A printable material which includes a first, second, and third layer. The first layer has first and second surfaces. For example, the first layer may be a film or a cellulosic nonwoven web. The second layer overlays the first surface of the first layer. The second layer is composed of a first thermoplastic polymer having a melt flow rate of at least about 15 g/10 minutes at a temperature of 190.degree. C. and a load of 2.16 kg. The third layer overlays the second layer. The third layer includes a second thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature equal to or greater than about 30.degree. C. The third layer also may include from about 1 to about 40 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the second thermoplastic polymer, of a release agent. Desirably, the first and second layers will have smoothness values, as measured by a Sheffield Smoothness Tester, no greater than about 150 cc/minute and no greater than about 100 cc/minute, respectively. The third layer may contain up to about 150 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the second thermoplastic polymer, of a plasticizer, and up to about 100 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the second thermoplastic polymer, of a polymeric adhesion-transfer aid. The printable material is especially suitable for use as a dye diffusion thermal transfer printable heat transfer material.

A novel two step process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color electrographic images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. A novel electrographic element, which is used in the process, comprises a carrier layer; optionally, a protective layer; a conductive layer; a dielectric layer; and a substantially tack-free, adhesive layer which is activated at a pressure and a temperature which is above ambient pressure and temperature of the electrographic element. The novel electrographic imaging process comprises: A) producing a toned image layer on the surface of the electrographic element, so that the toned image layer is adhered to the surface of the adhesive layer; and B) pressure laminating the receptor substrate at an elevated temperature to the toned image layer to form the completed electrographic image. Optionally, the carrier layer is stripped from the conductive or protective layer which then serves to protect the electrographic image from abrasion and environmental contaminants. Alternatively, the carrier layer is conductive and, along with the conductive layer (if present), is stripped from the dielectric layer which then serves to protect the electrographic image from abrasion and environmental contaminants.

A novel process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color electrographic images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. A novel electrographic element is also disclosed, which includes a base, a release layer and a combined transparent dielectric and adhesive layer which is substantially tack-free, at ambient pressure and temperature. The novel electrographic imaging process includes the steps of: A) producing a toned image layer on the surface of the electrographic element and B) pressure laminating the receptor substrate, optionally at an elevated temperature to the toned image layer to form the completed electrographic image. The base and release layer may be stripped from the dielectric/adhesive layer which then serves to protect the transferred, toned, electrographically generated image from abrasion and environmental contaminants.

Novel electrographically produced products are disclosed which include large format posters, billboards and the like produced by a process employing a novel electrographic element which includes a base, a release layer and a combined transparent dielectric and adhesive layer which is substantially tack-free, at ambient pressure and temperature. The new product is made by an imaging process involving: A) producing a toned image layer on the surface of the electrographic element and B) pressure laminating a receptor substrate at an elevated temperature to the toned image layer to form the completed electrographic image. The base and release layer may be stripped from the dielectric/adhesive layer which then serves to protect the transferred, toned, electrographically generated image from abrasion and environmental contaminants.

A novel two step process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color electrographic images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. A novel electrographic element, which is used in the process, comprises a carrier layer; optionally, a protective layer; a conductive layer; a dielectric layer; and a substantially tack-free, adhesive layer which is activated at a pressure and a temperature which is above ambient pressure and temperature of the electrographic element. The novel electrographic imaging process comprises: A) producing a toned image layer on the surface of the electrographic element, so that the toned image layer is adhered to the surface of the adhesive layer; and B) pressure laminating the receptor substrate at an elevated temperature to the toned image layer to form the completed electrographic image. Optionally, the carrier layer is stripped from the conductive or protective layer which then serves to protect the electrographic image from abrasion and environmental contaminants. Alternatively, the carrier layer is conductive and, along with the conductive layer (if present), is stripped from the dielectric layer which then serves to protect the electrographic image from abrasion and environmental contaminants.