Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium for forming a color image by superimposingly transferring plural different color inks, comprising a foundation and a color ink layer provided on the foundation, and a release layer comprising a wax interposed between the foundation and the color ink layer, wherein the thickness d1 of the release layer for a first color and the thickness d2 of the release layer for a second color satisfy the relationship represented by formula (I): d1<d2<2.0 d1.

Abstract: An image forming method is provided, in which two gradation pattern images based on the color input information are recorded one on the other is characterized in that two colors, namely the primary color for recording one gradation pattern image and the secondary color for recording the other gradation pattern image, are selected from among a plurality of ink colors, at first the screen angle of the primary color is determined and the one gradation pattern image is recorded, and then the screen angle of the secondary color is determined based on the above-mentioned screen angle and the other gradation pattern image is recorded. By applying this method, it is possible to combine the primary color that is served as the main color and the secondary color that is served as the sub color selected from among a plurality of ink colors without restriction and also it is possible to record a high quality gradation image at any ink color combination.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording method and a thermal transfer printer, which can provide a high quality recorded image by controlling the number of underlying ink printing operations in accordance with the properties of a print sheet, and forming boundaries of adjacent underlying ink layers so that they are out of line with respect to boundaries of adjacent record layers. The thermal transfer printer comprises a setting section for setting the number of underlying ink printing operations; and a controlling section for carrying out a controlling operation such that the number of underlying ink printing operations set by the setting section is carried out. Such a thermal transfer printer can be used to print a sharp image on various types of print sheet.