Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet includes a transfer layer on a substrate. The transfer layer has one or more layers. The critical shearing stress of the transfer layer is within the range of 0.9×108 N/m2-2×108 N/m2. The transfer layer has a release force of 7.5×10?2 N/cm or less, while the transfer layer is continuously transferred onto a transfer receiving article by use of a thermal printer under conditions including an applied energy of 0.127 mJ/dot and a conveying speed for the thermal transfer sheet of 84.6 mm/sec. The transfer layer transferred onto the transfer receiving article is released from the thermal transfer sheet at a release angle of 50°.

Abstract: The transfer film includes a temporary support, a resin layer, and a cover film in this order, in which when the cover film is peeled from the resin layer, a surface of the cover film that contacted the resin layer has surface roughnesses SRz and SRa of equal to or less than 130 nm and equal to or less than 8 nm respectively that are measured based on JIS-B0601-2001.

Abstract: A transfer material and a method of manufacturing the same, the transfer material including, in this order, a temporary support body, a first resin layer, and a second resin layer, the first resin layer not being water soluble, the second resin layer including a water soluble polymer, the second resin layer including a compound that has a heteroaromatic ring including a nitrogen atom as a ring member, and a content of the compound that has a heteroaromatic ring including a nitrogen atom as a ring member in the second resin layer being 3.0% by mass or greater with respect to a total solid content of the second resin layer.

Abstract: Provided are a transfer film which includes a temporary support, a first curable transparent resin layer, and a second transparent resin layer disposed in direct contact with the first curable transparent resin layer in this order, satisfies Expression 1 and Expression 2A: n1<n2??Expression 1: 100×?2/T2?5.0??Expression 2A: where n1 represents a refractive index of the first curable transparent resin layer, n2 represents a refractive index of the second transparent resin layer, ?2 represents a standard deviation of a thickness of the second transparent resin layer, and T2 represents an average thickness of the second transparent resin layer.

Abstract: A transfer material and a method of manufacturing the same, the transfer material including, in this order, a temporary support body, a first resin layer, and a second resin layer, the first resin layer not being water soluble, the second resin layer including a water soluble polymer, the second resin layer including a compound that has a heteroaromatic ring including a nitrogen atom as a ring member, and a content of the compound that has a heteroaromatic ring including a nitrogen atom as a ring member in the second resin layer being 3.0% by mass or greater with respect to a total solid content of the second resin layer.

Abstract: A transfer film according to a first embodiment has a temporary support and a first transparent resin layer containing a metal oxidation inhibitor, in which the first transparent resin layer has a refractive index of 1.60 or higher. A transfer film according to a second embodiment has a temporary support and a first transparent resin layer, in which the first transparent resin layer contains a metal oxidation inhibitor and metal oxide particles.

Abstract: Provided is a thermal transfer sheet which has satisfactory printability and provides a printed matter having excellent boiling resistance. Disclosed is a thermal transfer sheet which is provided with a substrate, at least a transferable protective layer and a transferable color layer in this order on one side of the substrate, and is provided with a back face layer on the other side of the substrate, characterized in that the transferable protective layer contains a cyclic olefin-based polymer having a glass transition temperature of 100° C. or more as a main component and further contains an incompatible resin with the cyclic olefin-based polymer, and the transferable color layer contains a colorant and a phenolic resin having a softening point of 100° C. or more.

Abstract: A textured heat transfer label includes a textured portion formed from a highly cross-linked UV ink and a thermoplastic background ink. The textured heat transferable label can also include metalized portions.

Abstract: A touch sensor including a plurality of first electrode films and a plurality of second electrode films which are formed on a surface of a substrate and are arranged in different directions from each other; and a manufacturing method for the same. The manufacturing method includes: a first transfer step, which uses a transfer ribbon made by at least an insulating layer and an electrode-imparting layer which are entirely sequentially stacked as a transfer layer upon an elongated release film, attaches to a substrate only a portion of the transfer layer to which heat and pressure have been applied, and by stripping the release film, transfers the transfer layer in at least the shape of a first electrode film; and a second transfer step including attaching only the portion of the transfer layer to which the heat and the pressure had been applied and stripping the release film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a transfer strip for decorating surfaces, in particular for decorating outer packagings. A transfer strip comprising a strip-like backing film (11), a decorative layer (13) and a release layer (12) arranged between the decorative layer (13) and the backing film is provided. The decorative layer (13) has a multiplicity of identical optically variable decorative elements, which are arranged in first area regions, which are separate from one another and spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the transfer strip. The decorative layer (13) has second area regions, which are separate from one another and spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the transfer strip and in which the decorative layer (13) has one or more individualizable layers for providing respectively different machine-readable optical markings.

Abstract: A method for enabling D2T2 printing onto non-D2T2 printable substrates uses a diffusible primer material provided on a dye-sheet or ribbon. The primer comprises a polymer, a release agent and a plasticizer. The release agent and the plasticizer are diffused into the substrate, while the polymer remains on the dye-sheet or ribbon. Printing of the primer onto the PC substrate is controlled via a computer image program corresponding to a colored image. This computer image program also controls the printing of the colored image at the primed locations. Accordingly, image-wise treatment of a plastic material via the primer selectively renders the PC substrate surface D2T2 printable at the point of personalization, providing for a 100% PC full card body having the colored image.

Abstract: A heat transfer label assembly includes a heat transfer label including ink and adhesive, and a releasable support joined to the heat transfer label. The adhesive may include at least one of a polyketone resin and a polyamide resin. The heat transfer label may be used to decorate a metal article.

Abstract: A method for labeling fabrics, such as fabric garments, and a heat-transfer label well-suited for use in said method. In one embodiment, the heat-transfer label comprises (i) a support portion, the support portion comprising a carrier and a release layer; (ii) a wax layer, the wax layer overcoating the release layer; and (iii) a transfer portion, the transfer portion comprising an adhesive layer printed onto the wax layer and an ink design layer printed onto the adhesive layer. Preferably, at least a portion of the ink design layer is printed using a variable printing technique, such as thermal transfer printing.

Abstract: An image transfer article can include an image-imparting member and a removable substrate disposed adjacent to the image-imparting member. The image-imparting member can have a softening point temperature less than about 220° C. The image-imparting member can include at least one surface configured to receive and carry indicia to be transferred and at least one portion comprising a pigment providing an opaque background for received indicia. In some examples, the image-imparting member can comprise a first polymer including the indicia and at least a second polymer including the pigment. In some examples, the image-imparting member can comprise a polymer including the indicia and the pigment. The indicia and the opaque background can be arranged to concurrently transfer to a woven- or fabric-based article or paper in contact with the image-imparting member, upon application of iron pressing temperatures.

Abstract: An embellishment transfer delivery system (ETDS) uses an embellishment, such as glitter, and combines it into a transfer adhesive that is combined with a carrier sheet and finally transferred to a sticky substrate, such as a double sided tape. The result is the clean, particle-free, non-tacky, dry transfer of the embellishment to cover an object with precise, complete and detailed coverage. The ETDS is a clean and fully transferrable system of holding, containing and transferring glitter or other embellishments to a double sided tape that allows for detailed coverage and no residual mess or airborne particles. The embellishment is suspended in an adhesive which is then coated onto a pressure sensitive carrier sheet to create the ETDS. The embellishment transfers from the ETDS and bonds to the application in a way that allows for a clean, detailed finished product without any of the mess, stickiness or wait time traditional delivery systems would entail.

Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet includes a protective layer and an adhesive layer which are laminated on a sheet base material in that order, the protective layer including a binder resin containing fine particles. The particle diameter of the fine particles is 0.9 to 2.8 times the thickness of the protective layer.

Abstract: A textured heat transfer label includes a textured portion formed from a highly cross-linked UV ink and a thermoplastic background ink.

Abstract: The present invention includes an article and method for transferring an image from one substrate to another. The method includes providing or obtaining an image transfer sheet that is comprised of a substrate layer, a release layer and an image-imparting layer that may comprise a low density polyethylene or other polymeric component having a melting temperature within a range of about 90 degrees C. to about 700 degrees C. An image is imparted to the low density polyethylene area with an image-imparting medium. A second image receiving substrate can be provided. The second image receiving substrate is contacted to the first image transfer sheet at the polymer, image-imparting layer. Heat is applied to the image transfer sheet so that the low density polyethylene encapsulates the image-imparting medium and transfers the encapsulates to the image receiving substrate, thereby forming a mirror image on the image receiving substrate.

Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet includes a sheet substrate; a protective layer provided on the sheet substrate; and an adhesive layer provided on the protective layer, wherein a refractive-index difference between the protective layer and the adhesive layer is less than 0.10.

Abstract: A wax printing process, apparatus, formulation, and label. The process includes contacting a wax formulation with a surface having at least one etched region thereon, and confronting a carrier with the surface such that at least a portion of the wax transfers from the etched surface to the carrier. The apparatus includes a tray and a manifold positioned in the tray. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a gravure sleeve and a heatable mandrel disposed inside the gravure sleeve. The wax formulation includes a paraffin wax, an ester wax, a hydrocarbon resin, a microcrystalline wax, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin. The label includes a carrier and a wax release layer confronting a surface of the carrier. The wax release layer confronts less that the entire surface of the carrier.

Abstract: Provided are a donor substrate for laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) and a method of fabricating an organic light emitting diode (OLED) using the same, which can prevent a transferred emission layer from being damaged by heat and thus prevent wrinkles from forming on the surface thereof. The donor substrate includes a base layer, a light-to-heat conversion layer disposed on the base layer, a first transfer layer disposed on the light-to-heat conversion layer and including an organic layer, an inorganic layer, or a double layer thereof, and a second transfer layer disposed on the first transfer layer and including an emission layer. The first transfer layer has an absolute value of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level of 2.6 to 3.0 eV and a band gap energy of 2.8 to 3.4 eV.

Abstract: A transfer film includes a substrate, a decorative layer, and an adhering layer. The decorative layer is positioned by solidifying ultraviolet curing ink on the substrate. The adhering layer is positioned on the decorative layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermal transfer sheet including: a dye layer which is provided on one side of a substrate and which contains an indoaniline dye; and a transferred image coating layer provided on that side of the substrate on which the dye layer is formed, the transferred image coating layer being operable to coat an image thermally transferred onto a transferred image receiving sheet, wherein the transferred image coating layer contains a compound having a predetermined structure and a binder resin, and the content of the compound having the predetermined structure is 0.5 to 8 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.

Abstract: An image transfer article includes an image-imparting member and a removable substrate disposed adjacent the image-imparting member. The image-imparting member can have a softening point temperature less than about 220° C. The image-imparting member includes at least one surface configured to receive and carry indicia to be transferred and at least one portion comprising a pigment providing an opaque background for received indicia. In some examples, the image-imparting member comprises a first polymer including the indicia and at least a second polymer including the pigment. In some examples, the image-imparting member comprises a polymer including the indicia and the pigment. The indicia and the opaque background are arranged to concurrently transfer to a woven- or fabric-based article or paper in contact with the image-imparting member, upon application of iron pressing temperatures.

Abstract: Provided is an image transfer material, comprising a support, optionally at least one barrier layer, a melt transfer layer, and an image receiving layer. Also provided is a process for preparing the image transfer material. Further provided is a heat transfer process using the disclosed material. In the heat transfer process, after imaging, the image receiving layer and melt transfer layer are peeled away from the optionally barrier-coated support material and placed, preferably image side up, on top of a receptor element. A non-stick sheet is then optionally placed over the imaged peeled material and heat is applied to the top of the optional non stick sheet. The melt transfer layer then melts and adheres the image to the receptor element. A composition comprising: at least one self-corsslinking polymer, and at least one dye retention aid.

Abstract: The invention discloses processes for thermal transfer patterning of a nanoparticle layer and a corresponding proximate portion of a carrier layer, and optionally additional transfer layers, together onto a thermal imaging receiver. The invention is useful for dry fabrication of electronic devices. Additional embodiments of the invention include multilayer thermal imaging donors comprising in layered sequence: a base film, a carrier layer and a nanoparticle layer. The carrier layer can be a dielectric or conducting layer. When the carrier layer is a dielectric layer, the base film includes a light attenuating agent in the form of a dye or pigment.

Abstract: A wax printing process, apparatus, formulation, and label. The process includes contacting a wax formulation with a surface having at least one etched region thereon, and confronting a carrier with the surface such that at least a portion of the wax transfers from the etched surface to the carrier. The apparatus includes a tray and a manifold positioned in the tray. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a gravure sleeve and a heatable mandrel disposed inside the gravure sleeve. The wax formulation includes a paraffin wax, an ester wax, a hydrocarbon resin, a microcrystalline wax, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin. The label includes a carrier and a wax release layer confronting a surface of the carrier. The wax release layer confronts less that the entire surface of the carrier.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member which holds a toner image transferred from a first toner image carrier and secondarily transfers the toner image to a surface of an image forming material, wherein the intermediate transfer member comprises a substrate having thereon at least a hard carbon-containing layer.

Abstract: A heat transfer paper configured to reduce the amount of stray toner on a heat transfer material, especially when the image is formed via a laser printer or laser copier, is generally disclosed. The heat transfer material includes an image-receptive coating overlying a splittable layer and a base sheet. The image-receptive coating includes thermoplastic polyolefin wax microparticles, a thermoplastic binder, and a humectant. The thermoplastic polyolefin wax microparticles have an average particle size of from about 30 microns to about 50 microns and melt at temperatures between about 130° C. and about 200° C.

Abstract: An appliqué of the invention comprises a disposable carrier film onto which a release layer and PU inks are printed using layering techniques. The ink layers can be multicoloured and each colour is applied sequentially using a conventional screen-printing method. A back-up, a lacquer layer, and an adhesive layer are printed in sequence over the ink layers. The ink includes reflective particles providing the optical effect of a 3-dimensional appliqué. The artwork is created by overlapping design layers to controlled specification sequences. The ink, because of the additives, creates a desired colour tone, and this may be enhanced by layering of the ink in an overlapping region. Thus, there are three main regions, namely a central region with reflective ink, a “shoulder” region with overlapping matt and reflective inks and an outer region with only matt ink.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermal transfer sheet including: a dye layer which is provided on one side of a substrate and which contains an indoaniline dye; and a transferred image coating layer provided on that side of the substrate on which the dye layer is formed, the transferred image coating layer being operable to coat an image thermally transferred onto a transferred image receiving sheet, wherein the transferred image coating layer contains a compound having a predetermined structure and a binder resin, and the content of the compound having the predetermined structure is 0.5 to 8 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image displaying medium with a metallic image, which comprises a metallic image formed on a transfer receiving material with a color image formed thereon, wherein the metallic image is formed by using a thermal transfer sheet in which at least a resinous peelable layer and a metal thin layer are provided on one surface of a substrate film in this order, the resinous peelable layer comprising a pigment and a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or higher and the metal thin layer comprising a composition containing an aluminum pigment prepared by forming an aluminum film by deposition on a carrier sheet with a releasing layer provided thereon, and peeling the aluminum film from the carrier sheet to finely divide it, and a binder of a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 50 to 150° C.

Abstract: A selectively metallized heat transfer label for transfer to a substrate includes a support portion having a carrier layer and a release layer applied to the carrier layer, and a transfer portion including a protective layer applied to the release layer, a metallizable layer applied to the protective layer, a metal layer applied to the metallizable layer, a metal transferring adhesive layer applied to the metal layer and configured to adhere to both the metal layer and the desired substrate and a non-metal transferring ink layer applied to the metal layer and configured to adhere to the desired substrate but not to the metal layer. When heat and pressure are applied to the carrier, the metal transferring adhesive adheres to both the metal layer and the substrate while the non-transferring ink layer adheres only to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for labeling fabrics, such as fabric garments, and a heat-transfer label (311) well-suited for use in said method. In one embodiment, the heat-transfer label (311) comprises (i) a support portion (313), the support portion (313) comprising a carrier (315) and a release layer (317); (ii) a wax layer (319), the wax layer overcoating the release layer (317); and (iii) a transfer portion (321), the transfer portion (321) comprising an adhesive layer (323) printed directly onto the wax layer (319) and an ink design layer (325) printed directly onto the adhesive layer (323). Each of the adhesive layer (323) and the ink design layer includes a non-cross-linked PVC resin. The ink design layer may be screen printed onto the adhesive layer (323) or may be printed onto the adhesive layer (323) using thermal transfer printing, ink jet printing or laser printing.

Abstract: A glass or ceramic dishware item having a contoured surface with an image disposed thereon is provided. The image is transferred to the contoured surface from a layered ink composite. The layered ink composite is created by depositing a first layer of thermoplastic ink onto a silicone substrate. A ceramic toner configured as an image is electrographically deposited onto the first layer of thermoplastic ink. A second layer of thermoplastic ink is then deposited onto the ceramic toner. The image is transferred, at ambient temperature, from the layered ink composite to the contoured surface of the dishware item by moving the second layer of thermoplastic ink and the contoured surface into contact. The dishware item is then fired.

Abstract: The invention is related to thermal imageable dielectric layers and thermal transfer donors and receivers comprising dielectric layers. The thermal transfer donors are useful in making electronic devices by thermal transfer of dielectric layers having excellent resistivity, good transfer properties and good adhesion to a variety of receivers.

Abstract: A heat-transfer imaging system and a method of using the same. The heat-transfer imaging system includes a heat-transfer sheet and an activating ink. The heat-transfer sheet and the activating ink are specially formulated so that only the areas of the heat-transfer sheet onto which the ink has been printed become adhesive under heat-transfer conditions. This effect may be achieved by designing the sheet to include an ink-receptive coating whose melting temperature is higher than that typically encountered during normal heat-transfer conditions and by formulating the activating ink to include a plasticizer that, when printed onto the ink-receptive coating, lowers the melting temperature of the ink-receptive coating sufficiently so that the modified melting temperature falls within the temperature range encountered during heat-transfer.

Abstract: The present invention includes an image transfer sheet. The image transfer sheet comprises a release layer and a polymer layer. One or more of the release layer and the polymer layer comprise titanium oxide or other white pigment.

Abstract: There are provided an organic electroluminescent transfer medium, an organic electroluminescent transfer object, and a production process of an organic electroluminescent device using the organic electroluminescent transfer medium or the organic electroluminescent transfer object, in which a pattern can be transferred from an organic electroluminescent transfer medium onto an organic electroluminescent transfer object at a relatively low temperature in a simple manner. The organic electroluminescent transfer medium comprises at least a support, a release layer provided on the support, and an organic electroluminescent transfer layer provided on the release layer. A transfer surface, which is the surface of the organic electroluminescent transfer layer side, is formed of a pattern transfer layer capable of forming a pattern based on a difference in adhesiveness and/or wettability.

Abstract: This invention provides a hologram thermal transfer sheet that can realize thermal transfer treatment with high efficiency. The thermal transfer sheet comprises a base material sheet and a transparent transfer layer provided separably on the base material sheet, characterized in that a hologram layer is provided on at least a part of the transparent transfer layer. There are also provided a process for producing the thermal transfer sheet and an image formed material produced by the transfer of this thermal transfer sheet.

Abstract: Provided are a donor substrate for laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) and a method of fabricating an organic light emitting diode (OLED) using the same, which can prevent a transferred emission layer from being damaged by heat and thus prevent wrinkles from forming on the surface thereof. The donor substrate includes a base layer, a light-to-heat conversion layer disposed on the base layer, a first transfer layer disposed on the light-to-heat conversion layer and including an organic layer, an inorganic layer, or a double layer thereof, and a second transfer layer disposed on the first transfer layer and including an emission layer. The first transfer layer has an absolute value of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level of 2.6 to 3.0 eV and a band gap energy of 2.8 to 3.4 eV.

Abstract: A heat transfer label comprising a support portion and a transfer portion for transfer of the transfer portion from the support portion to an article. The article may be untreated polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, or acrylonitrile. Heat is applied to the support portion while the transfer portion is placed into contact with the untreated polyethylene, polypropylene, or acrylonitrile article. The transfer portion comprises an adhesive layer comprising a vinyl acetate resin, a tackifying petroleum hydrocarbon resin, and a microcrystalline wax.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique heat transfer material for use in transferring a discontinuous coating onto a substrate, such as an article of clothing. The heat transfer material of the present invention may be used cold peel transfer processes, resulting in an image-bearing coating having superior crack resistance, washability, and breathability compared to conventional image-bearing coatings. Additionally, the materials may be used on dark colored fabrics without washed-out appearance typically associated with printing on darker fabrics. The heat transfer material of the present invention produces superior results due to the use of discontinuous coatings.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a donor element comprising a support layer, a transfer layer supported by the support layer, and a second layer disposed between the support layer and the transfer layer, wherein the second layer contains a binder and optionally an uncured crosslinking agent, but substantially no pigment. The binder in the second layer has a molecular weight Mn that causes the second layer to be substantially transferred with the transfer layer when the donor element is exposed to light.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium having at least one transferable protective layer arranged on a base with a non-transferable release layer provided therebetween, in which the protective layer is detached from the release layer at the interface between the at least one protective layer and the release layer during thermal transfer printing and then thermally transferred onto an image, includes a primer layer containing at least one fluorocarbon-based surfactant, the primer layer, the release layer, and the protective layer being stacked, in that order, on one surface of the base, in which the release layer has a glass transition temperature of 60° C. to 110° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transfer sheet on which the image to be transferred may be applied directly on one side of the sheet, by any known means, e.g. printing, copying, drawing, painting etc., and which may be applied on practically any surface by use of an adhesive located on the opposite side either as a sticker or an iron-on decal. The transfer sheet comprises an image absorbing layer in contact with a plastic film layer, then a rubber based hot melt adhesive layer and finally a protective liner. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises an image absorbing layer in contact with a plastic film layer, then a rubber based hot melt adhesive layer and finally a coating layer. Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises an image absorbing layer in contact with a rubber based hot melt adhesive layer, then a plastic film layer with a liner.

Abstract: To provide a protective layer thermal transfer film which can form a protective layer that is superior in water-based ink fixing property, solvent-resistant property and, in particular, water-resistant property and also has a superior peeling property. A protective layer thermal transfer film, comprising: at least a release layer, and a protective layer, formed on one surface of a substrate film; the release layer being formed from at least a silicone-modified resin and silicone oil; and a printed article with the protective layer transferred onto an image on the printed article.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image displaying medium with a metallic image, which comprises a metallic image formed on a transfer receiving material with a color image formed thereon, wherein the metallic image is formed by using a thermal transfer sheet in which at least a resinous peelable layer and a metal thin layer are provided on one surface of a substrate film in this order, the resinous peelable layer comprising a pigment and a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or higher and the metal thin layer comprising a composition containing an aluminum pigment prepared by forming an aluminum film by deposition on a carrier sheet with a releasing layer provided thereon, and peeling the aluminum film from the carrier sheet to finely divide it, and a binder of a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 50 to 150° C.

Abstract: A thermal transfer element is capable of improving transfer characteristics because transfer is performed at a low temperature. The thermal transfer element includes: a base substrate as a support substrate; a light-to-heat conversion layer formed on the base substrate to convert incident light to thermal energy; a transfer layer formed on the light-to-heat conversion layer to form an image; and a release layer formed between the base substrate and the light-to-heat conversion layer to facilitate delamination of the light-to-heat conversion layer from the base substrate. The release layer includes a silicon polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 25° C. or less, and low surface energy. In a further embodiment, the thermal transfer element includes an interlayer formed between the light-to-heat conversion layer and the transfer layer to protect the light-to-heat conversion layer.

Abstract: In an image-forming method, a ribbon-shaped thermal transfer sheet with a dye layer and a protective material layer arranged side-by-side in the longitudinal direction is moved, and thermal energy is applied from a thermal head while arranging a recording medium to face the dye layer to thermally transfer the dye layer onto the recording medium to form an image. Thermal energy is applied while arranging the image to face the protective material layer to thereby form a protective layer on the image by thermal transfer. A ribbon-shaped surface-property-modifying sheet including a surface-property-modifying region for modifying the surface of the protective layer is moved, and the protective layer is aligned with the surface-property-modifying region of the surface-property-modifying sheet. Heat and pressure are applied from the thermal head and the surface-property-modifying sheet is detached after cooling to modify the surface condition of the protective layer.