Sublimation printing

Abstract

This application relates to sublimation printing. Several aspects relate to printed garments and include a method comprising providing a fabric sheet comprising polyester, applying an ink layer to a first area of ​​the fabric sheet, curing the ink layer, and applying a sublimation dye to the first area and a second, different area of ​​the fabric sheet. The application of the sublimation dye results in the first area and the second area having different color saturations. Other aspects include a garment comprising a fabric sheet comprising polyester, the fabric sheet having a first surface with a first area and a second, different area. The garment further includes an ink layer on the first surface and located at the first area, and a sublimation dye at the second area that is absorbed by a portion of the fabric sheet and is on the surface of the ink layer at the first area.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application filed on May 30, 2018, with application number 201880036122.2 and invention name “Sublimation Printing”. Field of the Invention

[0002] The material is sublimation dyed on at least a portion of the surface of the material having the ink. Background of the Invention

[0003] In the past, clothing was constructed by one or more basic materials, and these materials were normally selected based on durability, availability, cost and manufacturing restrictions. Except providing warmth and / or protection, these materials can not provide any specific clothing quality usually. Nowadays, clothing is constructed by multiple materials, and these materials can be selected to give the desired characteristic of specific clothing article. One such example is sportswear, which can be made up of the mixture of the material that comprises polyester and the combination of other materials that comprises nylon, rayon, cotton, cellulose etc. In general, these mixtures are called " polyester blends " and are used to make clothing with ideal performance characteristics (such as minimum weight, elasticity and / or moisture control) that are used for sports activities. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application relates to but is not limited to the following aspects.

[0005] 1) A garment comprising: a fabric piece comprising at least 50% polyester and having a first surface, a first region on the first surface, and a second region on the first surface; an ink layer located at the first region on the first surface, the ink layer having an ink surface on the first surface facing away from the fabric piece; and a sublimation dye located at the first region and the second region of the fabric piece, wherein the sublimation dye is absorbed by at least a portion of the fabric piece at the second region and is located at least on the ink surface at the first region.

[0006] 2) The garment according to 1), further comprising two or more ink layers located at the first surface, the two or more ink layers having ink surfaces on the first surface facing away from the fabric sheet.

[0007] 3) The garment according to 1), wherein the fabric piece further comprises a first color saturation at the first region and a second color saturation at the second region that is different from the first color saturation.

[0008] 4) The garment according to 3), wherein the ink layer comprises a polyurethane-based ink.

[0009] 5) The garment according to 3), wherein the ink layer comprises a non-polyurethane-based ink.

[0010] 6) A method of printing a garment, the method comprising: providing a fabric sheet comprising at least 50% polyester and having a first surface, the first surface comprising a first region and a different second region; applying a layer of a polyurethane-based ink to the first region of the first surface, the layer of polyurethane-based ink being applied by direct printing; curing the polyurethane-based ink; and after curing the polyurethane-based ink, applying a sublimation dye to: (1) the second region of the first surface and (2) a surface of the fabric sheet positioned away from the ink layer, wherein applying the sublimation dye causes the first region to have a first color saturation and causes the second region to have a different second color saturation.

[0011] 7) The method according to 6), wherein the first color saturation is greater than the second color saturation.

[0012] 8) The method of 6) wherein the sublimation dye is applied by sublimation printing.

[0013] 9) The method of 6) wherein the layer of polyurethane-based ink includes a transparent visual component.

[0014] 10) The method according to 9), wherein the sublimation dye comprises one or more color components.

[0015] 11) The method of 10), wherein the layer of the polyurethane-based ink forms a pattern at the first area having the first color saturation.

[0016] 12) The method of 10), wherein a color saturation difference of at least 10% between the first area and the second area results in a visual contrast, and wherein the visual contrast forms a pattern.

[0017] 13) A method of printing garments, the method comprising: providing a fabric sheet comprising at least 50% polyester and having a first surface, the first surface comprising a first region and a different second region; applying a layer of a non-polyurethane-based ink to the first region of the first surface, the layer of non-polyurethane-based ink being applied by direct printing; curing the non-polyurethane-based ink; and after curing the non-polyurethane-based ink, applying a sublimation dye to: (1) the second region of the first surface and (2) a surface of the fabric sheet positioned away from the ink layer, wherein applying the sublimation dye causes the first region to have a first color saturation and causes the second region to have a different second color saturation.

[0018] 14) The method of 13), wherein the first color saturation is less than the second color saturation.

[0019] 15) The method of 13), wherein the sublimation dye is applied by sublimation printing.

[0020] 16) The method according to 13), wherein the fabric sheet comprises at least 75% polyester.

[0021] 17) The method of 16), wherein the non-polyurethane-based ink includes a white component.

[0022] 18) The method according to 17), wherein the sublimation dye comprises one or more color components.

[0023] 19) The method of 18), wherein the layer of the non-polyurethane-based ink forms a pattern at the first area having the first color saturation.

[0024] 20) The method of 18), wherein a color saturation difference of at least 10% between the first area and the second area results in a visual contrast, and wherein the visual contrast forms a pattern. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention is herein described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 depicts a top view of an exemplary garment according to aspects herein;

[0027] Figure 2 Describes the aspects of this article along the Figure 1 The plane 2 intercepts Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the garment at a first time point;

[0028] Figure 3A Depicts a diagram illustrating the application of a polyurethane-based ink according to aspects of the present invention. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the garment at a second time point;

[0029] Figure 3B Depicts a diagram illustrating the application of a polyurethane-based ink according to aspects of the present invention. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the garment at a third time point;

[0030] Figure 3C Depicts a diagram illustrating the application of a polyurethane-based ink according to aspects of the present invention. Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the garment at an alternative third point in time;

[0031] Figure 4ADepicts a diagram illustrating the application of a non-polyurethane-based ink according to aspects of the present invention. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the garment at a second time point;

[0032] Figure 4B Depicts a diagram illustrating the application of a non-polyurethane based ink according to aspects of the present invention. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the garment at a third time point;

[0033] Figure 5 Depicts a first color saturation and a different second color saturation according to aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 1 A top view of the garment;

[0034] Figure 6 Depicts an exemplary method of applying ink and sublimation dye to a piece of fabric according to aspects herein; and

[0035] Figure 7 A flow chart depicts an exemplary method of printing a garment according to aspects herein.

[0036] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0037] The subject matter of the present invention is described in detail herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter may also be embodied in other ways in conjunction with other existing or future technologies, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the steps described in this document. Furthermore, although the terms "step" and / or "box" may be used herein to refer to different elements of the method used, these terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between the various steps disclosed herein, unless and except when the order of the individual steps is explicitly stated.

[0038] Aspects of the present invention provide a method for applying an ink layer and a sublimation dye to a first surface of a fabric sheet made of at least 50% polyester. The ink layer is applied to a first area of ​​the first surface via a direct printing method, and the ink can be polyurethane-based or non-polyurethane-based. The sublimation dye is applied to both the fabric sheet and the ink layer such that the sublimation dye is applied to a second area of ​​the first surface of the fabric sheet and to a surface distal from the fabric sheet above the ink layer. Application of the sublimation dye results in the first area having a first color saturation and the second area having a second, different color saturation.

[0039] A further aspect provides a garment or material comprising a fabric sheet made of at least 50% polyester, an ink layer, and a sublimation dye. The fabric sheet has a first surface, a first region on the first surface, and a second region on the first surface. Furthermore, the ink layer is located in the first region on the first surface and has an ink surface distal to the fabric sheet on the first surface. The sublimation dye is located in the first region and the second region of the fabric sheet and is absorbed by at least a portion of the fabric sheet in the second region and is present on at least the distal ink surface of the first region.

[0040] Polyester blend fabrics may traditionally be incompatible with traditional printing methods, and therefore, the use of polyester blends in garments / materials may pose limitations to traditional printing.

[0041] This is due to a certain degree of correlation between previous printing methods and specific materials or fabrics. Typically, printing methods implement certain steps and components that are best suited to achieve the desired results associated with a specific material or fabric. For example, screen printing is commonly used to print cotton fabrics and includes applying a liquid-based ink to the surface of the cotton fabric and then curing the liquid-based ink. Because cotton fabrics have a certain hydrophilicity and do not repel water, the liquid-based ink will adhere to the surface when cured, resulting in a durable print. In contrast, screen printing other fabrics may produce poor prints by comparison and may form an inconsistent ink film layer on the surface of the fabric, which may result in a print with poor aesthetic quality. In addition, the ink film layer may act as a barrier between the wearer and the fabric, which affects the moisture management properties of the fabric.

[0042] Previous attempts to overcome these shortcomings have included printing additional layers of liquid-based ink or pre-treatment in an effort to create a more consistent ink layer. While this may help improve the aesthetic quality of the print, the additional ink layer or pre-treatment creates a thicker barrier, which further reduces moisture management properties. Furthermore, the additional ink and pre-treatment layers cause the fabric to become stiffer and heavier, which also negatively impacts the performance properties of athletic apparel.

[0043] Other attempts have included implementing or developing alternative methods for printing polyester-containing fabrics, such as sublimation printing, which produces a print by thermally transferring a sublimation dye through the fabric, as opposed to layering ink onto the fabric's surface. Furthermore, sublimation dyes have an affinity for polyester and can be absorbed by the material, so sublimation printing dyes the polyester portion of the fabric. Sublimation dyes essentially become part of the fabric itself, having minimal, if any, impact on the fabric's structure and not adversely affecting performance properties. Therefore, sublimation printing is commonly used to print 100% polyester or fabrics with a high polyester content. However, sublimation dyes do not have an affinity for non-polyester materials (such as cotton) and are not readily absorbed by the non-polyester portions of the fabric. Therefore, the aesthetic quality of the print is directly related to the amount of polyester material contained in the fabric. Consequently, using sublimation printing to print fabrics made from material blends that do not have a high polyester content, such as polyester blends, can produce dull or faded prints with poor aesthetic quality.

[0044] In summary, conventional printing methods have not provided solutions to the problems associated with printing polyester blend fabrics, and any previous attempts to address these problems have failed and often produced undesirable side effects. The aspects described herein overcome these shortcomings and provide a solution for producing prints with improved aesthetic qualities on garments made from polyester blend fabrics without adversely affecting the performance properties of the garments.

[0045] Aspects of the present invention provide a method for printing garments, comprising applying ink and a sublimation dye to a fabric sheet to produce a first saturation and a second saturation at different areas of the fabric. In the first step of the method, a fabric sheet is provided, the fabric sheet comprising at least 50% polyester and having a first surface with a first region and a second region. Next, a layer of ink is applied to the first area of ​​the first surface by direct printing. In some aspects, a polyurethane-based ink can be used to form the ink layer, while in other aspects, a non-polyurethane-based ink can be used. The ink layer is then cured using conventional curing techniques, which may include heat treatment and may vary depending on the ink used. After curing, a sublimation dye is applied to the second area of ​​the first surface, with the ink layer positioned away from the surface of the first surface of the fabric sheet. Furthermore, the steps and components of the method are configured such that the application of the sublimation dye results in the first area having a first color saturation and the second area having a different second color saturation.

[0046] Another aspect provides a garment comprising a fabric sheet made of at least 50% polyester, an ink layer, and a sublimation dye. The fabric sheet has a first surface with a first region and a second region. The ink layer is located at the first region on the first surface and has an ink surface on the first surface facing away from the fabric sheet. The sublimation dye is located at the first region and the second region of the fabric sheet and is absorbed by at least a portion of the fabric sheet at the second region and is at least on the ink surface at the first region.

[0047] As will become apparent below, aspects of the present disclosure can be used to produce higher-quality prints on garments made from polyester blend fabrics than previously available. More specifically, inks and sublimation dyes having certain properties can be applied to a fabric sheet that is at least 50% polyester via certain printing techniques to produce prints with varying color saturations. Furthermore, the color saturation at one printed area of ​​a garment can differ from the color saturation at another printed area, allowing these areas to contrast with each other and, thus, allowing the garment to include prints with improved aesthetic qualities. Furthermore, these aspects can be utilized to produce prints on garments without affecting the properties provided by the garment's material or fabric.

[0048] As will be discussed throughout, it is contemplated that aspects provided herein relate to methods for printing garments, and also to garments that may or may not be printed by the provided methods. Many aspects relate to methods for printing garments and the garments themselves, and therefore, some aspects may be described in different ways depending on the context. For example, when applied to a piece of fabric, an ink may be referred to as an ink layer, or may be referred to as a layer of ink that has been applied to a piece of fabric. Regardless, aspects described in conjunction with the ink apply to layers of ink and layers of ink before, during, and after application. Therefore, the contextual description of any aspect provided herein does not limit the scope of applicability of any claimed aspect.

[0049] Furthermore, aspects and components herein may be presented in a simplified manner for purposes of illustration, but may be more complex in practice. For example, a garment is described as having a fabric sheet and having a Figure 1 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 However, it is contemplated herein that a garment may include one or more separate parts, such as pieces of fabric, that may be joined together using various adhesives, stitching, and other types of joining / bonding components to produce any article of apparel, including but not limited to jerseys, vests, shorts, pants, jackets, socks, leg sleeves, arm sleeves, headbands, and the like.

[0050] In a similar manner, a fabric piece can be described as a component of a garment, but a fabric piece can be one of several components that can form any type of garment, and can include multiple materials and other characteristics. Typically, a fabric piece can be cut from a larger sheet of material with two opposing surfaces and a minimum thickness. Therefore, both sides of the fabric piece have surface areas, and the fabric piece can include a first surface, a first area on the first surface, and a second area on the first surface. In addition, some features of the fabric piece can be based on the effect of the fabric piece in the construction of a specific garment, and therefore, the size or material composition of the fabric piece can vary according to the requirements of a specific garment. Such aspect will be discussed in detail later.

[0051] In other aspects, it is contemplated that the fabric piece can be a formed-to-shape material, such as a knitted, woven, braided, or non-woven material, formed into a general shape or a specific shape, such as the shape of the fabric piece. Furthermore, while the discussion herein relates to clothing, it should be understood that the methods and techniques provided herein can be applied to other articles, such as footwear, equipment, and other articles formed with polyester-based materials. Therefore, it is contemplated that the term "garment" can be replaced with the general term "article" throughout while maintaining its intended scope. However, for the purposes of this discussion, the term "garment" is generally used for illustrative purposes.

[0052] As will be apparent below, the aspects relating to ink, sublimation dye and its application to fabric sheet include a variety of features and components. Broadly speaking, ink includes any ink compatible with the direct printing of a layer of ink formed on the surface of the fabric sheet, and sublimation dye includes any dye compatible with sublimation printing with dye impregnated in at least a portion of the ink layer and the fabric sheet. In addition, the main difference between ink and sublimation dye includes composition, color and / or visual component, compatibility with printing technology, application to the fabric sheet, and interaction between each other and the material of the fabric sheet. These differences inherently relate to the separate aspects of ink and sublimation dye, and will be discussed in more detail subsequently, but by the basic understanding of ink and sublimation dye, such differences can be better understood. Therefore, the preliminary explanation of ink and sublimation dye will be provided immediately below.

[0053] Throughout this description and claims, the term "ink" is used to refer to a liquid or paste that is applied to and positioned on the surface of a substrate via direct printing. The liquid or paste can be a medium having one or more components, including but not limited to solvents, colorants such as pigments, resins, lubricants, solubilizers, surfactants, particulate matter, fluorescent agents, and other materials, any or all of which can be included to affect various properties of the ink. Furthermore, according to aspects provided herein, "ink" can be used to form an "ink layer" or "layer of ink," and it should therefore be understood that any aspects, definitions, or descriptions related to "ink" are attributed to and apply to "ink layer" or "layer of ink." Therefore, the terms "ink layer" or "layer of ink" are used throughout this description and claims to refer to "ink" that has been used with a method for printing a garment or as a component of a garment.

[0054] In addition, the term "sublimation dye" is used throughout this description and claims and refers to a colored substance that has an affinity for a substrate and is applied to the substrate via sublimation printing. The colored substance can be derived from a plant or synthetic source, they can be finely ground and contain a dispersant. The sublimation dye can be injected into the substrate at the molecular level and impregnate the color into the material. In addition, according to the aspects provided herein, "sublimation dyes" can be used to be absorbed by a piece of fabric and used at least on the ink surface, and it should be understood that any aspect, definition or description related to "sublimation dyes" also applies to the use of "sublimation dyes" in conjunction with the method for printing garments and the use of "sublimation dyes" as components of garments.

[0055] Now that we've provided an initial explanation of inks and sublimation dyes, we'll discuss more detailed aspects of each. Starting with the ink, it's conceivable that the ink layer can be formed by applying the ink to the surface of a fabric sheet using direct printing. Consequently, aspects related to the ink include both direct printing and the composition of the ink, which provides various properties, both of which influence how the ink interacts with the fabric sheet and the sublimation dye. These aspects will be discussed in turn in the following paragraphs.

[0056] Ink includes any ink that is compatible with and suitable for direct printing. At a high level, direct printing includes a printing technique that transfers ink to the surface of a substrate, and may include a curing step that promotes adhesion between the ink and the surface of the substrate. In addition, these printing techniques include applying ink to a limited area of ​​the surface of the substrate, and may be applied so that the ink forms a graphic or image on the substrate at the applied area. Known printing techniques that can be implemented as direct printing include, but are not limited to, screen printing, rotary printing, direct to garment digital printing, and combinations of these techniques, such as a hybrid printing technique comprising screen printing and digital printing for garments.

[0057] In some respects, ink is directly printed onto the surface of the fabric sheet via screen printing. Aspects related to screen printing include using one or more silk screens to transfer ink to the area on the surface of the fabric sheet to form printing. The silk screen can include a blocking stencil that prevents ink from being transferred to the fabric sheet at any blocking area. Devices such as blades or scrapers can be used to transfer ink through the silk screen and transfer it to the surface of the fabric sheet. The silk screen can be constructed by a net stretched on a frame, and in use, the net can be mounted on the frame and can be under tension. In some respects, the stencil can be formed by blocking the silk screen portion in the negative image of the image, graphic, design or visual mark to be printed, or in other words, ink can be applied to the fabric sheet at the open space of the silk screen.

[0058] During printing, a screen can be placed on top of a piece of fabric, and ink can be placed on top of the screen via a filler bar or other mechanism that fills the mesh in the screen with ink (meshopening) and moves the ink to the front of the screen closest to the fabric sheet. A squeegee, blade, or similar device can then be used to pump or squeeze the ink onto the surface of the fabric sheet in controlled and prescribed amounts by capillary action, and as the squeegee moves toward the back of the screen, tension can pull the screen away from the fabric sheet, leaving the ink on the surface of the fabric sheet. In another aspect, an ink is printed onto the fabric sheet a single time, producing one ink layer on the surface of the fabric, and the same or additional screens can be used to produce additional ink layers, which can be formed by printing the same ink or another ink.

[0059] Therefore, it is contemplated that ink comprises a variety of inks compatible with one or more of the aforementioned printing techniques. Typically, these inks are liquid-based and have one or more components that impart certain properties to fabrics or materials, and such inks include, but are not limited to, cracked inks, discharge inks, glitter or shimmer inks, gloss inks, metallic inks, mirror silver inks, plastisol inks, polyvinyl chloride inks (PVC inks), non-PVC inks, phthalate inks, non-phthalate inks, acrylic inks, suede inks, oil-based inks, water-based inks, and combinations thereof. In addition, any of these inks may include additives that may be added to promote or mask a certain property, and examples of additives that may be used include, but are not limited to, polyurethanes, polyester flakes, polyethylene, and alternative equivalents known to those skilled in the art for promoting or suppressing compatibility with sublimation dyes.

[0060] As mentioned, the ink can have one or more components that can be configured to impart one or more properties to the area of ​​the fabric or material printed with the ink, and such aspects can include visual and tactile properties. Thus, it is conceivable that the ink can have a color component that can be provided by a pigment or other colorant. In this way, the ink can be configured to be an ink of any color, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, purple, and shades thereof. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the ink can have other visual components that can be configured so that the ink can be reflective, metallic, transparent, white, black, or colorless. Furthermore, the color component and / or visual component of the ink can be maintained during and after the ink is applied to the surface of the fabric piece, and therefore, the color component and / or visual component of the ink applied to the surface of the fabric piece is imparted to the surface of the fabric piece.

[0061] As demonstrated above, aspects herein contemplate the use of a variety of inks, which can have varying compositions and may also include one or more additives. To aid in explanation and more clearly convey the present aspects, the inks contemplated herein are divided into two categories based on their polyurethane content. Thus, the term "polyurethane-based ink" is used throughout this description and claims and shall refer to any ink described herein that contains polyurethane. The term "non-polyurethane-based ink" is used throughout this description and claims and shall refer to any ink described herein that does not contain polyurethane. Furthermore, while inks may have similar characteristics and properties, the primary difference between inks lies in whether the ink composition includes polyurethane or an alternative equivalent, such as polyester flake, polyethylene, or other polymer capable of providing ink characteristics and properties similar to those provided by polyurethane. Thus, it is contemplated that polyurethane-based inks may include various inks, such as water-based inks or solvent-based inks. It is also contemplated that non-polyurethane-based inks may include various inks, such as acrylic-based inks. Furthermore, it is contemplated that polyurethane and non-polyurethane-based inks suitable for use in accordance with aspects herein include many inks commercially available from Magna Colours Limited.

[0062] In other aspects, the polyurethane content of an ink can influence how it interacts with sublimation dyes. Thus, polyurethane-based inks can be configured to absorb or otherwise develop an affinity for sublimation dyes, while non-polyurethane-based inks can be configured to resist or prevent absorption of sublimation dyes. These aspects also relate to the composition of sublimation dyes and will be more readily understood after discussing sublimation dyes. Therefore, these aspects are described in more detail below.

[0063] Turning now to aspects related to sublimation dyes, it is contemplated that sublimation dyes may include any sublimation dye that can be applied to the surface of a fabric sheet and ink layer using sublimation printing according to aspects discussed herein. Thus, sublimation dyes may include aspects related to properties related to compatibility and suitability with sublimation printing, as well as the manner in which the sublimation dye interacts with the fabric sheet and ink.

[0064] Beginning with aspects related to sublimation printing, sublimation dyes contemplated herein include dyes compatible with sublimation printing. As understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, sublimation printing utilizes the science of sublimation, in which heat and pressure are applied to a solid, converting it into a gas through an endothermic reaction without passing through a liquid phase. At a high level, sublimation printing can include a solid, heat-sensitive dye that is dissolved in a liquid and, when subjected to heat and pressure, becomes a gas, binds to a compatible substrate, and then returns to a solid. As a result, the sublimation dye is infused into the substrate at a molecular level, rather than being applied to the surface of the substrate. Therefore, sublimation printing, as discussed herein, contemplates any sublimation printing technology that implements the aforementioned aspects.

[0065] As will be demonstrated below, sublimation printing technologies can utilize a variety of components and techniques to apply sublimation dyes to a piece of fabric, and different sublimation printing technologies can include similar and / or different aspects. For example, one sublimation printing technology can apply sublimation dyes to a piece of fabric in a different manner than another, but these same sublimation printing technologies can include a sublimation printer and can also use heat or energy to cause the sublimation dyes to be absorbed by the piece of fabric. Thus, certain aspects may be applicable to one or more of the sublimation printing technologies discussed herein, and therefore, it is contemplated that any such aspects can be used in a variety of ways to apply sublimation dyes to a piece of fabric.

[0066] Therefore, sublimation printing technology can comprise sublimation printing press, and this sublimation printing press is configured to sublimation dye is applied to various substrates.Aspect of this paper has contemplated sublimation printing press, and this sublimation printing press is configured to sublimation dye is applied to transfer sheet, fabric sheet, ink layer, and in other aspect, sublimation printing press can be configured to sublimation dye is applied to textile substrate, fabric substrate and the rigid substrate with polymer processing, and described polymer processing is used to construct common daily necessities.As those of ordinary skill in the art understand, sublimation printing press can further be configured to by utilizing various parts and technology one or more sublimation dye is transferred on given substrate.For example, sublimation printing press can comprise one or more dye sublimation bands (dye sublimation ribbon), and it stores one or more sublimation dyes, and during printing, discharges or transfers one or more sublimation dyes.In some respects, printing roller can move the dye sublimation band into contact with the substrate under the thermal print head, and this thermal print head can apply heat, and this makes sublimation dye transfer to the substrate of contact from the sublimation band. In further aspects, and as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, sublimation printing techniques can utilize digital printing technology. Generally, such aspects relate to using a computer and computer software in conjunction with a sublimation printer to print a digital image onto a substrate, and it is contemplated that any digital printing technology known to one of ordinary skill in the art can be used with the aspects herein, including those relating to sublimation printing methods and techniques.

[0067] In some aspects, sublimation printing of sublimation dyes onto a piece of fabric can be performed by first applying the sublimation dye to a transfer sheet via a sublimation printer, and then applying the printed transfer sheet to the piece of fabric via a heat press in such a manner that the sublimation dye is transferred to and absorbed into the piece of fabric. In other aspects, sublimation printing of sublimation dyes onto a piece of fabric can be performed by applying the sublimation dye to the piece of fabric via a sublimation printer, and then heating the printed piece of fabric in such a manner that the sublimation dye is absorbed into the piece of fabric. To aid in explanation and more clearly convey these aspects, the sublimation printing techniques contemplated herein are categorized based on whether the sublimation printing technique includes a transfer sheet or its equivalent. Thus, sublimation printing techniques that include a transfer sheet are referred to as "transfer sublimation printing," and sublimation printing techniques that do not include a transfer sheet are referred to as "direct sublimation printing."

[0068] Aspects related to transfer sublimation printing include applying the sublimation dye to the transfer sheet using heat transfer, and in other aspects, the sublimation dye can be applied to the transfer sheet using an inkjet printer. In either aspect, in an exemplary, non-limiting aspect, the transfer sheet is then applied to the fabric sheet using a heat press at an elevated temperature in the range of approximately 325-375°F for approximately 45 seconds. While 45 seconds is provided, in another non-limiting example, it is contemplated that the heat press can be applied for any amount of time, such as 30 seconds to 1 minute. As a result, the sublimation dye is transferred from the transfer paper to the fabric sheet and absorbed by the polyester portion of the fabric sheet and / or the ink layer previously printed on the fabric sheet. In aspects related to direct sublimation printing, the sublimation dye can be applied directly to the fabric sheet using a digital printer. Then, in an exemplary, non-limiting aspect, the fabric sheet can be heated to a temperature in the range of approximately 325-375°F to allow the sublimation dye to be absorbed by the polyester portion of the fabric sheet and / or the ink layer included on the fabric sheet.

[0069] According to these aspects, it is envisioned that the sublimation dye compatible with sublimation printing can be used, and therefore, sublimation dye comprises the multiple dye compatible with aforementioned sublimation printing technology.Usually, sublimation dye can comprise any dye that can be used for polyester dyeing, such as disperse dye or the solvent dye that can sublime.In addition, sublimation dye can comprise solid thermosensitive dye, is dissolved in the liquid, becomes gas under heat and pressure.In addition, once in gaseous state, sublimation dye is combined with compatible substrate, and then, after removing heat and pressure, sublimation dye changes back into solid state.In some aspects, sublimation dye can have the solid particles suspended in the liquid, to allow sublimation dye to flow through sublimation printing machine, and in other aspect, sublimation dye can have the affinity to polymer (such as polyester).Other aspect relates to a kind of sublimation dye, sublimation dye has the color component that can be provided by colorant, and sublimation dye can be configured to any color, comprises red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, purple and gradient thereof. It is also contemplated that the color component of the sublimation dye may be imparted to at least a portion of the fabric piece and / or a layer of ink previously printed on the surface of the fabric piece.

[0070] The aforementioned aspects related to inks, sublimation dyes, direct printing techniques, and sublimation printing techniques, as well as any other applicable aspects discussed herein, are not limited to those currently known in the art. It is contemplated that any ink, sublimation dye, or printing technique may be used to produce similar or desired results in accordance with the aspects described herein, regardless of whether the ink, sublimation dye, or printing technique is currently available or has not yet been developed. For example, any ink, sublimation dye, or printing technique may be implemented or substituted as long as a suitable garment can be printed in accordance with the aspects discussed herein.

[0071] As previously stated, aspects herein relate to a fabric piece that can form at least a portion of a garment, and thus, the fabric piece can be any textile or cloth formed from natural or man-made fibers. Furthermore, it is contemplated herein that the fabric piece can be formed by conventional methods, such as weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting, felting, and the like. In some aspects, the material of the fabric piece is configured to interact with inks and sublimation dyes, such that high-quality graphics, designs, images, or visual indicia can be printed on the fabric piece.

[0072] Additionally, the fabric sheet may include one or more materials tailored for use in a particular garment or to provide desired properties for a particular garment, including breathable materials, wicking fabrics, stabilizing components, and / or elastic elements for comfort and / or tailored fit. Thus, the fabric sheet may include polyester, nylon, cotton, spandex, rayon, cellulose, and mixtures thereof. In some aspects, these materials may be included in the fabric sheet in varying amounts, and for example, the fabric sheet may include a blend of materials. These aspects include a fabric sheet formed from a material comprising at least 50% polyester, and thus, the composition of the fibers forming the material may comprise at least 50% polyester fibers. Such aspects also contemplate the use of performance fabrics or polyester blend fabrics to form the fabric sheet, both of which comprise at least 50% polyester and provide performance properties for garments designed for wear by wearers participating in physical activity. In some aspects, the fabric sheet may be composed of 75% polyester and 25% cellulose, cotton, and rayon; 50% polyester and 50% cellulose; or 100% polyester.

[0073] As discussed, various aspects relate to using ink and sublimation dye to print garments formed from fabric sheets comprising at least 50% polyester. Furthermore, these components may have different properties and characteristics, which may cause the components to interact with each other in different ways. Therefore, certain combinations of ink, sublimation dye, and polyester content of the material can be adjusted to produce a print on the garment with certain characteristics.

[0074] One such characteristic is color saturation. In various aspects herein, color saturation relates to the intensity of colors in an image. The term "color saturation" is defined in more technical terms by the Commission internationale de l'éclairage (CIE), the international authority on light, illumination, color, and color spaces. The CIE defines "color saturation" as the color of an area judged proportionally to its brightness. The entire contents of the CIE are incorporated herein by reference, and for purposes of explanation, color saturation is discussed more extensively below.

[0075] At a high level, color saturation can refer to the intensity or purity of the colors in an image. For example, an image with low color saturation will include visible gray tones and may appear dull, while an image with high color saturation will include vivid colors and no gray tones will be visible. While this broad interpretation of color saturation is relevant to understanding the aspects discussed herein, the term "color saturation" should be considered in the context of images, prints, graphics, and / or visual indicia on a piece of fabric or garment, and with respect to printed areas of a piece of fabric that may have different color saturations.

[0076] Nevertheless, the color saturation of an image involves visual perception, and therefore, measuring color saturation may involve a subjective component and may vary depending on specific conditions. Therefore, the term "color saturation" as used throughout this specification and claims refers to the characteristic of the color at an area of ​​a fabric sheet after a layer of sublimation dye and / or ink is applied to a portion of the surface of the fabric sheet, according to the aspects discussed herein. In addition, more intense colors may correspond to higher color saturation, and less intense colors may correspond to lower color saturation. Therefore, areas of a fabric sheet with different color intensities may have different color saturations. In addition, the difference in "color saturation" can be defined as a numerical comparison of one or more color saturations, which is determined by the difference between the color saturation of one or more samples and the standard color saturation, which difference can be further indicated by the difference in absolute color coordinates called variable delta (Δ).

[0077] In another aspect, and as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, a color measuring instrument, such as a spectrophotometer, can be used to measure the color saturation of one or more color samples by assigning one or more numerical values, each numerical value being associated with a characteristic of the color sample and collectively used to calculate the difference between the color saturations of the one or more samples. Thus, it is contemplated that the difference between the color saturations of different regions on the surface of a printed fabric sheet can be assessed by measuring the color saturation at each of the different regions of the fabric sheet using a spectrophotometer, calculating the difference between the numerical values ​​associated with the color saturation at each of the different regions using a standard numerical value, and then comparing the calculated differences for each of the different regions on the surface of the printed fabric sheet to one another.

[0078] In one example, differences in color saturation can be identified using the L*a*b* color space defined by the CIE. In this example, L* represents lightness / darkness, a* represents red / green coordinates, and b* represents yellow / blue coordinates. Furthermore, a spectrophotometer can be implemented to measure the L*, a*, and b* values ​​of the standard and sample fabric sheets at multiple regions of both fabric sheets. The standard fabric sheet can be formed from 100% polyester and printed with a first sublimation image. Furthermore, the first standard color saturation can correspond to the L*, a*, and b* values ​​at a first standard region of the standard fabric sheet, and the second standard color saturation can correspond to the L*, a*, and b* values ​​at a second standard region of the standard fabric sheet. Continuing with this example, the sample fabric sheet can be formed from at least 50% polyester but less than 100% polyester, can include an ink layer, and can also be printed with the first sublimation image in a manner similar to the standard fabric sheet. Furthermore, the sample fabric sheet can have a first sample region corresponding to the first standard region of the standard fabric sheet, and a second sample region corresponding to the second standard region of the standard fabric sheet. Thus, the sample fabric may also include a first sample color saturation that may correspond to the L*, a*, and b* values ​​at a first sample area of ​​the sample fabric piece, and a second sample color saturation that may correspond to the L*, a*, and b* values ​​at a second sample area of ​​the sample fabric piece.

[0079] As previously mentioned, the differences between the standard and sample L*, a*, and b* values ​​at the first and second regions can be referred to as variable deltas (Δ), respectively, and a comparison of these differences at each region can represent the difference in color saturation between the standard and sample fabric pieces at their respective first regions or their respective second regions. Thus, ΔL* can be the L* of the sample fabric piece minus the L* of the standard fabric piece, Δa* can be the a* of the sample fabric piece minus the a* of the standard fabric piece, and Δb* can be the b* of the sample fabric piece minus the b* of the standard fabric piece. In another aspect, ΔE* can represent the total difference in color saturation and can be determined by the total difference between ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb*, or ΔE* can be [ΔL*² + Δa*² + Δb*²] divided by 1 / 2.

[0080] According to these aspects, and as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the first color saturation can be represented by any one of ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, or ΔE* at a first area of ​​the sample fabric piece and the standard fabric piece. Additionally, the second color saturation can be represented by any one of ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, or ΔE* at a second area of ​​the sample fabric piece and the standard fabric piece. Furthermore, the difference between the first color saturation and the second color saturation can be measured based on the percentage difference between the corresponding ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, or ΔE* at the first area and the second area, and it is contemplated herein that such percentage difference can be within a range between 5% and 95%. In some aspects, the first color saturation and the second color saturation can differ by 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%.

[0081] Furthermore, since color saturation can be related to the amount of sublimation dye absorbed by an area of ​​a garment printed according to aspects herein, color saturation can be affected by the polyurethane-based ink, the non-polyurethane-based ink, and the polyester content of the material forming the fabric piece. At high levels, and as discussed herein, sublimation dyes have an affinity for polyester, and therefore, sublimation dyes can produce more vibrant prints on polyester-containing substrates. Furthermore, sublimation dyes can be absorbed by ink layers formed from polyurethane-based inks and rejected by ink layers formed from non-polyurethane-based inks. In various aspects, according to aspects discussed herein, a fabric piece containing 50% polyester printed with a polyurethane-based ink will have higher color saturation in areas printed with the polyurethane-based ink than in areas not printed with the polyurethane-based ink. Furthermore, according to aspects discussed herein, a fabric piece containing 50% polyester printed with a non-polyurethane-based ink will have lower color saturation in areas printed with the non-polyurethane-based ink than in areas not printed with the polyurethane-based ink.

[0082] As will be appreciated from the foregoing, it is contemplated that the aspects discussed herein can be implemented in a variety of ways to print garments. Furthermore, these aspects include the material of the fabric sheet, the ink layer, the sublimation dye, and their respective application techniques. Furthermore, each of these aspects has numerous components, characteristics, and / or properties that may affect their interaction in various ways. Such interactions may result in varying color saturation, and thus, these aspects can be selectively used to adjust one or more characteristics of the print on a garment. Nevertheless, aspects of the present invention will be discussed below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0083] from Figure 1Initially, an exemplary garment 1 is depicted according to aspects of the present invention. The garment 1 is comprised of a fabric sheet 2 having a first surface 4, a first area 10 on the first surface 4, and a second area 20 on the first surface 4. The garment 1, the fabric sheet 2, and elements thereof, including the fabric sheet 2, the first area 10, and the second area 20, are generally described for purposes of discussion and may be moved, repositioned, reshaped, copied, or reconfigured. Furthermore, it should be understood that these descriptions are illustrative in nature and are not restrictive. For example, the first area 10 is illustrated as an oval, but it is contemplated that the first area 10 may have any shape or may be a graphic, such as a logo.

[0084] For illustrative purposes, the garment 1 is depicted as a shirt. However, as already discussed, it is contemplated that the garment 1 may be any article, such as other articles of apparel, such as shorts, a sweatshirt, pants, socks, a jacket, etc. Figure 1 As shown in FIG, garment 1 includes a fabric piece 2 that forms the torso portion of the shirt and can be a separate component of garment 1. Although not shown, fabric piece 2 can be attached to other separate components of garment 1 via sewing, gluing, linking, or adhesives. Fabric piece 2 can be cut from a larger piece of fabric and can have many shapes and sizes, which can depend on the requirements of the end garment. Furthermore, fabric piece 2 includes a variety of materials, and in some aspects, fabric piece 2 is composed of at least 50% polyester.

[0085] Now turn Figure 2 , depicting the Figure 1 2. The garment 1 further comprises an ink layer 12 having an ink surface 14 remote from the first surface 4 and located at a first region 10 on the first surface 4. The garment 1 further comprises a sublimation dye 22 located at the first region 10 and the second region 20 of the fabric piece 2. Furthermore, at the first region 10, the sublimation dye 22 is at least on the ink surface 14, and at the second region 20, the sublimation dye 22 is absorbed by at least a portion of the fabric piece 2. For illustrative purposes, Figure 2 The arrangement or configuration of the ink layer 12 and the sublimation dye 22 on the first surface 4 of the fabric piece 2 is depicted at T1, which represents a point in time immediately after the sublimation dye 22 has been applied according to the method for printing garments described herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the arrangement of the ink layer 12 and the sublimation dye 22 on the first surface 4 of the fabric piece 2 may be different at an earlier or later point in time.

[0086] In other respects, Figure 2 Prior to the time point depicted in FIG, the ink layer 12 is applied to the first surface 4 of the fabric sheet 2 via direct printing and cured. Figure 2 Although not depicted, ink layer 12 can be composed of a polyurethane-based ink or a non-polyurethane-based ink, either of which can include color and / or visual components, and can also be applied to first surface 4 of fabric piece 2 via direct printing. Furthermore, while only a single layer of ink is shown, it is contemplated herein that one or more additional ink layers can be included on top of ink layer 12, which can be composed of the same or different inks and can be applied via the same or different direct printing techniques. Furthermore, when additional ink layers are included, ink surface 14 can be the surface of the uppermost ink layer that is distal from first surface 4 of fabric piece 2.

[0087] Now refer to Figure 3A , depicting something similar to Figure 2 , but the garment 1 is shown at a point in time after T1. Figure 3A Designated by T2', it represents a time point after the sublimation dye 22 is applied but before the sublimation printing is completed, and indicates that the ink layer is formed of a polyurethane-based ink. Figure 3A As shown, the garment 1 includes Figure 1 and Figure 2 , but the ink layer 12 is further depicted as including a polyurethane-based ink 16. Additionally, a sublimation dye 22 is shown in an illustrative manner, depicting the application and initial absorption of the sublimation dye 22 at the first and second areas 10, 20 of the fabric piece 2. As can be seen, the sublimation dye 22 is shown as a thin layer atop the first surface 4 of the fabric piece 2 at the second area 20, and is similarly shown atop the ink surface 14 of the ink layer 12 at the first area 10. It should be understood that these depictions are merely examples and illustrate that the sublimation dye 22 can be applied to the first and second areas 10, 20, and the ink surface 14, respectively, on the first surface 4, and can be visible at the first and second areas 10, 20, respectively. Furthermore, even if the sublimation dye 22 does not form a definable layer on the first and second areas 4, 14, it is contemplated herein that the sublimation dye 22 can be absorbed in such a manner that the sublimation dye 22 is still visible at the first and second areas 10, 20.

[0088] continue Figure 3A , the sublimation dye 22 is also shown as being delineated from the fabric piece 2 and the ink layer 12 in order to illustrate the beginning stages of sublimation printing, including the application and initial absorption of the sublimation dye 22. However, when the sublimation dye 22 is absorbed, there may not be a clear boundary between the sublimation dye 22 and the fabric piece 2 or the ink layer 12. Therefore, at a later point in time, and as shown in conjunction with Figure 3BAs discussed, the sublimation dye 22 may gradually diffuse into or be absorbed by the fabric sheet 2 and the ink layer 12, such that a single combination is formed by the sublimation dye 22 and the fabric sheet 2, and the sublimation dye 22 and the ink layer 12. Therefore, in these aspects, it is contemplated that the sublimation dye 22 may not be distinguishable from the fabric sheet 2 or the ink layer 12.

[0089] Now go to Figure 3B , depicting Figure 3A A similar cross-sectional view of garment 1, but Figure 3B The garment 1 is depicted at a point in time subsequent to T2' and further absorption of the sublimated dye 22 is illustrated. Figure 3B The clothing 1 includes Figure 3A The same components identified in Figure 3B The garment 1 is depicted at a later point in time so some of the components are depicted differently to illustrate further absorption of the sublimation dye 22. Thus, Figure 3B Designated as T3′, and therefore, garment 1 is shown at a point in time after sublimation printing has been completed according to the method of printing garments discussed herein, and indicates that ink layer 12 is formed from polyurethane-based ink 16. As can be seen, in some aspects, it is contemplated that there may not be a clear distinction or separation between the sublimation dye 22 and the fabric piece 2, or between the sublimation dye 22 and the ink layer 12. Thus, dyed fabric 24 is depicted as the fabric piece 2 having absorbed the sublimation dye 22 at the second area 20, and similarly, dyed ink layer 26 is also depicted as the ink layer 12 formed from polyurethane-based ink 16 having absorbed the sublimation dye 22 at the first area 10.

[0090] Now refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B During sublimation printing of the garment 1, the sublimation dye 22 is included in different ways at the first area 10 and the second area 20. Initially, as Figure 3A As depicted in FIG, a sublimation dye 22 is applied to the first surface 4 of the fabric sheet 2 and the ink surface 14 of the ink layer 12, and then, as Figure 3B As shown in FIG, the sublimation dye 22 is absorbed by the fabric sheet 2 and the ink layer 12. Thus, Figure 3A The sublimated dye 22 at the second region 20 can be absorbed by the fabric sheet 2 to form Figure 3B The dyed fabric 24 is shown in FIG. Figure 3A The sublimation dye 22 at the first region 10 can be absorbed by the ink layer 12 to form Figure 3B2. Thus, both the dyed fabric 24 and the dyed ink layer 26 are portions of the fabric piece 2 and ink layer 12, respectively, that have absorbed and include the sublimation dye 22. It is contemplated that such absorption may occur upon application of heat, pressure, and / or energy to the fabric piece 2 and the sublimation dye 22, as previously discussed in connection with aspects related to sublimation printing.

[0091] Additional references Figure 3C , which shows the garment 1 with Figure 3A A cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 3B Same time point and with the same components ( Figure 3C and Figure 3B Sharing the same designation T3′), it is contemplated herein that the sublimation dye 22 may be absorbed in different ways at the first region 10. Figure 3A and Figure 3B As can be seen in FIG. 1 , at the first region 10, the sublimation dye 22 may be absorbed solely by the ink layer 12 to form a dyed ink layer 26, or as shown in FIG. Figure 3C As shown in FIG, the sublimation dye 22 can be absorbed by the ink layer 12 and also the fabric piece 2. Thus, the dyed fabric 24 can be contained at the first area 10 along with the dyed ink layer 26. Although not depicted, the sublimation dye 22 can be absorbed at the first area 10 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. Figure 3A and Figure 3B For example, the sublimation dye 22 may be absorbed by the entire ink layer 12 but may be only partially absorbed by the fabric piece 2, or the sublimation dye 22 may be absorbed by only a portion of the ink layer 12. Aspects related to the absorption of the sublimation dye 22 at the first area 10 may depend on the polyurethane content of the polyurethane-based ink 16, the amount of polyester contained in the fabric piece 2, or the composition of the sublimation dye 22 and how it is applied.

[0092] Now go to Figure 4A , depicting a similar outfit to that of Figure 2 A similar cross-sectional view of , but the garment 1 is shown at a time point after T1. In addition, Figure 4A Designated with T2″, it represents the point in time immediately after the sublimation dye 22 has been applied as according to the method for printing garments described herein, and also indicates that the ink layer is formed from a non-polyurethane based ink. Figure 4A Depict garment 1 as having Figure 1 and Figure 2 , but the ink layer 12 is further depicted as including a non-polyurethane based ink 18. Figure 3A Any aspect of the discussion is included Figure 4A and applicable to Figure 4A, except for aspects related to the ink layer 12 and the arrangement of the fabric sheet 2, the ink layer 12 and the sublimation dye 22 at the first area 10. Figure 4A The discussion of the aspects illustrated in the diagram will include only those Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3A Aspects not shown and not previously described herein.

[0093] like Figure 4A The sublimation dye 22 shown in FIG is applied in a manner similar to Figure 3A 1. At a first area 10, the fabric piece 2 includes an ink layer 12 containing a non-polyurethane-based ink 18 and a sublimation dye 22 on at least a portion of the ink surface 14. The sublimation dye 22 is again shown as a thin layer on top of the ink surface 14 of the ink layer 12 at the first area 10, and it should be understood that these depictions are merely examples and illustrate that the sublimation dye 22 can be applied to and visible at the first area 10 on the ink surface 14. It should also be understood that even without a definable layer, the sublimation dye 22 can be included in the fabric piece 2 in a manner such that the sublimation dye 22 is still visible.

[0094] continue Figure 4A Sublimation dye 22 is also shown delineated from fabric sheet 2 and ink layer 12 to illustrate the initial stages of sublimation printing, including the application and initial absorption of sublimation dye 22. The non-polyurethane-based ink 18 can prevent the sublimation dye 22 from being absorbed by ink layer 12, and thus, at first region 10, the sublimation dye 22 and ink layer 12 can continue to be distinguishable even after sublimation printing is completed. Thus, the sublimation dye 22 can adhere to and be located on at least the inked surface 14. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the sublimation dye 22 and ink layer 12 can be configured such that the sublimation dye 22 is located on at least the inked surface 14 and is partially absorbed by a portion of the ink layer 12.

[0095] Now go to Figure 4B , depicting the garment 1 with Figure 4A Similar cross-sectional views, but Figure 4B The garment 1 is depicted at a point in time after T2″ and illustrates further absorption of the sublimation dye 22 at the second region 20 . Figure 4B The clothing 1 includes Figure 4A The same components identified in Figure 4B The garment 1 is depicted at a later point in time so some of the components are depicted differently to illustrate changes in how the sublimation dye 22 is included in the fabric piece 2. Figure 4Bis designated as T3″, and thus, the garment 1 is shown at a point in time after sublimation printing has been completed according to the method of printing a garment discussed herein. In addition, Figure 4B Depict garment 1 as having Figure 1 and Figure 2 The same components as shown in Figure 4A Similarly, ink layer 12 is further depicted as including non-polyurethane based ink 18. Additionally, in combination Figure 4A Many aspects of the discussion are included Figure 4B and applicable to Figure 4B , and therefore, Figure 4B The discussion of the aspects illustrated in the figure will only include Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4A Those aspects not shown in the figure and not previously described in this document.

[0096] As in Figure 4B As can be seen in FIG, in some aspects, it is contemplated that the non-polyurethane-based ink 18 prevents the sublimation dye 22 from being absorbed by the ink layer 12, resulting in a distinguishable separation between the sublimation dye 22 and the ink layer 12. Thus, the sublimation dye 22 is on at least the ink surface 14 of the ink layer 12 comprising the non-polyurethane-based ink 18 and forms a sublimation dye layer 28 at the first area 10. In a different manner, there may be no clear distinction or separation between the sublimation dye 22 and the fabric piece 2 at the second area 20, and thus, the dyed fabric 24 is depicted as if the fabric piece 2 has absorbed the sublimation dye 22 at the second area 20. Thus, Figure 4B An exemplary arrangement of the fabric sheet 2, ink layer 12, and sublimation dye 22 after sublimation printing according to these aspects has been completed is depicted in an illustrative manner.

[0097] Now refer to Figure 4A and Figure 4B , during the entire sublimation printing of the garment 1, the sublimation dye 22 is included in different ways at the first area 10 and the second area 20. Initially, as Figure 4A As depicted in FIG, a sublimation dye 22 is applied to the first surface 4 of the fabric sheet 2 and the ink surface 14 of the ink layer 12, and at a later point in time, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B As shown in FIG, the sublimation dye 22 is absorbed by the fabric sheet 2, but is retained at the ink surface 14 of the ink layer 12. Figure 4A The sublimation dye 22 at the second region 20 in the fabric sheet 2 can be absorbed to form Figure 4B The dyed fabric 24 is shown in FIG. 1 , and at the first region 10, the sublimation dye 22 is formed in Figure 4BThus, both the dyed fabric 24 and the sublimation dye layer 28 correspond to the fabric piece 2 and the ink layer 12. Figure 4A As previously discussed in relation to sublimation printing, it is conceivable that Figure 4A and Figure 4B The difference between φ and φ may be caused by the application of heat, pressure, and / or energy to the fabric piece 2 and the sublimation dye 22 .

[0098] According to aspects of this article, Figure 2 and Figures 3A-4B Illustrated are exemplary configurations of fabric sheets, ink layers, and sublimation dyes that can be used to print garments with high-quality graphics or designs. Furthermore, it is contemplated that these configurations can be altered or modified to control other properties of the printed garment, and therefore, the various aspects are not limited to or by any exemplary discussion or description herein. Nevertheless, aspects related to utilizing these illustrative configurations to control color saturation at different printed areas of a garment are discussed below.

[0099] Figure 5 Shown Figure 1 A top view of a garment 1. The garment 1 includes Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown in or combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The same components and aspects discussed above are depicted, but the garment 1 is depicted after printing has been completed according to the method of printing a garment discussed herein. Thus, the garment 1 comprises a fabric sheet 2 made of at least 50% polyester, the fabric sheet 2 having a first surface 4, a first region 10 and a second region 20, and although Figure 5 Not identified in the figure, but the garment 1 also includes an ink layer at the first area 10 and a sublimation dye at the second area 20 and on at least a portion of the ink surface at the first area 10. Furthermore, the fabric piece 2, the ink layer and the sublimation dye may be used as previously described herein and / or in Figure 3B 、 Figure 3C and Figure 4B Any of the exemplary configurations illustrated in is included in the garment 1 .

[0100] Figure 5A garment 1 is depicted to illustrate aspects related to color saturation at a first area 10 and a second area 20. As shown, the fabric piece 2 of the garment 1 may have a first color saturation 31 at the first area 10 and a second color saturation 32 at the second area 20. As discussed herein, color saturation relates to the purity, vibrancy, or intensity of the colors in an image, can be measured as discussed herein, and can relate to the amount of sublimation dye absorbed by the substrate. Thus, various configurations of the fabric piece 2 and the ink layer can affect the amount of sublimation dye that can be absorbed at a given area of ​​the fabric piece, and thus, an area of ​​the fabric piece that includes an ink layer will absorb a different amount of sublimation dye than an area of ​​the fabric piece that does not include an ink layer.

[0101] Continue these aspects and as Figure 5 As shown in FIG, first color saturation 31 and second color saturation 32 differ, at least in part, because first region 10 includes an ink layer and second region 20 does not. Furthermore, the polyester content of fabric sheet 2 may also affect first color saturation 31 and second color saturation 32. For example, as the polyester content of fabric sheet 2 increases, more sublimation dye may be absorbed by fabric sheet 2, and, consequently, the color saturation at the region of fabric sheet 2 where more sublimation dye has been absorbed may increase. In various aspects, when the ink layer at first region 10 is formed from a polyurethane-based ink, first color saturation 31 may be higher than second color saturation 32, and conversely, when the ink layer at first region 10 is formed from a non-polyurethane-based ink, first color saturation 31 may be lower than second color saturation 32. In such aspects, it is contemplated that first color saturation 31 and second color saturation 32 may be visually contrasted to form an image, and it is further contemplated that the difference in color saturation between first region 10 and second region 20 may be in the range of 5%-95%.

[0102] Despite Figure 1-5While described by way of example in [ 1 ], aspects herein contemplate applying an ink layer and a sublimation dye to a fabric sheet to produce a print with improved aesthetic qualities. In such aspects, the print can include an image, graphic, design, or visual indicia, and can be formed from the visual and / or color components of the ink layer, the sublimation dye, or both. Furthermore, the print, or portions of the print, can be highlighted, enhanced, or improved by utilizing the ink, sublimation dye, and fabric sheet, with the fabric sheet having certain properties that result in visually contrasting areas of the print. For example, a print formed from a polyurethane-based ink and a sublimation dye on a fabric sheet that is at least 50% polyester can have improved aesthetic qualities in areas where the sublimation dye overlaps the polyurethane-based ink. As discussed herein, the aesthetic quality of the print can be improved because a greater amount of sublimation dye can be absorbed by the polyurethane-based ink compared to the fabric sheet, and consequently, the color saturation of the print is higher in areas containing the polyurethane-based ink. In contrast, a print formed from a non-polyurethane-based ink and a sublimation dye on a fabric sheet that is at least 50% polyester can have improved aesthetic qualities in areas where the non-polyurethane-based ink is absent. Thus, the aesthetic quality may be improved because a greater amount of sublimation dye may be absorbed by the fabric piece compared to non-polyurethane based inks, and therefore the color saturation of the print is higher at areas that do not include non-polyurethane based inks.

[0103] exist Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , a method 200 for printing a garment 1 is illustrated. To aid explanation, the method 200 will generally refer to the method previously described in FIG. Figure 1-5 The aspects of the garment 1 described in the description are described. Figure 6 As shown in FIG, method 200 begins with a first step 201 of providing a fabric sheet 2, which may be at least 50% polyester and has a first surface 4, a first region, and a different second region. A second step 202 involves applying an ink layer 12 to the first region of the first surface of the fabric sheet 2, followed by a third step 203 in which the ink layer 12 applied to the fabric sheet 2 is cured. After curing, a fourth step 204 involves applying a sublimation dye 22 to the second region of the first surface and to a surface of the fabric sheet 2 located away from the ink layer 12, which may be located at the first region. Once the sublimation dye is applied, the fabric sheet 2 has a first color saturation 31 at the first region 10 and a different second color saturation 32 at the second region 20. At a fifth step 205, the fabric sheet 2 can then be used to construct a garment 1. After completing these steps, the garment 1 has been printed and includes the first color saturation 31 at the first region 10 and the second color saturation 32 at the second region 20.

[0104] Figure 7A flowchart 300 is depicted showing a method for printing a garment according to aspects of the present invention. To aid in explanation, reference will be made generally to the previously described method of printing a garment. Figure 1-5 Flowchart 300 is described with reference to aspects of the garment 1 described in

[15] . At block 302, a fabric sheet is provided. The fabric sheet may comprise at least 50% polyester and have a first surface with a first region and a second region. Next, and as depicted at block 304, a layer of ink is applied to the first region of the first surface by direct printing. According to aspects herein, it is contemplated that the layer of ink may be formed from a polyurethane-based ink or a non-polyurethane-based ink, and it is further contemplated that the direct printing may include any aspects related to the direct printing techniques and methods discussed herein. Furthermore, the steps depicted at block 304 may be repeated so that additional layers of ink may be included at the first region of the first surface. Once application of the one or more layers of ink is complete, the one or more layers of ink may be cured, as depicted at block 306. As discussed herein, curing may include conventional techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. After curing the one or more layers of ink, and as illustrated by block 308, a sublimation dye is applied to the second region of the first surface, with the one or more layers of ink positioned away from the surface of the fabric sheet. At block 308, it is contemplated that the sublimation dye may include those previously discussed and may be applied via sublimation printing in accordance with aspects herein. Thus, application of the sublimation dye results in a first region having a first color saturation and a second region having a second, different color saturation. Upon completion of the steps at block 308, the fabric piece may be used to construct a garment in accordance with aspects herein.

[0105] As previously discussed, it is contemplated that aspects herein can be implemented in the applicable steps depicted by flowchart 300 to create a print having certain characteristics on a fabric sheet. Such aspects can include applying layers of ink and sublimation dye in a manner that forms an image, graphic, design, or visual mark on the surface of the fabric sheet. Additionally, one or more areas of the fabric sheet can have different color saturations that visually contrast to form a graphic. Furthermore, these and other aspects can be implemented to improve the aesthetic quality of a print on a fabric sheet that is at least 50% polyester.

[0106] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is encompassed by and is within the scope of the claims.

[0107] Although specific elements and steps are discussed in conjunction with each other, it is to be understood that any element and / or step provided herein is contemplated to be combinable with any other element and / or step, whether or not expressly specified, while still being within the scope provided herein. Since many possible embodiments can be derived from the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that all matter set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. An article comprising: a first surface comprising a first region and a second region different from the first region, the first region and the second region comprising a material comprising at least 50% polyester; an ink layer located at the first area on the first surface, the ink layer applied by direct printing and having an ink surface facing away from the first surface, wherein the ink layer comprises a polyurethane-based ink; as well as A sublimation dye is located at a portion of the first region and at the second region, wherein the sublimation dye is at least partially absorbed by the material at the second region and is located in the ink layer and at least a portion of the material at the first region.

2. The article of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional ink layers located at the first region, each of the one or more additional ink layers having an ink surface facing away from the first surface. 3 . The article of claim 1 , wherein the first surface comprises a first color saturation at the first region and a second color saturation at the second region that is different from the first color saturation.

4. A fabric sheet comprising: a first surface having a first region and a second region different from the first region; a material comprising at least 50% polyester, wherein the material is included at the first region and the second region; an ink layer located at the first area on the first surface, the ink layer applied by direct printing and having an ink surface facing away from the first surface, wherein the ink layer comprises a polyurethane-based ink; as well as A sublimation dye is located on the first surface at a portion of the first region and at the second region, wherein the sublimation dye is at least partially absorbed by the material at the second region and is located in the ink layer and at least a portion of the material at the first region. 5 . The fabric sheet of claim 4 , further comprising one or more additional ink layers located at the first region, each of the one or more additional ink layers having an ink surface facing away from the first surface. 6 . The fabric sheet of claim 4 , wherein the first surface comprises a first color saturation at the first region and a second color saturation at the second region that is different from the first color saturation.

7. A method of printing an article, comprising: applying an ink layer to a first surface of the article by direct printing, wherein the ink layer is applied to a first area on the first surface, wherein the first surface comprises a material comprising at least 50% polyester, wherein the ink layer comprises a polyurethane-based ink; and A sublimation dye is applied to a second area on the first surface that is different from the first area and is applied to the ink layer and at least a portion of the material at the first area.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising curing the polyurethane-based ink prior to applying the sublimation dye.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the sublimation dye is applied by sublimation printing.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the article is an upper body garment.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the article is a bottom garment.

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