Patent ID: 6966643

Claim:
A method of printing a design by means of an ink jet printer, comprising the steps of: a) preparing a solid ink jet ink formulation comprising up to 30%, by weight, heat activated dye solids, 1% to 20%, by weight, at least one emulsifying enforcing agent, and 20% to 70%, by weight, at least one meltable transfer vehicle; b) supplying a thermal ink jet printer with said solid ink jet ink formulation; c) printing said solid ink jet ink formulation in a desired image on a substrate by means of said thermal jet printer onto a medium at a temperature which is below the temperature at which said heat activated dye solids activate, wherein said at least one meltable transfer vehicle is melted and liquefied during said printing; and d) subsequent to printing said desired image on said substrate, activating said heat activated dye solids by the application of heat at a temperature which is above the temperature at which said heat activated dye solids activate, so as to cause said heat activated dye solids to bond to said substrate.