Abstract: A decorative sheet has a structure of: a laminate sheet having a base film and a decorative layer formed on the base film; and a surface resin layer having a transparent resin layer and a printed layer formed in an image pattern on the transparent resin layer, being laminated on the laminate sheet at the decorative layer side. The surface resin layer is laminated so as the printed layer to come to the laminate sheet side, the surface of the laminate sheet at the decorative layer side forms an indented profile having concavities on the decorative layer recessed to the base film side, and the printed layer enters the concavities. The printed layer is a layer formed by printing a printing liquid containing a photocuring component containing polyurethane and polyester, a thermoplastic resin, and a solvent, in an image pattern on the transparent resin layer, and by removing the solvent from the printed printing liquid, and then by curing the photocuring component under light irradiation.

Abstract: A process for multi-gradation thermal transfer recording which provides a receptor with an image of multi-gradation, the process comprising placing on the receptor a heat-sensitive transfer material comprised of a substrate film, an adhesive layer on one surface of the substrate film, a heat-melting ink layer thereon and a transfer-control layer formed on the heat-melting ink layer, and charging the heat-sensitive transfer material with various levels of energy depending upon image signals from the substrate side to allow the heat-melting ink of the heat-melting ink layer to transfer to the receptor in an amount that corresponds to the various levels of energy, and a multi-gradation heat-sensitive transfer material to be used in the above process.

Abstract: This invention provides a heat-sensitive transfer layer which comprises a substrate and a heat-melting ink layer provided to one surface of said substrate, characterized by providing, between said substrate and heat-melting ink layer, an interlayer which breaks away within itself by separation under heat at the time of heat transfer.

Abstract: This invention provides a heat-sensitive transfer layer which comprises a substrate and a heat-melting ink layer provided to one surface of said substrate, characterized by providing, between said substrate and heat-melting ink layer, an interlayer which breaks away within itself by separation under heat at the time of heat transfer.