JP7093511B2 - A thermal transfer sheet, a combination of the thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium, a peel-off method, and a method for manufacturing a printed matter. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer sheet, a combination of the thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium, a peel-off method, and a method for producing a printed matter.

Conventionally, various thermal transfer recording methods are known.
For example, the pigment layer is transferred onto the transferred body by superimposing the heat transfer sheet including the pigment layer containing the pigment and the transferred body, and then heating the heat transfer sheet by the thermal head provided in the thermal transfer printer. A thermal melt transfer method is known in which a thermal melt transfer type image is formed and a printed matter is produced.
Further, the sublimation dye in the dye layer is removed by superimposing the heat transfer sheet provided with the dye layer containing the sublimation dye and the transferred object, and then heating the heat transfer sheet with the thermal head provided in the thermal transfer printer. A sublimation type thermal transfer method is known in which a sublimation type image is formed by transferring onto a transfer body to produce a printed matter.

Image formation by the sublimation type thermal transfer method may be difficult depending on the surface shape of the transferred object, and in such a case, image formation using an intermediate transfer medium provided with a transfer layer is performed. ..
In the production of a printed matter using an intermediate transfer medium, a thermal transfer sheet provided with a dye layer is heated, and the sublimation dye in the dye layer is transferred to a receiving layer constituting the transfer layer included in the intermediate transfer medium to form an image. After that, the intermediate transfer medium is heated and the transfer layer is transferred onto the transferred object.

By the way, depending on the application, an IC chip, a transmission / reception antenna, or the like is introduced into the transfer target, so that selective transfer of the transfer layer to a region other than the introduction region may be desired.

In order to enable selective transfer of the transfer layer, in Patent Document 1, a transfer layer provided in a region corresponding to a region in which the transfer layer of the transferred body does not need to be provided (hereinafter referred to as a removal region) is used as an intermediate. A thermal transfer sheet having a peel-off layer that can be removed from the transfer medium (peel-off) has been proposed.

Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a thermal transfer sheet including a peel-off layer and a molten layer.
In the document, the molten layer is transferred from the thermal transfer sheet onto the transfer layer (receptive layer) in the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium, and then the molten layer and the peel-off layer are heat-bonded to peel off the thermal transfer sheet. It is described that the transfer layer provided in the removal region can be accurately peeled off.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-326865 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-071217

Now, the present inventors adjust the composition of the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer in the thermal transfer sheet including the base material and the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer provided in a surface-sequential manner on the base material. Therefore, it was found that the peel-off of the transfer layer provided in the removal region can be performed more accurately (hereinafter, referred to as high peel-off property in some cases).

Therefore, an object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer sheet having a high peel-off property and a peel-off method for a transfer layer using the thermal transfer sheet.
Further, an object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a combination of a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium having high peel-off property.
Further, an object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for producing a printed matter using an intermediate transfer medium obtained by the peel-off method.

The thermal transfer sheet of the present invention comprises a base material, a heat-sealable transfer layer containing at least one resin material and a peel-off layer containing at least one resin material, which are sequentially provided on the base material. ,
The heat-sealing transfer layer contains a resin material and contains
The peel-off layer contains the same type of resin material as the above resin material.
The difference between the content of the resin material in the heat-sealable transfer layer and the content of the resin material of the same type in the peel-off layer is 10% by mass or less.

In one embodiment, the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer include a resin material having a glass transition temperature of 35 ° C. or higher and 125 ° C. or lower.

In one embodiment, the heat sealable transfer layer and peel-off layer comprises at least one resin material selected from polyester, vinyl resin and (meth) acrylic resin.

In one embodiment, the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer are composed of polyester alone or a heat-sealable transfer layer made of polyester and vinyl resin.

In one embodiment, the ratio of the polyester content to the vinyl resin content (polyester content / vinyl resin content) in the heat-sealable transfer layer and peel-off layer is 20/80 on a mass basis. It is 85/15 or less.

In one embodiment, the thickness of the heat-sealable transfer layer is 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

In one embodiment, the thickness of the peel-off layer is 0.5 μm or more and 3 μm or less.

The combination of the present invention is a combination of the thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium.
The intermediate transfer medium comprises a substrate and at least a transfer layer comprising a receptive layer.
The receiving layer is characterized by containing at least one resin material of the same type as the resin material contained in the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer.

In one embodiment, the receiving layer comprises a silicone oil.

The peel-off method of the present invention is
A step of preparing an intermediate transfer medium including the thermal transfer sheet, a substrate, and a transfer layer having at least a receiving layer.
The process of transferring the heat-sealable transfer layer onto the receiving layer,
After heat-pressing the heat-sealable transfer layer transferred onto the receiving layer and the peel-off layer in at least a part of the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium, the transfer layer provided in the removal region is peeled off from the intermediate transfer medium. Process and
It is characterized by including.

In one embodiment, the applied energy in the heat pressure bonding between the peel-off layer and the heat-sealing transfer layer is 0.07 mJ / dot or more higher than the applied energy in the transfer of the heat-sealing transfer layer.

The method for producing a printed matter of the present invention includes a step of preparing an intermediate transfer medium and a transferred body in which the transfer layer provided in the removal region is peeled off and an image is formed on the receiving layer by the peel-off method.
The step of transferring the transfer layer included in the intermediate transfer medium onto the transfer target,
It is characterized by including.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermal transfer sheet having a high peel-off property and a peel-off method for a transfer layer using the thermal transfer sheet.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a combination of a thermal transfer sheet having a high peel-off property and an intermediate transfer medium.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for producing a printed matter using the intermediate transfer medium obtained by the peel-off method.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the thermal transfer sheet of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the thermal transfer sheet of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the thermal transfer sheet of this invention. It is schematic cross-sectional view which shows one Embodiment of the intermediate transfer medium which comprises the combination of this invention. It is schematic cross-sectional view which shows one Embodiment of the intermediate transfer medium which comprises the combination of this invention. It is schematic cross-sectional view which shows one Embodiment of the intermediate transfer medium which comprises the combination of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the transfer process of the heat-sealing transfer layer included in the method of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the peel-off process of the transfer layer included in the method of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one embodiment of the pressure-bonding method between a heat-sealing transfer layer in the peel-off step of the transfer layer included in the method of this invention, and a peel-off layer.

(Thermal transfer sheet)
As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal transfer sheet 10 of the present invention contains a base material 11, a heat-sealable transfer layer 12 containing at least one resin material, and at least one resin material on the base material 11. The peel-off layer 13 is sequentially provided on the surface.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the thermal transfer sheet 10 may include a dye layer 14 and a pigment layer 15 so as to be surface-sequential to the heat-sealable transfer layer 12.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the thermal transfer sheet 10 may include a release layer 16 between the base material 11 and the pigment layer 15.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the thermal transfer sheet 10 may have a back surface layer 17 on a surface opposite to the surface of the base material 11 provided with the heat-sealable transfer layer 12 and the peel-off layer 13. good.
Further, the thermal transfer sheet may include a release layer between the base material and the heat-sealable transfer layer (not shown).
Further, the thermal transfer sheet may include a primer layer between the base material 11 and the peel-off layer (not shown).

Further, in the heat-sealing transfer sheet of the present invention, the heat-sealing transfer layer contains a resin material, and the peel-off layer contains the same type of resin material as the resin material contained in the heat-sealing transfer layer.
Further, from the viewpoint of peel-off property, it is preferable that the peel-off layer contains a resin material of exactly the same type as the resin material contained in the heat-sealable transfer layer.
In the present invention, "the same type of resin material" means that 50% by mass or more of the monomers constituting the resin material match, and "exactly the same type of resin material" constitutes the resin material. It means that 95% by mass or more of the monomers match.
For example, when the heat-sealable transfer layer contains two types of resin material A and resin material B, the peel-off layer is the same type of resin material A'as the resin material A and the same type of resin material as the resin material B. Including B'.

Further, the heat transfer sheet of the present invention has the content of the resin material in the heat-sealable transfer layer and the same type of resin material as the resin material in the heat-sealable transfer layer in the peel-off layer (hereinafter, simply referred to as the same type of resin material. ) Is 10% by mass or less.
More preferably, the difference in content is 5% by mass or less, further preferably 3% by mass or less, and particularly preferably the content is the same. Thereby, the peel-off property of the thermal transfer sheet can be further improved.
For example, when the heat-sealable transfer layer contains two types of resin material A and resin material B, and the peel-off layer contains resin material A'and resin material B', the heat-sealable transfer layer contains the resin material A. The difference between the amount and the content of the resin material A'in the peel-off layer, and the difference between the content of the resin material B in the heat-sealable transfer layer and the content of the resin material B'in the peel-off layer are 10% by mass, respectively. It becomes the following.

Particularly preferably, the materials constituting the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer included in the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention are the same. As a result, the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer can be formed at the same time, and the occurrence of coating unevenness can be effectively prevented.

Hereinafter, each layer included in the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention will be described.

(Base material)
The base material has heat resistance that can withstand the thermal energy applied during thermal transfer (for example, heat from a thermal head), and has mechanical strength and solvent resistance that can support a colored layer or the like provided on the base material. If there is, it can be used without any particular restrictions.

As the base material, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), 1,4-polycyclohexylene methylene terephthalate, terephthalic acid-cyclohexanedimethanol-ethylene glycol copolymer, etc. Polyester, Nylon 6 and Polyethylene such as Nylon 6,6, Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) and Polymethylpentene and the like, Polyvinyl chloride, Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Polyvinyl acetate, Vinyl chloride-Vinyl acetate Copolymers, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl butyral and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), (meth) acrylic resins such as polyacrylate, polymethacrylate and polymethylmethacrylate, imide resins such as polyimide and polyetherimide, cellophane, cellulose acetate. , Nitrocellulose, cellulose resin such as cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), styrene resin such as polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate, ionomer resin and the like (hereinafter, simply ""Resinfilm") can be used.
Among the above-mentioned resins, polyesters such as PET and PEN are preferable, and PET is particularly preferable, from the viewpoint of heat resistance and mechanical strength.
In the present invention, "(meth) acrylic" means to include both "acrylic" and "methacrylic". Further, "(meth) acrylate" means to include both "acrate" and "meta-acrate".

Further, the above-mentioned laminated body of the resin film can be used as a base material. The laminate of the resin film can be produced by using a dry lamination method, a wet lamination method, an extraction method, or the like.

When the base material is a resin film, the resin film may be a stretched film or an unstretched film, but from the viewpoint of strength, the stretched film stretched in the uniaxial direction or the biaxial direction is used. preferable.

The thickness of the base material is preferably 2 μm or more and 25 μm or less, and more preferably 3 μm or more and 10 μm or less. This makes it possible to improve the mechanical strength of the base material and the transfer of thermal energy during thermal transfer.

(Heat-sealable transfer layer)
The heat-sealable transfer layer is a layer transferred onto the receiving layer included in the intermediate transfer medium. As described below, the heat-sealable transfer layer in the removal region is removed by the peel-off layer together with the transfer layer included in the intermediate transfer medium.

The heat-sealable transfer layer contains at least one resin material, and examples of the resin material include polyester, vinyl resin, (meth) acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyolefin, polyamide, fluororesin, imide resin, and cellulose resin. Examples thereof include styrene resin, polycarbonate and ionomer resin.
Among these, it is preferable to contain at least one selected from polyester, vinyl resin (particularly vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer) and (meth) acrylic resin, and heat seal from polyester alone or polyester and vinyl resin. It is more preferable that a sex transfer layer is formed.
By containing these resin materials, the heat-sealable transfer layer other than the removed region can function as an adhesive layer when the transfer layer is transferred from the intermediate transfer medium onto the transferred body, and the transfer layer and the transferred layer can be transferred. Adhesion with the body can be improved. Further, the heating temperature at which the transfer layer can be transferred onto the transfer target without omission or blurring (hereinafter, referred to as transferable temperature in some cases) can be lowered, and damage to the transfer layer can be reduced, which is higher. Can produce quality imprints.
Further, these resin materials are also preferable because it is easy to adjust the applied energy exhibiting the heat-sealing property and the applied energy exhibiting the peel-off property.
In addition, "the heat-sealing transfer layer is composed of polyester alone or polyester and vinyl resin" does not exclude the case where the heat-sealing transfer layer contains an additive or the like. It means that the resin material contains only polyester or polyester and vinyl resin.

When the heat-sealable transfer layer contains polyester and vinyl resin, the content ratio (polyester content / vinyl resin content) is preferably 20/80 or more and 85/15 or less on a mass basis. , 30/70 or more and 80/20 or less is more preferable. Thereby, the peel-off property of the thermal transfer sheet can be further improved. In addition, the adhesion of the transfer layer to the transferred object can be further improved, and the transferable temperature of the transfer layer can be further lowered.

The heat-sealable transfer layer preferably contains a resin material having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 35 ° C. or higher and 125 ° C. or lower. Thereby, the peel-off property of the thermal transfer sheet can be further improved. In addition, the adhesion of the transfer layer to the transferred object can be further improved, and the transferable temperature of the transfer layer can be further lowered.
The heat-sealable transfer layer more preferably contains a resin material having a Tg of 38 ° C. or higher and 110 ° C. or lower, and further preferably contains a resin material having a Tg of 40 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower.
In the present invention, the Tg of the resin material is a value obtained by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) in accordance with JIS K 7121.

The total content of the resin material in the heat-sealable transfer layer is preferably 50% by mass or more and 99% by mass or less, and more preferably 70% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less. Thereby, the peel-off property of the thermal transfer sheet can be further improved. In addition, the adhesion of the transfer layer to the transferred object can be further improved, and the transferable temperature of the transfer layer can be further lowered.

To the extent that the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired, the heat-sealable transfer layer contains additives such as fillers, thermoplastics, antistatic materials, ultraviolet absorbers, inorganic particles, organic particles, mold release materials and dispersants. May be good.

The thickness of the heat-sealable transfer layer is preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and more preferably 2 μm or more and 5 μm or less. Thereby, the peel-off property of the thermal transfer sheet can be further improved. In addition, the transferability of the transfer layer and the adhesion to the transferred body can be further improved, and the foil breakability can be improved.

In the heat-sealable transfer layer, the above material is dispersed or dissolved in water or an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, which is used as a roll coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, or a bar coating method. It can be formed by applying it on a substrate or the like to form a coating film by a known means such as a rod coating method and drying the coating film.

(Peel-off layer)
The peel-off layer is a layer for peeling off the transfer layer provided in the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium.

The peel-off layer is the above-mentioned resin material and contains the same type or completely the same type of resin material as the resin material contained in the heat-sealable transfer layer. Among the above resin materials, from the viewpoint of peel-off property, it is preferable to contain at least one selected from polyester, vinyl resin (particularly, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer) and (meth) acrylic resin, and polyester alone or It is more preferable that the peel-off layer is composed of polyester and vinyl resin.

When the peel-off layer contains polyester and vinyl resin, the content ratio (polyester content / vinyl resin content) is preferably 20/80 or more and 85/15 or less on a mass basis, preferably 30 /. It is more preferably 70 or more and 80/20 or less. Thereby, the peel-off property of the thermal transfer sheet can be further improved.

The peel-off layer preferably contains a resin material having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 35 ° C. or higher and 125 ° C. or lower. Thereby, the peel-off property of the thermal transfer sheet can be further improved.
The peel-off layer more preferably contains a resin material having a Tg of 38 ° C. or higher and 110 ° C. or lower, and further preferably contains a resin material having a Tg of 40 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower.

The total content of the resin material in the peel-off layer is preferably 50% by mass or more and 99% by mass or less, and more preferably 70% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less. Thereby, the peel-off property of the thermal transfer sheet can be further improved.

The peel-off layer may contain the above-mentioned additive as long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired.

The thickness of the peel-off layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and more preferably 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less. Thereby, the peel-off property of the thermal transfer sheet can be further improved.

The peel-off layer is prepared by dispersing or dissolving the above-mentioned material in water or an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, such as a roll coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, a bar coating method and a rod coating method. It can be formed by applying it on a substrate or the like to form a coating film by a known means of the above, and drying the coating film.
Further, when the coating liquid for forming the peel-off layer and the coating liquid for forming the heat-sealing transfer layer have the same composition, the peel-off layer and the heat-sealing transfer layer may be formed at the same time. This makes it possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of coating unevenness, particularly coating unevenness near the coating start position.

(Dye layer)
In one embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention comprises one or more dye layers so as to be surface-sequential with the heat-sealable transfer layer.

The dye layer contains at least one dye and includes, for example, methine dyes such as pyrazolomethin, bispyrazolomethin and pyridonemethine, acetophenone azomethin, pyrazoloazomethin, pyrazorotriazole azomethin, pyrazoloazomethine, imidazole azomethine and imidazole azomethine, pyridone. Azomethine dyes such as azomethin, cyanostyrene dyes such as dicyanostyrene and tricyanostyrene, benzeneazo dyes, pyridone azo, thiophenazo, isothiazole azo, pyrrol azo, pyrazole azo, imidazole azo, thiadiazol azo, triazole azo and azo azo. Dyes, diarylmethane dyes, triarylmethane dyes, thiazole dyes, merocyanine dyes, pyrazolone dyes, Indian aniline dyes, xanthene dyes, oxazine dyes, thiazine dyes, azine dyes, acridin dyes, spiropyran dyes, indolinospiropiran dyes, fluorane dyes, Examples thereof include rhodamine lactam dyes, naphthoquinone dyes, anthraquinone dyes and quinophthalone dyes.

Further, the dye layer may contain one or more resin materials, and examples thereof include cellulose resin, vinyl resin, (meth) acrylic resin, polyurethane, polyamide and polyester.

The thickness of the dye layer is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 1.0 μm.

The dye layer is prepared by dispersing or dissolving the above material in water or an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, such as a roll coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, a bar coating method and a rod coating method. It can be formed by applying it on a substrate to form a coating film and drying it by a known means.

(Pigment layer)
In one embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention comprises one or more pigment layers so as to be surface-sequential with the heat-sealable transfer layer.

The pigment layer contains at least one kind of pigment, and the pigment is not particularly limited, and may be an inorganic pigment, an organic pigment, or a combination thereof.
Examples of inorganic pigments include titanium oxide, zinc flower, carbon black, black iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, yellow lead, molybdate orange, cadmium yellow, chrome titanium yellow, cadmium red, cobalt blue, chromium oxide, cobalt green, etc. Examples thereof include aluminum powder, bronze powder, mica titanium and zinc sulfide. Examples of organic pigments include aniline black, perylene black, azo pigments (azolake, insoluble azo pigments, condensed azo pigments, etc.), isoindolinone pigments, isoindolin pigments, quinophthalone pigments, flavantron pigments, anthrapyrimidine pigments, and anthraquinone pigments. , Kinaclidene pigments, perylene pigments, diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments, dibrom anzantron pigments, dioxazine pigments, thioindigo pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, indantron pigments and the like.

Further, the pigment layer may contain one or more resin materials, and examples thereof include cellulose resin, vinyl resin, (meth) acrylic resin, polyurethane, polyamide and polyester.

The thickness of the pigment layer is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm.

The pigment layer is prepared by dispersing or dissolving the above-mentioned material in water or an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, such as a roll coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, a bar coating method and a rod coating method. It can be formed by applying it on a substrate or the like to form a coating film by a known means of the above, and drying the coating film.

(Release layer)
In one embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention comprises a release layer between the substrate and the pigment layer. This makes it possible to improve the transferability of the pigment layer onto the intermediate transfer medium. The peeling layer is peeled from the substrate at the time of transfer of the pigment layer and transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium.

In one embodiment, the release layer may contain a resin material, and examples of the resin material include vinyl resin, polyester, polyamide, polyolefin, (meth) acrylic resin, polyolefin, polyurethane, cellulose resin, phenol resin and the like. Be done.

Further, in one embodiment, the peeling layer may contain wax, and examples of the wax include beeswax, whale wax, wood wax, rice bran wax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, montane wax and other natural waxes, and paraffin. Examples thereof include synthetic waxes such as waxes, microcrystallin waxes, oxide waxes, ozokelites, selecins, ester waxes and polyethylene waxes.

The thickness of the release layer is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 0.3 μm or more and 3.0 μm.

For the release layer, the above material is dispersed or dissolved in water or an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, and the roll coating method, reverse roll coating method, gravure coating method, reverse gravure coating method, bar coating method, rod coating method, etc. It can be formed by applying it on a substrate to form a coating film and drying it by a known means.
Further, when the coating liquid for forming the release layer and the coating liquid for forming the heat-sealing transfer layer and the coating liquid for forming the peel-off layer have the same composition, the release layer, the heat-sealing transfer layer and the peel-off layer are formed. May be formed at the same time. This makes it possible to more effectively prevent the occurrence of coating unevenness.

(Back layer)
In one embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention includes a back surface layer on a surface opposite to the surface on which the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer of the substrate are provided. This makes it possible to prevent sticking and wrinkles due to heating during thermal transfer.

In one embodiment, the back layer contains at least one resin material, and the resin material includes, for example, vinyl resin, polyester, polyamide, polyolefin, (meth) acrylic resin, polyolefin, polyurethane, cellulose resin, phenol resin and the like. Can be mentioned.

The thickness of the back layer is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 0.3 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less.

For the back layer, the above material is dispersed or dissolved in water or an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, and a roll coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, a bar coating method, a rod coating method, etc. It can be formed by applying it on a substrate to form a coating film and drying it by a known means.

(Release layer)
In one embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention comprises a mold release layer between the substrate and the heat sealable transfer layer. Thereby, the transferability of the heat-sealable transfer layer can be improved. The release layer remains on the substrate side during transfer of the heat-sealable transfer layer.

In one embodiment, the release layer comprises one or more resin materials, eg, (meth) acrylic resin, polyurethane, acetal resin, polyamide, polyester, melamine resin, polyol resin, cellulose resin and silicone resin. And so on.

Further, in one embodiment, the release layer includes one or more types of silicone oil, a phosphoric acid ester-based plastic material, a fluorine-based compound, a wax, a metal soap, and a release material such as a filler.

The thickness of the release layer is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 0.2 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less.

The release layer is prepared by dispersing or dissolving the above-mentioned material in water or an appropriate solvent to obtain a coating liquid, which is a roll coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, a bar coating method and a rod coating method. It can be formed by applying it on a substrate by a known means such as, etc. to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

(Primer layer)
In one embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention comprises a primer layer between the substrate and the peel-off layer. As a result, the adhesion between the base material and the peel-off layer can be improved, and the peel-off property of the thermal transfer sheet can be further improved.

In one embodiment, the primer layer contains one or more resin materials, and examples thereof include polyester, vinyl resin, polyurethane, (meth) acrylic resin, polyamide, polyether, styrene resin, cellulose resin and the like. ..

The thickness of the primer layer is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 0.2 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less.

The primer layer is prepared by dispersing or dissolving the above material in water or an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, such as a roll coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, a bar coating method, and a rod coating method. It can be formed by applying it on a substrate to form a coating film and drying it by a known means.

(Combination of thermal transfer sheet and intermediate transfer medium)
The thermal transfer sheet of the present invention can peel off the transfer layer in the removal region regardless of the configuration of the intermediate transfer medium, but the receiving layer included in the intermediate transfer medium includes the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer. It was found that the peel-off property can be further improved by containing at least one resin material of the same type as the resin material.
Therefore, the combination of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium including a receiving layer containing at least one resin material of the same type as the resin material contained in the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer. It is characterized by. The thermal transfer sheet will be omitted because it has been described above.

(Intermediate transfer medium)
As shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate transfer medium 20 includes a base material 21 and a transfer layer 23 including at least a receiving layer 22.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate transfer medium 20 may include a protective layer 24 under the receiving layer 22 in the transfer layer 23.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate transfer medium 20 may include a release layer 25 under the receiving layer 22 in the transfer layer 23.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the intermediate transfer medium 20 may be provided with the back surface layer 26 on the surface of the base material 21 opposite to the surface on which the transfer layer 23 is provided.

Hereinafter, each layer included in the intermediate transfer medium will be described.

(Base material)
As the base material, the above-mentioned resin film can be used.
The thickness of the base material is not particularly limited and may be 3 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

(Receptive layer)
The receiving layer is characterized by containing at least one resin material of the same type as the resin material contained in the heat-sealing transfer layer. As a result, the adhesion to the heat-sealable transfer layer can be improved, and the transfer layer provided in the removal region can be peeled off more accurately.
The receiving layer may contain a resin material other than the resin material contained in the heat-sealing transfer layer, as long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired.

Examples of the resin material include polyolefins such as PE and PP, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl butyral and PVP, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and the like. Vinyl resin, (meth) acrylic resin, cellophane, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, cellulose resin such as CAP and CAB, PET, PBT, PEN, 1,4-polycyclohexylene methylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate-isophthalate co-weight. Examples thereof include ester resins such as coalesced and terephthalic acid-cyclohexanedimethanol-ethylene glycol copolymers, amide resins such as nylon 6 and nylon 6,6, carbonate resins, styrene resins, and urethane resins.

The total content of the resin material in the receiving layer is preferably 80% by mass or more and 98% by mass or less, and more preferably 85% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less. This makes it possible to form a good image on the receiving layer.

In one embodiment, the receiving layer comprises a silicone oil. This makes it possible to improve the releasability between the thermal transfer sheet and the receiving layer at the time of image formation.

Examples of the silicone oil include straight silicone oils such as dimethyl silicone oil and methylphenyl silicone oil, amino-modified silicone oil, epoxy-modified silicone oil, carboxy-modified silicone oil, methacryl-modified silicone oil, mercapto-modified silicone oil, and carbinol-modified. Examples thereof include modified silicone oils such as silicone oil, fluorine-modified silicone oil, methylstyryl-modified silicone oil, and polyether-modified silicone oil.

The content of the silicone oil in the receiving layer is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, and more preferably 1% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less. Thereby, the releasability between the thermal transfer sheet and the receiving layer at the time of image formation can be further improved.

The receiving layer may contain the above-mentioned additive as long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired.

The thickness of the receiving layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less, and more preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. Thereby, the dye acceptability of the receiving layer can be improved. Moreover, the peel-off property can be further improved.

The receiving layer is known as a roll coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, a bar coating method, a rod coating method, or the like by dispersing or dissolving the above-mentioned material in water or an appropriate solvent. It can be formed by applying the coating film on a substrate or the like to form a coating film and drying the coating film.

In one embodiment, the transfer layer included in the intermediate transfer medium comprises a protective layer beneath the receiving layer.

In one embodiment, the protective layer comprises one or more resin materials, eg, (meth) acrylic resin, polyester, cellulose resin, styrene resin, polyamide, vinyl acetal resin, carbonate resin, thermosetting resin. And active photocurable resin and the like. Among these, (meth) acrylic resin and polyester are preferable from the viewpoint of durability of the printed matter.

The protective layer may contain the above-mentioned additives as long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired.

The thickness of the protective layer is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and more preferably 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less. As a result, the durability of the protective layer can be improved, and the transferability of the transfer layer can be improved.

The protective layer is obtained by dispersing or dissolving the above-mentioned material in water or an appropriate solvent to obtain a coating liquid, which is used as a roll coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, a bar coating method and a rod. It can be formed by applying it on a substrate or the like by a known means such as a coating method to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

In one embodiment, the transfer layer included in the intermediate transfer medium includes a release layer under the receiving layer.

In one embodiment, the release layer contains a resin material, and examples thereof include (meth) acrylic resin, cellulose resin, vinyl resin, urethane resin, and fluororesin.

In one embodiment, the release layer comprises wax, for example, natural waxes such as beeswax, whale wax, wood wax, rice bran wax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax and montan wax, paraffin wax, microcrystallin wax, oxide wax, ozokelite. , Selecin, synthetic waxes such as ester wax and polyethylene wax, higher saturated fatty acids such as margaric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, floic acid and behenic acid, and higher saturated monovalent alcohols such as stearyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol. , Higher esters such as sorbitan fatty acid esters, higher fatty acid amides such as stearate amides and oleic acid amides, and the like.

The release layer may contain the above-mentioned additive as long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired.

The thickness of the release layer is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 0.3 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less.

The peeling layer is formed by dispersing or dissolving the above-mentioned material in water or an appropriate solvent, and known as a roll coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, a bar coating method, a rod coating method and the like. By means, it can be formed by applying it on a substrate to form a coating film and drying it.

(Peel-off method)
The peel-off method of the present invention
A step of preparing an intermediate transfer medium including the thermal transfer sheet, a substrate, and a transfer layer having at least a receiving layer.
A step of transferring the heat-sealable transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet onto the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium, and
After heat-pressing the heat-sealable transfer layer transferred onto the receiving layer and the peel-off layer provided in the thermal transfer sheet in at least a part of the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium, the transfer layer provided in the removal region is subjected to intermediate transfer. The process of peeling off from the medium and
It is characterized by including.

(Preparation process of thermal transfer sheet and intermediate transfer medium)
The peel-off method of the present invention includes a step of preparing a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium. The method for producing the thermal transfer sheet and the intermediate transfer medium is as described above, and commercially available ones may be used.

(Transfer process of heat-sealing transfer layer)
The peel-off method of the present invention includes a step of transferring a heat-sealing transfer layer included in a thermal transfer sheet onto a receiving layer included in an intermediate transfer medium.
The transfer of the heat-sealable transfer layer may be performed over the entire area of the receiving layer or a part thereof, but from the viewpoint of the adhesion of the transfer layer to the transferred material and the transferable temperature of the transfer layer, the transfer may be performed. It is preferable to do it over the entire area.

In one embodiment, the transfer of the heat-sealing transfer layer onto the receiving layer is performed by superimposing the receiving layer 22 and the heat-sealing transfer layer 12 (see FIG. 7A), and then placing the heat transfer sheet 10 on the back surface. This can be done by heating from the layer 17 side using a thermal head 30 or the like (see FIG. 7 (b)) and peeling off the thermal transfer sheet 10 (see FIG. 7 (c)). Further, the transfer of the heat-sealable transfer layer can also be performed by using a laminator.

The applied energy in the transfer of the heat-sealing transfer layer is not particularly limited, and it is preferable to appropriately adjust the energy in consideration of the configuration of the heat-sealing transfer layer.

(Peel-off process of transfer layer)
The peel-off method of the present invention includes a step of peeling off the transfer layer provided in the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium.

In one embodiment, peeling off the transfer layer 23 provided in the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium 20 is a heat-sealing transfer layer 12 transferred onto the reception layer 22 included in the intermediate transfer medium 20 in at least a part of the removal region. And the peel-off layer 13 provided in the thermal transfer sheet 10 are superposed (see FIG. 8A), and then the thermal transfer sheet 10 is heated from the back layer 17 side using a thermal head 30 or the like and crimped (FIG. 8). (B)), this can be done by peeling off the thermal transfer sheet 10 (see FIG. 8 (c)).
The heat-sealing transfer layer 12 and the peel-off layer 13 can be crimped by, for example, sandwiching them between the thermal head 30 and the platen roll 31 (see FIG. 9).
Further, the pressure-bonding between the heat-sealable transfer layer 12 and the peel-off layer 13 can also be performed by using a laminator.

In this step, the heat-bonding between the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer is preferably performed over the entire area of the removal region. As a result, the transfer layer provided in the removal region can be peeled off more accurately.

The applied energy in the heat pressure bonding between the peel-off layer and the heat-sealing transfer layer is not particularly limited, and it is preferable to appropriately adjust the energy applied in consideration of the configurations of the peel-off layer and the heat-sealing transfer layer. It is preferable that the temperature is such that the temperature does not peel off from the substrate and the temperature is such that the adhesiveness to the heat-sealable transfer layer is exhibited.
Further, the applied energy in the heat pressure bonding between the peel-off layer and the heat-sealing transfer layer is preferably 0.07 mJ / dot or more higher than the applied energy in the transfer of the heat-sealing transfer layer, and is preferably 2 mJ / dot or more higher. More preferred.

(Manufacturing method of printed matter)
The method for producing a printed matter of the present invention includes a step of preparing an intermediate transfer medium and a transferred body in which the transfer layer provided in the removal region is peeled off and an image is formed on the receiving layer by the peel-off method.
The step of transferring the transfer layer included in the intermediate transfer medium onto the transfer target,
including.

(Preparation step of intermediate transfer medium and transfer target)
Since the peel-off method of the transfer layer provided in the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium has been described above, the description thereof is omitted here.
The image formation on the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium may be performed before the peel-off of the transfer layer or after the peel-off.
When the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention includes a dye layer or a pigment layer, the thermal transfer sheet can be used to form an image.

The transferred material is not particularly limited, and is, for example, a film or a card made of a paper material such as high-quality paper or plain paper, a polyvinyl chloride, and a resin material such as polycarbonate and a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer. Can be mentioned.

(Transfer process of transfer layer)
To transfer the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium onto the transfer target, first, the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium and the transfer target are superposed, and then the intermediate transfer medium is heated using a thermal head or the like. Can be done by.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

(Preparation of intermediate transfer medium A)
As a base material, a PET film having a thickness of 12 μm was prepared. A coating liquid for forming a release layer having the following composition was applied to one surface of the PET film and dried to form a release layer having a thickness of 1 μm.
<Coating liquid for forming a release layer>
90 parts by mass of (meth) acrylic resin (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Dianal (registered trademark) BR-87)
10 parts by mass of polyester (manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron (registered trademark) 200)
・ 125 parts by mass of toluene ・ 125 parts by mass of MEK

A coating liquid for forming a protective layer having the following composition was applied onto the release layer and dried to form a protective layer having a thickness of 3 μm.
<Coating liquid for forming a protective layer>
100 parts by mass of polyester (manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron (registered trademark) GK880)
・ 125 parts by mass of toluene ・ 125 parts by mass of MEK

A coating liquid for forming a receiving layer having the following composition was applied onto the protective layer and dried to form a receiving layer having a thickness of 2 μm to obtain an intermediate transfer medium A.
<Coating liquid for forming a receiving layer>
50 parts by mass of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer (Solvine (registered trademark) CNL manufactured by Nisshin Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.)
・ 45 parts by mass of polyester (manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron (registered trademark) GK250)
・ Silicone oil 2 parts by mass (manufactured by Shinetsu Silicone Co., Ltd., KP-1800U)
・ Silicone oil 3 parts by mass (manufactured by Shinetsu Silicone Co., Ltd., KF-410)
・ 125 parts by mass of toluene ・ 125 parts by mass of MEK

(Preparation of intermediate transfer medium B)
An intermediate transfer medium B was prepared in the same manner as above, except that the composition of the coating liquid for forming the receiving layer was changed as follows.
<Coating liquid for forming a receiving layer>
95 parts by mass of polyester (manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron (registered trademark) GK250)
・ Silicone oil 5 parts by mass (manufactured by Shinetsu Silicone Co., Ltd., KF-410)
・ 125 parts by mass of toluene ・ 125 parts by mass of MEK

(Preparation of intermediate transfer medium C)
An intermediate transfer medium C was prepared in the same manner as above, except that the composition of the coating liquid for forming the receiving layer was changed as follows.
<Coating liquid for forming a receiving layer>
95 parts by mass of polyester (manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron (registered trademark) GK250)
・ Silicone oil 5 parts by mass (manufactured by Shinetsu Silicone Co., Ltd., KP-1800U)
・ 125 parts by mass of toluene ・ 125 parts by mass of MEK

Example 1
A PET film having a thickness of 6 μm is prepared, and a coating liquid for forming a yellow dye layer, a coating liquid for forming a magenta dye layer, and a coating liquid for forming a cyan dye layer having the following composition are applied to one surface of the PET film. After drying, a yellow dye layer, a magenta dye layer and a cyan dye layer having a thickness of 1 μm were formed in a surface-sequential manner.
<Coating liquid for forming a yellow dye layer>
-Dispersion dye (Holon Brilliant Yellow-S-6GL) 5.5 parts by mass-Polyvinyl acetal acetal 4.5 parts by mass (Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., Eslek (registered trademark) KS-5)
-Phosphoric acid ester-based surfactant 0.1 part by mass (manufactured by Dai-ichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Plysurf (registered trademark) A208N)
・ Polyethylene wax 0.1 part by mass ・ Toluene 45 part by mass ・ MEK 45 part by mass <Magenta dye layer forming coating liquid>
・ Disperse dye (MS Red G) 1.5 parts by mass ・ Disperse dye (Macrolex Red Violet R) 2.0 parts by mass ・ Polyvinyl acetal acetal 4.5 parts by mass (Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., Eslek (registered trademark) ) KS-5)
-Phosphoric acid ester-based surfactant 0.1 part by mass (manufactured by Dai-ichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Plysurf (registered trademark) A208N)
-Polyethylene wax 0.1 parts by mass-Toluene 45 parts by mass-MEK 45 parts by mass <Cyan dye layer forming coating liquid>
・ Dispersion dye (Kayaset Blue 714) 4.5 parts by mass ・ Polyvinyl acetal acetal 4.5 parts by mass (manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., Eslek (registered trademark) KS-5)
-Phosphoric acid ester-based surfactant 0.1 part by mass (manufactured by Dai-ichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Plysurf (registered trademark) A208N)
・ Polyethylene wax 0.1 parts by mass ・ Toluene 45 parts by mass ・ MEK 45 parts by mass

A coating liquid for forming a pigment layer having the following composition was applied and dried so as to be surface-sequential with the cyan dye layer formed as described above to form a pigment layer having a thickness of 2 μm.
<Coating liquid for forming pigment layer>
-Carbon black 50 parts by mass-Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer 50 parts by mass (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Solveine (registered trademark) CNL)
・ Toluene 200 parts by mass ・ MEK 200 parts by mass

A coating liquid for forming a heat-sealing transfer layer having the following composition was applied and dried so as to be surface-sequential with the pigment layer formed as described above to form a heat-sealing transfer layer having a thickness of 1 μm.
<Coating liquid for forming a heat-sealing transfer layer>
100 parts by mass of polyester A (manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron (registered trademark) 245, Tg 60 ° C)
・ 125 parts by mass of toluene ・ 125 parts by mass of MEK

A coating liquid for forming a peel-off layer having the following composition was applied and dried so as to be surface-sequential with the heat-sealable transfer layer formed as described above to form a peel-off layer having a thickness of 5 μm.
<Coating liquid for forming peel-off layer>
・ 100 parts by mass of polyester A ・ 125 parts by mass of toluene ・ 125 parts by mass of MEK

A coating liquid for forming a back layer having the following composition was applied to the other surface of the PET film and dried to form a back layer having a thickness of 1 μm to obtain a thermal transfer sheet.
<Coating liquid for forming the back layer>
-Polyvinyl acetal acetal 36 parts by mass (manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., Eslek (registered trademark) KS-1)
25 parts by mass of isocyanate compound (Barnock (registered trademark) D750 manufactured by DIC Corporation)
1 part by mass of silicone resin particles (Tospearl (registered trademark) 240, manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials Japan GK)
・ 10 parts by mass of zinc stearyl phosphate (manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., purified by LBT1830)
・ Zinc stearate 10 parts by mass (manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., SZ-PF)
・ Polyethylene wax 3 parts by mass (manufactured by Toyo Adre Co., Ltd., polywax 3000)
・ 7 parts by mass of ethoxylated alcohol-modified wax (manufactured by Toyo Adre Co., Ltd., Unitox 750)
・ Toluene 100 parts by mass ・ MEK 200 parts by mass

Examples 2 to 12 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5
A thermal transfer sheet was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the composition and thickness of the heat-sealable transfer layer and at least one of the composition and thickness of the peel-off layer were changed as shown in Table 1.
The details of each component in Table 1 are as follows.
-Polyester B: Unitika Ltd., Elitel (registered trademark) UE-3216, Tg 40 ° C.
-Polyester C: Unitika Ltd., Elitel (registered trademark) UE-3690, Tg120 ° C.
-Polyester D: manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., Byron (registered trademark) GK140, Tg20 ° C.
(Meta) acrylic resin: manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Dianal (registered trademark) BR-87, Tg105 ° C.

Example 13
A thermal transfer sheet was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a primer layer having a thickness of 0.5 μm was formed under the peel-off layer by applying and drying with a primer layer forming coating solution having the following composition.
<Coating liquid for forming a primer layer>
9 parts by mass of urethane resin (manufactured by Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Superflex 650, solid content 26%)
-Alumina sol 3.2 parts by mass (manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd., alumina sol 200, solid content 10%)
-Water 62 parts by mass-IPA (isopropyl alcohol) 75 parts by mass

<< Peel-off evaluation >>
The thermal transfer sheet, the intermediate transfer medium A, and the thermal transfer printer obtained in the above Examples and Comparative Examples were prepared.
The intermediate transfer medium A is superposed on the dye layer region and the pigment layer of the thermal transfer sheet, the thermal transfer sheet is heated from the back layer side by the thermal head provided in the following thermal transfer printer, and sublimation transfer is performed on the receiving layer provided in the intermediate transfer medium A. A mold image and a thermal melt transfer type image were formed.
(Thermal transfer printer)
Thermal head: Kyocera Corporation, KEE-57-12GAN2-STA
Average resistance of heating element: 3303Ω
Main scanning direction Print density: 300 dpi
Sub-scanning direction print density: 300 dpi
Printing voltage: 18.5V
1 line period: 3 msec.
Printing start temperature: 35 ° C
Pulse duty ratio: 85%

Next, the intermediate transfer medium A and the heat-sealable transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet are superposed, and the thermal transfer sheet is transferred from the back layer side at a transfer rate of 30 mm / sec using a laminator (Lamipacker LPD3212 manufactured by Fujipla Co., Ltd.). After heating, the heat-sealable transfer layer included in the thermal transfer sheet was transferred over the entire area of the receiving layer included in the intermediate transfer medium A. The applied energy during transfer was adjusted as shown in Table 1.

Next, the heat-sealable transfer layer transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium A and the peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet are superposed, and the thermal transfer sheet at a position corresponding to the removal region of 1 cm × 5 cm from the back layer side is heated by the thermal head. , 0.078 MPa pressure is applied to press the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer, and then the thermal transfer sheet is peeled off to provide the heat-sealable transfer layer provided in the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium A, as well as the receiving. The transfer layer consisting of the layer, the protective layer and the peeling layer was peeled off. The applied energy during heat crimping was adjusted as shown in Table 1.

The removed region of the intermediate transfer medium A was visually observed, and the peel-off property of the thermal transfer sheet was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 1.
The same evaluation was performed for the intermediate transfer media B and C, and the evaluation results are summarized in Table 1.
(Evaluation criteria)
A: It was confirmed that the transfer layer in the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium was accurately removed.
B: The transfer layer in the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium partially remained or the transfer layer was removed slightly beyond the removal region, but there was no problem in practical use.
NG1: The transfer layer in the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium remained or the transfer layer was removed beyond the removal region.
NG2: There are many transfer layers in the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium, and the transfer layer is removed with a large amount remaining or far exceeding the removal region, which poses a practical problem.

<< Evaluation of transferable temperature >>
As described above, the intermediate transfer medium A in which the transfer layer in the removed region was peeled off using the thermal transfer sheets of each example and each comparative example, and polyvinyl chloride having a thickness of 1000 μm as a transfer subject, made by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. A vinyl card (hereinafter referred to as a PVC card) was prepared.
When the transfer layer included in the intermediate transfer medium A was transferred onto a PVC card by the above laminator to prepare a printed matter, the transferable temperature of the transfer layer was determined and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 1.
(Evaluation criteria)
A: By transfer at a temperature of 120 ° C., no omission or blurring of the transfer layer was confirmed, and a good printed matter was obtained.
B: Transfer at a temperature of 120 ° C. confirmed that the transfer layer was missing or blurred, but transfer at a temperature of 140 ° C or higher and 160 ° C or lower did not confirm missing or blurring of the transfer layer, resulting in good printing. I got something.
C: Transfer at a temperature of 140 ° C. or higher and 160 ° C. or lower confirmed the removal or blurring of the transfer layer, but transfer at a temperature of 170 ° C. or higher and 180 ° C. or lower did not confirm the removal or blurring of the transfer layer. , A good print was obtained.
D: In the transfer at a temperature of 170 ° C. or higher and 180 ° C. or lower, omission or blurring of the transfer layer was confirmed.

<< Blocking resistance evaluation >>
The thermal transfer sheets obtained in the above Examples and Comparative Examples are superposed on each other so that the surface provided with the heat-sealable transfer layer and the like and the back layer face each other, and a pressure of 0.2 Mpa is applied to them at 45 ° C. , The mixture was allowed to stand at a relative humidity of 85% for 24 hours. After standing, these were peeled off, and the blocking resistance of the thermal transfer sheet was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 1.
(Evaluation criteria)
A: The two thermal transfer sheets can be easily peeled off.
B: There is a slight sticking of the two thermal transfer sheets, but there is no problem in practical use.
C: The sticking of the two thermal transfer sheets is strong, and there is a problem in practical use.

10: Thermal transfer sheet, 11: Substrate, 12: Heat-sealable transfer layer, 13: Peel-off layer, 14: Dye layer, 15: Pigment layer, 16: Release layer, 17: Back layer, 20: Intermediate transfer medium, 21 : Substrate, 22: Receptive layer, 23: Transfer layer, 24: Protective layer, 25: Peeling layer, 26: Back layer, 30: Thermal head, 31: Platen roll

Claims (12)

A base material and a heat-sealable transfer layer containing at least one kind of resin material and a peel-off layer containing at least one kind of resin material provided on the base material in a surface-sequential manner are provided.
A primer layer is further provided between the substrate and the peel-off layer.
The materials constituting the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer are the same.
Thermal transfer sheet. The thermal transfer sheet according to claim 1, wherein the heat-sealing transfer layer and the peel-off layer contain a resin material having a glass transition temperature of 35 ° C. or higher and 125 ° C. or lower. 1 or claim 1, wherein the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer contain at least one resin material selected from polyester, vinyl resin (excluding (meth) acrylic resin) and (meth) acrylic resin. 2. The thermal transfer sheet according to 2. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer are composed of polyester alone or polyester and a vinyl resin (excluding (meth) acrylic resin) . Thermal transfer sheet. The ratio (polyester content / vinyl resin content) between the polyester content and the vinyl resin (excluding the (meth) acrylic resin) content in the heat-sealable transfer layer and the peel-off layer is The thermal transfer sheet according to claim 4, which is 20/80 or more and 85/15 or less on a mass basis. The thermal transfer sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heat-sealable transfer layer has a thickness of 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. The thermal transfer sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the peel-off layer has a thickness of 0.5 μm or more and 3 μm or less. A combination of the thermal transfer sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and an intermediate transfer medium.
The intermediate transfer medium comprises a substrate and at least a transfer layer comprising a receptive layer.
A combination in which the receiving layer contains at least one resin material of the same type as the resin material contained in the heat-sealing transfer layer. The combination according to claim 8, wherein the receiving layer contains silicone oil. A step of preparing an intermediate transfer medium including the thermal transfer sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a substrate and a transfer layer including at least a receiving layer.
The step of transferring the heat-sealable transfer layer onto the receiving layer, and
After heat-pressing the heat-sealable transfer layer transferred onto the receiving layer and the peel-off layer in at least a part of the removal region of the intermediate transfer medium, the transfer layer provided in the removal region is referred to as described above. The process of peeling off from the intermediate transfer medium and
Peel-off methods, including. The peel-off method according to claim 10, wherein the applied energy in the heat pressure bonding between the peel-off layer and the heat-sealing transfer layer is 0.07 mJ / dot or more higher than the applied energy in the transfer of the heat-sealing transfer layer. The step of preparing an intermediate transfer medium and a transferred body in which the transfer layer provided in the removal region is peeled off and an image is formed on the receiving layer by the peel-off method according to claim 10 or 11.
A step of transferring the transfer layer included in the intermediate transfer medium onto the transfer target,
A method for manufacturing a printed matter, including.

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