Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium providing clear printed images with a metallic luster without causing blocking is disclosed which comprises a foundation, and provided on one side of the foundation in order from the foundation side, at least a colored ink layer or a substantially colorless transparent layer with no coloring agent, a metal deposition layer and an adhesive layer, and a heat-resistant layer provided between the metal deposition layer and the adhesive layer and comprising as the main component a resin having a glass transition temperature of not lower than 65.degree. C. and a melt viscosity of not higher than 1.times.10.sup.3 cps at 160.degree. C.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing medium is provided which includes a foundation, and a transfer layer provided on one side of the foundation and comprising a heat-meltable color ink layer, a heat-meltable transparent ink layer, a metal deposition layer and an adhesive layer which are stacked in that order from the foundation side. The thermal transfer printing medium is capable of forming print images in a color inherent to the color ink layer, free from the influences of the color of the image-receiving medium and the metal deposition layer serving as a hiding layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transfer printing method including the steps of: with use of a thermal transfer ink sheet wherein a heat-meltable ink Y containing a sublimation dye for yellow, a heat-meltable ink sublimation M containing a dye for magenta and a heat-meltable ink C containing a sublimation dye for cyan are applied on a single foundation or separate foundations respectively, selectively melt-transferring at least two of the sublimation inks Y, M and C onto a master sheet to form a master image in which at least two of respective images of the sublimation inks Y, M and C are superimposed one on the other; and transferring the sublimation dyes contained in the superimposed images onto an image receptor, wherein the sublimation inks Y, M and C are transferred onto the master sheet in the order of ink C, ink M and ink Y with an optional skipping-over of untransferred sublimation ink to the succeeding one.

Abstract: In a sublimation transfer method wherein a heat-meltable ink layer containing a sublimation dye is melt-transferred to give a master having an image of the ink, and the sublimation dye in the ink image is heat-transferred to form a dyed image on a substrate, there is used a heat-melt transfer medium wherein a release layer comprising a wax-like substance as a major component is provided between a foundation and the ink layer, or an adhesive layer comprising a wax-like substance as a major component is provided on the ink layer, or both the release layer and the adhesive layer are provided. The releasability of the ink layer from the foundation and the adhesiveness of the ink layers with each other are good. The method is especially useful to form a full-color dyed image.