Inkjet Resin Layer for Thermal Transfer on Waterproof Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to achieve full-color printing on three-dimensional water-proof non-permeable substrates with good color development, without bleeding or unevenness, due to limitations in substrate materials and printing technologies.
Innovation Solution
An image forming method involving the formation of a resin layer on a non-permeable substrate using an inkjet head and subsequent transfer of sublimable dye ink from a transfer sheet to the resin layer through heating, ensuring excellent peelability and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If thermal transfer printing is used on non-permeable substrates, then color development is improved, but bleeding and unevenness occur
Solution Approach 1:
A resin layer is introduced as an intermediary between the sublimable dye ink and the non-permeable substrate. The resin layer receives the sublimable dye ink through thermal transfer, then upon heating, the resin melts and bonds to the substrate while releasing the dye uniformly, preventing direct contact between the ink and substrate that causes bleeding and unevenness.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the resin layer is changed from solid to liquid through heating during the transfer process. This phase transition allows the resin to flow and bond with the substrate while releasing the sublimable dye ink uniformly, achieving good color development without bleeding or unevenness.
2Manufacturing precision
If resin layer is formed on non-permeable substrate, then image quality is improved, but substrate water-proof property may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The resin layer is formed only in the specific areas where image formation is required, rather than coating the entire substrate. This localized approach ensures that the water-proof property of the non-permeable substrate is maintained in areas not covered by the resin layer, while still providing excellent image quality where needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method enables the formation of images with good color development and excellent peelability on non-permeable substrates, minimizing bleeding and unevenness, while maintaining the water-proof properties of the substrate.
Implementation Method 1
ejecting a dispersion liquid which includes resin particles from an inkjet head to be adhered to the non-permeable substrate, such that the resin particles are fixed on the non-permeable substrate to form the resin layer
Implementation Method 2
heating the transfer sheet to transfer the sublimable dye ink to the resin layer
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming method for forming an image on a non-permeable substrate, which is water proof, includes: forming a resin layer on the non-permeable substrate; adhering a transfer sheet having a sublimable dye ink layer on a surface thereof to the resin layer, the sublimable dye ink layer comprising a sublimable dye ink; and heating the transfer sheet to transfer the sublimable dye ink to the resin layer. Forming the resin layer includes: ejecting a dispersion liquid which includes resin particles from an inkjet head to be adhered to the non-permeable substrate, such that the resin particles are fixed on the non-permeable substrate to form the resin layer.