novel transfer element for protecting, graphic arts images is disclosed. The transfer element consists essentially of, a temporary carrier layer, a substantially silane-free protective layer, and an adhesive layer permanently adhered to the protective layer. In particular, the temporary carrier layer is a polymeric sheet material, a foraminous sheet material, or composites thereof; and the protective layer comprises a cross-linked cellulose ester. When the transfer element of this invention is used, the temporary carrier layer is removed, as the final step, from the protective layer which remains substantially intact. The transfer element is useful in manufacturing protected images of all sizes and is particularly suited to protecting large format images such as billboards.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.