(57) Processes for thermal transfer printing are disclosed which comprise electroerosion
printing to produce an image bearing element and exposing the imaged element to irradiation
so as to permit transfer of thermographic ink from an associated ink layer or ink-containing
element onto an ink receiving substrate thus producing copies of the image carried
by the image bearing element. Also, described are products for use in such processes.
The process is illustrated in the Figure in which a layer (2) comprises transparent
polyethylene terephthalate, the layer (3, 4) comprises aluminium foil (3) and pattern
apertures (4), the layer (6) comprises an ink layer and layer (7) comprises a sheet
of paper. Infra red radiation (8) passes through layer (2) to be reflected by foil
(3) and transmitted by apertures (4). The ink aligned with apertures (4) is heated
and thermally transferred to the paper (7).
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