Method for the preparation and application of pressure and heat applied image transfers

A method for preparing a pressure and heat applied image transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a target surface comprising:

• applying an image layer to an image area of an image release system on a support, the image release system comprising a release coating comprising a wax and a lacquer;
• then
• applying a pressure and heat activated adhesive layer over the image release system including the image area after the image layer has been applied to the image release system, which adhesive layer adheres more strongly to the image layer than the image layer does to the release surface;
• contacting, with the application of pressure and heat, the target surface and the image transfer sheet such that the adhesive layer attaches only in the image area to the target surface;
• and peeling off the support together with the adhesive layer except for the image area which is left attached to the target surface;
• and wherein
• the image release system is on a film support layer which is itself attached to a backing by a release coat on a backing adhesive coat of the backing, the backing being first peelable from the support so as to leave the image visible through the film.

A method for preparing a pressure and heat applied image transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a target surface comprising:

• applying an image layer to an image area of an image release system on a support, the image release system comprising a release coating comprising a wax and a lacquer;
• then
• applying a pressure and heat activated adhesive layer over the image release system including the image area after the image layer has been applied to the image release system, which adhesive layer adheres more strongly to the image layer than the image layer does to the release surface;
• contacting, with the application of pressure and heat, the target surface and the image transfer sheet such that the adhesive layer attaches only in the image area to the target surface;
• and peeling off the support together with the adhesive layer except for the image area which is left attached to the target surface;
• and wherein
• the image release system binds the image layer with a surface tension of 38-39 dynes/cm2.

A method for preparing a pressure and heat applied image transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a target surface comprising:

• applying an image layer to an image area of an image release system on a support, the image release system comprising a release coating comprising a wax and a lacquer;
• then
• applying a pressure and heat activated adhesive layer over the image release system including the image area after the image layer has been applied to the image release system, which adhesive layer adheres more strongly to the image layer than the image layer does to the release surface;
• contacting, with the application of pressure and heat, the target surface and the image transfer sheet such that the adhesive layer attaches only in the image area to the target surface;
• and peeling off the support together with the adhesive layer except for the image area which is left attached to the target surface;
• and wherein
• the image release system binds the adhesive layer with a surface tension 4-5 dynes/cm2 less than that which it binds the image layer.

A method for preparing a pressure and heat applied image transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a target surface comprising:

• applying an image layer to an image area of an image release system on a support, the image release system comprising a release coating comprising a wax and a lacquer;
• then
• applying a pressure and heat activated adhesive layer over the image release system including the image area after the image layer has been applied to the image release system, which adhesive layer adheres more strongly to the image layer than the image layer does to the release surface;
• contacting, with the application of pressure and heat, the target surface and the image transfer sheet such that the adhesive layer attaches only in the image area to the target surface;
• and peeling off the support together with the adhesive layer except for the image area which is left attached to the target surface;
• and wherein
• the release system binds the adhesive layer with a surface tension of 34 dynes/cm2.

A method for preparing a pressure and heat applied image transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a target surface comprising:

• applying an image layer to an image area of an image release system on a support, the image release system comprising a release coating comprising a wax and a lacquer;
• then
• applying a pressure and heat activated adhesive layer over the image release system including the image area after the image layer has been applied to the image release system, which adhesive layer adheres more strongly to the image layer than the image layer does to the release surface;
• contacting, with the application of pressure and heat, the target surface and the image transfer sheet such that the adhesive layer attaches only in the image area to the target surface;
• and peeling off the support together with the adhesive layer except for the image area which is left attached to the target surface;
• and wherein
• the target surface comprises a surface of a compact disc.

A method for preparing a pressure and heat applied image transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a target surface comprising:

• providing an image release system on a support sheet, the image release system comprising a release coating comprising a wax and a lacquer;
• then
• applying an image layer to portions of the image release system;
• then
• coating with an adhesive the image layer and areas of the image release system that are not covered by the image layer after the image layer has been applied to the image release system, the adhesive adhering more strongly to the image layer than the image layer does to the image release system;
• then
• contacting the adhesive with the target surface and applying heat and pressure to the support sheet to cause the adhesive to adhere to the target surface but with less adherence than the adhesive does to the image release system;
• then
• peeling off the support sheet along with the adhesive that coated the areas of the image release system not covered by the image layer, leaving the image layer attached to the target surface.