Heat transfer printing

Abstract

Described herein is process for heat transfer printing, the process comprising: liquid electrostatically printing a liquid electrostatic ink composition on a polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film to form a printed film; and contacting the printed film with a target substrate under conditions such that the printed film adheres to the target substrate. Also described herein is a process for printing a heat transferable printed image and a heat transferable printed image.

1 . A process for heat transfer printing, the process comprising:
 liquid electrostatically printing a liquid electrostatic ink composition on a polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film to form a printed film; and   contacting the printed film with a target substrate under conditions such that the printed film adheres to the target substrate;   wherein the lower limit of the melting range of the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film is 70° C. to 90° C.   
     
     
         2 . The process for heat transfer printing according to  claim 1 , wherein the softening point of the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film is in the range of 70° C. to 80° C. 
     
     
         3 . The process for heat transfer printing according to  claim 1 , wherein contacting the printed film with the target substrate comprises contacting the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film with the target substrate. 
     
     
         4 . The process for heat transfer printing according to  claim 3 , wherein the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film comprises a support layer and the support layer is removed from the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film before the printed film is contacted with the target substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The process for heat transfer printing according to  claim 3 , wherein a protective layer is contacted with the liquid electrostatically printed ink before the printed film is contacted with the target substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The process for heat transfer printing according to  claim 1 , wherein contacting the printed film with the target substrate comprises contacting the liquid electrostatically printed ink with the target substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The process for heat transfer printing according to  claim 6 , wherein the polyether-based thermoplastic film comprises a support layer and the support layer is removed from the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film after the printed film is contacted with the target substrate. 
     
     
         8 . The process for heat transfer printing according to  claim 1 , wherein the target substrate is fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The process for heat transfer printing according to  claim 1 , wherein contacting the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film with a target substrate occurs at a temperature of 100° C. or more. 
     
     
         10 . The process for heat transfer printing according to  claim 9 , wherein the temperature of 100° C. or more is applied for 1 minute or less. 
     
     
         11 . The process for heat transfer printing according to  claim 1 , wherein the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film comprises urethane groups and urea groups. 
     
     
         12 . The process for heat transfer printing according to  claim 1 , wherein the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film comprises a copolymer of:
 a polyisocyanate;   a polyether polyol; and   a chain extender, wherein the chain extender comprises a diamine, an aminoalcohol or a mixture thereof.   
     
     
         13 . A process for printing a heat transferable image, the process comprising:
 liquid electrostatically printing a liquid electrostatic ink composition on a polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film to form a printed film;   wherein the lower limit of the melting range of the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film is 70° C. to 90° C.   
     
     
         14 . A heat transferable printed image comprising:
 a polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film; and   a liquid electrostatically printed ink disposed on the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film;   wherein the lower limit of the melting range of the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film is 70° C. to 90° C.   
     
     
         15 . The heat transferable printed image according to  claim 14 , wherein a support layer is disposed on the opposing side of the polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane film from the liquid electrostatically printed ink.