JP7173255B2 - heat transfer sheet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing printed matter and a thermal transfer sheet used for producing printed matter.

Conventionally, in the production of prints by the thermal transfer method, a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet in which a receiving layer is provided on a base material, or a transfer layer in which a release layer and a receiving layer are laminated in this order on a base material are prepared from the base material. An intermediate transfer medium or the like that is detachably provided is used. In the former case, a printed matter can be produced by forming a thermally transferred image on the receiving layer of a thermally transferred image-receiving sheet using a thermally transferred sheet having a coloring material layer. In the latter case, a thermal transfer image is once formed on a receiving layer of an intermediate transfer medium using a thermal transfer sheet having a colorant layer, and then the transfer layer including the receiving layer is transferred to a predetermined transfer material. A printed matter in which a thermally transferred image is formed on the transferred material can be produced by transferring. In addition, by using a protective layer transfer sheet having a transferable transparent protective layer provided on a base material, the protective layer is transferred onto a material to be transferred on which a thermal transfer image is formed, thereby producing a printed matter. It is possible to improve the durability of the thermal transfer image.

In particular, when an intermediate transfer medium is used to form a thermal transfer image on the design surface of, for example, an IC card or a magnetic card, if the thermal transfer image is formed on the external contact terminal area of the IC module, the magnetic tape, the sign panel area, or the like, Communication characteristics, magnetic reading characteristics, writing characteristics, etc. may deteriorate. For this reason, it is necessary to form a thermal transfer image only on the necessary portions by certainly avoiding these areas, or to remove a portion of the transfer layer corresponding to these areas in advance. For the same reason, the formation of the protective layer of the thermal transfer image must be ensured only in the necessary regions, or a part of the transferable protective layer corresponding to the unnecessary regions must be removed in advance. is required.

In Patent Document 1, a peel-off layer is provided on a base material to which a thermal transfer sheet has been subjected to an easy-adhesion treatment, and the peel-off layer and the transfer portion of an intermediate transfer medium are in contact with each other while increasing the adhesion between the base material and the peel-off layer. A thermal transfer sheet is described in which a predetermined area of the transfer portion can be removed from the intermediate transfer medium by heating the sheets in layers. Further, in Patent Document 2, a melt layer is transferred to a part of the removed area of the transfer layer, the removed area of the transfer layer is removed by a peel-off layer, and the transfer layer from which the removed area is removed is transferred to a transfer material. A method of forming a print that transfers to a print is described. As described above, in the peel-off of the transfer layer and the transferable protective layer of the intermediate transfer medium, it is necessary to suppress as much as possible the portion of the transfer layer remaining in the predetermined area to be removed, but there is still room for improvement at present. is left.

JP 2003-326865 A JP 2017-71217 A

The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and after accurately transferring the transfer layer in the area to be transferred onto the transfer target, and accurately removing the transfer layer in the area to be removed, It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a printed matter capable of transferring a removed transfer layer onto an object to be transferred. In addition, it is possible to accurately transfer the transfer layer in the area to be transferred onto the transfer medium, and to accurately remove the transfer layer in the area to be removed, and then transfer the removed transfer layer onto the transfer medium. An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer sheet capable of

A method for producing a printed matter according to the present embodiment includes a transfer foil having a transfer layer provided on one surface of a support, a thermal transfer sheet having a heat seal layer provided on one surface of a substrate, and a transferee. A method for producing a printed matter, comprising a step of transferring a part of a transfer layer of a transfer foil onto a transfer-receiving object using a substrate, wherein the transfer foil having the transfer layer provided on one surface of the support is provided. a step of preparing a transfer foil to be prepared; a step of preparing a thermal transfer sheet in which a heat seal layer including a thermal expansion region that expands when heated to a predetermined temperature is provided on one surface of a base material; A heat seal layer transfer step of heating the heat seal layer at a predetermined heating temperature and transferring the heat seal layer to the transfer layer; and a transfer step of transferring the transfer layer onto the transfer target through the seal layer.

Further, the method for producing a printed matter according to the present embodiment comprises a transfer foil having a transfer layer provided on one surface of a support, a thermal transfer sheet having a peel-off layer provided on one surface of a substrate, and a substrate. A printed matter comprising the steps of removing the removed area of the transfer foil with a peel-off layer of a thermal transfer sheet using a transfer body, and transferring the transfer layer remaining after the removed area is removed onto a transfer material. A manufacturing method of , wherein a transfer foil preparation step of preparing a transfer foil having a transfer layer provided on one surface of a support; (1) expanding by heating at a predetermined temperature on the same surface of the base (2) a thermal transfer sheet provided with a heat seal layer including a thermally expandable region and a peel-off layer; a thermal transfer sheet preparing step of preparing a first thermal transfer sheet provided with a heat seal layer including a region and a second thermal transfer sheet provided with a peel-off layer on one surface of a second substrate; A heat seal layer transfer step of heating the heat seal layer at a predetermined heating temperature and transferring the heat seal layer to the removal area of the transfer layer; after transferring the heat seal layer, heating the peel-off layer, a removal step of removing the removed area of the transfer layer through a heat seal layer; and a transfer layer transfer step of transferring the transfer layer remaining after the removal area is removed onto a transfer-receiving body. include.

Further, in the method for manufacturing a printed matter according to another aspect of the present embodiment, the heat seal layer has a laminated structure including a first heat seal layer and a second heat seal layer, and the second heat seal layer is the first heat seal layer. disposed closer to the substrate than the heat-seal layer, the thermal expansion region being included in the first heat-seal layer, the first heat-seal layer being more exposed to the predetermined temperature than the second heat-seal layer; The degree of expansion due to heating may be large.

Further, in the method for manufacturing a printed matter according to another aspect of the present embodiment, the heat-seal layer further includes a third heat-seal layer, and the third heat-seal layer is further removed from the substrate than the first heat-seal layer. The first heat-sealing layer, which is located farther away, may expand to a greater degree than the third heat-sealing layer when heated at the predetermined temperature.

Further, the method for producing a printed matter according to the present embodiment comprises a transfer foil having a transfer layer provided on one surface of a support, a thermal transfer sheet having a peel-off layer provided on one surface of a substrate, and a substrate. A printed matter comprising a step of removing the removed area of the transfer layer of the transfer foil with the peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet using a transfer body, and a step of transferring the transfer layer from which the removed area has been removed onto a transfer material. A manufacturing method of , wherein a transfer foil preparation step of preparing a transfer foil having a transfer layer provided on one surface of a support, and a heat that expands due to heating at a predetermined temperature on one surface of the base material A thermal transfer sheet preparation step of preparing a thermal transfer sheet provided with a peel-off layer including an expansion region, heating the peel-off layer, transferring the peel-off layer to the removal region of the transfer layer, and after the transfer, the peel-off layer and a transfer layer transfer step of transferring the transfer layer remaining after the removal region is removed onto a transfer target.

Further, in the method for manufacturing a printed matter according to another aspect of the present embodiment, the peel-off layer has a laminated structure including a first peel-off layer and a second peel-off layer, and the second peel-off layer is thicker than the first peel-off layer. The thermal expansion region is located near the substrate, the thermal expansion region is included in the first peel-off layer, and the first peel-off layer expands more than the second peel-off layer due to heating at the predetermined temperature. good too.

Further, in the method for producing a printed matter according to another aspect of the present embodiment, the peel-off layer further includes a third peel-off layer, and the third peel-off layer is arranged farther from the substrate than the first peel-off layer. The first peel-off layer may expand to a greater extent than the third peel-off layer when heated at the predetermined temperature.

Further, in the method for producing a printed matter according to another embodiment of the present invention, the transfer foil is an intermediate transfer medium provided with a transfer layer including a receiving layer on one surface of a support, and the transfer foil preparing step may include the step of forming a thermal transfer image on said receiving layer of said intermediate transfer medium.

Further, in the method for producing a printed matter according to another aspect of the present embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet is provided with a coloring material layer and a heat seal layer on the same surface of the base material, and forms the thermal transfer image. In the step of forming a thermal transfer image on the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium, the coloring material layer of the thermal transfer sheet may be formed.

Further, the method for producing a printed matter according to the present embodiment comprises an intermediate transfer medium provided with a transfer layer including a receiving layer on one side of a support, a coloring material layer and a peel-off layer on one side of the substrate. Using a thermal transfer sheet provided with a layer and a material to be transferred, a step of removing the removed area of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium with a peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet, and removing the remaining transfer layer after the removed area is removed. and a step of transferring onto a transfer material, wherein a transfer layer is provided on one surface of a support, and a thermal expansion region that expands when heated to a predetermined temperature is provided. an intermediate transfer medium preparation step of preparing an intermediate transfer medium; a thermal transfer sheet preparation step of preparing a thermal transfer sheet having a colorant layer and a peel-off layer provided on one same surface of a substrate; a thermal transfer image forming step of forming a thermal transfer image on the receiving layer of the medium while heating at a first temperature lower than the predetermined temperature; and heating the removed area of the transfer layer at a second temperature higher than the predetermined temperature. a removing step of removing the removed region from the transfer layer by the peel-off layer while expanding the thermal expansion region of the removed region; and transferring a transfer layer onto which the transfer layer is transferred.

Further, in the method of manufacturing a printed matter according to another aspect of the present embodiment, the thermal expansion region may contain hollow particles having thermal expansibility.

Further, the thermal transfer sheet according to the present embodiment forms a thermal transfer image on the transfer layer on an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer on one surface of a support, and a part of the transfer layer is transferred. A thermal transfer sheet to be used before being retransferred to a body, comprising a heat seal layer provided on one surface of a substrate with a thermal expansion region containing hollow particles having thermal expansion properties, The expansion region can be expanded by heating to a predetermined temperature.

Further, in the thermal transfer sheet according to another aspect of the present embodiment, the heat-seal layer has a laminated structure including a first heat-seal layer and a second heat-seal layer, and the second heat-seal layer is the first heat-seal layer. and the thermal expansion region is included in the first heat seal layer, and the first heat seal layer expands more than the second heat seal layer due to heating at the predetermined temperature. may be large.

According to the present embodiment, the transfer layer in the region to be transferred is accurately transferred onto the transfer target, the transfer layer in the region to be removed is accurately removed, and the transfer layer after removal is removed. It is possible to provide a method for producing a printed matter that can be transferred onto a transfer-receiving material. In addition, it is possible to accurately transfer the transfer layer in the area to be transferred onto the transfer medium, and to accurately remove the transfer layer in the area to be removed, and then transfer the removed transfer layer onto the transfer medium. It is possible to provide a thermal transfer sheet that can be

It is a sectional view explaining composition of transfer foil of a 1st embodiment. It is a sectional view explaining composition of a thermal transfer sheet of a 1st embodiment. It is a top view explaining the composition of the thermal transfer sheet of a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing explaining the transfer process of the heat-sealing layer of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a transfer process of the transfer layer of the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the structure of a thermal transfer sheet according to a second embodiment; It is sectional drawing explaining the removal process of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a thermal transfer sheet according to a third embodiment; FIG. 10 is a plan view for explaining the structure of a thermal transfer sheet according to a third embodiment; It is sectional drawing explaining the transfer process of the heat-sealing layer of 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a removing step and a transfer layer transferring step in the third embodiment; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining another example of the transfer process of the transfer layer of the third embodiment; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a thermal transfer image forming process according to the fourth embodiment; It is sectional drawing explaining the removal process of 4th Embodiment. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views illustrating a transfer step of a heat seal layer and a transfer step of a transfer layer of Modification 1; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a transfer step of a heat seal layer and a transfer step of a transfer layer in Modification 2; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a removing step of modification 3; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a case where the transfer foil of Modification 4 is a protective layer transfer sheet; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a transfer step of a transfer layer of Modification 4;

An example of the method for producing a printed matter and the thermal transfer sheet of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings and the like. However, the print manufacturing method and the thermal transfer sheet of the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments and examples described below.

In addition, each figure shown below is shown typically. Therefore, the size and shape of each part, the thickness of each layer in cross-sectional views, and the like are exaggerated as appropriate for easy understanding. In each figure, hatching indicating cross sections of members is omitted as appropriate. Numerical values such as dimensions and material names of each member described in this specification are examples as an embodiment, and are not limited to these, and can be appropriately selected and used. In this specification, terms specifying shapes and geometrical conditions, such as parallel, orthogonal, perpendicular, etc., are intended to include substantially the same states as well as strictly defined terms. Also, for convenience of explanation, the terms "upper" and "lower" are sometimes used, but the vertical direction may be reversed, and the same applies to the horizontal direction.

1. First Embodiment A first embodiment relating to a method for producing a printed matter and a thermal transfer sheet of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the transfer foil 10 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the thermal transfer sheet 20 of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the thermal transfer sheet 20. As shown in FIG. The configurations of the transfer foil 10 and the thermal transfer sheet 20 and each process related to the method of manufacturing the printed matter will be described below.

(a) Transfer Foil As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer foil 10 is formed by laminating a transfer layer 4 on one surface of a support 1 . In this embodiment, the transfer layer 4 is an intermediate transfer medium 10 in which a release layer 2 and a receiving layer 3 are laminated in order from the side closer to the support 1 . However, the transfer foil 10 is not limited to such an intermediate transfer medium, and may be a protective layer transfer sheet having a protective layer as the transfer layer 4, for example. The case of using it as a protective layer transfer sheet will be described later.

(i) Support The material of the support 1 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 is not particularly limited. Stretched or unstretched films of plastics such as polyamide and polymethylpentene can be used. Also, an alloy or laminate of two or more of these materials may be used.

The thickness of the support 1 can be appropriately selected depending on the required rigidity, heat resistance, and the like. It is even more preferable to have

(ii) Transfer Layer The transfer layer 4 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 includes the receiving layer 3 , which is laminated farthest from the support 1 . The intermediate transfer medium 10 may consist of only the support 1 and the receiving layer 3, or a plurality of layers of different materials may be provided between the support 1 and the receiving layer 3, but usually the support 1 A release layer 2 is often provided between the receiving layer 3 and the receiving layer 3 in order to improve the transferability of the receiving layer 3 . The receptive layer 3 and the release layer 2 are described below.

(iii) Receptive layer The material of the receptive layer 3 constituting the transfer layer 4 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 is not particularly limited, and any known receptive layer used for the intermediate transfer medium can be appropriately selected and used. . For example, polyolefin such as polypropylene, halogenated resin such as polyvinyl chloride or polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or vinyl resin such as polyacrylate, Polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyamide, copolymers of olefins such as ethylene or propylene with other vinyl polymers, cellulose resins such as ionomers or cellulose diastase, solvent-based resins such as polycarbonates and acrylic resins can be used. Among these, polyesters and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers are preferably used, and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers are more preferably used. Moreover, the receptor layer 3 may contain a single material listed above, or may contain two or more of them.

The receiving layer 3 may contain a release agent together with the resin component. Release agents include, for example, solid waxes such as polyethylene wax, amide wax, and Teflon (registered trademark) powder, fluorine-based or phosphate ester-based surfactants, silicone oil, reactive silicone oil, curable silicone oil, and the like. Various modified silicone oils and various silicone resins can be used.

Also, the thickness of the receiving layer 3 can be, for example, in the range of 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

(iv) Release Layer The transfer layer 4 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 may include a release layer 2 in order to improve the transferability or release properties of the transfer layer 4 . The release layer 2 is laminated at a position sandwiched between the support 1 and the receiving layer 3 . Examples of materials for the release layer 2 include waxes, silicone wax, silicone resin, silicone-modified resin, fluororesin, fluorine-modified resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, heat-crosslinkable epoxy-amino resin, and heat-curable resin. Crosslinkable alkyd-amino resins and the like can be used. Moreover, the release layer 2 may contain a single material listed above, or may contain two or more of them.

The thickness of the release layer 2 can be, for example, in the range of 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less.

(b) Thermal Transfer Sheet As shown in FIG. 2, the thermal transfer sheet 20 has a heat seal layer 14 on one side of the substrate 5 and a back layer 6 on the other side of the substrate 5. is provided. The configuration of the thermal transfer sheet 20 will be described below.

(i) Substrate The material of the substrate 5 of the thermal transfer sheet 20 is not particularly limited. , polyester with high heat resistance such as polyetherketone or polyethersulfone, plastics such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, polyethylene derivatives, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polymethylpentene or ionomer Stretched or unstretched films can be used. Moreover, the base material 5 may contain the single material mentioned above, and may contain 2 or more types.

The thickness of the base material 5 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, in the range of 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

(ii) Back Layer By forming the back layer 6 on the side of the base material 5 opposite to the side on which the heat seal layer 14 is laminated, adhesion to a thermal head or the like in the thermal transfer process is prevented and the heat seal layer 14 is laminated. , can improve slipperiness.

Examples of the back layer 6 include cellulose resins such as ethyl cellulose, hydroxycellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and nitrocellulose; Vinyl resin, acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl acrylate, polyacrylamide, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer, polyamide, polyvinyl toluene, coumarone-indene resin, polyester, polyurethane, natural such as silicone-modified or fluorine-modified urethane Resin or synthetic resin can be used. Also, the back layer 6 may contain a single material listed above, or may contain two or more of them.

In addition, in order to improve the heat resistance of the back layer 6, among the above resins, a resin having a hydroxyl group-based reactive group is used, and polyisocyanate or the like is used as a cross-linking agent in combination with the cross-linked resin layer. preferably. Furthermore, in order to impart slidability to the thermal head, a solid or liquid release agent or lubricant may be added to the back layer 6 to impart heat-resistant lubricity. Release agents or lubricants include, for example, various waxes such as polyethylene wax and paraffin wax, higher aliphatic alcohols, organopolysiloxanes, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and nonionic surfactants. Active agents, fluorine-based surfactants, organic carboxylic acids and their derivatives, fine particles of inorganic compounds such as fluorine-based resins, silicone resins, talc and silica can be used. The amount of the lubricant contained in the back layer 6 can be, for example, in the range of 5% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less, and more preferably in the range of 10% by weight or more and 30% by weight or less.

(iii) Heat Seal Layer The heat seal layer 14 is a layer that is formed on one surface of the base material 5 and is melted or softened by heating so that it can be transferred onto the transfer layer 4 . Furthermore, the heat seal layer 14 of the present disclosure has a thermal expansion region that expands significantly when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher. In this embodiment, the thermal expansion regions are arranged uniformly over the entire heat seal layer 14. However, as will be described later in modifications, etc., if the heat seal layer has a multi-layer structure, a portion of the heat seal layer A thermal expansion region may be formed only in the layer. Also, the thermal expansion region may be arranged only in a specific range in the same layer.

As described above, the heat seal layer 14 needs to have both the property of being melted by heating and being transferable to the transfer layer 4 and the property of being thermally expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature or higher. Materials are described below.

First, components necessary for imparting the property of melting by heating to the heat seal layer 14 include, for example, ultraviolet absorber copolymer, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyester, polycarbonate, polyamide, and ethylene-vinyl acetate. Copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid ester copolymer, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polybutene, polyisobutylene, petroleum resin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol, vinylidene chloride resin, polyamide, fluorine Resins, polyvinyl formal resins, polyvinyl butyral, acetylcellulose resins, nitrocellulose resins, polyvinyl acetate, heat-melting resins such as ethyl cellulose, microcrystalline wax, carnauba wax, paraffin wax, and the like. Furthermore, Fischer-Tropsch wax, various low-molecular-weight polyethylenes, wood wax, beeswax, whale wax, ivory wax, wool wax, shellac wax, candelilla wax, petrolactam, polyester wax, partially modified wax, fatty acid ester, fatty acid amide, etc. wax etc. can be used. In addition, polyurethane such as acrylic urethane resin, gelatin, polyethylene oxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, pullulan, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, dextran, dextrin, polyacrylic acid and its salts, agar, κ-carrageenan, λ-carrageenan, ι- Carrageenan, casein, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, alginic acid, gum arabic, polyalkylenoxide-based copolymers described in JP-A-7-195826 and JP-A-7-9757, or JP-A-62- Resins such as homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl monomers having a carboxyl group or a sulfonic acid group described in JP-A-245260 can also be used. Among these, polyester, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, and acrylic resin are preferably used, and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer is more preferably used.

On the other hand, as will be described later, the heat seal layer 14 hardly expands in a temperature environment lower than a predetermined temperature, and expands only when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher. It is preferable to have a property that can maintain In this way, as a material having a property that the degree of expansion greatly differs between a low temperature region and a high temperature region with respect to a predetermined temperature, for example, a hollow portion containing an expansion agent inside an outer shell made of a thermoplastic resin or the like is used. thermally expandable hollow particles having By adjusting the relationship between the softening point of the outer shell portion of the hollow particle and the vapor pressure of the expanding agent composed of a volatile organic solvent contained in the hollow portion, the temperature at which foaming and expansion start and the maximum temperature can be adjusted. Various hollow particles with different expansion temperatures are commercially available. The hollow particles are also called thermally expandable microspheres, thermally expandable microballoons, and the like. As a material for forming the hollow particles, for example, organic expanded particles such as crosslinked styrene-acrylic resin, inorganic hollow glass bodies, and the like can be used as the hollow particles.

As for the size of the hollow particles, the average particle size before heating and foaming is, for example, in the range of 0.1 μm or more and 90 μm or less, and preferably in the range of 6 μm or more and 18 μm or less. When the average particle diameter is within the above range, the effect of shape change of the heat seal layer due to thermal expansion can be sufficiently obtained. In addition, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of transfer failures due to particles, so-called omissions, in the thermally transferred image on the receiving layer. In the present disclosure, the "average particle size" refers to an aqueous dispersion in which hollow particle components are dispersed in water, and the aqueous dispersion of the hollow particles is dried to form a dry body. Observe the hollow particles (100 pieces) in the dry body with a type electron microscope (manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation), measure the outer diameter (outer diameter) of each particle, and average those values. Average particle size.

The degree of hollowness of the hollow particles is preferably in the range of 30% to 80%, more preferably in the range of 50% to 80%, in terms of the average hollowness in the thermal expansion region. If the average hollowness is in the range of 30% to 80%, the effect of shape change of the heat seal layer due to thermal expansion can be sufficiently obtained. In addition, the thickness of the outer shell is maintained within an appropriate range, and crushing during coating or printing due to excessive thinning of the outer shell can be suppressed. In the present disclosure, the "average hollowness" is obtained by adjusting an aqueous dispersion in which the hollow particle component is dispersed in water, drying the aqueous dispersion of the hollow particles to make a dry body, and then permeating Particles (100 pieces) that form the hollow particle component in the dried body are observed with a type electron microscope (manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Co., Ltd.), and the inner diameter (inner diameter) of each particle is measured. was averaged to obtain the average particle diameter. Then, the volume of the hollow portion is determined from the average particle inner diameter, and the value is divided by the apparent volume of the particle from the average particle diameter (particle outer diameter) and multiplied by 100 to calculate the average hollowness.

As described above, the heat seal layer 14 is required to have both the property of being melted by heating so that it can be transferred to the transfer layer 4 and the property of being thermally expanded by being heated to a predetermined temperature or higher. For this reason, it is possible to have a configuration in which the component for thermal melting as described above and a component that thermally expands at a predetermined temperature or higher are mixed, or both are formed as separate layers, and a laminate of these can be used. It is good also as the composition which carried out.

(iv) Color material layer Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the thermal transfer sheet 20 is formed on the same surface of the substrate 5 adjacent to the surface on which the heat seal layer 14 described in FIG. A plurality of different color material layers 15 may be provided in a frame-sequential manner. In this embodiment, the colorant layer 15 composed of the yellow colorant layer (Y), the magenta colorant layer (M), and the cyan colorant layer (C), and the heat seal layer 14 are provided in frame-sequential order. . These coloring material layers 15 contain a coloring material and a binder resin. As the coloring material and the binder resin, those conventionally known in the field of sublimation type thermal transfer sheets can be appropriately selected and used.

(c) Description of Printed Matter Manufacturing Method Next, the printed matter manufacturing method of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(i) Transfer foil preparation step In the transfer foil preparation step of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. This is the step of preparing the intermediate transfer medium 10, which is the transfer foil 10 laminated in order. Release layer 2 and receiving layer constituting support 1 and transfer layer 4

Although the material composition of 3 is as described above, the release layer 2 is not essential, and a layer other than the release layer 2 may be further added between the support 1 and the receiving layer 3 .

(ii) Preparing step of thermal transfer sheet In the step of preparing the thermal transfer sheet of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. This is a step of preparing the thermal transfer sheet 20 in which the coloring material layers 15 are provided in frame-sequential order on the same surface and the back layer 6 is provided on the other surface of the base material 5 . The coloring material layer 15 may be a single-color layer. Further, as described above, the heat seal layer 14 has both the property of being melted by heating so that it can be transferred to the transfer layer 4 and the property of being thermally expanded by being heated to a predetermined temperature or higher.

(iii) Heat Seal Layer Transfer Step The heat seal layer transfer step of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4A, an intermediate transfer medium 10, which is a transfer foil 10, and a thermal transfer sheet 20 are superimposed and heated from the back layer 6 side of the thermal transfer sheet 20 by a thermal head 31, and a part of the heat seal layer 14 is formed in the intermediate layer. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a process of transferring to the transfer medium 10 side; FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state in which a portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 is transferred to a partial area of the receiving layer 3 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 after the process.

Each hue surface of the color material layer 15 of the thermal transfer sheet 20 is preliminarily superimposed on the receiving layer 3 of the intermediate transfer medium 10, and heating to a predetermined position by the thermal head 31 is repeated for each hue to obtain a predetermined color. A thermal transfer image 16 is formed. The surface of the receiving layer 3 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 on which the thermal transfer image 16 is thus formed and the surface of the heat seal layer 14 of the thermal transfer sheet 20 are placed facing each other as shown in FIG. By heating the predetermined position by 31, the part 14A of the heat seal layer 14 in the heated portion is transferred to the receiving layer 3 side of the intermediate transfer medium 10 as shown in FIG. 4(b).

At this time, the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 transferred to the receiving layer 3 side has a predetermined temperature, that is, a temperature at which the thermal expansion region of the heat seal layer 14 starts thermal expansion or a temperature higher than that. Since the heat is applied from the thermal head 31, the thickness of the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 after transfer is larger than the original thickness of the heat seal layer 14 that has not been heated. By heating only a predetermined area of the thermal expansion area of the heat seal layer 14 to a predetermined temperature with the thermal head 31, only the predetermined area can be thermally expanded.

In this embodiment, by heating the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 to a predetermined temperature with the thermal head 31, the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 expands and becomes thicker than the other portions. . Therefore, as compared with the case of using a heat seal layer having no thermal expansion region, the load with which the part 14A of the heat seal layer 14 presses the receiving layer 3 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 becomes larger. Adhesion with 3 is improved. Moreover, only the part 14A of the expanded heat seal layer 14 can be accurately transferred to the receiving layer 3 side, and excessive transfer in the surrounding area where transfer is not intended is suppressed.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, a portion of the receiving layer 3 and the release layer 2 of the transfer layer 4 located below the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 of the intermediate transfer medium 10, that is, the intermediate 4A, which is a region of the transfer layer 4 that overlaps with a portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 when the receiving layer 3 of the transfer medium 10 is viewed from a position separated in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the receiving layer 3, or 3A and 2A, which are the regions of layer 3 and release layer 2, are selected regions 7; In this case, the selected area 7 is selectively transferred to the final transferred material 17 in the layer transfer step of the transfer process in the subsequent step, thereby producing a desired printed matter. In the present embodiment, the entire heat seal layer 14 is a thermal expansion region, and foamable hollow particles that thermally expand when heated to a predetermined temperature are dispersed substantially evenly in a binder resin to which meltability is imparted. I am using the one from

(iv) Transfer Layer Transfer Step The transfer layer transfer step of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5(a) is a diagram for explaining the process of transferring the selected region 7 of the heat seal layer 14 shown in FIG. 4(b) to a transferred object 17 such as a card. FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing that the selected area 7 has been transferred to the transferred body 17. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the surface of the intermediate transfer medium 10 and the transfer receiving material 17 such as a card on which the part 14A of the heat seal layer 14 is transferred to the receiving layer 3 is the receiving layer 3 side. are superimposed so as to abut on the surface of the In this state, the sheet is sequentially sent between the heat roller 32 and the pressure roller 33 by the conveying means, and a predetermined heat pressure is applied. As a result, the portion 14A of the heat seal layer is melted and softened and transferred to the transferred body 17 side. In addition, since the adhesive force between the part 14A and the receiving layer 3 is large, the selective area 7 that abuts on the opposite side of the part 14A of the heat seal layer is peeled off from the part of the release layer 2, and the selective area is It is easily and accurately transferred to the transferred body 17 via the certain part 14A. Thus, the production of the print 18 as shown in FIG. 5B is completed.

In addition, since the thickness of the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 is increased due to the expansion, the pressure applied by the heat roller 32 and the pressure roller 33 is increased, so that the selected area 7 can be transferred onto the transfer material 17 satisfactorily. can be done. In addition, the part 14A of the heat seal layer 14 has hollow particles and has appropriate elasticity. It is possible to effectively prevent voids from appearing in the formed image when the pressure is weak.

As described above, in the method for producing a printed matter of the first embodiment, the intermediate transfer medium 10 provided with the release layer 2 and the receiving layer 3 constituting the transfer layer 4 on one surface of the support 1 is prepared for transfer. Preparing a foil preparation step and preparing a thermal transfer sheet 20 provided with a heat seal layer 14 including a thermal expansion region that can be expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature on one surface of the base material 5. have a process.

A heat seal layer transfer step of selectively heating a portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 including the thermal expansion region and transferring the portion 14A to the transfer layer 4, and a portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14. and a step of transferring a part of the transfer layer 4 corresponding to .

As a result, the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 thermally expands, so that the load of the intermediate transfer medium 10 pressing against the receiving layer 3 can be increased, and the adhesion between the portion 14A and the receiving layer 3 can be improved. can. In addition, since the adhesive strength between the portion 14A and the receiving layer 3 is large, the selected region 7 that contacts the opposite side of the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 can be easily and accurately covered through the portion 14A. It can be transferred to the transfer body 17 side. Therefore, according to the method for producing a print according to the present embodiment, the transfer layer in the area to be transferred can be accurately transferred onto the transfer target.

2. 2nd Embodiment Next, 2nd Embodiment is described. FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the structure of the thermal transfer sheet of the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration and process of the transfer foil 10 and the thermal transfer sheet 20A of this embodiment. In the following, the configurations of the transfer foil 10 and the thermal transfer sheet 20A and the respective steps relating to the method of manufacturing the printed matter will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

(a) Transfer Foil As shown in FIG. 7A, the transfer foil 10 is an intermediate transfer medium 10 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(b) Thermal Transfer Sheet As shown in FIG. 6, the thermal transfer sheet 20A of the present embodiment has a peel-off layer 24 instead of the heat seal layer 14 of the thermal transfer sheet 20 of the first embodiment. Different from the embodiment. In addition, a plurality of coloring material layers 15 having different hues may be provided in a frame-sequential manner on the same surface of the substrate 5 adjacent to the surface on which the peel-off layer 24 is arranged, which is the configuration of the first embodiment. is the same as Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the thermal transfer sheet 20A has a peel-off layer 24 provided on one surface of the substrate 5 and a back layer 6 provided on the other surface of the substrate 5. configuration. Peel-off layer 24 is described below.

(i) Peel-off Layer The peel-off layer 24 is a layer for partially removing the release layer 2 and the receiving layer 3 that are the transfer layer 4 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 in this embodiment. Furthermore, the peel-off layer 24 of this embodiment has a thermal expansion region that thermally expands when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher, like the heat seal layer 14 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the thermal expansion regions are arranged uniformly over the entire peel-off layer 24. However, as will be described in modifications and the like to be described later, if the peel-off layer has a multi-layer structure, only a part of the layers may be formed with a thermal expansion region. Also, the thermal expansion region may be arranged only in a specific range in the same layer.

There are no particular restrictions on the components of the peel-off layer 24 considering the ability to partially remove the transfer layer 4 of the intermediate transfer medium 10, and known thermoplastic resins and the like can be appropriately selected and used. Such materials include, for example, vinyl chloride resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, acrylic resins, polyesters, polyamides, styrene acrylic resins, styrene-vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, butyral resins, epoxy resins, polyamides. resin etc. can be mentioned. Among them, polyester resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, acrylic resins, mixed resins of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers and acrylic resins are preferable in terms of good peel-off properties, and polyester-based resins, vinyl chloride-acetic acid Vinyl copolymers and acrylic resins are particularly preferred. Also, the peel-off layer 24 may contain a single material listed above, or may contain two or more of them.

On the other hand, the peel-off layer 24, like the heat-seal layer 14 of the first embodiment, must have properties such that the degree of expansion differs greatly between the low-temperature region and the high-temperature region with respect to a predetermined temperature. Examples of materials include thermally expandable hollow particles and binders as described above. As described above, the peel-off layer 24 is required to have peel-off performance such that it can adhere to and remove part of the transfer layer 4 by heating, and the property of thermally expanding when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher. For this reason, it is possible to have a configuration in which a component for realizing the peel-off performance as described above and a component that thermally expands at a predetermined temperature or higher are mixed, or both are formed as separate layers and laminated. It may be configured as a body.

The method of forming the peel-off layer 24 is not particularly limited, either. The working liquid can be applied on the base material 5 or any layer provided on the base material 5 by known means such as gravure coating, gravure reverse coating, roll coating, etc., and dried to form the coating.

The thickness of the peel-off layer 24 is not particularly limited. It is preferably in the range of 1 μm or more and 4 μm or less, and more preferably in the range of 0.2 μm or more and 2 μm or less.

(c) Description of Printed Matter Manufacturing Method Next, a printed matter manufacturing method according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(i) Transfer Foil Preparing Step The transfer foil preparing step of the present embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. 3 is the step of preparing the intermediate transfer medium 10 which is the transfer foil 10 laminated in this order, which is the same as in the first embodiment.

(ii) Thermal transfer sheet preparation step The thermal transfer sheet preparation step of the present embodiment includes, as shown in FIGS. This is a step of preparing a thermal transfer sheet 20A in which a plurality of color material layers 15 are provided in frame-sequential order on the same surface, and the back layer 6 is provided on the other surface of the base material 5 . As described above, the peel-off layer 24 has both the property of being able to adhere to the transfer layer 4 by heating and removing a part of the transfer layer 4 and the property of being thermally expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature or higher.

(iii) Removal Step The removal step of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the thermal transfer sheet 20A and the intermediate transfer medium 10, which is the transfer foil 10, are stacked so that the surface of the peel-off layer 24 and the surface of the receiving layer 3 are in contact with each other. However, the two do not have to be overlapped to the extent that they are completely pressed, and may be in contact with each other to the extent that an excessive load is not applied, or may be arranged with a minute gap.

In this state, the thermal transfer sheet 20A is heated to a predetermined temperature by the thermal head 31 from the back layer 6 side. At this time, the selectively heated part 24A of the peel-off layer 24 is heated from the thermal head 31 to a predetermined temperature, that is, a temperature at which the thermal expansion region of the peel-off layer 24 starts thermal expansion or a temperature higher than that. Because of the addition, the thickness of the portion 24A of the peel-off layer 24 after heating is greater than the thickness of the original unheated peel-off layer 24. FIG. By heating only a predetermined area of the thermal expansion area of the peel-off layer 24 with the thermal head 31 to a predetermined temperature, only the predetermined area can be thermally expanded.

At this time, only the part 24A of the expanded peel-off layer is pressed against the receiving layer 3 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 while being heated. On the other hand, other areas do not adhere to the receiving layer 3 because they hardly apply an excessive load to the receiving layer 3 side. Part of the receiving layer 3 and release layer 2 of the transfer layer 4 of the intermediate transfer medium 10, that is, when the receiving layer 3 is viewed from a position separated in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the receiving layer 3 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 , 4A, which is the region of the transfer layer 4, or 3A and 2A, which are the regions of the receiving layer 3 and the release layer 2, which are located at a position overlapping the part 24A of the peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet 20A, are removed in the subsequent removal step. is a removal area 8 to be removed from the transfer layer 4 by . In this case, in the step of transferring the transfer layer after the removal step, the transfer layer 4 other than the removal region 8 is selectively transferred to the final transferred material 17, thereby producing a desired printed matter.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, by peeling the thermal transfer sheet 20A from the intermediate transfer medium 10, the part 4A of the transfer layer 4, which is the removal area 8 corresponding to the part 24A of the peel-off layer 24, is removed. It is removed from the transfer layer 4 to the peel-off layer 24 side through the part 24A. Also in the present embodiment, the entire peel-off layer 24 is a thermal expansion region, and expandable hollow particles that thermally expand when heated to a predetermined temperature are dispersed substantially uniformly in the resin imparted with removal aptitude. I am using the configuration.

(iv) Transfer Layer Transfer Step The transfer layer transfer step of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7(b) and 7(c). As shown in FIG. 7(b), the intermediate transfer medium 10 from which the removal area 8 has been removed is overlapped with the transfer-receiving body 17 and heated by the same method as shown in FIG. 5(a) in the first embodiment. The sheet is sequentially fed between the roller 32 and the pressure roller 33, and a predetermined heat pressure is applied.

As a result, the transfer layer 4 from which the removal area 8 has been removed in advance is transferred to the transferred body 17 . In the removal step described above, the thermal expansion of the portion 24A of the peel-off layer 24 allows it to adhere accurately and strongly to the receiving layer 3, and as a result, the removal area 8 is accurately removed. Therefore, in the process of transferring the transfer layer, the printed material 18A on which a predetermined image is formed only in the required area is stably produced without being significantly affected by the heat and pressure conditions of the heat roller 32 and the pressure roller 33 in particular. Obtainable.

As described above, in the method for manufacturing a printed matter of the second embodiment, the intermediate transfer medium 10 having the release layer 2 as the transfer layer 4 and the receiving layer 3 provided on one surface of the support 1 is prepared. and a thermal transfer sheet preparation step of preparing a thermal transfer sheet 20A in which a peel-off layer 24 including a thermal expansion region that can be expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature is provided on one surface of the base material 5. have

In addition, the part 24A of the peel-off layer 24 including the thermal expansion region is selectively heated and thermally expanded, and the part 4A of the transfer layer is removed as the removal region 8 through the part 24A of the peel-off layer 4. and a transfer layer transfer step of transferring the transfer layer 4 from which the removal region 8 has been removed onto the transferred body 17 .

As a result, the part 24A of the peel-off layer 24 thermally expands, so that the load that presses the receiving layer 3 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 can be increased, and the adhesion between the part 24A and the receiving layer 3 can be improved. . In addition, since the adhesive strength between the part 24A and the receiving layer 3 is large, the part 4A of the transfer layer 4 that abuts the part 24A of the peel-off layer 24 can be easily and easily removed through the part 24A of the peel-off layer 24. can be removed accurately.

As a result, only the image in the required area can be transferred to the transferred body 17 side. Therefore, according to the method for producing a print according to the present embodiment, the transfer layer can be accurately removed in the region to be removed, and the removed transfer layer can be transferred onto the transferred material.

3. 3rd Embodiment Next, 3rd Embodiment is described. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a variation of the thermal transfer sheet of the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view for explaining the structure of the thermal transfer sheet of this embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the transfer process of the heat seal layer of this embodiment, and FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the removal process and the transfer process of the transfer layer of this embodiment. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing variations of printed matter according to the present embodiment. In the following, the configuration of the transfer foil and the thermal transfer sheet and the respective steps relating to the method of manufacturing the printed matter will be described, focusing on the differences from the first and second embodiments.

(a) Transfer Foil As shown in FIG. 10(a), the transfer foil 10 is an intermediate transfer medium 10 having the same configuration as in the first and second embodiments, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(b) Thermal transfer sheet The thermal transfer sheet of the present embodiment includes (1) a heat seal layer including a peel-off layer 24B and a thermal expansion region that can be expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature on the same surface of the substrate 5. 14, or (2) a heat transfer sheet 20B that includes a thermal expansion region that can be expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature on one surface of the first base material 5A. There are two types of configuration: a first thermal transfer sheet 25 provided with a seal layer 14, and a second thermal transfer sheet 26 provided with a peel-off layer 24B on one surface of a second base material 5B. . Back layers 6, 6A and 6B are laminated on the surfaces of substrate 5, first substrate 5A and second substrate 5B opposite to heat seal layer 14 or peel-off layer 24B, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 9, in the case of the thermal transfer sheet 20B having both the peel-off layer 24B and the heat seal layer 14, a plurality of coloring material layers having different hues are formed on the same surface of the substrate 5. 15 may be provided in a frame-sequential manner, which is the same as the configuration of the first and second embodiments. In the thermal transfer sheet 20B, the heat seal layer 1 and the peel-off layer 24B are sequentially provided on one surface of the base material 5, following the plurality of color material layers 15 having different hues. A structure in which a back layer 6 is provided on the other surface of the material 5 is adopted.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8(b) and 8(c), the mode in which the first thermal transfer sheet 25 having the heat seal layer 14 and the second thermal transfer sheet 26 having the peel-off layer 24B are separately used is the first thermal transfer sheet. Except for the addition of the operation of replacing the thermal transfer sheet 25 and the second thermal transfer sheet 26 with the thermal transfer printer, the process of using the thermal transfer sheet 20B provided with both the peel-off layer 24B and the heat seal layer 14 is substantially there is no significant difference.

The cross-sectional structure of the first thermal transfer sheet 25 is equivalent to the cross-sectional structure of the portion of the thermal transfer sheet 20B having both the peel-off layer 24B and the heat seal layer 14 shown in FIG. 8A where the heat seal layer 14 is arranged. , and the cross-sectional configuration of the second thermal transfer sheet 26 is equivalent to the cross-sectional configuration of the portion where the peel-off layer 24B of the thermal transfer sheet 20B of FIG. 8A is arranged. In this case, the plurality of color material layers 15 having different hues can be provided on the first thermal transfer sheet 25 side, but may be provided on a thermal transfer sheet separate from the first thermal transfer sheet 25 . The heat seal layer 14 and peel-off layer 24B are described below.

(i) Heat-seal layer The heat-seal layer 14 of the present embodiment may have the same structure as that of the first embodiment. It suffices that it has the property of being thermally expanded by heating. For this reason, it is possible to have a configuration in which the component for thermal melting as described above and a component that thermally expands at a predetermined temperature or higher are mixed, or both are formed as separate layers, and a laminate of these can be used. It is good also as the composition which carried out.

(i) Peel-off layer The peel-off layer 24B of this embodiment differs from the peel-off layer 24 of the second embodiment in that it does not have a thermal expansion region that thermally expands when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher. In the present embodiment, since the heat seal layer 14 is provided with a thermal expansion region, the material for the peel-off layer 24B is selected in consideration of only the ability to partially remove the transfer layer 4 of the intermediate transfer medium 10. You can do it. As for the components of such a peel-off layer 24, those exemplified in the second embodiment can be used. However, as with the heat seal layer 14, the peel-off layer 24B having the same specifications as the peel-off layer 24 having a thermal expansion region may be used.

(c) Description of Printed Matter Manufacturing Method A printed matter manufacturing method according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(i) Transfer foil preparation step The transfer foil preparation step of the present embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. 3 is the step of preparing the intermediate transfer medium 10, which is the transfer foil 10 laminated in this order, which is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

(ii) Thermal transfer sheet preparation process The thermal transfer sheet preparation process of the present embodiment includes, as described above, (1) heating at a predetermined temperature on the same surface of the base material 5 shown in FIGS. 8(b), (c ), (2) a first thermal transfer sheet 25 provided with a heat seal layer 14 including a thermal expansion region that can be expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature on one surface of the first base material 5A; A second thermal transfer sheet 26 having a peel-off layer 24B provided on one surface of the second base material 5B is prepared.

(iii) Heat-Seal Layer Transfer Step The heat-seal layer transfer step of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10 in the case where the thermal transfer sheet 20B is used. First, as shown in FIG. 10A, the intermediate transfer medium 10 and the thermal transfer sheet 20B are superimposed and heated from the back side of the thermal transfer sheet 20B by the thermal head 31 to partially or completely remove the heat seal layer 14 from the intermediate transfer medium. Transfer to the medium 10 side. Each hue surface of the color material layer 15 of the thermal transfer sheet 20B is preliminarily superimposed on the receiving layer 3 of the intermediate transfer medium 10, and heating to a predetermined position by the thermal head 31 is repeated for each hue to obtain a predetermined color. A thermal transfer image 16 is formed.

Here, unlike the transfer process of the heat seal layer of the first embodiment, at least two levels of temperature are set for heating the predetermined position by the thermal head 31 . That is, the heat seal layer 14 can be transferred to the receiving layer 3 side of the intermediate transfer medium 10, but the heat seal layer 14 is set to a first temperature lower than the predetermined temperature, which is the temperature at which the thermal expansion region of the heat seal layer 14 expands greatly; The second temperature is set to a predetermined temperature or higher at which the heat seal layer 14 is transferred to the receiving layer 3 side of the intermediate transfer medium 10 and the thermal expansion region of the heat seal layer 14 is greatly expanded.

Thus, by setting the temperature applied to the thermal head 31 to the first temperature and the second temperature, the heat seal layer 14 can be transferred to the transfer layer 4 in different forms. For example, the temperature setting of the thermal head 31 is set to the first temperature, and the area of the heat seal layer 14 other than the area to be selectively thermally expanded is transferred to the transfer layer 4 side. Thereafter, the temperature setting of the thermal head 31 is switched to the second temperature to heat the selected area, thereby transferring the selected area to the transfer layer 4 side. As a result, the heat-seal layer 14 transferred to the transfer layer 4 has a mixture of portions that are enlarged along the thickness direction due to thermal expansion and portions that are hardly thermally expanded.

For example, in FIG. 10A, when the intermediate transfer medium 10 and the thermal transfer sheet 20B are stacked and heated from the back side of the thermal transfer sheet 20B by the thermal head 31, the thermal head 31 is applied to the back layer 6 of the thermal transfer sheet 20B. Heat is applied while moving through positions A, B, C, D, and E along the line. Here, it is assumed that the thermal head 31 is heated at the first temperature at positions A, B, D, and E, and is heated at the second temperature only at position C. FIG.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 10(b), a portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 corresponding to the position C of the thermal head 31 is heated at a second temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, and after transfer to the receiving layer 3, The thermal expansion region thermally expands greatly to form a state protruding in the thickness direction. On the other hand, the rest of the heat-seal layer 14 heated at the first temperature remains substantially unexpanded after being transferred to the receiving layer 3 . Therefore, regions having different thicknesses are generated in the transferred heat-seal layer 14 , so that the surface of the heat-seal layer 14 may have a partial convex shape.

(iv) Removal Step The removal step of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 11A, the thermal transfer sheet 20B and the intermediate transfer medium 10 are overlaid so that the surface of the peel-off layer 24B and the surface of the receiving layer 3 are in contact with each other. However, it is not necessary to overlap the two to such an extent that they are completely pressed. Just do it.

In this state, the back layer 6 side of the thermal transfer sheet 20B is heated to a predetermined temperature by the thermal head 31 . At this time, the peel-off layer 24B should be heated in a region corresponding to the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 transferred to the surface of the superimposed intermediate transfer medium 10, but a wider region than this should be heated. may

The convex portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 transferred to the transfer layer 4 and the part 4A of the transfer layer 4 arranged in the thickness direction with respect to the convex portion 14A are softened while the heated peel-off layer 24B is in close contact. , and adheres firmly to the peel-off layer 24B. Moreover, in other regions, even if the peel-off layer 24B is heated, the heat seal layer 14 does not adhere to the peel-off layer 24B, and the possibility of being accidentally peeled off is low.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11(b), by moving the thermal transfer sheet 20B away from the intermediate transfer medium 10, the part 4A of the transfer layer 4 is adhered to the peel-off layer 24B side and separated from the transfer layer 4. It is removed as removal area 8 .

(iv) Transfer Layer Transfer Step The transfer layer transfer step of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 11(b), the intermediate transfer medium 10 from which the transfer layer 4A has been removed is overlapped with the transfer-receiving body 17 and heated by the same method as shown in FIG. 5(a) in the first embodiment. The sheet is sequentially fed between the roller 32 and the pressure roller 33, and a predetermined heat pressure is applied. As a result, the transfer layer 4 other than the area previously removed as the removal area 8 is transferred to the transferred material 17 .

In the removal step described above, the part 14A of the heat seal layer 14 transferred to the transfer layer 4 and the part 4A of the transfer layer 4, which is the accompanying removal area 8, are accurately removed by the peel-off layer 24B. there is Therefore, in the transfer process of the transfer layer, the printed material 18B in which a predetermined image is formed stably only in the required area can be obtained without being greatly affected by the heat and pressure conditions of the heat roller 32 and the pressure roller 33 in particular. be able to.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the transfer onto the transferred material 17 is performed in a state where the heat seal layer 14 is transferred to the surface of the receiving layer 3 of the transfer layer 4 other than the removal area 8 . Therefore, the adhesion of the transfer layer 4 to the transferred material 17 is improved, and the quality of the printed matter 18B is stabilized.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, when forming an image on a transfer material 17, an arbitrary convex portion is formed on the heat seal layer 14 in conjunction with the arrangement of the thermal transfer image 16 or independently of this. 14B can be generated. This is achieved by sandwiching the intermediate transfer medium 10 and the transferred material 17 between the heat roller 32 and the pressure roller 33 and changing the temperature applied to the heat roller 32 when applying a predetermined heat pressure. can. That is, by changing the temperature at which the heat seal layer 14 transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 10 by the heat roller 32 is heated, the surface of the heat seal layer 14 is made uneven by generating thermally expanding portions and non-thermally expanding portions of the heat seal layer 14 . can produce a print 18C having a three-dimensional surface of

The above description is for the thermal transfer sheet 20B, but it goes without saying that the method using the first thermal transfer sheet 25 and the second thermal transfer sheet 26 is also the same for the processes other than the thermal transfer sheet preparation process. Nor.

As described above, the method for producing a printed matter according to the third embodiment comprises a transfer foil preparation step of preparing the intermediate transfer medium 10 having the transfer layer 4 provided on one surface of the support 1; A thermal transfer sheet 20B provided with a peel-off layer 24B and a heat seal layer 14 including a thermal expansion region that can be expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature on the same surface of the material 5, or (2) the first A first thermal transfer sheet 25 provided with a heat seal layer 14 including a thermal expansion region that can be expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature on one surface of the base material 5A, and one of the second base material 5B and a thermal transfer sheet preparation step of preparing a second thermal transfer sheet 26 having a peel-off layer 24B on its surface.

Furthermore, a heat seal layer transfer step of selectively heating a portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 including the thermal expansion region and transferring the portion 14A to the transfer layer 4, and heating a portion of the peel-off layer 24B. , a removing step of removing a part 4A of the transfer layer 4 as the removal area 8 from the transfer layer 4 through the part, and transferring the transfer layer 4 from which the removal area 8 has been removed onto the transferred body 17. and a step of transferring the transfer layer.

As a result, the heat seal layer 14 can be transferred from the thermal transfer sheet 20B or the first thermal transfer sheet 25 to the transfer layer 4 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 over the entire surface without being thermally expanded. It is possible to selectively thermally expand only the desired areas after transfer. Then, when removing a portion of the transfer layer 4 including the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 by the peel-off layer 24B, this can be easily and accurately removed by utilizing the fact that a convex portion is formed by thermal expansion. can.

Therefore, the accurately formed removal area 8 allows the transfer of the transfer layer 4 to the transfer material 17 to be performed accurately in the required area. Furthermore, since the transfer layer 4 can be transferred through the non-expanded heat seal layer 14, the adhesion of the transfer layer 4 to the transferred body 17 is improved. In addition, the heat seal layer 14 can be partially thermally expanded when the transfer layer 4 is transferred to the transferred material 17, and a highly designed printed material 18C having unevenness on the surface can be manufactured.

4. 4th Embodiment Next, 4th Embodiment is described. 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views illustrating a step of preparing an intermediate transfer medium and a step of forming a thermal transfer image according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the removal step and the transfer layer transfer step of this embodiment.

(a) Transfer Foil As shown in FIG. 13A, the transfer foil 10B differs from the transfer foils 10 of the first to third embodiments in the structure of the transfer layer 4B. This point will be described below.

(i) Transfer Layer The transfer layer 4B of the intermediate transfer medium 10B includes the receiving layer 3B, and the receiving layer 3 is laminated farthest from the support 1. FIG. That is, the receiving layer 3 constitutes the other side of the support 1, which constitutes one side of the intermediate transfer medium 10B. The intermediate transfer medium 10B may consist of only the support 1 and the receiving layer 3B, or a plurality of layers of different materials may be provided between the support 1 and the receiving layer 3B. A release layer 2 is often provided between the receiving layer 3B and the receiving layer 3B in order to improve the transferability of the receiving layer 3B. The receiving layer 3B will be described below.

(ii) Receiving Layer The receiving layer 3B constituting the transfer layer 4B of the intermediate transfer medium 10B includes the heat seal layer 14 of the first embodiment and the heat seal layer 14 of the second embodiment in addition to the components of the known receiving layer used for the intermediate transfer medium It has a thermal expansion region that thermally expands when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher, like the peel-off layer 24 of FIG. In this embodiment, the thermal expansion regions are arranged uniformly over the entire receiving layer 3B, but the receiving layer may have a multi-layer structure and the thermal expansion regions may be formed only in some of the layers. . Also, the thermal expansion region may be arranged only in a specific range in the same layer. However, the receiving layer 3B itself does not have to have a thermal expansion region. A stacked configuration may also be used. In this case, the thermal expansion region may be arranged in the protective layer instead of the receiving layer 3B, and the receiving layer 3B itself may not thermally expand. As the protective layer, a material similar to that used for the protective layer 27 described in Modification 4, which will be described later, may be selected, or a material other than this may be selected. All the following descriptions of the receiving layer 3B can be replaced with the descriptions of the protective layer adjacent to the receiving layer 3B above.

As described above, the receptive layer is required to have the property of being thermally expanded when heated to a predetermined temperature or more in addition to being suitable as a normal receptive layer. It can be realized by including thermally expandable hollow particles having a hollow portion containing an expanding agent inside the outer shell made of a thermoplastic resin or the like, as described in the heat seal layer 14 of the embodiment.

(b) Thermal transfer sheet The thermal transfer sheet 20C of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the case where the heat seal layer 14 is replaced with the peel-off layer 24B in FIG. , a yellow colorant layer (Y), a magenta colorant layer (M), and a cyan colorant layer (C), and a peel-off layer 24B are arranged in a frame-sequential manner. In addition, the cross-sectional configuration of the region where the peel-off layer 24B is arranged is that the peel-off layer 24B is provided on one surface of the second base material 5B shown in FIG. It has the same structure as the second thermal transfer sheet 26 .

(c) Description of Printed Matter Manufacturing Method A printed matter manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(i) Intermediate Transfer Medium Preparing Step The intermediate transfer medium preparing step of the present embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. This is a step of preparing an intermediate transfer medium 10B, which is a transfer foil 10B in which a receiving layer 3B is laminated in this order. The receiving layer 3B differs from the receiving layer 3 of the transfer layer 4 of the first to third embodiments in that it has a thermal expansion region that thermally expands when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher.

(ii) Thermal transfer sheet preparation step The thermal transfer sheet preparation step of the present embodiment is a thermal transfer sheet having a structure similar to that of the thermal transfer sheet 26 of the third embodiment. This is a step of preparing the thermal transfer sheet 20C on which the coloring material layers 15 are further provided in a frame-sequential manner.

(iii) Thermal Transfer Image Forming Process The thermal transfer image forming process of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 13A, a thermal transfer sheet 20C having a color material layer 15 on one surface thereof and an intermediate transfer medium 10B are superimposed, and the thermal transfer sheet 20C is heated from the rear side thereof by a thermal head 31. , the thermal transfer image 16 is transferred to the receiving layer 3B, which is the transfer layer 4B of the intermediate transfer medium 10 . When performing for a plurality of hues, the thermal transfer sheet 20C is sequentially moved and heating by the thermal head 31 is repeated for each hue to form a predetermined thermal transfer image 16. FIG.

The heating by the thermal head 31 in this case is adjusted to a first temperature lower than a predetermined temperature at which the thermal expansion region of the receiving layer 3B does not expand significantly. Therefore, at the stage where the thermal transfer image 16 is formed, the surface of the receiving layer 3B is flat and no local thermal expansion occurs.

(iv) Removal Step The removal step of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 13B, the thermal head 31 is heated at a predetermined position while the thermal transfer sheet 20C and the intermediate transfer medium 10B are in contact with each other. At this time, only the position corresponding to the removal region 8, which is the region to be removed, of the transfer layer 4B is heated. is adjusted to be the second temperature of Therefore, only the thermal expansion area of the removed area 8 expands, and the surface of the receiving layer 3B protrudes upward.

As shown in FIGS. 13(b), (c), and 14(a), when the thermal transfer sheet 20C is moved away from the intermediate transfer medium 10B, the removed area 8 adhered to the peel-off layer 24B expands. are removed from the transfer layer 4B.

(iv) Transfer Layer Transfer Process The transfer layer transfer process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 14(a), the intermediate transfer medium 10B from which the removal area 8 has been removed is overlapped with the transfer-receiving body 17 and heated by the same method as shown in FIG. 5(a) in the first embodiment. The sheet is sequentially fed between the roller 32 and the pressure roller 33, and a predetermined heat pressure is applied. As a result, the transfer layer 4B other than the area previously removed as the removal area 8 is transferred to the transferred body 17. Next, as shown in FIG.

In the removal step described above, the peel-off layer 24B accurately removes the removal region 8, that is, the portion 4C of the transfer layer 4B. Therefore, in the transfer process of the transfer layer, a printed matter 18D in which a predetermined image is formed only in a required area can be stably obtained without being greatly affected by the heat and pressure conditions of the heat roller 32 and the pressure roller 33 in particular. be able to.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14C, when forming an image on the transfer material 17, the transfer layer 4B is optionally formed in conjunction with the arrangement of the thermal transfer image 16 or independently of this. can be generated. The protrusions 4D are generated by the protrusions 3D caused by the expansion of the receiving layer 3B pushing up the upper release layer 2 to form the protrusions 2D. This is achieved by sandwiching the intermediate transfer medium 10 and the transferred material 17 between the heat roller 32 and the pressure roller 33 and changing the temperature applied to the heat roller 32 when applying a predetermined heat pressure. can. That is, by changing the temperature at which the heat seal layer 14 transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 10 by the heat roller 32 is heated, the receiving layer 3B has thermally expanding portions and non-thermally expanding portions, thereby making the surface uneven. A print 18E having a three-dimensional surface can be manufactured.

As described above, in the method for manufacturing a printed matter according to the fourth embodiment, the transfer layer 4B is provided on one surface of the support 1, and the thermal expansion region that can be expanded by being heated at a predetermined temperature. Preparing a thermal transfer sheet for preparing a thermal transfer sheet 20C provided with a color material layer 15 and a peel-off layer 24B on one same surface of a substrate 5 and

Further, a thermal transfer image forming step of forming a thermal transfer image 16 on the receiving layer 3B of the intermediate transfer medium 10B while heating at a first temperature lower than a predetermined temperature, and a removal region 8 of the transfer layer 4B at a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature. A removal step of removing the transfer layer 4B by the peel-off layer 24B while heating at the second temperature to expand the thermal expansion region of the removal region 8, and the transfer layer 4B from which the removal region 8 has been removed is placed on the transfer target 17. and a step of transferring the transfer layer to be transferred.

As a result, the heat transfer sheet 20C does not need to be provided with a heat seal layer, and only the normal peel-off layer 24B and the coloring material layer 15 need be provided. In addition, since the transfer layer 4B of the intermediate transfer medium 10B includes a thermal expansion region that can be expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature, by heating a portion corresponding to the removal region 8 with the thermal head 31, the removal region 8 and the removal region 8 are formed. Adhesion with the peel-off layer 24B is improved, and the removal area 8 can be easily and accurately removed.
As a result, the transfer of only the required area of the transfer layer 4B to the transferred material 17 is reliably performed. In addition, the transfer layer 4B can be partially thermally expanded when the transfer layer 4B is transferred to the transferred material 17, so that the printed matter 18E having an uneven surface and a high design property can be manufactured.

5. Modifications Various modifications and changes are possible for the first embodiment described above, and these are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Some modifications are given below.

(a) Modification 1
FIG. 15 shows two heat seal layers 11, 11 that expand when heated to a predetermined temperature, and second heat seal layers 12, which hardly expand when heated, in the method for manufacturing printed matter according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process of the modification 1 about the thermal transfer sheet 20D which has a layered structure.

As shown in FIG. 15A, the thermal transfer sheet 20D of Modification 1 has a heat seal layer 14C on one surface of the substrate 5 and a back layer 14C on the other surface of the substrate 5. 6 is provided. The heat seal layer 14</b>C has a two-layer structure of the first heat seal layer 11 and the second heat seal layer 12 , and the second heat seal layer 12 is arranged near the substrate 5 .

The first heat-seal layer 11 has the same configuration as the heat-seal layer 14 of the first embodiment, and has the property of being melted by heating so that it can be transferred to the transfer layer 4, and the property of being thermally expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature or higher. It is required to have both On the other hand, the second heat seal layer 12 may contain a component for thermal melting without the property of being thermally expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature or higher.

A method of manufacturing a printed matter in this modified example is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in the heat-seal transfer process, as shown in FIG. 15(b), a portion of the heat-seal layer 14C transferred to the transfer layer 4 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 is the second layer located farthest from the receiving layer 3. A portion 11A of the first heat seal layer 11 is arranged on the side close to the receiving layer 3 which is the portion 12A of the heat seal layer 12 .

Further, in the transfer process of the transfer layer, as shown in FIG. 15(c), the portion that abuts on the transferred body 17 becomes the portion 12A of the second heat seal layer 12. Next, as shown in FIG. It is conceivable that the first heat seal layer 11 contains thermally expandable hollow particles as the thermal expansion region. Fine irregularities are formed on the surface. On the other hand, since the second heat seal layer 12 does not need to include such a thermal expansion region, the surface of the second heat seal layer 12 can be finished more smoothly than the first heat seal layer 11. be.

From this, like the heat seal layer 14C, the first heat seal layer 11 including the thermal expansion region and the second heat seal layer 12 that does not need to include the thermal expansion region are laminated in a predetermined order. , the adhesiveness of the transfer layer 4 can be improved when the image is finally formed on the transferred material 17 . This contributes to improving the quality of the final print 18F.

In addition, the second heat seal layer 12 does not need to have a structure that does not expand at all when heated, but at least the first heat seal layer 11 including a thermal expansion region that can be expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature. It is sufficient that the degree of expansion by heating at a predetermined temperature is greater than that of the second heat seal layer 12 .

(b) Modification 2
Next, referring to FIG. 16, in the printed matter manufacturing method of the first embodiment, the heat seal layer 14D consists of the first heat seal layer 11 that expands when heated at a predetermined temperature and the second heat seal layer 11 that hardly expands when heated. Modification 2 of the thermal transfer sheet 20E having a three-layer structure of the seal layer 12 and the third heat seal layer 13 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the thermal transfer sheet 20E of Modification 2 has a heat seal layer 14D on one surface of the substrate 5 and a back layer 14D on the other surface of the substrate 5. 6 is provided. The heat-seal layer 14D has a three-layer structure of the first heat-seal layer 11, the second heat-seal layer 12 and the third heat-seal layer 13, and the second heat-seal layer 12 is arranged closest to the substrate 5. and the third heat seal layer 13 is arranged farthest from the base material 5 .

As in Modification 1, the first heat seal layer 11 is required to have both the property of being melted by heating so that it can be transferred to the transfer layer 4 and the property of being thermally expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature or higher. On the other hand, the second heat-seal layer 12 and the third heat-seal layer 13 may contain a component for thermal melting that does not have the property of being thermally expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature or higher.

The method of manufacturing a print in this modification is basically the same as in the first embodiment and the first modification. However, in the heat-seal transfer process, as shown in FIG. The part 12A of the second heat seal layer 12 and the part 13A of the third heat seal layer 13 is arranged on the side closest to the receiving layer 3 . Therefore, a portion of the heat seal layer 14D adheres to the receiving layer 3 through the portion 12A of the second heat seal layer 12. As shown in FIG.

Further, in the transfer process of the transfer layer, as shown in FIG. 16(c), the part that abuts on the transferred body 17 becomes the part 12A of the second heat seal layer 12. Next, as shown in FIG. Therefore, for the same reason as in Modification 1, it is possible to improve the adhesion of the transfer layer 4 during image formation on the transfer material 17 . Furthermore, in this modification, in the heat seal transfer step, as shown in FIG. Since it adheres to the receiving layer 3 through the part 13A of the layer 13, the adhesiveness to the transfer layer 4 can be improved for the same reason as the second heat seal layer 12. Therefore, the selected area 7 to be selectively transferred can be transferred easily and accurately, which contributes to improving the quality of the final printed matter 18G.

The third heat seal layer 13 is the same as the second heat seal layer 12, and it is not necessary to have a structure that does not expand at all when heated, but at least a heat seal layer that can be expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature. It is sufficient that the first heat seal layer 11 including the expansion region expands more than the third heat seal layer 13 when heated at a predetermined temperature. Moreover, the heat-sealing layer including the thermal expansion region and the heat-sealing layer other than the heat-sealing layer may be laminated in multiple layers.

(c) Modification 3
FIG. 17 shows that in the method of manufacturing a print according to the second embodiment, the peel-off layer 24 consists of a first peel-off layer 21 that expands when heated to a predetermined temperature, a second peel-off layer 22 that hardly expands when heated, and a third peel-off layer. 23 is a diagram showing the process of Modified Example 3 for the thermal transfer sheet 20F having a three-layer structure of 23. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 17A, the thermal transfer sheet 20F of Modification 3 has a peel-off layer 24C on one surface of the substrate 5 and a back layer 24C on the other surface of the substrate 5. 6 is provided. The peel-off layer 24C has a three-layer structure of a first peel-off layer 21, a second peel-off layer 22 and a third peel-off layer 23. The second peel-off layer 22 is arranged closest to the substrate 5, and the third peel-off layer 24C Layer 23 is positioned furthest from substrate 5 .

The first peel-off layer 21 has the same configuration as the peel-off layer 24 of the second embodiment, and has both the property of being able to partially remove the transfer layer 4 by heating and the property of being thermally expanded by heating at a predetermined temperature or higher. is required. On the other hand, the second peel-off layer 22 and the third peel-off layer 23 may contain a component that does not thermally expand when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher and that has removal performance.

A method of manufacturing a printed matter in this modified example is basically the same as that of the second embodiment. However, in the removing step, as shown in FIG. 17B, the part of the peel-off layer 24C that adheres to the removed area 8 of the transfer layer 4 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 is the part 23A of the third peel-off layer 23. .

The first peel-off layer 21 may contain thermally expandable hollow particles as a thermal expansion region. has fine irregularities. On the other hand, since the second peel-off layer 22 and the third peel-off layer 23 do not need to include such a thermal expansion region, the surfaces of the second peel-off layer 22 and the third peel-off layer 23 are more exposed than the first peel-off layer 21 . can also be made smooth.

As a result, in the removal step, the peel-off layer 24C is adhered to the substrate 5 via the second peel-off layer 22, so the adhesion between the peel-off layer 24C and the substrate 5 is improved. In addition, since the peel-off layer 24C adheres to the part 3A of the receiving layer 3, which is the removal region 8, through the third peel-off layer 23, when the removal region 8 is removed in the removal step, the removal region 8 is peeled off. Peeling from layer 24C is suppressed, and removal can be performed easily and accurately. Therefore, the quality of the final printed matter can be improved.

Although the second peel-off layer 22 and the third peel-off layer 23 do not need to be configured so as not to expand at all when heated, at least the third peel-off layer 22 and the third peel-off layer 23 each include a thermal expansion region that can expand when heated to a predetermined temperature. It is sufficient that the first peel-off layer 21 expands more than the second peel-off layer 22 and the third peel-off layer 23 when heated at a predetermined temperature. Moreover, the peel-off layer including the thermal expansion region and the peel-off layer other than the peel-off layer may be laminated in multiple layers.

(d) Modification 4
18 and 19 are diagrams for explaining steps in Modification 4 in which the transfer foil is not the intermediate transfer medium but the protective layer transfer sheet 10C in the method of manufacturing the printed matter of the first embodiment.

(a) Transfer Foil As shown in FIG. 18A, a transfer layer 4 is laminated on one surface of a support 1 to form a protective layer transfer sheet 10C, which is a transfer foil 10C. In this modified example, the transfer layer 4 is formed by laminating a protective layer 27 and an adhesive layer 28 in order from the side closer to the support 1 .
(i) Support The material of the support 1 of the protective layer transfer sheet 10C is not particularly limited, and examples include polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyarylate, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyimide, polyetherimide, cellulose derivative, and polyethylene. , ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylic, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, nylon, polyetheretherketone, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoroalkyl Various plastic films or sheets such as vinyl ether copolymer, polyvinyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and polyvinylidene fluoride can be used. Moreover, the support 1 may contain a single material listed above, or may contain two or more of them.

The thickness of the support 1 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, in the range of 2 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

(ii) Protective Layer The material of the protective layer 27 of the protective layer transfer sheet 10C is not particularly limited, and any protective layer known in the field of protective layer transfer sheets can be appropriately selected. Examples of components of the protective layer 27 include polyester, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, vinyl chloride resin, ultraviolet absorbing resin, epoxy resin, polystyrene, polyurethane, acrylic urethane resin, resin modified with silicone of each of these resins, and each of these resins. Mixtures of resins, ionizing radiation curable resins, UV absorbing resins and the like can be used. Among them, acrylic resins, polyesters and vinyl chloride resins are preferably used, and acrylic resins and polyesters are more preferably used.

The protection layer 27 can improve plasticizer resistance and abrasion resistance by containing an ionizing radiation curable resin. Known ionizing radiation-curable resins can be used. For example, a radically polymerizable polymer or oligomer is crosslinked and cured by irradiation with ionizing radiation, a photopolymerization initiator is added as necessary, and electron beams or ultraviolet rays are applied. Polymerized and crosslinked materials can be used. In addition, since the protective layer 27 contains an ultraviolet absorbing resin, it is possible to impart light resistance to the printed matter.

As the UV-absorbing resin, for example, a resin obtained by reacting and bonding a reactive UV-absorbing agent to a thermoplastic resin or the ionizing radiation-curable resin can be used. More specifically, conventionally known non-reactive organic UV absorbers such as salicylates, benzophenones, benzotriazoles, substituted acrylonitrile, nickel chelates, and hindered amines are added with addition polymerizable double Those into which reactive groups such as bonds (for example, vinyl groups, acryloyl groups, methacryloyl groups, etc.), alcoholic hydroxyl groups, amino groups, carboxyl groups, epoxy groups, and isocyanate groups are introduced can be used.
(iii) Adhesive Layer Although the adhesive layer 28 is not essential, the adhesive layer 28 is formed between the support 1 and the protective layer 27 in order to improve the adhesion between the transfer layer 4 and the transferred material 17 when they are transferred. may contain Examples of components of the adhesive layer 28 include acrylic resins, vinyl chloride resins, vinyl acetate resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, styrene-acrylic copolymers, polyesters, and polyamides.

Although the thickness of the adhesive layer 28 is not particularly limited, it can be in the range of 0.1 μm or more and 5 μm or less, for example.

(b) Description of Method for Producing Printed Material As shown in FIG. 18B, the protective layer transfer sheet 10C of this modified example is overlapped with the thermal transfer sheet 20 in the same manner as the intermediate transfer medium 10 of the first embodiment. . Here, the adhesive layer 28 of the protective layer transfer sheet 10C and the heat seal layer 14 of the thermal transfer sheet 20 are in contact with each other.

Here, by heating the heat transfer sheet 20 from the back side to a predetermined position by the thermal head 31, the heated part 14A of the heat seal layer 14 is transferred to the adhesive layer 28 of the protective layer transfer sheet 10C. be.

At this time, the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 transferred to the adhesive layer 28 side is subjected to a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature from the thermal head 31, so that the thermal expansion region of the portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 expands greatly. and the size in the thickness direction also increases. After that, as shown in FIG. 18(c), the thermal transfer sheet 20 is peeled off from the protective layer transfer sheet 10C. This completes the transfer process of the heat seal layer.

Next, a protective layer transfer sheet 10C to which a portion 14A of the heat seal layer 14 with an expanded thermal expansion region has been transferred is transferred in advance with a portion 4A of the transfer layer 4 as shown in FIG. 5(a), it is sandwiched between a heat roller 32 and a pressure roller 33, and a predetermined amount of heat and pressure is applied. As a result, the transfer layer 4 including a portion 28A of the adhesive layer 28 and a portion 27A of the protective layer 27 is formed above the portion 4A of the transfer layer as shown in FIG. A print 18H in which a part 4E is laminated can be obtained.

In this way, the modified example in which the intermediate transfer medium 10 is replaced with the protective layer transfer sheet 10C has been described using the first embodiment as an example, but similar replacement is also possible in other embodiments and modified examples. . For example, as in the second embodiment, a part of the protective layer transfer sheet 10C is removed as a removal region, and the region where the protective layer is not desired to be provided on the transferred body is removed in advance, and then the protective layer is transferred. It is also possible to produce prints that are transferred onto the body.

EXAMPLES Next, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, parts or percentages are based on mass.

1. Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheets and Intermediate Transfer Media As shown in Table 1, various thermal transfer sheets were prepared with different combinations of the back layer, heat seal layer and peel-off layer. Also, as shown in Table 2, various intermediate transfer media were prepared by changing the combination of the release layer, protective layer and receiving layer. Details of each thermal transfer sheet and each intermediate transfer medium will be described below.

(a) Preparation of thermal transfer sheet 1-1 As a substrate, a polyethylene terephthalate film with a thickness of 6 μm is used, and on one side of the substrate, a peel-off layer coating solution 1 having the following composition is applied to a thickness of 1 μm when dried. It was coated and dried to form a peel-off layer. A thermal transfer sheet 1 having a peel-off layer was formed on the other side of the substrate by applying a back layer coating liquid having the following composition to a dry thickness of 0.8 μm and drying to form a back layer. -1 was obtained.

<Coating solution 1 for peel-off layer>
・ Polyester water dispersion (solid content 34%, Tg 67 ° C.) 15 parts (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD-1200 Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
・Heat expandable hollow particles 5 parts (Kureha Microsphere (registered trademark) M330 Kureha Corporation)
・80 parts of water

<Coating solution for back layer>
・ Polyvinyl butyral 2 parts (Slec (registered trademark) BX-1 Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.)
- Polyisocyanate 9.2 parts (Barnock (registered trademark) D750 DIC Corporation)
・ Phosphate ester surfactant 1.3 parts (Plysurf (registered trademark) A208N Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
・ Talc 0.3 part (Micro Ace (registered trademark) P-3 Nippon Talc Industry Co., Ltd.)
・43.6 parts of toluene ・43.6 parts of methyl ethyl ketone

(b) Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheet 1-2 In the same manner as for Thermal Transfer Sheet 1-1, except that Peel-off Layer Coating Solution 1 of Thermal Transfer Sheet 1-1 was changed to Peel-off Layer Coating Solution 2 having the following composition, A thermal transfer sheet 1-2 was obtained.

<Coating liquid 2 for peel-off layer>
・ Polyester water dispersion (solid content 34%, Tg 67 ° C.) 15 parts (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD-1200 Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
・ Thermally expandable hollow particles 5 parts (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) F-30 Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
・80 parts of water

(c) Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheet 1-3 In the same manner as for Thermal Transfer Sheet 1-1, except that Peel-off Layer Coating Solution 1 of Thermal Transfer Sheet 1-1 was changed to Peel-off Layer Coating Solution 3 having the following composition, A thermal transfer sheet 1-3 was obtained.

<Coating liquid 3 for peel-off layer>
・ Polyester water dispersion (solid content 34%, Tg 67 ° C.) 15 parts (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD-1200 Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
・ Thermally expandable hollow particles 5 parts (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) FN-80GS Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
・80 parts of water

(d) Preparation of thermal transfer sheet 1-4 In the same manner as for thermal transfer sheet 1-1, except that peel-off layer coating liquid 1 of thermal transfer sheet 1-1 was changed to peel-off layer coating liquid 4 having the following composition, A thermal transfer sheet 1-4 was obtained.

<Coating liquid 4 for peel-off layer>
・ Polyester water dispersion (solid content 34%, Tg 67 ° C.) 15 parts (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD-1200 Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
・ Thermally expandable hollow particles 5 parts (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) FN-80GS Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
・80 parts of water

(e) Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheet 1-A In the same manner as for Thermal Transfer Sheet 1-1, except that Peel-off Layer Coating Solution 1 of Thermal Transfer Sheet 1-1 was changed to Peel-off Layer Coating Solution A having the following composition, A thermal transfer sheet 1-A was obtained.

<Coating liquid A for peel-off layer>
・ Polyester water dispersion (solid content 34%, Tg 67 ° C.) 20 parts (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD-1200 Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
・80 parts of water

(f) Preparation of thermal transfer sheet 2-1 A polyethylene terephthalate film with a thickness of 6 μm is used as the base material, and a heat seal layer coating liquid 1 having the following composition is applied on one side of the base material to a thickness of 1 μm when dried. A peel-off layer was formed by coating and drying so as to have a thickness. A thermal transfer sheet having a heat-seal layer is formed by coating the other side of the base material with the back layer coating liquid having the above composition so as to have a thickness of 0.8 μm when dried, and drying to form a back layer. Got 2-1.

<Coating solution 1 for heat seal layer>
・ Polyester water dispersion (solid content 34%, Tg 67 ° C.) 15 parts (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD-1200 Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
・Heat expandable hollow particles 5 parts (Kureha Microsphere (registered trademark) M330 Kureha Corporation)
・80 parts of water

(g) Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheet 2-2 The heat transfer sheet 1-1 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 1-1 except that the heat seal layer coating liquid 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 1-1 was changed to the heat seal layer coating liquid 2 having the following composition. Thus, a thermal transfer sheet 1-2 was obtained.

<Coating liquid 2 for heat seal layer>
・ Polyester water dispersion (solid content 34%, Tg 67 ° C.) 15 parts (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD-1200 Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
・ Thermally expandable hollow particles 5 parts (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) F-30 Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
・80 parts of water

(h) Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheet 2-3 The heat transfer sheet 1-1 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 1-1 except that the heat seal layer coating liquid 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 1-1 was changed to the heat seal layer coating liquid 3 having the following composition. Thus, a thermal transfer sheet 1-3 was obtained.

<Coating solution 3 for heat seal layer>
・ Polyester water dispersion (solid content 34%, Tg 67 ° C.) 15 parts (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD-1200 Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
・ Thermally expandable hollow particles 5 parts (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) FN-80GS Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
・80 parts of water

(i) Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheet 2-4 The heat transfer sheet 1-1 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 1-1 except that the heat seal layer coating liquid 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 1-1 was changed to the heat seal layer coating liquid 4 having the following composition. Thus, a thermal transfer sheet 1-4 was obtained.

<Coating liquid 4 for heat seal layer>
・ Polyester water dispersion (solid content 34%, Tg 67 ° C.) 15 parts (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD-1200 Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
・ Thermally expandable hollow particles 5 parts (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) FN-80GS Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
・80 parts of water

(j) Preparation of thermal transfer sheet 3-1 A polyethylene terephthalate film with a thickness of 6 μm was used as the base material, and a coating liquid for backing having the above composition was applied to one side of the base material to a thickness of 0.8 μm when dried. It was coated and dried to form a back layer. On the other side of the base material, the heat-seal layer coating solution 1 having the above composition and the peel-off layer coating solution B having the following composition were each applied to a dry thickness of 1 μm, and dried. , a heat-seal layer and a peel-off layer were sequentially formed to obtain a thermal transfer sheet 3-1 having a heat-seal layer and a peel-off layer.

<Coating liquid B for peel-off layer>
・Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer 10 parts (Solbin (registered trademark) C5R Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
・ Acrylic resin 10 parts (Dianal (registered trademark) BR-83 Mitsubishi Chemical Co., Ltd.)
・Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) 80 parts

(k) Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheet 3-2 The heat transfer sheet 3-1 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 3-1 except that the heat seal layer coating liquid 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 3-1 was changed to the heat seal layer coating liquid 2 having the above composition. Thus, a thermal transfer sheet 3-2 was obtained.

(l) Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheet 3-3 The heat transfer sheet 3-1 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 3-1 except that the heat seal layer coating liquid 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 3-1 was changed to the heat seal layer coating liquid 3 having the above composition. Thus, a thermal transfer sheet 3-3 was obtained.

(m) Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheet 3-4 The heat transfer sheet 3-1 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 3-1 except that the heat seal layer coating liquid 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 3-1 was changed to the heat seal layer coating liquid 4 having the above composition. Thus, a thermal transfer sheet 3-4 was obtained.

(n) Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheet 3-A The heat transfer sheet 3-1 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 3-1 except that the heat seal layer coating liquid 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 3-1 was changed to the heat seal layer coating liquid A having the above composition. Thus, a thermal transfer sheet 3-A was obtained.

(o) Preparation of Intermediate Transfer Medium 1 A polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of 16 μm was used as a base material, and a release layer coating solution 1 having the following composition was coated on the base material so as to have a thickness of 1 μm when dried. , dried to form a release layer. Then, a protective layer coating solution 1 having the following composition was applied onto the release layer so as to have a dry thickness of 5 μm , and dried to form a protective layer. Furthermore, a receiving layer coating liquid 1 having the following composition was coated on the protective layer so as to have a thickness of 1.5 μm when dried, and dried to form a receiving layer, whereby a release layer and a protective layer were formed on the substrate. , receiving layers were laminated in this order to obtain an intermediate transfer medium 1.

<Coating liquid 1 for release layer>
・ Acrylic resin 29 parts (Dianal (registered trademark) BR-87 Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation)
・Polyester 1 part (Vylon (registered trademark) 200 Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
・35 parts of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) ・35 parts of toluene

<Protective layer coating solution 1>
・ Polyester 30 parts (Vylon (registered trademark) 200 Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
・35 parts of methyl ethyl ketone ・35 parts of toluene

<Receiving layer coating solution 1>
・Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer 20 parts (Solbin (registered trademark) CNL Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
・ 1 part of silicone oil (X-22-3000T Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)
・Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) 79 parts

(p) Preparation of Intermediate Transfer Medium 2 An intermediate transfer medium was prepared in the same manner as in Intermediate Transfer Medium 1, except that Protective Layer Coating Solution 1 of Intermediate Transfer Medium 1 was changed to Protective Layer Coating Solution 2 having the following composition. got 2.

<Protective layer coating solution 2>
・ Thermally expandable hollow particles 100 parts (Kureha Microsphere (registered trademark) M330, Kureha Co., Ltd.)
・ Aqueous polyurethane (solid content 37%) 30 parts (Neo sticker (registered trademark) 400 Nicca Chemical Co., Ltd.)
・80 parts of water

(q) Preparation of intermediate transfer medium 3 An intermediate transfer medium was prepared in the same manner as for intermediate transfer medium 1 except that protective layer coating liquid 1 of intermediate transfer medium 1 was changed to protective layer coating liquid 3 having the following composition. got 3.

<Protective layer coating solution 3>
・ Thermally expandable hollow particles 100 parts (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) F-30 Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
・ Aqueous polyurethane (solid content 37%) 30 parts (Neo sticker (registered trademark) 400 Nicca Chemical Co., Ltd.)
・80 parts of water

(r) Preparation of Intermediate Transfer Medium 4 An intermediate transfer medium was prepared in the same manner as in Intermediate Transfer Medium 1, except that Protective Layer Coating Solution 1 of Intermediate Transfer Medium 1 was changed to Protective Layer Coating Solution 4 having the following composition. Got 4.

<Protective layer coating solution 4>
・ Thermally expandable hollow particles 100 parts (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) FN-80GS Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
・ Aqueous polyurethane (solid content 37%) 30 parts (Neo sticker (registered trademark) 400 Nicca Chemical Co., Ltd.)
・80 parts of water

(s) Preparation of Intermediate Transfer Medium 5 An intermediate transfer medium was prepared in the same manner as in Intermediate Transfer Medium 1, except that Protective Layer Coating Solution 1 of Intermediate Transfer Medium 1 was changed to Protective Layer Coating Solution 5 having the following composition. Got 5.

<Protective layer coating solution 5>
・ Thermally expandable hollow particles 100 parts (Expancel (registered trademark) 031-40 Nippon Philite Co., Ltd.)
・ Aqueous polyurethane (solid content 37%) 30 parts (Neo sticker (registered trademark) 400 Nicca Chemical Co., Ltd.)
・80 parts of water

2. Test method As shown in Table 2, the combination of the thermal transfer sheet and the intermediate transfer medium was varied to produce prints under the following printer conditions and transfer material conditions. 2. The details of each example and comparative example will be described.

(Printer printing conditions)
Thermal head: KEE-57-12GAN2-STA (manufactured by Kyocera Corporation)
Heating element average resistance: 3303 (Ω)
Main scanning direction print density: 300 (dpi)
Sub-scanning direction print density: 300 (dpi)
1 line cycle: 2.0 (msec.)
(Condition 1) Print start temperature: 100 (°C)
(Condition 2) Print start temperature: 200 (°C)

(Retransfer conditions)
Laminator: Lamipacker LPD3212 (manufactured by Fujipla)
Temperature: 145°C
Speed: 0.8 (set value)

(Material Composition of Card Base Material)
・Polyvinyl chloride compound (polymerization degree 800) 100 parts (containing about 10% of additives such as stabilizers)
・White pigment (titanium oxide) 10 parts ・Plasticizer (DOP) 0.5 parts

(a) Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1 Using the combination of the intermediate transfer medium and the thermal transfer sheet shown in Table 2, the energy of 255/255 gradation was applied according to the condition 2 under the above printer printing conditions, and the thermal transfer sheet was obtained. The peel-off layer is heated, and a partial region of the transfer layer (hereinafter, a partial region of the transfer layer is referred to as a "predetermined region") formed by laminating a release layer, a protective layer, and a receiving layer in this order. Removed. Further, the intermediate transfer medium from which a predetermined area was removed was combined with a card having the above-mentioned material composition as a transfer-receiving medium, and heated while sandwiched between a heat roller and a pressure roller under the above-mentioned retransfer conditions of the printer to obtain a printed matter. .

(b) Examples 5 to 8 Using the combination of the intermediate transfer medium and the thermal transfer sheet shown in Table 2, the energy of 255/255 gradation was applied according to condition 2 under the above printer printing conditions, and the heat seal layer of the thermal transfer sheet was formed. A portion was heated to transfer the partial area (hereinafter, the partial area of the transfer layer is referred to as the "predetermined area") to the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer layer. Further, the intermediate transfer medium on which the predetermined area has been transferred is combined with a card having the above-described material composition as a transfer-receiving medium, and heated while sandwiched between a heat roller and a pressure roller under the above-described retransfer conditions of the printer to obtain a printed matter. rice field.

(c) Examples 9 to 12 and Comparative Example 2 Using the combination of the intermediate transfer medium and the thermal transfer sheet shown in Table 2, the energy of 255/255 gradation was applied according to Condition 1 under the above printer printing conditions. The heat seal layer of the sheet was transferred onto the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium. Next, the intermediate transfer medium to which the heat seal layer was transferred and the thermal transfer sheet having the peel-off layer prepared above were combined, and energy of 255/255 gradation was applied according to condition 2 under the above printer printing conditions to form a release layer. , a protective layer, and a receiving layer were laminated in this order (hereinafter, the partial area of the transfer layer is referred to as a "predetermined area") was removed. Further, the intermediate transfer medium from which a predetermined area was removed was combined with a card having the above-mentioned material composition as a transfer-receiving medium, and heated while sandwiched between a heat roller and a pressure roller under the above-mentioned retransfer conditions of the printer to obtain a printed matter. .

(d) Examples 13 to 16 Using the combination of the intermediate transfer medium and the thermal transfer sheet shown in Table 2, energy of 255/255 gradation was applied according to condition 2 under the above printer printing conditions, and the release layer, protective layer, and receiving layer were formed. A partial area of the transfer layer in which the layers were laminated in this order (hereinafter, the partial area of the transfer layer is referred to as a "predetermined area") was removed. Further, the intermediate transfer medium from which a predetermined area was removed was combined with a card having the above-mentioned material composition as a transfer-receiving medium, and heated while sandwiched between a heat roller and a pressure roller under the above-mentioned retransfer conditions of the printer to obtain a printed matter. .

3. Evaluation Results Table 3 shows the evaluation results of Examples 1 to 16 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2. Each evaluation item and judgment criteria are explained below.

(a) Peel-off property (judgment criteria)
A: The transfer layer corresponding to the "predetermined area" is accurately removed.
B: A portion of the transfer layer corresponding to the "predetermined area" remains slightly, or the transfer layer is removed so as to slightly protrude from the "predetermined area", but there is no problem in use.
NG: The transfer layer is removed so as to extend beyond the “predetermined region”.

(b) Retransferability (judgment criteria)
A: The "predetermined region" is correctly retranscribed.
B: The "predetermined area" is slightly protruded and retransferred, but the level is not problematic in use.
NG: Re-transferred, protruding greatly from the “predetermined region”.

(c) Adhesiveness to transferred material (criteria)
A: The material to be transferred and the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium are adhered.
B: Adhesion between the material to be transferred and the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium is weak, but there is no problem in use.
NG: The adhesion between the receiving material and the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium is weak and unusable.

(d) Evaluation results As shown in Table 3, in Examples 1 to 4 according to the configuration of the second embodiment in which a peel-off layer is provided with a thermal expansion region and thermally expansible hollow particles are contained, depending on the type of hollow particles, Although there was a difference in the peel-off property, the peel-off property was clearly better than that of Comparative Example 1 in which the peel-off layer was not provided with the thermal expansion region. In Examples 5 to 8, which conformed to the configuration of the first embodiment in which the heat seal layer was provided with a thermal expansion region and thermally expandable hollow particles were contained, there were no problems with retransfer properties.

Further, in Examples 9 to 12 according to the configuration of the third embodiment in which a thermal expansion region is provided in the heat seal layer, thermally expandable hollow particles are contained, and the transfer layer is partially removed by the peel-off layer, Although there were some differences depending on the type of hollow particles, the peel-off property was clearly better than that of Comparative Example 2 in which the heat seal layer was not provided with a thermal expansion region. Furthermore, in Examples 13 to 16 according to the configuration of the fourth embodiment in which a thermal expansion region is provided in the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium, thermally expandable hollow particles are contained, and the transfer layer is partially removed by the peel-off layer. Although there were some differences depending on the type of hollow particles, both the peel-off property and the adhesion to the transferred material were good.

1 support 2, 2A, 2B release layer 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D receiving layer 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E transfer layer 5 substrate 5A first substrate 6 back layer 6A second substrate Substrate 7 Selected area 8 Removal area 10, 10B, 10C Transfer foil, intermediate transfer medium, protective layer transfer sheet 11, 11A First heat seal layers 12, 12A Second heat seal layers 13, 13A Third heat seal layer 14, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D Heat seal layer 15 Colorant layer 16 Thermal transfer image 17 Transferee 18, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, 18G, 18H Printed matter 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F thermal transfer sheets 21, 21A first peel-off layer 22 second peel-off layers 23, 23A third peel-off layers 24, 24A, 24B, 24C peel-off layer 25 first thermal transfer sheet 26 second thermal transfer sheets 27, 27A protective layer 28, 28A adhesive layer 31 thermal head 32 heat roller 33 pressure roller

Claims (1)

A thermal transfer sheet used before a thermal transfer image is formed on a transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer provided on one surface of a support, and a part of the transfer layer is retransferred to a transfer material. and
a substrate;
a heat seal layer having a thermal expansion region containing hollow particles having thermal expansion properties on one surface of the substrate;
The thermal expansion region expands by heating to a predetermined temperature,
The heat seal layer has a laminate structure including a first heat seal layer, a second heat seal layer and a third heat seal layer,
the second heat seal layer is positioned closer to the substrate than the first heat seal layer;
The three heat-seal layers are arranged farther from the substrate than the first heat-seal layer,
the thermal expansion region is included in the first heat seal layer;
The thermal transfer sheet, wherein the first heat seal layer expands to a greater degree by heating at the predetermined temperature than the second heat seal layer and the third heat seal layer.

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