Abstract: A card manufacturing method for manufacturing the card and a card manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the card are provided. The card 51 includes a card base 1, a first receptor layer 1a arranged on one side of the card base 1 to contain a sublimation-ink image 8, a protecting layer OC1 laminated on the first receptor layer 1a and an invisible-ink image 10 formed on the protecting layer OC1. Owing to the interposition of the protecting layer OC1 between the sublimation-ink image 8 and the invisible-ink image 10, the card 51 is capable of suppressing color fading of a sublimation ink in the image 8 in spite of a card structure where the sublimation ink and an invisible ink are printed so as to overlap each other, allowing the card 51 to be used for a long time.

Abstract: The ink set includes: a first liquid which contains a coloring material, a polymer, and a dispersion medium composed of water and water-soluble solvent, the coloring material and the polymer being dispersed in the dispersion medium, the coloring material having properties such that when dispersed in an aqueous coloring material solution, a volume-average particle size of the coloring material is changed along with a pH change of the aqueous coloring material solution, the polymer having properties such that when dispersed in an aqueous polymer solution, a volume-average particle size of the polymer is changed along with a pH change of the aqueous polymer solution; and a second liquid which changes pH of the first liquid, wherein a condition of |???1|?|???2| is satisfied, where ? is pH of the first liquid before the first liquid is subjected to a pH change caused by the second liquid, ?1 is pH of the aqueous coloring material solution at which the volume-average particle size of the coloring material reaches 1

Abstract: The inkjet recording method includes the steps of: applying a liquid on an intermediate transfer body, the liquid containing an energy-beam polymerizable compound and a coloring material, the energy-beam polymerizable compound being constituted of a monofunctional polymerizable compound of which percentage in the energy-beam polymerizable compound is not less than 99 wt % and not more than 100 wt %; radiating an energy beam on the liquid that has been applied on the intermediate transfer body, to produce a polymer of the liquid; and transferring the polymer on the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium by pressurizing and heating the polymer to a temperature not lower than a softening temperature of the polymer.

Abstract: A passbook printing apparatus comprises a movable tension roller correcting slack of an intermediate transfer film resulting from a different in a feed speed between a film drive roller and a film wind-up reel, and a control device operating the film wind-up reel to apply a predetermined tension to the intermediate transfer material in a state of stopping the film drive roller, thereby moving and fixing the tension roller to a predetermined position, and thereafter, feeding the intermediate transfer film by a predetermined distance by the film drive roller to position it to the transfer position.

Abstract: A thermal transfer-type label printer and an optical disc apparatus are integrated to miniaturize a multi-function label printing apparatus. An information recording/reproducing unit that carries out recording or reproduction of information on a recording surface of an optical disc is incorporated within a disc tray unit of a label printing apparatus that presses a thermal transfer film ribbon, on which printing information has been formed, onto a label surface of an optical disc mounted on a disc mounting part of the disc tray unit, and transfers the printing information onto the label surface using a heat roller. The recording or reproduction of information on the recording surface of the optical disc and the transferring of the printing information on the label surface of the optical disc are carried out on the disc tray unit.

Abstract: The printing apparatus comprises a first detachable unit U1, a second detachable unit U2, and a main body unit U5 formed such that the first and second detachable units U1 and U2 are detachably mounted thereto. When a unit fixing means 33 provided on a head unit U3 of the main body unit rotates in a clockwise direction to be laid horizontally and then a boss 36 is fitted into a concave portion 33A, the head unit U3 and a pinch roller unit U4 are connected to each other through the unit fixing means. The first detachable unit is pressed by a left end of the unit fixing means, and the second detachable unit is pressed by a right end of the unit fixing means. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first and second detachable units from separating from the main body unit forward. In addition, when the unit fixing means is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to be upwardly constructed, the first detachable unit U1 and the second detachable unit U2 can be mounted detachably to the main body unit.

Abstract: A subsurfaced imaged label using a PET thermal transfer ribbon carrier as an overlaminate. A reverse image is printed onto a waste medium. The waste medium and inked reverse image are stripped away. The desired image remains on the PET carrier of the thermal transfer ink ribbon. A pressure sensitive adhesive substrate is laminated onto the carrier on the same side as the ink image. Label stock and another layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is then layered on the ink side of the PET carrier. When the label is applied to a surface the ink image is under the PET carrier and is protected by the PET carrier.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing device for selectively forming an image on a recording medium and a transfer medium, and a platen roller arranged opposite to the printing device. A nipping roller is arranged for nipping the transfer medium with the platen roller, and a mode setting device is used for setting a direct mode for forming the image on the recording medium and a indirect mode for forming the image on the transfer medium. A moving device moves the nipping roller to contact with and separate from the platen roller according to the direct mode and the indirect mode set by the mode setting device.

Abstract: Transports cards to an image forming portion, and turns cards over after forming images on one side of cards at the image forming portion. Transports an intermediate transfer sheet to an image forming portion, forms images on the intermediate transfer sheet at the image forming portion and transports cards to the transfer portion along with transporting the intermediate transfer sheet to the transfer portion, and transfers images formed on the intermediate transfer sheet at the image forming portion to the other side of cards at the transfer portion. Switching between a direct transfer method and an indirect transfer method makes either transfer method applicable thereby improving printer user convenience, enables the forming of images to a recording medium using the optimum image forming method and reduces running costs.

Abstract: A method for applying an image to a target wax article is provided. The method comprises the steps: a) forming a reverse of the image on wax-coated transfer paper; b) transferring and reversing the reverse image to produce the image on the surface of a carrier wax article; and c) mounting the carrier wax article bearing the image to the target wax article. Wax articles, in particular candles, produced by the method are also provided.

Abstract: In a process of peeling off a transfer layer of an intermediate transfer film, an amount of energy, which is supplied to a thermal head 3 so as to heat the thermal head 3, is changed in accordance with a location of the thermal head 3 in a peeling area 71P and its neighboring area. The amount of energy is designated to be maximum energy E1 when the thermal head 3 is positioned in the neighborhood of a boundary area of the peeling area 71P while the thermal head 3 relatively moves from outside the peeling area 71P, that is, a non-peeling area 71NP to inside the peeling area 71P. In a case that the thermal head 3 is positioned in the non-peeling area 71NP or outside the peeling area 71P, a certain amount of energy is supplied to the thermal head 3 so as to maintain a temperature T of the thermal head 3 at a temperature of less than a predetermined temperature PA while heating the thermal head 3.

Abstract: An article for receiving an image by thermal transfer printing includes an image-receiving surface of plastics material coated with a layer of dye-receptive material capable of accepting an image by means of a dye thermal transfer process, wherein the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the dye receptive material is at least 50° C. lower than the softening point of the plastics material of the image-receiving surface. By having a difference between the softening point of the plastics material article surface and the Tg of the material coated thereon of at least 50° C. it is possible to achieve printing in a single step transfer process of high density images without distortion of the plastics material. The invention can be used with three-dimensional articles possibly having compound curves, including casings for mobile telephones made of polymers such as polycarbonate.

Abstract: A document transport control system for controlling the throughput rate of the document transport, the document transport has a preset throughput rate. The system includes a smart card for storing data including a throughput rate which is greater than the preset throughput rate. A card reader reads data stored on the smart card. A controller is responsive to the data read by the smart card reader for changing the preset throughput rate to the throughput rate stored on the smart card.

Abstract: A receiving cloth for thermal transfer recording, including at least a substrate formed of a woven or nonwoven fabric, having opposed sides; an ink receiving layer on one side of the substrate, which receives a heat-melted or softened ink; and a tackifying layer on the other side of the substrate, wherein the ink receiving layer includes at least a hollow particulate material including a gaseous body therein; and a thermoplastic material, and wherein the ink receiving layer has an island/sea structure in which the hollow particulate material is present as an island in a sea of the thermoplastic material. In addition, a thermal printing method using the receiving cloth is also provided.

Abstract: A printer device is equipped with a supply shaft and a take-up shaft for conveying an intermediate transfer medium having a transferring layer in a prescribed pattern, a printer portion for printing prescribed information on the transferring layer of the conveyed intermediate transfer medium, a transferring portion for transferring prescribed printed information together with the transferring layer on an image receiving medium, and a pressurization mechanism for press fitting an image receiving medium and the intermediate transfer medium by applying a fixed pressure irrespective of a thickness of an image forming medium.

Abstract: A formulation and method of printing an ink or meltable ink layer having reactive dyes or mixtures of reactive dyes and disperse dyes as colorants. The ink or ink melt layer also includes an alkaline substance, a binder, and optionally, a heat-activated printing additive. Permanently bonded color images are provided by the reaction between the reactive dye and the final substrate, which may be any cellulosic, protein, or polyamide fiber material, or mixtures with polyester. Reaction occurs upon heat activation of the printed ink image.

Abstract: A recording intermediate belt 15 which is made endless so as to travels around a continuous path has image formation areas and non-image formation areas alternately provided on an outer surface thereof. Images of different colors are sequentially formed in the image formation areas by recording heads 21b through 23b respectively provided in first through third image formation sections 21 through 23. The recording heads 21b through 23b of the first through third image formation sections 21 through 23 are separated from each other by a distance which is greater than a length of an image formation area in a traveling direction of the recording intermediate belt 15. The recording heads 21b through 23b are each pressed onto the recording intermediate belt 15 in a non-image formation area immediately preceding an image formation area and starts an image formation operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image-formation on any selected kind of objective body. The characterizing features reside in such that, based upon fed image data, required images are formed on an image-transferable sheet acting for image carry-over service and in reliance on sublimation image transfer technique, and then, by the use of said sheet with said images thus formed thereon, the formed images thereon are transferringly applied on the objective body. By adopting the above measures, the objective body can be formed sharply and clearly with any desired images, irrespective of kind and configuration thereof, with such superior results of highly improved unity and solidability between the formed images and the objective body to be decorated with.

Abstract: A printer device is equipped with a supply shaft and a take-up shaft for conveying an intermediate transfer medium having a transferring layer in a prescribed pattern, a printer portion for printing prescribed information on the transferring layer of the conveyed intermediate transfer medium, a transferring portion for transferring prescribed printed information together with the transferring layer on an image receiving medium, and a pressurization mechanism for press fitting an image receiving medium and the intermediate transfer medium by applying a fixed pressure irrespective of a thickness of an image forming medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of avoiding core set curl in thermal prints comprising providing thermal print material wound image receiving side toward the core, passing said print material from said core around a turning roll in a direction opposite to the core wind, passing said print material under tension in an arcuate path with image side out beneath at least three thermal print heads to form an image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a card recording apparatus capable of printing in high speed as well as reducing overall dimensions of the apparatus. After a card is transported to an information recording section 200 in a lateral (short length) direction of the card, an information signal is recorded on the card thereby. Then, the card is transported to a second heating section 300. An ink image formed on an intermediate recording medium 7 by a first heating section 500 is re-transferred to the card by the second heating section 300. A warp developed on the card by the second heating section 300 is corrected by a card warp correcting section 400.

Abstract: The present invention features various systems and methods for providing an image on an organic product to provide a communication to the recipient or otherwise individualize the organic product. Notably, the present invention features an organic product printing system comprising at least one organic product; a support structure that secures one or more organic products therein for printing upon them, wherein the support structure comprises a stabilizer bar for supporting one or more printing assemblies; and at least one printing assembly supported within the support structure, wherein the printing assembly comprises a printing device that prints an image onto the organic product.

Abstract: In direct transfer, a card is transported to an image forming portion, same size, reduced or gradation corrected image data is used for forming an image to the entire surface of at least one side of a card. In indirect transfer, intermediate transfer film is transported to an image forming portion, and same size, reduced or gradation corrected image data is used to form images on the intermediate transfer film, then while transporting the intermediate transfer film to a transfer portion, a card is also transported to the transfer portion where images formed on the intermediate transfer film are transferred to the entire area of at least one side of the card. Image data size is varied. By switching between a direct transfer method and an indirect transfer method makes either transfer method applicable thereby improving printer user convenience, enables the forming of beautiful printing to the entire print surface, lowers running costs and enables high applicability of the printing system.

Abstract: A compact disc transporter has been described that includes a two-step printer. The printer uses an intermediate transfer sheet to receive a print image that is subsequently transferred to a compact disc. The transporter allows parallel processing of image data and content data. A significant time reduction can be achieved by preprinting the image to a transfer sheet prior to transferring the image to a CD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer recording medium, that can yield thermally transferred images which are excellent in various fastness properties even under severe service conditions, can transfer a protective layer on an image with good accuracy in a simple manner, and can provide an object with an image formed thereon which is highly difficult to be altered or forged, a process for producing the same, and a method for image formation. The intermediate transfer recording medium comprises: a sheet substrate provided with a resin layer; and a transparent sheet provided with a receptive layer, said transparent sheet provided with the receptive layer having been stacked on the sheet substrate provided with the resin layer, the transparent sheet portion including the receptive layer having been half cut, a hologram formation layer being stacked on the transparent sheet, the resin layer being separable from the transparent sheet.

Abstract: An image formation method and a thermal transfer sheet for use in the image formation method are provided. According to the image formation method and the thermal transfer sheet, an intermediate transfer recording medium comprising a substrate film and a transfer part, comprising at least a receptive layer, provided separably on the substrate film is used, and, at the time of the transfer of the transfer part in the intermediate transfer recording medium onto an object, the transfer of the transfer part onto the object in its nontransfer region, onto which the transfer part should not be transferred, can be avoided without installing any special ancillary tool on an image forming apparatus. In the method for image formation, a thermal transfer sheet comprising a substrate and at least a peel-off layer provided on the substrate is provided.

Abstract: A printer device is equipped with a supply shaft and a take-up shaft for conveying an intermediate transfer medium having a transferring layer in a prescribed pattern, a printer portion for printing prescribed information on the transferring layer of the conveyed intermediate transfer medium, a transferring portion for transferring prescribed printed information together with the transferring layer on an image receiving medium, and a pressurization mechanism for press fitting an image receiving medium and the intermediate transfer medium by applying a fixed pressure irrespective of a thickness of an image forming medium.

Abstract: A method for applying an image to a target wax article is provided. The method comprises the steps: a) forming a reverse of the image on waxcoated transfer paper; b) transferring and reversing the reverse image to produce the image on the surface of a carrier wax article; and c) mounting the carrier wax article bearing the image to the target wax article. Wax articles, in particular candies, produced by the method are also provided.

Abstract: A third reference position on an eccentric cam positions a thermal head touching a follower roller at a retreated position separated from a printing position when printing is idled, and a second reference position of a middle-sized radius on an eccentric cam applies a thermal head touching a follower roller with a pressure of approximately 39 N to a card therebetween interposed by thermal transfer film, when in a direct transfer execution state. Also, when in an indirect transfer execution state, a first reference position on an eccentric cam applies a thermal head touching a follower roller with a pressure of approximately 78 N onto an intermediate transfer film supported by a platen roller having a degree of hardness of approximately 60. This applies the appropriate amount of pressure per unit of surface area and prevents missing transfers. Therefore, regardless of the method of transfer, high quality images can be attained on a plurality of types of media.

Abstract: The application discloses a two-layered coating system using an ultraviolet absorber in its inner layer (called the blocking layer), furthest away from the source of ultraviolet exposure, with a fluorescent material that reflects ultraviolet radiation back as blue light. The ultraviolet absorber in the inner layer is used in sufficient concentration to have an ultraviolet cutoff, which can be extended with the fluorescent material. The ultraviolet block material of the present invention has transmittance of the light within a range of wavelength of 300-380 nm of 10% or less, preferably transmittance of the light within a range of wavelength of 300-390 nm of 10% or less, and, particularly preferably, transmittance of the light within a range of 300-400 nm of 10% or less, while it has a transmittance of the light within a range of 420-800 nm wavelength of 90% or more, or, preferably, 95% or more.

Abstract: A thermal recording material comprising, on a substrate, a thermal recording layer which includes an electron-donating dye precursor and an electron-accepting compound, wherein at least one kind of the electron-donating dye precursor is an indolylphthalide compound represented by general formula (1): 1

Abstract: The invention provides a transfer ribbon having a layered structure in which a substrate, a relief layer and a reflection layer are laminated in this order, wherein the relief layer comprises an ionizing radiation-cured resin. The transfer ribbon can precisely transfer fine dots and/and dots placed close to each other with a low energy and at a high speed without any of burrs, chippings or lacks by means of a thermal head. Also, the invention provides an image expressing medium, which can be produced using the transfer ribbon described above, and comprises a support, a color layer and plural dots of relief hologram and/or diffraction grating. In the medium: the color layer and the dots are disposed on the same surface of the support; and the each dot has an area in a range from 0.0001 to 0.09 mm2; the each dots has a diffraction direction different from that of at least one of adjacent dots, or the dot has two or more sections each of which has a diffraction direction different from each other.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer includes three light emitting diodes (7, 8, 9) emitting red, green and blue light respectively, and respective detectors (10, 11, 12) mounted on the opposite side of a dyesheet (1) passing through the printer. The detectors (10, 11, 12) detect the light absorption ratios of three colour print panels (Y, M and C) of the dyesheet, and these detected ratios are compared C with acceptable ranges of light absorption ratios. If the detected light absorption ratio for any colour falls outside the corresponding range, use or further use of the dyesheet in the printer is prevented, for example by disabling an essential function of the printer or ejecting the dyesheet from the printer.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus using an indirect transferring method, an ink ribbon is selectively heated by a thermal head, in a state where an intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon are put one on the other on a platen roller, so that a record-image is formed as a mirror image on an image-forming layer of the intermediate transfer film. Then, the intermediate transfer film and a target object are supplied with heat and pressure between a heating roller and a pressure roller, so that the record-image is transferred along with the image-forming layer of the intermediate transfer film to the target object. The intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon are respectively accommodated in cassettes detachably mounted in the apparatus, and are used for forming the record-image while being fed from the cassettes.

Abstract: A multicolor image forming material comprising: an image receiving sheet comprising an image receiving layer; and at least five heat transfer sheets different in color each comprising a substrate, a light-heat conversion layer and an image forming layer, each of the heat transfer sheets being adapted to be superposed on the image receiving sheet with the image forming layer facing the image receiving layer and irradiated with laser light to transfer the irradiated area of the image forming layer to the image receiving layer to record an image on the image receiving sheet, wherein an area of the recording has a size of 515 mm by 728 mm or larger, the image forming layer of at least one of the heat transfer sheets has a thickness of 0.6 &mgr;m or greater, and the at least one of the heat transfer sheets has an adhesive strength of 8 g/cm or higher between the light-heat conversion layer and the image forming layer in a non-irradiated area thereof.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus for recording a glossy and high quality image alleviates or substantially solves at least one of the problems of low recording speed of the image, poor stability of recording, and high running cost of recording. The thermal transfer recording apparatus has an intermediate record support which forms a closed loop and extends over a plurality of drums which are placed separately, and a dye receiving layer transfer section having a dye receiving layer transfer head which faces a part of the intermediate record support on an outer periphery of one drum of the plurality of the drums. The thermal transfer recording apparatus also has an image recording section having at least one image recording head which faces a part of the intermediate record support on an outer periphery of the one drum, and an image transfer section having an image transfer head which faces the intermediate record support inside of the closed loop.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which can perform switching between a direct transfer system and an indirect transfer system, and which has reduced malfunction in print process, is provided. In the printing apparatus, determination is made whether a light emitting device detects the intermediate transfer sheet (S124), when the determination is affirmative, the touch panel is controlled to refuse accepting an input of a direct transfer mode (S128) and power supply for pulse motors which are driving sources for the direct transfer mode is stopped to make the first mode disable (S130). When the determination is negative, the touch panel is controlled to refuse accepting an input of an indirect transfer mode (S136) and power supply for pulse motors which are driving sources for the indirect transfer mode is stopped to make the indirect transfer mode disable (S138). When one mode is set, another mode is made disable.

Abstract: A radiation-curable ink, a method of making the ink, a thermal transfer printer ribbon having a radiation-curable ink layer, and a thermal transfer printer with an actinic energy source are provided. A method of thermal transfer printing using an ink ribbon having radiation-curable components is also provided, as well as a thermal transfer printer which utilizes these ribbons. The radiation curable components of the ink can be thermally dried and are cured after printing of an image on a receiving article. A liquid light guide is used to transmit actinic energy from a source to the printed image.

Abstract: An image transfer apparatus includes a transfer medium supply portion, a transfer medium transport device for transporting a transfer medium back and forth, a transfer device for transferring an image on the transfer medium to a recording medium, and a transfer medium take-up portion for taking up the transfer medium. The transfer medium transport device transports the transfer medium backward to the transfer medium supply portion when the transfer device transfers the image to the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention to provide an intermediate transfer recording medium and a method for image formation using the same which, can prepare an object having whole plane image with no blank in the edge of the print, and can yield a thermally transferred image possessing excellent various fastness properties even under severe service conditions.

Abstract: A printing apparatus has a take-out shaft and a rolling-up shaft to supply an intermediate transfer ribbon provided with a transfer layer having a first area in a prescribed pattern and a blank and transparent second area, a printer portion to print prescribed data on the transfer layer of the supplied intermediate transfer ribbon, and a transfer portion to transferr the printed prescribed data on an image receiving medium (a passbook) 1 jointly with the transfer layer. The printer portion and the transfer portion are controlled independently in a first mode to cover the entire image receiving medium and in a second mode to cover the image receiving medium by the first area and the second areas.

Abstract: Clear hot stamp coating methods of creating durable protective coatings to the printed side of printed transparencies.

Abstract: There are provided a method of forming a forgery-preventive image and an apparatus therefor which are capable of easily making a forgery-preventive medium without spoiling ease of determination as to whether forgery has been committed. An image is printed on an ink image-receiving sheet by using a sublimable dye ink, thereby causing the sublimable dye ink to be held by the ink image-receiving sheet. The image-receiving sheet and a medium body overlaid upon each other are heated, thereby causing diffusion of the sublimable dye ink held in the ink image-receiving sheet in a surface of the medium body and color development. The amount of heat applied to the ink image-receiving sheet and the medium body is controlled so as to adjust depth of diffusion of the sublimable dye ink.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing method conducts a thermal transfer printing by alternately driving heating elements of a thermal print head using a multi-colored thermal transfer ink ribbon, an intermediate transfer medium, the thermal print head and a platen roller that press fits these components. Thickness of ink layers of the thermal transfer ink ribbon is 0.4-1 &mgr;m and the rubber hardness of the platen roller is 80° or more.

Abstract: The thermal transfer line printer is provided with a controller for controlling a heating roller contact ON/OFF motor so that a heating roller contact ON/OFF mechanism is selectively operated at least in a weak pressure contact state that a heating roller is in contact with an intermediate transfer sheet with a weak pressure and in a strong pressure contact state that the heating roller is in contact with the intermediate transfer sheet with a strong pressure when retransfer is carried out.

Abstract: Providing a thermal activation device for heat-sensitive self-adhesive label and a printer including the same, the thermal activation device accomplishing an easy and efficient thermal activation of a heat-sensitive adhesive layer by means of heating means and including cleaning means capable of readily removing remainders of heat-sensitive adhesive mass and the like transferred to the heating means.

Abstract: A thermal activating device of a thermal activation sheet having at least activation heating means (for example, the thermal head 40 and the heater element H) for heating and activating a thermal activator layer of the thermal activation sheet (for example, the heat sensitive adhesive label R) with the thermal activator layer (for example, the thermal activator layer K) formed at lease on one surface of a sheet-shaped substrate (for example, the base paper 500), forwarding means (platen roller 41 for thermal activation and the like) for forwarding the thermal activation sheet in a predetermined direction, and pushing means for pushing the thermal activation sheet toward the activation heating means, which is designed to comprise thermal activation sheet detecting means (heat sensitive adhesive label detecting sensor S1) for detecting a presence of the thermal activation sheet at a predetermined position, and pressure releasing means (a controller 1500, a cam mechanism 60, and a working mallet member 50) for r

Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven ink jet printer using heat activated dye, without activating the dye during the process of printing onto the substrate. The individual solid dye particles are present in a liquid ink, and are stabilized in the ink by an emulsifying enforcing agent that emulsifies the solid dye particles within the ink. The dye is subsequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dye and permanently bond the image to a final substrate. The resulting permanent image is resistant to laundering.

Abstract: A receiving cloth for thermal transfer recording, including at least a substrate formed of a woven or nonwoven fabric, having opposed sides; an ink receiving layer on one side of the substrate, which receives a heat-melted or softened ink; and a tackifying layer on the other side of the substrate, wherein the ink receiving layer includes at least a hollow particulate material including a gaseous body therein; and a thermoplastic material, and wherein the ink receiving layer has an island/sea structure in which the hollow particulate material is present as an island in a sea of the thermoplastic material. In addition, a thermal printing method using the receiving cloth is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention aims to solve a blocking problem of an intermediate transfer recording medium and to provide an intermediate transfer recording medium having excellent separability. The intermediate transfer recording medium comprises: a sheet substrate provided with a resin layer; and a transparent sheet provided with a receptive layer. The transparent sheet provided with the receptive layer has been put on top of the sheet substrate provided with the resin layer so that the resin layer faces the transparent sheet on its side remote from the receptive layer. The resin layer is separable from the transparent sheet to transfer the transparent sheet provided with the receptive layer onto an object. The resin layer has a single layer structure or a multilayer structure of two or more layers.