Apparatus for forming dye sublimation images and texturing the surface of solid sheets of the substrate

1. An apparatus 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:

a platen;

a cooling plate supported on the platen, wherein the platen is on a first side of the cooling plate;

a dye carrier, wherein a first side of the dye carrier is on a second side of the cooling plate, wherein a first side of the plastic substrate is supported by the dye carrier;

a textured cover on a second side of the plastic substrate, wherein the plastic substrate is on a textured side of the textured cover;

a clamp for providing a clamping force on the dye carrier, plastic substrate, and textured cover; and

a heater positioned to heat the plastic substrate.

2. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the textured cover is one or more of vulcanized rubber, silicone, butyl rubber, polymer, chloropolymer, and fluoropolymer.

3. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the heater provides heat that passes through the textured cover.

4. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the clamp comprises:

a top pressure plate for providing a continuous pressure; and

a clamping drive for providing a continuous clamping force between the top pressure plate and the platen.