The present invention is an improved process for transfer laminating a colored PVB film from a base transfer sheet onto the surface of a PVB sheet having a roughened surface. The improved process comprises wetting the contact surface of the PVB film and/or the PVB sheet prior to bringing the surfaces into contact to displace trapped air which normally interferes with complete lamination. The colored laminate composite PVB sheet can be applied to the surface of a transparent substrate to obtain a transparent laminate article having a colored band on at least part of its surface. The process results in an improved product that is more resistant to marring defects, such as scratching and high temperature pickoff, in the process of making the transparent laminate article.