Method for creating full color heat activated transfers
The present disclosure provides a method for transferring an image to a substrate that includes providing a transfer medium having at least one registration mark; printing an image on the transfer medium; covering the image with a backing layer, the backing layer not covering the registration mark; covering the backing layer with an adhesive layer; penetrating the adhesive layer and the backing layer with a cutting device at locations around the image, the penetrating of the adhesive layer and backing layer not penetrating the transfer medium; removing portions of the adhesive layer and backing layer from the locations around the image; and transferring the image to the substrate.
1. A method for transferring an image to a substrate, comprising:
providing a transfer medium having at least one registration mark;
printing an image on the transfer medium;
covering the image with a backing layer, the backing layer not covering the registration mark;
covering the backing layer with an adhesive layer;
penetrating the adhesive layer and the backing layer with a cutting device at locations around the image, the penetrating of the adhesive layer and backing layer not penetrating the transfer medium;
removing portions of the adhesive layer and backing layer from the locations around the image; and
transferring the image to the substrate.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the image is printed using an ink jet printing device.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the backing layer is opaque.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer medium is transparent.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the transfer medium is formed from a polymeric material.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cutting device is designed to align with the registration marks.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the cutting device is a laser cutting device.
8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the cutting device is an automated cutting tool.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of transferring the image to the substrate includes applying heat and pressure to the image.
10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising peeling the transfer medium from the transferred image.
11. A method for transferring an image to a substrate, comprising:
providing a transfer medium having at least one registration mark;
printing an image on the transfer medium;
covering the image with a backing layer and/or an adhesive layer, the backing layer and/or the adhesive layer not covering the registration mark;
penetrating the backing layer and/or the adhesive layer with a cutting device at locations around the image, the penetrating of the backing layer and/or the adhesive layer not penetrating the transfer medium;
removing portions of the backing layer and/or the adhesive layer from the locations around the image; and
transferring the image to the substrate.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the image is printed using an ink jet printing device.
13. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the backing layer is opaque.
14. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the adhesive is a liquid adhesive that is applied using a screen printing method or an ink jet method.
15. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the transfer medium is transparent.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the transfer medium is formed from a polymeric material.
17. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the cutting device is designed to align with the registration marks.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the cutting device is a laser cutting device.
19. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the cutting device is an automated cutting tool.
20. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of transferring the image to the substrate includes applying heat and pressure to the image.
21. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising peeling the transfer medium from the transferred image.