(57) A process for forming a permanent, abrasion and chemical resistant image on a fabric
or plastic substrate is disclosed which comprises (a) providing a printing matrix
having raised portions in the shape of the image to be printed on the substrate, (b)
providing a carrier supported ink comprising (1) a uniform coating of an ink composition
comprising a sublimable dye, (2) a carrier sheet for supporting said coating on one
surface thereof, (c) disposing the carrier supported ink adjacent to the printing
matrix such that the uncoated surface of the carrier sheet faces the printing matrix,
(d) providing a fabric or plastic film substrate having a surface into which said
sublimable dye can diffuse, (e) disposing the substrate such that the surface thereof
faces the coated surface of the carrier sheet, (f) applying pressure between said
printing matrix and said substrate to cause the printing matrix to contact the uncoated
surface of the carrier sheet and the coated surface of the carrier sheet to contact
the substrate surface, said pressure being applied under conditions sufficient to
cause the ink composition to completely transfer from the carrier sheet to the substrate
surface in the shape of the image defined by the raised portions of the printing matrix,
but insufficient to cause the dye in the ink composition to sublime or vaporize, and
(g) heating the ink composition which has been transferred to the substrate surface,
said heating occurring under conditions sufficient to cause the dye therein to sublime
or vaporize and then diffuse into the substrate surface.
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