JP5287026B2 - Thermal transfer recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording medium in which a dye layer containing at least a dye and a binder is provided on one side of a support and a heat-resistant slipping layer is provided on the other side.

  Conventionally, a sublimation thermal transfer system, a melt thermal transfer system, or the like has been adopted as a system for forming characters or images on a transfer target. For example, in the case of the sublimation type thermal transfer system, the surface of the thermal transfer recording medium provided with a thermal transfer layer containing a dye or a binder on the support, and a coated layer provided with a receiving layer for receiving the dye on another support. Dye in the thermal transfer layer is sublimated by superimposing the receiving layer surface of the thermal transfer body on each other and heating from the surface of the thermal transfer recording medium where the thermal transfer layer is not provided by a thermal head or the like whose temperature is controlled by information such as characters or images. The desired character or image is formed by shifting to the receiving layer. On the other hand, in the case of the melt-type thermal transfer system, the thermal transfer layer surface of the thermal transfer recording medium provided with a heat-fusible thermal transfer layer containing a pigment or wax on the support, and the thermal transfer provided with a receiving layer on another support. The receiving layer surface of the body is superposed on each other, heated by a thermal head or the like to fuse the thermal transfer layer, and transferred to the receiving layer to form a desired character or image. After the letters or images are formed, the durability and weather resistance of the printed matter can be improved by forming a protective layer on the surface.

  Among the above methods, the sublimation thermal transfer method is widely used for monochrome printing such as characters and charts and color printing such as digital camera images or computer graphics images.

  By the way, when the thermal transfer recording medium is heated by a thermal head from the side where the thermal transfer layer is not provided, there is a problem that the thermal transfer recording medium is deformed due to thermal shrinkage or adhesion between the dye layer and the receiving layer. Due to the deformation of the thermal transfer recording medium, running in the printer may become unstable, or unevenness may occur in transfer during printing, and a clear image may not be obtained.

  In order to solve the problem relating to the deformation of the thermal transfer recording medium during printing, many methods have been proposed for the support constituting the thermal transfer recording medium. For example, in Patent Document 1, in a transfer material for a printer in which a transfer ink layer having a thickness of 3 to 25 μm is provided on one side of a biaxially oriented polyester film having a thickness of 1 to 25 μm, the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the biaxially oriented polyester film are used. By reducing the heat shrinkage rate at 150 ° C. in the direction to 7% or less, it is possible to prevent deterioration of print sharpness and winding handleability due to deformation. Further, Patent Document 2 proposes to reduce image defects due to thermal deformation of the support by setting the maximum heat shrinkage rate of the support to 5% or less. Moreover, in patent document 3, the thermal contraction rate (MD thermal contraction rate) of the film longitudinal direction at 150 degreeC of a polyester film and the thermal contraction rate (TD thermal contraction rate) of the width direction are both 2.0% or less, and By setting the ratio of MD heat shrinkage and TD heat shrinkage (MD heat shrinkage / TD heat shrinkage) to 1.0 to 1.5, It has been proposed to prevent sticking from occurring during continuous printing in the width direction.

On the other hand, regarding the thermal transfer recording medium, in Patent Document 4, the heat shrinkage rate in the sub-scanning direction (MD) and the main scanning direction (TD) of the thermal transfer sheet is in the range of 0 to 2.5% under the conditions of 150 ° C. and 30 minutes. By doing so, generation of fine wrinkles during thermal transfer is prevented.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-207682 JP-A-11-165475 JP 2004-74650 A JP-A-2-289384

  However, the methods proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 only define the thermal shrinkage rate of the support, not the thermal shrinkage rate of the thermal transfer recording medium itself, and control the thermal shrinkage rate of the support. However, it has not always been possible to prevent deformation of the thermal transfer recording medium. Further, in the method proposed in Patent Document 4, if there is a difference between the heat shrinkage rate of the support and the heat shrinkage rate of the thermal transfer recording medium, the thermal transfer recording medium is prevented from being deformed even within a specified range. I couldn't.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention prevents the thermal shrinkage during printing and the deformation of the thermal transfer recording medium due to the adhesion between the dye layer and the receiving layer, thereby stabilizing the running in the printer, and The object is to prevent transfer unevenness and obtain a clear image.

  The present inventor prevents the deformation of the thermal transfer recording medium by controlling the difference between the thermal shrinkage rate of the support constituting the thermal transfer recording medium and the thermal shrinkage rate of the thermal transfer recording medium, and as a result, running in the printer The present invention has been completed by finding that a clear image can be obtained by stabilizing transfer and preventing uneven transfer.

That is, the invention described in claim 1 is provided with a dye layer containing at least a dye, a binder, silicone fine particles, and a silicone-based interfacial lubricant on one surface of the support, and a heat-resistant slip layer on the other surface. In the thermal transfer recording medium, the weight ratio of the silicone fine particles to the dye layer is 0.01 to 0.15, and the weight ratio of the silicone interfacial lubricant to the dye layer is 0.004 to 0.00. is 065, X% thermal shrinkage of only the support in the width direction (TD direction) of the heat transfer recording medium, an absolute value of the X-Y when the thermal shrinkage of the thermal transfer recording medium was Y% is 0 It is a thermal transfer recording medium characterized by 0.8%.

The invention according to claim 2 is the thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1 , wherein the dye layer has a thickness of 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm.

  By using the method of the present invention, it is possible to prevent deformation of the thermal transfer recording medium, and as a result, it is possible to stabilize the running in the printer and prevent transfer unevenness and obtain a clear image. To do.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer recording medium 1. The thermal transfer recording medium 1 includes a support 2, a heat resistant slipping layer 3 and a dye layer 4. The support 2 can be the same as that conventionally used as a base material for thermal transfer recording media, and preferably has mechanical strength, flexibility, heat resistance and the like. Specific examples include polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polystyrene, polypropylene, cellophane, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyimide, nylon, polyvinylidene chloride, and other plastic films, condenser paper, and paraffin paper. However, polyethylene terephthalate is particularly preferable. The thickness of the support 2 is 1 μm to 25 μm, more preferably 2 μm to 10 μm.

  In order to improve the adhesion between the support 2 and the heat resistant slipping layer 3 or the dye layer 4, an easy adhesion layer may be provided on one or both surfaces of the support 2. As the material used for the easy-adhesion layer, those having an affinity for both the support 2 and the heat-resistant slipping layer 3 or the dye layer 4 are suitable. Specifically, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, etc. Unsaturated carboxylic acid resin, polyurethane resin, polyester resin and the like. The easy-adhesion layer has a thickness that does not hinder heat transfer from the thermal head to the thermal transfer layer, and is 0.01 μm to 1 μm, more preferably 0.05 μm to 0.5 μm.

  The easy-adhesion layer can be formed by applying a coating solution on a support by a known coating method. Moreover, in the case of a plastic film, you may form simultaneously in the process of forming a plastic film. Moreover, you may improve adhesiveness by adjusting the surface roughness of the one or both surfaces of the support body 2 without providing an easily bonding layer.

  The heat-resistant slip layer 3 is provided on the opposite side of the surface of the support 2 on which the thermal transfer layer 3 is provided in order to prevent thermal contraction of the support 2 due to the heat of the thermal head and breakage of the support 2 due to friction with the thermal head. Provided on the surface. Examples of the binder used for the heat resistant slipping layer 3 include cellulose resins, polyester resins, acrylic resins, vinyl resins, polyurethane resins, polyether resins, polycarbonate resins, and acetal resins.

  The thickness of the heat resistant slipping layer 3 is preferably 0.1 μm to 2.5 μm, and more preferably 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm. When the thickness of the heat-resistant slip layer 3 is smaller than 0.1 μm, the heat resistance from the thermal head is inferior, and thermal contraction of the support tends to occur during printing. On the other hand, if the thickness is larger than 2.5 μm, heat from the thermal head is not sufficiently transmitted to the dye layer, and a printed matter having a desired density cannot be obtained.

  Moreover, the heat resistant slipping layer 3 may contain a lubricant for the purpose of improving the slipperiness. For example, natural waxes such as animal waxes and plant waxes, synthetic hydrocarbon waxes, aliphatic alcohols and acid waxes, fatty acid esters and glycerite waxes, synthetic ketone waxes, amine and amide waxes, chlorinated hydrocarbons Synthetic waxes such as waxes based on alpha-olefins, higher fatty acid esters such as butyl stearate and ethyl oleate, higher fatty acid metal salts such as zinc stearate, and surfactants such as phosphate esters. By including the lubricant, the coefficient of dynamic friction between the heat resistant slipping layer and the thermal head can be reduced, so that deformation of the support due to the force from the thermal head can be prevented.

  Moreover, you may use a crosslinking agent together in order to improve heat resistance. By containing a crosslinking agent, the heat resistance of the heat resistant slipping layer is improved, and deformation of the support due to friction with the thermal head can be prevented. Examples of the cross-linking agent include polyisocyanates, which are used in combinations of acrylic, urethane, and polyester polyol resins, cellulose resins, and acetal resins.

  Further, the heat resistant slipping layer 3 may contain particles. By including particles, irregularities are formed on the surface of the heat resistant slipping layer and the contact area with the thermal head is reduced, so that the releasability of the thermal head during printing is improved.

  The particles may be either organic particles or inorganic particles, but those that are not deformed by heat from the thermal head are preferred. Specific examples include silica particles, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, talc, kaolin, clay, silicone particles, polyethylene particles, polypropylene particles, polystyrene particles, polymethyl methacrylate resin particles, polyurethane resin particles, and the like. be able to. The particles may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The dye layer 4 constituting each color of yellow, magenta, and cyan of the present invention contains at least a dye, a binder, particles, and a lubricant. A conventionally well-known thing can be used as dye. Specifically, diarylmethane, triarylmethane, thiazole, methine, azomethane, xanthine, acridine, thiazine, azine, acridine, azo, spirodipyran, isorinospiropyran, fluoran , Rhodamine lactam and anthraquinone dyes can be used.

  As the binder used in the dye layer 4 in combination with a dye, conventionally known binders can be used, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl acetal resin and polyvinyl butyral resin, cellulose resins such as ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate propionate, Resins excellent in heat resistance, dye transferability, etc., such as polyester resin, phenoxy resin, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer resin, and polycarbonate can be used.

  The weight ratio (sublimation dye / binder) of the sublimable dye and binder contained in the dye layer 4 is preferably 0.3 to 1.8, and more preferably 0.5 to 1.5. When the density is less than 0.5, the dye density becomes small, so that a clear image cannot be obtained at a desired high density. On the other hand, when the ratio is larger than 1.5, the concentration of the dye increases, so that transfer to the surface in contact with the dye layer during storage occurs, which is not preferable.

  The dye layer 4 of the present invention contains particles. Even when a binder having a high heat shrinkability is used in the dye layer, the presence of particles having almost no heat shrinkability can reduce the difference from the heat shrinkage rate with respect to the support. Further, by incorporating particles, irregularities are formed on the surface of the dye layer and the contact area with the receiving layer is reduced, so that sticking during storage can be prevented and releasability during printing can be improved.

  The particles may be either organic particles or inorganic particles, but those that do not shrink due to heat from the thermal head are preferred. Specific examples include silica particles, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, talc, kaolin, clay, silicone particles, polyethylene particles, polypropylene particles, polystyrene particles, polymethyl methacrylate resin particles, polyurethane resin particles, and the like. be able to. The particles may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The weight ratio of the particles to the dye layer is preferably 0.01 to 0.15, more preferably 0.02 to 0.1. The weight of a dye layer here is the sum total of all components other than the solvent contained in the coating liquid composition for dye layers. When the weight ratio is smaller than 0.01, a difference in heat shrinkability between the support and the dye layer occurs, and heat wrinkles tend to occur on the thermal transfer recording medium. On the other hand, when the weight ratio is larger than 0.15, sublimation of the dye in the dye layer is hindered, and transfer unevenness or a printed matter having a desired density cannot be obtained.

  The dye layer 4 of the present invention contains a lubricant. By containing a lubricant, sticking between the dye layer and the receiving layer during printing can be prevented. Examples of the lubricant include various oils and surfactants such as fluorine-based, silicone-based, and phosphate-based compounds. In the present invention, a fluorine-based or silicone-based surfactant is particularly preferable.

  The weight ratio of the lubricant to the dye layer is preferably 0.004 to 0.065, and more preferably 0.0045 to 0.05. If the weight ratio is less than 0.004, sticking between the dye layer and the receiving layer during printing is likely to occur, and even small heat wrinkles that do not affect the printed matter cause sticking between the dye layer and the receiving layer. Thermal wrinkles become severe, resulting in uneven transfer. On the other hand, if it is larger than 0.065, the slipperiness with the receiving layer is improved, but the dye sublimation is inhibited, and transfer unevenness or a printed matter with a desired density cannot be obtained.

  The dye layer 4 may be used in combination with a crosslinking agent for the purpose of improving heat resistance. By containing a cross-linking agent, heat resistance is improved and deformation of the thermal transfer recording medium can be prevented. Examples of the cross-linking agent include polyisocyanates, which are used in combinations of acrylic, urethane, and polyester polyol resins, cellulose resins, and acetal resins.

  In the thermal transfer recording medium 1 of the present invention, the thermal contraction rate in the width direction (TD direction) of only the support as a constituent element is X%, and the thermal contraction rate in the TD direction of the thermal transfer recording medium is X−. It is preferable that the absolute value of Y is 0 to 0.8%. During printing, the thermal transfer recording medium shrinks due to heat from the thermal head. At this time, if there is a difference between the thermal shrinkage rate of the support, which is a component of the thermal transfer recording medium, and the thermal shrinkage rate of the thermal transfer recording medium, the thermal transfer recording medium is greatly deformed. On the other hand, if the difference is small, even if the respective heat shrinkage rates are large, there is no significant effect on the characters and images after printing. Further, the difference in the TD direction contributes more to the deformation of the thermal transfer recording medium than the difference in the flow direction (MD direction). The heat shrinkage rate can be calculated by measuring under conditions of 150 ° C. and 30 minutes in accordance with JIS K 7133.

  A protective layer may be provided on the thermal transfer recording medium 1 in order to protect characters and images formed on the thermal transfer member. The protective layer can be provided after a yellow layer, a magenta layer, and a cyan layer, which are dye layers, are sequentially provided on the support. The protective layer is transferred onto the transfer medium on which characters and images are formed by heating with a thermal head from the surface of the thermal transfer recording medium provided with the heat-resistant slip layer. In addition to the case where the protective layer is composed of a single layer, an adhesive layer may be provided on the protective layer in order to improve the adhesion to the surface of the thermal transfer member. Further, a release layer may be provided between the protective layer and the support so that the protective layer can be easily transferred from the support.

  Examples of the resin used for the protective layer include cellulose derivatives, styrene resins, styrene copolymer resins, acrylic resins, methacrylic resins, rosin ester resins, polyvinyl acetate resins, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene One or more of vinyl acetate copolymer, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, butyral resin, polyamide resin, petroleum resin, chlorinated rubber, and chlorinated polyolefin resin are used. The normal thickness is 0.5 μm to 3.0 μm.

  Resins used for the adhesive layer include cellulose derivatives, styrene resins, styrene copolymer resins, acrylic resins, methacrylic resins, rosin ester resins, polyvinyl acetate resins, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene One or more of vinyl acetate copolymer, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, butyral resin, polyamide resin, petroleum resin, chlorinated rubber, and chlorinated polyolefin resin are used. The normal thickness is 0.1 μm to 2.0 μm.

  As the resin used for the release layer, one obtained by mixing and curing one or more of epoxy resin, melamine resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, and silicone resin is used. The normal thickness is 0.1 μm to 2.0 μm.

  The protective layer may contain a release agent. When a release agent is contained, the release property on the surface of the protective layer is improved, and the peelability between the protective layer and the support or the release layer is also improved. For example, various silicone oils such as straight silicone, alkyl-modified, epoxy-modified, polyester-modified, acrylic-modified amino-modified, polyether-modified, fluorine-based, phosphate ester-based oils, surfactants, and the like can be used. Among these, it is preferable to use silicone oil.

  The protective layer may contain an ultraviolet absorber. By transferring to a thermal transfer body together with the protective layer, the weather resistance of the printed matter is improved. If necessary, an anti-blocking agent, an antioxidant, an antistatic agent or the like may be added, and a layer having these functions may be laminated.

  Each layer constituting the thermal transfer recording medium may be formed by applying a coating solution for forming each layer on a support by a wet coating method such as bar coating, blade coating, air knife coating, gravure coating, roll coating, and drying. it can.

  The thermal transfer member is composed of a support and a receiving layer. The support can be the same as that used as the base material of the thermal transfer recording medium, and preferably has mechanical strength, flexibility, heat resistance and the like. Specifically, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate, plastic films such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyester, polysulfane, polyimide, polyvinyl alcohol, aromatic polyamide, and aramid film, fine paper, Examples thereof include paper base materials such as coated paper and synthetic paper. The thickness of the support is not particularly limited, but is generally preferably 25 μm to 250 μm, more preferably 75 μm to 200 μm.

  Moreover, as the receiving layer, for example, butyral resin having dyeability, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polybutadiene, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, Polyamide, polyester, polycaprolactone, polyvinyl acetal, epoxy, ketone, or thermoplastic resins such as modified resins or blends thereof, cross-linked products thereof, or the like can be used. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. If the film thickness of the image receiving layer is too thin, the reflection density of the image is lowered and it becomes difficult to form a sufficient image. On the other hand, if the thickness is too large, image quality such as color bleeding is deteriorated. Accordingly, the thickness is generally 1 μm to 30 μm, preferably 3 μm to 10 μm. In this case, the image receiving layer preferably contains various release agents for the purpose of preventing thermal fusion to the thermal transfer recording body during image formation. As such a release agent, a known release agent can be appropriately selected and used. For example, various oils such as silicone-based, fluorine-based, and phosphate-based oils, various fillers such as surfactants, metal oxides, and silica can be used, and among these, silicone oil is preferably used. The amount added varies depending on the constituent conditions of the image-receiving layer, but generally it is preferably 1 to 30% by weight.

Examples of the present invention will be described below. The amounts of the following compositions are all parts by weight. <Example 1>
A coating solution composition for heat-resistant slipping layer having the following composition was prepared and applied to one surface of a 4.5 μm-thick polyethylene terephthalate film (Lumirror F57, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) as a support and dried, followed by 50 ° C. Was heated for 24 hours to form a heat-resistant slipping layer having a thickness of 1.0 μm.
[Heat-resistant slip coating solution]
-Butyral resin (Esreck BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 6.0 parts-Phosphate ester compound (Foslex A-8, manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1.0 part-Polyisocyanate (Bernock D-800, 3.0 parts · 45 parts of toluene · 45 parts of methyl ethyl ketone Also, a dye layer coating composition having the following composition was prepared and applied to the surface opposite to the surface on which the heat-resistant slip layer of the polyethylene terephthalate film was formed. Thereafter, it was dried to form a dye layer having a thickness of 1.0 μm.
[Coating liquid for thermal transfer layer]
[Yellow layer]
・ C. I. Disperse Yellow 201 5.0 parts ・ Silicone fine particles (Tospearl 120, manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials) 0.30 parts ・ Silicone surfactant (Diaroma SP2105, manufactured by Dainichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd.)
0.060 parts · Butyral resin (S-REC BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 5.0 parts · Methyl ethyl ketone 45 parts · Toluene 45 parts [Magenta layer]
・ C. I. Disperse Red 60 5.0 parts ・ Silicone fine particles (Tospearl 120, manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials) 0.30 parts ・ Silicone surfactant (Diaroma SP2105, manufactured by Dainichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd.)
0.060 parts · Butyral resin (S-REC BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 5.0 parts · Methyl ethyl ketone 45 parts · Toluene 45 parts [Cyan layer]
・ C. I. Solvent Blue 63 5.0 parts ・ Silicone fine particles (Tospearl 120, manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials) 0.30 parts ・ Silicone surfactant (Diaroma SP2105, manufactured by Dainichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd.)
0.060 parts · Butyral resin (Esreck BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 5.0 parts · Methyl ethyl ketone 45 parts · Toluene 45 parts Next, as a base sheet, a foamed polypropylene film (thickness: 50 µm) / adhesive resin Layer / coated paper (coating amount: 108 g / m ² ) / adhesive resin layer / foamed polypropylene film (thickness: 50 μm), and the film thickness after drying the following receiving layer coating solution on this side is 4 μm. Coating and drying were performed as described above, and then aging was performed at 45 ° C. for 1 week to obtain a thermal transfer member with a receiving layer.
[Coating liquid for receiving layer]
・ Epoxy resin (jER1007, manufactured by Japan Epoxy Resin Co., Ltd.) 50 parts ・ Silicone oil (KF-393, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 2 parts ・ Methyl ethyl ketone 25 parts ・ Toluene 25 parts <Example 2>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight of the silicone fine particles in the dye layer was changed from 0.30 part to 0.70 part.
<Example 3>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight of the silicone fine particles in the dye layer was changed from 0.30 parts to 1.1 parts.
<Example 4>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight of the silicone surfactant in the dye layer was changed from 0.060 parts to 0.30 parts.
<Example 5>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight of the silicone surfactant in the dye layer was changed from 0.060 parts to 0.50 parts.
<Example 6>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight of the silicone fine particles in the dye layer was changed from 0.30 parts to 1.5 parts.
<Example 7>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight of the silicone fine particles in the dye layer was changed from 0.30 parts to 0.15 parts.
<Example 8>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight of the silicone surfactant in the dye layer was changed from 0.060 parts to 0.70 parts.
<Example 9>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight of the silicone surfactant in the dye layer was changed from 0.060 parts to 0.045 parts.
<Comparative Example 1>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the silicone fine particles in the dye layer were removed.
<Comparative example 2>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight of the silicone fine particles in the dye layer was changed from 0.30 parts to 0.10 parts.
<Comparative Example 3>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the silicone surfactant in the dye layer was removed.
<Comparative example 4>
A thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight of the silicone surfactant in the dye layer was changed from 0.060 parts to 0.030 parts.

  The thermal transfer layer surface of the obtained thermal transfer recording medium and the receiving layer surface of the transfer target were overlapped, and the dye was transferred using a thermal head to form an image.

  The thermal contraction rate in the TD direction of the support and the obtained thermal transfer recording medium was measured in accordance with JIS K 7133 at 150 ° C. for 30 minutes.

The following evaluation was performed on the thermal transfer recording medium and the obtained image. The results are shown in Table 1.
〔Evaluation item〕
-Thermal wrinkles after printing: The presence or absence of thermal wrinkles by a thermal head was confirmed in the protective layer portion of the thermal transfer recording medium after transfer. The evaluation was ○ when the wrinkle did not occur, × when the wrinkle occurred, and Δ when the wrinkle occurred.
Transfer unevenness: The surface of the image after printing was visually confirmed, and the presence or absence of transfer unevenness of the transfer protective layer due to heat wrinkles was confirmed. The evaluation was ○ when the transfer unevenness did not occur, × when the transfer unevenness occurred, and Δ when the transfer unevenness occurred.

  The above results are summarized in Table 1.

It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of one embodiment of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Thermal transfer recording medium 2 ... Support body 3 ... Heat-resistant slip layer 4 ... Dye layer

Claims (2)

In at least dyes and a binder and silicone microparticles and a dye layer provided comprising silicone surfactant slip agent, a thermal transfer recording medium on the other surface formed by providing a heat-resistant slip layer on one surface of the support, relative to the dye layer The weight ratio of the silicone fine particles is 0.01 to 0.15, and the weight ratio of the silicone-based interfacial lubricant to the dye layer is 0.004 to 0.065, and the width direction of the thermal transfer recording medium The absolute value of XY is 0 to 0.8% when the thermal shrinkage rate of the support only in the (TD direction) is X% and the thermal shrinkage rate of the thermal transfer recording medium is Y%. Thermal transfer recording medium. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1 , wherein the dye layer has a thickness of 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm.

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