| abstract |
A novel two step process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color ink jet images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. A novel ink receptive element, which is used in the process, comprises a temporary carrier layer; a protective layer; and an adhesive ink receptive layer. The novel imaging process comprises: A) depositing an ink image layer on the surface of the ink receptive element, so that the ink image layer is adhered to the surface of the adhesive, ink receptive layer; B) pressure laminating the receptor substrate to the ink image layer to form a laminated image element; and C) removing the temporary carrier layer from the protective layer of the laminated image element to form a protected imaged substrate. The protective layer then serves to protect the ink image from abrasion and environmental contaminants. |