Sublimation Transfer Paper with Built-In Ink Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer materials for dye sublimation processes suffer from ink penetration issues, leading to dye loss and unsatisfactory print sharpness, with previous solutions either causing tackiness, curl problems, or impairing print quality due to the use of film-forming binders or barrier layers.
Innovation Solution
A transfer material with a base paper coated on one side with a color-receiving layer containing at least 1.5 wt% of a polymer dispersion, such as polyacrylates, polyesters, or polyolefins, which acts as a barrier to prevent ink penetration without the need for additional barrier layers, enhancing barrier properties and maintaining print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a barrier layer is applied on the rear side of the carrier or between the carrier and the color-receiving layer to prevent ink penetration, then ink penetration is reduced, but tackiness occurs during production and application, and curl properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the barrier function from a separate applied layer and integrates it into the base paper structure itself through polymer dispersion incorporation. This eliminates the need for additional barrier layers that cause tackiness and curling, while maintaining the ink penetration prevention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the barrier function with the base paper structure by incorporating polymer dispersion directly into the paper matrix. This combines the structural support function of the base paper with the ink penetration prevention function, eliminating the need for separate barrier layers.
2Loss of substance
If the porosity of the base paper is reduced to prevent ink penetration, then ink penetration is reduced, but ink absorption becomes slow and print sharpness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating different functional zones within the base paper structure. The polymer dispersion is incorporated throughout the paper matrix to provide localized barrier properties at the molecular level, while maintaining the overall porous structure for rapid ink absorption and print sharpness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials by combining polymer dispersion with the base paper matrix. This creates a composite structure where the polymer provides ink penetration resistance while the paper structure maintains porosity for rapid ink absorption, resolving the contradiction between preventing penetration and maintaining print sharpness.
3Loss of substance
If film-forming binders are used in the color-receiving layer to provide barrier function, then ink penetration is reduced, but print quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the barrier function from the color-receiving layer and relocates it to the base paper structure. This allows the color-receiving layer to focus on its primary function of receiving and transferring the print image, while the base paper provides the barrier function, thus maintaining print quality.
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 solution significantly reduces ink penetration, preventing dye loss and maintaining high print sharpness and curl properties, while avoiding the drawbacks of previous materials, such as tackiness and slow drying.
Implementation Method 1
the base paper contains at least 1.5 wt %, relative to the dry weight of the pulp, of a polymer dispersion selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polyesters, polyolefins, or mixtures thereof
Implementation Method 2
a transfer material with a base paper coated on one side with a color-receiving layer
Implementation Method 3
the image to be printed is applied to the transfer material using printing inks which are evaporated after the print has been dried by exposure to heat and deposited out of the gas phase again as an image onto the material that is ultimately to be printed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a transfer material for dye sublimation processes, comprising a base paper, which is coated on one side with a color-receiving layer, wherein the base paper contains at least 1.5% by weight, based on the mass of the pulp, of a polymer dispersion selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polyesters, polyolefins or mixtures thereof. The invention further relates to a process for producing a transfer material according to the invention, comprising the steps of: (a) producing a base paper on a paper machine, wherein at least 1.5% by weight, based on the mass of the pulp, of a polymer dispersion selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polyesters, polyolefins or mixtures thereof are added to the pulp suspension during production of the base paper; (b) drying and smoothing the base paper; (c) applying the color-receiving layer to a surface of the base paper; and (d) drying the transfer material obtained in step (c). The invention further relates to a process for transferring an image onto a receiving material by sublimation, wherein a transfer material according to the invention is printed with an image by way of the inkjet printing process, and the image is transferred onto a receiving material by sublimation.