JPH10175375A - Thermal transfer image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To demonstrate accurate information with accurate tone on both faces by thermally transferring a primary image on a transparent film to be transferred by a colored thermal transfer recording medium, and then thermally transferring a masking thermal transfer recording medium in a manner of masking the primary image and transferring a secondary image on a masking section. SOLUTION: A primary image is formed on a transparent film to be transferred such as a synthetic resin film by a colored thermal transfer recording medium having a colored transfer ink layer in a manner of forming a good image when viewed from the side reverse to an image forming face of a material to be transferred. Then the primary image is thermally transferred in a manner of masking the whole or a part of the primary image by a masking thermal transfer recording medium, on which a secondary image is formed in a manner of forming a good image when viewed from the side of an image forming face of a material to be transferred by the colored thermal transfer recording medium. The masking thermal transfer recording medium is constituted at least of a first white thermal transfer ink layer 2, a metal film layer 3 and a second white thermal transfer layer 4 formed on a substrate 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat source such as a thermal head printer and the like, which is used on a transfer material such as a transparent film.
The present invention relates to a thermal transfer image forming method for forming an image from one side using a thermal transfer recording medium, and expressing a pattern or character on both sides of the material to be transferred. The present invention relates to a thermal transfer image forming method which can also express the following.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A transferred image by a thermal transfer method has been used for various purposes with the development of printers and ribbons. For example, application to display fields such as in-store advertisements, displays, and signboards is also an example.
When used in such applications, various films are often used as the material to be transferred due to requirements for durability and expressiveness, and particularly, in window displays such as stores, inside and outside the store. May need to recognize the display. In such applications, when expressing images on both sides of a film as a material to be transferred, it is necessary to form thermal transfer images on both sides of the film when it is desired to express images on both sides by a thermal transfer method. In other words, it was necessary to form a thermal transfer image on one side of the film in advance, then turn the film over, set it again and again on the printer, position the image transfer, perform image formation on the reverse side, and complete it. .

On a transfer material such as a film having transparency, the same image on both sides can be obtained with a thermal transfer recording medium having substantially one colored layer from the surface. Since the light transmittance of the layer was high and the concealing property was low, the color tone and the recognizability of the image were inferior, and were unsuitable for display.

Further, using a film having transparency as a material to be transferred, a single-color or multi-color heat transfer image is formed on one side of the transparent film using a heat transfer recording medium having substantially only one colored layer. If different patterns, characters, etc. are formed in the same manner, the images will overlap with ink of the same color or similar color on both sides, making it impossible to read, and in the case of different ink colors, color mixing will occur, making it difficult to read. There was a problem.

[0005] For the above reasons, it is necessary to use a thick and expensive opaque film that is unsuitable for a transparent film and has a concealing property, and to form an image on both sides of the film as a material to be transferred. Therefore, when used in a window display or the like, the underlying portion of the film other than the transferred image is also displayed in the window, and the boundary line, that is, the edge of the cut film, that is, the edge is clearly visible, making it difficult to see or poor design. It was becoming. In addition, it is difficult to cut the film along the image area in order to improve the design, and even if possible, a special machine or equipment is required or a beautiful cut surface cannot be obtained. There was a problem.

[0006]

An image is formed from one side on a transfer material such as a transparent film using a heat source such as a thermal head printer on a transfer material such as a transparent film, and a picture or a character is formed on both surfaces of the transfer material. There has been a problem in expressing accurate information on both sides in a simple and accurate color tone without color mixing on the front and back sides when expressing. Hitherto, ribbons provided with a concealing layer only for concealing the underlayer and ribbons using a metal thin film layer for giving a metallic feeling have been studied, but various colored images can be obtained from both sides of a transparent film. No thermal transfer image forming method has been proposed for transferring the image so that the image is visible. The purpose of the present invention is to propose exactly a solution to this problem.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method in which a primary image is thermally transferred onto a transparent transfer-receiving film with a colored thermal transfer recording medium, and then the concealed image is placed on the primary image. The present invention was completed by thermally transferring a non-transferable recording medium to cover all or part of a primary image, and then transferring a secondary image onto the concealed portion with a colored thermal transfer recording medium. That is, the present invention provides: “1. Thermal transfer of a primary image to a transfer-receiving film using a single or multiple colored thermal transfer recording medium having a colored thermal transfer ink layer, and then at least a first white thermal transfer on a support. An opaque thermal transfer recording medium provided with an ink layer, a metal thin film layer, and a second white thermal transfer ink layer in that order is thermally transferred so as to conceal all or a part of the primary image, and then a colored thermal transfer ink layer is formed on the concealed portion. 1. A thermal transfer image forming method, wherein a secondary image is thermally transferred with a single or a plurality of colored thermal transfer recording media having an image, and an image is provided on a film to be transferred. 2. The thermal transfer image forming method according to item 1, wherein the colored thermal transfer recording medium for forming a secondary image is a colored thermal transfer recording medium having a different color tone. 3. The thermal transfer image forming method according to item 1, wherein the thermal transfer recording medium for forming a secondary image and the thermal transfer recording medium for forming a secondary image are the same thermal transfer recording medium. 4. The thermal transfer image forming method according to any one of Items 1 to 3, which is a thermal transfer recording medium provided with at least a transparent colored thermal transfer ink layer on a body 5. The colored thermal transfer recording medium is cyan, magenta, or yellow. 5. The thermal transfer image forming method according to any one of Items 1 to 4, which is a thermal transfer recording medium having a colored thermal transfer ink layer comprising a colorant of each color of 6. Colored thermal transfer recording medium is cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. 5. The thermal transfer image forming method according to any one of items 1 to 4, which is a thermal transfer recording medium having a colored thermal transfer ink layer comprising a colorant of each color. Item 7. The thermal transfer image forming method according to any one of Items 1 to 6, wherein the colored thermal transfer recording medium has a configuration in which transfer layers made of a plurality of colored thermal transfer inks are sequentially provided in a block shape on one support. 8. The method for forming a thermal transfer image according to any one of Items 1 to 7, wherein the film to be transferred is a film subjected to an ultraviolet absorbing treatment.

According to the thermal transfer image forming method, an image is formed from one side on a material to be transferred such as a transparent film, so that various arbitrary patterns and characters can be expressed on both surfaces of the material to be transferred. In addition, when expressing a variety of different patterns, characters, and the like on the front and back surfaces of the material to be transferred, there is no color mixing due to the front and back images, and an image expression in which both sides are colored well can be performed.

The thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention can be performed by the following means. First, when a single or plural colored thermal transfer recording media having a colored thermal transfer ink layer on a transparent material to be transferred such as a synthetic resin film are viewed from the side opposite to the image forming surface of the material to be transferred. A primary image is formed so as to obtain a good image. Next, in a concealing thermal transfer recording medium in which at least a first white thermal transfer ink layer, a metal thin film layer, and a second white thermal transfer ink layer are sequentially provided on a support, all or a part of the primary image, that is, the colored thermal transfer ink layer is removed. Select the necessary parts to cover up and heat transfer,
Further, when viewed from the image forming surface side of the transfer-receiving material, a single or plural colored thermal transfer recording media having a colored thermal transfer ink layer of the same or different color tone as the colored thermal transfer recording medium on which the primary image is formed are further provided. By forming a secondary image so that a good image is obtained, it is possible to obtain a vivid color image on the front and back of the material to be transferred only by transferring from one side, and to change the color tone between the front and back, Image patterns can also be represented.

[0010] As described above, when a series of thermal transfer images are formed as described above, it is possible to obtain vividly different images with high contrast and high contrast of different colors on both sides of the film. For example, as in the case of sticking to a window that is on the border between the inside and outside of the store,
This is particularly effective when it is more effective to change the color tone and the pattern of the image when viewed from the front and when viewed from the back from the viewpoint of the visibility of the display and the decorative effect.

When it is desired to form the same image pattern of the same color on the front and back sides, if the same color thermal transfer recording medium is used for the primary image formation and the same color thermal transfer recording medium is used for the secondary image formation, the same is used. The same high-contrast and vivid image is obtained.

At this time, when a colored thermal transfer recording medium having at least a transparent colored ink layer provided on a support is used as the colored thermal transfer recording medium, a good color expression can be obtained when the colored ink layers are superposed. It is preferable because a desired color mixture can be obtained.

Further, if a colored thermal transfer recording medium having three basic colored ink layers such as yellow, magenta, and cyan is used as the colored thermal transfer recording medium, when the ink layers are superimposed to express a color, both sides can be expressed. A desired full-color transfer image can be obtained, and various expressions can be made. Further, when a black thermal transfer recording medium is added, a better color tone can be obtained, and it is more economical and preferable than the case where black is expressed by overlapping yellow, magenta, and cyan ink layers.

The colored thermal transfer recording medium used in the present invention comprises:
There are two types, one for forming a primary image and one for forming a secondary image, but the colorant and the constituent components of a colored ink layer represented by a vehicle may be changed respectively. Yes, it is possible to use the same one. Also, in the case of providing a colored thermal transfer recording medium by providing a colored ink layer on a support such as a resin film,
The thicknesses of the colored ink layers can be changed or provided in the same manner.

As shown in FIG. 1, a concealing thermal transfer recording medium used in the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention comprises at least a first white thermal transfer ink layer, a metal thin film layer,
In this configuration, a white thermal transfer ink layer is sequentially provided. That is,
The layer structure after the transfer is such that the metal thin film layer is interposed therebetween, and the first white thermal transfer ink layer and the second white thermal transfer ink layer are respectively disposed on the front and back sides. With this configuration, when expressing a two-sided image using a transparent film or the like as a material to be transferred, the color thermal transfer recording medium that performs the front and back color expression used together does not mix with each other, and the front and back have different color tones. It is possible to express different patterns.

When an image is formed on a transparent film only with a colored thermal transfer recording medium without using a concealing thermal transfer recording medium, the contrast is poor because the light transmittance of the colored thermal transfer ink layer itself is too high. Is difficult to read. On the other hand, when an image is formed on a transparent film by the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention, a desired high-contrast, vivid image with low transparency can be obtained on both sides of the film.

In general, when a white layer is superimposed on a black layer, the thickness of the white layer can be increased,
If the hiding power is not increased by using a large amount of white pigment, etc., the black layer will affect the white color unless the hiding power is increased, but the primary image is formed with a black ribbon, and the hiding heat transfer recording medium and According to the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention, even when a series of thermal transfer image formation is performed in a superimposed manner, a good image can be obtained without graying the white portion.

Further, in the case of sticking to a window to which sunlight or the like is directly exposed, if a film or the like which has been subjected to an ultraviolet absorbing treatment is used as a material to be transferred and the image transfer surface is set inside, discoloration or deterioration of the image may occur. Can be greatly reduced, and a good display can be maintained.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention will be specifically described below.

As the support of each thermal transfer recording medium used in the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention, various kinds of conventionally known papers and plastic films can be used, but capacitor paper, cellophane paper, polyester film, polypropylene film and the like can be used. , A polyvinyl chloride film, a polyimide film, a polyethylene film, a polycarbonate film, a polystyrene film, a Teflon film, and the like. Preferably, a heat-resistant lubricating layer is provided on the back surface.
A polyester film of 0 to 12 μm, preferably 2.5 to 6.0 μm can be used. The same support may be used for each thermal transfer recording medium, or a different support may be used.

In the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention, a plurality of types of thermal transfer recording media are used, and details of each of them will be described below.

The colored thermal transfer recording medium for forming a primary image used in the present invention is a colored thermal transfer recording medium in which a colored thermal transfer ink comprising at least a colorant and a vehicle is coated on a support. The means is not particularly limited, and the ink component is dispersed and dissolved in a water-based or oil-based solvent to prepare a coating liquid, which is preferably used in a coating method such as a gravure coater, a wire bar coater, and an air knife coater. It can be obtained by coating to a coating thickness of.

The coloring agents used include carbon black, ultramarine blue, chrome yellow, cadmium yellow, Hansa yellow,
Disazo yellow, naphthol yellow, benzidine yellow, permanent yellow, quinoline yellow lake, permanent carmine, permanent red, quinacridone red, brilliant red, benzimidazolone red, risol red, rhodamine lake, alizarin lake, Victoria blue lake, phthalocyanine blue And one or more pigments such as phthalocyanine green and dioxazine violet, and dyes such as auramine and rhodamine. Pigments are preferred because they have good light fastness when printed matter is used in an environment irradiated with ultraviolet rays such as outdoor exposure. The amount of the coloring agent is preferably 10 to 70% by weight based on the entire colored thermal transfer ink.

Further, when a colored thermal transfer recording medium comprising an ink layer with a colorant such as yellow, magenta or cyan as a colorant is used, when the color ink layers are superimposed to express a color, a desired full-color image is formed. Transfer images can be obtained, and various expressions can be made.

Examples of the yellow pigment include Hansa Yellow 5G, Hansa Yellow 3G, Hansa Yellow G, Hansa Yellow GR, Hansa Yellow-A, Hansa Yellow RN, Hansa Yellow R, Disazo Yellow H
R, naphthol yellow-S, benzidine yellow G, benzidine yellow OR, vermant yellow NCG,
One or more kinds such as quinoline yellow lake are used.

Examples of the magenta pigment include vermant carmine F5B, vermant carmin FB, vermanent thread 4R, vermanent thread F5R, quinacridone red, brilliant fast scarlet, and the like.
Brilliant Carmin BS, Brilliant Carmine 6
One or more of B, lithol red, rhodamine lake B, rhodamine lake Y, alizarin lake and the like are used.

As the cyan pigment, for example, one or more of Victoria Blue Lake, Phthalocyanine Nimble I, Fast Sky Blue and the like are used.

In the case where the color representation is performed by overlapping the ink layers as described above, if the colored ink layer is configured to have transparency, a desired desired color mixture when the color representation is performed by overlapping the color ink layers can be achieved. Is preferred.

Various resins and waxes can be used as a vehicle. These can be used alone or in combination. Further, as each component of the plurality of thermal transfer layers used in the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention, different types of components can be used in each layer, or the same type of components can be used.

The resin components used include vinyl chloride resin, polyamide resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, terpene resin, ethylene-methacrylic acid-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-
Examples include vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, polystyrene-polyisoprene copolymer, rosin and derivatives thereof, and phenol resins, petroleum resins, and thermoplastic resins such as xylene resins. The compounding amount is preferably from 5 to 80% by weight based on the entire thermal transfer ink layer.

Examples of the wax used include natural waxes such as paraffin wax, candelilla wax, microcrystalline wax, polyethylene wax, beeswax, carnauba wax, gay wax, mokurou, nuka wax, montan wax, ozokerite, ceresin, ester wax, and Fischer-Trops wax. Or synthetic waxes, higher fatty acid waxes such as myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, furomenic acid, behenic acid, lauric acid and margaric acid; and amide waxes such as stearinamide and oleinamide. The compounding amount is preferably from 5 to 80% by weight based on the entire thermal transfer ink layer.

The concealing thermal transfer recording medium used in the present invention is constituted by providing at least a first white thermal transfer ink layer, a metal thin film layer and a second white thermal transfer ink layer on a support. There is no particular limitation on the layer production means, and the ink components are dispersed and dissolved in a water-based or oil-based solvent to prepare a coating liquid, and the coating liquid is applied using a gravure coater, a wire bar coater, an air knife coater, or the like. It is possible to obtain a thermal transfer recording medium by coating to a desired coating thickness by the method.

The first white thermal transfer ink layer of the opaque thermal transfer recording medium used in the present invention preferably comprises at least a white colorant and a vehicle. As the white colorant to be used, one or more of titanium oxide, zinc sulfide, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, talc, silica and the like can be used. Titanium oxide is preferred because it can more effectively improve the hiding power and whiteness of the white thermal transfer ink layer.
The compounding amount is preferably 30 to 80% by weight based on the entire thermal transfer ink layer.

As the vehicle to be used, various resins and waxes can be used. These can be used alone or in combination. Further, the first opaque thermal transfer recording medium may be used.
As each component of the thermal transfer layer such as the white thermal transfer ink layer and the second white thermal transfer ink layer, it is possible to use different types of components in each layer, and it is also possible to constitute the same type of components.

The resin components used include vinyl chloride resin, polyamide resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, terpene resin, ethylene-methacrylic acid-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-
Examples include vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, polystyrene-polyisoprene copolymer, rosin and derivatives thereof, and phenol resins, petroleum resins, and thermoplastic resins such as xylene resins. The compounding amount is preferably from 5 to 80% by weight based on the entire thermal transfer ink layer.

Examples of the wax used include natural waxes such as paraffin wax, candelilla wax, microcrystalline wax, polyethylene wax, beeswax, carnauba wax, gay wax, mokurou, nuka wax, montan wax, ozokerite, ceresin, ester wax, and Fischer-Trops wax. Or synthetic waxes, higher fatty acid waxes such as myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, furomenic acid, behenic acid, lauric acid and margaric acid; and amide waxes such as stearinamide and oleinamide. The compounding amount is preferably from 5 to 80% by weight based on the entire thermal transfer ink layer.

The metal thin film layer of the opaque thermal transfer recording medium used in the present invention is used for imparting concealment. By providing this layer, it is possible to completely prevent the influence of the multicolored front and back images by the colored thermal transfer recording medium provided so as to overlap the first white thermal transfer ink layer or the second white thermal transfer ink layer. As the metal thin film layer, various metal thin films such as aluminum, gallium, indium, nickel, silver, gold, copper, silicon, chromium, titanium, platinum, palladium, etc., by vacuum evaporation, sputtering, ion plating, etc. Although it can be provided by a thin film forming method, it is preferable to use an aluminum vapor-deposited film from the viewpoint of concealability and thin film processing. A metal thin film layer having a thickness of approximately 0.01 to 0.1 μm can be used.

The second white thermal transfer ink layer of the opaque thermal transfer recording medium used in the present invention preferably comprises at least a white colorant and a vehicle. White colorant used,
As the vehicle, the same vehicle as the first white thermal transfer ink layer can be used, but in order to perform good thermal transfer,
The second white thermal transfer ink layer must have adhesiveness to the material to be transferred when heated. Considering the balance of the transfer of the first white thermal transfer ink layer, the metal thin film layer, and the second white thermal transfer ink layer, when a large amount of resin is mixed with the second white thermal transfer ink layer with respect to the first white thermal transfer ink layer, (2) A large amount of adhesiveness is imparted to the white thermal transfer ink layer, and good transferability is obtained. For example, the ratio of the resin blended in each layer is such that the first white thermal transfer ink layer: the second white thermal transfer ink layer = 1.
0: 1.1 to 15.0 is preferable, and more preferably, the first
White thermal transfer ink layer: Second white thermal transfer ink layer = 1.
0: 1.1 to 5.0 is optimal. Further, by appropriately selecting the type of vehicle such as resin or wax, it is possible to obtain a good balance of transfer.

The coating thickness of the white thermal transfer ink layer is 1.0 to
It is preferably about 5.0 μm, and more preferably 1.0 to 3.0 μm.

The colored thermal transfer recording medium for forming a secondary image used in the present invention is, similarly to the colored thermal transfer recording medium for forming a primary image, a colored heat transfer recording medium comprising at least a colorant and a vehicle on a support. In a colored thermal transfer recording medium coated with a thermal transfer ink, there is no particular limitation on a means for producing an ink layer, and an ink component is dispersed and dissolved in a water-based or oil-based solvent to prepare a coating liquid, The desired coating thickness can be obtained by coating with a coating method such as a coater, a wire bar coater, or an air knife coater.

As the coloring agent to be used, the same coloring agents as those used in forming a colored thermal transfer recording medium for forming a primary image can be used. The compounding amount is
The content is preferably 10 to 70% by weight based on the entire colored thermal transfer ink.

The transfer material used in the present invention includes a polyester film, a polypropylene film, a polyvinyl chloride film, a polyimide film, a polyethylene film, a polycarbonate film, a polystyrene film, a Teflon film and the like. Among them, those having good transparency are preferable because the influence of the film on the primary image is reduced.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. After forming a primary image with a colored thermal transfer ribbon of four colors of red, blue, green, and brown using a transparent film 5 as a material to be transferred, the opaque thermal transfer recording medium is used to partially cover the primary image. , And a secondary image is formed thereon with a colored thermal transfer ribbon of four colors of red, blue, green and black to complete a double-sided image.

FIG. 2 is a view of the transfer side (a) when the thermal transfer image is formed on the transfer material 5, that is, as viewed from the front.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIGS. 2 and 4. Thus, it can be seen that the image transfer surface side is seen from (a) and the film surface, that is, the back surface is seen from (b).

FIG. 4 is a view seen from the transparent film side (b), that is, seen from the back, when the thermal transfer image is formed on the material 5 to be transferred. In the case of this figure, since the image pattern is an asymmetric image pattern, a mirror image of the front surface is obtained on the back surface. Further, since the color arrangement is partially changed during image formation, transfer images having different color tones can be obtained on the front and back sides.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the present invention. After using a transparent film 5 as a transfer material and forming a primary image of a color with a colored thermal transfer ribbon of cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc., a partial image is concealed on a opaque thermal transfer recording medium so as to conceal the primary image. And heat-transferred, and further, using the subtractive color mixing method with the above-mentioned colored heat transfer ribbons of cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc., and transferring them in an overlapping manner as necessary to form a color secondary image. Thus, a double-sided image is completed. In this way, a clear color image can be obtained on the front and back sides only by transfer from one side, and it is possible to change the color tone on the front and back sides or to use the image so that a different image pattern can be expressed.

When the colored thermal transfer recording media used in the present invention are used in an overlapping manner, when the colored ink layer is mainly composed of a resin, rather than being composed mainly of a wax, when the ink layer is transferred, Because the laminated structure is not easily destroyed and there is little color mixing, good color expression can be achieved.
preferable.

FIG. 5 is a view of the transfer side (c) when the thermal transfer image is formed on the transfer material 5, that is, as viewed from the front.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIGS. 5 and 7. Thus, it can be seen that the transfer surface side is seen from (c) and the film surface, that is, the back surface is seen from (d).

FIG. 7 is a view seen from the transparent film side (d), that is, from the back, when an image is formed on the transfer material 5 by the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention or the like. In this case,
Since color printing of different image patterns is performed on the front and back sides, the color image is different from the image shown in FIG.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show another example of the embodiment of the present invention. After forming a character portion of the primary image with a red colored thermal transfer ribbon using the transparent film 5 as a material to be transferred, the primary and secondary images are concealed on the opaque thermal transfer recording medium while concealing the character portion of the primary image. Is formed by partially selecting and thermally transferring while forming a white portion, and further forming a character portion of a secondary image with a blue colored thermal transfer ribbon to complete a double-sided image. In this manner, a vivid color image including a white image having obstructive front and back sides can be obtained only by transfer from one side.

FIG. 8 is a view of the side on which the thermal transfer image was formed on the material 5 to be transferred, that is, as viewed from the front.

FIG. 9 is a view seen from the transparent film side, that is, from the back side, when an image is formed on the transfer-receiving material 5 with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention or the like.

Various image transfer 6-1 used in the present invention
The colored thermal transfer recording medium used to perform No. 4 has a transparent colored ink layer, and the transfer method is as follows.
Conventionally known methods can be used, but when the light transmittance of the color ink layer to be transferred is good, it is possible to obtain a printed matter having extremely excellent color expression at the overlapping portion of the transferred matter. .

If the pigment is an organic pigment, since the pigment itself has good light transmittance, even when the transfer is repeated and the thermal transfer ink layer is overlaid to express the color, the color tone of each layer is accurately represented. In the overlapping portion, color mixture by each ink layer is obtained, and various chromatic colors can be expressed. When the multi-color expression is not used by overlapping a plurality of inks, a colored thermal transfer recording medium having concealment properties can be used.

In order to perform good multicolor printing using the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention, the following specific image forming means can be used. In the case where a ribbon having a transfer layer having the same layer structure provided on the entire surface of the support is used as each thermal transfer recording medium, when transferring the image with one thermal head, the image is transferred to the transparent film with the first colored ribbon. After that, the ribbon is replaced, the transferred material once printed is pulled back, and the image is transferred using the second colored ribbon. When printing three or more colors, perform the same operation in order,
Perform desired multicolor thermal transfer recording, then conceal all or part of the primary image with a concealable thermal transfer recording medium, further form a white base for multicolor expression on the surface, When multicolor thermal transfer recording is performed on a colored ribbon for formation in the same manner as in the formation of a primary image, a good thermal transfer image can be obtained. It is preferable to use a printer equipped with a plurality of thermal heads, because it saves time and effort for printing and hardly causes printing misregistration. At this time, a clear color image is obtained on the front and back surfaces of the transparent film as the material to be transferred, and the image pattern and color tone can be arbitrarily designed.

When a ribbon in which a plurality of transfer layers having a layer structure are sequentially provided in a block on a single support is used, a dedicated printer is required. However, it is not necessary to replace the ribbon with a single thermal head. Simply multicolor expression or
The two-sided image expression of the present invention can be performed.

The thermal transfer ink composition used in the present invention may further comprise various additives such as a print abrasion resistance, a ribbon running property and a ribbon preservability, as long as the basic performance of the present invention is not reduced. May be blended. The compounding amount varies depending on the type of the additive, but is preferably 20% by weight or less based on the entire thermal transfer ink.

The thermal transfer recording medium used in the present invention may be provided with a functional layer such as a release layer between the support and the thermal transfer layer,
In the concealing thermal transfer recording medium, other layers such as providing a primer layer between the first white thermal transfer ink layer and the metal thin film layer may be provided.

[0061]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In the examples and comparative examples, all “parts” are by weight unless otherwise specified.

Example 1 A heat-resistant lubricating layer was formed on one side of a polyester film having a thickness of 4.5 μm to provide a support, and the opposite side of the heat-resistant lubricating layer of the support was provided with a colored heat transfer ink component 1 having the following constitution. 2,3,4
Were prepared in a toluene solvent to a solid content of 30%, and coated with a gravure coater at 2.0 μm to obtain colored thermal transfer ribbons A, B, C, and D, and then covered with a 125 μm transparent PET film. Using the respective colored thermal transfer ribbons as the transfer material,
A primary image was formed as shown in FIG. (Colored thermal transfer ink component 1) Carnauba wax 58 parts Ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer resin 20 parts Red pigment 20 parts Dispersant 2 parts (Colored thermal transfer ink component 2) Carnauba wax 58 parts Ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer resin 20 parts Blue pigment 20 parts Dispersant 2 parts (colored thermal transfer ink component 3) Carnauba wax 58 parts Ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer resin 20 parts Green pigment 20 parts Dispersant 2 parts (colored thermal transfer ink component 4) Carnauba wax 58 parts ethylene / Vinyl acetate copolymer resin 20 parts Brown pigment 20 parts Dispersant 2 parts Next, in order to produce a concealable heat transfer recording medium, a heat-resistant lubricating layer is formed on one side of a 4.5 μm-thick polyester film and supported. Body, on the opposite side of the heat-resistant lubricating layer of the support,
A first white thermal transfer ink layer component having the following composition was prepared in a toluene solvent so as to have a solid content of 30%, coated with a gravure coater so as to have a coating thickness of 2.0 μm, and dried. A thermal transfer ink layer was prepared. (1st white thermal transfer ink layer component) Carnauba wax 38 parts Ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer resin 10 parts Titanium oxide 50 parts Dispersant 2 parts To improve workability of metal thin film layer on 1st white thermal transfer ink layer And a nitrocellulose primer layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm, and an aluminum vapor-deposited layer having a thickness of 0.05 μm as a metal thin film layer formed thereon by a vacuum vapor deposition method. Further, a second white thermal transfer ink layer having the following structure was prepared thereon as a second white thermal transfer ink layer so as to have a solid content of 30% in a toluene solvent, and was coated with a gravure coater to a coating thickness of 2.0 μm. The resultant was coated and dried to form a second white thermal transfer ink layer to obtain a concealing thermal transfer recording medium A. (2nd white thermal transfer ink layer component) Carnauba wax 13 parts Ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer resin 25 parts Titanium oxide 60 parts Dispersant 2 parts Monochrome colored thermal transfer ribbons A, B, C, D in advance with a thermal head printer 125μ formed in
A concealed image was formed on the primary image on the transparent PET film using the concealable thermal transfer recording medium A so as to cover the image. In this image formation, good transfer could be performed, and a good white base having no steps or color mixture could be obtained. Further, on the colored thermal transfer ribbons A, B, C, and E each coated with 2.0 μm of the colored thermal transfer ink components 1, 2, and 3 having the above configuration and the colored thermal transfer ink component 5 having the following configuration, as shown in FIG. A secondary image as shown in (1) was able to be formed. (Colored thermal transfer ink component 5) Carnauba wax 58 parts Ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer resin 20 parts Black pigment 20 parts Dispersant 2 parts These series of images are reversed when viewed from the image transfer surface of the film. When viewed from the above, the image was a vivid chromatic colored image, and the obtained transferred image was a high-contrast image having no color mixing of the primary image and the secondary image and also having concealment with respect to transmitted light.

Example 2 A heat-resistant lubricating layer was formed on one side of a 4.5-μm-thick polyester film to provide a support. On the opposite side of the heat-resistant lubricating layer of the support, a colored heat transfer ink component 6 having the following constitution was formed. , 7 were each prepared so as to have a solid content of 30% in a toluene / MEK = 1/1 solvent, and coated with a gravure coater at 2.0 μm to obtain colored heat transfer ribbons F and G. Using a PET film as a material to be transferred and each colored thermal transfer ribbon, and using a thermal head printer,
A primary image was formed as shown in FIG. (Colored thermal transfer ink component 6) PVC / vinyl acetate / hydroxy acrylate resin 73 parts Black pigment 25 parts Dispersant 2 parts (Colored thermal transfer ink component 7) PVC / vinyl acetate / hydroxy acrylate resin 73 parts Yellow pigment 25 parts Dispersant 2 Part Next, in order to produce a concealable thermal transfer recording medium, a heat-resistant lubricating layer was formed on one side of a 4.5 μm-thick polyester film as a support, and on the opposite side of the heat-resistant lubricating layer of the support,
The first white thermal transfer ink layer component having the following structure was
It was prepared so as to have a solid content of 30% in a solvent of MEK = 1/1, coated with a gravure coater to a coating thickness of 2.0 μm, and dried to produce a first white thermal transfer ink layer. (1st white thermal transfer ink layer component) PVC / vinyl acetate / hydroxy acrylate resin 28 parts Titanium oxide 50 parts Polyethylene wax 20 parts Dispersant 2 parts To improve workability of metal thin film layer on 1st white thermal transfer ink layer And a nitrocellulose primer layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm, and an aluminum vapor-deposited layer having a thickness of 0.05 μm as a metal thin film layer formed thereon by a vacuum vapor deposition method. Further, a second white thermal transfer ink layer having the following configuration was formed thereon as a second white thermal transfer ink layer.
It is prepared so as to have a solid content of 30% in one solvent, coated with a gravure coater to a coating thickness of 2.0 μm, and dried to form a second white thermal transfer ink layer. I got (Second white thermal transfer ink layer component) PVC / vinyl acetate / hydroxy acrylate resin 38 parts Titanium oxide 60 parts Dispersant 2 parts 125 μm previously formed with monochrome thermal transfer ribbons F and G by a thermal head printer Transparent P
A concealed image was formed on the primary image on the ET film using the concealable thermal transfer recording medium B so as to cover the image. In this image formation, good transfer could be performed, and a good white base having no steps or color mixture could be obtained. Furthermore, the colored thermal transfer ink component 7 having the above configuration and the colored thermal transfer ink components 8 and 9 having the following configuration were each coated with 2.0 μm of the colored thermal transfer ribbons G, H, and I.
As a result, a secondary image as shown in FIG. 5 could be formed. (Colored thermal transfer ink component 8) PVC / vinyl acetate / hydroxy acrylate resin 73 parts Cyan pigment 25 parts Dispersant 2 parts (Colored thermal transfer ink component 9) PVC / vinyl acetate / hydroxy acrylate resin 73 parts Magenta pigment 25 parts Dispersant 2 Part These series of images are bright chromatic colored images both when viewed from the image transfer side of the film and when viewed from the opposite side. It was a high-contrast image with no color mixing of the secondary image and concealment of transmitted light.

Example 3 Using a thermal head printer, 125 μm transparent PET
The film was used as a material to be transferred, and a primary image as shown in FIG. 4 was formed thereon using the colored thermal transfer ribbons A, B, C, and D used in Example 1. Next, using the opaque thermal transfer recording medium B used in Example 2, a thermal head printer was used to form a concealed image on the primary image using the opaque thermal transfer recording medium B so as to cover the image. went. In this image formation, good transfer could be performed, and a good white base having no steps or color mixture could be obtained. Further, a secondary image as shown in FIG. 2 could be formed thereon using the colored thermal transfer ribbons A, B, C, and E used in Example 1 of a single color. These series of images are bright chromatic colored images when viewed from the image transfer side of the film or from the opposite side, and the obtained transfer image is composed of a primary image and a secondary image. It was a high-contrast image with no color mixing of the image and concealment of transmitted light.

Example 4 Using a thermal head printer, 125 μm transparent PET
A film was used as a material to be transferred, and a primary image as shown in FIG. 7 was formed thereon by using the colored thermal transfer ribbons F and G used in Example 2. Next, using the concealable thermal transfer recording medium A used in Example 1, a thermal head printer was used to form a concealed image on the primary image using the concealable thermal transfer recording medium A so as to cover the image. went. In this image formation, good transfer could be performed, and a good white base having no steps or color mixture could be obtained. Furthermore, the colored thermal transfer ribbons G, H, and
In I, a secondary image as shown in FIG. 5 could be formed. These series of images are bright chromatic colored images when viewed from the image transfer side of the film or from the opposite side, and the obtained transfer image is composed of a primary image and a secondary image. It was a high-contrast image with no color mixing of the image and concealment of transmitted light.

Example 5 Using a thermal head printer, 125 μm transparent PET
The film was used as a material to be transferred, and a primary image as shown in FIG. 4 was formed thereon using the colored thermal transfer ribbons A, B, C, and D used in Example 1. Next, using the opaque thermal transfer recording medium B used in Example 2, a thermal head printer was used to form a concealed image on the primary image using the opaque thermal transfer recording medium B so as to cover the image. went. In this image formation, good transfer could be performed, and a good white base having no steps or color mixture could be obtained. Further thereon, the colored thermal transfer ribbon F used in Example 2 was used.
And a colored thermal transfer ink component 10, 11,
12 was formed on the colored thermal transfer ribbons J, K, and L each coated with 2.0 μm, whereby a secondary image as shown in FIG. 2 could be formed. (Colored thermal transfer ink component 10) PVC / vinyl acetate / hydroxy acrylate resin 73 parts Red pigment 25 parts Dispersant 2 parts (Colored thermal transfer ink component 11) PVC / vinyl acetate / hydroxy acrylate resin 73 parts Blue pigment 25 parts Dispersant 2 parts (Colored thermal transfer ink component 12) PVC / vinyl acetate / hydroxy acrylate resin 73 parts Green pigment 25 parts Dispersant 2 parts These series of images are viewed from the image transfer side of the film and from the reverse side. In particular, the obtained transferred image was a vivid chromatic colored image, and the obtained transferred image was a high-contrast image in which there was no color mixture of the primary image and the secondary image and concealment with respect to transmitted light.

Example 6 Transparent PET of 125 μm using a thermal head printer
The film was used as a material to be transferred, and the colored thermal transfer ribbon E used in Example 1 above and the colored thermal transfer ribbon M coated with 2.0 μm of the colored thermal transfer ink component 13 having the following structure were shown in FIG. Such a primary image was formed. (Colored thermal transfer ink component 13) Carnauba wax 58 parts Ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer resin 20 parts Yellow pigment 20 parts Dispersant 2 parts Next, using the concealing thermal transfer recording medium A used in Example 1, a thermal head At the printer, on the primary image,
A concealed image was formed using the concealable thermal transfer recording medium A so as to cover the image. In this image formation, good transfer could be performed, and a good white base having no steps or color mixture could be obtained. Further, on the colored thermal transfer ribbons G, H, and I used in Example 2 of the single color, as shown in FIG.
A secondary image as shown in (1) was able to be formed. These series of images are bright chromatic colored images when viewed from the image transfer side of the film or from the opposite side, and the obtained transfer image is composed of a primary image and a secondary image. It was a high-contrast image with no color mixing of the image and concealment of transmitted light.

Example 7 Transparent PET of 125 μm using a thermal head printer
A film was used as a material to be transferred, and a character portion of a primary image as shown in FIG. 9 was formed thereon using the monochromatic colored thermal transfer ribbon B used in Example 1 above. Next, using the opaque thermal transfer recording medium A used in Example 1, a thermal head printer was used to form white portions of the primary and secondary images on the character portions of the primary image while covering the images. While forming a concealed image. In this image formation, good transfer was able to be performed, and a good white image without steps or color mixture and a base for a secondary image could be obtained. Further, the character portion of the secondary image as shown in FIG. 8 could be formed on the colored thermal transfer ribbon A used in Example 1 of the single color. These series of images are vivid color images including a high-contrast white portion both when viewed from the image transfer surface of the film and when viewed from the opposite surface. It was a good image with no color mixing between the image and the secondary image, and was particularly effective when pasted on a window at the entrance of a store.

Comparative Example 1 A heat-resistant lubricating layer was formed on one side of a 4.5-μm-thick polyester film to provide a support. On the opposite side of the heat-resistant lubricating layer of the support, a yellow heat transfer ink component having the following constitution was used. Prepared to a solid content of 30% in a toluene solvent, coated with a gravure coater to a coating thickness of 2.0 μm, and dried.
A yellow thermal transfer recording medium N was produced. (Yellow thermal transfer ink component) Carnauba wax 58 parts Ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer 20 parts Yellow pigment 20 parts Dispersant 2 parts Using the above thermal transfer recording medium N, thermal transfer onto a 125 μm transparent PET film with a thermal head printer. When the image was formed, the transfer was good, but the image was the same yellow when viewed from both sides of the film, the transmittance for transmitted light was high, the concealment was low, the contrast was poor, the color tone and the image Poor cognition and inappropriate display.

Comparative Example 2 Transparent PET of 125 μm was printed using a thermal head printer.
The film was used as a material to be transferred, and a primary image as shown in FIG. 4 was formed thereon using the colored thermal transfer ribbons A, B, C, and D used in Example 1. Next, in order to produce a concealing thermal transfer recording medium, a heat-resistant lubricating layer was formed on one side of a polyester film having a thickness of 4.5 μm to form a support. Is prepared in a toluene solvent to a solid content of 30%, coated with a gravure coater to a coating thickness of 4.0 μm, and dried to obtain a white opaque heat transfer recording medium. C was prepared. (White thermal transfer ink component) Carnauba wax 13 parts Ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer resin 25 parts Titanium oxide 60 parts Dispersant 2 parts Formed in advance with monochromatic colored thermal transfer ribbons A, B, C, D by thermal head printer 125μ saved
A concealed image was formed on the primary image on the transparent PET film using the concealable thermal transfer recording medium C so as to cover the image. In this image formation, good transfer without steps was achieved, but the concealing power of the thermal transfer recording medium C was inferior. Therefore, when viewed from the printing surface of the film, white and each color were mixed, resulting in good transfer. No white base was obtained.
Further, a secondary image as shown in FIG. 2 was formed on the colored thermal transfer ribbons A, B, C, and E used in Example 1 for a single color to complete a double-sided image. Lack of concealment of transmitted light, even when viewed from the image transfer surface,
It was not the desired transfer image.

[0071]

As described above, after a primary image is thermally transferred to a film to be transferred having transparency using a colored thermal transfer recording medium, the opaque thermal transfer recording medium is entirely or partially overlaid on the primary image. A thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention of transferring a secondary image with a colored thermal transfer recording medium on the concealed portion by thermal transfer so as to cover a part, and then on the concealed portion,
By forming an image from one side on a material to be transferred such as a transparent film, it is possible to express an arbitrary pattern, character, or the like when viewed from both sides of the material to be transferred. Further, by using a multicolored heat transfer recording medium or the like, when expressing different patterns or characters on the front and back of the material to be transferred, there is no color mixing on the front and back, and the image expression on both sides can be performed well. This is an excellent effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a concealable thermal transfer recording medium used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a transferred material viewed from a printing surface side (secondary image side) when an image is formed on a transparent film using the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a transferred material taken along the line AA in FIG. 2 when printing is performed on a transparent film using the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a transferred material viewed from the transparent film surface side (primary image side) when an image is formed on a transparent film using the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a transferred material viewed from a printing surface side (secondary image side) when an image is formed on a transparent film using the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a transfer product taken along the line BB of FIG. 5 when an image is formed on a transparent film using the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a transferred material viewed from the transparent film surface side (primary image side) when an image is formed on a transparent film using the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a transferred material viewed from a printing surface side (secondary image side) when an image is formed on a transparent film using the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a transferred material viewed from the transparent film surface side (primary image side) when an image is formed on a transparent film using the thermal transfer image forming method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 support 2 first white thermal transfer ink layer 3 metal thin film layer 4 second white thermal transfer ink layer 5 material to be transferred 6 red thermal transfer ink layer 7 blue thermal transfer ink layer 8 green thermal transfer ink layer 9 brown thermal transfer ink layer 10 black thermal transfer ink layer REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 black thermal transfer ink layer 12 yellow thermal transfer ink layer 13 cyan thermal transfer ink layer 14 magenta thermal transfer ink layer 15 opaque thermal transfer recording medium white layer portion

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. After a primary image is thermally transferred to a film to be transferred having transparency by a single or plural colored thermal transfer recording medium having a colored thermal transfer ink layer, at least a first white thermal transfer ink layer, a metal A concealing thermal transfer recording medium provided with a thin film layer and a second white thermal transfer ink layer in that order is thermally transferred so as to conceal all or a part of the primary image, and then a single layer having a colored thermal transfer ink layer on the concealed portion. Alternatively, a thermal transfer image forming method, wherein a secondary image is thermally transferred by a plurality of colored thermal transfer recording media, and an image is provided on a film to be transferred. 2. A colored thermal transfer recording medium for forming a primary image and a colored thermal transfer recording medium for forming a secondary image are colored thermal transfer recording media of different colors.
2. The thermal transfer image forming method according to 1. 3. The thermal transfer image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer recording medium for forming a primary image and the thermal transfer recording medium for forming a secondary image are the same thermal transfer recording medium. . 4. The thermal transfer image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the colored thermal transfer recording medium is a thermal transfer recording medium provided with at least a transparent colored thermal transfer ink layer on a support. 5. The thermal transfer image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer recording medium is a thermal transfer recording medium having a colored thermal transfer ink layer comprising a colorant of each of cyan, magenta and yellow. 6. The thermal transfer image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer recording medium is a thermal transfer recording medium having a thermal color transfer ink layer composed of colorants of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. . 7. The thermal transfer image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer recording medium has a structure in which transfer layers comprising a plurality of colored thermal transfer inks are sequentially provided in a block on a single support. Method. 8. The thermal transfer image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the film to be transferred is a film which has been subjected to an ultraviolet absorbing treatment.