Abstract: A transfer medium for transferring a protective layer is provided which comprises at least one protective layer provided on a support, the protective layer comprising as a main component by weight an acryl-silica hybrid resin curable by irradiation with an ionizing radiation.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer sheet for use in an intermediate transfer type thermal transfer recording method is disclosed which comprises a support, and at least a protective layer and a receptive/adhesive layer laminated on the support in this order, the protective layer comprising as a main component by weight an acryl-silica hybrid resin curable by irradiation with an ionizing radiation.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer sheet for use in an intermediate transfer type thermal transfer recording method is disclosed which comprises a support, and at least a protective layer and a receptive/adhesive layer laminated on the support in this order, the protective layer comprising as a main component by weight an acryl-silica hybrid resin curable by irradiation with an ionizing radiation.

Abstract: A transfer medium for transferring a protective layer is provided which comprises at least one protective layer provided on a support, the protective layer comprising as a main component by weight an acryl-silica hybrid resin curable by irradiation with an ionizing radiation.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer sheet for use in an intermediate transfer type thermal transfer recording method comprising a support, and at least a release layer and a receptive/adhesive layer laminated on the support in this order, the release layer comprising an acrylic resin, a polyester resin and a joint agent.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium comprising a support and a colored layer provided on the support, the colored layer comprising 10 to 30% by weight of a terpene-phenol resin having a softening point of 130° to 160° C. and 10 to 30% by weight of a resin which is substantially incapable of being dissolved in an alcohol and has a softening point of 130° to 180° C.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer sheet for use in an intermediate transfer type thermal transfer recording method comprising a support, and at least a release layer and a receptive/adhesive layer laminated on the support in this order, the release layer comprising an acrylic resin, a polyester resin and a joint agent.

Abstract: A multi-gradation recording method comprising the steps of: providing a thermal transfer recording medium comprising a substrate, a release layer, a first ink layer and a second ink layer provided in this order on the substrate, and carrying out a gradation recording using the thermal transfer recording medium, the step of carrying out a gradation recording comprising: (a) in the case of recording in a middle density/high density region, carrying out a gradation expression based on an area gradation expression by transferring the first ink layer and the second ink layer together, and (b) in the case of recording in a low density region, carrying out a gradation expression by transferring only the second ink layer by causing a cohesive failure in the second ink layer, thereby changing the area of transferred ink per one dot and the thickness of transferred ink dots.

Abstract: A color thermal transfer recording medium for forming a multi-color image by superimposing printing of a plurality of different color inks wherein transfer layers corresponding to a plurality of colors to be superimposed are provided on separate substrates or on a single substrate in a side-by-side relation, the transfer layers each comprising at least a release layer, a color ink layer and an adhesive layer stacked in this order from the substrate side, the release layer comprising a wax material as a main component by weight, the adhesive layer comprising a binder comprising a thermoplastic resin as a main component by weight and particles dispersed in the binder, wherein the thickness d1 of a release layer for a first color; the thickness d2 of a color ink layer for a second color; the thickness d3 of an adhesive layer for a second color; and the average particle size R of the particles contained in the adhesive layer for the second color satisfy the following relation: (d1+d2+d3)×2>R&g

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium for forming a printed image with metallic luster of high level with superior transferability according to a thermal transfer mechanism is disclosed which comprises a foundation, and provided on one side of the foundation, a laminate transfer layer comprising at least a release layer, a heat-resistant layer for metal deposition, a metal deposition layer and an adhesive layer in this order from the foundation side, the release layer having a thickness of 0.05 to 0.50 &mgr;m and a softening point not lower than 100° C., the release layer being a substantially transparent layer consisting essentially of a resin, and the peel strength of the laminate transfer layer from the foundation according to T-mode peeling being not larger than 50 gf/12.7 mm.

Abstract: A method for forming an image by thermal transfer: comprising forming a multi-color image using two chromatic color thermal transfer ink ribbons A and B, the thermal transfer ink ribbons A and B having respective chromatic colors which satisfy the following relations: YA+YB≧1.0 MA+MB≧1.0 CA+CB≧1.0 wherein YA, MA, and CA are defined respectively as values obtained by color separation of the optical reflection density of the thermal transfer ink ribbon A into Y, M, and C components, and YB, MB, and CB are defined respectively as values obtained by color separation of the optical reflection density of the thermal transfer ink ribbon B into Y, M, and C components.

Abstract: There are provided printed matter whose image surface has uniform gloss and whose image formed of ink is of high quality, has enhanced appearance, does not have its left and right sides reversed, and is easy to see; a printing method which allows the printed matter to be easily obtained, and a printer which makes it possible to easily realize the printing method. The image which is a mirror image formed with ink is formed within an image-formation area of a surface of a print medium which is a transparent member. Then, a surface of the image and at least a blank space section within the image-formation area of the print medium are covered with an underlying layer 8 formed with underlying layer ink, after which a surface of the underlying layer is covered with a light-shielding layer formed with light-shielding layer ink.

Abstract: A color thermal transfer recording medium for forming a multi-color image by superimposing printing of a plurality of different color inks wherein transfer layers corresponding to a plurality of colors to be superimposed are provided on separate substrates or on a single substrate in a side-by-side relation, the transfer layers each comprising at least a release layer, a color ink layer and an adhesive layer stacked in this order from the substrate side, the release layer comprising a wax material as a main component by weight, the adhesive layer comprising a binder comprising a thermoplastic resin as a main component by weight and particles dispersed in the binder, wherein the thickness d1 of a release layer for a first color; the thickness d2 of a color ink layer for a second color; the thickness d3 of an adhesive layer for a second color; and the average particle size R of the particles contained in the adhesive layer for the second color satisfy the following relation:

Abstract: A method for forming an image by thermal transfer: comprising forming a multi-color image using two chromatic color thermal transfer ink ribbons A and B, the thermal transfer ink ribbons A and B having respective chromatic colors which satisfy the following relations:

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming an image having both metallic luster and unevenness by thermal transfer. A ribbon A having a thermal transfer layer is used to selectively transfer at least once the thermal transfer layer onto an image receiving member to form a convex portion having a thickness of 3.0 &mgr;m or more, and a ribbon B having a thermal transfer layer containing a metallized layer is used to selectively transfer the thermal transfer layer containing the metallized layer onto the convex portion to form an image having both metallic luster and unevenness. The thickness of the thermal transfer layer of the ribbon B is 0.5 &mgr;m to 3.0 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium comprising a support, and at least a heat-meltable release layer and a colored ink layer capable of being softened with heat stacked in this order on the support, the release layer comprising a wax as a main ingredient, and the release layer having a melting point of not less than 85° C., a heat of fusion of not more than 140 mJ/mg, and a melt viscosity of not more than 50 cps/120° C.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium for forming a color image by superimposingly transferring plural different color inks, comprising a foundation and a first and second color ink layer provided on the foundation, and a first and second release layer comprising a wax interposed between the foundation and the respective color ink layers, wherein the heat of fusion C1 of the release layer for a first color and the heat of fusion C2 of the release layer for a second color satisfy the relationship represented by formula (I): C1<C2  (I).

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium for forming a color image by superimposingly transferring plural different color inks, comprising a foundation and a color ink layer provided on the foundation, and a release layer comprising a wax interposed between the foundation and the color ink layer, wherein the thickness d1 of the release layer for a first color and the thickness d2 of the release layer for a second color satisfy the relationship represented by formula (I): d1<d2<2.0 d1.

Abstract: A multi-gradation recording method comprising the steps of: providing a thermal transfer recording medium comprising a substrate, and a release layer, a first ink layer and a second ink layer provided in this order on the substrate, and carrying out a gradation recording using the thermal transfer recording medium, the step of carrying out a gradation recording comprising: (a) in case of recording in a middle density/high density region, carrying out a gradation expression based on an area gradation expression by transferring the first ink layer and the second ink layer together, and (b) in case of recording in a low density region, carrying out a gradation expression by transferring only the second ink layer by causing a cohesive failure in the second ink layer, thereby changing the area of transferred ink per one dot and the thickness of transferred ink dots.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium for forming a color image by superimposingly transferring plural different color inks, comprising a foundation and a color ink layer provided on the foundation, and a release layer comprising a wax interposed between the foundation and the color ink layer, wherein the heat of fusion C1 of the release layer for a first color and the heat of fusion C2 of the release layer for a second color satisfy the relationship represented by formula (I):