Durable printed composite materials and associated methods

摘要

A durable printed composite material (24) includes a printable layer (10) having an image (12) reverse printed thereon. The printable layer (10) can be a transparent or translucent material. A metallic layer (14) can be adhered to the image side of the printable layer (10) using an adhesive layer (18). The layers are formed such that at least a portion of the metallic layer is visible through the printable layer. A method of forming a durable printed composite material (24) can include reverse printing an image (12) on a printable layer (10) to form a printed surface. A metallic layer (14) can then be adhered to the printed surface of the printable layer. Heat and pressure can be applied to the metallic layer to produce a durable printed composite material (24). The metallic layer (14) can be at least partially visible through the printable layer (10). The durable printed composite material (24) provides a medium which has an image having a reflective metallic background useful in a variety of applications.