JP2009083146A - Heat transfer sheet, and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for forming an image having metal glossiness on a heat transfer image receiving sheet, and a heat transfer sheet usable in the image forming method, in which an obtained image has excellent metal glossiness, with stability in smoothness and glossiness along the whole surface of the obtained image, and excellent quality in design performance. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming method, a specific heat transfer sheet is used, so that an image having metal glossiness is formed on the heat transfer image receiving sheet. The method comprises A: a process of transferring a color agent layer from a color agent layer transfer range of the heat transfer sheet to the heat transfer image receiving sheet to form a heat transfer image, B: a process of transferring a protective layer from a protective layer transfer range of the heat transfer sheet onto the above heat transfer image, and C: a process of transferring a metal ink layer with a releasable layer from a metal glossiness layer transfer range of the heat transfer sheet onto the above protective layer. The processes of A, B, C are carried out in order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer sheet and an image forming method using the thermal transfer sheet, and in particular, a thermal transfer sheet in which a color material layer transfer region, a protective layer transfer region, and a metallic gloss layer transfer region are provided in a surface sequence on a base sheet. And a method of forming an image having a metallic luster on the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet using the thermal transfer sheet, and the obtained image-formed product has an excellent metal gloss and is on the entire surface of the image-formed product. The present invention relates to a thermal transfer sheet and an image forming method that can be provided as products having stable smoothness and glossiness and excellent quality in design and the like.

  Conventionally, non-impact printing is used for electrophotographic copying, ink jet recording, thermal transfer recording such as melt transfer recording and sublimation transfer recording, thermal color development recording, etc. It is widely used as a hard copy. Among the above recording methods, the thermal transfer method is attracting attention because it can reproduce special colors (fluorescent colors, gold and silver colors, etc.) that cannot be reproduced by inkjet or electrophotography, and there is a demand for thermal transfer sheets that can print these special colors. It is growing.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, as a thermal transfer sheet for recording characters or images having a fluorescent color by a thermal transfer recording method, a binder in a fluorescent ink layer provided on a substrate is a resin having at least two different glass transition points. It is a mixture and defines the range of the content of the fluorescent pigment or fluorescent dye in the fluorescent ink layer. Patent Document 2 proposes a thermal transfer sheet having a metallic luster in which a vapor deposition anchor layer, a metal vapor deposition layer, and an adhesive layer are sequentially provided on one surface of a substrate. Patent Document 3 proposes a heat-sensitive transfer material in which an ink layer in which a metal powder pigment such as aluminum or bronze is dispersed in a heat-meltable vehicle is provided on a support.

An image having a metallic color or a fluorescent color can be obtained under the conditions described in the literature as mentioned above, but there is a problem that the metallic luster and the glossy fluorescence are not yet sufficient. On the other hand, attempts have been made to improve the smoothness of the image surface by transferring a protective layer onto an image having a special color such as a metal color or fluorescent color transferred. However, in order to secure the special color, the layer of the special color to be transferred (special color layer) has a large thickness, and the protective film is coated on the end of the transferred area of the special color layer on the transfer target. The layer does not adhere to the transfer target, and floating occurs, or the transfer failure of the protective layer occurs, resulting in variations in smoothness and glossiness on the surface of the image formed product, and excellent design and the like. A print with quality has not been realized.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-178204 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-16415 JP 63-290789 A

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and in the method of forming an image having metallic luster on a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet, the obtained image formed article has excellent metallic luster. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming method and a thermal transfer sheet used in the image forming method, which have stable quality and glossiness on the entire surface of the image formed product and have excellent quality such as design.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the thermal transfer sheet in which the color material layer transfer region, the protective layer transfer region, and the metallic gloss layer transfer region are provided in a surface sequential manner on the base material sheet, the color material layer transfer region has at least one color. It is characterized by comprising the above color material layer, the protective layer transfer region comprising at least a protective layer, and the metallic gloss layer transfer region comprising a laminate of a release layer and a metal ink layer. A second aspect of the present invention is a method for forming an image having a metallic luster on a thermal transfer image receiving sheet using the thermal transfer sheet according to the first aspect,
A. A step of transferring a color material layer from a color material layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet to a thermal transfer image receiving sheet to form a thermal transfer image;
B. A step of transferring the protective layer from the protective layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet onto the formed thermal transfer image;
C. From the metallic gloss layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet, on the transferred protective layer, along with a release layer, and a step of transferring a metal ink layer,
The steps A, B, and C are sequentially performed.

  The image forming method of the present invention described above uses a single thermal transfer sheet in which a color material layer transfer region, a protective layer transfer region, and a metallic gloss layer transfer region are provided in the same order on the same base sheet, A color material layer is transferred to a sheet to form a thermal transfer image, a protective layer is transferred onto the formed thermal transfer image, and a metal ink layer is transferred onto the transferred protective layer together with a release layer. Thus, an image having metallic luster can be formed on the thermal transfer image receiving sheet. The resulting image formed product has the metallic gloss layer at the outermost surface position, has excellent metallic gloss, the surface of the transferred protective layer is uniform, and has high flatness, and the entire surface of the image formed product. The glossiness is stable and the quality is excellent in design and the like.

  In the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention, the color material layer transfer region, the protective layer transfer region, and the metallic gloss layer transfer region are provided in the surface order on the base material sheet, that is, these transfer regions are provided on the same base material. In addition, they are formed by integration in the surface order. Therefore, when this thermal transfer sheet is used, the color material layer transfer region is composed of at least one color material layer, the protective layer transfer region is composed of at least the protective layer, and the metallic gloss layer transfer region is composed of the release layer and the metal ink. With a layered structure, a thermal transfer image by a color material layer, a transferred protective layer, and an image having a metallic luster by a metallic luster layer are successively and sequentially formed on one thermal transfer image-receiving sheet, thereby efficiently producing an image. A formation can be made.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a thermal transfer sheet 1 of the present invention. A yellow color material layer (Y), a magenta color material layer (M), and cyan are formed on one surface of a base sheet 2. On the transferable protective layer 7 in which the release layer 5 and the protective layer 6 are laminated on the three thermal transferable colorant layers 3 of the colorant layer (C) and the release layer 4, and on the release layer 8 The metallic luster layer 11 in which the peeling layer 9 and the metal ink layer 10 are laminated is formed repeatedly in the surface order. In FIG. 1, three heat transferable color material layers 3 of a yellow color material layer (Y), a magenta color material layer (M), and a cyan color material layer (C) are shown as color material layer transfer regions. Further, the part where the release layer 5 and the protective layer 6 are laminated on the release layer 4 is a protective layer transfer region, and the release layer 9 and the metal ink layer 10 are further laminated on the release layer 8. The portion that has been made is the metallic gloss layer transfer region. In FIG. 1, a release layer is provided between the transferable protective layer and the base sheet, and between the metallic gloss layer and the base sheet. However, the surface of the base sheet itself has release properties. If so, it is possible to remove the release layer. In that case, it is preferable to provide an adhesive layer (adhesive layer) between the base sheet and the heat transferable color material layer. In FIG. 1, a transferable protective layer composed of two layers, a peeling layer and a protective layer, is shown, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration composed of a single protective layer. Then, the transfer layer is accurately transferred to a predetermined position of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet by a thermal transfer printer at the head of the area where all the color material layers 3, the transferable protective layer 7, and the metallic gloss layer 11 are formed. The detection mark 12 for making it form is formed. Furthermore, a heat-resistant slip layer 13 is provided on the other surface of the base sheet 2 of the thermal transfer sheet 1.

Hereinafter, each layer constituting the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention will be described in detail.
(Substrate sheet)
The base sheet 2 of the thermal transfer sheet used in the present invention may be any material as long as it has a certain level of heat resistance and strength known in the art, and the surface of the sheet is subjected to an easy adhesion treatment, and others. Can also be used, and is not particularly limited. However, when using a base sheet that has been subjected to easy adhesion treatment, it is desirable to provide a release layer between the base sheet and the release layer. Specific examples of preferable substrate sheets include, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate film, a 1,4-polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate film, and a polyethylene naphthalate film having a thickness of about 0.5 to 50 μm, preferably about 2.5 to 10 μm. , Polyphenylene sulfide film, polystyrene film, polypropylene film, polysulfone film, aramid film, polycarbonate film, polyvinyl alcohol film, cellophane, cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate, polyethylene film, polyvinyl chloride film, nylon film, polyimide film, ionomer film Etc.

(Heat transferable color material layer)
In the present invention, the heat transferable color material layer 3 may be either a color material layer made of heat-meltable ink or a color material layer containing a sublimable dye. The hot-melt ink used in the present invention comprises a colorant and a vehicle, and various additives are added as necessary. As the colorant, among organic or inorganic pigments or dyes, those having a color density required as a recording material and not discolored by light, heat, temperature or the like are preferable. In addition, a substance that develops color when heated or a substance that develops color when in contact with a substance applied to the transfer target can also be used. In addition to cyan, magenta, yellow, black and the like, various colorants can be used as the colorant.

  The vehicle is mainly composed of a wax, and in addition, a mixture of a wax and a drying oil, resin, mineral oil, cellulose, rubber derivatives, or the like is used. The heat transferable color material layer made of heat meltable ink may contain a heat conductive material in order to give good heat conductivity and melt transferability. Examples of such a heat conductive material include carbonaceous materials such as carbon black, aluminum, copper, tin oxide, and molybdenum disulfide. Examples of the method for forming the heat transferable color material layer on the base film using the above hot melt ink include known methods such as hot melt coating, hot lacquer coating, gravure coating, gravure reverse coating, and roll coating. It is done. The thickness of the heat transferable color material layer made of a heat-meltable ink can be appropriately determined in consideration of the required printing density, thermal sensitivity, etc., and is usually about 0.1 to 30 μm.

  The heat transferable color material layer (dye layer) containing a sublimable dye is obtained by dispersing or dissolving a heat transferable dye in a binder resin. As the binder resin, those having a moderate affinity with the dye, and those in which the dye in the binder resin sublimates (thermally diffuses) by heating with a thermal head and is transferred to the transfer target are suitable. Use resin that does not transfer. Examples of the resin used as such a binder resin include cellulose resins such as ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, and acetic acid / butyric acid cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyacetic acid. Examples thereof include vinyl resins such as vinyl, polyvinyl acetoacetal, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylamide, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyester, and polyamide.

  The proportion of the dye contained in the heat transferable color material layer varies depending on the dye sublimation (melting) temperature, dyeing property, etc., but is preferably 30 parts by mass or more, more preferably 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. Is 30 to 300 parts by weight. When the amount of the dye is less than 30 parts by mass, the printing density and the thermal sensitivity are low, and when it exceeds 300 parts by mass, the storage property and the adhesion of the heat transferable color material layer to the base film are deteriorated.

  The dye used in the heat transferable color material layer is a dye which melts, diffuses or sublimates by heat and moves to the transfer target, and a disperse dye is particularly preferably used. The dye is selected in consideration of sublimation (melting) property, hue, light resistance, solubility in a binder resin, and the like. As these dyes, for example, methine series such as diarylmethane series, triarylmethane series, thiazole series, merocyanine, indoaniline, acetophenone azomethine, pyrazoloazomethine, imidazole azomethine, imidazoazomethine, azomethine series represented by pyridone azomethine , Xanthene series, oxazine series, dicyanostyrene, cyanomethylene series represented by tricyanostyrene, thiazine series, azine series, acridine series, benzeneazo series, pyridoneazo, thiophenazo, isothiazole azo, pyrrole azo, pyrazole azo, imidazole azo, Azos such as thiadiazole azo, triazole azo, disazo, spiropyran, indolinospiropyran, fluoran, rhodamine lactam, naphthoquinone, anthraquino Systems include the quinophthalone like.

In order to provide the heat transferable color material layer, which is a dye layer, on the base film, a known method can be used. For example, a dye and binder resin are dissolved or dispersed together with a solvent to prepare an ink composition for a heat transferable color material layer, which is provided on a base film by a method appropriately selected from known printing methods or coating methods. It ’s fine. The thickness of the dye layer is suitably 0.2 to 5.0 g / m ^{2 in} a dry state, and preferably about 0.4 to 2.0 g / m ^{2 in a} dry state.

  In the present invention, in particular, a yellow color material layer (Y), a magenta color material layer (M), and a cyan color material layer (C) are sequentially formed as a heat transferable color material layer containing a sublimation dye on the base sheet. Thus, it is preferable to form a high-quality thermal transfer image comparable to a full-color photographic image. Further, as the heat transferable color material layer, a black color material layer can be incorporated by adding a dye layer or a color material layer made of heat-meltable ink.

(Release layer)
In the present invention, the transferable protective layer and the metallic gloss layer can be formed on the base sheet via the release layers 4 and 8. Binder resins that can be used for the release layer include thermoplastic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, and polybutyl acrylate, polyvinyl acetate, and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer. And vinyl resins such as polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl butyral, cellulose derivatives of ethyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, and cellulose acetate, unsaturated polyester resins that are thermosetting resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, aminoalkyd resins, and the like. In addition, in order to improve the releasability between the transferable protective layer and the metallic gloss layer, silicone resin, melamine resin, fluorine resin, etc. can be used as the binder resin having releasability, and further acrylic resin, vinyl A graft polymer in which a releasable segment such as a polysiloxane segment or a fluorocarbon segment is grafted in a resin molecule such as a polyester resin or a polyester resin may be used, and the release layer is one or two of the above resins. It can be comprised from the composition which consists of seed | species or more. Such a release layer can be formed by a method appropriately selected from conventionally known printing methods or coating methods, and the thickness of the dye layer is 0.2 to 3.0 g / m ^{2 in} a dry state. The thickness is preferably about 0.4 to 2.0 g / m ² in a dry state.

(Peeling layer)
The release layers 5 and 9 formed on the release layer are melted at the time of thermal transfer, and the transferable protective layer 7 or the metallic luster layer improves the release from the release layer. Or a surface layer of a metallic luster layer. However, in the case of a transferable protective layer, this release layer is not an essential condition. This release layer mainly functions to improve the scratch resistance after transfer to the thermal transfer image receiving sheet. The release layer is transparent to the extent that the metallic color of the metallic luster layer is not inhibited, and to the extent that the hue of the color image of the thermal transfer covered with the protective layer is not inhibited. For this release layer, for example, acrylic resin, olefin resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, silicone resin, fluorine resin, silicone or various resins modified with fluorine having excellent release properties can be used. Waxes can also be used, and the above materials can be mixed and used.

  As the above-mentioned wax, various waxes that melt at the time of printing and exhibit releasability are preferable. Suitable waxes include, 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, Various waxes such as petrolactam, partially modified wax, fatty acid ester, fatty acid amide and the like can be mentioned.

  An organic filler and / or an inorganic filler may be added to the release layer in order to improve slipperiness and foil breakability. Specific examples include silica wax such as polyethylene wax, bisamide, nylon, acrylic resin, crosslinked polystyrene, silicone resin, silicone rubber, talc, calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, microsilica, colloidal silica, etc. Anything can be used. The organic filler and / or the inorganic filler have good sliding properties, and the particle diameter is preferably 10 μm or less, preferably 0.1 to 3 μm. The amount of the filler added is preferably in the range of 0 to 100 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the resin content as described above, and the degree of transparency being maintained when transferred.

When providing a release layer adjacent to the metal ink layer as part of the metallic luster layer, the inherent hue of the metal ink layer can be changed to other hues by adding a colorant such as a dye or pigment to the release layer. By changing it, the decorativeness can be further improved. For example, the metallic ink layer is provided with a colored release layer having various transparency such as yellow, red, green, blue, etc. for silver which is a unique color of aluminum powder, thereby enhancing the decorativeness. The hue and luster of metals such as gold, copper and bronze can be easily imparted. The release layer is preferably a thin layer, for example, a thickness of about 0.1 to ² g / m ^{2 in} a dry state so as not to reduce the sensitivity of the thermal transfer sheet.

(Protective layer)
The protective layer 6 constituting the transferable protective layer 7 in the present invention will be described. Examples of the protective layer forming resin include polyester resins, polystyrene resins, acrylic resins, polyurethane resins, acrylic urethane resins, resins obtained by modifying these resins with silicone, mixtures of these resins, ionizing radiation curable resins, ultraviolet rays Absorptive resin etc. can be illustrated. The protective layer containing the ionizing radiation curable resin is particularly excellent in plasticizer resistance and scratch resistance. As the ionizing radiation curable resin, known ones can be used. For example, a radical polymerizable polymer or oligomer is crosslinked and cured by ionizing radiation irradiation, and a photopolymerization initiator is added if necessary, and an electron beam Those obtained by polymerization and crosslinking with ultraviolet rays can be used.

  By containing an ultraviolet absorber in the protective layer, it is possible to further improve the light resistance, weather resistance, and the like of the thermal transfer image of the transfer target covered with the protective layer after being transferred. Examples of the ultraviolet absorber include salicylate-based, benzophenone-based, benzotriazole-based, triazine-based, substituted acrylonitrile-based, nickel chelate-based, hindered amine-based and the like, which are conventionally known organic ultraviolet absorbers. To the non-reactive organic ultraviolet absorbers mentioned above, addition polymerizable double bonds (for example, vinyl group, acryloyl group, methacryloyl group, etc.), alcoholic hydroxyl group, amino group, carboxyl group, epoxy group, isocyanate group, etc. It is also possible to use a UV-absorbing resin obtained by reacting and bonding a reactive UV absorber having a reactive group introduced thereto with a thermoplastic resin or the above-mentioned ionizing radiation curable resin.

The protective layer as described above is obtained by dissolving or dispersing the above resin in a general-purpose solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, isopropyl alcohol, or ethyl acetate, and if necessary, an ultraviolet absorber, an antioxidant, a fluorescent whitening agent. An agent, an inorganic or organic filler component, a surfactant, a release agent, etc. are added to prepare a coating solution, and the coating solution is usually dried by a method such as a conventionally known gravure coating or gravure reverse coating. To a thickness of about 0.5 to 10 g / m ² .

(Metal ink layer)
The metallic ink layer 10 that is a part of the metallic luster layer of the present invention contains at least aluminum powder, and further contains a binder and, if necessary, various additives such as a colorant, a dispersant, and an antistatic agent. Can be added. The aluminum powder is preferably in the form of flakes, and the powder itself can be used even if it is surface-treated with a color pigment or resin or the like, or is not surface-treated. The aluminum powder includes a non-leafing type in which aluminum flakes are uniformly dispersed and arranged in the coating film, and a leafing type in which aluminum flakes float on the surface of the coating film due to surface tension and are arranged in parallel. The leafing type improves glossiness, but has a lot of aluminum flakes on the surface and a small amount of binder, which tends to deteriorate the adhesion to the transfer medium. Moreover, when it is desired to further increase the glossiness, an aluminum powder obtained by pigmenting an aluminum deposited film can be used, and a color tone close to plating can be obtained. It can be produced by the method shown below.

  1. A release surface is formed on a roll or continuous carrier sheet. 2. Aluminum is deposited on the release surface by vapor deposition to form an aluminum film. 3. The release surface is dissolved to separate the aluminum film and the carrier sheet from each other. 4). The separated aluminum film is subdivided into dimensions suitable for use in coating inks. The leafing-type aluminum powder produced as described above has a thickness of about 0.01 to 0.05 μm, an average diameter of about 10 to 50 μm, and a scaly shape.

  A binder is used to hold the aluminum powder in the metal ink layer. The binder is preferably composed mainly of a resin. Specifically, as the resin, a cellulose resin, a melamine resin, a polyester resin, a polyamide resin, a polyolefin resin, an acrylic resin, a styrene resin, Examples thereof include thermoplastic elastomers such as vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, and styrene-butadiene rubber. In particular, those having a relatively low softening point, for example, a softening point of 50 to 150 ° C., conventionally used as a heat-sensitive adhesive are preferable. Among the resins used as the binder, cellulose resins, melamine resins, and acrylic resins are preferably used particularly in terms of transferability, scratch resistance, heat resistance, and the like.

  In order to form a metal ink layer, it is preferable to use an ink composition in which aluminum powder is mixed in an amount of 80 to 20% by weight and a binder is mixed in an amount of 20 to 80% by weight with respect to the solid content of the entire metal ink layer. . When the aluminum powder is less than the above range, metallic luster cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of aluminum powder is larger than the above range, film formability cannot be obtained, which causes a reduction in scratching after printing.

  In addition, if necessary, a wax component can be mixed and used 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 wax, ibota wax, wool wax, shellac wax, candelilla wax, petrolactam, polyester wax, partially modified wax, fatty acid ester, fatty acid amide, etc. Wax. Among these, those having a melting point of 50 to 85 ° C. are particularly preferable. When the temperature is 50 ° C. or lower, a problem occurs in storage stability, and when the temperature is 85 ° C. or higher, printing sensitivity is insufficient.

  By including a colorant such as a dye or a pigment, the metal ink layer can change the hue and further improve the decorative properties. The above colorants can be selected from various hues such as yellow, red, green and blue, and can easily give the hue and luster of metals such as gold, copper and bronze.

The metal ink layer is formed by adding a leafing-type aluminum powder as described above and additives such as a colorant and other dispersants as necessary, and blending and adjusting a binder component and a solvent component such as an organic solvent. The ink layer forming coating solution is dried in a thickness of 0.1 to 5 g / m ² , preferably 0.00 by a conventionally known method such as gravure direct coating, gravure reverse coating, knife coating, air coating or roll coating. 3 to 1.5 g / m ² is provided. When the thickness of the dry coating film is less than 0.1 g / m ² , a uniform coating film cannot be obtained due to film formation problems, and when the thickness exceeds 5 g / m ² , However, high energy is required, and there is a problem that printing can be performed only with a special thermal transfer printer.

(Heat resistant slipping layer)
In the thermal transfer sheet of the present invention, the heat resistant slipping layer 13 is preferably provided on the back surface of the base sheet. The heat-resistant slip layer is provided for the purpose of preventing thermal fusion between a heating device such as a thermal head and a base sheet and smooth running. Examples of the resin used for the heat resistant slipping layer include cellulose resins such as ethyl cellulose, hydroxy cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and nitrocellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl butyral, and polyvinyl. Vinyl resins such as acetal and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl acrylate, polyacrylamide, and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, polyamide resins, polyvinyl toluene resins, coumarone indene resins, polyester resins A simple substance or a mixture of natural or synthetic resins such as polyurethane resin, silicone-modified or fluorine-modified urethane is used. In order to further improve the heat resistance of the heat resistant slipping layer, among the above resins, a resin having a hydroxyl group functional group is used, and a polyisocyanate or the like is used as a crosslinking agent to form a crosslinked resin layer. Is preferred.

Further, in order to impart slidability with the thermal head, a solid or liquid release agent or lubricant may be added to the heat-resistant slip layer to provide heat-resistant slip. Examples of release agents or lubricants include various waxes such as polyethylene wax and paraffin wax, higher fatty acid alcohols, organopolysiloxanes, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and nonionic surfactants. Agents, fluorine surfactants, organic carboxylic acids and derivatives thereof, fluorine resins, silicone resins, fine particles of inorganic compounds such as talc and silica can be used. The amount of the lubricant contained in the heat resistant slipping layer is 5 to 50% by mass, preferably about 10 to 30% by mass. Such heat-resistant lubricating layer is a conventionally known coating method, to form, with a thickness dry, 0.1 to 10 g / m ^2, preferably about 0.5 to 5 g / m ² approximately It can be.

(Image forming method)
An image forming method of the present invention is a method for forming an image having a metallic luster on a thermal transfer image receiving sheet using the above thermal transfer sheet,
A. A step of transferring a color material layer from a color material layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet to a thermal transfer image receiving sheet to form a thermal transfer image;
B. A step of transferring the protective layer from the protective layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet onto the formed thermal transfer image;
C. From the metallic gloss layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet, on the transferred protective layer, along with a release layer, and a step of transferring a metal ink layer,
The steps A, B, and C are sequentially performed.

The image forming conditions in the above-mentioned step A are, for example, from the thermal transferable colorant layer of the dye layer to the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet by a thermal head under the conditions of a printing speed of 5 to 33.3 msec / line and an applied energy of 5 to 160 mJ / mm ² . The dye is transferred to the dye receiving layer to form an image. In the case where the heat transferable color material layer is a color material layer made of a heat-meltable ink, for example, the heat-meltable ink layer under the conditions of a printing speed of 5 to 33.3 msec / line and an applied energy of 5 to 50 mJ / mm ^2. Then, the heat-meltable ink is transferred to a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet to form an image.

The image forming conditions in the above-mentioned Step B are, for example, transferred onto the thermal transfer image by a thermal head under the conditions of a printing speed of 5 to 33.3 msec / line and an applied energy of 80 to 160 mJ / mm ^2. To do. The transfer pattern at this time is a uniform solid pattern, and includes the entire surface of the image receiving surface of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet, a rectangle excluding the periphery, and an ellipse. Further, the image forming conditions in the above-mentioned step C are, for example, on the above-mentioned protective layer transferred with a thermal head under the conditions of a printing speed of 5 to 33.3 msec / line and an applied energy of 10 to 70 mJ / mm ² . The metallic gloss layer is transferred in various patterns.

  When the above steps A, B, and C are sequentially performed, the thermal transfer sheet is obtained by superimposing the color material layer transfer region, the protective layer transfer region, and the metallic gloss layer transfer region in the order of these regions and the thermal transfer image receiving sheet. It is conveyed in one direction so as to be heated by the thermal head. On the other hand, when the thermal transfer image receiving sheet is conveyed in conjunction with the thermal transfer sheet, in step A, after the yellow color material layer (Y) is transferred, the thermal transfer image receiving sheet is conveyed in the reverse direction to obtain an image. Returning to the formation start position, the magenta color material layer (M) is transferred, and the cyan color material layer (C) is transferred in the same manner. In step B, the thermal transfer image receiving sheet is linked with the thermal transfer sheet. When the sheet is conveyed, the thermal transfer image receiving sheet is conveyed so as to return to the transfer start position, and the protective layer is transferred. Next, in step C, when the thermal transfer image receiving sheet is conveyed in conjunction with the thermal transfer sheet, the thermal transfer image receiving sheet is conveyed so as to return to the transfer start position, and the metallic gloss layer is transferred. When performing the above steps A, B, and C in sequence, one thermal transfer sheet in which a color material layer transfer region, a protective layer transfer region, and a metallic gloss layer transfer region are provided in the surface order on the same base sheet is used. Using the same thermal head, the thermal transfer image by the color material layer, the transferred protective layer, and the image having the metallic luster by the metallic gloss layer are inlined on the thermal transfer image receiving sheet by one thermal transfer printer. It can be formed and is very efficient.

Next, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, parts or% is based on mass.
Example 1
A polyethylene terephthalate film having a surface of 4.5 μm with an easy adhesion treatment is used as a base sheet, and one side (non-adhesion treatment surface) of the heat-resistant slipping layer 13 having the following composition is 1.0 g / m ^2. (Dry state) On the opposite surface of the base sheet, a yellow dye layer (Y), a magenta dye layer (M), and a cyan dye layer (C) having the following composition are arranged in the arrangement shown in FIG. All three colors were formed by a coating method at 1.0 g / m ² (dry state).

(Heat resistant slipping layer coating solution)
13.6 parts of polyvinyl butyral resin (SREC BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.)
0.6 parts of polyisocyanate curing agent (Takenate D218, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Polyurethanes)
Phosphate ester (Pricesurf A208N, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) 0.8 part Methyl ethyl ketone 42.5 parts Toluene 42.5 parts

(Yellow dye layer coating solution)
Yellow dye (CI Disperse Yellow 201) 5.5 parts Polyvinylacetoacetal (ESREC KS-5, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 4.5 parts Methyl ethyl ketone / toluene (mass ratio 1/1) 89.0 parts

(Magenta dye layer coating solution)
Magenta dye (CI Disperse Red 60) 5.5 parts Polyvinyl acetoacetal (ESREC KS-5, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 4.5 parts Methyl ethyl ketone / toluene (mass ratio 1/1) 89.0 parts

(Cyan dye layer coating solution)
Cyan dye (CI Solvent Blue 63) 5.5 parts Polyvinyl acetoacetal (ESREC KS-5, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 4.5 parts Methyl ethyl ketone / toluene (mass ratio 1/1) 89.0 parts

Next, the release layers 4 and 8 having the following composition are formed at 1.0 g / m ² (dry state) by gravure printing in the arrangement shown in FIG. The release layer 5 is formed by gravure printing with the following composition at 0.6 g / m ² (dry state), and further, the protective layer 6 is formed with gravure printing on the release layer 5 with the following composition. , 1.0 g / m ² (dry state). (It was formed with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1)

(Release layer coating solution)
32 parts of silicone-modified acrylic resin (Cell Top 226, manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.)
16 parts of silicone-modified acrylic resin (Cell Top 227, manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.)
4.8 parts of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (Solvine A, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Curing catalyst (Cell Top CAT-A, manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 9 parts Toluene 19.1 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 19.1 parts

(Release layer coating solution)
Acrylic resin (Dianar BR-87, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) 30.0 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 35.0 parts Toluene 35.0 parts

(Protective layer coating solution)
Polyester resin (Byron 200, manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.) 40 parts UV-absorbing acrylic copolymer 10 parts (ULS-635L, manufactured by Yushi Kogyo Co., Ltd.)
Ultraviolet absorber (TINUVIN900, manufactured by Ciba Japan Co., Ltd.) 5 parts Silica (Silicia 310, manufactured by Fuji Silysia Chemical Co., Ltd.) 0.8 part Methyl ethyl ketone 22.1 parts Toluene 22.1 parts

Further, a release layer 9 is formed on the release layer 8 with the following composition by gravure printing at 0.6 g / m ² (dry state). With the composition, the metal ink layer 10 was formed by gravure printing at 0.7 g / m ² (dry state), and the thermal transfer sheet of Example 1 was produced. (It was formed with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1)

(Release layer coating solution)
Acrylic resin (Dianar BR-87, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) 24.0 parts Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin 6.0 parts (Solvine CNL, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Polyethylene wax (particle size 6 μm) 1.0 part Polyester resin (Byron 200, manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.) 0.1 part Methyl ethyl ketone 34.6 parts Toluene 34.3 parts

(Metal ink layer coating liquid)
20.0 parts of aluminum powder (aluminum paste 5502N, manufactured by Showa Aluminum Powder Co., Ltd.)
Acrylic resin (Dianar BR-77, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) 15.0 parts Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin 5.0 parts (Solvine CNL, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Methyl ethyl ketone 25.0 parts Toluene 35.0 parts

(Example 2)
Except that the release layer 9 in the thermal transfer sheet prepared in Example 1 was changed to the following composition and formed by gravure printing at 1.0 g / m ² (dry state), the same as in Example 1. A thermal transfer sheet of Example 2 was produced. (It was formed with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1)

(Release layer coating solution)
Yellow pigment (Pigment Yellow 139) 10.0 parts Red pigment (Pigment Red 149) 0.1 part Acrylic resin (Dianal BR-87, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) 10.8 parts Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin 2.7 parts (Solvine CNL, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Polyethylene wax (particle size 6 μm) 0.4 part Polyester resin (Byron 200, manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.) 0.2 part Methyl ethyl ketone 37.9 parts Toluene 37.9 parts

(Example 3)
Except that the release layer 9 in the thermal transfer sheet prepared in Example 1 was changed to the following composition and formed by gravure printing at 0.7 g / m ² (dry state), the same as in Example 1. A thermal transfer sheet of Example 3 was produced. (It was formed with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1)

(Release layer coating solution)
3.0 parts of yellow dye (CI Disperse Yellow 201)
Acrylic resin (Dianar BR-87, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) 19.5 parts Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin 5.1 parts (Solvine CNL, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Polyethylene wax (particle size 6 μm) 1.0 part Methyl ethyl ketone 36.1 parts Toluene 35.3 parts

Example 4
Except that the metal ink layer 10 in the thermal transfer sheet prepared in Example 1 was changed to the following composition and formed by gravure printing at 0.7 g / m ² (dry state), the same as in Example 1. Thus, a thermal transfer sheet of Example 4 was produced. (It was formed with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1)

(Metal ink layer coating liquid)
28.0 parts of aluminum powder (aluminum paste 5502N, manufactured by Showa Aluminum Powder Co., Ltd.)
Acrylic resin (Dianar BR-77, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) 10.5 parts Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin 3.5 parts (Solvine CNL, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Methyl ethyl ketone 24.0 parts Toluene 34.0 parts

(Example 5)
Except that the metal ink layer 10 in the thermal transfer sheet produced in Example 1 was changed to the following composition and formed by gravure printing at 0.8 g / m ² (dry state), the same as in Example 1. Thus, a thermal transfer sheet of Example 5 was produced. (It was formed with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1)

(Metal ink layer coating liquid)
Yellow pigment (Pigment Yellow 139) 7.0 parts Red pigment (Pigment Red 149) 0.1 part Aluminum powder 7.0 parts (Aluminum paste 5502N, Showa Aluminum Powder Co., Ltd.)
Acrylic resin (Dianar BR-77, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) 12.0 parts Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin 4.0 parts (Solvine CNL, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Methyl ethyl ketone 29.5 parts Toluene 40.4 parts

(Comparative Example 1)
Under the conditions of the thermal transfer sheet prepared in Example 1, three units of a polyethylene terephthalate film having a 4.5 μm-thick surface treated with easy adhesion were prepared, and the first base sheet and second base sheet were prepared. As a material sheet and a third base sheet, a heat resistant slipping layer was formed on one surface of each base sheet in the same manner as in Example 1. On the other surface of the first base sheet, a yellow dye layer (Y), a magenta dye layer (M), and a cyan dye layer (C) are sequentially arranged in the same manner as in the conditions for producing the dye layer in Example 1. A thermal transfer sheet 1 having a color material layer transfer region was prepared. In addition, the release layer 4, the release layer 5, and the protective layer 6 are laminated on the other surface of the second base sheet in the same manner as in the condition prepared in Example 1 to have a protective layer transfer region. A thermal transfer sheet 2 was produced. In addition, a release layer 8, a release layer 9, and a metal ink layer 10 are laminated on the other surface of the third base sheet in the same manner as in the condition prepared in Example 1, and a metallic gloss layer transfer region is obtained. A thermal transfer sheet (3-1) having

(Comparative Example 2)
In the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, a thermal transfer sheet 1 having a color material layer transfer region and a thermal transfer sheet 2 having a protective layer transfer region were produced. In addition, a release layer, a release layer 9, and a metal ink layer 10 are laminated on the other surface of the third base sheet in the same manner as in Example 2 to form a metallic gloss layer transfer region. A thermal transfer sheet (3-2) was prepared.

(Comparative Example 3)
In the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, a thermal transfer sheet 1 having a color material layer transfer region and a thermal transfer sheet 2 having a protective layer transfer region were produced. In addition, a release layer, a release layer 9 and a metal ink layer 10 are laminated on the other surface of the third base sheet in the same manner as in Example 3 to form a metallic gloss layer transfer region. A thermal transfer sheet (3-3) was prepared.

(Comparative Example 4)
In the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, a thermal transfer sheet 1 having a color material layer transfer region and a thermal transfer sheet 2 having a protective layer transfer region were produced. In addition, a release layer, a release layer 9 and a metal ink layer 10 are laminated on the other surface of the third base sheet in the same manner as in the condition prepared in Example 4 so that a metallic gloss layer transfer region is formed. A thermal transfer sheet (3-4) was prepared.

(Comparative Example 5)
In the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, a thermal transfer sheet 1 having a color material layer transfer region and a thermal transfer sheet 2 having a protective layer transfer region were produced. In addition, a release layer, a release layer 9, and a metal ink layer 10 are laminated on the other surface of the third base sheet in the same manner as in Example 5 to form a metallic gloss layer transfer region. A thermal transfer sheet (3-5) was prepared.

In the above embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet of Examples 1 to 5 and A. In the process of transferring the color material layer from the color material layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet to the thermal transfer image receiving sheet to form a thermal transfer image, the receiving layer surface of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet and the dye layer surface of the thermal transfer sheet are superposed to obtain a resolution of 6 pressed between the thermal head and the platen roll dots / mm, the step pattern of sequentially incremented by 10 mJ / mm ² from 10 mJ / mm ² to 160 mJ / mm ^2, a feed pitch 6line / mm, the printing speed 5 msec / line Under the conditions, the dye was transferred from the back surface of the thermal transfer sheet to the receiving layer of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet.

(Thermal transfer image receiving sheet)
After applying and drying an intermediate layer and a receiving layer in the following composition on a 39 μm-thick microvoided film of a fine void layer in sequence, and applying and drying an adhesive having the following composition on the surface opposite to the surface on which the receiving layer is formed, The coated sheet (186.1 g / m ² ), which is a support provided with a grip layer on one side under the following conditions, was attached to the surface on which the grip layer was not laminated to produce a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet. However, the coating amount of each layer is, when dry, an intermediate layer 2 g / m ² , a receiving layer 4 g / m ² , and an adhesive layer 4 g / m ² .

(Interlayer coating solution)
Polyester resin (WR-905, manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 13.1 parts Titanium oxide (TCA888, manufactured by Tochem Products Co., Ltd.) 26.2 parts Fluorescent whitening agent (Ubitex BAC, Ciba Japan ( Co., Ltd.) 0.39 parts Water 60.0 parts Water / IPA = 1 / l 32.0 parts

(Receptive layer coating solution)
12.0 parts of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer (Solvine C, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Modified silicone oil 0.8 parts (X-22-3000T, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Modified silicone oil 0.24 parts (X-24-510, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Methyl ethyl ketone 30.0 parts Toluene 30.0 parts

(Adhesive layer coating solution)
30 parts polyfunctional polyol (Takelac A-969V, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Polyurethane Co., Ltd.)
Isocyanate 10 parts (Takenate A-5, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Polyurethanes)
60 parts of ethyl acetate

(Grip layer formation method)
A grip layer under the following conditions was formed on the coated paper support by extrusion lamination so as to be an unstretched synthetic resin layer having a thickness of 33 μm.
(Grip layer)
Polypropylene resin (J-Alomer LR711-5, manufactured by Nippon Polyolefin Co., Ltd.)

After the above step A, B. As a step of transferring the protective layer from the protective layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet onto the formed thermal transfer image, an image-formed receiving layer surface of the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet and the protective layer surface of the thermal transfer sheet are superposed, A thermal transfer image receiving sheet that is pressed between a 6 dot / mm thermal head and a platen roll, heated from the back of the thermal transfer sheet under the conditions of an applied energy of 160 mJ / mm ² , a feed pitch of 6 line / mm, and a printing speed of 5 msec / line. The release layer and the protective layer were transferred onto the thermal transfer image of the receiving layer.

After the B step, C.I. As a step of transferring the metallic ink layer together with the release layer from the metallic glossy layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet onto the transferred protective layer, the protective layer surface of the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet and the metallic ink of the thermal transfer sheet The back of the thermal transfer sheet was superposed on the layer surface, pressed between a thermal head with a resolution of 6 dots / mm and a platen roll, and applied energy of 40 mJ / mm ² , feed pitch of 6 line / mm, and printing speed of 5 msec / line. The release layer and the metal ink layer were transferred onto the protective layer to which the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet was transferred.

In the above comparative examples, the thermal transfer sheet of each comparative example is the same as the thermal transfer image receiving sheet used in the examples. As a step of transferring the color material layer from the color material layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet 1 to the thermal transfer image receiving sheet to form a thermal transfer image, the receiving layer surface of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet and the dye layer surface of the thermal transfer sheet 1 are superimposed, pressed between the thermal head and the platen roller resolution 6 dots / mm, the step pattern sequentially increasing from 10 mJ / mm ² by 160 mJ / mm ² to 10 mJ / mm ^2, a feed pitch 6line / mm, printing speed 5 msec / Under the conditions of line, the dye was transferred from the back surface of the thermal transfer sheet to the receiving layer of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet.

After step A, C.I. As a step of transferring the metallic ink layer together with the release layer from the metallic glossy layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet 3 to the image receiving surface of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet, the image receiving surface of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet and the thermal transfer sheet 3 is superposed on the surface of the metal ink layer, pressed between a thermal head having a resolution of 6 dots / mm and a platen roll, under the conditions of an applied energy of 40 mJ / mm ² , a feed pitch of 6 line / mm, and a printing speed of 5 msec / line, Heat was applied from the back side of the thermal transfer sheet, and the release layer and the metal ink layer were transferred to the image receiving surface of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet.

After the C step, B. As a process of transferring the protective layer from the protective layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet onto the above-described thermal transfer image and the metallic glossy image of the metallic gloss layer, the image-formed receiving layer surface of the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet and thermal transfer The protective layer surface of the sheet is overlaid and pressed between a thermal head with a resolution of 6 dots / mm and a platen roll. Thermal transfer is performed under the conditions of applied energy of 160 mJ / mm ² , feed pitch of 6 line / mm, and printing speed of 5 msec / line. The release layer and the protective layer were transferred onto the thermal transfer image of the receiving layer of the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet and the image having the metallic luster by the metallic luster layer by heating from the back side of the sheet.

  In the image forming methods in the above Examples and Comparative Examples, regarding the finally formed image formed product, the specular glossiness (GS45 °) of the image surface having a metallic luster is determined according to the method defined in JIS Z8741-1983. It measured using Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd. product VGS-1001DP. Further, in the finally obtained image formed product, the uniformity of the protective layer and the presence or absence of transfer failure were visually observed and evaluated according to the following criteria.

◯: The transferred protective layer has high uniformity over the entire surface, the protective layer is not bonded to the transfer target, there is no floating portion, and the smoothness is excellent.
(Triangle | delta): The transferred protective layer has the part which floated without adhering to a to-be-transferred object in the vicinity of the edge part of the transferred area | region of a metallic luster layer, and lacked smoothness.

Moreover, the quality of the image part which has the metallic luster by the metallic luster layer in the finally obtained image formed product was visually observed and evaluated according to the following criteria.
○: The metallic luster does not vary depending on the place, and the metallic luster and design are excellent.
(Triangle | delta): Metal glossiness has a dispersion | variation by a place and has a fault in metal glossiness and designability.

Table 1 shows the measurement results of the above-described specular gloss (GS45 °), the evaluation results of the uniformity of the protective layer, the transfer failure, and the quality of the image portion having metallic gloss.

  Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, Example 2 and Comparative Example 2,..., Example 5 and Comparative Example 5 correspond to each other, and these correspond to each color material layer transfer region, protective layer transfer region, metallic luster. Although the layer transfer region is a common condition, the embodiment transfers a color material layer to a thermal transfer image receiving sheet to form a thermal transfer image, and then transfers a protective layer onto the formed thermal transfer image, Next, the metal ink layer is transferred together with the release layer onto the transferred protective layer, and a process of forming an image having a metallic luster on the thermal transfer image receiving sheet is taken. The color material layer is transferred to the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet to form a thermal transfer image, and then the metallic ink layer is transferred together with the release layer to form an image having a metallic gloss on the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet. , The thermal transfer image formed and the image with metallic luster by the metallic luster layer Above, in which it took step of transferring the protective layer.

  In the comparative example corresponding to each example, the mirror glossiness (GS 45 °) of the image surface having a metallic luster of the finally obtained image formed product is 10% to 20%, compared with the example, The degree is decreasing. In addition, the image formed product obtained in Comparative Example 2 has a portion in which the protective layer is not adhered to the transferred material near the end of the transferred region of the metallic gloss layer, and there is a portion that is floated. There is a problem with sex. Further, the image formed product obtained in Comparative Example 4 has the composition of the metal ink layer used, the binder content is small (the aluminum powder content is large), and heat is further applied during transfer of the protective layer. The uniformity of the metallic luster layer is disturbed, and the metallic luster is uneven. On the other hand, all of the image formed products obtained in Examples had good results with respect to the uniformity of the protective layer and the quality of the image portion having a metallic luster.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows one embodiment of the thermal transfer sheet of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal transfer sheet 2 Base material sheet 3 Thermal transfer color material layer 4 Release layer 5 Release layer 6 Protection layer 7 Transferable protection layer 8 Release layer 9 Release layer 10 Metal ink layer 11 Metal gloss layer 12 Detection mark 13 Heat resistant slip layer

Claims (2)

  In a thermal transfer sheet in which a color material layer transfer region, a protective layer transfer region, and a metallic gloss layer transfer region are provided in a surface sequence on a base material sheet, the color material layer transfer region comprises at least one color material layer, A thermal transfer sheet, wherein the protective layer transfer region comprises at least a protective layer, and the metallic gloss layer transfer region comprises a laminate of a release layer and a metal ink layer. A method for forming an image having metallic luster on a thermal transfer image receiving sheet using the thermal transfer sheet according to claim 1,
A. A step of transferring a color material layer from a color material layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet to a thermal transfer image receiving sheet to form a thermal transfer image;
B. A step of transferring the protective layer from the protective layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet onto the formed thermal transfer image;
C. From the metallic gloss layer transfer region of the thermal transfer sheet, on the transferred protective layer, along with a release layer, and a step of transferring a metal ink layer,
An image forming method, wherein the steps A, B, and C are sequentially performed.

Images