Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing and painting characters press formed on license plates and to a tubular thermal-transfer film for carrying out said method which comprises: a step of press forming identifying characters (2) on an aluminum plate (1) with a reflective film (3), including a perimetral edge (4) or not, by means of using a hand- or motor-operated press forming machine or device; and a step of thermal stamping for painting the press formed characters (2) by means of thermal-transfer ink impregnated in a thermal-transfer film with a thermal stamping machine (6) which in turn comprises: introducing the plate (1) in a tubular thermal-transfer film (5), closing the open end or ends (5d) of said tubular film (5), introducing the assembly (5, 1) in the thermal stamping machine (6), and removing the finished plate (1) from inside the tubular film (5).