Abstract: Thermal transfer ribbons with large wax or thermoplastic resin particles within the thermal transfer layer provide a profiled surface which resists transfer of the layer to reverse side of the ribbon when wound onto itself and stored. The large particles preferably have an average diameter in the range of 5 to 20 microns and the thermal transfer layers preferably have an average thickness of less than the average diameter of these large particles. Where the large particles have higher softening temperatures in the range of 50° to 150° C., the energy needed to transfer the thermal transfer layer is reduced.

Abstract: Thermal transfer ribbons having a polyester substrate which employ paper leaders and/or paper trailers with printed indicia thereon such as marking which identify the thermal transfer ribbon and instructions for its use. The paper having a stiffness greater than the polyester substrate can be used as a leader and/or trailer for the thermal transfer ribbons. The paper leaders and trailers can be colored to provide further identification of the thermal transfer ribbons.

Abstract: A thermal transfer medium which forms images with high speed thermal transfer printers is provided which comprises a substrate, a first coating comprised of at least 75 wt. % of a wax, a second coating comprising a sensible material such as a pigment and a binder resin with high hot tack properties in an amount of at least 20 wt. % based on total dry components and an optional third coating which does not contain any coloring agent. The first coating has a melt viscosity and cohesion lower than that of the second coating and preferably lower hot tack properties to simplify complete transfer to a receiving substrate. The coating formulation provides high adhesion to a receiving substrate with reduced adhesion to the flexible substrate of the thermal transfer medium, allowing for rapid transfer to a receiving substrate as required with high speed thermal transfer printers.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention a coating formulation and thermal transfer medium and printer which provide printed images in a range of colors by employing thermal dye systems in the thermal transfer layers that form the images. The thermal dye systems contain at least two reactive dyes which react at different temperatures, an activator for the reactive dyes and optionally, a sensitizer for the reactive dyes. The use of multiple reactive dyes enables a range of colors to be produced from one thermal transfer ribbon using either a multihead thermal printer or a single head thermal printer operating at different print head energies.

Abstract: Smear and scratch resistant thermally transferable printing ribbons and methods of making the same consisting of elongated backing elements having thermally transferable printing media adhered to one side thereof. The thermally transferable printing media preferably consists of two layers, a sub coat layer and a print layer, and is capable of being transferred to paper, or some other print receiving media, by conventional thermal transfer printing equipment. The use of a silicon compound and/or ethylene bisstearamide and/or micronized polyethylene in the sub coat layer provides enhanced smear and scratch resistance in thermally transferred printed images while maintaining the advantage of low thermal energy print transfer.

Abstract: A thermal transfer medium which forms images having a matte finish is provided which comprises a substrate, a thin first coating and a thick second coating. The coatings are formulated such that only the second coating transfers to a receiving substrate upon exposure to a thermal print head leaving the first coating positioned on the substrate. Separation of the two coatings provides images with a matte finish. The first coating has a higher softening point than the second coating and in preferred embodiments, the binder resin in the first coating provides higher adhesion to the substrate than the binder resin in the second coating.