GB2338210A

GB2338210A - Fabric printing

Info

Publication number: GB2338210A
Application number: GB9910971A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marie Dawn Doyle; Francis William Doyle
Original assignee: BLUEBERRY INTERNATIONAL LIMITE
Current assignee: BLUEBERRY INTERNATIONAL LIMITE
Priority date: 1998-05-12
Filing date: 1999-05-12
Publication date: 1999-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-12
Also published as: GB9910971D0; GB2338210B; GB9810067D0

Abstract

A method of applying a fine detailed image onto a synthetic fabric material comprising; scanning an image into a computer; digitally re-mastering the image so as to produce a number of colour process films; printing the films by use of appropriate process inks and/or dyes; printing the process films with appropriate sublimation inks so as to produce a transfer template; pressing the transfer template together with the fabric material on to which is it desired to print an image by application of a suitable temperature and pressure over a selected period of time; leaving the fabric to cool so as to reset the fabric material; removing the cooled transfer template from the fabric material.

Description

2338210 NOVEL PRINTING TECHNIQUE The invention relates to a method of

applying a detailed image onto a fabric material for use particularly, but not exclusively, in printing a photographic image or high 5 resolution image onto said synthetic material.

It is known to print images onto a variety of substrates including hard surfaces such as wood or glass or the like, in addition to some fabric materials. The substrate is firstly coated with a shielding layer using a resin and subsequently coated with a colour-fixable sublimation type dye. A transfer paper, having a picture printed on its surface, is then laid in contact with the sublimation type dye. Subsequently the substrate and the picture are press-heated together so as to impart the ornamental effect of the image onto the substrate surface. A disadvantage with this process is that high pressure and temperatures encountered during heat transfer can damage the substrate.

Furthermore, it is known to paint directly onto hard materials and fabrics alike, however this form of applying detailed images is both expensive and time consuming and additionally may expose the individual applying the paints to noxious chemicals.

Additionally it is known to screen print onto fabrics. However, it is not possible to obtain an image with fine details on the product or to have a satisfactory finish, in that smudging may occur and/or uneven colour distribution. Moreover the finished product does not have a smooth even surface.

It is therefore a first object of the invention to provide a method for printing a fine detailed image onto a fabric material.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for printing a colour photograph or high resolution image onto a fabric material.

1 Reference herein to fine detail is intended to include definition of an image and details thereof, colour differentiation and perceived depth and any other visual characteristic which is apparent in a colour photograph or high resolution image.

Additionally reference herein to fabric material is intended to include polyester and any other synthetic or natural material upon which it is desired to print an image.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of applying a fine detailed image onto a synthetic fabric material comprising; scanning said image into a computer; digitally re-mastering said image so as to produce a number of colour process films; printing said films by use of appropriate process inks and/or dyes; printing said process films with appropriate sublimation inks so as to produce a transfer template; pressing said transfer template together with the fabric material on to which is it desired to print an image by application of a suitable temperature and pressure over a selected period of time; leaving the fabric to cool so as to reset the fabric material; removing the cooled transfer template from the fabric material.

Preferably, the temperature applied is in excess of 200 'C and ideally is 220 'C.

Preferably, the pressure applied is about 6 bars.

Preferably, the image comprises a colour photograph or high resolution picture.

Preferably, the colour photo or high resolution picture is digitally remastered so as to produce at least two and upto eight colour process films, typically four colour process films are produced.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a product such as a pnnted fabric material, scarf, banner, flag, pennant or the like having a high resolution image imparted thereon using the method as herein before described.

2 c It will be appreciated that the method of the invention is based on the observation that molecules in the polyester material open up when high temperatures are applied to the surface of the fabric. Additionally, sublimation inks on the transfer template become gassified at elevated temperatures, thus at a critical point the open polyester molecules will take up and/or fuse with the gaseous sublimation dyes and thus the dyes are trapped/incorporated into the fabric. The finished product has a smooth surface and high resolution images may be imparted thereon.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the 10 following figures wherein:

Figure 1 represents a schematic block diagram of the method of applying a detailed image onto a material according to the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a scarf having an image imparted thereon employing the method of Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents an exploded portion of Figure 2.

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a colour photograph 1 which may comprise an extract or image from a magazine, a high resolution picture or a portrait or the like. The image of colour photograph 1 is then scanned into a computer 2 which digitally re-masters the image so as to produce four colour process films 3, 4, 5 and 6. Typically four colour process films are produced, however it is possible to use as few as two and up to eight process films. These films are printed with process inks and/or dyes. The films are then treated/printed with sublimation inks so as to produce a transfer template 7. Said transfer template is subsequently pressed onto a scarf 8 by means of a heat press set at a temperature of approximately 220'C and at a pressure of around 6 bars. The heat is applied for 25 seconds to each side of the transfer template 7. After this period of time the material is left to cool so as to reset the fabric before the transfer template is cold- peeled ultimately so as to reveal the 3 imparted image. It will be appreciated that the sequence of events run in orders A to B to C to D.

With reference to Figure 2 there are shown scarf 8 and imparted at one end thereof is photographic image 9, in this instance it depicts a football club insignia. However it will be appreciated that any design or image or photograph or portrait or logo or the like may be applied using the method as described above and indeed insignia 9 may be printed at either end of scarf 8 or to any selected portion thereof. The exact position and design of the printed image is not intended to limit the scope of the application but merely to exemplify the type of images it is possible to print onto a fabric material.

With reference to Figure 3 there is shown in greater detail an exploded portion of area 9 which shows more clearly the definition that can be achieved by the method as hereinbefore described.

Thus it will be appreciated that the method of the invention provides an elegant and novel way of printing a colour photo or high resolution picture onto a fabric material product wherein the finished product is relatively smooth.

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Claims

1. A method of applying a fine detailed image onto a synthetic fabric material comprising; scanning said image into a computer; digitally remastering said image so as to produce a number of colour process films; printing said films by use of appropriate process inks and/or dyes; printing said process films with appropriate sublimation inks so as to produce a transfer template; pressing said transfer template together with the fabric material on to which is it desired to print an image by application of a suitable temperature and pressure over a selected period of time; leaving the fabric to cool so as to reset the fabric material; removing the cooled transfer template from the fabric material.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the temperature applied is in excess of 200 'C.

3. A method according to either preceding claim wherein the temperature applied is 220 T.

4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the pressure applied is about 6 bars.

5. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the fabric is a polyester.

6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the image comprises a colour photograph or high resolution picture.

7. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the colour photo or high resolution picture is digitally remastered so as to produce at least two and up to eight colour process films.

8. A method according to any preceding Claim 7 wherein four colour process films are produced.

9. A product having a high resolution image imparted thereon using the method 5 according to Claims 1 and flirther including any of the features of Claims 2-8.

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