Patent ID: 7081324

Claim:
A method for producing a transfer sheet, which comprises the steps of: (i) imaging a transfer sheet with sublimation dyes, wherein said transfer sheet comprises: a support having a first and second surface, and a barrier layer having a first and second surface, wherein the first surface of said barrier layer is applied to the first surface of said support, and wherein a sublimation dye image is applied to the second surface of said barrier layer; and (ii) applying a first surface of a polymer layer, having a first and second surface, to said sublimation dye image applied to the second surface of said barrier layer, wherein said polymer layer comprises (a) a thermoplastic polymer that enters a secondary phase transition stage when heated to a temperature which is approximately the same as a sublimation temperature of said sublimation dye; (b) an elastomeric emulsion, (c) a water repellant and (d) a plasticizer, provided that the polymer layer does not comprise thermosetting materials, and wherein said barrier layer allows for cold release of said sublimation dye layer and said polymer layer from said support after heat transfer.