Printing method and thermal transfer printer

Abstract

To provide a printed article that has a high-definition uneven pattern due to expansion parts.SOLUTION: A method of manufacturing a printed article includes a step of heating a thermal transfer sheet provided with a foam layer containing foaming particles and transferring the foam layer on a body to be transferred in a predetermined pattern, and a step of heating a thermal transfer sheet provided with a suppression layer and transferring the suppression layer to a peripheral edge portion in a foam layer transfer area of the body to be transferred.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a printed matter, a printed matter, a thermal transfer sheet, and a thermal transfer printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Various thermal transfer methods using dyes or pigments have been proposed. Prints produced by thermal transfer methods are used in a wide range of applications, including ID cards, credit cards, and other cards with face photographs, composite photographs in amusement facilities, and trading cards.

[0003] In recent years, there has been an increase in printed matter that has a simple three-dimensional shape with projections and recesses, created by heating a card containing expanded particles in a desired pattern to form an expanded area. However, when patterns such as letters or images are formed by expanding the expanded particles, there is a problem that the patterns are crushed and difficult to see. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-254238 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a printed matter having a highly precise uneven pattern due to the expansion portion and a method for manufacturing the same. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a thermal transfer sheet and a thermal transfer printer used for manufacturing a printed matter having a highly precise uneven pattern due to the expansion portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The method for producing a printed matter disclosed herein comprises the steps of heating a thermal transfer sheet provided with a foamed layer containing foamed particles, and transferring the foamed layer in a predetermined pattern onto a recipient, and heating a thermal transfer sheet provided with a suppression layer, and transferring the suppression layer to the peripheral portion of the foamed layer transfer area of ​​the recipient.

[0007] The print article of the present disclosure comprises a recipient, a foamed layer containing foamed particles provided on the recipient, and an inhibiting layer provided on the peripheral portion of the foamed layer.

[0008] The thermal transfer sheet of the present disclosure comprises a substrate, an inhibiting layer provided in different regions on one surface of the substrate, and a foamed layer containing foamed particles, and the glass transition temperature of the first resin of the inhibiting layer is higher than the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin of the foamed layer.

[0009] The thermal transfer printer of the present disclosure has a thermal head and a platen roll, and overlaps the thermal transfer sheet of the present disclosure and a recipient and transports them between the thermal head and the platen roll, while the thermal head heats the thermal transfer sheet to transfer the foam layer and the suppression layer to the recipient.The thermal transfer printer analyzes image data showing the transfer pattern of the foam layer to extract the contour of the transfer pattern, and transfers the suppression layer based on the contour. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a printed matter having a highly precise concave-convex pattern due to the expansion portion can be produced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1a and 1b are cross-sectional views of a thermal transfer sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a thermal transfer printer. [Diagram 3] 3a and 3b are diagrams for explaining a method for producing a print. [Figure 4] 4a and 4b are cross-sectional views illustrating the steps of a method for producing a print. [Diagram 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a method for producing a print. [Figure 6] 6a and 6b are diagrams for explaining a method for producing a print according to a comparative example. [Figure 7] 7a and 7b are process cross-sectional views illustrating the relationship between the thicknesses of the foam layer and the suppression layer. [Figure 8] 8a and 8b are cross-sectional views illustrating steps in a method for producing a print according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views illustrating steps in a method for producing a print according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] 10a and 10b are cross-sectional views illustrating steps in a method for producing a print according to another embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] 12a and 12b are cross-sectional views illustrating steps in a method for producing a print according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an inhibition layer forming region. [Figure 14] 14a to 14c are diagrams showing the suppression layer forming region. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings. In order to clarify the description, the drawings may show the width, thickness, etc. of each part in a schematic manner compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. In addition, in the present specification and each drawing, elements similar to those described above with respect to the previous drawings are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate.

[0013] Fig. 1a is a cross-sectional view of a thermal transfer sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1a, a thermal transfer sheet 10 has a foam layer 3 and a suppression layer 9 provided on one surface of a substrate 1. The foam layer 3 and the suppression layer 9 are provided in different regions on the substrate 1.

[0014] The foamed layer 3 includes foamed particles. The foamed particles have an outer shell made of a thermoplastic resin and a foaming agent that is encapsulated in the outer shell and vaporizes when heated. Therefore, the foamed particles expand when heated.

[0015] The foam layer 3 and the suppression layer 9 are layers to be transferred to a transfer target body. As described later, the suppression layer 3 is transferred so as to be along (adjacent to) the foam layer transfer region, and suppresses the expansion of the foam layer 3 in the planar direction when the foam layer 3 expands.

[0016] The first resin of the suppression layer 9 has a higher glass transition temperature than the first binder resin of the foam layer 3. Here, the first resin is the resin that has the highest blend ratio among the resins contained in the suppression layer 9. Also, the first binder resin is the binder resin that has the highest blend ratio among the binder resins contained in the foam layer 3.

[0017] 1b, a back layer 5 may be provided on the other surface of the substrate 1. A release layer 2 may be provided between the substrate 1 and the foam layer 3 and the suppression layer 9. An adhesive layer 4 may be provided on the foam layer 3 and the suppression layer 9. The first resin of the release layer 2 and the adhesive layer 4 has a higher glass transition temperature than the first binder resin of the foam layer 3.

[0018] The release layer 2 and the adhesive layer 4 are transferred together with the foam layer 3 and the suppression layer 9 to a transfer-receiving body.

[0019] When producing a print, a thermal transfer printer as shown in Fig. 2 is used. A thermal transfer sheet 10 fed from a supply unit 13 is superimposed on a transfer recipient 6 between a thermal head 11 and a platen roll 12. The transfer recipient 6 is not particularly limited and may be a plastic card substrate or paper. The shape of the transfer recipient 6 may be flat or curved.

[0020] The thermal head 11 heats the thermal transfer sheet 10 in a predetermined pattern based on a control signal from the control unit 15, and transfers the foam layer 3 onto the transfer target 6 as shown in Figures 3a and 3b. The transfer pattern includes straight or curved line portions with a line width W0. In this example, the foam layer 3 is transferred in a line shape. Also, the release layer 2 and adhesive layer 4 are not shown in the figure.

[0021] The thermal energy applied to the thermal transfer sheet 10 when transferring the foam layer 3 is set to an extent that the transferred foam layer 3 does not expand in the planar direction.

[0022] The recovery unit 14 takes up a predetermined amount of the thermal transfer sheet 10, and the thermal transfer sheet 10 and the transfer recipient 6 are overlapped so that the suppression layer 9 of the thermal transfer sheet 10 faces the transfer recipient 6. The thermal head 11 heats the thermal transfer sheet 10 based on a control signal from the control unit 15, and transfers the suppression layer 9 so as to surround the foam layer 3 on the transfer recipient 6, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b. The width of the suppression layer 9 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to increase the width of the suppression layer 9 as the volume of the foam layer 3 on the transfer recipient 6 increases.

[0023] The control unit 15 may calculate the transfer pattern of the suppression layer 9 based on the transfer pattern of the foamed layer 3. For example, the control unit 15 analyzes image data showing the transfer pattern of the foamed layer 3 to extract the contour of the transfer pattern, and sets an area of ​​a predetermined width along this contour as the transfer pattern of the suppression layer 9.

[0024] Next, an image (not shown) is formed on the transferee 6 provided with the foam layer 3 and the suppression layer 9. The image formation 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 preferable to transfer a receiving layer onto the transferee 6 so as to cover the foam layer 3 and the suppression layer 9, and then transfer a coloring material to form an image. A protective layer may be transferred after the image is formed. Also, the layer on which the image is formed may be transferred onto the transferee 6 using an intermediate transfer medium.

[0025] After the image is formed, the transfer target 6 is heated using a heating device such as a heat roller, oven, or thermal head. Heating causes the foam particles in the foam layer 3 to expand, as shown in FIG. 5. Due to the expansion of the foam particles, the foam layer 3 tries to expand not only in the up-down direction (height direction) but also in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the foam layer 3 is surrounded by the suppression layer 9 containing a resin with a high glass transition temperature, so that the amount of expansion in the horizontal direction, i.e., the line width W1 after expansion, can be suppressed.

[0026] 6a and 6b show a method for producing a print according to a comparative example. As shown in Fig. 6a, a foam layer 3A is transferred onto a transfer target 6A in a line pattern with a line width of W0. No suppression layer is transferred around the foam layer 3A.

[0027] After the foam layer 3A is transferred, when the transfer target 6A is heated, the foam particles in the foam layer 3A expand as shown in FIG. 6b. The expansion of the foam particles causes the foam layer 3A to expand horizontally as well. Since there is no suppression layer around the foam layer 3A, the amount of expansion of the foam layer 3A in the horizontal direction is large. The line width W2 after expansion is larger than the line width W1, making it difficult to express a fine uneven pattern.

[0028] On the other hand, in this embodiment, by providing the suppression layer 9 on the periphery of the foam layer 3, the amount of expansion in the horizontal direction can be suppressed, so that a highly detailed concave-convex pattern can be expressed.

[0029] The suppression layer 9 may be transferred before or after the foam layer 3. The transfer of the foam layer 3 and the transfer of the suppression layer 9 may be performed using different thermal transfer printers. When using different thermal transfer printers, the foam layer 3 and the suppression layer 9 are provided on different substrates and become separate thermal transfer sheets.

[0030] The thickness of the foam layer 3 before expansion (before heating) may be greater than the thickness of the constraining layer 9 as shown in FIG. 7a, or may be less than the thickness of the constraining layer 9 as shown in FIG. 7b.

[0031] The inhibitory layer 9 may be transferred multiple times to form a laminated structure. Figure 8a shows an example in which the inhibitory layer 9 is transferred two times, and Figure 6b shows an example in which the inhibitory layer 9 is transferred three times.

[0032] When the suppression layer 9 is transferred multiple times, it is preferable to align the positions on the foam layer 3 side and transfer the layers so that the size of the upper layers is smaller. Fig. 9 shows an example in which the suppression layer is transferred three times so that the second suppression layer 9_2 is smaller in size than the first suppression layer 9_1, and the third suppression layer 9_3 is smaller in size than the second suppression layer 9_2.

[0033] In this way, by forming the suppression layer 9 in a stepped shape so that the thickness gradually decreases with increasing distance from the foam layer 3, the adhesion of the transferred receiving layer and protective layer can be improved.

[0034] The foam layer 3 may be transferred and laminated multiple times to reduce the thickness of each foam layer 3. Fig. 10a shows an example in which the foam layer 3 is transferred twice in a line pattern with a line width W0. Fig. 10a also shows the release layer 2 and adhesive layer 4. The thicknesses of the first foam layer 3_1 and the second foam layer 3_2 are each about half the thickness of the foam layer 3 shown in Fig. 3a.

[0035] After the transfer of the foam layers 3_1 and 3_2, when the transfer target body 6 is heated, the foam particles in the foam layers 3_1 and 3_2 expand. As shown in FIG. 10b, the expansion of the foam particles causes the foam layers 3_1 and 3_2 to expand not only in the vertical direction (height direction) but also in the horizontal direction. The greater the thickness (volume) of the foam layer, the greater the amount of horizontal expansion. In this example, however, the foam layer is divided into two layers by a resin layer (peeling layer 2 / adhesive layer 4) with a high glass transition temperature, so that the thickness (volume) of each layer can be reduced and the amount of horizontal expansion, i.e., the line width W3 after expansion, can be suppressed.

[0036] The number of transfers (laminations) of the foam layer 3 may be three or more.

[0037] The transfer of the foam layer 3 and the suppression layer 9 and the image formation may be performed by the same thermal transfer printer or by different thermal transfer printers. When the transfer is performed by the same thermal transfer printer, the thermal transfer sheet for transferring the foam layer 3 and the suppression layer 9 and the thermal transfer sheet for transferring the coloring material may be integrated or may be separate.

[0038] Fig. 11 is a plan view of a thermal transfer sheet in which a thermal transfer sheet for transferring a foam layer 3 and a suppression layer 9 and a thermal transfer sheet for transferring a coloring material are integrated (formed into a single ribbon). The thermal transfer sheet has a suppression layer 9, foam layers 3_1 and 3_2, a transfer mold receiving layer R, a coloring material layer 7, and a protective layer 8, which are provided in face order on one surface of a substrate. This thermal transfer sheet can be made into a laminated structure by transferring the foam layer twice to a transferee 6, as shown in Fig. 10a.

[0039] 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, which are arranged in frame sequence. 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, sublimation dyes.

[0040] When using the thermal transfer sheet shown in FIG. 11, first, the suppression layer 9 is transferred to the periphery of the foam layer formation region (foam layer transfer region) of the transferee. Next, the foam layers 3_1 and 3_2 are heated in the same pattern in order to transfer and stack the foam layers 3_1 and 3_2 onto the transferee. Then, the transfer type receiving layer R is transferred onto the transferee. Next, the yellow color material layer 7Y, the magenta color material layer 7M, and the cyan color material layer 7Y are transferred in order 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 on which the image has been formed.

[0041] When the color material contained in the color material layer 7 is a heat-meltable ink, the transfer type receiving layer R can be omitted.

[0042] 10a and 10b, a configuration has been described in which the amount of horizontal expansion is suppressed by stacking foam layers 3 and reducing the thickness (volume) of each foam layer 3, but as shown in Fig. 12a, the foam layer 3 may be transferred in a dot pattern (halftone dots) instead of a solid pattern to suppress the horizontal width of the foam layer 3. The distance between the foam layers 3 on both ends is W0. The suppression layers 9 are provided along the foam layers 3 on both ends, but are not shown in the figures.

[0043] Heat treatment expands the foam particles in the foam layer 3, and adjacent dot-shaped foam layers 3 are bonded together to form lines with a line width of W4, as shown in Figure 12b. By transferring the foam layer 3 in a dot pattern, the volume of each foam layer 3 is reduced, suppressing the amount of expansion in the horizontal direction, and the line width W4 is only slightly larger than W0, allowing the expression of a highly detailed uneven pattern.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the suppression layer 9 is provided on the entire peripheral portion of the foamed layer 3 so as to surround the foamed layer 3, but the suppression layer 9 may be provided on only a part of the peripheral portion of the foamed layer 3. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, the suppression layer 9 may be formed on the peripheral portion of the foamed layer 3 at a predetermined interval.

[0045] 14a to 14c, when the transfer pattern of the foam layer 3 includes an annular pattern such as a circular ring or a polygonal ring, the suppression layer 9 may be formed only on the inner periphery of the annular portion. This makes it possible to suppress the crushing of the annular portion when the foam particles in the foam layer 3 are expanded, and makes it easier to visually recognize the shape of the fine uneven pattern.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the foamed beads are expanded after the image is formed, but the image may be formed after the foamed beads are expanded.

[0047] Next, each component of the thermal transfer sheet 10 will be described.

[0048] (base material) The substrate 1 of the thermal transfer sheet 10 is not limited in any way, and any substrate known in the field of thermal transfer sheets can be appropriately selected and used. Examples include stretched or unstretched plastic films such as highly heat-resistant polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ketone, or polyether sulfone, polypropylene, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, polyethylene derivatives, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polymethylpentene, or ionomers. Composite films in which two or more of these materials are laminated can also be used. There is no particular limitation on the thickness of the substrate 1, but a range of 2 μm to 10 μm is preferred.

[0049] (Release layer) In order to improve the transferability of the foam layer 3 and the suppression layer 9, a release layer 2 can be provided on the substrate 1. Examples of the binder resin constituting the release layer include thermoplastic resins exemplified by cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, and cellulose acetate, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, and polybutyl acrylate, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polyvinyl butyral, thermosetting resins exemplified by saturated or unsaturated polyesters, polyurethane resins, thermosetting epoxy-amino copolymers, and thermosetting alkyd-amino copolymers (thermosetting aminoalkyd resins), silicone wax, silicone resins, silicone modified resins, fluororesins, fluoromodified resins, and polyvinyl alcohol.

[0050] The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the first resin of the release layer is preferably higher than the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin of the foam layer, which will be described later.

[0051] (Foam layer) The foamed layer 3 contains foamed particles and a binder resin. The foamed particles are heat-expandable microspheres composed of an outer shell made of a thermoplastic resin and a foaming agent (core) encapsulated therein. The foamed particles have a core-shell structure, and the microsphere as a whole exhibits heat expandability (the property that the entire microsphere expands when heated). The thermoplastic resin is a polymer of a polymerizable component.

[0052] The polymerizable component means a monomer having at least one or more polymerizable groups in the molecule, and is a component that becomes a thermoplastic resin that forms the shell of the expanded particle by polymerization. Examples of the polymerizable component include a non-crosslinkable monomer having one reactive carbon-carbon double bond (hereinafter simply referred to as a non-crosslinkable monomer) and a crosslinkable monomer having two or more reactive carbon-carbon double bonds (hereinafter simply referred to as a crosslinkable monomer). A crosslinkable monomer can introduce a bridge structure into a polymer. The reactive carbon-carbon double bond here means a carbon-carbon double bond that exhibits radical reactivity, and includes carbon-carbon double bonds contained in a vinyl group, a (meth)acryloyl group, an allyl group, a vinylene group, etc., rather than carbon-carbon double bonds in aromatic rings such as a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring. Here, the (meth)acryloyl group means an acryloyl group or a methacryloyl group.

[0053] The blowing agent is a component that vaporizes when heated. The blowing agent is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include hydrocarbons having 3 to 13 carbon atoms, such as methane, ethane, 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 20 carbon atoms, such as (iso)hexadecane and (iso)eicosane, pseudocumene, petroleum ether, normal paraffin and isoparaffin having an initial boiling point of 150° C. to 260° C. and / or a distillation range of 70° C. to 360° C. Examples of such compounds include hydrocarbons such as petroleum distillates such as vinamide, etc.; halogenated hydrocarbons having 1 to 12 carbon atoms such as methyl chloride, methylene chloride, 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; and compounds that undergo thermal decomposition when heated to produce a gas, such as azodicarbonamide, N,N'-dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine, and 4,4'-oxybis(benzenesulfonylhydrazide).

[0054] The blowing agent may be composed of one kind of compound or a mixture of two or more kinds of compounds. The blowing agent may be linear, branched, or alicyclic, and is preferably aliphatic.

[0055] The encapsulation rate of the blowing agent in the expanded beads is defined as the percentage of the weight of the encapsulated blowing agent relative to the weight of the expanded beads. The encapsulation rate of the blowing agent is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less relative to the weight of the expanded beads.

[0056] The expansion starting temperature of the expanded beads is not particularly limited, but is preferably at least 70° C. The average particle diameter (D50) of the expanded beads is from 5 μm to 30 μm.

[0057] The first binder resin contained in the foam layer preferably has a lower glass transition temperature than the first resin of the release layer, and examples of such resins include cellulose resin, vinyl resin, acrylic resin, polyester, etc. For example, the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin is −30° C. or higher and 100° C. or lower.

[0058] The thickness of the foamed layer before the foamed beads are expanded is preferably 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and the thickness of the foamed layer after the foamed beads are expanded is preferably 250 μm or more and 600 μm or less.

[0059] The foam layer may contain a coloring material.

[0060] (adhesive layer) In order to improve the adhesion between the foam layer 3 or the suppression layer 9 and the transfer target, an adhesive layer 4 may be provided on the foam layer 3 or the suppression layer 9. 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 copolymer, and polyvinyl butyral, polyester, nylon resin, epoxy resin, and polyurethane. The glass transition temperature of the first resin of the adhesive layer is preferably higher than the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin of the foam layer.

[0061] (Suppression layer) The suppression layer 9 is a layer that is transferred along the foam layer formation region on the transfer target and suppresses the horizontal expansion of the foam layer. Examples of materials for the suppression layer include cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate butyrate, styrene copolymers such as polystyrene and polyα-methylstyrene, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, and polyethyl acrylate, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polyvinyl butyral, polyester, nylon resin, epoxy resin, and polyurethane, and acrylic resin, polyester, and polyurethane are preferred. The glass transition temperature of the first resin of the suppression layer is preferably higher than the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin of the foam layer. For example, the glass transition temperature of the first resin is 0°C or higher and 130°C or lower.

[0062] If the thickness of the suppression layer is D1 and the thickness of the foamed layer before the foamed particles expand is D2, it is preferable that D2 / D1 is 0.5 or more and 30 or less. When the suppression layer is transferred and laminated multiple times as shown in Figures 8a, 8b, and 9, the thickness of the suppression layer of the thermal transfer sheet can be determined taking into account the number of transfers (number of layers). In addition, if the thickness of the foamed layer after the foamed particles expand is D3, it is preferable that D3 / D1 is greater than 1 and 100 or less.

[0063] (back layer) There is no limitation on the material of the back layer 5, 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 copolymers, natural or synthetic resins such as polyamide resins, polyamideimide, polyester, polyurethane, silicone-modified or fluorine-modified urethane, etc. The back layer may contain one of these resins alone, or may contain two or more of them.

[0064] (Receptive layer) The transfer type receiving layer R shown in FIG. 11 has a receiving layer and an adhesive layer laminated in order from the substrate side. There is no particular limitation on the material of the receiving layer, but it is preferable to use a binder resin that is easily dyed by the sublimation dye contained in the coloring material layer. Examples of such binder resins include polyolefins such as polypropylene, halogenated resins such as polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl acetate and polyacrylic ester, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyamide, ionomer, cellulose resin, and the like. The receiving layer may contain one type of these binder resins alone, or may contain two or more types.

[0065] The thickness of the receiving layer is generally from 1.0 μm to 10 μm, and preferably from 1.0 μm to 5.0 μm.

[0066] (protective layer) Examples of the binder resin constituting the protective layer 8 include polyester, polyester urethane resin, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, acrylic urethane resin, silicone-modified resins of these resins, and mixtures of these resins. The protective layer may contain an ultraviolet absorbing resin or an actinic ray curable resin. The actinic ray means a ray that chemically acts on the actinic ray curable resin to promote polymerization, and specifically means visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, electron beams, α rays, β rays, γ rays, etc. A release layer may be provided between the substrate and the protective layer to improve the transferability of the protective layer. EXAMPLES

[0067] The present disclosure will be described more specifically below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0068] (Preparation of thermal transfer sheet 1) A PET film having a thickness of 5 μm was used as the substrate, and a coating liquid for a back layer 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. A coating liquid for a release layer having the following composition was applied to the other side of the substrate and dried to form a release layer having a thickness of 0.5 μm. Next, a coating liquid for a foam layer 1 having the following composition was applied to the release layer and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 55 μm. A coating liquid for a suppression layer having the following composition was applied to an area different from the foam layer formation area on the release layer and dried to form a suppression layer having a thickness of 5 μm. Next, a coating liquid for an adhesive layer having the following composition was applied to the foam layer and the suppression layer and dried to form an adhesive layer having a thickness of 2.5 μm, and a thermal transfer sheet 1 was obtained.

[0069] <Coating fluid for back layer> Polyvinyl acetal 36 parts by weight (S-LEC (registered trademark) KS-1, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) Isocyanate compound 25 parts by weight (Burnoc (registered trademark) D750, DIC Corporation) Silicone resin particles 1 part by weight (Tospearl® 240, Momentive Performance Materials Japan, LLC) Zinc stearyl phosphate 10 parts by weight (LBT1830 refined, Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Zinc stearate 10 parts by weight (SZ-PF, Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Polyethylene wax 3 parts by weight (Polywax 3000, Toyo Adle Co., Ltd.) Ethoxylated alcohol-modified wax 7 parts by weight (Unitox 750, Toyo Adle Co., Ltd.) Methyl ethyl ketone 200 parts by weight Toluene 100 parts by weight

[0070] <Coating solution for release layer> Acrylic resin 19 parts by weight (Dianal (registered trademark) BR-87, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, glass transition temperature: 106°C) Polyester 1 part by weight (Vylon (registered trademark) 200, Toyobo Co., Ltd.) Methyl ethyl ketone 40 parts by weight Toluene 40 parts by weight

[0071] <Coating solution for foam layer 1> 5 parts by weight of foam particles A (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) HF30D, Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., foaming temperature: 115°C, average particle size: 14 μm) Polyester 5 parts by weight (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature: -10°C, solid content 30%) ·Water 11 parts by mass

[0072] <Coating solution for suppression layer> Acrylic polyol 9 parts by weight (Acrydic A-814, DIC Corporation, glass transition temperature: 87°C) Polyisocyanate hardener 1 part by weight (Takenate (registered trademark) D110N, Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) Methyl ethyl ketone 20 parts by weight Toluene 20 parts by weight

[0073] <Coating liquid for adhesive layer> Polyester 5 parts by weight (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd., glass transition temperature: -10°C) ·Water 15 parts by mass

[0074] (Preparation of thermal transfer sheet 2) Thermal transfer sheet 2 was prepared in the same manner as thermal transfer sheet 1, except that a 10 μm-thick suppression layer was formed by applying a coating liquid for the suppression layer having the above composition onto the release layer and drying it.

[0075] (Preparation of thermal transfer sheet 3) Thermal transfer sheet 3 was prepared in the same manner as thermal transfer sheet 1, except that a 20 μm-thick suppression layer was formed by applying a coating liquid for the suppression layer having the above composition onto the release layer and drying it.

[0076] (Preparation of thermal transfer sheet 4) Thermal transfer sheet 4 was prepared in the same manner as thermal transfer sheet 1, except that a 5 μm-thick suppression layer was formed by applying coating liquid 1 for the foam layer having the above composition onto the release layer and drying it.

[0077] (Preparation of thermal transfer sheet 5) Thermal transfer sheet 5 was prepared in the same manner as thermal transfer sheet 1, except that a 30 μm-thick suppression layer was formed by applying coating liquid 1 for the foam layer having the above composition onto the release layer and drying it.

[0078] (Preparation of thermal transfer sheet 6) Thermal transfer sheet 6 was produced in the same manner as thermal transfer sheet 1, except that foam layer coating liquid 2 having the following composition was applied onto the release layer and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 30 μm.

[0079] <Foam layer coating liquid 2> Expanded particles B 5 parts by weight (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) FN80GSD, Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., foaming temperature 115°C, average particle size: 13 μm) Polyester 5 parts by weight (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd.) ·Water 23 parts by mass

[0080] (Preparation of Thermal Transfer Sheet 7) Thermal transfer sheet 7 was produced in the same manner as thermal transfer sheet 1, except that foam layer coating liquid 3 having the following composition was applied onto the release layer and dried to form a foam layer having a thickness of 30 μm.

[0081] <Foam layer coating liquid 3> Foamed particles C 5 parts by weight (Matsumoto Microsphere (registered trademark) HF48D, Matsumoto Yushi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., foaming temperature 130°C, average particle size: 12 μm) Polyester 5 parts by weight (Vylonal (registered trademark) MD1930, Toyobo Co., Ltd.) ·Water 23 parts by mass

[0082] (Production of printed matter) A coated paper having a thickness of 225 μm was prepared as the transferee. The adhesive layer of the thermal transfer sheets 1 to 7 prepared above was placed opposite the transferee, and the foam layer was transferred onto the transferee together with the release layer and adhesive layer using the thermal transfer printer described below. The transfer pattern of the foam layer was a square of 10 mm×10 mm (10 mm in the x and y directions) in plan view. Next, the suppression layer was transferred onto the transferee together with the release layer and adhesive layer so as to surround the periphery of the foam layer. The width of the suppression layer was 2 mm.

[0083] An image was formed on the transfer recipient to which the foam layer and suppression layer had been transferred, and the transfer was heated with a heat roll (Lamipacker Meister6 LPD3212, Fujipla) to expand the foam particles in the foam layer, producing a print. The heat roll was set at a temperature of 150°C and a speed of 0.4 m / min. Table 1 shows the type of thermal transfer sheet, the image formation method, the number of transfers of the foam layer, the number of transfers of the suppression layer, and the ratio of the thickness of the foam layer to the suppression layer before and after foaming on the transfer recipient. In the image formation method, "melting" indicates that a heat-fusible ink was used, and "sublimation" indicates that a sublimation dye was used. Additionally, "InTM" indicates that an intermediate transfer medium was used.

[0084] <Thermal transfer printer> Thermal head: F3589 (Toshiba Hokuto Electronics Co., Ltd.) Heating element average resistance: 5015Ω Printing voltage: 18V (foam layer transfer once), 15V (foam layer transfer twice) - Main scanning resolution: 300 dpi (dot per inch) Sub-scanning resolution: 300 dpi Line speed: 6.0msec. / line Print start temperature: 35℃ Pulse Duty Ratio: 85% Tone value: 255 / 255 (maximum energy tone)

[0085] <<Transferability evaluation>> The foam layer transferred from the thermal transfer sheet to the transferee was visually observed, and the transferability of the foam layer was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

[0086] (Evaluation Criteria) No transfer failure (tailing, no transfer areas) △ Less than 10% transfer failure × Transfer failure is 10% or more

[0087] <<Evaluation of foam volume>> The thickness of the foam layer was measured before and after foaming (expansion), and the foaming amount was calculated by subtracting the thickness before foaming from the thickness after foaming, and the foaming amount was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. A digital micrometer (MDC-25MX, Mitutoyo Corporation) was used to measure the thickness.

[0088] (Evaluation Criteria) ◎ 400μm or more ○ 250μm or more and less than 400μm △ 150μm or more and less than 250μm × Less than 150μm

[0089] <<Sharpness Evaluation>> The size of the foamed layer in the x and y directions after foaming was measured, and the magnification of the larger size was calculated based on the size before foaming, and the sharpness of the pattern was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. A microscope (VHX1000, Keyence Corporation) was used to measure the size of the foamed layer.

[0090] (Evaluation Criteria) ○ Less than 125% △ 125% or more but less than 155% × 155% or more

[0091] [Table 1]

[0092] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 Base material 2. Peel layer 3 Foam layer 4 Adhesive layer 5 Back layer 6 Transferred object 9 Inhibition layer 10 Thermal transfer sheet

Claims

1. a step of heating a thermal transfer sheet provided with a foamed layer containing foamed particles, and transferring the foamed layer onto a transfer-receiving body in a predetermined pattern; a step of heating a thermal transfer sheet provided with a suppression layer for suppressing expansion of the foam layer in a horizontal direction relative to the printing surface of the transfer recipient, and transferring the suppression layer to a peripheral portion of a foam layer transfer area of ​​the transfer recipient; A method for manufacturing a printed matter comprising the steps of:

2. The method for producing a print product according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of heating the transfer-receiving body to expand the foam layer.

3. The method for producing a print product according to claim 2 , wherein, when the thickness of the suppression layer on the transfer recipient is D1 and the thickness of the foamed layer before expansion is D2, D2 / D1 is 0.5 or more and 30 or less.

4. The method for producing a print product according to claim 1 , wherein the first resin of the suppression layer has a glass transition temperature higher than the glass transition temperature of the first binder resin of the foam layer.

5. The method for producing a print according to claim 1 , wherein the foam layer is transferred onto the transfer-receiving body in a plurality of overlapping layers.

6. The method for producing a print according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of transferring the foamed layer in a dot pattern to a foamed layer transfer area of ​​the transfer target body.

7. The method for producing a print according to claim 6, further comprising heating the transfer-receiving body to bond adjacent dot-shaped foam layers together.

8. The method for producing a print according to claim 1 , wherein the suppression layer is transferred onto the transfer-receiving body in a plurality of overlapping layers.

9. A thermal transfer printer having a thermal head and a platen roll, in which a thermal transfer sheet and a transfer-receiving object are superimposed and transported between the thermal head and the platen roll, and the thermal head heats the thermal transfer sheet, The thermal transfer sheet includes a substrate, a suppression layer provided in different regions on one surface of the substrate, and a foamed layer containing foam particles, the suppression layer suppressing expansion of the foamed layer in a horizontal direction relative to a printing surface of the transfer medium, and a glass transition temperature of a first resin of the suppression layer is higher than a glass transition temperature of a first binder resin of the foamed layer, the thermal head heats the thermal transfer sheet to transfer the foam layer and the suppression layer to the transfer-receiving body; A thermal transfer printer that analyzes image data showing a transfer pattern of the foam layer, extracts a contour of the transfer pattern, and transfers the suppression layer based on the contour.

Images