Method and apparatus for producing a printed product

摘要

A method of producing a printed product comprises: providing a transfer member formed of material that is transparent to curing radiation and having opposed first 2 and second 3 surfaces and a plurality of recesses 4 in the first surface 2; providing a first curable material 13 in said recesses 4 and curing the first curable material 13; applying a pattern support layer of a second curable material 32 on to the first surface 2 of the transfer member and exposing the second surface 3 of the transfer member to curing radiation 42; wherein the cured first material 13 in the recesses 4 prevents curing of the second material 32 overlying the recesses 4 and the second material 32 offset from the recesses 4 is cured; bringing the transfer member into contact with a first substrate 51; curing uncured parts of the pattern support layer while it contacts the first substrate 51; and separating the first substrate from the transfer member whereby the cured first curable material 13 and the associated, cured pattern support layer transfers onto the substrate 51. The recesses preferably define an array of images or image portions and the transfer member is preferably a cylinder. An apparatus for producing a printed product is also disclosed.