Method for forming dye sublimation images in and texturing of solid substrates
A method for texturing and forming a dye sublimation image in a plastic substrate is provided. A carrier sheet having an image formed thereon of a dye sublimation ink is placed on a base. The plastic substrate is placed on the dye carrier to form a stack. A textured cover is place on the plastic substrate, wherein the textured cover comprises at least one of polymeric materials, metallic materials, fabric, paper, wood, or wood-based materials. A clamping pressure is provided on the textured cover and the stack. The stack is heated to at least a sublimation temperature of the stack, which causes the dye sublimation ink to sublimate and penetrate through the first side of the plastic substrate, creating a dye sublimation image in the plastic substrate, wherein texture from the textured cover is transferred to a side of the plastic substrate.
1 . A method for texturing a plastic substrate, while forming a dye sublimation image in the plastic substrate, wherein the plastic substrate has a first side and a second side, comprising:
placing a first side of a dye carrier sheet having an image formed thereon of a dye sublimation ink on a base;
placing the first side of the plastic substrate on a second side of the dye carrier to form a stack;
placing a first side of a textured cover on the second side of the plastic substrate, wherein the textured cover comprises at least one of polymeric materials, metallic materials, fabric, paper, wood, or wood-based materials;
providing a clamping pressure on the textured cover and the stack, wherein the stack and textured cover are clamped together; and
heating the stack to at least a sublimation temperature of the stack, which causes the dye sublimation ink to sublimate and penetrate through the first side of the plastic substrate, creating a dye sublimation image in the plastic substrate and wherein texture from the textured cover is transferred to a side of the plastic substrate.