Abstract: A laminate including a plurality of layers, wherein one of the layers is a heat-activatable expandable layer including a thermally expandable composition. The heat-activatable expandable layer includes a plurality of microcapsules containing the thermally expandable composition. This thermally expandable composition includes an easily volatilizable hydrocarbon, and a binder resin. When subjected to high temperatures during the process of applying a label, the microcapsules rupture and the thermally expandable composition “foams,” which can be used to provide a texture to the label, and can raise or surround the graphics of the label.

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: An image transfer paper including a substrate layer, an image layer positioned relative to the substrate layer, the image layer including at least one of a polyester and a polyurethane and at least one of a micronized polytetrafluoroethylene and a micronized polyethylene, and a release layer positioned between the substrate layer and the image layer, the release layer including a wax component and at least one of a fluoro phosphate ester and a perfluoro phosphate ester.

Abstract: An image transfer paper including a substrate layer, an image layer positioned relative to the substrate layer, the image layer including at least one of a polyester and a polyurethane and at least one of a micronized polytetrafluoroethylene and a micronized polyethylene, and a release layer positioned between the substrate layer and the image layer, the release layer including a wax component and at least one of a fluoro phosphate ester and a perfluoro phosphate ester.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium including a support, a release layer and an ink layer, the release layer and the ink layer being disposed in this order over the support, wherein the ink layer contains carnauba wax, an organic fatty acid having an acid value of 90 to 200, and at least one of a long-chain alcohol represented by Formula (1) and a long-chain alcohol represented by Formula (2), where R denotes a group containing 28 to 38 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An image transfer paper including a substrate layer, an image layer positioned relative to the substrate layer, the image layer including at least one of a polyester and a polyurethane and at least one of a micronized polytetrafluoroethylene and a micronized polyethylene, and a release layer positioned between the substrate layer and the image layer, the release layer including a wax component and at least one of a fluoro phosphate ester and a perfluoro phosphate ester.

Abstract: Thermal-transfer recording medium comprises a substrate, a releasing layer that overlies the substrate and mainly includes wax, and an ink layer that overlies the releasing layer and includes coloring agent and saturated polyester resin. The saturated polyester resin is formed by combining at least a trivalent acidic component. Number average molecular weight of the saturated polyester resin ranges from greater or equal to 300 to not greater than 1000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a release sheet and an adhesive tape which display excellent releasability from an adhesive layer, excellent printing and print recordability for thermal transfer systems using an ink ribbon or the like, little susceptibility to slipping when release agent layers are placed together, little susceptibility to blocking, and no ink soiling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal transfer medium which transfers images to a receiving substrate. The thermal transfer medium includes a laminate, having a substrate, a coating and a functional layer positioned substantially on the coating. This coating may include an oil. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method of making the thermal transfer medium.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium is provided wherein the thermal transfer recording medium has a substrate; a separation layer on the substrate, wherein the separation layer contains a resin and a wax; and an ink layer on the separation layer, wherein the ink layer contains a colorant and a metal salt of an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, and, optionally, one or more diols or diol derivatives containing an acetylene group, a thermal transfer recording method using the medium, and a recorded medium and recorded label prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium including at least a substrate; a separation layer located overlying the substrate; and an ink layer located overlying the separation layer, wherein the separation layer includes at least a wax including a polyethylene wax, and wherein the ink layer includes at least a thermoplastic saturated polyester resin having a hydroxyl value of from 20 to 60 mgKOH/g; and an oxidized polyethylene having an acid value not greater than 5 mgKOH/g.

Abstract: Thermal transfer recording media which make it possible to provide a highly sharpness and clear image even in case of printing on non-coated paper at a high speed and to improve the rub resistance of a printed area after the completion of printing. The present invention provides a thermal transfer recording medium comprising of a base material and a peel layer including a wax (A) and an ink layer including a styrene resin (B), a binder component (C) and a coloring component (D) laminated successively on the base material, wherein the wax (A) is compatible with the styrene resin (B). In the present invention, it is preferable that the weight ratio of the styrene resin (B) to the binder component (C) preferably ranges from 10:90 to 50:50.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal transfer medium which transfers images to a receiving substrate. The thermal transfer medium includes a laminate, having a substrate and a coating having protrusions with a length/width ratio of not less than about 3 and at a density of not less than about 20 protrusions/100 micrometer squared, and a functional layer positioned substantially on the coating. This coating may include an oil. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method of making the thermal transfer medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal transfer sheet, a thermal transfer method and a thermal transfer system using said thermal transfer sheet. The thermal transfer sheet provided with a coloring layer disposed on the substrate, wherein the coloring layer is formed of a mixture comprising a copolymerization product (A) obtainable by polymerizing an &agr;-olefin/a maleic acid anhydride copolymer with a maleic acid anhydride monoester and an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (B). The thermal transfer sheet is superior in storage stability in a coiled state, anti-background soiling property and the adaptability to high-speed printing, and also capable of forming a print products having excellent functions as to durability such as wear resistance and heat resistance.