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: 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 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 thermal transfer image forming method comprising the steps of: using a preprint ribbon comprising, on its substrate, at least a first ink layer and a second ink layer in this order from the side of the substrate, and an ink ribbon comprising, on its substrate, at least a color ink layer and an adhesive layer in this order from the side of the substrate; first conducting a thermal transfer using the preprint ribbon onto a receptor to form a preprint image whose topmost layer is composed of the first ink layer; and subsequently conducting a thermal transfer using the ink ribbon onto the preprint image to form an ink image, wherein the first ink layer of the preprint ribbon and the adhesive layer of the ink ribbon comprise the same kind of material as respective main components.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium for forming printed images with high metallic luster is disclosed which comprises a foundation, and provided on one side of the foundation in order from the foundation side, at least a release layer, an anchor layer for metal deposition, a metal deposition layer and an adhesive layer, the anchor layer containing 0.1 to 3% by weight of particles having an average particle size more than the thickness of the anchor layer.

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.