WO2008050864A1

WO2008050864A1 - Heat-transfer recording method, image forming method, and image-formed article

Info

Publication number: WO2008050864A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/070925
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takayuki Ohkubo; Yoshihiko Tamura
Original assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-10-27
Filing date: 2007-10-26
Publication date: 2008-05-02

Abstract

Provided is an image forming method capable of realizing a metallic luster image having an excellent design and a high expressive power even in case the image is observed with a transmitted light and/or a reflected light. A heat transfer sheet having a metallic luster layer on a substrate is prepared, and the metallic luster layer of the heat transfer sheet is heat-transferred to a transfer object, thereby to form a metallic luster image. The metallic luster layer of the heat transfer sheet is so heat-transferred at least once to the transfer object that it may partially overlap but not become identical to the metallic luster layer, thereby to form the metallic luster image.

Description

Specification

Thermal transfer recording method, image forming method, and image formed product

Technical field

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording method and an image forming method, and an image forming method that can be observed with both transmitted light and / or reflected light, have an excellent design, and can realize an image formed product that can be used in many applications. It relates to an image formed product obtained by

Background art

[0002] Printed materials and molded products with metallic luster that are observed using transmitted light and reflected light are manufactured by printing various hues and designs using screen printing and gravure printing. ing.

[0003] In these printing methods, when solvent-based inks are overprinted, if the second color or later is a wet process, the already applied ink may be blurred or blurred. In particular, when an ink having a low transmittance is used, an image having a high design effect may not be reproduced as intended because the influence of blurring and blurring is greater.

[0004] In order to suppress the influence of blurring and blurring when overprinting, for example, in gravure printing, a solvent block layer is provided between the ink layers to be overprinted during printing in the wet process. However, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

[0005] For example, in screen printing, it is necessary to provide a thick metallic luster layer in order to suppress the above-described influence. However, if the metallic luster layer is overprinted or the color coloring layer is printed on the lower surface of the metallic luster layer to increase the thickness of the metallic luster layer, the difference in transmittance due to the transmitted light and the reflected light Since the difference in reflectance is very small, there is a problem that a printed material with excellent design properties cannot be obtained.

By the way, there is a thermal transfer system that can record various colors and images only by a heating device such as a thermal head and thermal transfer conditions without using a wet printing system. In this thermal transfer system, a transfer layer in which a colorant such as a pigment or dye is dispersed in a binder such as a heat-meltable wax resin is held on a base sheet such as a plastic film. Using a thermal transfer sheet, image information can be obtained by a heating device such as a thermal head. This is a method in which the energy is applied and the colorant is transferred together with a binder onto an image receiving sheet such as paper or plastic sheet.

[0007] A printed image formed by this melt transfer method has high density and excellent sharpness, and is suitable for recording binary images such as characters and line drawings. In addition, by using a thermal transfer sheet with colored layers such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, each colored layer is overlaid on the image receiving sheet and recorded, so that multicolor or full color images can be formed by subtractive color mixing. is there.

[0008] An attempt is made to obtain a printed matter having a metallic luster and excellent design by utilizing such a melt transfer method having high density and excellent sharpness.

[0009] For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9 39399 discloses that a metallic glossy thermal transfer recording material having a metallic gloss layer provided on one surface of a substrate is used to transfer the metallic gloss layer to a transfer target, and a transfer portion thereof. A recording method has been proposed in which a color thermal transfer recording material having a metallic luster is obtained by further transferring a color ink layer using a molten thermal transfer recording material. In the thermal transfer recorded matter obtained by the proposed recording method, the ink layer (colored layer) is provided on the surface of the metallic luster layer, and the colored layer is located on the outermost surface of the recorded matter. .

The recorded matter obtained by the recording method as described above is premised on observing the metallic gloss layer mainly as a reflected image. In other words, a metallic glossy image is realized by overlaying a metallic gloss layer or providing a colored layer under the metallic gloss layer to enhance the concealment property of the metallic gloss layer.

[0011] However, in applications such as printed materials and molded products in which a metallic gloss image is observed using transmitted light, if the concealment property of the metallic gloss layer increases, the difference in transmittance due to the transmitted light and the reflected light Due to the very small difference in reflectance, there was a case where a printed matter with excellent design properties could not be obtained.

Summary of the Invention

[0012] In forming an image by a thermal transfer method, the present inventors have recently achieved a high design property and a high metallic brightness depending on the order in which a metallic glossy image and a normal colored image are printed on a transfer target. The knowledge that an image was realizable was acquired. In addition, even when the metallic gloss layer is overlaid and printed, if the transmittance and reflectance of the metallic gloss layer are within a specific range, a more expressive and excellent metallic gloss image can be realized. And gained knowledge. The present invention relates to Is due to.

[0013] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming method capable of realizing a metallic gloss image having excellent design and high expressive power even when observed with transmitted light and / or reflected light. is there.

[0014] Another object is to provide an image-formed product that can be observed with transmitted light and / or reflected light, has excellent design properties, and can be used in many applications.

[0015] The image forming method according to the present invention is a method of forming an image on a transfer target using a thermal transfer sheet,

Prepare a thermal transfer sheet with a metallic luster layer on the substrate,

The metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet is thermally transferred to a transfer object to form a metallic gloss image,

The metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet is applied to the transferred body at least once so that the metallic gloss image area partially overlaps with the metallic gloss image formed on the transferred body but does not become the same. It is characterized by forming a metallic gloss image by thermal transfer.

[0016] An image forming method according to another aspect of the present invention is a method of forming an image on a transfer medium using an intermediate transfer recording medium,

Prepare an intermediate transfer recording medium provided with a transfer portion consisting of at least a receiving layer on a substrate in a peelable manner,

Prepare a thermal transfer sheet with a metallic luster layer on the substrate,

The metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet is thermally transferred to the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium to form a metallic gloss image,

The metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet is applied to the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium at least once so as to cover the entire metallic gloss image region on the metallic gloss image formed on the transfer portion. Heat transfer to form a metallic glossy image,

The transfer portion on which the metallic gloss image is formed is re-transferred to the transfer body to form a metallic gloss image on the transfer body.

[0017] Further, an image forming method according to another aspect of the present invention uses a thermal transfer sheet to transfer A method of forming an image on a body,

Prepare a thermal transfer sheet with a metallic gloss layer on the substrate and a thermal transfer sheet with a color thermal transfer layer on the substrate,

The color thermal transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet is partially thermally transferred to a transfer target to form a color image,

The metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet is thermally transferred onto the color image formed on the transfer object to form a metallic gloss image.

[0018] An image forming method according to another aspect of the present invention is an image forming method for forming a metallic gloss image on a transfer medium using an intermediate transfer recording medium,

The color thermal transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet is partially thermally transferred onto the metallic gloss image formed on the transfer portion to form a color image,

The transfer portion on which the metallic gloss image and the color image are formed is re-transferred to the transfer body to form a metallic gloss image on the transfer body.

[0019] Further, an image formed product according to another aspect of the present invention is an image formed product in which a sublimation type and / or a melt type thermal transfer image is formed on a transfer target,

A second metallic gloss image is formed on the first metallic gloss image so that the first metallic gloss image and the first metallic gloss image area partially overlap but are not the same. The difference in light reflectance between the second metallic gloss image area and the other image areas on the surface of the formation is the L * value in the L * a * b * color system of the International Lighting Commission (CIE). The difference is 0 to 10;

[0020] Further, an image formed product according to another aspect of the present invention is an image formed product in which a sublimation type and / or a melt type thermal transfer image is formed on a transfer target, An image area in which at least one selected from the group consisting of a color image, a black image, a white image, and a gray image is formed, and an image area in which a metallic gloss image is formed so as to cover the entire image area Are formed on the transfer material in this order, and at least one selected from the group consisting of a color image, a black image, a white image, and a gray image on the surface of the image formed product was formed. The light reflectance between the image area and the other image areas is the difference in L * value in the L * a * b * color system of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE).

It should be 0-20.

[0021] Further, an intermediate transfer recording medium according to another aspect of the present invention is an intermediate transfer recording medium in which a transfer portion including at least a receiving layer is provided on a substrate so as to be peelable.

A sublimation type and / or a fusion type thermal transfer image is formed in the transfer portion, and the thermal transfer image includes an image region in which a metallic gloss image is formed in order from the substrate side, and one of the image regions. Metal gloss image, color image, black image, white image formed on the part

, And an image area formed with at least one selected from the group consisting of gray images

It is characterized by comprising.

[0022] A thermal transfer recording method according to another aspect of the present invention uses a thermal transfer sheet in which a metallic gloss layer is provided on a substrate, and the metallic gloss layer is thermally transferred a plurality of times to the transfer target to obtain metallic gloss. In a thermal transfer recording method for obtaining an image formed product!

The transfer part area thermally transferred at the first time of the metallic gloss layer and the transfer part area thermally transferred at the second and subsequent times partially overlap but are not the same.

[0023] Further, the thermal transfer recording method according to another aspect of the present invention uses a thermal transfer sheet in which a metallic gloss layer is provided on a substrate, and a release layer, an overcoat layer, and an adhesive on the substrate. In the thermal transfer recording method, a metallic gloss layer is thermally transferred to a transparent transfer film provided with a layer, and the thermally transferred transfer layer is re-transferred to a transfer target to obtain an image formed product having a metallic gloss.

The transfer part area thermally transferred at the first time of the metallic gloss layer and the transfer part area thermally transferred at the second and subsequent times partially overlap but are not the same. [0024] A thermal transfer recording method according to another aspect of the present invention is a thermal transfer recording method in which an image is formed on a transferred body using a thermal transfer sheet.

Using a thermal transfer sheet having a color thermal transfer layer on a substrate, the thermal transfer layer is partially thermally transferred to a transfer target, and further using a thermal transfer sheet having a metallic gloss layer on the substrate. The glossy metallic layer is thermally transferred onto the thermal transfer layer transferred to the body.

[0025] The thermal transfer recording method according to another aspect of the present invention uses a thermal transfer sheet to form an image on a transparent transfer film provided with a release layer, an overcoat layer, and an adhesive layer on a substrate. Thermal transfer, and then re-transferring the heat-transferred image to the transfer target, forming an image.

Using a thermal transfer sheet having a metallic gloss layer on a substrate, thermally transferring the metallic gloss layer to the transparent transfer film, and further using a thermal transfer sheet having a color thermal transfer layer on the substrate, the transfer film. The thermal transfer layer is partially thermally transferred onto the transferred metallic luster layer.

[0026] According to the image forming method using the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention, after forming the metallic gloss image on the transfer target, the metallic gloss image area is partially overlapped but is not the same. By forming a metallic glossy image, the boundary area between the metallic glossy images can be clearly seen by transmitted light and / or reflected light, so that it is possible to obtain an image forming product with excellent design. In particular, according to the present invention, even when a fine metal gloss image such as a hairline is formed on a metal gloss image at the same resolution as before, the expressive power of the image is improved and the texture is excellent. A metallic gloss image can be formed.

[0027] Further, according to the image forming method using the intermediate transfer recording medium of the present invention, the metallic gloss image and another metal glossy image so as to cover the entire metallic gloss image are formed on the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium. By forming the glossy image in this order, the boundary between the two metallic glossy images can be clearly seen by transmitted light and / or reflected light, so that it is possible to obtain an image-formed product with excellent design. In particular, according to the present invention, even when a fine metallic gloss image such as a hairline is formed on a metallic gloss image at the same resolution as before, the image expressive power is improved and the texture is excellent. A metallic gloss image can be formed. [0028] Further, according to the image forming method using the thermal transfer sheet of another aspect of the present invention, since a metallic gloss image is formed on a color image, the design property can be improved in either transmitted light or reflected light. An excellent image formed product can be obtained.

[0029] Further, according to the image forming method using the intermediate transfer recording medium of another aspect of the present invention, a metallic gloss image and a part of the metallic gloss image are formed on the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium. By forming a color image, it is possible to obtain an image-formed product excellent in design property in either transmitted light or reflected light.

[0030] Further, the image-formed product according to the present invention is an image-formed product in which a sublimation type and / or a melt-type thermal transfer image is formed on a transfer target,

[0031] Further, the image formed product according to the present invention includes an image region in which at least one selected from the group consisting of a metallic gloss image, a color image, a black image, a white image, and a gray image is formed, and the others By making the reflectance of light from the metallic gloss image area of the L * value in the L * a * b * color system of the International Lighting Commission (CIE) 0-20, the metallic gloss image It is possible to realize an image formed product having excellent design properties.

[0032] Further, the intermediate transfer recording medium according to the present invention includes, in order from the base material side, an image area in which a metallic gloss image is formed, and a metallic gloss image, a color image, black color formed on a part of the image area. Since an image area formed with at least one selected from the group consisting of an image, a white image, and a gray image is formed, when the intermediate transfer recording medium is used to retransfer the image to the transfer object In both transmitted light and reflected light, it is possible to obtain an image-formed product excellent in design of a metallic gloss image.

[0033] Further, according to the thermal transfer recording method of the present invention, since the boundary area between both metallic gloss images can be clearly visually recognized by transmitted light and / or reflected light, an image formed article having excellent design properties can be obtained. You can get power. In particular, according to the present invention, the same resolution as in the past, Even when a fine metallic gloss image such as a hairline is formed on a generic gloss image, the expressive power of the image is improved, and a metallic gloss image having an excellent texture can be formed.

[0034] Further, according to the thermal transfer recording method of another aspect of the present invention, a metallic gloss image is formed on a color image, and therefore an image-formed product excellent in designability in either transmitted light or reflected light. You can power to get.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an image formed product obtained by the image forming method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an image formed product obtained by the image forming method of another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an image formed product obtained by the image forming method of another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an image formed product obtained by the image forming method of another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an image formed product obtained by the image forming method of another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an image formed product obtained by the image forming method of another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an image formed product obtained by the image forming method of another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of obtaining the image formed product shown in FIG. 3 using the intermediate transfer recording medium used in the image forming method according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of obtaining the image formed product shown in FIG. 1 using the thermal transfer sheet used in the image forming method according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

[0036] 1 Image formation

2 Metal gloss layer

3 Metal gloss layer 4 White ink layer

5 White ink layer

6 Black ink layer

7 Yellow thermal transfer layer

8 Magenta thermal transfer layer

9 Cyan thermal transfer layer

10 Transferee

11 1st transfer section

12 Multiple transfer section (Two transfer section)

13 Gray ink layer

14 Transfer film (base material)

15 Final transferred object

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The image forming method according to the present invention will be described below.

The image forming method according to the first aspect of the present invention is a method for obtaining an image formed product as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 by using a thermal transfer sheet.

[0039] The image-formed product shown in FIG. 1 has another metallic glossy layer 3 so that the metallic glossy layer 2 is partially overlapped with the area of the metallic glossy layer 2 but is not the same. And are formed. Note that the image-formed product shown in FIG. 1 is a force obtained by thermally transferring a metallic glossy layer twice on a transfer material. The number of laminations of the metallic glossy layer is not limited to 2 times. And it can be 3 layers or more!

In the image-formed product shown in FIG. 1, the metallic gloss layer 2 is transferred onto the transfer target 10, and the metallic gloss layer 3 has a smaller area than the metallic gloss layer 2 on the metallic gloss layer 2. And it is transferred and laminated. The part where only the metallic luster layer 2 has only one metallic luster layer is the first transfer section 11 of the metallic luster layer, and the metallic luster layer 2 and the metallic luster layer 3 overlap to form multiple layers (in this case The two-layer portion) is the multiple transfer portion 12. In the case shown in FIG. 1, for example, the transmittance of the metallic gloss layer 2 in the first transfer portion is 47% (that is, the region of 11), and the transfer is performed multiple times. The transmittance of the part is 19% (that is, the area of 12), and the light reflectance is different between the first thermal transfer part and the second and subsequent thermal transfer parts. In the present invention, by providing a light transmittance difference between the first thermal transfer portion 2 region and the second and subsequent thermal transfer portion 3 regions, the boundary area between both metallic gloss images can be clearly recognized. In particular, even when a fine metallic luster layer 3 such as a hairline is formed on the metallic luster layer 2 with the same resolution as before, the expressive power of the image is improved and a metallic luster image with an excellent texture is obtained. Can be formed. In particular, even when a fine metallic luster layer 3 such as a hairline is formed on the metallic luster layer 2 with the same resolution as before, the expressive power of the image is improved and the metallic luster image with an excellent texture. Can be formed. In addition, the transmittance of the metallic gloss layer 2 in the region of the first thermal transfer portion 2 is 47%, and the transmittance of the region of the thermal transfer portion 3 in the second and subsequent times is 19%. There is a difference in transmittance between the first and second thermal transfer sections.

[0041] In addition, in the image-formed product shown in FIG. 2, two white ink layers of white ink layer 4 and white ink layer 5 are transferred onto transfer target 10, and further, on white ink layer 5, The metallic gloss layer 2 is transferred, and the metallic gloss layer 3 is transferred and laminated on the metallic gloss layer 2 in a smaller area than the metallic gloss layer 2. Thus, by providing the white ink layer on the lower surface of the metallic gloss layer, an image with higher contrast can be obtained.

Further, in the image formed product shown in FIG. 3, the black ink layer 6, the white ink layer 4, and the white ink layer 5 are thermally transferred onto the transfer target 10 in this order, and further on the white ink layer 5, The metallic gloss layer 2 is thermally transferred, and the metallic gloss layer 3 is transferred and laminated on the metallic gloss layer 2 in a smaller area than the metallic gloss layer 2. As described above, by thermally transferring the white ink layer and the black ink layer onto the transfer medium, and then performing the thermal transfer of the metallic gloss layer, an image with higher contrast can be obtained. In this embodiment, the white ink layer is thermally transferred twice. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the thermal transfer may be performed once or three times or more. In order to improve the reflectivity and contrast, it is possible to appropriately adjust the number of times of thermal transfer of the white ink layer. In addition, the black ink layer can be appropriately adjusted in the number of times of transfer of the black ink layer in order to improve the contrast and the like even if the force is transferred twice or more.

[0043] The heating means for thermally transferring the image can be performed by a conventional thermal transfer recording method. The power that can be used with a thermal head or the like is not limited to this. A light source or heating means using a laser light source may be used.

The image forming method according to the first aspect of the present invention is a method for obtaining an image formed product as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 using a thermal transfer sheet, and a color thermal transfer image is partially formed on a transfer target. The metallic gloss layer is thermally transferred onto the color image to form a metallic gloss image. In this way, by forming a color image on a part of the transfer object and forming a metallic gloss image on the entire surface so that the color image is covered, the color image (in either transmitted light or reflected light) (Pattern) can be recognized and a metallic tone image can be obtained, so that an image-formed product excellent in design can be obtained.

In the image-formed product shown in FIG. 4, two white ink layers of white ink layer 4 and white ink layer 5 are thermally transferred onto transfer target 10, and further yellow heat transfer is performed on white ink layer 5. The layer 7, the magenta thermal transfer layer 8, and the cyan thermal transfer layer 9 are thermally transferred, and further, the metallic gloss layer 2 is transferred and laminated thereon. In the figure, the yellow thermal transfer layer 7, the magenta thermal transfer layer 8, and the cyan thermal transfer layer 9 are transferred in a star shape, respectively. be able to. Further, in this embodiment, the force showing the thermal transfer of the white ink layer twice is not limited to this, and the thermal transfer may be performed once or three or more times. In order to improve the reflectivity and contrast, the number of times of thermal transfer of the white ink layer can be appropriately adjusted.

In the image-formed product shown in FIG. 5, the black ink layer 6, the white ink layer 4, and the white ink layer 5 are sequentially heat-transferred onto the transfer target 10, and further, yellow heat transfer is performed on the white ink layer 5. The layer 7, the magenta thermal transfer layer 8, and the cyan thermal transfer layer 9 are thermally transferred, and the metallic gloss layer 2 is further thermally transferred and laminated thereon. In this embodiment, the white ink layer is thermally transferred twice. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heat transfer may be performed once or three or more times. In order to improve the reflectivity and contrast, the power of the white ink layer can be adjusted appropriately. In addition, the black ink layer can be used to adjust the number of times of transfer of the black ink layer as appropriate in order to improve the contrast, etc., even if it is transferred twice or more. . [0047] Another embodiment of the image-formed product obtained by the image-forming method according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. The image-formed product shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by thermally transferring a gray ink layer in place of the yellow thermal transfer layer 7, the magenta thermal transfer layer 8 and the cyan thermal transfer layer 9 of the image-formed product shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the gray ink layer 13 is a force transferred in a star shape, and is not limited to this, and the shape can be appropriately changed to enhance the design.

The image formed product shown in FIG. 7 is obtained by thermally transferring a gray ink layer instead of the yellow thermal transfer layer 7, the magenta thermal transfer layer 8 and the cyan thermal transfer layer 9 of the image formed product shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the gray ink layer 13 is not limited to the force transferred in a star shape, and the design can be improved by appropriately changing the shape.

The image forming method according to the third aspect of the present invention is a method for obtaining an image formed product as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 by using an intermediate transfer recording medium.

[0050] First, an intermediate transfer recording medium provided with a transfer portion consisting of at least a receiving layer so as to be peelable on a base material is prepared, and a metallic gloss layer is formed on the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium. Another metallic gloss image is thermally transferred to cover the image. Then, by retransferring the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium on which the two metal luminous layers are formed to the transfer target, an image formed product as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is obtained. That is, the order in which the images are thermally transferred to the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium by the thermal transfer sheet is opposite to the thermal transfer order in the image forming method of the first aspect.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an intermediate transfer recording medium used for obtaining the image formed product shown in FIG.

[0052] First, as an intermediate transfer recording medium, a base material provided with a transfer portion including at least a receiving layer so as to be peelable is prepared. As this base material, a transparent transfer film (base material) having a release layer, an overcoat layer and an adhesive layer can also be used. In this case, a release treatment is performed on the surface of the transfer film.

[0053] On this substrate 14, the metallic gloss layer 3, the metallic gloss layer 2, the white ink layer 5, the white ink layer 4, and the black ink layer 6 are thermally transferred in this order (FIG. 8 (a)). However, the metallic gloss layer 3 is transferred and laminated in a smaller area than the metallic gloss layer 2. Transparent transfer film on which each of the above layers is transferred The film is heated so that the black ink layer 6 of the film and the final transfer target 15 are in contact with each other, and then the transparent transfer film substrate 14 is peeled off, and the black ink layer 6 is formed on the final transfer target 15. Then, an image formed product in which the white ink layer 4, the white ink layer 5, the metallic gloss layer 2, and the metallic gloss layer 3 are laminated in this order can be produced (FIG. 8 (b)). In addition, in order to improve the adhesiveness between the black ink layer and the final transferred body, it can be transferred through an adhesive layer (not shown).

[0054] The heating means for thermally transferring an image from the thermal transfer sheet to the intermediate transfer recording medium can be performed by a conventional thermal transfer recording method, and a thermal head or the like can be used, but is not limited thereto. A heating means using a light source or a laser light source may be used. Further, the heating means for retransferring the transfer portion on which the thermal transfer image is formed to the transfer target is not limited to the heat roll method, and may be a hot stamp method, a thermal head method, or the like.

The image forming method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a method for obtaining an image formed product as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 by using an intermediate transfer recording medium.

[0056] First, an intermediate transfer recording medium provided with a transfer portion consisting of at least a receiving layer so as to be peelable on a base material is prepared, and a metallic gloss layer is formed on the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium to obtain a metallic gloss. A color thermal transfer layer is further partially thermally transferred onto the image. Then, by retransferring the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium on which the metal optical image and the color image are formed in order to the transfer target, an image formed product as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is obtained. In other words, the order in which the images are thermally transferred to the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium by the thermal transfer sheet is opposite to the thermal transfer order in the image forming method of the second aspect. The order of thermal transfer to the intermediate transfer recording medium in the image forming method of the present embodiment is the reverse of that of the image forming method of the second embodiment, but the description of the difference in the image to be formed is omitted.

[0057] <Thermal transfer sheet>

The thermal transfer sheet used in the image forming method according to the present invention includes (1) a substrate provided with a metallic gloss layer, (2) a substrate provided with a color thermal transfer layer, and (3) a substrate. Those having a white ink layer and / or a black ink layer thereon are used. In addition As a preferred embodiment, those having a gray thermal transfer layer can also be used.

In the present invention, when these various thermal transfer sheets are combined to thermally transfer an image to a transfer target (or intermediate transfer recording medium), a specific thermal transfer sequence and a thermal transfer region are used. Compared with a metallic gloss image formed by thermal transfer, a metallic gloss image having a high design property in which the outline of the metallic gloss image is easily visible and excellent in contrast can be obtained. Hereinafter, each member constituting the thermal transfer sheet will be described in detail.

[0059] (Substrate)

In the above-described thermal transfer sheet, the same base material can be used for all. The base material used for the thermal transfer sheet is capable of forming a metallic luster layer, a color thermal transfer layer, a white ink layer, and a black ink layer, and has a predetermined heat resistance and strength. It is not particularly limited. Specific examples of such a substrate include polyethylene terephthalate film, 1,4-polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate phenolic film, polyethylene naphthalate film, polyphenylene sulfide film, polystyrene film, polypropylene film, Polysulfone film, aramid film, polycarbonate vinylome, polyvinylenoreconole vinylenome, seronolone, senolenose oxalic acid senolose derivatives, polyethylene film, polychlorinated bure film, nylon film, polyimide iminolem, ionomer film Etc.

[0060] The thickness of the substrate is, for example, about 0.5 to 50 µm, preferably about 1 to 10 µm.

[0061] The thermal transfer sheet used in the image forming method according to the present invention is provided with a heat-resistant layer on the opposite side of the surface of the substrate on which the transfer layer is formed, and adverse effects such as sticking due to heat of the thermal head and printing wrinkles. Can be prevented. The heat-resistant layer is basically composed of a heat-resistant resin and a thermal release agent or a substance that functions as a lubricant. By providing such a heat-resistant layer, thermal printing can be performed without sticking even on a thermal transfer sheet based on a heat-sensitive plastic film, and the plastic film is difficult to cut and processed. Benefits such as ease can be utilized. In addition, it is possible to prevent sticking with a thermal head or the like and improve slipperiness.

[0062] The heat-resistant layer comprises a binder resin containing a slip agent, a surfactant, inorganic particles, organic particles, a pigment, and the like. What was added is preferably used and formed. Binder resins used in the heat-resistant layer include, for example, cetenoresose such as ethinoresenorelose, hydroxyethinoresenorelose, hydroxypropinoresenoreose, methylcellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and nitrified cotton. -Based resins, such as polybulol alcohol, polybutyl alcohol, polybutyral, polybutyral, polyvinylacetal, polybulurpyrrolidone, acrylic resin, polyacrylolamide, acrylonitrile styrene copolymer, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, silicone modified Or a fluorine-modified urethane resin etc. are mentioned.

Among these, it is possible to use a resin having several reactive groups, for example, a hydroxyl group, and using a crosslinked resin in combination with a polyisocyanate as a crosslinking agent. preferable. As described above, the heat-resistant layer can be formed by dissolving or dispersing a material obtained by adding a slipping agent, surfactant, inorganic particles, organic particles, pigments, etc. into a non-resin resin in an appropriate solvent. The coating liquid is prepared, and this coating liquid is applied by conventional coating means such as a gravure coater, roll coater, wire bar, and the like, but is not limited thereto. It is not a thing. The coating amount of the heat resistant layer is preferably about 0.0;! To 3 g / m ^{2 in} a dry state.

[0064] (Glossy metallic layer)

The metallic luster layer is a layer in which metallic powder such as aluminum powder, bronze powder, copper powder, tin powder, lead powder and zinc powder, and metallic luster pigment having metallic luster such as pearl pigment are dispersed in the resin. Aluminum powder can be used with either leafing type or non-leafing type. Examples of the resin constituting the metallic luster layer include thermoplastic resins such as styrene butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile butadiene copolymers, polyalkylene resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene. Acrylic resins such as acrylic acid copolymer, polyester resin, ethylene acetate butyl copolymer, polyacetic acid butyl, ionomer resin, polybutyl chloride, butyl chloride butyl acetate copolymer, poly butyl ether, poly butyl acetal, Of conventionally known resins such as fiber polymers such as polybutyl butyral, polybutyl alcohol, polybutyropyrrolidone, polyutalene, polyamide, ethyl cellulose, nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate, and rubber polymers such as chlorinated rubber and natural rubber. One kind or Two or more combinations are effective. The coating amount 0.1 at the time of drying;! More preferably ~ 5 g / m ² range is preferred instrument is a scope of 0. 5~3g / m ^2. If it is less than 0 lg / m ² , sufficient glossiness cannot be obtained, and if it exceeds 5 g / m ² , the print sensitivity is significantly lowered.

[0065] In the metallic luster layer, in addition to the above metallic luster pigment and resin, if necessary, it is possible to mix and use a wax component to the extent that heat resistance and the like are not impaired. Examples of the wax include microcrystalline wax, carnauba wax, and paraffin wax. In addition, Fischer-Tropsch wax, various low molecular weight polyethylene, wood wax, beeswax, whale mouth, ibota wax, wool wax, shellac wax, candelilla wax, petrolatatam, polyester wax, partially modified wax, fatty acid ester, fatty acid amide, etc. And various waxes. Among these, those having a melting point of 50 to 85 ° C. are particularly preferable.

If the temperature is 50 ° C or less, there will be a problem in storage stability, and if it is 85 ° C or more, the printing sensitivity will be insufficient.

[0066] (Color thermal transfer layer)

The color thermal transfer layer can be used with a known thermal transfer layer in melt thermal transfer recording or a known dye layer in sublimation thermal transfer recording, and is not particularly limited.

Yes

[0067] For example, the sublimable dye layer can be formed from a coating liquid containing a sublimable dye, a binder resin, and other optional components. As the sublimation dye, binder resin and the like, conventionally known dyes can be used, and are not particularly limited. The dye layer can be formed by a conventionally known method in which a dye layer coating solution is prepared and applied to a substrate film by means of a gravure printing method and dried. The thickness of the dye layer is about 0.2 to 3 g / m ² in a dry state.

[0068] Further, the molten layer can be formed using the same hot-melt ink as in the prior art, and various additives may be added as necessary. These materials can be used with a conventionally known material and are not particularly limited. The molten layer is formed by applying hot-melt ink on a substrate film using a method such as hot melt coating. The thickness of the molten layer to be formed is determined from the relationship between the required concentration and thermal sensitivity, and is usually preferably in the range of about 0.2 to 1 C ^ m. [0069] (White ink layer)

The white ink layer has a function of imparting appropriate light diffusibility and light transparency to the image-formed product onto which the white ink layer has been transferred, and is mainly composed of a white pigment, a filler, and a binder resin.

[0070] As the preferred resin that can be used as the noinder resin, acrylic resins, cellulose resins, polyester resins, bull resins, polyurethane resins, polycarbonate resins, or partially crosslinked resins thereof are preferable. Resin. The white pigment and filler are hard solid particles, for example, inorganic fillers such as silica, alumina, clay, talc, calcium carbonate and barium sulfate, white pigments such as titanium oxide and zinc oxide, acrylic Resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, benzoguanamine resin, fluororesin, silicone resin, and other resin particles (plastic pigment).

[0071] Titanium oxide includes rutile type titanium oxide and anatase type titanium oxide. In the white ink layer, in addition to the binder resin, the white pigment and the filler, a fluorescent whitening agent can be added. As the fluorescent whitening agent, a conventionally known compound having a fluorescent whitening effect, such as a stilbenzene series or a virazoline series, can be used. The white layer 6 should have appropriate light diffusibility and light transmittance by adjusting the solid content ratio of the white pigment and filler to the binder resin, that is, the P / V ratio and the thickness of the white layer. Can do. When the coating amount of the white ink layer is about 0.5 to 5. Og / m ² in a dry state, appropriate light diffusibility and light transmittance can be obtained.

[0072] (Black ink layer)

The black ink layer is not particularly limited, and can use a known thermal transfer layer in melt thermal transfer recording or a known dye layer in sublimation thermal transfer recording. In addition, the content ratio of the colorant constituting the black ink layer can be reduced, the coating amount of the black ink layer can be reduced, or a black pigment (carbon black) and a white pigment can be mixed and adjusted to an arbitrary sag color tone. A gray ink layer can be prepared and used in the present invention. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, using a gray ink layer in combination with a metallic luster layer, a highly designable image using the difference between the transmittance of the metallic luster layer and the transmittance of the gray ink layer Forms can also be formed. This image-formed product becomes a product in which the amount of light transmission is adjusted, and can be used for applications such as automobile rear windows such as smoked glass (smoke film) and window glass.

[0073] In the above-described metallic gloss layer, color thermal transfer layer for melt thermal transfer recording, white ink layer, black ink layer for melt thermal transfer recording, and the like, a conventionally known release layer is provided between the layers and the substrate. It can be provided, or a conventionally known adhesive layer can be added to the uppermost layer.

[0074] <Intermediate transfer recording medium>

As the intermediate transfer recording medium according to the present invention, a substrate on which a transfer portion comprising at least a receiving layer is provided so as to be peelable is used.

[0075] As the base material, the same base materials as those described for the thermal transfer sheet can be used. When the intermediate transfer recording medium is heated from the back side of the intermediate transfer recording medium when the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium and the thermal transfer sheet are heated, the side of the intermediate transfer recording medium on which the transfer portion is provided It is also possible to similarly provide the heat-resistant layer described in the thermal transfer sheet on the opposite surface.

[0076] (Receptive layer)

The receiving layer is provided so as to be positioned on the outermost surface as a part of the transfer portion constituting the intermediate transfer recording medium. On this receiving layer, an image is formed by thermal transfer from a thermal transfer sheet having a color material layer by thermal transfer. Then, the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium on which the image is formed is transferred to the transfer target, and as a result, a printed matter is formed.

[0077] For this reason, as a material for forming the receiving layer, a conventionally known resin material that can easily receive a heat-transferable colorant such as a sublimation dye or a heat-meltable ink can be used. For example, polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, halogenated resins such as polychlorinated butyl or polyvinylidene chloride, polyacetic acid butyl, chlorinated butyl acetate butyl copolymer, ethylene acetate butyl copolymer or polyacrylic acid ester Bull resin, polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate, polystyrene resin, polyamide resin, copolymer resin of olefins such as ethylene or propylene and other bur polymers, ionomer or cellulose diaster Cellulose resins such as Z, polycarbonate, etc. are mentioned, and chlorinated resin, acrylic styrene resin or polyester resin is particularly preferred. [0078] Further, in order to improve the fixing property of the transfer portion with respect to the transfer target, it is preferable to form the receiving layer using an adhesive resin material such as butyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0079] The receiving layer is made by dissolving or dispersing in one or more materials selected from the above-mentioned materials and various additives as necessary, in an appropriate solvent such as water or an organic solvent. A receiving layer coating solution can be prepared and applied and dried by means of a gravure printing method, a screen printing method or a reverse coating method using a Daravia plate. Its thickness is about 1 to 10 g / m ^{2 in} a dry state.

[0080] The intermediate transfer recording medium according to the present invention can form a receiving layer on a substrate via a release OP layer. In this case, the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium is composed of the peeling OP layer and the receiving layer, and the transfer portion is transferred to the transfer target body with the receiving layer in such a form that the peeling OP layer is the outermost surface. . In other words, the release OP layer has the function of protecting the thermal transfer image on the outermost surface of the printed material and the function of the release layer when the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium is peeled off and thermally transferred.

[0081] The release OP layer is, for example, microcrystalline wax, carnauba wax, paraffin wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, various low molecular weight polyethylene, wood wax, beeswax, whale wax, ibota wax, wool wax, shellac wax, candelilla wax, petrolatatam , Partially modified waxes, waxes such as fatty acid esters, fatty acid amides, silicone wax, silicone resin, fluororesin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, cellulose resin, chlorinated butyl acetate copolymer, nitrified cotton, etc. It can be formed using a thermoplastic resin.

[0082] Peeling OP layer is particularly preferably composed mainly of acrylic resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, etc. with excellent transparency, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, etc. Also, the above-mentioned wax is required for it. Depending on the situation.

[0083] The release OP layer can be formed by applying and drying using a conventionally known means such as hot melt coating, hot lacquer coating, gravure coating, gravure reverse coating, roll coating and the like. The thickness of the peeling OP layer is preferably about 0.;! ~ 5g / m ² when dried. [0084] Further, even in a transfer portion that does not have a peeling OP layer, by providing the receiving layer with peelability from the base film, an appropriate adhesion force between the receiving layer and the base film can be obtained. You can give it strength. Further, by providing the base material itself with peelability, it is possible to have the same peelability as the above-described release OP layer.

[0085] In addition, a release layer can be provided on the substrate instead of the above-described release OP layer, and this release layer is usually formed of a binder resin and a release material. The release layer hardly peels off from the substrate during thermal transfer and remains on the substrate film side.

[0086] As the binder resin of the release layer, thermoplastic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, polybutyl acrylate, and other acrylic resins, polyacetate butyl, butyl chloride, butyl acetate copolymer, poly Vinylol resins such as butyl alcohol and polybutyral, cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, and cellulose acetate, or unsaturated polyester resins that are thermosetting resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, aminoalkyd resins, etc. Can be used. As the releasable material, waxes, silicone waxes, silicone resins, melamine resins, fluorine resins, fine powders of talc and silica, lubricants such as surfactants and metal soaps, and the like can be used.

[0087] The release layer is prepared by dissolving or dispersing the above resin in an appropriate solvent to prepare a release layer coating solution, which is then applied to a gravure printing method, screen printing method or gravure plate on a base film. It can be formed by applying and drying by means of the reverse coating method used. The thickness after drying is usually 0 ·! ~ 10 g / m ² .

[0088] (Transfer material)

On the transfer target, the thermal transfer image is thermally transferred by the above-described thermal transfer sheet, or the transfer portion on which the thermal transfer image of the intermediate transfer recording medium is formed is transferred.

[0089] The material to be transferred used in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, natural pulp paper, coated paper, tracing paper, plastic film that is not deformed by heat during transfer, glass, metal, ceramics, wood Any material such as cloth may be used.

[0090] The natural pulp paper is not particularly limited. For example, fine paper, art paper, lightweight coated paper, finely coated paper, coated paper, cast coated paper, synthetic resin or emulsion impregnated paper, synthetic rubber latex impregnated paper, synthetic paper Examples thereof include resin-added paper and thermal transfer paper. [0091] As the plastic film, polyethylene terephthalate film, polystyrene film, polypropylene film, aramid film, polycarbonate film, polyvinyl alcohol film, cellulose derivative such as cellulose, cellulose acetate, polyethylene film, polychlorinated Examples thereof include a bull film, a nylon film, a polyimide film, and an ionomer film. Among these, in the present invention, the plastic film used as the transferred body is transparent or translucent in order to observe the metallic gloss image provided on the transferred body with transmitted light and / or reflected light. Is preferred.

[0092] Shape of transferred object · Stocks, securities, certificates, passbooks, boarding tickets, car horse tickets, stamps, stamps, appreciation tickets, admission tickets, tickets, cash cards, credit cards, etc. , Prepaid cards, members cards, greeting cards, postcards, business cards, driver's licenses, cards such as IC cards and optical cards, cases such as cartons and containers, bags, forms, envelopes, tags, OHP sheets, Slide films, bookmarks, calendars, posters, brochures, menus, POP supplies, coasters, displays, nameplates, keyboards, cosmetics, wristwatches, lighters and other accessories, stationery, report paper and other stationery and passports, small books , Booklets for magazines, building materials, panels, emblems, keys, cloth, clothing, footwear, radio, television, calculators, O There is no limitation on the type of equipment such as equipment A, various sample books, albums, computer graphics output, medical image output, etc.

[0093] <Image formation>

The image forming method according to the present invention is one in which a sublimation type and / or a melt type thermal transfer image is formed using the above-described image forming method and a thermal transfer sheet or an intermediate transfer recording medium. Separated. First, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first metallic gloss image 2 and the first metallic gloss image region 2 are partially overlapped on the surface of the transfer target 10, but not to be the same. The second metallic gloss image 3 is formed on the first metallic gloss image 2. The difference in light reflectance between the area of the second metallic luster image 12 and the area of the other image (11) is the difference in the L * a * b * color system of the International Lighting Commission (CIE). The difference in L * values is 0 to 10;

[0094] By providing such a difference in reflectance, it is possible to clearly see the boundary area between both metallic gloss images by transmitted light and / or reflected light, so that image formation with excellent design is possible. Power to get things S. In particular, according to the present invention, even when a fine metallic gloss image such as a hairline is formed on a metallic gloss image at the same resolution as before, the image expressive power is improved and the texture is excellent. A metallic gloss image can be formed. The L * value in the L * a * b * color system of the International Lighting Commission (CIE) is measured by a method in accordance with JIS Z 8729. In order to obtain such a difference in reflectance, it is preferable to provide a white ink layer and / or a black ink layer between the metallic gloss layer and the transfer target as described above.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the difference in light transmittance between the region of the second metallic gloss image 12 and the region of the other image (11) is 10% or more. More preferably, it is 20% or more. By setting the difference in light transmittance within this range, an image with better design can be obtained. If the difference in light transmittance is less than 10%, an image with high metallic gloss can be obtained, but the boundary between the first metallic gloss image and the second metallic gloss image becomes unclear, and the second It becomes difficult to recognize metallic glossy images.

[0096] The image-formed product of another embodiment is at least selected from the group consisting of a color image, a black image, a white image, and a gray image on the surface of the transfer target 10 as shown in FIGS. An image area in which one type is formed and an image area in which a metallic gloss image is formed so as to cover the entire image area are formed in this order. Then, the reflectance of light between the image area formed with at least one selected from the group consisting of the color image, black image, white image, and gray image and the other image areas is determined by the International Commissioner for Illumination. The difference in L * value in the CIE L * a * b * color system is 0-20. By providing such a difference in reflectance, an image forming area such as a color image existing on the lower surface can be recognized by reflected light only by transmitted light, and an image with a high metallic design can be obtained. . The difference in reflectivity is 0 to; 17 is more preferred as the difference in L * value, more preferably 0 to 13; By setting it within this range, even when the image is observed with reflected light, an image with higher contrast and excellent design can be obtained. In order to obtain such a difference in reflectance, as described above, a white ink layer and / or a black ink layer can be provided between the metallic gloss layer and the transfer target.

In the present invention, the light transmittance of the metallic luster layer formed on the outermost surface of the transfer object The force S is preferably 10 to 90%, more preferably 20 to 70%. If the light transmittance is less than 10%, an image with high metallic gloss can be obtained, but it becomes difficult to recognize an image forming area such as a color image and the image lacks design. On the other hand, if it exceeds 90%, the metallic luster becomes poor. The light transmittance can be measured by a conventionally known method. For example, the transmittance at a visible light wavelength (450 to 680 nm) can be measured using a spectrophotometer.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above embodiment is merely an example, and the technical idea described in the claims of the present invention has substantially the same configuration and exhibits the same functions and effects in any case. It is included in the technical scope of the invention.

Example

Next, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples and comparative examples.

Hereinafter, “parts” or “%” is based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[0100] Preparation of thermal transfer film

(1) Fabrication of metallic ribbon

As a base material, a dry coating amount of 0.25 g / m ² is applied to one side of a 4.5 m thick PET (Toray) by gravure coating with a peeling layer coating liquid of the following composition: And then dried to form a release layer. Furthermore, on the release layer, a metallic gloss layer coating liquid having the following composition is applied by gravure coating so that the dry coating amount is 0.8 g / m ² and dried to form a metallic gloss layer. Thus, a metallic ribbon was produced. On the other side of the substrate, a heat-resistant layer is formed by applying a coating solution for the heat-resistant layer having the following composition by gravure coating in advance so that the dry coating amount is 0.3 g / m ² and drying. I kept it.

[0101] (Coating liquid for release layer)

• Polymethyl methacrylate resin (BR—83, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon) 21%

• Buluric chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resin

(SOLBIN C, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry) 9%

'Polyester resin (Byron 200, manufactured by Toyobo) 0 · 2%

'Tollen 34. 4% MEK 34.4%

(Glossy metallic layer coating solution)

'Non-leafing aluminum paste

(2173, Showa aluminum powder) 10%

• Acrylic resin (BR—77, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon) 7%

• Buluric chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resin

(SOLBIN C, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry) 3%

'Toluene 16%

MEK 64%

(Heat-resistant layer coating solution)

• Polymethyl methacrylate resin

(BR—85, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon) 11. 1%

'Polyester resin

(Eritel UE-3200, made by Unitica) 0.3%

'Zinc stearyl phosphate (LBT-1830, Sakai Chemical) 5 · 7%

'Melamine aldehyde condensate (Epester S, manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Chemical Co., Ltd.) 2. 9%

'Toluene 0.6%

MEK 79. 4%

[0102] (2) Preparation of black ink ribbon

The dry coating amount of the release layer forming coating solution is 0.30 g / m ² , and the metallic gloss layer coating solution is replaced with a black layer coating solution having the following composition, and the dry coating amount is 1. lg / except that coating so that the m ^2, similarly to the metallic ribbon, to prepare a black ink ribbon.

[0103] (Black layer coating solution)

• Black pigment (C.I.NoPBk-7) 41. 1%

• Buluric chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resin

(SOLBIN C, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry) 10-7%

'Tonolen 24. 1%

MEK 24. 1% [0104] (3) Production of gray ink ribbon

The dry coating amount of the release layer forming coating solution is 0.3 g / m2, and the metallic gloss layer coating solution is replaced with the gray layer coating solution having the composition shown below, and the dry coating amount is 0.6 g / m ^2. except that coating so that the m ^2, similarly to the metallic ribbon, to prepare a black ink ribbon.

[0105] 'One-layer coating solution)

'Black pigment (C.I. NoPBk-7) 5. 2%

• Acrylic resin (BR-83, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon) 20. 3%

• Buluric chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resin

(SOLBIN C, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry) 5.1%

.Toluene 35.0%

MEK 34.4%

[0106] (4) Preparation of white ink ribbon

The dry coating amount of the release layer forming coating solution is 0.35 g / m ² , and the metallic gloss layer coating solution is replaced with the white layer coating solution having the composition shown below. except that coating so that the m ^2, similarly to the metallic ribbon, to prepare a white ink ribbon.

[0107] (White layer coating solution)

30%

'Acrylic resin (BR—83, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon) 13. 8%

'Buyl chloride butyl acetate copolymer resin

(SOLBIN C, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry) 3.5%

'Toluene 26. 1%

MEK 26.6%

[0108]

The dry coating amount of the release layer forming coating solution is 0.30 g / m ² , and the metallic gloss layer coating solution is replaced with the cyan layer coating solution having the composition below, and the dry coating amount is 0.6 g / m ^2. A cyan ink ribbon was produced in the same manner as the metallic ribbon, except that it was applied to m ² .

[0109] (Cyan layer coating solution)

• Blue pigment (CI No. PB15: 4) 11.5% 'Acrylic resin (BR-83, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon) 15. 75%

• Buluric chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resin

(SOLBIN C, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry) 5. 25%

.Toluene 33.5%

MEK 34. 0%

[0110] (6) Preparation of magenta ink ribbon

The dry coating amount of the release layer forming coating solution is 0.30 g / m ² and the metallic gloss layer coating solution is replaced with a magenta layer coating solution having the composition described below, and the dry coating amount is 0.6 g / m ^2. except for coating the fabric such that m ^2, similarly to the metallic ribbon, to prepare a magenta ink ribbon.

[0111] (Magenta layer coating solution)

• Red pigment (C.I.No.PR122) 10. 8%

'Acrylic resin (BR—83, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon) 11. 72%

• Buluric chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resin

(SOLBIN C, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry) 7. 76 ° /

.Toluene 34. 76%

MEK 34. 96%

[0112]

The dry coating amount of the release layer forming coating solution is 0.30 g / m ² , and the metallic gloss layer coating solution is replaced with the yellow layer coating solution having the composition below, and the dry coating amount is 0.65 g / m ^2. A yellow ink ribbon was prepared in the same manner as the metallic ribbon D, except that it was applied to m ² .

[0113] (Yello layer coating solution)

'Yellow pigment (C. I. No. PY150) 12. 0%

• Acrylic resin (BR-83, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon) 16. 35%

• Buluric chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resin

(SOLBIN C, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry) 5.5%

• Organic dispersant 0.2%

.Toluene 32. 83%

MEK 33. 33% [0114] Preparation of intermediate recording medium

Apply a thermosetting acrylic urethane resin solution to the surface of the polyethylene terephthalate film substrate to a thickness of 1 m or less (0.3 to 0.5 m) when dried by the gravure coating method, at 170 ° C for 1 minute A release layer was formed by drying and curing.

[0115] Next, a polyester attalylate ionizing radiation curable resin coating was applied to the surface of the release layer so as to have a thickness of 6 m when dried, followed by drying at 100 ° C for 30 seconds, and then A primer layer was formed on the surface so as to have a thickness of 2 μm.

[0116] The above coating film was subjected to an acceleration voltage of 175 K using a scanning electron beam irradiator.

The overcoat layer was cured by irradiation with an electron beam under the conditions of V, beam current 36 mA, and irradiation dose lOMrad.

[0117] Further, an acrylic resin was gravure coated on the surface so as to have a thickness of 1 µm when dried, an adhesive layer was formed, and dried at 100 ° C for 1 minute to obtain an intermediate transfer recording medium.

[0118] Preparation of image-formed product

Using each of the thermal transfer sheets obtained above, images were transferred to a transparent polycarbonate film (hereinafter also referred to as PC) in the order shown in Table 1 below and thermally transferred under the following printing conditions. And an image formed product was obtained.

[0119] (Printing conditions)

1. Printing speed: lmsecZline (42mm / s)

2. Thermal head: KCE-162-24PAG6 (manufactured by Kyocera), average resistance (3606 Ω), head pressure (4kg ~; 1 Okg), resolution (600dpi)

3. Head voltage: 17.4V

4. Applied energy: 0.07 mj / dot

[0120] Example A1

Using the resulting metallic ribbon, a metallic gloss image is formed on the entire surface of the PC film by the first thermal transfer, and there are portions that do not partially overlap the metallic gloss image by the second thermal transfer. A circular metallic gloss pattern was formed.

[0121] Example A2

Using the obtained gray ink ribbon, a part of the PC film is obtained by the first thermal transfer. In addition, a star-patterned gray image was formed. Next, a second thermal transfer was performed using the obtained metallic ribbon, and a metallic gloss image was formed on the entire surface of the PC film so as to cover the star pattern.

[0122] Example A3

Using the obtained magenta ink ribbon and yellow ink ribbon, overprinting was performed on a part of the PC film by the first thermal transfer to form a red star pattern. Next, a second thermal transfer was performed using the obtained metallic ribbon, and a metallic gloss image was formed on the entire surface of the PC film so as to cover the star pattern.

[0123] Example A4

The resulting cyan ink ribbon and yellow ink ribbon were used for the first thermal transfer to perform overprinting on a part of the PC film to form a green star pattern. Next, the resulting metallic ribbon was used for the second thermal transfer to form a metallic gloss image on the entire surface of the PC film so as to cover the star pattern.

[0124] Example A5

Using the obtained cyan ink ribbon and magenta ink ribbon, a blue star pattern was formed by overprinting a part of the PC film by the first thermal transfer. Next, the resulting metallic ribbon was used for the second thermal transfer to form a metallic gloss image on the entire surface of the PC film so as to cover the star pattern.

[0125] Example A6

A black layer was formed on the entire surface of the PC by thermal transfer using the obtained black ink ribbon, and then a white layer was formed on the entire black layer using the obtained white ink ribbon. Next, using the obtained metallic ribbon, a metallic gloss image was formed on the entire surface of the white layer, and a circular metallic gloss pattern having a portion that did not partially overlap the metallic gloss image was formed.

[0126] Example A7

Using a metallic ribbon, a circular metallic image is formed on a portion of the resulting intermediate transfer recording medium by the first thermal transfer, and the metallic gloss image is covered by the second thermal transfer. A metallic image was formed on the entire surface of the medium. [0127] Next, the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium was re-transferred to a PC film using a heat roller, and the substrate was peeled off to obtain an image formed product. The transfer conditions at this time were a transfer temperature of 195 ° C and a transfer speed of 6 mm / s.

[0128] Comparative Example A1

A metallic glossy image was formed on the entire surface of the PC film by the first thermal transfer using a metallic ribbon. Next, a second thermal transfer was performed using a gray ink ribbon, and a circular gray star pattern was formed on a part of the metallic gloss image.

[table 1]

[0129] Evaluation of image formation

(1) L * value measurement

The L * value () of the pattern part of each image formation and the L * value () of the other parts are

2 1 Measured each. The measurement conditions were as follows.

• Measuring instrument: Spectrolino (Gretag Macbeth, spectrophotometer)

• Observation light source: A, observation field: 2 °

L * a * b * value of the sample base (L *: 94.15, a *: 0-22, b *: l.57)

The evaluation results were as shown in Table 2 below.

[0130] (2) Measurement of transmittance

Of each image formation

Measure the light transmittance (T) of the pattern area and the transmittance (T) of the other area.

twenty one

did. The measurement conditions were as follows.

(Measurement condition) • Measuring machine: Spectrolino (Gretag Macbeth, spectrophotometer)

• Observation light source: A, observation field: 2 °

The evaluation results were as shown in Table 2 below.

[Table 2]

[0131] (3) Image evaluation

Each image formed product was visually evaluated for images. At that time, the image evaluation was performed even though the transmitted light and reflected light were! /

[0132] As a result, for the image formed products of Example 1 and Example 7, the metallic gloss layer area that was thermally transferred the first time and the metallic gloss layer area (pattern part) that was thermally transferred the second time were used. The boundary was clearly recognized and the design was excellent.

[0133] In addition, all of the image formations of Examples 2 to 5 on which an image of a star pattern was formed were able to clearly recognize the star pattern and were excellent in metallic luster. In particular, even when the image was observed with reflected light, the star pattern could be clearly recognized and the metallic gloss was excellent.

[0134] Further, the image formed product of Example 6 in which the white ink layer and the black ink layer were provided on the base was compared with the image formed product of Example 1 in which the white ink layer and the black ink layer were not provided on the base.

The image was more excellent in metallic luster.

[0135] On the other hand, the image-formed product of Comparative Example 1 was able to recognize the star pattern, but lacked the design property that the pattern portion had no metallic luster.

[0136] Example B1— 1 As the base material, dry coating amount becomes 0.25 g / m ² by gravure coating the above coating solution for release layer on one side of PET (made by Toray) with a thickness of 4.5 m Thus, it was applied and dried to form a release layer. Furthermore, on the release layer, the metallic gloss layer coating solution used above is applied by gravure coating so that the dry coating amount is 0.8 g / m ² and dried to form a metallic gloss layer. Then, a thermal transfer sheet of Example B1-1 was produced. In addition, a heat-resistant layer coating solution having the following composition was applied to the other surface of the above-mentioned base material in advance by gravure coating, dried and applied in a dry amount of 0.25 g / m ² and dried. A layer was formed.

[0137] (Heat-resistant layer coating solution)

'Polymethylmethacrylate resin (BR-85, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon) 11. 1%

• Polyestenole tree (Ureete Nore UE-3200, manufactured by Unitica) 0.3% 'Zinc stearyl phosphate (LBT-1830, Sakai Chemical) 5.7%

'Melamine aldehyde condensate (eposter S, manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Chemical Co., Ltd.) 2 · 9%' Toluene 16 </ ₀

MEK 64%

[0138] Using the thermal transfer sheet obtained above, a metallic gloss layer 2 and a metallic gloss are formed on a sheet obtained by applying a receiving layer to a transparent film as a transfer target so that the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is obtained. Layer 3 was transferred to produce an imaged product. The printing conditions were the same as described above.

[0139] The transmittance (T) of the first transfer portion 11 and the transmittance (T) of the second transfer portion 12 of the obtained image formed product were measured under the same conditions as described above.

2

[0140] Example B1-2

A thermal transfer sheet was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1-1 except that the dry coating amount of the metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet prepared in Example B1-1 was changed to 0.2 g / m ^2. In the same manner as described above, an image formed product was produced, and the transmittance was measured in the same manner.

[0141] Example B1-3

A thermal transfer sheet was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1-1 except that the dry coating amount of the metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet prepared in Example B1-1 was changed to 0.5 g / m ^2. In the same manner as described above, an image formed product was produced, and the transmittance was measured in the same manner. [0142] Example Bl— 4

Except for changing such that the dry coating amount of metallic luster layer of the thermal transfer sheet prepared in the above Example BL- 1 to 1. Og / m ² is to prepare a thermal transfer sheet in the same manner as in Example B1- 1 In the same manner as described above, an image formed product was produced, and the transmittance was measured in the same manner.

[0143] Example B1-5

A thermal transfer sheet was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1-1 except that the dry coating amount of the metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet prepared in Example B1-1 was changed to 1.2 g / m ^2. In the same manner as described above, an image formed product was produced, and the transmittance was measured in the same manner.

[0144] Example B1— 6

A thermal transfer sheet was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1-1 except that the dry coating amount of the metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet prepared in Example B1-1 was changed to 1.4 g / m ^2. In the same manner as described above, an image formed product was produced, and the transmittance was measured in the same manner.

[0145] Example B1-7

A thermal transfer sheet was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1-1 except that the dry coating amount of the metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet prepared in Example B1-1 was changed to 1.8 g / m ^2. In the same manner as described above, an image formed product was produced, and the transmittance was measured in the same manner.

[0146] Example B1-8

Except for changing such that the dry coating amount of metallic luster layer of the thermal transfer sheets prepared in the above examples B1- 1 to 2. Og / m ² is to prepare a thermal transfer sheet in the same manner as in Example B1- 1 In the same manner as described above, an image formed product was produced, and the transmittance was measured in the same manner.

[0147] Example B1—9

A thermal transfer sheet was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1-1 except that the dry coating amount of the metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet prepared in Example B1-1 was changed to 2.2 g / m ^2. In the same manner as described above, an image formed product was produced, and the transmittance was measured in the same manner.

[0148] Example B1-10

As a base material, a dry coating amount of 0.25 g / m ² is applied to one side of a 4.5 m thick PET (Toray) by gravure coating using the same release layer coating liquid as above. A release layer was formed by coating and drying. Furthermore, on the release layer, the same metal as above The glossy layer coating liquid was applied by gravure coating so that the dry coating amount was 0.8 g / m ² and dried to form a metallic glossy layer, and a thermal transfer sheet of Example B1-10 was produced. Note that the same heat-resistant layer coating solution as described above is applied to the other surface of the base material in advance by gravure coating, and dried so that the dry coating amount is 0.25 g / m ^2. A layer was formed.

[0149] Using the obtained thermal transfer sheet, a transparent transfer film 14 having a release layer, an overcoat layer and an adhesive layer as a transfer target (the release layer, the overcoat layer and the adhesive layer are not shown) In addition, the metallic gloss layer 2 and the metallic gloss layer 3 are transferred so that the arrangement shown in FIG. 9 (a) is obtained, and the transfer layer transferred to the transparent transfer film is used as a final transfer target. A force-bonate resin sheet 15 was re-transferred using a heat roller, and finally the transparent transfer film substrate 14 was peeled off to produce an image formed product (FIG. 9 (b)). The thermal transfer conditions were the same as described above.

[0150] The transmittance of the first transfer portion 11 and the transmittance of the second transfer portion 12 of the obtained image formed product were measured in the same manner as in Example B1-1.

[0151] (Transparent transfer film)

Apply a solution of thermosetting acrylic urethane resin to the surface of polyethylene terephthalate film to a thickness of 1 m or less (0.3 to 0.5 m) when dried by gravure coating, and dry at 170 ° C for 1 minute. A release layer was formed by curing.

[0152] Next, a polyester atalylate ionizing radiation curable resin coating was applied to the surface of the release layer to a thickness of 6 m when dried, dried at 100 ° C for 30 seconds, and then a primer layer was further applied to the surface. It was formed to a thickness of 2 m. Using a scanning electron beam irradiator, the coated film was irradiated with an electron beam at an acceleration voltage of 175 KV, a beam current of 36 mA, and an irradiation dose of lOMrad to cure the hard coat layer.

[0153] Further, an acrylic resin was gravure coated to a thickness of 1 µm on the surface to form an adhesive layer, and dried at 100 ° C for 1 minute to obtain a transparent transfer film.

[0154] Comparative Example B1

A thermal transfer sheet was prepared in the same manner as in Example B1-1 except that the dry coating amount of the metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet prepared in Example B1-1 was changed to 0.1 lg / m ^2. In the same manner as described above, an image formed product was produced, and the transmittance was measured in the same manner.

[0155] Comparative Example B2

Except for changing such that the dry coating amount of metallic luster layer of the thermal transfer sheets prepared in the above examples B1- 1 to 3. Og / m ² is to prepare a thermal transfer sheet in the same manner as in Example B1- 1 In the same manner as described above, an image formed product was produced, and the transmittance was measured in the same manner.

[0156] Table 3 below shows the measurement results of the transmittances of the image formed products obtained in Examples B1— ;! to B1-10 and Comparative Examples B1 and B2.

[Table 3]

Examples B1— ;! to B1— The image formed product obtained in B-10 is! /, And the transmittance is; under the condition that the transferred metallic luster layer is one layer! ;! ~ 87%, and the difference in transmittance between the first transfer part and the two-rotation transfer part of the metallic gloss layer is 10% or more, and both the transmitted light and reflected light are observed. The two-time transfer part can be recognized separately, and it was excellent in design. In addition, the image formed products obtained in Examples B1-1, B1-3, B1-4, B1-5, B1-6, B1-10 have the same metallic gloss layer transferred, The transmittance was in the range of 20 to 70%, the design was more excellent, and the image formed product was conspicuous. In addition, the image formed products obtained in Examples B1-1, B13, B14, B1-5, B1-6, and B1-10 have transmittances in the first transfer portion and the second transfer portion of the metallic gloss layer. The difference of 20% or more also contributes to the above design properties. However, in Example B1-10, a thermal transfer sheet having a metallic gloss layer was used. Example: Force using the same material as Bl-1 S, Image transfer product obtained by re-transferring the transfer layer transferred to the transparent transfer film to the final transfer target after transfer to the transparent transfer film It is.

[0158] From the results in Table 3, the transmittance of each of the image transfer product obtained in Example B1-10 and the image transfer product obtained in Example B1-1 was measured for the first transfer portion and the second transfer portion. , The difference in transmittance data is the same, and it is used both when transferring directly to the transfer medium and when transferring to the final transfer medium after transferring to a transparent transfer film as an intermediate transfer medium. If the thermal transfer sheet having the metallic gloss layer (color thermal transfer layer) to be used is the same, the transmittance results were similar.

[0159] In the image formed product obtained in Comparative Example B1, the coating amount of the metallic gloss layer was too small, and the overall metallic gloss was poor. The difference in transmittance was so small that the first transfer area and the second transfer area were very difficult to recognize. In addition, the image formed product obtained in Comparative Example B2 has too much metallic gloss layer and high metal gloss, but the transmittance of the first transfer portion and the second transfer portion of the metal gloss layer is high. The difference was so small that the first transfer area and the second transfer area were very difficult to recognize. In both Comparative Examples B1 and B2, the first transfer area and the second transfer area were not clearly distinguishable.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A method of forming an image on a transfer medium using a thermal transfer sheet,

Prepare a thermal transfer sheet with a metallic luster layer on the substrate,

The metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet is applied to the transferred body at least once so that the metallic gloss image area partially overlaps with the metallic gloss image formed on the transferred body but does not become the same. An image forming method, characterized in that a metallic gloss image is formed by thermal transfer.

[2] A method of forming an image on a transfer medium using an intermediate transfer recording medium,

Prepare a thermal transfer sheet with a metallic luster layer on the substrate,

An image forming method, wherein the transfer portion on which the metallic gloss image is formed is re-transferred to a transfer medium to form a metal gloss image on the transfer medium.

[3] A method of forming an image on a transfer medium using a thermal transfer sheet,

An image forming method, wherein a metallic gloss image is formed by thermally transferring a metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet onto a color image formed on the transfer object.

[4] Using an intermediate transfer recording medium to form a metallic gloss image on the transfer target, image formation A method,

The metallic gloss layer of the thermal transfer sheet is thermally transferred to the transfer portion of the intermediate transfer recording medium to form a color image,

An image forming method, wherein the transfer portion on which the metallic gloss image and the color image are formed is re-transferred to a transfer target member to form a metallic gloss image on the transfer target member.

[5] Before transferring the metallic glossy layer and / or the color thermal transfer layer to the transfer target, a thermal transfer sheet having a white ink layer and / or a black ink layer on the substrate is transferred to the transfer target. 4. The method according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the method comprises: previously transferring a white ink layer and / or a black ink layer.

[6] After transferring the metallic gloss layer and / or the color thermal transfer layer to the intermediate transfer recording medium, a thermal transfer sheet having a white ink layer and / or a black ink layer on the substrate is used as the intermediate transfer medium. The method according to claim 2 or 4, further comprising transferring a white ink layer and / or a black ink layer.

[7] The method according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the intermediate transfer recording medium is provided with a receiving layer on a base material via a release layer.

[8] The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising transferring a white ink layer and a black ink layer using a thermal transfer sheet having a white ink layer and a black ink layer on a substrate. The method according to claim 1.

[9] An image composition in which a sublimation type and / or a melt type thermal transfer image is formed on a transfer target,

A second metallic gloss image is formed on the first metallic gloss image so that the first metallic gloss image and the first metallic gloss image area partially overlap but are not the same. The light reflectance difference between the second metallic gloss image area and the other image areas on the surface of the image formation is the L * value in the International Illumination Commission (CIE) L * a * b * color system. An image-formed product, wherein the difference is 0 to 10;

[10] An image composition in which a sublimation type and / or a melt type thermal transfer image is formed on a transfer target,

An image area in which at least one selected from the group consisting of a color image, a black image, a white image, and a gray image is formed, and an image area in which a metallic gloss image is formed so as to cover the entire image area Are formed on the transfer material in this order, and at least one selected from the group consisting of a color image, a black image, a white image, and a gray image on the surface of the image formed product was formed. The light reflectance difference between the image area and the other image areas is 0 to 20 as the difference in L * value in the L * a * b * color system of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). An image formed product characterized by that.

[11] The image-formed product according to [9], wherein a difference in light transmittance between a region where only one layer of the metallic glossy image exists and a region where images of a plurality of layers exist is 10% or more.

[12] The image-formed product according to any one of [9] to [11], wherein the transfer target comprises a transparent or translucent sheet.

[13] A white and / or black image is formed on the lower surface of the image region where at least one selected from the group consisting of the metallic gloss image, color image, black image, white image, and gray image is formed. The image-formed product according to any one of Claims 9 to 12;

[14] An intermediate transfer recording medium in which a transfer portion comprising at least a receiving layer is provided on a substrate so as to be peelable,

A sublimation type and / or a fusion type thermal transfer image is formed in the transfer portion, and the thermal transfer image includes an image region in which a metallic gloss image is formed in order from the substrate side, and one of the image regions. An image area formed with at least one selected from the group consisting of a metallic gloss image, a color image, a black image, a white image, and a gray image, Intermediate transfer recording medium.

[15] An area where only one layer of the metallic gloss image exists and an area where images of multiple layers exist 15. The intermediate transfer recording medium according to claim 14, wherein the difference in light transmittance is 10% or more.

[16] A white and / or black image is formed on the upper surface of the image region where at least one selected from the group consisting of the metallic gloss image, color image, black image, white image, and gray image is formed. The intermediate transfer recording medium according to claim 14 or 15, wherein

[17] In a thermal transfer recording method, using a thermal transfer sheet provided with a metallic gloss layer on a substrate, the metallic gloss layer is thermally transferred a plurality of times to a transfer target to obtain an image formed product having the metallic gloss. And

The method, wherein the transfer part region thermally transferred for the first time of the metallic gloss layer and the transfer part region thermally transferred for the second and subsequent times partially overlap but are not the same.

[18] Using a thermal transfer sheet provided with a metallic gloss layer on a substrate, a metallic gloss layer is formed on a transparent transfer film provided with a release layer, an overcoat layer, and an adhesive layer on the substrate. In the thermal transfer recording method, an image formed product having a metallic luster is obtained by thermally transferring the image and transferring the heat-transferred transfer layer again to the transfer material.

[19] In a thermal transfer recording method for forming an image on a transferred material using a thermal transfer sheet, the thermal transfer sheet having a color thermal transfer layer on a substrate is used. The transfer layer is partially thermally transferred, and further, the metallic gloss layer is thermally transferred onto the thermal transfer layer transferred to the transfer medium using a thermal transfer sheet having the metallic gloss layer on the substrate. ,Method.

[20] Using a thermal transfer sheet, the image is thermally transferred to a transparent transfer film in which a release layer, an overcoat layer, and an adhesive layer are provided on a base material. To the thermal transfer recording method that forms an image again!

Using a thermal transfer sheet having a metallic gloss layer on a substrate, thermally transferring the metallic gloss layer to the transparent transfer film, and further using a thermal transfer sheet having a color thermal transfer layer on the substrate, the transfer film. The thermal transfer layer is placed on the transferred metallic luster layer. A method of performing thermal transfer in minutes.

[21] Using the thermal transfer sheet provided with a white ink layer and / or a black ink layer on a substrate, in addition to the metallic gloss layer transferred a plurality of times, a white ink layer and / or a black ink layer The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein is thermally transferred.

[22] The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein, in addition to the thermal transfer layer, the white ink layer and the black ink layer are thermally transferred using a thermal transfer sheet provided with a white ink layer and / or a black ink layer on a substrate. The method described.

[23] The metallic luster layer according to claim 17-20, wherein the transmittance is 10 to 90% under the condition of one layer.

V, the method according to item 1 above.

[24] The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein a difference in light transmittance between the region thermally transferred at the first time and the region thermally transferred a plurality of times to the metallic gloss layer is 10% or more. .

[25] An image formed product formed by the thermal transfer recording method according to any one of [17] to [24].