| abstract |
A heat-transfer label assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a carrier, the carrier comprising a paper substrate overcoated with a layer of polyethylene. The polyethylene layer is overcoated with a skim coat of wax. One or more heat-transfer labels are printed onto the skim coat and are spaced apart from one another, each label comprising a protective lacquer layer printed onto the skim coat, an ink design printed onto the protective lacquer layer, and a heat-activatable adhesive layer printed over the ink design, any exposed areas of the protective lacquer layer and a surrounding area of the skim coat. The periphery of the skim coat extends beyond the periphery of the label and is, therefore, uncovered by the label. The assembly further comprises a mask deposited over the uncovered areas of the skim coat, the mask adhering to the polyethylene layer during label-transfer and preventing transfer onto an article of the previously uncovered areas of the skim coat together with the label. |