Claims
- 1. A method of printing a retroreflective substrate comprising:
a) providing a substrate comprising:
i) a retroreflective layer; ii) an adhesive layer disposed on the retroreflective layer; and iii) an ink-receptive layer disposed on the adhesive layer wherein the ink-receptive layer has a thickness of less than 1 mil; and b) printing the ink-receptive layer.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the print quality is improved by at least one integer according to the Print Quality Rating Scale.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the print quality is improved by at least two integers according to the Print Quality Rating Scale.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the printing includes contact between the substrate and a printing device.
- 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the printing is accomplished by means of thermal mass transfer printing.
- 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the ink-receptive layer has a thickness of less than 0.8 mils.
- 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the ink-receptive layer has a thickness of less than 0.5 mils.
- 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the ink-receptive layer has a thickness of less than 0.3 mils.
- 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive permanently bonds the retroreflective layer to the ink-receptive layer.
- 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive has a elastic modulus of less than 0.3 GPa.
- 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive has a elastic modulus of less than 0.2 GPa.
- 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive has a elastic modulus of less than 0.1 GPa.
- 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the ink-receptive layer comprises a vinyl-based polymer, a polyurethane polymer, an acrylic polymer, or mixture thereof.
- 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the retroreflective layer comprises a plurality of cube corner retroreflective elements.
- 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the retroreflective layer comprises a binder layer having glass microspheres.
- 16. A method of printing a retroreflective substrate comprising:
a) providing a substrate comprising:
i) a retroreflective layer comprising a first major surface and second major surface; ii) an adhesive layer disposed above the first major surface layer of the retroreflective layer; and iii) an ink-receptive layer disposed above the adhesive layer; and b) printing the ink-receptive layer; wherein the print quality is improved by at least one integer according to the Print Quality Rating Scale.
- 17. An imaged retroreflective article comprising:
a) sheeting comprising:
i) a retroreflective layer; ii) an adhesive layer disposed on the retroreflective layer; and iii) an ink-receptive layer disposed on the adhesive layer, wherein the ink-receptive layer has a thickness of less than 1 mil; and b) a printed image on the ink-receptive layer.
- 18. Thermal mass printable retroreflective sheeting comprising:
a) a retroreflective layer comprising a first major surface and second major surface; b) an adhesive layer disposed on the first major surface layer of the retroreflective layer; and c) an ink-receptive layer disposed on the adhesive layer; wherein the ink-receptive layer has a thickness of less than 1 mil.
- 19. The sheeting of claim 18 wherein the ink-receptive layer has a thickness of less than 0.8 mils.
- 20. The sheeting of claim 18 wherein the ink-receptive layer has a thickness of less than 0.5 mils.
- 21. The sheeting of claim 18 wherein the ink-receptive layer has a thickness of less than 0.3 mils.
- 22. The sheeting of claim 18 wherein the adhesive permanently bonds the retroreflective layer to the ink-receptive layer.
- 23. The sheeting of claim 18 wherein the adhesive has a elastic modulus of less than 0.3 GPa.
- 24. The sheeting of claim 18 wherein the adhesive has a elastic modulus of less than 0.2 GPa.
- 25. The sheeting of claim 18 wherein the adhesive has a elastic modulus of less than 0.1 GPa.
- 26. The sheeting of claim 18 wherein the ink-receptive layer comprises a vinyl-based polymer, a polyurethane polymer, acrylic polymer, or mixture thereof.
- 27. The sheeting of claim 18 wherein the retroreflective layer comprises a plurality of cube corner retroreflective elements.
- 28. The sheeting of claim 18 wherein the retroreflective layer comprises a binder layer having glass microspheres.
- 29. A method of printing a retroreflective substrate comprising:
a) providing a substrate comprising:
i) a retroreflective layer; ii) an adhesive layer disposed on the retroreflective layer; and iii) an ink-receptive layer disposed on the adhesive layer wherein the ink-receptive layer comprises an acrylic-based polymer or urethane-based polymer; and b) printing the ink-receptive layer.
- 30. An imaged retroreflective article comprising:
a) sheeting comprising:
i) a retroreflective layer; ii) an adhesive layer disposed on the retroreflective layer; and iii) an ink-receptive layer disposed on the adhesive layer, wherein the ink-receptive layer comprises an acrylic-based polymer or urethane-based polymer; and b) a printed image on the ink-receptive layer.
- 31. Thermal mass printable retroreflective sheeting comprising:
a) a retroreflective layer comprising a first major surface and second major surface; b) an adhesive layer disposed on the first major surface layer of the retroreflective layer; and c) an ink-receptive layer disposed on the adhesive layer; wherein the ink-receptive layer comprises an acrylic-based polymer or urethane-based polymer.
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to patent application Serial No. 60/332885 filed Nov. 5, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60332885 |
Nov 2001 |
US |