Patent attributes
In one embodiment, a method of applying an image to a substrate includes the steps of: imaging a printable surface with an image to form an imaged surface having a printed area and a non-printed area; positioning a masking sheet comprising an outer masking layer adjacent the imaged surface such that the outer masking layer is in contact with the imaged surface; transferring a corresponding portion of the outer masking layer to the printed area of the imaged surface, leaving a negative image mask on the masking sheet; transferring the negative image mask to a transfer layer of a heat transfer paper to form a heat transfer paper having a masked portion corresponding to the negative image mask and an unmasked portion; and transferring the unmasked portion corresponding to the printed area to a substrate. Other methods of making and using negative image masks are also disclosed.
