Melt transfer printing

Melt transfer. This method principally uses a wax, resin, or oil-based substance as a carrier for the ink or dyestuff. This is one of the oldest methods for heat transfer onto cloth and was the basis for the Star transfer printing process patented in Italy in 1953 (Cicogna, 1959). 

Rattee, I.D., 1977. Melt-transfer and fihn-release systems of transfer printing. J. Soc. Dyers Colour. 93, 191-194. 

Sublimation (diffusion) printing is a textile process in which color patterns in dry die crystals are transferred from a release film to the fabric under high heat and pressure. The process has been adapted to plastics. The equipment used is very similar to that used for hot stamping. Under heat and pressure, the dye crystals sublime (go directly to the vapor phase from the solid phase without melting) and the vapor penetrates the plastic product. As a result, the decoration is very durable and wear resistant. It is also cost competitive against other processes such as two-step injection molding or silk screening. 

The carrier may be glassine, cellulose film, and polyester film. The choice of carrier relates to speed and transfer temperature. Polyester (i.e. Melinex) is the most common base. It is suitable for flat, cylindrical or radiused surfaces. The process is used for online printing. Metallic foil consists of a carrier, release coating, lacquer metallised layer and a hot melt type adhesive specially formulated for the substrate. 

CAS 9002-88-4 EINECS/ELINCS 200-815-3 Uses Lubricant, flow aid for polyolefins nucleating agent for EPS slip and rub additive for printing inks toner formula lubricants leveling and slip agent for powd. coatings high temp, performance aid/visc. modifier for hot-melt adhesives cosmetics elec, cable fill component thermal transfer ink component modifier for other waxes (increases hardness, raises m.p.)... 

There are two principal technologies for transfer thermography, mass transfer, sometimes called wax transfer, and sublimation printing. Both strategies require a donor sheet, one for each primary color to be printed. The donor sheet(s) passes over the print head in contact with the receptor, i.e., the paper. In the former technique, the heat melts a wax-based ink coated on the donor, and causes it to transfer to the receptor in terms of ink for-... 

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