Abstract: The present invention provides an organic material that is characterized by including a rigid matrix and a dye having a phosphorescence lifetime of 0.1 seconds or more in a rigid medium at 77 K and that exhibits such a strong and long-lived phosphorescence as to be recognizable with the naked eyes even at ordinary temperature: namely, an ordinary-temperature-phosphorescent organic material.

Abstract: A reveal substrate includes a sensitive substrate having an opaque polymer sensitive to application of one of heat and pressure which upon one of being heated to a predetermined temperature and subjected to a predetermined pressure causes the opaque polymer to become transparent and a color material disposed in relation to the substrate in a manner to be obscured by the opaque polymer prior to one of the application of the predetermined heat and the predetermined pressure and is revealed subsequent thereto. A method of printing employing the reveal substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A dual-sided two-ply direct thermal image element is provided. In one embodiment, the dual-sided two-ply direct thermal image element comprises a first substrate having a first side and a second side, and a second substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein both the first substrate and the second substrate include a thermally sensitive coating on at least a first side thereof, and wherein the second side of the first substrate is releasably attached to the second side of the second substrate.

Abstract: A multi-layer sheet material imageable by both direct thermal printing devices and digital offset printing presses (e.g., Hewlett-Packard (HP) Indigo digital offset printing presses), is provided. In one contemplated embodiment, the inventive sheet material demonstrates good ink/media adhesion when imaged using HP Indigo presses, and is comparable or superior to standard direct thermal grades in terms of printability and durability. Where HP Indigo and direct thermal are on demand printing devices, the present invention makes it possible to have a production line where both are in operation at various process steps.

Abstract: A first determining section determines whether a recording medium is conveyed in a first direction. A setting section sets a first current value as a current initially outputted to a DC motor each time the first determining section determines that the recording medium is conveyed in the first direction. A first current outputting section outputs a current at the first current value, and subsequently outputs by steps a current gradually higher than the first current value motor until the first determining section again determines that the recording medium is conveyed in the first direction. A second determining section determines whether the recording medium is conveyed in a second direction opposite the first direction after the first current outputting section outputs a current at the first current value.

Abstract: A thermal transfer laminate film includes a base film, a non-transferable release layer made of a rubber-elastic resin and disposed on one side of the base film, and an image-protecting layer disposed on the non-transferable release layer.

Abstract: A method of discriminating a type of recording medium and a discriminating apparatus in which the type of recording medium is discriminated based on a temperature change of the recording medium when the recording medium is heated. A type of recording medium is discriminated based on a phase difference between a pulse signal input to a heating device and a pulse signal output by a detecting device detecting a temperature of a recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium in a predetermined direction, a thermal transfer sheet traveling unit that causes a thermal transfer sheet to travel in a predetermined direction, a modification sheet moving unit that moves a surface modification sheet, a thermal head that applies thermal energy and thermally transfers sequentially a dye layer and a protective layer of the thermal transfer sheet onto the recording medium while the dye layer or the protective layer opposes the surface of the recording medium, and a modification sheet protecting unit disposed in a movement path of the surface modification sheet, and configured to prevent adhesion of dust to the surface modification sheet or to eliminate the adhesion.

Abstract: A printing press machine for processing a web roll of labels, the printing press machine comprises a mark sensor at a predetermined location along the printing press machine for sensing the presence of a mark formed on each label on the web roll, the mark being at substantially the same position on each label on the web roll. A speed sensor is provided for sensing the position of at least one gear on or associated with the printing press machine to determine the speed at which the web roll of labels moves through the printing press machine. A control member monitors and adjusts where necessary the speed of the printing press machine so as to regulate the speed of the web roll as it moves through the printing press by co-ordinating the information received from the mark sensor and the speed sensor so that a label on the web roll will be properly positioned at a selected station of the printing press machine for attachment of a device to the label at the station.

Abstract: A thermally sensitive medium includes at least one layer of temperature-activated dye, and antenna molecules disposed in the layer of temperature-activated dye for converting radiant energy into thermal energy. A system for forming an image on a thermally sensitive medium includes a radiant energy source for selectively heating portions of the thermally sensitive medium to activate temperature-activated dyes of the medium. A method of forming an image on a thermally sensitive medium having multiple layers of temperature-activated dyes is performed by selectively heating portions of each of the layers of temperature-activated dyes with a light source to form the image.

Abstract: A heat transfer printer includes a line thermal head having heat generating elements formed in a straight line at one end of a top surface of a substrate and a sealing member for covering and protecting at least a portion of the top surface of the substrate at the other end thereof opposite to the heat generating elements. A film wrinkle removing member is disposed in the vicinity of the heat generating elements of the line thermal head upstream in a direction that an ink film is carried. A voltage is selectively applied to the heat generating elements when the line thermal head abuts a platen with the ink film and a printing sheet sequentially overlapped from the line thermal head disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for multi-dimensional registration printing. One embodiment of the apparatus includes an image module, a print module, and an object registration module. The image module stores a digital representation of an image. The print module prints the image on a multi-dimensional surface of an object. The object registration module controls a multi-dimensional registration of the multi-dimensional surface of the object in proximity to a print head in accordance with the image. The printing system may use a print ribbon that includes an infrared absorbent, a resin, or both.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head which has heating elements arranged in a main scanning direction, a transport unit for transporting a thermal recording material in a sub scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and a skewing unit for skewing the thermal recording material so that its ends in the main scanning direction form an angle with respect to the sub scanning direction at a predetermined recording position. The thermal recording material that has been skewed so that its ends form the angle is supplied to the recording position, and the thermal recording on the thermal recording material is performed with the thermal head while the thermal recording material that remains skewed is transported in the sub scanning direction.

Abstract: A document sheet issuing system suitable for manufacturing a product based on an ordering by a retailer issues a plurality of documents, e.g., guarantee card, user registration card, on which data including a name of retailer is printed during manufacturing. The issued documents are attached to a carton box in which manufactured product is packed before the product is delivered to thereby reduce troublesome operation by the retailer. The system uses a laminated medium including a lower document sheet and an upper document sheet peelably laminated on the lower sheet. A first data is printed firstly on the lower sheet through the upper sheet and a second data different from the first data is then printed on the upper sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium according to an inputted diagnostic image signal, including: a recording medium loading section capable of loading plural types of recording media; an exposing device for forming latent images by exposing with predetermined plural test exposure values; a developing device to form developed images on the recording medium; a density measuring device for measuring densities of the developed images; a memory device for storing predetermined density values correlated to the predetermined plural test exposure values; a selecting device for selecting a predetermined number of images among the developed images; and a calibration section for creating LUT that determines a relationship between exposure values and input image signals, based on measured densities of the selected predetermined number of images and stored predetermined density values correlated to the test exposure values.

Abstract: An abrasive cleaning strip is a functional component of a media roll incorporated into the media strip as a header or a trailer. The abrasive cleaning strip is a plastic film coated with 1200 grit aluminum oxide particles. By including the cleaning strip on the media roll, users are provided with automatic print head cleaning. The media can be thermal transfer media, direct thermal media, or linerless thermal media.

Abstract: An illumination lens applies a laser beam emitted from a laser light source onto a light valve. The laser beam divided into a number of beams and modulated in the light valve is reflected by a total internal reflection prism so that the optical path thereof is bent, and thereafter passes through a zoom lens to be focused on a recording medium mounted on the surface of a drum. At this time, an image of a single pixel is recorded with a plurality of adjacent laser beams in a subscanning direction (direction of arrangement of the laser beams). The image can be recorded on the recording medium with sufficient power density.

Abstract: A thermal transfer image receiving sheet comprising a support having an image receiving layer on one surface of the support and a backing layer on the other surface of the support, wherein, (a) a first electrical resistance of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet is in a range of 1×108–1×1012 ohms per square before the transferable protection layer is transferred; and (b) a second electrical resistance of the thermal transfer image receiving sheet is in a range of 1×108–1×1012 ohms per square after the transferable protection layer is transferred and after the backing layer is removed, the first and second electrical resistances being measured by a salt bridge method.

Abstract: A printer has a sheet housing unit for storing a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet having a heat-sensitive adhesive layer on one side and a printable surface on the other side. A set of pull-out rollers pulls the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet out of the sheet housing unit and transports the sheet in a given direction, and a cutter device cuts the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet that has been transported by the pull-out rollers. A printing device has a thermal print head for printing letters or images on the printable surface of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, and a print platen roller for transporting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in the given direction. A thermal activation device has a thermal-activation thermal head for heating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer, and a thermal activation platen roller for transporting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in the given direction. A first drive unit drives the pull-out rollers and a second drive unit drives the print platen roller.

Abstract: A secure point of sale imageable substrate is disclosed comprising a heat sensitive recording material for recording confidential information. The heat sensitive recording material comprises a heat transmissive optically opaque paper support, a heat sensitive imaging layer coated on the paper support, a removable cover sheet, and a transparent layer or sheet positioned between the heat sensitive layer and the removeable cover sheet. A method for recording confidential information using such a secure point of sale imageable substrate is also disclosed.

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: A multicolor imaging system is described wherein at least two, and preferably three, different image-fonning layers of a thermal imaging member are addressed at least partially independently by a thermal printhead or printheads from the same surface of the imaging member by controlling the temperature of the thermal printhead(s) and the time thermal energy is applied to the image-forming layers. Each color of the thermal imaging member can be printed alone or in selectable proportion to the other color(s). Novel thermal imaging members are also described.

Abstract: A coreless thermal transfer recording web roll 10 is formed by rolling a thermal transfer recording web 10a in a roll. An inner end part 11 of the thermal transfer recording web 10a of the thermal transfer recording web roll 10 has a tab 11a formed at a substantially middle of the inner end part 11, and sticking parts 11b formed on the opposite sides of the tab 11a, respectively. Pseudoadhesive double-coated tapes 14 are attached to the sticking parts 11b, respectively. The pseudoadhesive double-coated tapes become tack-free after the sticking parts 11b have been separated from the innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web 10a of the thermal transfer recording web roll 10.

Abstract: A printer apparatus has a printing device for printing on a printable layer of a thermosensitive adhesive sheet. A heat-application and transporting member heats a thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet and transports the thermosensitive adhesive sheet. A control device controls the heat-application and transporting member to heat a portion of the thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet while simultaneously controlling the printing device to print on a portion of the printable layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet disposed opposite to and generally confronting the portion of the thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer includes a thermal transfer recording web roll having a bore and obtained by rolling a thermal transfer web. The segment of the thermal transfer recording web forming the innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web roll is fixed to a part of a segment of the same forming the second innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web roll. A holding device is inserted in the bore of the thermal transfer recording web roll to hold the thermal transfer recording web roll. The thermal transfer recording web roll and the holding device rotate in a unit to feed the thermal transfer recording web to a thermal transfer recording unit that forms images on the thermal transfer recording web. The thermal transfer recording web roll can be prepared at a low cost without requiring much time and effort.

Abstract: A method of generating a hard copy of an image, i.e. a medical image on a substantially rectangular heat sensitive recording material having rounded corners wherein image pixels of the image are printed in a printable area within the area of said recording material, the printable area being defined by a polygon with a degree higher than 4 which approximates the area of the recording material.

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: Throughput of ink jet printers can be increased by using multiple print heads, each of which independently prints an image or text on a continuous roll of print media. Independently controlled printer carriages supporting the print heads simultaneously print images onto media since the printer carriages are separated by a distance that is substantially to equal to at least one dimension of the image to be printed.

Abstract: There is provided improvement of a light-heat conversion in a light-stimulated writing method. An image recording body includes an element, which absorbs light (electromagnetic wave), provided in a surface of a recording body 10, or in a recording layer formed on uppermost layer of the recording body having a material exhibiting thermal changeable character of wettability, or in a substrate or an intermediate layer of the recording body. After a liquid is on the recording body 10 by a liquid forming means 3, light-stimulated writing is carried out. When the light-stimulated writing is carried out with light (electromagnetic wave) from a light (electromagnetic wave) source according to image information, an efficiency of light-heat conversion can be enhanced by a light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing element.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer includes a thermal transfer recording web roll having a bore and obtained by rolling a thermal transfer web. The segment of the thermal transfer recording web forming the innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web roll is fixed to a part of a segment of the same forming the second innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web roll. A holding device is inserted in the bore of the thermal transfer recording web roll to hold the thermal transfer recording web roll. The thermal transfer recording web roll and the holding device rotate in a unit to feed the thermal transfer recording web to a thermal transfer recording unit that forms images on the thermal transfer recording web. The thermal transfer recording web roll can be prepared at a low cost without requiring much time and effort.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus having a plurality of full-line print heads each having a print element array corresponding to the width of a print medium, upon receiving print data that uses a plurality of print media, a print duty, which is the ratio of the number of nozzles used in a print process to the total number of nozzles, is computed as a numerical value that pertains to electric power to be supplied to the print heads upon printing that print data. When the computed value is larger than a predetermined value that represents electric power which can be supplied from a power supply of the printing apparatus, the distance between the plurality of print media is increased so that the numerical value that pertains to the electric power becomes equal to or smaller than the predetermined value. With this control, deterioration of image quality and extreme drop of the printing speed can be prevented without unwantedly increasing the power supply capacity.

Abstract: Recording materials are converted in a direct thermal imaging apparatus to time temperature indicators by exposure to heat from the thermal print head of a direct thermal printer. Methods for converting a recording material to a time temperature indicator comprise heating the recording material with a direct thermal imaging apparatus. The recording material contains an indicator compound which is convertible from an inactive state to an active state when heat is applied thereto by a direct thermal imaging apparatus for less than one second. Time-temperature indicators with active indicator compounds in a printed pattern are formed by a direct thermal imaging apparatus.

Abstract: Time-temperature indicators (TTIs) which are generated by converting indicator compounds from an inactive state to an active state using a thermal transfer printing apparatus are described.

Abstract: An image-forming system has an image-forming sheet, and a printer for forming an image on the sheet. The sheet has a sheet of paper, and a layer of microcapsule, coated over the paper sheet, that contains a plurality of microcapsules filled with a dye. A shell wall of each microcapsule is composed of a resin exhibiting a pressure/temperature characteristic such that, when each microcapsule is squashed under a predetermined pressure at a predetermined temperature, the dye seeps from the squashed microcapsule. The microcapsules are covered with an infrared absorbent coating that absorbs infrared rays having a specific wavelength. The printer has a transparent glass plate, and a roller platen elastically pressed against the plate at the predetermined pressure, with the sheet being interposed between the plate and the platen.

Abstract: An image-forming system has an image-forming sheet, and a printer for forming an image on the sheet. The sheet has a sheet of paper, and a layer of microcapsule, coated over the paper sheet, that contains a plurality of microcapsules filled with a dye. A shell wall of each microcapsule is composed of a resin exhibiting a pressure/temperature characteristic such that, when each microcapsule is squashed under a predetermined pressure at a predetermined temperature, the dye seeps from the squashed microcapsule. The microcapsules are covered with an infrared absorbent coating that absorbs infrared rays having a specific wavelength. The printer has a transparent glass plate, and a roller platen elastically pressed against the plate at the predetermined pressure, with the sheet being interposed between the plate and the platen.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer includes a thermal transfer recording web roll having a bore and obtained by rolling a thermal transfer web. The segment of the thermal transfer recording web forming the innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web roll is fixed to a part of a segment of the same forming the second innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web roll. A holding device is inserted in the bore of the thermal transfer recording web roll to hold the thermal transfer recording web roll. The thermal transfer recording web roll and the holding device rotate in a unit to feed the thermal transfer recording web to a thermal transfer recording unit that forms images on the thermal transfer recording web. The thermal transfer recording web roll can be prepared at a low cost without requiring much time and effort.

Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet is equipped with an approval information of being approved as applicable to the predetermined printer. The thermal transfer sheet is set on a printer and, when a determinator determines that the approval information is correct for the printer, the printer is interlocked with the determinator to work the printer in the state where the thermal transfer sheet is set thereon. In the particularly preferable aspect, a recording part of thermal transfer are worked together with the printer and an approval information is destructed by the heating. A mark of an approval information can be formed of a material which can be detected by the light in a visible light region or an invisible region light, a magnetic material, an electrically-conductive material or a resonance circuit. The resonance circuit is preferably formed by thermally transferring an electrically-conductive layer in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus for applying heat to develop an image on photosensitive copy paper or to desensitize the photosensitive paper against further exposure to light includes an elongated supporting framework including a base having a roll support stand at each end with spaced apart bearings for supporting a drive roll that is provided with a high friction, e.g. a rubber coated, surface. A drive motor is connected to the drive roll for rotating the drive roll, a hot shoe is supported on the framework adjacent to the roll, and a slip sheet is mounted between the hot shoe and the drive roll to provide a low friction surface for allowing the photosensitive sheet to slide easily through the apparatus as it is carried forward by frictionally contact with the drive roll. The hot shoe and slip sheet are both held in a fixed position. The bearings for the drive roll are able to be moved radially with respect to the axis of the drive roll and then secured, i.e. locked in a selected position with respect to the hot shoe.

Abstract: A printhead having multiple print lines of conventional design and a printhead control system for using the multiple print lines in a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the printhead control system prints an image by superimposing the printing from multiple print lines. In another embodiment, the image is printed by alternating the energization of one print line so that each print line is used to print only ⅓ of the image lines. As a result, the print lines are allowed a relatively long time to cool, thus allowing the printhead to be operated at a faster speed. In another embodiment, the printing elements of each print line print with a different image density, and images printed by superimposing the printing elements in the print lines with a variety of combinations depending upon the desired magnitude of the image density.

Abstract: A melting type thermal transfer recording system capable of providing multi-gradation images of high resolution and high image quality comparable to those of ink jet recording system or sublimation type thermal transfer recording system is disclosed which comprising: a donor film comprising a thin film and a thermal melting type ink layer provided on the thin film, the thermal melting type ink layer having a thickness in a range of 0.5 to 2.5 .mu.m, a surface porous type recording medium comprising a base material and a porous ink receiving layer having numerous minute pores provided on the base material, the ratio of the first total area of aperture portions that are occupied by all the pores to the whole surface area of the porous ink receiving layer being in a range of 10 to 60%, and the ratio of the second total area of aperture portions that are occupied by pores having a pore diameter of 0.5 to 20 .mu.

Abstract: A recording body is used which includes a base material and a recording material having characteristics of the wettability change by heating, the recording material being coated on the base material so as to form a recording surface. The image forming method includes the steps of a) heating the recording surface of the recording body in liquid; and b) partially heating the recording surface in air so as to form a latent image.

Abstract: A sublimation thermal image transfer recording method for thermally forming images on an image receiving sheet prepared by forming a dye-receiving layer on a substrate, includes the steps of superimposing a sublimation thermal image transfer recording sheet which has a substrate and at least one recording layer formed thereon containing a sublimable dye, on the image receiving sheet in such a manner that the recording layer of the recording sheet comes into contact with the dye-receiving layer of the image receiving sheet, recording images on the dye-receiving layer of the image receiving sheet by applying thermal energy Ei imagewise to the recording sheet from the substrate side thereof using a thermal head, and subjecting the image-bearing image receiving sheet to heat treatment by applying thermal energy Eb to the image receiving sheet using the thermal head through a sheet member for heat treatment, the thermal energy Eb being smaller than the thermal energy Ei.

Abstract: The improved thermal recording system uses both a thermal head having a layer to protect heaters and a thermal recording material in which a thermal recording layer unit has a water content of no more than 6 wt. %, the protective layer of the thermal head comprising at least one ceramic-based lower sub-layer which is overlaid with a carbon-based upper sub-layer. This thermal recording system improves the wear resistance and electrical insulation of the protective layer on the thermal head so markedly that high operational reliability is insured for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A technique for transferring at least a part of inks of a plurality of colors onto a recording web sheet in superposition by heating the inks with a thermal head, and by passing the recording web sheet and an ink ribbon, superposed with each other, between the thermal head and a platen. The recording web sheet has a plurality of interconnected pores which have openings formed in a surface of the recording web sheet, and a proportion of a total area of the openings of the pores is more than 50% and less than 80% of a total surface area of the recording web sheet. A proportion of a number of the openings of the pores having a pore diameter of 5-35 .mu.m is more than 50% of a total number of the openings of the pores, and a proportion of a number of the openings of the pores having a pore diameter of at least 35 .mu.m is less than 5% of the total number of the openings of the pores.

Abstract: The improved thermal recording film includes a clear film base, a thermal recording layer formed on one side of the film base and a matted layer formed on the other side of the film base. The improved method of thermal image recording using a thermal recording film having a thermal recording layer on one side of a clear film base, preferably the improved thermal recording film described above includes the steps of processing the image to be recorded in such a way that the correct image will come out when viewed from the side opposite to the thermal recording layer, and recording the thus processed image on the thermal recording layer in the thermal recording film.

Abstract: Thermal resistive printing apparatus for printing a fluorescent postal stamp image on a receiver in response to a digital image includes a donor web carrying at least one visible colorant material under visible light and an invisible fluorescent material which when illuminated by light in a predetermined portion of a spectrum, emits light in a different portion of the spectrum and a receiver for receiving colorant material and fluorescent material from the donor web and the receiver having a plurality of receiver portions in which the stamp images are to be formed. The apparatus further includes a thermal resistive head including a plurality of thermal resistive elements responsive to the digital image for selectively applying heat to the donor web so that colorant material and fluorescent material are transferred from the donor web to the plurality of portions on the receiver to form fluorescent postal images.

Abstract: A thermally activated substrate prolongs the life of thermally activated images formed on the substrate by a headed imprinting head. The substrate also prolongs the life of the imprinting head. The substrate includes a substrate sheet; a coating of a thermally activated material; and, a transparent coating of a thermally resistant opaque or translucent polymer composition.

Abstract: A film thermal processor assembly for use in an imaging system. The assembly includes a retention member for receiving a plurality of thermal processor rollers and their shaft mounted sleeve bearings which are adapted for snap insertion into snap fingers of the injection molded non-metallic retention member. The rotation member holds bias springs for radially loading the rollers. A direct contact thermal sensor having a large sensing area, which conforms to the shape of the drum, directly measures the surface temperature of the processing drum.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet which does not suffer from any cockle problem, during printing, associated with a printer or a dye transfer film used. The thermal transfer image-receiving sheet comprises a substrate sheet and, provided on at least one surface thereof in the following order, an intermediate layer and a receptive layer, the intermediate layer containing either an acrylic polyol or cellulose acetate butyrate.Further, the present invention provides a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet which has a capability of preventing curling and causes no damage to an image-receiving surface even when image-receiving sheets put on top of each other or one another are used. This thermal transfer image-receiving sheet comprises a back surface layer provided on a substrate sheet in its surface where no image is to be formed, the back surface layer containing an acrylic polyol.

Abstract: There is disclosed a release-coated linerless label web which includes a cleaner and a printable portion. The web can be threaded into contact with a thermal print head and the cleaner can clean the print head and thereafter the web is advanced to printed on a series of labels. The cleaner can be comprised in one embodiment of a plurality of lines of perforation cuts which roughen the surface of the web sufficiently to clean the print head upon many contact of the web with the print head. In another embodiment the cleaner is provided by embossments. In yet another embodiment the cleaner is provided by straining the web. Methods of making and using the web are also disclosed.