Transfer medium manufacturing apparatus and method, and transfer medium

Abstract

To provide a transfer medium manufacturing apparatus and method which suppress chipping of a printed image when the printed image is transferred, and deterioration of image quality by transfer of an unnecessary part, and can manufacture a transfer medium having a high transfer quality, and a transfer medium.SOLUTION: A transfer medium manufacturing apparatus includes a printing part 20 for receiving image data showing a printed image, and printing a printed image IMG1 on a release sheet S on the basis of the image data, an adhesive coating part 30 for coating an adhesive onto the release sheet S on which the printed image IMG1 is printed, and a control device 2 for controlling the printing part 20 and the adhesive coating part 30, wherein the control device 2 controls the printing part 20 so as to add a printed image extension region IMG2 extended to the peripheral edge part of the printed image IMG1, and controls the adhesive coating part so that a coating region GL of the adhesive becomes wider than the printed image IMG1 and becomes narrower than the printed image extension region IMG2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer medium manufacturing apparatus and method for manufacturing a transfer medium that transfers a printed image printed on a release sheet to a transfer medium, and to such a transfer medium.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a transfer medium that transfers a printed image printed on a release sheet such as a film to a transfer medium has been known.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, when manufacturing a transfer medium, in order to obtain adhesion stability at the outer peripheral portion of a printed image, it has been proposed to increase the coating thickness of the outer peripheral portion of an adhesive layer.

[0004] Also, in Patent Document 2, a method of applying an adhesive layer in two steps (outer periphery and inner side) has been proposed in order to block the fluidity of an adhesive liquid.

[0005] Also, in Patent Document 3, in order to improve abrasion resistance, it has been proposed to make the coating area of an adhesive layer larger than that of an image layer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Here, the methods described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are methods related to improving transfer quality, and the focus is on the peripheral portion of an image.

[0008] However, the transfer quality in the case where the positions of the layer of the printed image to be laminated and printed and the layer of the adhesive are misaligned is not considered.

[0009] When the positions of the layer of the printed image and the layer of the adhesive are misaligned, in the portion where only the layer of the printed image remains (the portion without the adhesive), the printed image is not transferred and is chipped.

[0010] Also, in the portion where only the layer of the adhesive remains (the portion without the printed image), the release layer and the adhesive layer of the release sheet are transferred to the transfer medium and are visually recognized as an opaque portion, which is very obstructive.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer medium manufacturing apparatus and method capable of manufacturing a transfer medium with high-quality transfer quality by suppressing chipping of a printed image during transfer and deterioration of image quality due to transfer of unnecessary portions, and a transfer medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The transfer medium manufacturing apparatus of the present invention includes a printing unit that receives image data representing a printed image and prints the printed image on a release sheet based on the image data, an adhesive application unit that applies an adhesive to the release sheet on which the printed image is printed, and a control unit that controls the printing unit and the adhesive application unit. The control unit controls the printing unit to add a printed image expansion area expanded to the peripheral portion of the printed image, and controls the adhesive application unit so that the application area of the adhesive is wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion area.

Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, since a printed image expansion area expanded to the peripheral portion of the printed image is added and the application area of the adhesive is wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion area, even when a misalignment occurs between the layer of the printed image and the layer of the adhesive, it is possible to suppress chipping of the printed image during transfer and deterioration of image quality due to transfer of unnecessary portions, and it is possible to manufacture a transfer medium with high-quality transfer quality.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

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Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The transfer medium manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment is characterized by the printing area and the adhesive application area of the transfer medium. First, the overall configuration of the main body of the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the main body 1 of the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the up-down, left-right directions shown in FIG. 1 are defined as the up-down, left-right directions of the main body 1 of the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus, the direction toward the front of the paper surface in FIG. 1 is defined as the front direction of the main body 1 of the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus, and the direction toward the back of the paper surface is defined as the back direction of the main body 1 of the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus.

[0016] The transfer medium manufacturing apparatus main body 1 of this embodiment includes a release sheet conveying unit 10, a printing unit 20, an adhesive application unit 30, and a drying unit 40.

[0017] The release sheet conveying unit 10 conveys the release sheet and supplies the release sheet to the printing unit 20, the adhesive application unit 30, and the drying unit 40 in this order. As the release sheet, for example, a film or the like can be used, but it is not limited to this, and any material can be used as long as it can print a printed image and transfer the printed image to the transfer medium.

[0018] The release sheet conveying unit 10 includes a release sheet feeding unit 11, a first conveying roller 12, a platen 13, a second conveying roller 14, and a release sheet winding unit 15.

[0019] The release sheet feeding unit 11 is provided with a feeding-side core holding portion 11a that detachably holds the core of the roll member around which the release sheet S is wound. The feeding-side core holding portion 11a is linked to a feeding drive motor 11b (see FIG. 2) via a torque limiter (not shown), and is configured such that the feeding-side core holding portion 11a rotates by the feeding drive motor 11b.

[0020] The release sheet winding unit 15 includes a winding-side core holding portion 15a that detachably holds the core for winding the release sheet S. The winding-side core holding portion 15a is linked to a winding drive motor 15b (see FIG. 2) via a torque limiter (not shown), and is configured such that the winding-side core holding portion 15a rotates by the winding drive motor 15b.

[0021] And between the release sheet feeding unit 11 and the release sheet winding unit 15, a first conveying roller 12, a platen 13, and a second conveying roller 14 are provided.

[0022] The first conveying roller 12 and the second conveying roller 14 are roller members extending in the front-rear direction, and convey the peeling sheet S fed out from the peeling sheet feeding section 11.

[0023] The first conveying roller 12 is provided on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the printing section 20, and the second conveying roller 14 is provided on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the drying section 40. And a platen 13 is provided between the first conveying roller 12 and the second conveying roller 14.

[0024] The first conveying roller 12 and the second conveying roller 14 are installed such that the tops of their respective peripheral surfaces are at the same height as the upper surface of the platen 13. Therefore, the peeling sheet S conveyed downstream between the first conveying roller 12 and the second conveying roller 14 is configured such that its back surface is in sliding contact with the upper surface of the platen 13.

[0025] Then, when the feeding-side core holding portion 11a and the winding-side core holding portion 15a rotate, the roll member (peeling sheet S) held by the feeding-side core holding portion 11a is fed out and is configured to be wound around the core held by the winding-side core holding portion 15a via the first conveying roller 12, the platen 13, and the second conveying roller 14.

[0026] The printing section 20 performs printing on the peeling sheet S conveyed on the platen 13. Specifically, the printing section 20 includes an inkjet head that discharges ink, and performs printing by discharging ink from the inkjet head onto the peeling sheet S.

[0027] The printing unit 20 is provided with, for example, four inkjet heads, and each inkjet head discharges inks of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), respectively. The printing unit 20 may have a configuration of a so-called serial head method in which printing is performed while moving the four inkjet heads in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the peeling sheet S, for example, or a configuration of a line head method in which a plurality of inkjet heads that discharge inks of the same color are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction to form a line head.

[0028] The adhesive application unit 30 has an inkjet head in the same manner as the printing unit 20, and applies an adhesive onto the peeling sheet S on which a printed image is printed by discharging an adhesive liquid from the inkjet head instead of ink. Similar to the printing unit 20, the adhesive application unit 30 may have a configuration of a serial head method or a configuration of a line head method. By forming an adhesive application area by discharging the adhesive liquid from the inkjet head as in this embodiment, an adhesive application area can be formed in an arbitrary range on the peeling sheet.

[0029] As the adhesive, a known one can be used. For example, one in which minute capsules containing an adhesive as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-37014 are dispersed in a liquid can be used. The adhesive is discharged onto the printed image from the nozzle of the inkjet head while the capsules are maintained and adheres. Then, the capsules are broken by heating and pressurization during the transfer of the printed image, and strong adhesiveness is exhibited.

[0030] The drying unit 40 includes a heater, a fan, etc., and dries the adhesive by blowing warm air onto the peeling sheet S to which the adhesive is applied.

[0031] Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The transfer medium manufacturing apparatus main body 1 shown in FIG. 1 operates each part to be controlled shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with a control signal from the control device 2. In the present embodiment, the control device 2 corresponds to the control unit of the present invention.

[0032] The control device 2 and the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus main body 1 are connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus). However, they may be connected by a communication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or an Internet line.

[0033] The control device 2 is composed of a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, etc. The control device 2 executes a control program stored in advance in a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk based on image data representing a printed image, and controls each part shown in FIG. 2 by operating an electric circuit.

[0034] In particular, the control device 2 controls the printing unit 20 to form a printed image on the peeling sheet S, and controls the adhesive application unit 30 to apply an adhesive liquid on the peeling sheet S on which the printed image is formed.

[0035] Then, the control device 2 of the present embodiment controls the printing unit 20 to add a printed image expansion area expanded from the printed image printed by the printing unit 20, and controls the adhesive application unit 30 so that the application area of the adhesive by the adhesive application unit 30 is wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion area.

[0036] For the printed image expansion area, the control device 2 determines it based on the printed image. Specifically, for example, the control device 2 determines, as the printed image expansion area, an area expanded outward by a preset number of pixels with respect to the pixels at the peripheral part of the printed image. Also, for example, an expansion process may be performed on the printed image, and the printed image expansion area may be determined by subtracting the area of the original printed image from the area of the expanded image. In addition, for example, when the printed image is a lattice pattern, the printed image expansion area is set for each line constituting the lattice pattern.

[0037] Also, the control device 2 determines the adhesive application area based on the printed image expansion area determined as described above and the area of the printed image.

[0038] Regarding the color of the printed image expansion area, it is preferable that the color be substantially the same as that of the transfer medium. Substantially the same means not only the same color but also colors similar to the same color. Specifically, it is preferably about less than 10 in terms of color difference ΔE.

[0039] As a method for designating the color of the printed image expansion area, for example, the user sets and inputs color values (L*a*b* values, RGB values, etc.) using the input device 4 connected to the control device 2. As other methods, the color values of the transfer medium may be read using a scanner or a colorimeter (not shown).

[0040] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in the thickness direction of the release sheet S. The release sheet S has a release layer 61 applied thereto which is peeled and transferred after forming a printed image on a base material 60 such as a film. The release layer 61 is a layer coated with, as a coating agent for coloring the color materials (pigments or dyes) of the ink, a void type (inorganic fine particles such as silica) or a swelling type (PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) etc. that absorbs and swells the ink), or a silicon-based resin etc. as a coating agent for obtaining releasability from the base material.

[0041] On the release layer 61 of the release sheet S, printing of the printed image and the printed image extension area is performed in the printing section 20. Then, an adhesive is applied by the adhesive application section 30 so as to be laminated on the printed image and the printed image extension area.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the thickness direction of the transfer medium T. In FIG. 4, IMG1 shown is the printed image printed on the release sheet S, IMG2 is the printed image extension area, and GL is the application area of the adhesive. As shown in FIG. 4, the application area GL of the adhesive is wider than the printed image IMG1 and narrower than the printed image extension area IMG2. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the printed image IMG1 and the printed image extension area IMG2 penetrate into the release layer 61 of the release sheet S.

[0043] Note that when there are a plurality of images and characters in the printed image, it is not always desired to transfer all of them. Therefore, the user may be allowed to specify the image to be transferred in the printed image.

[0044] Specifically, for example, the control device 2 previews and displays the printed image on the display device 3 connected to the control device 2 based on the image data representing the printed image. Then, the control device 2 receives the designation of the image to be transferred on the preview-displayed printed image and identifies the image to be transferred. As another method, for example, the user can also identify the image to be transferred by setting and inputting information for designating the image to be transferred using the input device 4 connected to the control device 2.

[0045] Note that instead of the user designating the image to be transferred as described above, the control device 2 may identify the image to be transferred by performing pattern recognition of a preset image based on the image data representing the printed image. For example, when a positioning image of the transfer medium is included when transferring from the transfer medium to the medium to be transferred, it is not necessary to transfer up to the positioning image, so the pattern of the positioning image may be recognized and the image other than the positioning image may be identified as the image to be transferred.

[0046] Further, the control device 2 performs various image processes necessary for printing, such as color conversion processing and halftone processing, on the image data representing the printed image.

[0047] Next, the flow of the process of the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5.

[0048] First, in the control device 2, image data representing a printed image is generated (S10). The image data is generated by the user using, for example, an application installed in the control device 2. Alternatively, the control device 2 may receive image data read by a scanner connected to the control device 2.

[0049] Then, the control device 2 receives the designation of the image to be transferred by preview-displaying the printed image on the display device 3 as described above, and specifies the image to be transferred (S12).

[0050] Subsequently, the control device 2 expands an image area (printed image expansion area) that is printed in substantially the same color as the transfer medium outside the peripheral portion of the designated printed image (S14).

[0051] Next, the control device 2 performs color conversion processing on the RGB format image data generated based on the designated printed image and the printed image expansion area to generate CMYK format image data (S16).

[0052] Then, the control device 2 performs halftone processing on each of the C, M, Y, and K image data to generate ink drop data. The ink drop data of the present embodiment is data that defines the number of ink drops ejected from one nozzle of the inkjet head to form one dot of the printed image.

[0053] Subsequently, the control device 2 generates adhesive application data based on the information of the printed image area and the printed image expansion area (S18). At this time, the adhesive application area is made wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion area, so as to allow for misregistration of the printing position and prevent application to unnecessary portions. The allowance for misregistration of the printing position will be described in detail later.

[0054] Similar to the ink drop data, the adhesive application data is data that defines the number of drops of the adhesive liquid ejected from one nozzle for one dot of the printed image to be transferred. In this embodiment, adhesive application data is generated such that the same amount of adhesive liquid is applied to each dot constituting the printed image to be transferred.

[0055] Then, based on the ink drop data of each color including both the printed image area and the printed image expansion area, the control device 2 controls the inkjet heads of each color in the printing unit 20 to print the printed image to be transferred and the printed image expansion area on the release sheet S (S20).

[0056] Next, based on the adhesive application data, the control device 2 controls the adhesive application unit 30 to apply the adhesive so as to laminate it on the printed image area and the printed image expansion area on the release sheet S (S22).

[0057] Then, the release sheet S coated with the adhesive is dried by the drying unit 40 (S24), and a transfer medium is produced.

[0058] The above is the description of the method for manufacturing the transfer medium.

[0059] After manufacturing the transfer medium as described above, as shown in FIG. 6A, after the transfer medium T and the medium to be transferred 65 are overlapped, pressed, and heated, as shown in FIG. 6B, the medium to be transferred 65 is peeled off from the transfer medium T. Thereby, the printed image and the printed image expansion area of the portion coated with the adhesive are transferred to the medium to be transferred, and a printed matter can be obtained.

[0060] Note that the type of the transfer medium is not particularly limited, and various materials such as films, fabrics, metals, and plastics can be used.

[0061] Next, the printing position deviation that occurs when transferring the printed image of the transfer medium to the transfer medium will be described.

[0062] First, since the printing positions of the printed image 62 and the printed image extension area 63 are printed by the printing unit 20 (printed by the same inkjet head), there is almost no deviation in the printing position.

[0063] However, for the printed image IMG1 and the printed image extension area IMG2, the printing position of the adhesive application area GL is printed by the adhesive application unit 30 (applied by an adhesive inkjet head different from the CMYK inkjet head), so the printing position is deviated due to various factors such as the accuracy of the inkjet head and the conveyance accuracy of the release sheet S.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the state of transfer of the printed image when the printing position deviation of the adhesive application area GL is small, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state of transfer of the printed image when the printing position deviation of the adhesive application area GL is large.

[0065] In the present embodiment, since the printed image extension area is formed, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, even when a printing position deviation of the adhesive application area GL with respect to the printed image IMG1 occurs, the adhesive application area is extended outside the peripheral edge of the printed image and made into an area smaller than the printed image extension area, thereby preventing the printed image from chipping.

[0066] In addition, by providing the printed image extension area to have the same color as the transfer medium, it can be made inconspicuous even when transferred to the transfer medium.

[0067] That is, by making the adhesive application area wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image extension area, it is possible to allow for printing position deviation and prevent application to unnecessary portions.

[0068] Also, at the boundary between the area where the adhesive is applied and the area where it is not applied, the sharpness (acuteness) of the cross-section may not be obtained during peeling. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the printed image expansion area is provided, as shown in FIG. 9, the sharpness of the cross-section is lost within the printed image expansion area, so there is no influence on the printed image.

[0069] Regarding the expansion width of the printed image expansion area, the amount of deviation (deviation width) of the printing position due to the attachment position and ejection of the inkjet head is considered to be about 1 mm. Further, when the transfer medium is a stretchable material such as cloth, especially knit, it is difficult to ensure the conveyance accuracy and the printing position is likely to deviate. Since knit stretches by about 10% of the fabric, there is a possibility of deviating by about 10 mm.

[0070] In addition, the surface state of the transfer medium is not limited to a flat one, and there are also those having an uneven surface. For example, cloth (woven or knitted fabric) is one of those having an uneven surface depending on the thickness of the yarn and the mesh. And when the transfer medium and the transfer medium are pressure-bonded and transferred, it is difficult for the concave portions to adhere, so the transfer becomes unstable. In particular, at the peripheral portion, it is difficult for the cross-section to be sharp. In order to avoid this unstable region, it is preferable to expand by about 5 mm, which is about twice the pitch of the unevenness.

[0071] For the above reasons, the expansion width of the printed image expansion area is preferably about 1 mm to 10 mm.

[0072] Also, when the background color of the transfer medium is dark, an inkjet head for ejecting white ink to the printing unit 20 may be further provided, and as an undercoat treatment, a background image may be printed to conceal the color of the transfer medium and ensure the color development of the printed image.

[0073] When printing a white image with white ink as the background image, the printing process is performed as follows.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 10, on the release layer 61 of the release sheet S, printing processes for the printed image IMG1, the printed image expansion region IMG2, and the white image W are performed by the printing unit 20.

[0075] Here, the printed image IMG1 is a printed image based on image data, and the white image W is a printed region that is the same as the printed region of the printed image IMG1 and is extended outside the outer edge of the printed region, and the entire area thereof is printed with white ink.

[0076] The printed image expansion region IMG2 is a printed region extended outside the outer edge of the printed image IMG1, and is a region printed in substantially the same color as the transfer medium 65.

[0077] Next, an adhesive application region GL is applied by the adhesive application unit 30 so as to be laminated on the printed image IMG1, the printed image expansion region IMG2, and the white image W.

[0078] At this time, the adhesive application region GL is made wider than the printed image IMG1 and narrower than the printed image expansion region IMG2. Further, the relationship with the white image W is adhesive application region GL < white image W < printed image IMG1 + printed image expansion region IMG2 is made to be.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, a liquid adhesive is applied using an inkjet head to form the adhesive layer. However, not limited to the adhesive liquid, instead, a hot melt powder may be sprinkled and applied to form the adhesive layer. The hot melt powder is a powder of a thermoplastic adhesive, and polyurethane (for example, TPU) or the like is used. When using the hot melt powder, since no adhesive liquid is used, there is no misalignment between the adhesive and the printed image. However, as a substrate treatment, when printing a white image as described above, misalignment between the white image and the printed image may occur. Also, whether it is an adhesive liquid or a hot melt powder, it may happen that the sharpness (acuteness) of the cross-section of the release layer cannot be obtained during peeling. Therefore, even when forming the adhesive layer using the hot melt powder, it is preferable to provide a printed image expansion area as in the above-described embodiment.

[0080] According to the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus of the above-described embodiment, the printing unit 20 is controlled to add a printed image expansion area expanded to the peripheral portion of the printed image, and the adhesive application unit 30 is controlled so that the application area of the adhesive is wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion area. Therefore, even when misalignment occurs between the layer of the printed image and the layer of the adhesive, it is possible to suppress chipping of the printed image during transfer and deterioration of the image quality due to transfer of unnecessary portions, and it is possible to manufacture a transfer medium with high-quality transfer quality.

[0081] Also, it is possible to eliminate the cost increase associated with improving the accuracy of the printing apparatus for reducing printing misalignment. In addition, since it is less likely to be affected by printing misalignment, it becomes possible to expand the range of use of transfer media (for example, stretchable materials such as knit) for which it is difficult to obtain conveyance accuracy.

[0082] Also, in the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus of the above-described embodiment, since the color of the printed image expansion area is made substantially the same as that of the transfer medium, even if a part of the printed image expansion area is transferred to the transfer medium, it can be made inconspicuous.

[0083] In the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus of the above-described embodiment, a white image is printed between the printed image and the adhesive layer, and the range of the color image is made wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion region. Therefore, even if a misregistration occurs between the printed image and the white image, it is possible to prevent the white image from overflowing and being transferred and becoming conspicuous.

[0084] Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. Also, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, all the components shown in the embodiment may be appropriately combined. Of course, various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0085] Regarding the present invention, the following additional remarks are further disclosed.

[0086] (Supplementary Note 1) The transfer medium manufacturing apparatus of the present invention includes a printing unit that receives image data representing a printed image and prints the printed image on a release sheet based on the image data, an adhesive application unit that applies an adhesive to the release sheet on which the printed image is printed, and a control unit that controls the printing unit and the adhesive application unit. The control unit controls the printing unit so as to add a printed image expansion region that extends to the peripheral portion of the printed image, and controls the adhesive application unit so that the application region of the adhesive is wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion region.

[0087] (Supplementary Note 2) In the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, it is preferable that the color of the printed image expansion region is the same as the color of the medium to be transferred.

[0088] (Supplementary Note 3) In the transfer medium manufacturing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, the printing unit can print an undercoat image between the printed image and the adhesive layer, and the range of the undercoat image can be made wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion region.

[0089] (Appendix 4) The method for manufacturing a transfer medium of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a transfer medium that receives image data representing a printed image, prints the printed image on a release sheet based on the image data, and applies an adhesive to the release sheet on which the printed image is printed, wherein a printed image expansion region expanded to the peripheral portion of the printed image is added, and the application region of the adhesive is made wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion region.

[0090] (Appendix 5) The transfer medium of the present invention is a transfer medium including a release sheet on which a printed image is printed and an adhesive layer, wherein a printed image expansion region expanded to the peripheral portion of the printed image is added, and the adhesive layer is wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion region.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0091] 1 Transfer medium manufacturing apparatus main body 2 Control device 3 Display device 4 Input device 10 Release sheet conveyance unit 11 Release sheet pay-out unit 11a Pay-out side core body holding portion 11b Pay-out drive motor 12 First conveyance roller 13 Platen 14 Second conveyance roller 15 Release sheet winding unit 15a Winding side core body holding portion 15b Winding drive motor 20 Printing unit 30 Adhesive liquid application unit 40 Drying unit 60 Base material 61 Release layer 62 Printed image 63 Printed image expansion region 64 Adhesive layer 65 Medium to be transferred GL Application region of adhesive IMG1 Printed image IMG2 Printed Image Expansion Area S Release Sheet T Transfer Medium W White Image

Claims

1. A transfer medium manufacturing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that receives image data representing a printed image and prints the printed image on a release sheet based on the image data; an adhesive application unit that applies an adhesive to the release sheet on which the printed image is printed; and a control unit that controls the printing unit and the adhesive application unit, wherein the control unit controls the printing unit to add a printed image expansion area extended to the peripheral portion of the printed image, and controls the adhesive application unit so that the application area of the adhesive is wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion area.

2. The transfer medium manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color of the printed image expansion area is the same as that of the transfer medium.

3. The transfer medium manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints an underimage between the printed image and the layer of the adhesive, and the range of the underimage is wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion area.

4. A transfer medium manufacturing method for manufacturing a transfer medium by receiving image data representing a printed image, printing the printed image on a release sheet based on the image data, and applying an adhesive to the release sheet on which the printed image is printed, the method comprising adding a printed image expansion area extended to the peripheral portion of the printed image and making the application area of the adhesive wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion area.

5. A transfer medium comprising a release sheet on which a printed image is printed and a layer of an adhesive, wherein a printed image expansion area extended to the peripheral portion of the printed image is added, and the layer of the adhesive is wider than the printed image and narrower than the printed image expansion area.

Images