3m Innovative Properties Company

Michael G O'Reilly

John J Stofko, Jr

Thomas F Look

Richard L Severance

Mark J Hendrickson

Hsin Hsin Chou

Craig A Schmidt

Thanh-Huong Thi Nguyen

A photocurable thermally transferable composition containing a multifunctional monomer that is substantially non-liquid at room temperature and a thermoplastic binder is disclosed. The composition is suitable for use in thermal transfer ribbons. After thermal transfer, the compositions are photocured to provide a durable, weatherable image on a graphic article.

Thermally transferable compositions and methods

A method of thermal mass transfer printing a colorant including a binder media from a ribbon onto a first surface of a web having a non-homogeneous thermal conductivity, a non-planar printing surface, a non-homogeneous structure or chemical incompatibility. The first surface of the web is preheated prior to thermal mass transfer printing. The surface of the ribbon containing the colorant is positioned opposite the first surface of the heated web at an inner face. A thermal print head is positioned at the interface on the side of the ribbon opposite the colorant. The web is moved relative to the thermal print head. Printing is completed by selectively applying localized heat to the ribbon from the thermal print head and pressure at the interface to cause the transfer of colorant from the ribbon to the heated web.

Method and system for thermal mass transfer printing

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Vadnais Heights, MN, United States of America

Michael G O'Reilly