Total image transfer process

Claim 1

A process for multicolor printing of an article by transferring multiple ink films simultaneously to a receiving surface on an article to be printed, comprising the steps of: (a) applying a substantially transparent film forming release fluid in a film onto a release surface of a continuously rotating release blanket, said release fluid being capable of wetting said release surface and of increasing its own cohesion after application thereof; (b) applying from an ink applying raised pattern surface of a flexographic applicator plate a first film forming flexographic ink fluid of a first color in a film defining a pattern onto said release film on said release surface, said ink fluid being capable of wetting said release film and being capable of being applied from said ink applying surface to said release film without picking said release film; (c) applying from an ink applying raised pattern surface of a flexographic applicator plate at least one additional film forming flexographic ink fluid in a film defining a pattern onto said release film and over all previously applied ink films including said first ink film, each said additional ink film being of a different color than all previously applied ink films, and each said additional ink film being capable of wetting said release film and being capable of being applied from said ink applying surface without picking said release film and said previously applied ink films; (d) applying an adhesive fluid in a film to the receiving surface, said adhesive fluid film providing adhesion by contact pressure and being capable of having greater adhesion to said ink films and said release film and to said receiving surface than the adhesion of said release film to said release surface; (e) contacting at least a portion of said release film and said ink films on said release surface with said adhesive film on the receiving surface to provide greater adhesion of said ink films and said release film and said receiving surface to said adhesive film than the adhesion of said release film to said release surface; and (f) drawing apart said release surface and the receiving surface whereby said portion of said ink films and said release film which are in contact with said adhesive film adhere intact to said adhesive film on the receiving surface with resulting total transfer of the films on said release surface to the receiving surface.