Method for making a decorated, water-resistant, rigid panel and the product made thereby: transfer dye process onto rigid panel

A method for making a decorated, water-resistant, rigid panel comprising supplying a cured, pre-coated rigid panel having a clear, water-resistant polymeric coating on one surface of the panel and a printed sheet having a design, picture or other form of decoration on one surface thereof, said decoration being formed by a sublimable coloring agent. The rigid panel and the printed sheet are originally maintained at room or ambient temperature. The coated surface of the rigid panel and the decorated surface of the printed sheet are brought into physical contact, and their surfaces are maintained in contact for a brief period of time by applying light pressure thereto. While the surfaces are maintained in contact, heat is applied thereto for a short period of time to sublime the coloring agent and cause it to be transferred to and penetrate into the polymeric coating on the surface of the rigid panel. The heat is removed from the surfaces, and the printed sheet is separated from the rigid panel whose polymeric coated surface contains the same decoration as appeared on the printed sheet. The product of this invention comprises a decorated, water-resistant, rigid panel having a clear polymeric coating on one surface, which coating is impregnated by a sublimable coloring agent. The coated surface of the panel comprises at least one clear polymeric top coat and may have additional substrate coatings or layers of polymeric or other materials. It is preferred that the coated surface of the decorated panel have a light stability of at least about 40 hours as measured by the Standard Carbon-Arc Fadometer test (ASTM G25-70), Continuous Exposure to Light, Test Method A.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
A current manufacturing process for decorating wallboard panels such as 
hardboard or particle board applies conventional printing methods, e.g. 
gravure or silk screen, to decorate a panel substrate with the selected 
design, and thereafter, a water-resistant, polymeric coating is applied 
over the decorated substrate. Generally, there are a limited number of 
colored substrates to which a large variety of designs or decorations are 
applied. A massive inventory of colored panel substrates, fully decorated 
panels and decorating inks or dyes are required at each manufacturing 
and/or warehousing facility. 
For example, if a small amount of product having a particular design is 
ordered, a minimum economic production run may require that 1000 panels be 
produced to justify the set up costs. The panels produced in excess of the 
amount required to fill the order must be inventoried, and in some cases 
it takes many months to sell the "excess" production. In addition, the 
introduction of a new line of decorated panels requires substantial 
inventories. Slow moving products often back-up, and panel designs which 
are being phased out are often difficult to move. The wallboard panel 
industry needs a low cost manufacturing process which will eliminate 
product ovrruns and substantially reduce the inventory levels. 2. 
Description of the Prior Art 
The decoration of textile fabrics with sublimable inks or dyes has 
undergone rapid development during the past ten years. The process is 
commonly referred to as heat transfer printing wherein a decoration or 
design is printed on a paper transfer sheet with a subliming dye or ink, 
and thereafter, the paper is pressed against the textile fabric and heated 
for a brief period of time whereby the ink is vaporized and transferred to 
the textile fabric. The dye penetrates into the fabric, forming the design 
or decoration which was printed on the transfer sheet. This process of 
heat transfer printing is particularly applicable to knitted polyester 
fabrics which are very receptive to many subliming dyes. U.S. Pat. No. 
3,363,557 illustrates a process for the heat transfer of coloring agents 
from a transfer sheet to a fabric or other material such as wood, paper, 
other cellulosic materials, plastic surfaces and even metallic surfaces. 
This patent does not disclose using the heat transfer printing process to 
decorate a water-resistant, rigid panel having a clear polymeric coating 
on one surface. 
More recently, U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,388 discloses a method for heat transfer 
printing with a sublimable dye through a polyolefin release layer to 
decorate a non-porous thermoplastic sheet or material coated with or 
bonded to a thermoplastic dye receptor. The method of this patent employs 
a polyolefin sheet between the dye transfer sheet containing dispersed 
dyes and the dye receptor thermoplastic material to prevent the printed 
transfer sheet (paper) from sticking to the thermoplastic dye receptor 
material. The temperatures employed to sublime or heat transfer the dye 
are generally sufficient to soften the polyolefin sheet, but it does not 
stick to the thermoplastic dye receptor material. The method can be used 
to obtain either high clarity dye transfer, or dye transfer and 
concurrently lamination of the thermoplastic dye receptor material to a 
substrate such as hardboard or fiberboard. It appears that in all cases 
employing a hardboard or fiberboard laminate base material, the dye 
receptor surface was laminated to the hardboard concurrently with the dye 
transfer process, and a cured, pre-coated rigid panel was not decorated. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,445 discloses a heat transfer printing sheet which can 
be used to transfer print a variety of base materials. Included in the 
listed base materials are films and sheets or various synthetic resins, 
hardboard and gypsum board. There is no disclosure in this patent that a 
cured, pre-coated rigid panel having a clear, water-resistant polymeric 
coating can be heat transfer printed. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,131, issued on Apr. 20, 1976, discloses a heat transfer 
print sheet having a polyolefin coating overlying the printed surface to 
prevent the heat transfer print sheet from adhering to a substrate to 
which the printing is transferred. The method includes consolidating a 
plurality of layers of material with heat and pressure, and concurrently 
therewith, a sublimable dye is transferred from the print sheet to a 
substrate material. FIG. 3 discloses a finished laminate comprising a 
polyester film printed with a sublimable dye and laminated to a metalized 
layer, phenolic impregnated kraft paper and hardboard. There is no 
disclosure that a cured, precoated rigid panel can be heat transfer 
printed without requiring a polyolefin layer adjacent to the heat transfer 
print sheet to prevent adherence to the printed substrate. 
There was a series of articles in the American Dyestuff Reporter, February 
1975, pp. 23-35, 41, 43-50 and 52-56 disclosing the development of heat 
transfer printing in the textile fabric industry. Many sublimable dyes are 
disclosed in these articles and their effectiveness in printing various 
types of fabric. There is no disclosure that heat transfer printing can be 
used to decorate a cured, pre-coated rigid panel having a clear, 
water-resistant polymeric coating on one surface. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of this invention to provide a method for making a 
decorated, water-resistant, rigid panel which solves the problem of 
maintaining large inventories of decorated panels. Another object is to 
provide a method for decorating a cured, precoated hardboard panel by heat 
transferring a sublimable ink decoration from a print sheet to the 
pre-coated hardboard panel. A further object of the invention is to 
provide a decorated, water-resistant, rigid panel having a clear polymeric 
coating on one surface which is impregnated by a sublimable coloring 
agent, and the decorated surface has a light stability of at least about 
40 hours as measured by the Standard Carbon-Arc Fadometer test (ASTM 
G25-70), Continous Exposure to Light, Method A. A still further object is 
to provide a decorated, water-resistant wallboard panel for use in shower 
stalls, kitchens and similar applications in which water-resistance and 
the decorative surface are important factors in customer acceptance. 
It has been discovered that a decorated, water-resistant, rigid panel can 
be manufactured by bringing a cured, pre-coated rigid panel into contact 
with a printed sheet having a decoration formed by a sublimable coloring 
agent and transferring the coloring agent into the coating on the rigid 
panel by means of heat and pressure. In this manner, the decorated, 
water-resistant panel is made from a cured, pre-coated rigid panel at the 
time and in the quantities required by the purchaser or user. The rigid 
panel forming the substrate base may be a cellulosic formed board such as 
hardboard, particle board, softboard, insulation board, or it may be a 
coated gypsum panel or a coated plywood panel. 
One of the important factors in practicing the method of this invention is 
the polymeric coating applied to the surface of the rigid panel and cured 
by heat, ultra-violet radiation or other curing means, prior to contacting 
the panel surface with the printed transfer sheet containing the 
sublimable coloring agent. The polymeric coating provides both 
water-resistance and a receptor surface for retaining the coloring agent. 
It is preferred that the surface coating be a clear, polymeric coating 
selected from alkyd-melamine resins, polyester resins, alkyd resins and 
acrylic polymers. Any water-resistant, clear polymeric coating material 
generally used to render hard cellulosic panels water-resistant can be 
used in this invention, provided that the cured polymer is permeable to 
the subliming coloring agent and will function as a receptor surface for 
said coloring agent. It is preferred that the clear polymeric coating 
comprise a layer having a thickness of at least about 1 mil. 
In addition to the water resistant, clear polymeric top coating, the rigid 
panel may also have one or more substrate coatings. These substrate 
coatings may also comprise polymeric coatings, however, they may contain 
pigments, coloring agents or other fillers, whereas it is essential that 
the top coat be clear so as not to interfere with the permeability and 
deposition of the sublimable coloring agent. 
The sublimable coloring agents (ink or dye) used in this invention are well 
known in the textile decorating art and do not constitute a critical 
feature. The coloring agents may comprise a resin binder and a dyestuff 
which is generally referred to as a disperse dye. It is generally 
preferred that the disperse dye be an organic dyestuff such as disazo 
dyes, anthraquinone dyes and methine dyestuffs. The sublimable coloring 
agent is printed on a transfer sheet of paper or other material, which may 
contain a special release coating, and it must be capable of being heat 
transferred into the clear polymeric coating at the sublimation 
temperature of the dye. Generally, the sublimable coloring agent should be 
capable of being heat transferred or sublimed at temperatures ranging from 
about 150.degree. C. to about 220.degree. C. 
In general, the method of this invention comprises supplying a cured, 
pre-coated rigid panel having a clear, water-resistant polymeric coating 
on one surface of the panel and a printed sheet having a design, picture 
or other form of decoration on one surface, said decoration being formed 
by a sublimable coloring agent. The rigid panel and the printed sheet are 
originally maintained at room or ambient temperature. The coated surface 
of the rigid panel and the decorated surface of the printed sheet are 
brought into physical contact, and their surfaces are maintained in 
contact for a brief period of time by applying light pressure to the 
surfaces. In general, pressures ranging from about 1 to about 10 psi are 
sufficient to maintain intimate contact between the surfaces, however, 
greater pressures up to 50 psi may be used. The sublimable coloring agent 
is rapidly transferred from the printed sheet into the clear polymeric 
coating on the rigid panel, and the heat and pressure are applied to the 
surfaces for only a short period of time, ranging from about 10 seconds to 
about 3 minutes. In most cases, the heat transfer process can be completed 
in less than one minute. 
One of the features of this invention is the use of a rigid panel having a 
cured, clear polymeric coating which functions as the receptor surface for 
the sublimable coloring agent. Since the coating is cured to a hard, 
thermoset polymeric material, the problem of the printed sheet sticking to 
the rigid panel is obviated, particularly when the method is carried out 
using low pressure and a rapid (30 seconds or less) heat transfer. It is 
preferred that the pre-coated rigid panel have at least one substrate 
coating under the cured, clear polymeric top (surface) coat. The substrate 
coating may comprise a resin binder and a pigment or other coloring agent 
to provide a uniform background color for the sublimable coloring agent 
decoration. Additional substrate coatings may be used to improve the 
adhesion of the background color coat or the clear polymeric top coat to 
the rigid panel material. 
The decorated, water-resistant, rigid panels made in accordance with this 
invention have many uses. The panels may be used as walls for decorated 
bathtub or shower enclosures wherein wall panels comprise three sides of 
the enclosure and must be water resistant. These panels also provide a 
highly decorative surface which enhances the beauty and appearance of the 
facility. The panels may be used as a splashboard in and around kitchen 
sinks and counters which require a water-resistant material to prevent 
stains caused by splashed water and other liquids. Other potential 
applications for the decorated, water-resistant panels are in places which 
must have resistance to water or other liquid soilants and those places in 
which a washable or readily cleaned surface is desired. In addition, the 
decorative feature of the panels may be emphasized such as a material to 
be used in making furniture, particularly children's furniture, wall 
decoration and graphic displays. The reduced costs in manufacturing 
decorated, water-resistant panels provided by this invention extends the 
commercial availability of such panels to applications not generally 
considered to be markets for such materials. 
The above and other objects and advantages of this invention will be more 
fully described in the description of the preferred embodiment, 
particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which 
form a part of this specification.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The method of this invention comprises making a decorated, water-resistant, 
rigid panel by employing a heat transfer process and a sublimable coloring 
agent to decorate a cured, pre-coated rigid panel having a clear, 
water-resistant polymeric coating on one surface of the panel. It is 
essential that the panel coating be completely cured to a hard, 
thermoset-like material prior to decorating it by the heat transfer 
process in order to prevent the sheet printed with the sublimable coloring 
agent from sticking to the rigid panel after contact therewith under heat 
and pressure. Another important factor is that the top (surface) coating 
on the rigid panel must be clear and a good receptor for the sublimable 
ink, for it has been found that the use of pigments or coloring matter in 
the top coating interferes with the receptivity of the coating for the 
sublimable coloring agent. 
The heat transfer process can be carried out quickly, efficiently and 
cleanly. Light pressure ranging from about 1 to 50 psi is used to maintain 
physical contact between the pre-coated rigid panel and the printed sheet 
carrying the decoration or print. The heat transfer process is generally 
carried out at temperatures ranging from about 150.degree. C. to about 
220.degree. C. and the heat and pressure are applied to the panel and 
printed sheet surfaces for a very short period of time, ranging from about 
10 seconds to about 3 minutes. After removing the pressure and the heat 
source, the printed sheet is readily removed from the panel surface, and 
the printed sheet may be reused if it retains sufficient sublimable 
coloring agent for decorating additional panels. 
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a heat transfer press 
(10) for making individual decorated, water-resistant, rigid panels in 
accordance with this invention. The heat transfer press (10) comprises a 
base member (11) covered with a resilient silicone rubber plate (12) which 
serves as a support member for the rigid panel which is to be decorated. 
Located above the base member (11) and silicone plate (12), there is a 
moveable member (13) comprising an adjustable hot platten (14) attached to 
a fiberglass insulated heat shield (15) to which there is attached an 
activator handle (16). There is an attachment means (17) which connects 
the member (13) to a control panel (18) portion of the heat transfer press 
(10) in such a manner that the moveable member (13) can be brought into 
contact with the silicone plate (12). The attachment means (17) also 
functions as a duct for the electrical resistance element used to heat the 
hot platten (14) and also for an air pressure line used to provide the 
pressure exerted by the moveable member (13) in compressing the printed 
sheet (19) against the rigid panel (20). The air is supplied to the heat 
transfer press through the air receptacle (21). The control panel (18) 
contains the instruments for controlling the pressure and the duration of 
the process including an ON/OFF indicator lamp (22), an air pressure 
control knob (23), an air pressure gauge (24), a heat element ON/OFF 
indicator lamp (25) and an automatic reset timer (26). A heat control knob 
and a thermometer showing the temperature of the hot platten (14) are not 
illustrated, but they are located on the top surface of the heat shield 
(15). 
The heat transfer press illustrated in FIG. 1 is limited to decorating one 
rigid panel in each batch, which may be feasible for producing small 
quantities of decorated panels. However, for the mass production of large 
quantities of decorated panels, a continuous process is required. 
Apparatus for practicing the method of this invention in a continuous 
process is illustrated in FIG. 2. 
A heat transfer printing press (30) for carrying out a continuous process 
comprises a rubber conveyor belt (31) which may be coated with 
polytetrafluorethylene to enable the belt to withstand the elevated 
temperatures used in the heat transfer process. The belt (31) may have a 
variable width and length, depending upon the size of the rigid panel to 
be decorated. The conveyor belt (31) is driven at adjustable speeds by two 
motor driven, hard rubber rollers (32) and (33) which may be placed about 
4 feet apart, with two intermediate, non-driven, hard rubber rollers (34) 
and (35) placed opposite rollers (36) and (37) to compress the rigid panel 
(40) and printing paper (41). Each of these rollers may be about 8 inches 
in diameter. The two pneumatically operated rollers (36) and (37), each 
having a silicone rubber coating (38) and (39) respectively, are placed 
about 2.5 feet apart and are located directly above rollers (34) and (35). 
The rigid panel (40) is fed to the belt (31) with the transfer printing 
paper (41) containing the sublimable coloring agent fed from a roller to 
the surface of the rigid panel (40). The rollers (36) and (37) are capable 
of being lowered into contact with the conveyor belt (31) whereby the 
rigid panel (40) and printing paper (41) are compressed as they pass 
between the rollers (34) and (36) and rollers (35) and (37) by a pressure 
up to about 50 psi. Radiant heaters (42) and (43) are adjacent to the 
silicone rubber coated rollers (36) and (37) and are used to heat these 
rollers to temperatures ranging from about 150.degree. C. to about 
220.degree. C. Hot roller (36) is lowered pnuematically to apply heat and 
pressure to the printing paper (41) and the rigid panel (40). As the paper 
and panel pass through the first set of rollers, another radiant heater 
(44) provides heat to the paper and panel whereby the sublimation of the 
coloring agent continues as the paper and panel advance to the second set 
of rollers. The heat and pressure applied by hot roller (36) causes the 
transfer paper (41) to adhere to the rigid panel (40) as it comes out of 
the first set of rollers (34) and (36), whereby the panel (40) and the 
paper (41) remain in physical contact until the sublimation and printing 
process is completed. The duration of the heat transfer process is 
controlled by the speed of the conveyor belt (31). Of course the length of 
the conveyor belt (31) and the number of sets of rollers are matters of 
operator's choice and depend upon the size of the rigid panels. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, alternative apparatus for practicing the method of 
this invention in a continuous process is illustrated. The apparatus (50) 
generally comprises a conveyor system wherein a series of plattens are 
arranged to provide for the application of heat and pressure to transfer 
printing paper in physical contact with a rigid panel which is to be 
decorated. The panel may be 4 feet by 8 feet in size, and therefore, the 
apparatus is quite large. 
One conveyor velt (51) carries several hot plattens (52) which are 
sectionalized to permit them to travel readily around the motor driven 
support rollers (53) and (54). The hot plattens (52) function as a heat 
sink and must have sufficient mass to carry heat from one end of the 
conveyor to the other. It is preferred that the plattens (52) be made of 
aluminum, but the load carried by the conveyor belt (51) is still very 
heavy, and an additional non-driven roller (55) may be required to support 
the load carried by the belt (51). A radiant heat source (56), such as 
infra-red lamps, may be used to heat the plattens (52). 
Another conveyor belt (57) is supported by motor driven support rollers 
(58) and (59) which are synchronized with rollers (53) and (54). Trays 
(60), which are also sectionalized to permit them to travel around the 
rollers (58) and (59), are adapted to receive and support the rigid panel 
(61) which is to be decorated. The trays (60) may be made from a plastic 
material or a light metal such as aluminum. It may also be necessary to 
have one or more additional support rollers for the conveyor belt (57) and 
also the conveyor belt (51). Either the plattens (52) or the trays (60), 
or both, should have a resilient coating, e.g. silicone rubber, to 
accomodate surface irregularities in the rigid panel and to permit 
compression of the panel and the transfer printing paper (62) without 
tearing or otherwise damaging the paper. 
A roll (63) of the transfer printing paper is supplied, and the paper (62) 
passes around the roller (64) and into contact with the panel (61) as it 
is placed on a tray (60). A conveyor belt (65) and roller (66) system may 
be used to support the rigid panel before it is placed on the tray (60). 
The transfer printing paper (62) passes between the hot plattens (52) and 
the panels supported on the trays (60) and is compressed against the panel 
while the heat transer process is being carried out. The plattens (52) are 
aligned with the trays (60) and both are firmly fastened to the conveyor 
belts (51) and (57) respectively. After the heat transfer printing process 
is completed, the decorated panel (67) is discharged from the tray (60), 
and the transfer printing paper (62) passes over roller (68) and onto a 
take-up roll (69). 
One of the objects of this invention is to provide a decorated, 
waer-resistant, rigid panel having a clear polymeric coating on one 
surface which has a light stability of at least about 40 hours as measured 
by the Standard Carbon-Arc Fadometer test (ASTM G25-70), Continuous 
Exposure to Light, Method A. This test procedure is fully described in the 
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Part 41, pages 789-793. It has been found 
that the method of this invention does consistently provide a decorated, 
water-resistant, rigid panel having a light fastness rating of at least 40 
hours, and in many cases, the panels have a light fastness rating of more 
than 100 hours. 
The following working examples illustrate the method for making a 
decorated, water-resistant, rigid panel in accordance with this invention: 
EXAMPLE 1 
In carrying out this example, a heat transfer press (Hix N-600 commercially 
available from Hix Automation, Inc.) similar to the press illustrated in 
FIG. 1 was used to decorate a cured, pre-coated hardboard panel. The 
hardboard panel had a solid white ground coat containing an alkyd resin 
binder, and it had a clear top coat consisting of an alkyd-melamine resin. 
The top coat had a thickness of about 1.5 mils. A printed transfer paper 
containing a sublimable blue dye (Celliton BLue G - Colour Index 64500) in 
a decorative design was used to supply the sublimable coloring agent. 
The pre-coated hardboard panel was placed in the heat transfer press and 
the printed side of the transfer paper was placed against the 
alkyd-melamine resin coated surface of the panel. The press was closed and 
a polytetrafluoroethylene coated hot platten, heated to a temperature of 
about 160.degree. C., was brought into contact with the printed transfer 
paper and pressed it against the hardboard panel. A pressure of about 40 
psi was used to compress the paper and the panel. The heat and pressure 
were applied for about 60 seconds during which time the blue dye was 
sublimed, transferred from the printing paper and penetrated the clear top 
coat on the hardboard panel. The transfer paper was stripped from the 
panel, and the blue dye decoration in the clear top coat provided a 
decorated, water-resistant, hardboard panel. 
EXAMPLE 2 
Several sublimable coloring agents were evaluated for their ability to 
decorate hardboard panels. Coloring agents from different suppliers were 
tested in carrying out the method of this invention. In some cases, the 
sublimable coloring agents were supplied as prints on heat transfer paper, 
and in others, the ink or dye was supplied and it was printed on paper by 
either silk screening or a gravure method. All of the hardboard panels 
were cured and pre-coated with a solid white ground coat containing an 
alkyd resin binder and a clear top coat consisting of an alkyd-melamine 
resin. The top coat had a thickness of about 1 mil. 
As in Example 1, all of the hardboard panels were decorated using a heat 
transfer press similar to the press illustrated in FIG. 1 to apply heat 
and pressure to the transfer paper and hardboard panel. The hot platten 
was heated to a temperature of about 205.degree. c. A transfer pressure of 
40 psi was used to compress the transfer paper against the hardboard 
panel. 
Following the manufacture of the decorated, water-resistant, hardboard 
panels using a variety of subliming inks, each decorated hardboard panel 
was tested for its light stability in accordance with the Standard 
Carbon-Arc Fadometer test (ASTM G-25-70) using Method A-Continuous 
Exposure to Light. The following results were recorded: 
______________________________________ 
Ink Color/ Light Stability 
Decoration 
Source Identification 
Rating Quality 
______________________________________ 
No. 1 Red 22 hrs. Fair 
" Black " " 
" Blue " " 
" Green " " 
" Yellow-I 66 hrs. " 
" Yellow-II 100 hrs. " 
______________________________________ 
For Source No. 1, the inks which were supplied were thick and had to be 
diluted by conventional ink extenders prior to being gravure printed on 
the transfer paper. The hardboard decoration was not sharp in appearance. 
______________________________________ 
Ink Color/ Light Stability 
Decoration 
Source 
Identification Rating Quality 
______________________________________ 
No. 2 Red 75 E 2071 60 hrs. Good 
" Yellow 75 E 2070 
60 hrs. " 
" Red 75 E 2119 40 hrs. " 
" Blue 75 E 2072 60 hrs. " 
" Black 75 E 2546 
40 hrs. " 
______________________________________ 
For Source No. 2, the heat transfer paper was supplied already printed with 
the sublimable ink. It was determined that the paper did not stick to the 
hardboard panel after the heat transfer was completed. The decorated 
hardboard had a good appearance. 
______________________________________ 
Ink Color/ Light Stability 
Decoration 
Source 
Identification 
Rating Quality 
______________________________________ 
No. 3 Yellow 6100-32 
150 hrs. Good 
" Red 6100-34 " " 
" Blue 6100-36 " " 
" Black 6100-70 " " 
______________________________________ 
Source No. 3 supplied disperse dyes which were silk screened onto the heat 
transfer paper. A very sharp print and high dye strength were achieved 
with the silk screen method. The decorated hardboard had a good appearance 
and outstanding light stability. 
______________________________________ 
Ink Color/ Light Stability 
Decoration 
Source Identification 
Rating Quality 
______________________________________ 
No. 4 Orange 60 hrs. Good 
No. 4 Green 40 hrs. " 
" Blue 40 hrs. " 
______________________________________ 
Source No. 4 supplied a printed heat transfer paper. The decorated 
hardboard had a sharp image, and the heat transfer peper did not stick to 
the coated hardboard. 
______________________________________ 
Ink Color/ Light Stability 
Decoration 
Source 
Identification Rating Quality 
______________________________________ 
No. 5 Kanoe (Maroon 13683) 
40 hrs. Good 
" Dizzy Daisy (Blue, White, 
40 hrs. " 
Red, Green 13753) 
" Roman Check (Blue 
40 hrs. " 
13726) 
" Five Stripe (Blue, Black, 
100 hrs. " 
Yellow 13686) 
" David's Chevron (Blue, 
130 hrs. " 
Black, Red 13601) 
______________________________________ 
Source No. 5 supplied a printed heat transfer paper, each with a fanciful 
decoration. The paper with David's Chevron print got stuck to the 
hardboard panel. The panels decorated with Five Stripe and David's Chevron 
had outstanding light stability. The decorated panels had a good 
appearance. 
______________________________________ 
Ink Color/ Light Stability 
Decoration 
Source Identification 
Rating Quality 
______________________________________ 
No. 6 142-1 -- Poor 
" 142-2 -- " 
" 142-3 20 hrs. " 
" 142-4 40 hrs. " 
" 142-5 20 hrs. " 
" 142-6 100 hrs. " 
" 142-7 44 hrs. " 
" 142-8 60 hrs. " 
" 142-9 -- " 
______________________________________ 
Source No. 6 supplied a printed heat transfer paper. Almost all of the inks 
stayed on the surface of the panel top coat. It was determined that these 
printed heat transfer sheets could not be used in practicing the method of 
this invention. 
______________________________________ 
Ink Color/ Light Stability 
Decoration 
Source 
Identification Rating Quality 
______________________________________ 
No. 7 Yellow P-343 NT 100 Good 
" Yellow P-345 NT 100 " 
" Orange P-368 22 " 
" Brilliant Red P-314 NT 
22 " 
" Scarlet P-355 22 " 
" Violet P-344 NT 22 " 
" Blue P-304 NT 22 " 
" Blue P-305 NT 22 " 
" Black XB-6 100 " 
" Black XB-8 100 " 
______________________________________ 
Source No. 7 supplied a printed heat transfer paper. Most of the decorated 
hardboard panels had a good appearance, and those decorated with the 
yellow and black inks had outstanding light stability.