A heat-sensitive transfer recording medium comprising a substrate and a heat-sensitive transfer ink layer provided on the substrate, the heat-sensitive transfer ink layer being a coating of a hot-melt ink containing no solvent therein, the heat-sensitive transfer ink layer containing carbon black having a DBP oil absorption of 100 to 200 ml/100 g and a BET specific surface area of 100 m.sup.2 /g or less, and the heat-sensitive transfer ink layer having a surface resistivity of not more than 10.sup.13 .OMEGA./.quadrature..

A nonstaining fingerprint ink is formulated from one or more alcohol soluble dyes, e.g., Acid Black 5 dye, dissolved in one or more fatty acid esters which have at least one available hydroxyl group, e.g., glycerol monoricinoleate, the dye constituting about 5% of the total ink by weight. An applicator, particularly well suited for the ink, includes a pad made of a melt blown calendared fabric encapsulated in a gas impermeable pouch.

There are described imaging compositions which include a copper phthalocyanine dye and an aminoanthraquinone dye and thermal imaging members and ink jet inks which utilize the imaging compositions. Thermal imaging methods utilizing the thermal imaging members and ink jet imaging methods utilizing the ink jet inks are also described.

Printed markers for identifying electrical cables are formed by winding an elongate plastics strip or flattened length of plastics tubing 19 onto a reel 30, which is then mounted for rotation to a thermal transfer printer 25. The printer then prints markings 14 onto the strip or tubing 19 as it advances past a print head 36 of the printer 25. The strip or tubing 19 may be formed with transverse lines of weakness at intervals along its length, to define successive markers. The thermal transfer printer 25 comprises a transfer ribbon 38 carrying a releasable printing composition, which print composition comprises a first pigmentation material capable of penetrating into the plastics of the strip or tubing 19, and a second pigmentation material capable of adhering to the surface of the plastics of the strip or tubing 19.

Phase change (hot melt) ink compositions for use in a phase change (hot melt) ink jet recording device in which recording is conducted by thermally melting the ink at a temperature above ambient temperature (20.degree. C.) to provide prints that possess high quality images, scratch resistance, abrasion resistance, low-temperature storage stability and flexibility, offset and pick resistance, adhesion, and other desired properties are disclosed to comprise: (a) from about 0.1% to about 30% of one or more colorants; and (b) from about 0.1 to about 99.9% of one or more hybrid polymers. Components other than those listed above may be included in the ink compositions to achieve specific printer, substrate, or end use requirements. Furthermore, the present invention also includes methods for the preparation of hybrid polymers and for their use in the above-described inks.