MXPA06006815A - Variable data heat transfer label, method of making and using same. - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat transfer label for application to an item includes a heat transferable substrate having a transparent window area (26), a carrier (12) for carrying the substrate and a variable graphic component (24) including printed indicia on the window area. The variable graphic component is printed separate from the application of the substrate to the carrier and on an opposing side of at least a portion of the substrate from the carrier. The variable graphic component is printed prior to application of the heat transfer label to the item.

Description

VARIABLE DATA THERMOTRANSFERENCE LABEL, METHOD TO MAKE AND USE THE SAME CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUEST DATA The present application is a continuation in part of the United States of America Patent Application Serial No. 10 / 742,297, filed on December 19, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to labels containing indications. More particularly, the present invention relates to heat transfer labels containing variable data, which labels are applied to articles to provide unique labels, methods for making the labels and methods for using the labels. Labels that contain indications and / or graphics are widely used by most of the industry. For example, the labels are used in the garment industry to mark garments to identify the manufacturer, the size of the garment, to provide washing instructions, fabric composition, information of the manufacturing facility and the like. In this marking, there are both variable and fixed data. The fixed data may include the manufacturer, the manufacturing facility and the washing instructions, while the size of the garment and the composition of the fabric may be variable data. Another market that uses labels is the durable goods market. In this market, labels can be used, for example, in portable power tools. Said labels can include both fixed data, for example, the name of the manufacturer and the manufacturing facility, and variable data, for example, model number, serial number and energy requirements (voltage and amperage). A disadvantage of using individual printed labels (ie labels with variable data) is that large inventories of fully finished pre-printed labels are necessary at the manufacturing or packaging location. While this approach provides desirable information on a label attached to the article, the large inventory of labels that is necessary, in conjunction with the space needed to store that inventory, makes this approach undesirable. In addition, when such individualized or adapted labels are used, they are kept in large quantities in inventory. This increases the possibility of obsolescence of the label. That is, there may be a large number of labels completely finished in inventory when a product is changed or discontinued. Accordingly, there is a need for a variable data heat transfer label that provides the flexibility to locally print the variable data, for example, data that can be changed, immediately before the label is applied to the article. . Desirably, said tag includes some form of fixed data and a transparent window in which the variable data is printed and through which the data is observed when the tag is attached to an object or article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A heat transfer label for application to an article includes a heat-transferrable substrate having a transparent window area. The substrate is transported on a conveyor. The window area can be completely or partially transparent. A variable graphic component that includes printed indications is printed on the window area. The variable graphic component is printed separately from and subsequent to the application of the substrate to the conveyor, but before the application of the heat transfer label to the article. Said variable data heat transfer label provides the flexibility to locally print variable data or that may change immediately before applying the label to the article. A current label includes some form of fixed data and a window area in which variable data is printed, and through which variable data are observed after application to the article. One method for marking an article includes providing a conveyor belt, applying a heat-transferlable substrate having a transparent window area to the conveyor belt to form an elongated coated web, printing a variable graphic component on the window area, printed separately from the web. step of applying the substrate to the web to form an elongated strip of thermotransfer labels, by crosscutting the strip to the release of labels in order to provide applicable labels to the article and transfer the applicable labels to the article towards the article. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those with ordinary experience in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a master band that has three rows of printed variable data heat transfer labels that present the principles of the present invention, wherein the labels are displayed in a row that has fixed graphics on top of the transparent window, in a second row that has fixed graphics immediately adjacent to the window, and a third row that does not have fixed graphics; Figure 2A illustrates a band having a single row of labels with fixed graphics and variable data printed on top of the transparent windows; Figure 2B illustrates a band similar to that of Figure 2A, except that the tags only have variable data printed on top of the transparent windows; Figure 3 shows an illustrative apparatus for printing variable data on the labels; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the label on the conveyor belt before application to an object; Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the label applied to an object in which the fixed and variable graphics are printed on top of the transparent window before application to the object; Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the label applied to an object in which fixed graphics are printed adjacent to the transparent window and variable graphics are printed on top of the transparent window before application to the object; Figure 5C is a cross-sectional view of the label applied to an object in which the variable graphics are printed on top of the transparent window before application to the object; Figure 5D is a cross-sectional view of the label applied to an object in which the fixed graphics are placed below the transparent window and the variable graphics are printed in or on the window area; Figures 5E and 5F are plan views of an alternative embodiment of the label in which the window areas are formed as sheets or islands of material on the conveyor belt; and Figure 6 is an illustration of a general example process for making and using (preparing for the application and applying) the variable data labels of Figures 4 and 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION While the present invention is susceptible to being presented in various forms, it is shown in the drawings and a currently preferred embodiment will be described below with the understanding that the present description will be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. It will be understood that the title of this section of the specification, that is, "Detailed Description of the Invention", refers to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor shall it infer that it limits the matter in question described herein. In the present description, the terms article, part, object, and product are used interchangeably to describe something that is produced that has a commercial value and is, for example, a piece that is the subject of a commercial transaction. Referring now to the figures and briefly, to Figure 1, there is shown a modality of a set of thermotransfer labels of variable data indicated in general in 10, which contain the principles of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a conveyor belt 12 has three distinct rows 14, 16, 18 of discrete labels 10 on the conveyor belt 12. The discrete labels can be printed using a screen printing process; however, other processes may also be employed which include gravure printing, rotary screen printing, lithographic printing, or combinations of printing processes, for example, rotary and flexographic screen printing, and the like. Current heat transfer labels 10 may be applied to an object (such as object 20 in Figure 5A, which may be a "soft" piece such as a piece of "rigid" clothing cloth, such as a power tool) and provides a way in which the label 10 may contain both fixed data 22 and variable data 24. Said labels 10 allow a manufacturer to acquire rolls of heat transfer labels 10 with certain desired fixed data. 22 pre-printed and then print the appropriate labels with variable data 24 as needed on the site. It will be understood that, as an example, the fixed data 22 is shown as alphabetic or letter characters in the figures and that the variable data 24 is shown as numeric characters in the figures. The conveyor belt 12 is commonly a paper or plastic film with release coating. The release coating, generally indicated at 50 in Figure 4, may be based on a silicone, or may employ other release coatings that will be recognized by those skilled in the art. Commonly, both sides of the conveyor belt have a release coating, and the release coatings will generally have different release characteristics. The printed side will commonly have a more airtight release than the non-printed side. Each label 10 is formed with a transparent window area 26 and optionally fixed graphics 22. For the purpose of the present description, the term transparent means completely transparent, for example, to see through, as well as partially transparent, for example ., translucent or capable of transmitting light in order to allow the reading of the variable and / or fixed information imparted through the window. Also, for the purposes of the present description, the graphic terms, data and indications are used interchangeably to indicate fixed printing 22 of label 10 or variable printing 24 on label 10. Fixed graphics 22 may vary depending on the object 20 which is decorated with the label 10. For example, labels 10 may include fixed data 22, such as a manufacturer's name, manufacturing facility, logos, trademarks and the like. If the object 20 has a rigid form, for example, plastic, the inks of the window area 26 and the fixed graphic 22 can be acrylic, a vinyl, an epoxy, a polyester, a polystyrene or similar thermoplastic resin system. If the object is a fabric-based article, chemicals such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,256, 795.3, 992,559 and 3,959,555 would be suitable for both fixed graphics 22 and for window area 26 , whose patents are incorporated herein by reference. The entire "printed" area forms the label 10. That is, the window 26 and the fixed graphics 22 (if used) that are printed on the web 12 constitute the label 10. In the transfer of the label 10 to the object 20 , the adhesive layer 56 (shown as 156 in FIGS. 5B and 256 in FIG.5C) on the label 10 is softened and adhered to the object 20 by the application of heat and pressure. In general, the term "printing" connotes the application or transfer of color or inked indications through the use of inks, dyes, pigments or the like.

In the current label 10, the window material 26 is "printed" on the conveyor belt 12 without a pigment or dye, thereby providing the characteristics of the transparent window area 26. The fixed graphic 22 can be printed on top of or within the discrete window area 26 (as seen in row 14 in figure 1) or immediately adjacent to window 26 (as seen in row 16). Alternatively, there may be situations where no fixed graphics are needed at all, and in those cases, only, only one window area 26 is printed (as seen in row 18). It will also be appreciated that the window area 26 can be printed on the entire conveyor belt 12, so that it essentially forms a continuous coating on the web 12. On a preferred label 10, eyelet markings 28 are printed near the labels 10. Those markings 28 can serve a variety of functions, such as providing an activation to print the variable graphic 24, to cut the continuous roll of labels 10 into discrete individual labels lO, b, c (see figure 3) or to activate a process of application, if, for example, labels 10 are supplied to the application equipment in the form of a roll. The buttonhole markings 28 are not commonly within the target label area in which the markings 28 are generally not transferred to the object 20. In another embodiment of the preferred label 10, the buttonhole markings 28 are printed in the form of a code. of two-dimensional bars. The two-dimensional bar code can be used to activate the variable data printing process, to verify the authenticity of the label 10, to control the shape, text, graphics, and the like of the variable data printed on the label 10, to control the placement and synchronization of the cutting process in order to produce individual labels 10a, 10b, 10c or to optionally control the application parameters (time, temperature and pressure) used in the application of that label 10 to article 20. The code Two-dimensional bar may have a 2D Matrix Symbol that is commonly used in the industry, for example, as represented by DataMatrix, MaxiCode and QR Code. In another variant of the label 10, the machine-readable eyelet markings 28a (FIG. 2A) are printed within the transparent window area 26 using inks that are not visible under normal lighting conditions, although they are easily detected under special lighting conditions. , for example, ultraviolet light, infrared radiation, or electronic detection, for example, magnetic response inks. Machine-readable eyelet markings can also be a component of fixed graphics, through graphic design parameters (such as shape, size, color contrast and the like), or the incorporation of spatial chemistries, including ultraviolet or active compounds. infrared, magnetic response inks, electrically activated luminescence, thermochromatic inks, photochromatic inks and the like. Referring to Figure 1, in a preferred form, a master roll 30 is cut into strips to produce individual rolls 32a, b, c (collectively 32) of material that are of individual width, i.e., rolls 32 having a row of labels 10. It is anticipated that the rolls 32 in this individual width form will be supplied to, for example, the article manufacturer. The labels 10, as supplied, have the window area 26, the associated buttonhole mark 28 and the optional fixed graphics 22. The fixed graphics 22 may be one color or several as desired by the article manufacturer. The variable data 24 is printed in the window area 26 prior to the application of the label 10 to the object 20. It is considered that the printing of variable data 24 will be done at a different time and in a separate step from the printing of the fixed graphics 22 and the window 26. D eh echo, it is assumed that the variable data 24 will be printed at the manufacturer's plant or at a nearby service facility using a variable data printing process 24. The variable pressure process can be printed 24 times. Carry out using inkjet, thermal transfer ribbon, ionic printing and similar printing processes. Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modality of the label 10 before the application to an object. The conveyor belt 12, which may be provided with a coating of pre-coated release (not shown), is printed with a coating of patterned release 50 followed by an optional clear coating 52. Preferably, the clear coating 52 is a material interlacing or a composition having a melting point greater than about 300 ° F to about 350 ° F (about 150 ° C to about 177 ° C). The fixed graphics 22 are then printed on the clear coating layer. The fixed graphics 22 can be one or more layers or colors of inks as required to achieve the desired graphics 22. The fixed graphics 22 may be in the form of letters, numbers, pictograms, l or slips or other unique graphic designs. The fixed graphics 22 are then overcoated with a layer of transparent interlaced material or high melting point, i.e., a melting point greater than about 350 ° F (177 ° C) 54. This layer of material 54 facilitates maintenance of the image definition during the application process. Without such a dust jacket layer, fixed graphics can be distorted during application to the article. A transparent or partially transparent adhesive layer 56 is printed on the interlaced jacket layer 54. The adhesive layer 56 provides good bonding (adhesion) between the label 10 and the object 20 and commonly has a melting point of less than about 250 °. F to about 300 ° F (about 120 ° C to about 150 ° C). The composition of the adhesive layer 56 will depend on the chemical nature and structure of the article and the performance characteristics required of the label in the article. Figure 5A, which is described in more detail below, illustrates that label of Figure 4 as it is applied to an object 20. An illustrative workflow process 1010 is illustrated generally in Figure 6. The flow process Illustrative work represents the development and use of the label illustrated in Figures 4 and 5A. The workflow 1010 includes, as set forth above, providing a conveyor belt having a release coating applied thereto 1012. Alternatively, and / or with the application of the release coating, the web may have a coating of pre-applied release to it. A common conveyor belt will be a multiple width label. For example, the label can be of the width of three labels to facilitate certain stages of the process (for example, printing). The optional overcoat or high melting point composition may be applied to the release coating 1014. The topcoat may be applied in a continuous manner, over the entire web or in discrete regions on the web. The fixed graphs are then printed on the release coating or the top or optional coating 1 016. The m arks are also printed along the fixed graphs. A fixed graphic label is thus formed. After printing of fixed graphics, optionally, a clear composition interlaced or high melting point is applied on the fixed graphics 1018. An adhesive layer is applied then over the clear and ntrelazada layer (if used) or fixed graphics 1022. the band is cut then to form labels 1024 narrower (for example, label tapes), preferably labels individual width, which are fed then into a printer for printing variable or graphics data 1026 An illustrative printer is commercially available with ITW Norwood of Downers Grove, Illinois under the JAGUAR® brand. After the printing of the variable graphics, the individual labels are cut or cut 1028 and applied to the desired products 1030. The application of the labels to the goods or products can be carried out using, for example, a transfer press such as those commercially available with United Silicone, Inc., of Lancaster, New York. This printing and application arrangement provides a number of advantages. First, in that the processes that require the finished labels (totally printed with the fixed and variable graphics) can require different amounts of labels, the variable data can be printed, "as necessary" on (fixed graphics) pre-printed labels. printed. In addition, the process of printing variable graphics is considerably faster (commonly) than the transfer or application process. As such, the labels 10 can be printed on a printer, such as the JAGUAR® printer, and cut and distributed to a number of applicators, for example, United Silicone machines (for immediate or later use) in order to provide a configuration of effective process in terms of cost and flexible. Other process configurations include having the printer and the applicator integrated as shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,813,772 and 5,658,647.; however, in this provision, the total capital costs (equipment) are higher. Figure 3 shows an illustrative apparatus 34 for printing the variable data 24 using a thermal transfer ribbon 36. In this process, a roll 32a of pre-printed labels having a window area 26 and optionally fixed graphics 22 is fed within the variable data printing unit printer 38. The variable graphics 24 are printed on the window area 26 by means of a print head 40. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the variable graphics 24 are printed on the adhesive layer 56, which covers (and forms part of) the window area 26. The patterned transfer of the coating from the tape 36 to the window area 26 forms the variable data images 24. The labels 10 which contain the variable data 24 are cut into individual labels 10 a, b, c using a cutting mechanism 42, or are rewound onto another roll (not shown). The thermal transfer ribbon 36 can have different types of coatings. Common commercially available coatings include resin, wax-based and wax-based compositions. A preferred coating composition will depend on the composition of the window area 26 and the performance requirements of the decorated item 20. In an inkjet printing process (not shown), the variable information is printed on the window area 26 using liquid inks in a controlled pattern, for example, as small droplets of ink ejected from a computer-controlled inkjet print nozzle. The inks used in this process are aqueous inks or based on organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents include, for example, ketones, alcohols, esters, or hydrocarbons. Preferred solvents are low boiling compounds including ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, alcohols such as ethanol, iso-propanol and n-propanol, esters such as ethyl acetate and n-propyl acetate, and hydrocarbon such as heptane and toluene. Other inks based on organic solvent will be recognized by those with experience in the art. In another embodiment of the invention, the variable data is printed using a hot stamping apparatus 34 which uses interchangeable dies and a suitable heat transfer ribbon 36. This process can be used when the variable data 24 does not have to change on each successive label. Heat transfer 10. The exchangeable dies can have specific variable d eeds required, such as size code, fabric composition, manufacturing facility, SKU, bar code, and the like, and the die could be changed as needed. require to print the required quantity of heat transfer labels 10 for each specific product. In this way, variable quantities of heat transfer labels 10 could be produced to meet production needs. The thermal tape 36 used in this process is one such as that commercially available from ITW Coding Products of Kalkaska, Michigan, ITW Norwood Marking Systems of Downers Grove, Illinois, and ÍTW FoilMarkof Newburyport, Massachusetts. The specific source and the degree of hot stamping tape 36 used in the invention will depend on the composition of the transparent window 26, the chemical and physical nature of the article 10 to which it is applied and the end-use performance requirements of article 10. The suitable hot stamping apparatus 34 and the dies are available with United Silicone of Lancaster, New York. Inkjet inks can also be radiation curable, such as those printed through an inkjet printer and cured by radiation, such as a UV ultraviolet, electron beam or infrared radiation. In a preferred process, the ink is cured after printing on the discrete window area 26 by exposing it to radiation from a suitable source. Radiation curing transforms liquid ink into a solid form. Commonly, radiation curable inks provide good erasure resistance. Another process (not shown) for printing variable data is laser marking, in which variable data is established by removing material from discrete window areas. In one process, the window areas are overprinted with a solid layer of color ink during the original (fixed) printing of the label. The labels are then marked with the variable data by exposing the label to a laser beam capable of generating the required ratios.

When the graphics are to be observed in what is referred to as a positive format, the marking involves the ablation (removal) of the color ink in the non-image areas associated with the variable data. Conversely, when the variable data is to be observed in an inverse format, the image is developed by laser marking or gravure of the data within the printed color ink on the discrete window areas. In this case, the color ink is removed (removed) to generate the image and the non-image areas remain unchanged over the window areas. Regardless of the manner in which the variable data 24 is printed, it is anticipated that a variable data printing unit 24 in an arbitrary configuration or as a part of the application process will be used in the installation of the article manufacturer. In the stand-alone configuration, the variable data printing unit (such as the printing apparatus 34 of Figure 3) prints the labels 10 at a location remote from the application station and the labels 10 are supplied to a machine station of Application in roll form or as discrete individual piece labels. This process allows the article manufacturer to have a different number of variable data printers (usually smaller) compared to the number of application machines. This also allows the variable data printer to be located in a central location within the facility to improve security and provide better control of the inventory of labels, both preprinted and printed. Alternatively, the variable data printing unit may be associated with the application machine. In this configuration, a roll of pre-printed labels are mounted on the printing-application machine, the labels are transported through the variable data printing unit where the variable data is printed, and then the labels are advanced within the application section towards the article. Said concept is described in the Patents of the United States of North America Nos. 5,658,647 and 5,813,772. In a variation of this concept, the label could be applied to the article and then the item with the applied label is advanced within the variable data printing unit where the variable data is printed on the label already applied. The figures illustrate various embodiments of the labels 10, 110, 210, 310 as applied to objects 20. In Figure 5A, the label 10 is applied to the object 20 on an exposed surface 46 of the label 10, so that the graphics variables 24 are in contact with the object 20 and are covered by the material of the window 26. That is, the variable graphics 24 are interleaved between the window 26 and the object 20. In this arrangement, the window 26 is formed from a composite or a combination of the adhesive layer 56, the interlaced clear layer 54, the trimmed release coating 50, and optionally (as illustrated) the upper clear layer 52. The fixed graphics 22 are applied to the optional interlaced upper coating 52 or the release liner 50, as desired and appropriate. It will be appreciated from the drawings that the label 10 of Figure 4, shown on the conveyor belt 12 is that figure is the label 10 shown in Figure 5A as it is applied to an object 20. This serves to protect the variable data 24, while keeping the variable data 24 visible through the window 26. In the label 110 of Figure 5B, the variable graphics 124 are in contact with the object 20, and are covered by the entire material of window 126 including the adhesive layer 156, the interlaced clear coating layer 154 and the trimmed release coating 150. The fixed graphics 122 are in contact with and between the adhesive layer 156 and the release release coating 150. In this arrangement, the variable graphics 124 and the adhesive 156 are in direct contact with the object 20. Alternately as seen on the label 210 of Figure 5C, the label 210 does not contain fixed data and, consequently, only variable graphics 224 and the material of the window 226 is in contact with the object 20, with the window 226 which overlaps and protects the variable data 224. In this arrangement, the window area is formed from the adhesive layer 256, the coating layer interlaced clear 254 and trimmed release liner 250. In another embodiment of the label 310, as seen in Figure 5D, the fixed graphics 322 are positioned within the window area 326, which is formed from the adhesive layer 356, the interlaced clear coating layer 354, a optional interlaced clear layer 352 and trimmed release liner 350. In this arrangement, fixed graphics 322 are placed between the interlaced clear coating layer 354 and the optional interlaced clear layer 352, and variable graphics are placed on the release liner. trimmed 350. In yet another embodiment of the tag 310, as seen in Figures 5E and 5F, the transparent window area 26 is not an individual contiguous block area, but is formed from a group of islands or leaves , which can be discrete and "autonomous" or can be connected through a series of contact points to create a chain of connected islands or leaves. The exact shape of the heat transfer label 10 will depend on the graphic content of the label and the intended use.

It will be appreciated that the labels of Figures 5B-5D are formed on a conveyor belt, in a manner similar to the label 10 illustrated in Figure FIG. 4, that is, it is in an inverted order from that in which the respective labels 110, 210, 310 are shown applied to their respective objects 20. All the patents referred to herein, are incorporated herein. by reference, whether or not it is done specifically within the text of this description. In the descriptions, the words "one" or "one" are to be considered to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to several pieces will include, when appropriate, the singular. From the foregoing it will be noted that numerous modifications and variations may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is understood that no limitation is intended or inferred with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated. It is intended that the description charges by means of the appended claims all modifications that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims (57)

1. CLAIMS 1. A heat transfer label for application to an article, characterized in that it comprises: a thermotransferrable substrate, the substrate that includes a transparent window area; a conveyor to transport the substrate; and a variable graphic component that includes printed indications on the window area, the variable graphic component that is separated from the application of the substrate to the conveyor and on an opposite side to at least a portion of the substrate from the substrate. conveyor, the variable graphic component that is printed before the application of the label of heat transfer to the article. 2. The heat transfer label according to claim 1, characterized in that the window area is completely transparent. 3. The heat transfer label according to claim 1, characterized in that the window area is partially transparent. The heat transfer label according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a fixed graphic component having indications printed on or adjacent to the window area, the fixed graphic component that is formed prior to the printing of the variable graphic component. 5. The heat transfer label according to claim 4, characterized in that the fixed graphic component is printed at least in part within the window area. 6. The heat transfer label according to claim 4, characterized in that the fixed graphic component is printed at least partly outside the window area. The heat transfer label according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a fixed graphic component having printed indications below the window area. 8. The heat transfer label according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes multiple sets of fixed graphics printed on or adjacent to the window area, the fixed graphic component that is formed before the printing of the variable graphic component. 9. The heat transfer label according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes multiple sets of fixed graphics printed below the window area. 10. The heat transfer label according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat-transferrable substrate is applied to the conveyor belt as a continuous member on the web. The heat transfer label according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat transfer substrate is applied to the conveyor belt as a plurality of discrete regions formed on the web. 12. The heat transfer label according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of heat transfer labels are placed on the conveyor belt. The heat transfer label according to claim 12, characterized in that the variable graphic component varies from a first label to an adjacent label. 14. A heat transfer label for application to an article, characterized in that it comprises: a thermotransferrable substrate, the substrate that includes a transparent window area, the transparent window area formed from a plurality of layers; a conveyor to transport the substrate; and a variable graphic component that includes printed indications in the window area, the variable graphic component that is printed separately from the application of the substrate to the conveyor and on an opposite side of the substrate from the conveyor, the variable graphic component that is printed before from the application of the heat transfer label to the article. 15. The heat transfer label according to claim 14, characterized in that the window area includes an adhesive and wherein the variable graphic component is printed on the adhesive so that the variable graphic component is between the adhesive and the article when the label is applied to the article. 16. The heat transfer label according to claim 14, characterized in that it includes a fixed graphic component. 17. The heat transfer label according to claim 16, characterized in that the fixed component is printed within the window area. 18. The heat transfer label according to claim 15, characterized in that the window area is formed from a release coating layer, an interlaced clear coating layer, and an adhesive. 19. The thermotransfer label according to claim 18, characterized in that a fixed graphic is placed adjacent to the interlaced clear coating layer. 20. The heat transfer label according to claim 18, characterized in that it includes a layer of the top and crosslinked layer placed between the release coating and the interlaced clear coating layer. 21. The heat transfer label according to claim 20, characterized in that it includes a fixed graphic placed between the interlaced clear coating layer and the interlaced upper coating layer. 22. The heat transfer label according to claim 15, characterized in that the window area is formed from a release coating layer, a clear coating layer of high melting polymer, and an adhesive. 23. The heat transfer label according to claim 22, characterized in that a fixed graph is placed adjacent to the clear high-melting polymer coating layer. 24. The heat transfer label according to claim 22, characterized in that it includes a layer of the undivided top coating placed between the release coating and the clear coating layer of high melting point polymer. 25. The heat transfer label according to claim 24, characterized in that it includes a fixed graph placed between the clear coating layer of high melting polymer and the interlaced upper coating layer. 26. A method for making an article characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing a conveyor belt; applying a heat-transferrable substrate that has a transparent translucent area formed thereon to a conveyor belt to form an elongated coated band; printing a variable graphic component including printed indicia on the window area, printed separately from the step of applying the heat-transferrable substrate to the transport carrier to form an elongated strip of heat-transferlable labels; transversely cutting the elongated strip of heat-transfer labels in order to provide labels applicable to article; and transfer the applicable labels to article to article. 27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the transparent window area is completely transparent. 28. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the transparent window area is partially transparent. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that it includes the step of printing a fixed graphic component in the window area before printing the variable graphic component. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that it includes the step of printing a series of fixed graphic components in the window area and cutting the elongated strip in the elongated direction to form multiple strips of labels applicable to the article. 31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that it includes the step of cutting multiple strips of labels to plicables to article to form labels applicable to article. 32. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that it includes the step of transferring the label to the article. 33. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that it includes the step of printing a fixed graphic component below the window area. 34. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that it includes placing the label on the article with the strip separated from the article and applying heat to the band to transfer the label to the article. 35. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the fixed graphic component is printed at least in part within the window area. 36. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the fixed graphic component is printed at least partly outside the window area. 37. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the variable graphic component varies from a first label to an adjacent label. 38. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that it includes printing the fixed graphic component in a first printer and printing the variable graphic component in a second printer. 39. The method according to claim 38, characterized in that the first and second printers are different from one another. 40. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that it includes printing the fixed graphic component in the first printer at a first printing speed and printing the variable graphic component in a second printer at a second printing speed, the first and second printing speeds that are different from each other. 41. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that the step of printing the fixed graphic component is carried out before the step of printing the variable graphic component. 42. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that the step of printing a series of fixed graphic components in the window area and cutting the elongated strip to form multiple strips of labels applicable to article is carried out afterwards. of printing the fixed graphic component. 43. A method for marking an article characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing a conveyor belt; applying a heat-transferrable substrate that forms a transparent window area thereon to the conveyor belt to form an elongated coated band; printing a variable graphic component including printed indications in the window area, printed separately from the step of applying the heat-transferrable substrate to the conveyor belt to form an elongated strip of heat-transferlable labels; transversely cutting the elongated strip of heat-transfer labels in order to provide labels applicable to article; and transfer the applicable labels to article to article. 44. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that the transparent window area is formed as a plurality of layers of material. 45. The method according to claim 44, characterized in that one or more of the layers are formed from an interlaced polymer material. 46. The method according to claim 44, characterized in that it includes the step of printing a fixed graphic component on the label. 47. The method according to claim 46, characterized in that the fixed graphic component is printed between the layers of the plurality of layers. 48. The method according to claim 46, characterized in that it includes the step of placing the elongated coated band on a printer to print the variable graphic component, the printer being different from a printer for printing the fixed graphic component. 49. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that the printing of the variable graphic component is activated by an eyelet mark. 50. The method according to claim 49, characterized in that the printing of the variable graphic component is activated by the eyelet mark, the eyelet mark which is printed inside the heat transfer label and which is invisible under normal lighting conditions. 51. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that the Invisible eyelet mark is detected using ultraviolet light. 52. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that the invisible buttonhole mark is detected using infrared or red light sensors. 53. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that the invisible buttonhole mark is detected using a laser beam. 54. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that the invisible buttonhole mark is detected using a magnetic detection device. 55. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that the invisible eyelet mark is detected using a capacitance detecting device. 56. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that the printing of the variable graphic component is activated by a color contrast within the heat transfer label. 57. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that the printing of the variable graphic component is executed using a hot stamping process employing interchangeable dies.