Method for producing printed matter, printed matter, and thermal transfer sheet

Abstract

The present invention provides a printed article having a high-definition concave-convex pattern based on an expansion portion, and a method for producing the same. The method comprises: preparing a thermal transfer sheet having a substrate and a transfer layer, wherein the transfer layer comprises a release layer, a layer containing foamed particles, and an adhesive layer laminated in this order on one surface of the substrate; and heating the thermal transfer sheet to transfer the transfer layer onto a transfer object in a predetermined pattern, overlapping the transfer layers a plurality of times, thereby forming a laminated body comprising the plurality of transfer layers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a printed article, the printed article, and a thermal transfer sheet. Background Art

[0002] Various thermal transfer methods using dyes and pigments have been proposed. Thermal transfer printed materials are used in a variety of applications, including ID cards, credit cards with facial photos, composite photos used in amusement parks, and trading cards.

[0003] In recent years, printed materials have become increasingly common. Cards containing expanded particles are heated in arbitrary patterns to form expanded areas, creating simple three-dimensional shapes with concave and convex shapes. However, when expanding the expanded particles to form patterns such as text and images, there is a problem of distorted patterns, making them difficult to read.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-254238 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a printed article having a high-definition concave-convex pattern based on an expansion portion and a method for producing the same. Furthermore, the present disclosure aims to provide a thermal transfer sheet for producing a printed article having a high-definition concave-convex pattern based on an expansion portion.

[0006] The method for manufacturing a printed matter disclosed herein comprises: a step of preparing a thermal transfer sheet, wherein the thermal transfer sheet has a substrate and a transfer layer, wherein the transfer layer is provided on one side of the substrate and has a layer containing foamed particles; and a step of heating the thermal transfer sheet and transferring the transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet onto a transferee in a predetermined pattern in a plurality of overlapping manners to form a laminate having a plurality of the transfer layers stacked on top of each other.

[0007] The printed material disclosed herein includes: a transfer target; and a laminated body provided on the transfer target having a plurality of transfer layers laminated thereon, wherein the plurality of transfer layers each include an adhesive layer and a layer containing foamed particles laminated in this order from the transfer target.

[0008] The thermal transfer sheet of the present disclosure includes: a substrate; and a plurality of transfer layers sequentially provided on one surface of the substrate. The plurality of transfer layers each include a layer containing expanded particles and an adhesive layer sequentially stacked from the one surface side of the substrate.

[0009] Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to produce a printed article having a high-definition concave-convex pattern based on the expansion portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1It is a cross-sectional view of a thermal transfer sheet according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the process for explaining the method for manufacturing a printed matter.

[0013] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the process for explaining the method for manufacturing a printed matter.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of the process for explaining the method for manufacturing a printed matter.

[0015] Figure 5a These are cross-sectional views illustrating the steps of a method for producing a printed material according to a comparative example.

[0016] Figure 5b These are cross-sectional views illustrating the steps of a method for producing a printed material according to a comparative example.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of a process for explaining a method for producing a printed matter according to another embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 It is a top view of the thermal transfer sheet.

[0019] Figure 8a It is a cross-sectional view of a process for explaining a method for producing a printed matter according to another embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8b It is a cross-sectional view of a process for explaining a method for producing a printed matter according to another embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9a It is a cross-sectional view of a process for explaining a method for producing a printed matter according to another embodiment.

[0022] Figure 9b It is a cross-sectional view of a process for explaining a method for producing a printed matter according to another embodiment.

[0023] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view of a process for explaining a method for producing a printed matter according to another embodiment.

[0024] Figure 11 It is a top view of the printed matter of the embodiment.

[0025] Figure 12 It is a top view of a printed material of a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure based on the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in order to clarify the description, the widths and thicknesses of various parts are sometimes schematically indicated in the drawings, as compared to actual dimensions. However, this is merely an example and is not intended to limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in the present specification and drawings, elements identical to those described in connection with previously mentioned drawings may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate.

[0027] Figure 1 : is a cross-sectional view of a thermal transfer sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the thermal transfer sheet 10 has a transfer layer T provided on one surface of a substrate 1 and a back layer 5 provided on the other surface. The transfer layer T has a peeling layer 2, a foaming layer 3, and an adhesive layer 4 stacked in order from the substrate 1 side. The foaming layer 3 is a foamed particle-containing layer containing unfoamed foamed particles. The foamed particles have an outer shell made of a thermoplastic resin and a foaming agent enclosed in the outer shell and vaporized by heating. Therefore, the foamed particles expand due to heating. The glass transition temperature of the first resin of the peeling layer 2 and the adhesive layer 4 is higher than that of the first binder resin of the foaming layer 3. Here, the first resin is the resin with the highest mixing ratio among the resins contained in the peeling layer 2 and the adhesive layer 4. In addition, the first binder resin is the binder resin with the highest mixing ratio among the binder resins contained in the foaming layer 3.

[0028] When printing, a known thermal transfer printer with a thermal head is used to print the printed matter by bonding the adhesive layer 4 of the thermal transfer sheet 10 to the transferee 6 (see Figure 2 ) are placed opposite to each other so that the thermal transfer sheet 10 and the transferred body 6 are overlapped. Then, the thermal transfer sheet 10 is heated in a prescribed pattern from the back layer 5 side, and the transfer layer T (T1) of the first layer is transferred to the transferred body 6. The transfer layer T transferred from the thermal transfer sheet 10 to the transferred body 6 includes an adhesive layer 4, a foaming layer 3 and a peeling layer 2, and the peeling layer 2 does not remain on the base material 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 10. At this time, the heat energy applied to the thermal transfer sheet 10 is set to a degree that the transferred foaming layer 3 does not expand in the planar direction. The transfer pattern includes a straight line or a curved line portion with a line width W0.

[0029] The transfer body 6 is not particularly limited to a plastic card base material, paper, etc. The shape of the transfer body 6 may be a flat surface or a curved surface.

[0030] Next, the same thermal transfer sheet 10 or a different thermal transfer sheet 10 is overlapped with the transferee 6 to which the transfer layer T1 is transferred, and the thermal transfer sheet 10 is heated from the back layer 5 side in the same pattern. Figure 3 As shown, the second transfer layer T ( T2 ) is transferred onto the first transfer layer T1 , thereby forming a laminated body in which the transfer layers T1 and T2 are stacked.

[0031] Next, an image is formed on the transferred body 6 of the laminated body provided with transfer layers T1 and T2 (not shown). The image forming method is not particularly limited, and a sublimation transfer method, a melt transfer method, an inkjet method, etc. can be used. In the case of the sublimation transfer method and the inkjet method, it is preferred that the receiving layer is transferred to the transferred body 6 in a manner that covers the transfer layers T1 and T2, and then the color material is transferred to form the image. Alternatively, a protective layer may be transferred after the image is formed. Alternatively, an intermediate transfer medium may be used to transfer the layer formed with the image to the transferred body 6 provided with the laminated body.

[0032] After the image is formed, the transfer body 6 is heated using a heating device such as a heat roller, an oven, or a thermal head. Figure 4 、 Figure 11 As shown, the foamed particles within the foamed layer 3 of the transfer layers T1 and T2 expand. This expansion of the foamed particles causes the foamed layer 3 to expand not only in the vertical direction (height) but also in the horizontal direction. The greater the thickness (volume) of the foamed layer 3, the greater the horizontal expansion. However, in this embodiment, the foamed layer 3 is divided into two layers using a resin layer with a high glass transition temperature (peeling layer 2 / adhesive layer 4). This reduces the thickness (volume) of each layer, thereby suppressing the horizontal expansion, i.e., the line width W1 after expansion.

[0033] Figure 5a 、 Figure 5b A method for producing a printed article according to a comparative example is shown. Figure 5a As shown, a transfer layer having a laminated adhesive layer 4A, a foam layer 3A, and a release layer 2A is transferred onto a transfer target 6A using a line pattern having a line width W0. The thickness of the foam layer 3A is approximately twice that of the foam layer 3 described above.

[0034] After the transfer layer is transferred, if the transfer body 6A is heated, Figure 5b 、 Figure 12 As shown, the foamed particles in the foamed layer 3A expand. Due to the expansion of the foamed particles, the foamed layer 3A also expands in the horizontal direction. The thickness (volume) of each layer of the foamed layer 3A is larger than that of the foamed layer 3 mentioned above. In particular, the amount of horizontal expansion becomes larger in the center of the thickness direction. The line width W2 after expansion is larger than Figure 4 、 Figure 11 The line width W1 is large, making it difficult to express fine concave and convex patterns.

[0035] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the transfer layer T is transferred twice, and the two foaming layers 3 are separated by a resin layer with a high glass transition temperature (peeling layer 2 and / or adhesive layer 4), thereby suppressing the thickness (volume) of each foaming layer and thereby suppressing the amount of expansion in the horizontal direction, thereby being able to express a high-precision concave-convex pattern.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the transfer layer T is transferred twice to stack the two transfer layers T1 and T2 . However, the number of transfers of the transfer layer T may be three or more. Figure 6 The transfer layer T is transferred three times, and a structure in which three transfer layers T1 to T3 are stacked is shown.

[0037] Transferring the transfer layer T and forming the image can be performed by the same printer or by different printers. When the same printer is used, the thermal transfer sheet for transferring the transfer layer T and the thermal transfer sheet for transferring the colorant can be integrated or separate. Alternatively, transfer layers having foamed bead-containing layers of varying thickness can be provided on a single thermal transfer sheet in sequential order.

[0038] When the thermal transfer sheet is provided as a separate sheet, for example, a first thermal transfer sheet for transferring the transfer layer T, a second thermal transfer sheet for transferring the colorant, and a third thermal transfer sheet for transferring the receiving layer are prepared. The first thermal transfer sheet has the transfer layer T provided on a first substrate. The second thermal transfer sheet has the colorant layer provided on a second substrate. The third thermal transfer sheet has the receiving layer provided on a third substrate.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a top view of a thermal transfer sheet in which the thermal transfer sheet for transferring the transfer layer T and the thermal transfer sheet for transferring the colorant are integrated (forming a single color ribbon). The thermal transfer sheet comprises transfer layers T1 and T2, a transfer-receiving layer R, a colorant layer 7, and a protective layer 8, which are sequentially provided on one surface of a substrate.

[0040] The color material layer 7 includes a yellow color material layer 7Y containing a yellow color material, a magenta color material layer 7M containing a magenta color material, and a cyan color material layer 7C containing a cyan color material. The color materials contained in the yellow color material layer 7Y, the magenta color material layer 7M, and the cyan color material layer 7Y are, for example, sublimable dyes.

[0041] In use Figure 7 In the case of the thermal transfer sheet shown, first, the transfer layers T1 and T2 are heated sequentially in the same pattern, thereby transferring and laminating the transfer layers T1 and T2 onto the transferee. Next, the transfer-type receiving layer R is transferred onto the transferee. Then, the yellow colorant layer 7Y, the magenta colorant layer 7M, and the cyan colorant layer 7Y are sequentially transferred to form an image on the receiving layer R on the transferee. Then, the protective layer 8 is heated and transferred onto the receiving layer R with the image formed thereon.

[0042] When the color material contained in the color material layer 7 is hot melt ink, the transfer-type receiving layer R can be omitted.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the following structure is described: by stacking the transfer layer T (foaming layer 3) and reducing the thickness (volume) of each foaming layer 3, thereby suppressing the expansion amount in the horizontal direction, but it is also possible to Figure 8a As shown, the transfer layer T is transferred in a dot pattern (halftone) rather than a solid pattern to suppress the horizontal width of the foam layer 3. The distance between the transfer layers T at both ends is denoted as W0.

[0044] By heating, the foamed particles in the foaming layer 3 expand, as shown in FIG. Figure 8b As shown, adjacent dot-shaped foam layers 3 of the transfer layer T are bonded together to form a line portion with a line width of W3. By transferring the transfer layer T in a dot pattern, the volume of each foam layer 3 is reduced, and the amount of horizontal expansion is suppressed. The line width W3 becomes slightly larger than W0, enabling the expression of a high-definition concave-convex pattern.

[0045] like Figure 9a As shown, the transfer layer T (T1, T2) can also be transferred in a dot pattern and in a stacked two-layer manner. Figure 9b As shown, the adjacent dot-shaped foam layers 3 of the transfer layer T1 are bonded to each other, and the adjacent foam layers 3 of the transfer layer T2 are bonded to each other. This makes it possible to express a high-definition concave-convex pattern.

[0046] like Figure 10 As shown, the positions of the dot pattern of the first transfer layer T1 and the dot pattern of the second transfer layer T2 may be shifted, or the size (width) may be changed.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the expanded beads are expanded after the image is formed, but the image may be formed after the expanded beads are expanded.

[0048] After the receiving layer on which the image is formed is transferred to the transfer target 6 , the transfer layers T1 and T2 may be transferred to the transfer target 6 (receiving layer) to form a laminate.

[0049] In the above embodiment, a transfer layer T is provided on one surface of the substrate 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 10. The transfer layer T includes a release layer 2, a foaming layer 3, and an adhesive layer 4 stacked in sequence. However, a release layer may be provided between the substrate 1 and the transfer layer T. In other words, a release layer, a release layer, a foaming layer, and an adhesive layer may be stacked in sequence on one surface of the substrate 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 10. Alternatively, a structure may be adopted in which the release layer is omitted from the transfer layer T, and a release layer, a foaming layer, and an adhesive layer are stacked in sequence on one surface of the substrate 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 10. After the transfer layer T is transferred to the transferee 6, the release layer remains on the substrate 1.

[0050] Next, each structure of the thermal transfer sheet 10 will be described.

[0051] (Base material)

[0052] There are no restrictions on the substrate 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 10, and any substrate known in the field of thermal transfer sheets can be appropriately selected and used. As an example, stretched or unstretched films of plastics such as polyester, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetherketone, polyethersulfone, polypropylene, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, polyethylene derivatives, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polymethylpentene, or ionomer can be cited. As polyester, polyesters with high heat resistance are preferred, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, etc. can be cited. In addition, composite films formed by laminating two or more of these materials can also be used. The thickness of the substrate 1 is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 2 μm to 10 μm.

[0053] (peel layer)

[0054] In order to improve the transferability of the transfer layer T, a release layer 2 is provided at a position closest to the substrate 1 of the transfer layer T. Examples of the binder resin constituting the release layer include cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, and cellulose acetate; acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, and polybutyl acrylate; thermoplastic resins such as polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, and polyvinyl butyral, which are examples of vinyl resins; saturated or unsaturated polyesters; polyurethane resins; thermosetting epoxy-amino copolymers; thermosetting resins such as thermosetting alkyd-amino copolymers (thermosetting aminoalkyd resins); silicone waxes; silicone resins; silicone-modified resins; fluororesins; fluoromodified resins; and polyvinyl alcohol.

[0055] The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the first resin in the release layer is preferably higher than the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin in the foaming layer (described later). When the foaming layer is heated, the high glass transition temperature of the first resin in the release layer prevents the foaming agent from piercing the foaming layer (first binder resin), thus acting as a cover. In this disclosure, Tg is a value determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in accordance with JIS K 7121.

[0056] (Foaming layer)

[0057] Foam layer 3 contains expanded particles and binder resin. Expanded particles are the heat-expandable microspheres consisting of an outer shell (shell) and the foaming agent (core) enclosed therein, and the outer shell is made of thermoplastic resin. Expanded particles have a core-shell structure, demonstrate thermal expansibility (the property that the microsphere as a whole expands because of heating) as a microsphere. Thermoplastic resin is the polymer of a polymerizable component.

[0058] Polymerizable component refers to a monomer having at least one or more polymerizable groups in the molecule, and is a component of a thermoplastic resin that becomes the shell of the foamed particles by polymerization. As polymerizable component, non-crosslinking monomers (hereinafter referred to as non-crosslinking monomers) with one reactive carbon-carbon double bond and crosslinking monomers (hereinafter referred to as crosslinking monomers) with two or more reactive carbon-carbon double bonds can be enumerated. The crosslinked structure can be imported into the polymer by the crosslinking monomer. The reactive carbon-carbon double bond mentioned here refers to a carbon-carbon double bond that shows free radical reactivity, and can include carbon-carbon double bonds contained in vinyl, (meth) acryloyl, allyl, vinylidene, etc., rather than carbon-carbon double bonds in aromatic rings such as benzene rings and naphthalene rings. Here, (meth) acryloyl refers to acryloyl or methacryloyl.

[0059] The blowing agent is a component that vaporizes by heating. The blowing agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include: hydrocarbons having 3 to 13 carbon atoms, such as propane, (iso)butane, (iso)pentane, (iso)hexane, (iso)heptane, (iso)octane, (iso)nonane, (iso)decane, (iso)undecane, (iso)dodecane, and (iso)tridecane; hydrocarbons having more than 13 and less than 20 carbon atoms, such as (iso)hexadecane and (iso)eicosane; pseudocumene, petroleum ether, and hydrocarbons having an initial boiling point of 150°C to 260°C and / or a distillation range of 70°C to 360°C. The following hydrocarbons such as normal alkanes and isoparaffins, etc., petroleum fractions; halides of hydrocarbons having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, such as methyl chloride, dichloromethane, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride; fluorine-containing compounds such as hydrofluoroethers; silanes having an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, such as tetramethylsilane, trimethylethylsilane, trimethylisopropylsilane, and trimethyl-n-propylsilane; compounds that generate gas by thermal decomposition upon heating, such as azodicarbonamide, N,N'-dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine, and 4,4'-oxybis(benzenesulfonylhydrazide);

[0060] The foaming agent may be composed of a single compound or a mixture of two or more compounds. The foaming agent may be linear, branched, or alicyclic, but is preferably aliphatic.

[0061] The internal inclusion rate of the foaming agent in the foamed particles is defined as the percentage of the weight of the internally included foaming agent relative to the weight of the foamed particles. The internal inclusion rate of the foaming agent is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2% to 50% by weight, and more preferably 10% to 20% by weight, relative to the weight of the foamed particles.

[0062] The expansion start temperature of the expanded beads is not particularly limited, but is preferably 70° C. or higher. The average particle size (D50) of the expanded beads is 5 μm or more and 30 μm or less. The average particle size (D50) can be measured by laser diffraction / scattering particle size distribution measurement.

[0063] Examples of the first binder resin contained in the foam layer include cellulose resin, vinyl resin, acrylic resin, and polyester, with polyester being particularly preferred. The glass transition temperature of the first binder resin is preferably lower than that of the first resin of the release layer.

[0064] From the perspective of the sharpness of the fine lines of the concave-convex pattern after foaming, the first binder resin contained in the foaming layer is preferably a resin with a high glass transition temperature, and the ratio of the foaming agent in the foaming layer is preferably low. For example, the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin is preferably above 40°C and below 80°C, and the ratio of the foaming agent in the foaming layer is preferably approximately 2:8 to 4:6. On the other hand, from the perspective of the thickness increase rate of the foaming layer, the first binder resin contained in the foaming layer is preferably a resin with a low glass transition temperature. For example, the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin is preferably above -20°C and below 20°C. The first binder resin is determined based on the desired shape of the concave-convex pattern.

[0065] The thickness of the foam layer before expansion of the foam beads (total thickness of the foam layers) is preferably 5 μm to 50 μm. The thickness of the foam layer after expansion of the foam beads (total thickness of the foam layers) is preferably 250 μm to 600 μm.

[0066] (Adhesive layer)

[0067] To improve adhesion between the transfer target and the transfer layer T, an adhesive layer 4 is provided on the foam layer 3. Examples of materials for the adhesive layer include cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate butyrate; styrene copolymers such as polystyrene and poly-α-methylstyrene; acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, and polyethyl acrylate; vinyl resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, and polyvinyl butyral; polyesters, nylon resins, epoxy resins, and polyurethanes. Preferably, the glass transition temperature of the first resin of the adhesive layer is higher than the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin of the foam layer.

[0068] (Back layer)

[0069] The material of the back layer 5 is not limited, and examples thereof include cellulose resins such as cellulose acetate butyrate and cellulose acetate propionate, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl butyral and polyvinyl acetal, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl acrylate, polyacrylamide, and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer, polyamide resins, polyamide-imide, polyester, polyurethane, and natural or synthetic resins such as silicone-modified or fluorine-modified polyurethane. The back layer may contain one of these resins alone, or two or more of them.

[0070] (Receiving layer)

[0071] Figure 7 Shown transfer type receiving layer R has the receiving layer and the bonding layer stacked successively from the base material side.For the material of receiving layer, there is no particular limitation, preferably use the binder resin that the sublimation dye that contains in the color material layer is easily dyed.As such binder resin, can enumerate polyester, polystyrene, polyamide, ionomer, cellulose resin etc. such as vinyl resin, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate such as halogenated resin, polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylate such as polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride such as polypropylene.Receiving layer can contain a kind in these binder resins separately, also can contain more than two kinds.

[0072] The thickness of the receptor layer is usually 1.0 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and preferably 1.0 μm or more and 5.0 μm or less.

[0073] (Protective layer)

[0074] Examples of the binder resin constituting the protective layer 8 include polyester, polyester polyurethane resin, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, acrylic polyurethane resin, resins obtained by modifying these resins with silicone, and mixtures of these resins. The protective layer may contain an ultraviolet-absorbing resin or an active light-curable resin. It should be noted that active light refers to light that chemically reacts with the active light-curable resin to promote polymerization, specifically visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, electron beams, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, and the like. To improve the transferability of the protective layer, a release layer may be provided between the substrate and the protective layer.

[0075] Example

[0076] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0077] [Examples 1 to 14, Comparative Examples 1 and 2]

[0078] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 1)

[0079] A PET film having a thickness of 5 μm was used as a substrate. A back layer coating liquid having the following composition was applied to one side of the substrate and dried to form a back layer having a thickness of 1 μm. Furthermore, a peeling layer coating liquid having the following composition was applied to the other side of the substrate and dried to form a peeling layer having a thickness of 0.5 μm. Subsequently, a foaming layer coating liquid 1 having the following composition was applied to the peeling layer and dried to form a foaming layer having a thickness of 30 μm. Subsequently, an adhesive layer coating liquid 1 having the following composition was applied to the foaming layer and dried to form an adhesive layer having a thickness of 2.5 μm. This yielded a thermal transfer sheet 1 having a back layer, a substrate, a peeling layer, a foaming layer, and an adhesive layer laminated in this order.

[0080] <Release layer coating liquid>

[0081] 19 parts by mass of acrylic resin

[0082] (DIANAL (registered trademark) BR-87, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, glass transition temperature: 106°C)

[0083] 1 part by mass of polyester

[0084] (Vylon (registered trademark)) 200, Toyobo Co., Ltd.)

[0085] 40 parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone

[0086] 40 parts by mass of toluene

[0087] <Back layer coating liquid>

[0088] 36 parts by mass of polyvinyl acetal

[0089] (S-LEC(registered trademark)) KS-1, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.)

[0090] 25 parts by mass of isocyanate compound

[0091] (Burnock (registered trademark)) D 750, DIC Corporation)

[0092] 1 part by mass of silicone resin microparticles

[0093] (Tospearl (registered trademark) 240, Momentive Performance Materials Japan Co., Ltd.)

[0094] 10 parts by mass of zinc stearate

[0095] (LBT1830 refined, Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)

[0096] 10 parts by mass of zinc stearate

[0097] (SZ-PF Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)

[0098] 3 parts by mass of polyethylene wax

[0099] (POLYWAX 3000, Toyo ADL Co., Ltd.)

[0100] 7 parts by mass of ethoxylated alcohol modified wax

[0101] (UNITHOX 750, Toyo ADL Co., Ltd.)

[0102] 200 parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone

[0103] 100 parts by mass of toluene

[0104] <Foaming layer coating liquid 1>

[0105] 5 parts by mass of foamed particles A

[0106] (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) HF30D, Matsumoto Oil & Fats Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Foaming temperature: 115°C, average particle size: 14 μm)

[0107] 5 parts by mass of polyester

[0108] (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD 1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature: -10°C)

[0109] 23 parts by mass of water

[0110] <Adhesive layer coating liquid 1>

[0111] 5 parts by mass of polyester

[0112] (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD 1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature: -10°C)

[0113] 15 parts by mass of water

[0114] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 2)

[0115] A thermal transfer sheet 2 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 1 except that the foam layer coating liquid 1 having the above composition was applied onto the release layer and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 40 μm.

[0116] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 3)

[0117] A thermal transfer sheet 3 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 1 except that the foam layer coating liquid 1 having the above composition was applied onto the release layer and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 20 μm.

[0118] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 4)

[0119] A thermal transfer sheet 4 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 1 except that an adhesive layer coating liquid 2 having the following composition was applied on the foam layer and dried to form an adhesive layer having a thickness of 2.5 μm.

[0120] Adhesive layer coating liquid 2

[0121] 4 parts by mass of modified polyolefin

[0122] (ARROWBASE (registered trademark) SA1200, Unitika Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature: -30°C)

[0123] 6 parts by mass of IPA

[0124] 6 parts by mass of water

[0125] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 5)

[0126] A thermal transfer sheet 5 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 4 except that a foam layer coating liquid 2 having the following composition was applied on the release layer and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 30 μm.

[0127] <Foaming layer coating liquid 2>

[0128] 5 parts by mass of foamed particles B

[0129] (Matsumoto microsphere (registered trademark) FN80GSD, Matsumoto Oil & Fats Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., foaming temperature 115°C, average particle size: 13 μm)

[0130] 5 parts by mass of polyester

[0131] (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD 1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd.)

[0132] 23 parts by mass of water

[0133] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 6)

[0134] A thermal transfer sheet 6 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 4 except that a foam layer coating liquid 3 having the following composition was applied on the release layer and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 30 μm.

[0135] <Foaming layer coating liquid 3>

[0136] 5 parts by mass of foamed particles C

[0137] (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) HF36D, Matsumoto Oil & Fats Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., foaming temperature 115°C, average particle size: 13 μm)

[0138] 5 parts by mass of polyester

[0139] (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD 1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd.)

[0140] 23 parts by mass of water

[0141] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 7)

[0142] A thermal transfer sheet 7 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 4 except that a foam layer coating liquid 4 having the following composition was applied on the release layer and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 30 μm.

[0143] <Foaming layer coating liquid 4>

[0144] · Foamed particles D 5 parts by mass

[0145] (Matsumoto microsphere (registered trademark) HF48D, Matsumoto Oil & Fats Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., foaming temperature 130°C, average particle size: 12 μm)

[0146] 5 parts by mass of polyester

[0147] (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD 1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd.)

[0148] 23 parts by mass of water

[0149] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 8)

[0150] A thermal transfer sheet 8 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 4 except that a foam layer coating liquid 5 having the following composition was applied on the release layer and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 30 μm.

[0151] <Foaming layer coating liquid 5>

[0152] · Foamed particles E 5 parts by mass

[0153] (Matsumoto microsphere (registered trademark) F36LVD, Matsumoto Oil & Fats Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., foaming temperature 115°C, average particle size: 16 μm)

[0154] 5 parts by mass of polyester

[0155] (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD 1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd.)

[0156] 23 parts by mass of water

[0157] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 9)

[0158] A thermal transfer sheet 9 was produced in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 1 except that an adhesive layer coating liquid 3 having the following composition was applied on the foam layer and dried to form an adhesive layer having a thickness of 2.5 μm.

[0159] Adhesive layer coating solution 3

[0160] 5 parts by mass of polyester

[0161] (Elitel (registered trademark) KA-1237, Unitika Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature: 71°C)

[0162] 15 parts by mass of water

[0163] (Manufacturing of Thermal Transfer Sheet 10)

[0164] A thermal transfer sheet 10 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 1 except that the foam layer coating liquid 1 having the above composition was applied onto the release layer and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 60 μm.

[0165] (Production of printed materials)

[0166] Prepare a 225 μm thick coated paper as the transfer medium. Place the adhesive layers of thermal transfer sheets 1 to 9 produced in the above steps opposite the transfer medium. Using the following thermal transfer printer, transfer the transfer layer, consisting of a release layer, foam layer, and adhesive layer, onto the transfer medium multiple times in a stacked pattern. The transfer pattern on the transfer layer is a 10 mm x 10 mm square (10 mm in the x and y directions) when viewed from above.

[0167] An image was formed on the transfer substrate to which the transfer layer had been transferred. The printed material was then heated using a heating roller (Lamipacker Meister6 LPD3226, manufactured by Fujipla) to expand the foamed particles in the foam layer. The heating roller temperature was set at 150°C and the speed was 0.4 m / min. Table 1 shows the type of thermal transfer sheet, the number of transfers of the transfer layer, and the image formation method. "Melt" in the image formation method indicates the use of hot melt ink, while "sublimation" indicates the use of a sublimable dye. Furthermore, "InTM" indicates the use of an intermediate transfer medium.

[0168] Thermal transfer printer

[0169] Thermal head: F3589 (manufactured by Toshiba Optoelectronics Corporation)

[0170] Average resistance of heating element: 5015Ω

[0171] Printing voltage: 15V (18V for Comparative Example 2 only)

[0172] Main scanning direction resolution: 300dpi (dot per inch)

[0173] Sub-scanning direction resolution: 300dpi

[0174] Line speed: 6.0msec. / line

[0175] Printing start temperature: 35℃

[0176] Pulse duty cycle: 85%

[0177] Grayscale value: 255 / 255 (maximum energy grayscale)

[0178] <<Transferability Evaluation>>

[0179] The transfer layer transferred from the thermal transfer sheet to the transfer target was visually observed, and the transferability of the transfer layer was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria.

[0180] (Evaluation Criteria)

[0181] ○ No transfer defects (tailing, untransferred areas)

[0182] △ Transfer failure is less than 10%

[0183] × Transfer failure is 10% or more

[0184] <<Foaming Amount Evaluation>>

[0185] The thickness of the laminated transfer layer before and after foaming (expansion) was measured, and the amount of foaming was calculated by subtracting the thickness before foaming from the thickness after foaming. The amount of foaming was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. A digital micrometer (MDC-25MX, Mitutoyo Co., Ltd.) was used for the thickness measurement.

[0186] (Evaluation Criteria)

[0187] ◎400μm or more

[0188] ○250μm or more and less than 400μm

[0189] △150μm or more and less than 250μm

[0190] × Less than 150 μm

[0191] <<Sharp Evaluation>>

[0192] The dimensions of the transferred layer (foamed layer) after foaming were measured in the x and y directions. The larger dimension was calculated based on the pre-foaming dimension, and the sharpness of the pattern was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. A microscope (VHX1000, KEYENCE Co., Ltd.) was used to measure the dimensions of the transferred layer after foaming.

[0193] (Evaluation Criteria)

[0194] ○ Less than 125%

[0195] △125% or more and less than 155%

[0196] ×155% or more

[0197] [Table 1]

[0198]

[0199] [Reference Example 1-4]

[0200] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 11)

[0201] A PET film having a thickness of 5 μm was used as a substrate. The back layer coating liquid having the above-mentioned composition was applied to one side of the substrate and dried to form a back layer having a thickness of 1 μm. Furthermore, the peeling layer coating liquid having the above-mentioned composition was applied to the other side of the substrate and dried to form a peeling layer having a thickness of 1 μm. Subsequently, a foaming layer coating liquid 6 having the following composition was applied to the peeling layer and dried to form a foaming layer having a thickness of 15 μm. Subsequently, an adhesive layer coating liquid 1 having the above-mentioned composition was applied to the foaming layer and dried to form an adhesive layer having a thickness of 2 μm. This resulted in a thermal transfer sheet 11 having a back layer, a substrate, a peeling layer, a foaming layer, and an adhesive layer laminated in this order.

[0202] <Foaming layer coating liquid 6>

[0203] · Foamed particles F 5 parts by mass

[0204] (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) HF50D, Matsumoto Oil & Fats Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Foaming temperature: 115°C, average particle size: 14 μm)

[0205] 5 parts by mass of polyester

[0206] (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD 1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature: -10°C)

[0207] 23 parts by mass of water

[0208] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 12)

[0209] A thermal transfer sheet 12 was produced in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 11 except that a foam layer coating liquid 7 having the following composition was applied on the release layer instead of the foam layer coating liquid 6 and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 15 μm.

[0210] <Foaming layer coating liquid 7>

[0211] · Foamed particles F 3 parts by mass

[0212] (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) HF50D, Matsumoto Oil & Fats Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Foaming temperature: 115°C, average particle size: 14 μm)

[0213] 7 parts by mass of polyester

[0214] (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD 1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature: -10°C)

[0215] 23 parts by mass of water

[0216] (Production of Thermal Transfer Sheet 13)

[0217] A thermal transfer sheet 13 was prepared in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 11 except that a foam layer coating liquid 8 having the following composition was applied on the release layer instead of the foam layer coating liquid 6 and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 15 μm.

[0218] <Foaming layer coating liquid 8>

[0219] · Foamed particles F 7 parts by mass

[0220] (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) HF50D, Matsumoto Oil & Fats Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Foaming temperature: 115°C, average particle size: 14 μm)

[0221] 3 parts by mass of polyester

[0222] (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD 1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature: -10°C)

[0223] 23 parts by mass of water

[0224] (Manufacturing of Thermal Transfer Sheet 14)

[0225] A thermal transfer sheet 14 was produced in the same manner as the thermal transfer sheet 11 except that a foam layer coating liquid 9 having the following composition was applied on the release layer instead of the foam layer coating liquid 6 and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 15 μm.

[0226] <Foaming layer coating liquid 9>

[0227] · Foamed particles F 5 parts by mass

[0228] (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) HF50D, Matsumoto Oil & Fats Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Foaming temperature: 115°C, average particle size: 14 μm)

[0229] 5 parts by mass of polyester

[0230] (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD 1200, Toyobo Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature: 67°C)

[0231] 23 parts by mass of water

[0232] (Production of printed materials)

[0233] Prepare a 100 μm thick PET film as the transfer target. Place the adhesive layers of the thermal transfer sheets 11-14 produced in the above steps opposite the transfer target. Using the thermal transfer printer described above, transfer the transfer layer, consisting of the release layer, foam layer, and adhesive layer, onto the transfer target twice, overlapping each other. The transfer pattern on the transfer layer is a 10 mm x 10 mm square (10 mm in the x and y directions) when viewed from above.

[0234] An image was formed using hot-melt ink on the transfer substrate to which the transfer layer had been transferred. The printed materials of Reference Examples 1 to 4 were produced by heating with a heating roller (Lamipacker Meister6 LPD3226, manufactured by Fujipla) to expand the foamed particles of the foam layer. The heating roller temperature was set at 150°C and the speed was 0.4 m / min. The types of thermal transfer sheets used in producing the printed materials of Reference Examples 1 to 4 are shown in Table 2.

[0235] <<Measurement of Foaming Volume and Expansion Ratio>>

[0236] The thickness of the printed material was measured before and after the foaming layer expanded. The amount of foaming was calculated by subtracting the thickness of the printed material before foaming from the thickness of the printed material after foaming. Furthermore, the thickness of the transferred material was subtracted from the thickness of the printed material to determine the thickness of the laminated transfer layer. The expansion rate was calculated by dividing the thickness of the transfer layer after foaming by the thickness of the transfer layer before foaming. The results are shown in Table 2. A digital micrometer (MDC-25MX, Mitutoyo Co., Ltd.) was used to measure the thickness of the printed material.

[0237] <<Magnification measurement in the plane direction>>

[0238] The dimensions of the transfer layer (foamed layer) after foaming were measured in the x and y directions. The magnification of the larger dimension was calculated based on the dimension before foaming. The calculation results are shown in Table 2. A microscope (VHX1000, KEYENCE Co., Ltd.) was used to measure the dimensions of the transfer layer after foaming.

[0239] [Table 2]

[0240]

[0241] While the present disclosure has been described in detail using specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0242] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-5867 filed on January 18, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

[0243] Description of labels

[0244] 1: substrate;

[0245] 2: peeling layer;

[0246] 3: Foaming layer;

[0247] 4: Adhesive layer;

[0248] 5: back layer;

[0249] 6: Transfer object;

[0250] 10: Thermal transfer film.

Claims

1. A method for producing a printed matter, wherein: The method for producing the printed matter comprises: a step of preparing a thermal transfer sheet comprising a substrate and a transfer layer, wherein the transfer layer is provided on one surface side of the substrate and comprises a layer containing foamed particles; and The step of heating the thermal transfer sheet and transferring the transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet onto a transferee in a predetermined pattern in a plurality of overlapping manners to form a laminated body having a plurality of the transfer layers stacked on top of each other. transferring the transfer layer from the thermal transfer sheet in a dot pattern, The laminate is heated to expand the foamed bead-containing layer, thereby bonding the foamed bead-containing layers included in the adjacent dot-shaped transfer layers.

2. The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 1, wherein: The transfer layer includes a release layer, the foamed bead-containing layer, and an adhesive layer laminated in this order on one surface side of the substrate.

3. The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 2, wherein: The glass transition temperature of the first resin of the release layer is higher than the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin of the layer containing expanded beads.

4. The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The glass transition temperature of the first resin of the adhesive layer is higher than the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin of the layer containing expanded beads.

5. A printed matter, wherein The printed matter has: Transfer object; and A laminated body having a plurality of transfer layers stacked thereon is provided on the transferee. The plurality of transfer layers each include an adhesive layer and a layer containing foamed particles stacked in order from the transfer object side. The plurality of transfer layers are in the shape of dots, The foamed particle-containing layers included in the adjacent dot-shaped transfer layers are bonded to each other.

6. The printed matter according to claim 5, wherein Each of the plurality of transfer layers further includes a release layer on a side opposite to the transfer target body when viewed from the layer containing expanded particles.

7. A method for producing a printed matter, wherein: The method for producing the printed matter comprises: a step of preparing a first thermal transfer sheet comprising a first substrate and a transfer layer, wherein the transfer layer is provided on one surface side of the first substrate and has a foam layer containing foamed particles; a step of preparing a second thermal transfer sheet comprising a second substrate and a color material layer provided on one surface side of the second substrate; a step of preparing a third thermal transfer sheet comprising a third substrate and a receiving layer provided on one surface side of the third substrate; The step of heating the first thermal transfer sheet to transfer the transfer layer of the first thermal transfer sheet onto a transferee in a predetermined pattern in a plurality of overlapping manners to form a laminated body having a plurality of the transfer layers stacked on top of each other; a step of heating the second thermal transfer sheet to transfer the colorant to the receiving layer of the third thermal transfer sheet to form an image; and a step of heating the third thermal transfer sheet to transfer the receiving layer having the image formed thereon to the laminate; transferring the transfer layer from the first thermal transfer sheet in a dot pattern, The laminate is heated to expand the foam layer, thereby bonding the foam layers included in the adjacent dot-shaped transfer layers.

8. A method for producing a printed matter, wherein: The method for producing the printed matter comprises: a step of preparing a first thermal transfer sheet comprising a first substrate and a transfer layer, wherein the transfer layer is provided on one surface side of the first substrate and has a foam layer containing foamed particles; a step of preparing a second thermal transfer sheet comprising a second substrate and a color material layer provided on one surface side of the second substrate; a step of preparing a third thermal transfer sheet comprising a third substrate and a receiving layer provided on one surface side of the third substrate; a step of heating the second thermal transfer sheet to transfer the colorant to the receiving layer of the third thermal transfer sheet to form an image; a step of heating the third thermal transfer sheet to transfer the receiving layer having the image formed thereon to a transfer object; and The first thermal transfer sheet is heated to transfer the transfer layer of the first thermal transfer sheet onto the transferee to which the receiving layer has been transferred multiple times in a predetermined pattern, thereby forming a laminated body having a plurality of the transfer layers stacked together. transferring the transfer layer from the first thermal transfer sheet in a dot pattern, The laminate is heated to expand the foam layer, thereby bonding the foam layers included in the adjacent dot-shaped transfer layers.

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