JP7251255B2 - THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTING APPARATUS AND PRINTED MATERIAL MANUFACTURING METHOD - Google Patents

Description

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

Thermal transfer printing apparatuses are widely used because they are capable of freely adjusting density gradation, are excellent in reproducibility of intermediate colors and gradation, and are capable of forming high-quality images comparable to silver halide photography. A thermal transfer printing apparatus generally transports an image-receiving sheet to a thermal head, adjusts the amount of thermal energy applied by the thermal head according to image information, and transfers a coloring material (dye, etc.) from the thermal transfer sheet to the image-receiving sheet. It is an apparatus for forming an image by

For example, a thermal transfer sheet is provided with three color layers of yellow, magenta, and cyan colorants in a surface-sequential manner. Form. A detection mark for aligning the colorant layers is provided at the head portion of each colorant layer.

Yellow, which is transferred first in forming one image, is required to be detected separately from other colors. Therefore, for example, there is a method of distinguishing by using a plurality of line-shaped detection marks, and a method of distinguishing from other colors by providing a part with different detectability in the detection mark (for example, See Patent Document 1). In this method, it is necessary to use a large amount of ink material, and to secure the sensing time, it is necessary to widen the panel pitch (the interval between the colorant layers), and it is necessary to use a large amount of materials such as base materials. There is a problem that it becomes a factor of cost increase due to certain factors.

There is also a method of providing two sensors in a thermal transfer printing apparatus and forming linear detection marks as shown in FIG. 7 on a thermal transfer sheet. When two sensors are used, as shown in FIG. 7, in the region R1 detected by the first sensor, the detection mark YM of the yellow colorant layer 300 exists, and the detection marks MM and cyan of the magenta colorant layer 302 exist. The detection mark CM of the coloring material layer 304 is missing. In the area R2 detected by the second sensor, the detection marks YM, MM, CM are not lacking. Thereby, the first sensor detects only the detection mark YM and detects the yellow color material layer 300 . After detecting the yellow colorant layer 300 , the second sensor sequentially detects the detection marks MM and CM, and detects the magenta colorant layer 302 and the cyan colorant layer 304 .

When a thermal transfer sheet is used to print on an image receiving sheet, the size of the image printed on the image receiving sheet depends on the size of the thermal transfer sheet. For example, when producing a printed matter of a predetermined size such as L size or postcard size, it is necessary to prepare a thermal transfer sheet having a size corresponding to the size of the printed matter.

Conventionally, a wide raw roll 200 to be wound as shown in FIG. etc. was manufactured.

When two sensors are used, the detection marks MM of the magenta colorant layer 302 and the detection marks CM of the cyan colorant layer 304 are missing, as described above. In the jumbo roll, missing portions of the detection marks MM and CM are arranged at predetermined intervals. Depending on the size for cutting the jumbo roll, even if the thermal transfer sheet is of the same size, as shown in FIG. And, as shown in FIG. 9B, a thermal transfer sheet is manufactured in which the detection marks MM and CM are missing in the region R2 detected by the second sensor.

Therefore, the thermal transfer printing apparatus refers to the detection results of both the first sensor and the second sensor, and detects the yellow color material layer 300 by detecting the detection mark with both the first sensor and the second sensor. rice field. After detecting the yellow colorant layer 300, one of the first sensor and the second sensor detects the detection mark and the other does not, thereby detecting the magenta colorant layer 302 and the cyan colorant layer 304. FIG.

Thus, in the conventional method, since two sensors are always used simultaneously, sensing takes a long time. If the panel pitch (interval between color material layers) is increased to secure the sensing time, there is a problem that the cost increases.

JP-A-2000-033781 Japanese Patent No. 5866795

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer sheet capable of quickly detecting a color material layer, a thermal transfer printing apparatus for printing using this thermal transfer sheet, and a method for producing a printed matter.

The thermal transfer sheet of the present invention is a thermal transfer sheet in which a set of colorant layers including a first colorant layer, a second colorant layer and a third colorant layer, which are arranged face-sequentially, is repeatedly provided on a base film. wherein a first detection mark indicating the top position of the first color material layer, a second detection mark indicating the top position of the second color material layer, and a top position of the third color material layer are displayed. A third detection mark is provided, and the first detection mark is linear along the sheet width direction and includes a stepped portion.

In one aspect of the present invention, the first detection mark includes a straight portion and the stepped portion, and at least one of two sides of the stepped portion extending in the sheet width direction is the sheet width of the straight portion. It is not located on the same straight line as the side extending in the hand direction.

In one aspect of the present invention, the stepped portion has a greater width in the longitudinal direction of the sheet than the linear portion.

The thermal transfer printing apparatus of the present invention has a thermal head and a platen roll, the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention and an image receiving sheet are superimposed, and the thermal head heats the thermal transfer sheet to transfer the coloring material to the image receiving sheet. a thermal transfer printing apparatus for forming an image by means of a first sensor and a second sensor for detecting detection marks on the thermal transfer sheet; and the size information read by the third sensor, a sensor to be used for detection of each of the first to third detection marks is determined, and the first to third detection marks are detected. and a control unit that detects and aligns the first to third color material layers and the image receiving sheet.

In one aspect of the present invention, the controller controls the second and third detection marks based on the shape of the step portion of the first detection mark detected by at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor. A determination is made as to whether the first sensor or the second sensor will be used to detect the detection mark.

In one aspect of the present invention, thermal transfer sheets having different shapes of the step portions of the first detection marks are printed as thermal transfer sheets having the same print size.

In the method for producing a printed matter of the present invention, the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention and an image-receiving sheet are superimposed, the thermal transfer sheet is heated with a thermal head, and a coloring material is transferred to the image-receiving sheet to form an image. A method for producing a print by cutting the image receiving sheet on which is formed a predetermined size, the method comprising the step of detecting a detection mark on the thermal transfer sheet using at least one of a first sensor and a second sensor; a step of using a third sensor to read size information of the printed matter from a tag attached to a bobbin around which the thermal transfer sheet is wound; a step of determining a sensor to be used for detection of each of the first to third detection marks, detecting the first to third detection marks, and aligning the first to third color material layers and the image receiving sheet; and

In one aspect of the present invention, detection of the second and third detection marks is performed based on the shape of the step portion of the first detection mark detected by at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor. Determining whether to use the first sensor or the second sensor.

In one aspect of the present invention, thermal transfer sheets having different shapes of the step portions of the first detection marks are printed as thermal transfer sheets having the same print size.

The thermal transfer sheet of the present invention is a thermal transfer sheet in which a set of transfer layers in which a plurality of layers including a coloring material layer are arranged in a frame-sequential manner is repeatedly provided on a base film, and the top position of each layer is indicated. A detection mark is provided, and the detection mark on the top layer of the set of transfer layers is linear along the sheet lateral direction and includes a stepped portion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly detect a color material layer and perform printing processing.

1 is a plan view of a thermal transfer sheet forming film according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a plan view of a thermal transfer sheet forming film; FIG. 1 is a plan view of a thermal transfer sheet forming film; FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a method for manufacturing a printed matter according to the same embodiment; 6A to 6E are diagrams showing examples of stepped portions of detection marks. It is a top view of a thermal transfer sheet. It is a figure which shows winding up of a jumbo roll and a thermal transfer sheet. 9A and 9B are plan views of the thermal transfer sheet.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a thermal transfer sheet forming film 1 constituting a jumbo roll according to an embodiment. By cutting the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1, a thermal transfer sheet to be used for printing is manufactured. The thermal transfer sheet forming film 1 according to this embodiment is suitable for producing thermal transfer sheets of different sizes (printing sizes) by changing the cut size.

In the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1, a yellow dye layer (Y layer 3) containing a yellow dye, a magenta dye layer (M layer 4) containing a magenta dye, and a cyan dye containing a cyan dye are formed on one surface of the base film 2. A set of colorant layers having a layer (C layer 5) is spaced in the longitudinal direction in a frame-sequential manner.

The base film 2 may be of any type as long as it has a certain degree of heat resistance and strength that are conventionally known.

A dye layer is formed as a layer containing a sublimable dye. As for the dye, any of the dyes conventionally used in known thermal transfer sheets can be used in the present invention, and the dye is not particularly limited. The Y layer 3, the M layer 4 and the C layer 5 are each formed on the base film 2 by gravure printing, screen printing, offset printing or the like.

A protective layer may be provided following the C layer 5 . Various resins conventionally known as protective layer-forming resins can be used for the protective layer.

Adjacent to the Y layer 3, M layer 4 and C layer 5, there are detection marks 13, 14 and 15 (first to third detection marks) indicating the leading positions of the Y layer 3, M layer 4 and C layer 5. is provided. The detection marks 13, 14 and 15 are in the form of lines extending in the lateral direction, and are formed using a conventionally known ink composition for forming detection marks.

The detection mark 13 indicating the top position of the Y layer 3 includes a linear portion 13A and stepped portions 13B and 13C wider than the linear portion 13A. At the step portion 13B, the front side of the detection mark 13 (the front edge portion farther from the Y layer 3) projects forward and is discontinuous compared to the straight portion 13A. That is, the front side of the stepped portion 13B is not located on the same straight line as the front side of the linear portion 13A. The rear side of the stepped portion 13B forms a straight line with the rear side of the linear portion 13A.

In the stepped portion 13C, compared to the straight portion 13A, the front side of the detection mark 13 protrudes forward, and the rear side (the rear edge portion closer to the Y layer 3) protrudes rearward. there is That is, the front side of the stepped portion 13C is not positioned on the same straight line as the front side of the straight portion 13A. Further, the rear side of the stepped portion 13C is not located on the same straight line as the rear side of the linear portion 13A.

The width of the detection mark 13 in the sheet longitudinal direction is larger at the stepped portion 13B than at the straight portion 13A. For example, the width of the stepped portion 13B is about 1.5 times the width of the linear portion 13A. Further, the width of the linear portion 13A of the detection mark 13 is, for example, about 1 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

Further, the width of the detection mark 13 in the sheet longitudinal direction is larger at the stepped portion 13C than at the straight portion 13A and at the stepped portion 13B. For example, the stepped portion 13C protrudes forward and rearward by about 0.5 times the width of the straight portion 13A compared to the straight portion 13A. That is, the width of the stepped portion 13BC is about twice the width of the linear portion 13A.

The detection marks 14, 15 include a plurality of missing portions 14A, 15A where the detection marks 14, 15 are not formed. In other words, the line-shaped detection marks are arranged on the same straight line at intervals. The positions of the missing portion 14A and the missing portion 15A in the sheet short direction are the same.

When the C layer 5 is followed by any layer other than the Y layer 3, the M layer 4, and the C layer 5, such as a color material layer or a protective layer, a detection mark indicating the top position of the arbitrary layer is provided. . A detection mark indicating the top position of an arbitrary layer has the same configuration as the detection marks 14 and 15 .

Layers such as a coloring material layer and a protective layer are provided in the regions between the detection marks. The interval between one detection mark and the subsequent detection mark is, for example, about 10 mm or more and 500 mm or less.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1 is cut at a width (X mm) corresponding to the postcard size in order to manufacture a plurality of thermal transfer sheets for printing a postcard size image. Also shown are detection areas R1 and R2 detected by two sensors 120 and 122 (see FIG. 4) for detecting detection marks when the thermal transfer sheet is set in a thermal transfer printing apparatus, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, in any thermal transfer sheet manufactured by cutting the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1 along the cutting line L1, the linear portion 13A of the yellow detection mark 13 is positioned in the detection region R1. Further, the detection marks 14 and 15 are not positioned in the detection region R1, but the missing portions 14A and 15A are positioned. Therefore, the sensor 120 can accurately detect the Y layer 13 without erroneously detecting the detection marks 14 and 15 .

The detection marks 14 and 15 are positioned in the detection region R2 in any thermal transfer sheet manufactured by cutting the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1 along the cutting line L1. Therefore, by using the sensor 122, the M layer 14 and the C layer 15 can be detected with high accuracy.

The detection marks 14 and 15 are located in the detection region R2, and the stepped portion 13B of the yellow detection mark 13 may partially overlap. 120 is preferably used, and sensor 122 is preferably used for detection of layers other than Y layer 13 .

FIG. 3 shows a thermal transfer sheet shown in FIG. An example of cutting the same film as the formation film 1 at a width (Y mm) corresponding to a size different from the postcard size is shown.

As shown in FIG. 3, any thermal transfer sheet manufactured by cutting the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1 along the cutting line L2 has yellow detection marks 13 positioned in the detection regions R1 and R2. On the other hand, the detection marks 14 and 15 are positioned only in one of the detection regions R1 and R2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the step portion 13B or 13C of the yellow detection mark 13 is positioned in the detection region R2. When the stepped portion 13B is positioned in the detection region R2 like the thermal transfer sheet in the leftmost row in FIG. , missing portions 14A and 15A are located. When the stepped portion 13C is positioned in the detection region R2 like the thermal transfer sheets in the second to fourth rows from the left in FIG. The missing portions 14A and 15A are located without doing so.

Therefore, when the sensor 120 detects the detection mark 13A and the sensor 122 detects the step portion 13B of the yellow detection mark 13, the sensor 122 can be used to detect the M layer 14 and the C layer 15 thereafter. On the other hand, when the sensor 120 detects the detection mark 13A and the sensor 122 detects the step portion 13C of the yellow detection mark 13, the sensor 120 can be used to detect the M layer 14 and the C layer 15 thereafter.

In this manner, the thermal transfer sheet for postcard size printing cut out from the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1 detects the detection mark 13 with the sensor 120 and the detection marks 14 and 15 with the sensor 122 . Therefore, one sensor is sufficient for detecting the detection marks 13, 14, and 15. FIG.

For a thermal transfer sheet for printing in a size different from the postcard size cut out from the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1, the sensors 120 and 122 detect the detection mark 13, and then the sensors 120 or 122 detect the detection marks 14 and 15. Therefore, after detecting the detection mark 13 with two sensors, only one sensor is used for detecting the detection marks 14 and 15 .

A thermal transfer sheet for printing in a size different from the postcard size cut out from the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1 is produced as a thermal transfer sheet having a different detection mark 13 even if the size is the same. can be used in the printing process as a thermal transfer sheet of the same print size.

2 and 3 show an example in which the length of the stepped portions 13B and 13C of the detection mark 13 in the sheet transverse direction is approximately the same as the width of the detection regions R1 and R2. , and the positions and lengths of missing portions of the detection marks 14 and 15 are not limited to these, and are appropriately determined according to the sizes of a plurality of types of thermal transfer sheets cut out from the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1 .

A thermal transfer sheet prepared by cutting the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1 is wound around a bobbin to manufacture a roll of the thermal transfer sheet (rolled body). The bobbin is attached with an IC tag in which information such as the size information of the thermal transfer sheet, the print size, the model, the number of screens, and the like are written.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a thermal transfer printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The thermal transfer printing apparatus includes a thermal head 101 for printing an image by sublimation transferring yellow dye, magenta dye, and cyan dye onto an image receiving sheet 107 using the thermal transfer sheet 10 cut out from the thermal transfer sheet forming film 1 described above. there is

A winding 103 formed by winding the thermal transfer sheet 10 around a bobbin with the thermal head 101 interposed therebetween, and a collecting section 104 are provided. The thermal transfer sheet 10 unwound from the take-up 103 passes through the thermal head 101 and is recovered by the recovery section 104 .

A rotatable platen roll 102 is provided below the thermal head 101 . A printing unit 140 including a thermal head 101 and a platen roll 102 sandwiches an image receiving sheet 107 and a thermal transfer sheet 10, heats the thermal transfer sheet 10, and thermally transfers dyes of a set of color material layers onto the image receiving sheet 107, thereby printing one image. form one image.

The image-receiving sheet 107 is wound around an image-receiving paper roll 106 and fed out from the image-receiving paper roll 106 . A known sheet can be used for the image receiving sheet 107 .

Between the thermal head 101 and the image-receiving paper roll 106, there are a rotatably drivable capstan roller 109a for conveying the image-receiving sheet 107 and a pinch roller 109b for pressing the image-receiving sheet 107 against the capstan roller 109a. is provided. A driving unit 130 including an image receiving paper roll 106, a capstan roller 109a, and a pinch roller 109b feeds (conveys to the front side) and winds (conveys to the rear side) the image receiving sheet 107. FIG.

The image receiving sheet 107 on which an image has been formed by the printing unit 140 is cut out by a cutter 108 as a printed sheet 107a (printed material). The print sheet 107a is discharged from a discharge port (not shown).

Between the collecting unit 104 and the printing unit 140, a sensor for detecting the detection marks 13 to 15 by irradiating the thermal transfer sheet 10 with light and measuring the intensity (reflectance, transmittance) of reflected light and transmitted light. 120, 122 are provided. The sensors 120 and 122 are arranged side by side along the lateral direction of the thermal transfer sheet 10 . The sensor 120 (first sensor) detects the detection mark in the detection region R1, and the sensor 122 (second sensor) detects the detection mark in the detection region R2.

A reading unit 124 (third sensor) is provided near the winding 103 to read the print size information of the thermal transfer sheet 10 from an IC tag (not shown) attached to the bobbin of the winding 103 .

The control unit 110 controls driving of each unit of the thermal transfer printing apparatus and executes printing processing. The control unit 110 acquires the size information of the thermal transfer sheet 10 read by the reading unit 124 . The control unit 110 determines a detection mark detection method (a sensor used to detect the detection mark) from the size information of the thermal transfer sheet 10 .

Based on the determined detection method, the control unit 110 detects the detection marks 13 to 15 using the sensors 120 and 122, detects the leading positions of the Y layer 3, the M layer 4 and the C layer 5, and the image receiving sheet 107. are aligned with each other to form an image. When the thermal transfer sheet 10 is provided with a protective layer, the protective layer detection mark is detected to align the protective layer with the image receiving sheet 107, and the protective layer is transferred onto the image printed on the image receiving sheet 107. .

Next, a method for manufacturing printed matter using the thermal transfer printing apparatus will be described along the flow chart shown in FIG. Here, a case where a thermal transfer printing apparatus is loaded with a thermal transfer sheet for printing in a size different from the postcard size or for printing in a size different from the postcard size will be described.

When the roll 103 of the thermal transfer sheet 10 is loaded, the reading unit 124 reads the print size, model, number of screens, etc. of the thermal transfer sheet 10 from the IC tag attached to the bobbin of the roll 103 (step S1).

When the thermal transfer sheet 10 is for postcard size printing, the controller 110 detects the detection mark 13 using the sensor 120 (step S2). At this time, the sensor 122 may be turned off. When the detection mark 13 is detected, the Y layer 3 and the image receiving sheet 107 are aligned, and the thermal head 101 heats the Y layer 3 to transfer the yellow dye to the image receiving sheet 107 .

Subsequently, the control unit 110 detects the detection mark 14 using the sensor 122 (step S3). At this time, the sensor 120 may be turned off. When the detection mark 14 is detected, the M layer 4 and the image receiving sheet 107 are aligned, and the thermal head 101 heats the M layer 4 to transfer magenta dye to the image receiving sheet 107 .

Similarly, sensor 122 is used to detect detection mark 15 , C layer 5 and image receiving sheet 107 are aligned, thermal head 101 heats C layer 5 , and cyan dye is transferred to image receiving sheet 107 . A color image is thus formed on the image receiving sheet 107 . When the thermal transfer sheet 10 is provided with a protective layer subsequent to the C layer 5 , the protective layer is transferred onto the color image on the image receiving sheet 107 . After that, the cutter 108 cuts the image receiving sheet 107 into a predetermined size to produce a print 107a.

If the next image is to be printed (step S4_No), the process returns to step S2.

When the thermal transfer sheet 10 is for printing a size different from the postcard size, the control section 110 detects the detection mark 13 using the sensors 120 and 122 (step S5). When the detection mark 13 is detected, the Y layer 3 and the image receiving sheet 107 are aligned, and the thermal head 101 heats the Y layer 3 to transfer the yellow dye to the image receiving sheet 107 .

It is determined whether the stepped portion of the detection mark 13 detected by the sensor 122 is the stepped portion 13B or the stepped portion 13C (step S6). When the stepped portion detected by the sensor 122 is the stepped portion 13B, the control section 110 detects the detection mark 14 using the sensor 122 (step S7). At this time, the sensor 120 may be turned off. When the detection mark 14 is detected, the M layer 4 and the image receiving sheet 107 are aligned, and the thermal head 101 heats the M layer 4 to transfer magenta dye to the image receiving sheet 107 . Similarly, sensor 122 is used to detect detection mark 15 , C layer 5 and image receiving sheet 107 are aligned, thermal head 101 heats C layer 5 , and cyan dye is transferred to image receiving sheet 107 .

When the stepped portion detected by the sensor 122 is the stepped portion 13C, the control section 110 detects the detection mark 14 using the sensor 120 (step S8). At this time, the sensor 122 may be turned off. When the detection mark 14 is detected, the M layer 4 and the image receiving sheet 107 are aligned, and the thermal head 101 heats the M layer 4 to transfer magenta dye to the image receiving sheet 107 . Similarly, sensor 120 is used to detect detection mark 15 , C layer 5 and image receiving sheet 107 are aligned, thermal head 101 heats C layer 5 , and transfers cyan dye to image receiving sheet 107 . A color image is thus formed on the image receiving sheet 107 . Thereafter, in the same manner as in the case where the thermal transfer sheet 10 is for postcard size printing, a protective layer is transferred onto the color image as necessary, and then the image receiving sheet 107 is cut into a predetermined size to produce a print 107a. do.

If the next image is to be printed (step S9_No), the process returns to step S5.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sensor used for detecting the detection mark is switched according to the print size of the thermal transfer sheet and the difference in the step portion of the detection mark 13 . Further, since the positions of the detection marks 14 and 15 are different even if the thermal transfer sheets have the same print size, the difference in the positions of the detection marks 14 and 15 is determined by the step portions 13B and 13C of the detection mark 13, and the detection marks are detected. Select the appropriate sensor for As a result, the frequency of using two sensors at the same time can be reduced, and the position of the dye layer can be quickly detected with one sensor.

The shape of the stepped portion formed in the detection mark 13 is not limited to the stepped portions 13B and 13C, and may be, for example, a stepped portion 13D as shown in FIG. 6A. The stepped portion 13D has a shape in which the front edge and the rear edge are shifted forward from the front edge and the rear edge of the straight portion 13A, respectively. The width of the stepped portion 13D in the longitudinal direction of the sheet (the length from the front edge to the rear edge) may be approximately the same as that of the straight portion 13A, or may be wider than that of the straight portion 13A. With such a stepped portion, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the stepped portion by the sensor.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the rear edge portion may be a stepped portion 13E projecting further rearward than the linear portion 13A. Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, a stepped portion 13F may be formed in which the trailing edge is shifted forward from the trailing edge of the linear portion 13A. The width of the stepped portion 13F in the sheet longitudinal direction is smaller than that of the straight portion 13A. As shown in FIG. 6D, the stepped portion 13G may have a shape in which the front edge and the rear edge are shifted rearward from the front edge and the rear edge of the straight portion 13A, respectively. As shown in FIG. 6E, the stepped portion 13H may have a shape in which the front edge is shifted rearward from the front edge of the straight portion 13A and the rear edge is shifted forward from the rear edge of the straight portion 13A. .

In the above embodiment, a set of colorant layers arranged in the order of the Y layer 3, the M layer 4, and the C layer 5 has been described, but the order of the colors is not limited to this. A stepped portion is provided in the detection mark 13 of the first dye layer of the three color dye layers.

In addition to the dye layer or instead of the dye layer, the thermal transfer sheet 10 may be provided with a color material layer containing other color material such as pigment ink. As a set of transfer layers used for printing one screen, various combinations of layers such as color material layers such as Y layer 3, M layer 4, C layer 5, protective layers, special layers such as pearl layers are considered. be done. The thermal transfer sheet is provided with a set of transfer layers repeatedly in a frame-sequential manner. In a set of transfer layers including a plurality of layers, the detection mark of the top layer is provided with a step portion as in the above embodiment.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the present invention at the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components across different embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 thermal transfer sheet forming film 2 base film 3 yellow dye layer (Y layer)
4 Magenta dye layer (M layer)
5 Cyan dye layer (C layer)
13-15 Detection mark 13A Straight part 13B-13F Stepped part

Claims (5)

A set of coloring material layers having a thermal head and a platen roll and including a first coloring material layer, a second coloring material layer and a third coloring material layer arranged in a frame-sequential manner is repeatedly provided on the base film, A first detection mark indicating the top position of the first colorant layer, a second detection mark indicating the top position of the second colorant layer, and a third detection mark indicating the top position of the third colorant layer. is provided, and the first detection mark has a line shape along the short direction of the sheet, a thermal transfer sheet including a stepped portion and an image receiving sheet are superimposed, and the thermal head heats the thermal transfer sheet to detect the A thermal transfer printing apparatus for forming an image by transferring a coloring material to an image receiving sheet,
a first sensor and a second sensor for detecting detection marks on the thermal transfer sheet;
a third sensor for reading size information of a printed matter from a tag attached to a bobbin around which the thermal transfer sheet is wound;
Based on the size information read by the third sensor, a sensor to be used for detection of each of the first to third detection marks is determined, and the first to third detection marks are detected to detect the first to third detection marks. a control unit that aligns the third color material layer and the image receiving sheet;
with
The control unit detects the second and third detection marks based on the shape of the step portion of the first detection mark detected by at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor. A thermal transfer printing apparatus that determines whether to use one sensor or the second sensor . 2. The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the thermal transfer sheets having different shapes of the step portions of the first detection marks are printed as thermal transfer sheets of the same print size. A set of colorant layers including a first colorant layer, a second colorant layer and a third colorant layer arranged in a frame-sequential manner is repeatedly provided on the base film, and the head position of the first colorant layer is provided. , a second detection mark indicating the top position of the second color material layer, and a third detection mark indicating the top position of the third color material layer, wherein the first The detection mark is in the form of a line along the short direction of the sheet. A thermal transfer sheet including a stepped portion and an image receiving sheet are superimposed, and the thermal transfer sheet is heated by a thermal head to transfer the coloring material to the image receiving sheet to form an image. and cutting the image-receiving sheet on which the image is formed into a predetermined size to produce a printed matter,
detecting the detection mark of the thermal transfer sheet using at least one of a first sensor and a second sensor;
a step of using a third sensor to read size information of the printed matter from a tag attached to a bobbin around which the thermal transfer sheet is wound;
Based on the size information read by the third sensor, a sensor to be used for detection of each of the first to third detection marks is determined, and the first to third detection marks are detected to detect the first to third detection marks. a step of aligning the third color material layer and the image receiving sheet;
A method for producing a printed matter. Based on the shape of the step portion of the first detection mark detected by at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor, detection of the second and third detection marks is performed by the first sensor and the second sensor. 4. The method of producing a printed matter according to claim 3 , wherein it is determined which of the two sensors is to be used. 5. The method of manufacturing a printed matter according to claim 3 , wherein the thermal transfer sheets having different shapes of the step portions of the first detection marks are printed as thermal transfer sheets having the same print size.

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