US2990311A - Heat transfer - Google Patents

Description

June 27, 1961 R. G. SHEPHERD, JR 2,990,311

HEAT TRANSFER Filed Jan. 9, 1956 tates This invention relates to the art of heat transfer and particularly to heat transfers for applying labels and designs to thin, impervious films.

In many packaging operations involving packaging film such as transparent plastic sheetsit is desired to apply identifying labels or decorative designs to the finished package. This has heretofore been accomplished by preprinting the film or by applying separate paper labels. Preprinting is normally accomplished by processes such as' exography, rotogravure or silk screen which require elaborate and expensive equipment. Packaging concerns normally have this printing done by outside contractors which procedure is expensive and requires the maintenance of expensive inventories. Further, in packaging foodstulfs, conventional printing cannot usually be tolerated immediately prior to packaging because of the danger of food contamination by fresh ink odors. Where a variety of goods are packaged it is often more expedient and less expensive to use unprinted lm and to label by alixing separate paper labels. In many instances these paper labels do not present as attractive an appearance as the more expensive printed film. In addition such labels have a tendency to cause wrinkles and to fray and curl at the edges and to come loose.

Heat transfer compositions heretofore disclosed for marking purposes have been defective in one or more respects which has limited or prevented their use for labeling impervious film. These prior compositions can be classified under two general types: (l) those in which a heat responsive image, or image-forming coating lies directly on a backing or temporary carrier, and (2) those in which the image is printed on a heat-responsive transfer coating which lies on a backing.

Heat transfer processes falling under the rst category, referred to above, include roll leaf marking whereby a heated printing plate causes a pigmented coating to transfer opposite areas where heat and pressure are applied. This process does not permit line `detailed printing, is not applicable to half tone reproduction and is expensive and unwieldy for multi-color printing. Other compositions falling under the first category include special thermoplastic ink images deposited on a carrier paper. These products are commonly used for decorating porous receiving surfaces such as textile and wood and either dis'- tort when used in conjunction with impermeable receiving surfaces or are of limited utility for fine detailed work due to the heavy ink layers required. Further, they have a tendency to only partially transfer and leave part of the image on the backing. Generally these image materials are not amenable to application on conventional printing equipment. Due to the absence of a protective transfer layer, all of the processes falling under this first category are sensitive to abrasions and cannot be used for underside labeling of films for food packaging because of the danger of contamination.

Certain of the above deficiencies have been overcome by using heat transfer processes of the second general category wherein a heat responsive transfer layer is provided. Thus nely detailed, multi-colored images can be printed on the transfer layer by conventional processes. The resulting print, which is usually thin and very delicate, is protected from distortion during transfer by the strong transfer lfilm. The presence of the transfer lm insures the complete transfer of the image. After trans- Patented June 27, 1961 "ice the printed transfer layer are sharply transferred opposite' area where heat and pressure are applied. This lack of sharp breakaway property in previously disclosed compositions can be attributed to the film strength of the high polymers in the transfer coating, which causes a ragged outline at the border of application of heat and pressure. This diiculty can be overcome by applying the transfer coating in discrete areas of label size but this constitutes a complicated coating process and requires careful printing registration which increases the cost materially. Sharp breakaway properties are a necessity for high speed label applications Where the area of the label is less than the area of the receiving surface.

A further disadvantage ofheat transfers heretofore disclosed under the second category is the relatively high activation temperature required to effect adhesion to the receiving surface. Attempts have been made to correct this by the application of separate adhesive layers over the printing as in the case of heat transfer decalcomanias. This also increases cost, requiresv special coating equipment and does not permit the application of last minute price and code information.

It is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive process and materials to apply high quality, printed transfers to film only opposite those areas where heat and moderate pressure are applied. Another object is to provide a process and materials for labeling impervious film which combines the attractiveness of preprinted ilm with the low cost and flexibility of separate paper labels. Still another object is to provide for the last minute addition of prices and code designations. Further objects are to provide a process and materials for labeling impervious film which requires relatively simple equipment, which permits simple machine application, which will not cause wrinkles in the film, which lowers the thermal activation temperature, which puts the label in optical contact with the transparent film `and utilizes the glossy surface of the film to present an attractive appearance and to present an abrasion resistant and tamperproof label, and which provides a method for labeling and decorating flexible and extensible film.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following disclosure.

According to the present invention the above objects are achieved by providing a heat transfer which cornprises a backing coated with a transfer layer and a design printed o-n the transfer layer by ordinary commercial methods. The transfer layer comprises a uniform mixture of a crystalline Wax and a synthetic, thermoplastic, film-forming, resin wherein each ingredient is present to the extent of at least 15% of their combined weights. The resins preferred for the present invention are synthetic, linear, polymeric, principally organic, thermoplastic, substantially water-insoluble, and which have a second-order transition temperature below approximately 60 C. while the preferred waxes have a melting point between about 50 C. and 110 C. and a penetrometer value (ASTM D5-52) below about 15 when tested with grams weight for 5 seconds at 25 C.

In a particular aspect the compatibility of the resin and wax is controlled through selection and ratios of ingredients to give heat transfers of either the hot peel or the cold peel type. A cold peel transfer is one Wherein the transfer 4layer carrying a design will adhere to the receiving surface when hot but will only release and transfer by peeling away the backingV after the transfer has cooled. A hot peel transfer is a transfer wherein the transfer will adhere and release from the backing only immediately after application while the transfer isstill hot. In both types, resins and waxes areselected which are mutually incompatible or insoluble at temperatures below the melting temperature of the wax such that the molten Wax, upon cooling, will crystallize separately and distinctly from the resin.` Hot peel transfers are provided by selecting resins and waxes which are also incompatible or of low mutual solubility at temperatures above the melting point of the wax. Cold peel transfers are provided by selecting resins and waxes which are substantially compatible at temperatures above the melting temperature Vof the Wax. Each of these types are useful for particular purposes as hereinafterV set forth.

The present invention may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Y FIG. l is an isometric view of the heat transfer of the present invention; Y

FIG. 2, is a cross-sectiion on the line 2 2 of lFIG. l; FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the present transfer after it has been aiiixed to the packaging film; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-section on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

In accordance with the present invention a backing sheet l is coated with a transfer coating 11, specially prepared as set forth below. The exposed surface of the transfer layer is then printed with the desired label or design 12. The transfer coating is printed by any of the commercial methods used for printing paper. Thus the design 12 may be of any type or color or combination thereof available in the graphic arts, yielding to great variety of designs at minimum cost on existing equipment.

The design y12 is aiiixed to the packaging film 13 by placing the design side of the heat transfer against the Iiilrri and applying heat and moderate pressure. The backing sheet 10 is then stripped away leavin-g the design 12 and the transfer layer 11 lfirmly attached to the iilm. Thus the design 12 is permanently sandwiched between the film 13 and the transfer layer 111. This is advantageous since the glossy surface of the film enhances the attractiveness of the design and any food contained in the packaging film is protected by the transferV layer 11 from contamination with design materials of questionable toxicity.

Theboundaries of the transfer -film` areV defined by the outline of the application of the heat which can be accomplished by means of an iron or other heated surface. Thus the design can be of any configuration desired by the use of n suitably shaped heating surface. The area heated will transfer completely while the adjace'n't unheated areas' will remain attached to the backing and 'a sharp line of separationis achieved. The heat is'preferably applied in a rolling motion 4to preclude lthe formation of bubbles and air pockets. The heating surface can be applied either to the backing or to the backof the receiving surface. Where the receiving surface is thin iilm, lower heating' temperatures are possible Where the heat is applied through the back of the film.

Any suitable materal may be used as the 'backing whichserves merely asa mechanical support. Paper is preferred' for economic reasons and is quite satisfactory. The backing should be relatively non-adhesive to the transfer layer to allow preferential adherence to the receiving surface. Some papers are suliciently smooth t'o' serve without further Vtreatment while Vothers may be rendered satisfactory 'by the use of sizingsl Emulsions of waxes and low molecular weight polyethylene have been found to be particularly suitable for the present invention. Examples are set forth below as release papers A, B, C and D.

RELEASE PAPER A Nine lbs. of Duroxon H-110, an emulsiiiable hard Fischer-Tropsch wax, melting above C., sold by Dura Commodities Corp., isV melted and mixed with 2.4 lbs. of morpholine. The mixture is poured into 51 lbs. of boiling waterand cooled with agitation. The resulting emulsion is coated on a 26 lb. (2() x 25500) super calendered sulflte paper with an air iknife coating machine to give a release paper carrying a l to 1.5 lbs. per ream (20 x 2,5-500) coating of wax.

RELEASE PAPER B Two parts ofY stearic acid, 3 parts of triethanolamine and 10 parts of AC-Polyethylene-629 (Semet-Solvay Co.) an oxidized, emulsifiable grade of low molecular weight polyethylene, are melted at -100" C., then poured into 40 parts of boiling water and chilled with agitation. The resulting emulsion is coated on a Z6 lb. (2O x 25-500) supercalendered sulfite paper under conditions to give a coating weight of 1-2 lbs. per ream (20 X 25-500).

RELEASE PAPER C p Two parts of stearic acid, 3 parts of triethanolamine, and 10 parts of Cardis 320 (Warwick Wax 0o.), an oxidized, emulsiiiable microcrystalline wax, are melted at `95400" C., then poured into 40 parts of boiling water and chilled with agitation. The resulting emulsion is applied to a 26 lb. (20 x 25-500) supercalendered sulfite paper to Vgive a coating weight of 1 2 lbs. per ream (7.()l x 25-500').

RELEASE PAPER D Release paper D consists of a commercial stock cornprising a 30 lb. kraft paper coated with a 1/2 mil layer of polyethylene. Thispaper can be obtained from the International Paper Co., New York, N.Y.

The transfer layer comprises a uniform mixture of a crystalline wax and a synthetic, thermoplastic, film-forming resin. The ratio may vary between 85% by weight of resin to 15% wax and 15% resin to 85% wax depending on the specific wax and resin selected. Sufficient -resin should Vbe used to provide adhesion and freedom from distortion while sufiicient wax should be used to provide a lowered activation temperature and sharp breakaway at the boundary of the heat application. Breakaway properties can be visually determined while adhesion will generally be satisfactory if the label is not removed when pressure sensitive tape is adhered thereto and stripped off.

The resin and wax comprising the transfer layer should be uniformly mixed and be substantially incompatible, that is, exhibit low mutual solubility at temperatures below the melting point of the wax. Above this temperature compatibility of the resin and wax is controlled through selection of the types and ratios of ingredients to` give transfers of either the hot peel or the cold peel type.

'Mixtures of` resin and wax possessing substantial compatibility above the melting point of the wax will exhibit cold pee properties. The term cold peel" indicates that the release backing can be removed after the transfer has been Vaccomplished and after the system has cooled. Such transfers are useful for semiautomatic application and in double labeling where the release paper can serve as a temporary top label for premium offers or coupon use'.

Mixtures of wax and resin which exhibit low compatibility at temperatures above the melting point of the Wax possess hot peel characteristics, that is, the release backing can be' removed immediately after transfer while thetransfericoating Yis still hot.V Such transfers are particularly useful for'h'igh speed machine application.V The breakaway properties of these transfers are believed to be due to the -gelleddiscontinuity of the resin component due to the presence of the wax.

Compatibility properties of various resin-Wax combinations can be evaluated in a number of ways. Combinations incompatible above the melting point of the wax show little tendency above such temperature to swell or solvate and are gelatinous and cloudy, while compatible combinations swell or solvate, soften, become iluid and non-gelatinous and, if unpigmented, are transparent.

Preferably the resins utilized in the transfer layer are synthetic polymers which are principally organic, linear, thermoplastic, lm forming, substantially water-insoluble and which have second-order transition temperatures below 60 C. The term thermoplastic is used in the conventional sense of being essentially solvent-soluble, softened by heat, and to involve only a minor amount or no cross-linkage. As used herein the preferred limit of cross-linking is defined in Example V below. The term linear limits the preferred polymers to polymers of monofunctional addition-type monomers and difunctional condensation-type polymers and suitably compounded ester and ether derivatives of cellulose. As illustrated in the examples below, the transfer layer can incorporate emulsifying agents, plasticizers and other modifying materials without adverse effect.

Second order transition temperature is used herein to indicate the temperature range of a few degrees at which the properties of rigidity, the coethcient of thermal expansion, the heat capacity, the dielectric constant, and others, change markedly. Polymer systems are preferred for this invention which have second order transition temperatures below about 60 C. Many pure polymers yhaving such transition temperatures above 60 C. can be rendered suitable by plasticization and copolymerization techniques which reduce the resultant transition temperature to 60 C. or below and this invention includes such modifications, Example VIII sets forth, by example, the preferred upper limit of second order transition temperatures.

Synthetic resins which are preferred 4for the present invention include polyvinyl acetate, polyethyl -acrylate, polymethyl acrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, polypropyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, styrene-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, polychloroprene rubbers, polyvinyl butyral, ethyl cellulose, and polyvinyl acetate-vinyl stearate copolymer.

The wax component should be a material which derives its crystallinity mainly from the presence of long hydrocarbon chains and should melt over a relatively narrow range between the temperatures of about 50 C. to ll0 C. Its penetrometer value (ASTM D5-52) when tested with 100 grams for 5 seconds at 25 C. should be below yabout l5. Waxm suitable for the present invention include beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, hydrogenated castor oil, montan wax, paraffin wax, low molecular weight polyethylene, oxidized microcrsystalline wax, and hard wax or derivatives thereof obtained from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

T-he invention may better be understood by reference to the following examples which illustrate the preparation of transfer layer coatings. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentages are by weight:

Example I An emulsion of hydrogenated castor oil, M P. 86 C., penetration 2 (100 g., 5 sec., 25 C.) is prepared as follows: 30 parts of hydrogenated castor oil, 70 parts of water and 2 parts of Duponol D paste (E. l. du Pont de Nemours & Co.), an emulsifying agent consisting of the sodium salt of unsaturated long-chain alcohol sulfate, are brought to a boil and passed through a tightly set homogcnizer. The emulsion is then chilled with agitation. rIlhe final transfer coat emulsion is prepared by blending 30 parts of the hydrogenated castor oil emulsion with Example Il Example III Ten parts of a 50% solids polyvinyl acetate-vinyl stearate copolymer (Air Reduction Chemical Co.) and 20 parts of a proprietary hydrogenated castor oil emulsionl (Lukon Emulsion 284.3) are mixed and coated on Release Paper A.

Example lV Ten parts of Resyn 12KO3 a vinyl acetate copolymer (National Adhesive Div. of National Starch Products, Inc.), l0 parts of R.B.H. Titanium Dioxide Dispersion 223E57 and 30 parts of the hydrogenated castor oil emulsion described in Example l are blended and applied to Release Paper C.

Example V Ten parts of Vultex PX-20-A (General Latex & Chemical Co.) a 30-35% emulsion of a copolymer of 55% butadiene and 45% acrylonitrile and 30 parts of a proprietary 30% hydrogenated castor oil emulsion (Lukon Emulsion 284.3) are mixed and coated on Release Paper A.

Example VI Ten parts of Vinylite XY HM (Bakelite Corp), a medium viscosity polyvinyl butyral and 30 parts of Duroxon C-60t-A (Dura Commodities Corp), a hard, oxidized Fischer-Tropsch wax `are dissolved in hot butanol and applied to Release Paper D.

Example V111 Ten parts of dry solid polymer obtained by drying Rhoplex B-60-K emulsion (a 46% flexible acrylic polymer emulsion sold by Rohm & Haas Oo., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and 15 parts carnauba wax, MP. 83-86" C., penetration of l (100 grams, 5 seconds, 25 C.) were dissolved in parts methyl ethyl ketone with warming.

Example VIII Fifteen parts of montan wax, M.P. 70-85 C., penetration g., 5 sec. 25 C.) of 9-10, and l0 parts of the dry polymer from Rhoplex B-60-K Rohm & Haas) are dissolved in 90 parts of warm methyl ethyl ketone and applied -to- Release Paper D.

The above transfer coatings are applied to the release paper backing to give a dry coating weight of from 3 to 7 pounds per ream (20 x 25-600) of release paper which yields a dry coating from `0.4 to 1.0 mil in thickness. The paper can be coated with conventional paper coating machinery as an emulsion, a solvent solution, or as a hot melt. Emulsion application is generally more satisfactory and for this purpose, the components should be in a tine state of subdivision. t

'Ihe Vadhesion of the transfer layer of the present invention is derived largely from the polymeric component which should therefore be selected to show specic adhesion for the film to be decorated. For example polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylates and Buna N rubbers possess specific adhesion to moistureproof cellophane and polybutyl methacrylate possesses adhesion for vinyl film and rubber hydrochloride.

Printing on the transfer coating can be accomplished by conventional processes such as letterpress printing, rotogravure and exography. Most commercial inks are '7 satisfactory for this purpose although commercial inks used to print directly on film of the type to be transfer decorated is preferred. The following formulation of well known ingredients is given as a typical example of a letterpress ink useful Ifor heat transferrlabeling heatsealable cellophane and cellulose acetate film:

Lbs. Phloxine toner 4.0 Lithol Red 3.5 Red Lake C 2.0 ASynthetic varnish 40.0 Cobalt lineoleate 1.0

Since many commercial inks do not exhibit the desirable sharp breakway characteristics of the transfer layer, the designs should be arranged such that the edges of the heating surface register with uninked portions of the transfer layer.

As a specific procedure the fol-lowing example is given. The release coating of Example I above is coated on Release Paper A to give a dry transfer coating of from 4 to 5 pounds per ream (20 x 25-500). The coated side is then printed with a glossy oil ink from a natural letterpress plate. After the ink has dried a section of the transfer coating carrying the ink image is transferred to heat-scalable, moistureproof cellophane by rolling the two stocks, with moderate pressure, over a hot plate at 175 C. The release paper is immediately stripped away leaving a transfer only at the area where heat and pressure were applied. This coating also exhibits specific adhesion to cellulose acetate iilm and kraft paper.

A particular advantage of the `present invention is that it allows simple, rapid, economical machine operation. Most packaging machines handling transparent lms are so constructed that the film, usually in roll form, is fed optionally past a label applicator to a wrapping or bag forming station. The transfers according to the present invention 'are fed to the labeling machine which would have proviison for imprinting prices, code numbers, etc., on the composite sheet prior to transfer. Since transfer occurs only at the area where heat and pressure are applied, close alignment is not required.

While the primary purpose of this invention is to provide a heat transfer and a method of applying a design (including printing or art work or both) to packaging film, the heat-transfers provided herein will transfer advantageously to other material and surfaces such as wood, paper, ceramics, plastics, metals, glass and the like and such use is included within its scope. It is also obvious that the transfer layer inV this invention may be transparent or may be dyed or pigmented to any desired color,

may bc applied a discontinuous layer only in the shape and' position of the desired label to permit easy hand operation where this is desirable. Further it is obvious that, where desirable, the design can be applied to the outer surface of packaging film or other objects in which case the transfer 4layer will be unpigmented to permit the VVdesign to be legible therethrough.

It should be understood that the present disclosure Yis for the purpose of illustration only and thatthe invention includes yall modifications Vand equivalents which fall VWithin the scope ofthe appended claims.

l claim:

l. A heat transfer for applying a printed design to thin impervious iilm which comprises a backing and transfer layer thereon, said transfer layer comprising a uniform mixture of a crystalline wax and a synthetic, thermoplastic, film-forming resin whereinV each ingredient is present to the extent of at least of their combined weights, said film-forming resin constituting theV major resinous ingredient in said layer, said resin and wax being substantially incompatible at temperatures below the melting point of the wax, said layer being receptive to printing, strongly adherent to the receiving hlm, non-blocking and having thev property of sharp break-away at the boundary of heat application, whereby substantially the whole of said layer within said boundary may be transferred with a sharp outline and without substantial distortion.

" 2;l A heat transfer according to claim l, wherein said mixture of resin and wax are substantially incompatible at temperatures both below and above the melting point of the wax. v

3. A heat transfer according to claim 1 wherein the resin in the transfer layer is a synthetic, linear, polymeric material which is principally organic, thermoplastic, substantially water-insoluble and which has a second-order transition temperature below approximately 60 C.

4. A heat transfer according to claim 1 wherein the crystalline wax in the transfer layer has a melting point between about 50 C. and 110 C. and a penetrometer value below about 15 when tested with 1GO grams weight Yfor Y5Y seconds at 25 C.

5.A A heat transfer Iaccording to claim 1 wherein the transfer layer comprises a plastic resin selected from the group of polyvinyl acetate, polyethyl acrylate, polyniethyl acrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, polypropyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, styrene-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, polychloroprene rubbers, polyvinyl butyral, ethyl cellulose, and polyvinyl acetate-vinyl stearate copolymer and crystalline wax selected from the group of beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, hydrogenated castor oil, montan wax, parain wax, low molecular weight polyethylene, oxidized micro-crystalline wax, and hard wax and derivatives therefrom obtained from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

6. A heat transfer according to claim 1 wherein the transfer layer comprises a uniform mixture of lexible acrylic resin and hydrogenated castor oil.

7. A heat transfer according to claim 1 wherein the transfer layer comprises a uniform mixture of polyvinyl acetate resin and hydrogenated castor oil. Y

8. A heat transfer according to claim 1 wherein the transfer layer comprises a uniform mixture of polyvinyl acetate-vinyl stearate copolymer and hydrogenated castor oil.

9. A heat transfer according to claim 1 wherein the transfer layer comprises a uniform mixture of polyvinyl butyral resin and a hard, oxidized wax derived from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis,

l0. A heat transfer according to claim l wherein the transfer layer comprises a uniform mixture of acrylic resin and carnauba wax.

11. A heat transfer of the cold peel type for applying a printed Ldesign to thin, impervious film which comprises a backing and a transfer layer thereon, said transfer layer comprising a uniform mixture of crystalline wax and a synthetic, thermoplastic, film-forming resin wherein each ingredient is present to the extent o-f at least 15% of their combined weights, said mixture of resin and wax being incompatible below the melting temperature of the wax and substantially compatible above this temperature, said layer having the property of sharp breakway at the boundary of heat application, whereby the area of Vsaid layer within said boundary may be transferred with a sharp outline and without substantial distortion.

12. The method of applying a printed design to a receiving surface which comprises coating a backing with a transfer layer comprising a uniform mixture of a crystaline wax anda synthetic, thermoplastic, film-forming resin wherein each ingredient is present to the extent of at least 15% of their combined weights, said film-forming resin constituting the major resinous ingredient in said layer, said resin and wax being substantially incompatible at temperatures below the melting point of the wax, printing ya design on the exposed surface of said transfer layer and transferring said design, together with a supporting film constituting substantially the fuli thickness of a predetermined area of said transfer layer which is less than the whole area of said layer, to the receiving surface by apply-ing heat and pressure to said. predetermined area to eiect transfer of that area with a sharp outline and without substantial distortion.

13. The method of applying a printed design according to claim 12, wherein said design is applied to thin impervious film.

14. A heat transfer for applying a printed design to thin-impervious film which comprises a backing having a wax-like sizing, a transfer layer on said backing, and a printed design on said transfer layer, said transfer layer comprising a uniform mixture of a crystalline wax and a synthetic, thermoplastic, film-forming resin wherein each ingredient is present to the extent of at least 15% of their combined weight, said nlm-forming resin constituting the major resinous ingredient in said layer, said resin and Wax being substantially incompatible at temperatures below the melting point of the wax, said layer being receptive to printing, non-blocking, strongly adherrent to the receiving iilm, and having the property of sharp break-away at the boundary of heat application, whereby substantially the whole of said layer within said boundary may be transferred with a sharp outline and without substantial distortion.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,899,066 Tonge Feb. 28, 1933 1,939,821 Lawrence Dee. 19, 1933 1,941,697 Lawrence Jan. 2, 1934 1,968,083 Lawrence July 31, 1934 2,219,071 Humphner Oct. 22, 1940 2,275,957 Groff Mar. 10, 1942 2,510,750 Marquardt June 6, 1950 2,688,579 Meyer Sept. 7, 1954 2,696,452 Trepp Dec. 7, 1954 2,920,009 Humphner Ian. 5, 1960

Claims (1)

1. A HEAT TRANSFER FOR APPLYING A PRINTED DESIGN TO THIN IMPERVIOUS FILM WHICH COMPRISES A BACKING AND TRANSFER LAYER THEREON, SAID TRANSFER LAYER COMPRISING A UNIFORM MIXTURE OF A CRYSTALLINE WAX AND A SYNTHETIC, THERMOPLASTIC, FILM-FORMING RESIN WHEREIN EACH INGREDIENT IS PRESENT TO THE EXTENT OF AT LEAST 15% OF THEIR COMBINED WEIGHTS, AND FILM-FORMING RESIN CONSTITUTING THE MAJOR RESINOUS INGREDIENT IN SAID LAYER, SAID RESIN AND WAX BEING SUBSTANTIALLY INCOMPATIBLE AT TEMPERATURES BELOW THE MELTING POINT OF THE WAX, SAID LAYER BEING RECEPTIVE TO PRINTING, STRONGLY ADHERENT TO THE RECEIVING FILM, NON-BLOCKING AND HAVING THE PROPERTY OF SHARP BREAK-AWAY AT THE BOUNDARY OF HEAT APPLICATION, WHEREBY SUBSTANTIALLY THE WHOLE OF SAID LAYER WITHIN SAID BOUNDARY MAY BE TRANSFERRED WITH A SHARP OUTLINE AND WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL DISTORTION.

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