Manufacturing method of prints

Abstract

To provide a printed matter which has a mark formed thereon, the mark cannot be easily visually recognized at a glance, however the mark can be visually recognized using special equipment.SOLUTION: A production method of a printed matter comprises: a step of preparing, an intermediate transfer medium on which a transfer layer is provided on one surface of a support medium peelably from the support medium, and a thermal transfer sheet comprising a color material layer and an irregularity application layer having irregularity on a surface, these layers being sequentially provided on a substrate, and a body to be transferred; a step of shifting a color material included in the color material layer of the thermal transfer sheet to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium, to form an image on the transfer layer; a step of transferring the irregularity application layer from the thermal transfer sheet to the transfer layer on which the image is formed; and a step of transferring from the intermediate transfer medium, the transfer layer and the irregularity application layer onto the body to be transferred, to produce a printed matter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a printed matter and a printed matter. [Background technology]

[0002] As one type of printer that forms a thermal transfer image on any object, a thermal transfer printer has been proposed that uses an intermediate transfer medium in which a receptive layer is removably provided on a substrate, and a thermal transfer sheet having a colorant layer, and forms an image by transferring the colorant to the receptive layer of the intermediate transfer medium, and then transfers the transfer layer including the receptive layer on which the image has been formed from the intermediate transfer medium onto the object to be transferred.

[0003] Printed materials produced by this thermal transfer printer are used as, for example, ID cards such as driver's licenses, credit cards, cash cards, employee ID cards, and identity cards. Since such printed materials are likely to be counterfeited, security marks are sometimes added to them to prevent counterfeiting. A method is known in which a security mark is formed with invisible ink and then irradiated with ultraviolet light or heated to make the security mark visible. However, this is inconvenient because it requires special equipment such as an ultraviolet irradiator or a heater. There is a demand for forming security marks that are not visible at first glance, but can be seen if the eyes are squinted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10214041 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6770699 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a printed matter on which a mark is formed that is difficult to see at first glance but is visible without using special equipment, and a method for manufacturing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The method for producing a print of the present disclosure includes the steps of preparing an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer provided on one side of a support such that it is peelable from the support, a thermal transfer sheet having color material layers provided in surface order on a substrate and an unevenness-imparting layer having unevenness formed on its surface, and a recipient; transferring color material contained in the color material layer of the thermal transfer sheet to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium to form an image on the transfer layer; transferring the unevenness-imparting layer from the thermal transfer sheet onto the transfer layer on which the image has been formed; and producing a print by transferring the transfer layer and the unevenness-imparting layer from the intermediate transfer medium onto the recipient.

[0007] The print material of the present disclosure comprises an unevenness-imparting layer provided on one side of a receiving body and having unevenness formed on its surface, and a transfer layer provided on the one side of the receiving body so as to cover the unevenness-imparting layer and including a receiving layer on which an image is formed, and unevenness corresponding to the unevenness of the unevenness-imparting layer is formed on the surface of the transfer layer. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a printed matter can be obtained in which a mark is formed that is difficult to see at first glance, but is visible without using any special equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an intermediate transfer medium according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6a and 6b are enlarged plan views of the roughness-imparting layer. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of transfer of a roughness-imparting layer. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 9 . [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a roughness-imparting layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the thermal transfer printer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printing unit 50 that uses a thermal transfer sheet 20 to print an image on a receiving layer 14 (see Figure 3) provided on an intermediate transfer medium 10, and a transfer unit 60 that transfers a transfer layer T (see Figure 3) of the intermediate transfer medium 10 onto a recipient 40.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the intermediate transfer medium 10, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. The intermediate transfer medium 10 includes a support 11 and a transfer layer T provided on one surface of the support 11. The transfer layer T has a laminated structure including a release layer 12 provided on the support 11, a protective layer 13 laminated on the release layer 12, and a receiving layer 14 laminated on the protective layer 13. The receiving layer 14 is located on the outermost surface of the intermediate transfer medium 10, and is located farthest from the support 11 among the layers constituting the transfer layer T. Other layers may be added, such as a primer layer, between the release layer 12 and the protective layer 13.

[0013] Detection marks 18 are formed at regular intervals on the intermediate transfer medium 10. The areas between the detection marks 15 form areas 16 for one screen, and a coloring material is thermally transferred to the receiving layer 14 to form an image. After the image is formed, the area of ​​the transfer layer T containing the image is transferred onto the transferee 40.

[0014] In the intermediate transfer medium 10, the area 16 for one screen is larger than the transfer area R to be transferred onto the transfer recipient 40. Therefore, in the area 16 for one screen, the peripheral portion located outside the transfer area R becomes a transfer layer remaining area 17 where the transfer layer T remains even after the transfer layer T is transferred to the transfer recipient 40.

[0015] The support 11, the release layer 12, the protective layer 13, and the receiving layer 14 may be any of the conventionally known materials.

[0016] Next, a thermal transfer sheet 20 used in a thermal transfer printer will be described. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the thermal transfer sheet 20, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the thermal transfer sheet 20 has a substrate 21, and a yellow (Y) layer 22, a magenta (M) layer 23, a cyan (C) layer 24, a black (BK) melting layer 25 (meltable ink layer), and a roughness-imparting layer 26, which are provided in surface order on the same surface of the substrate 21.

[0017] When an assembly consisting of "five panels" of the Y layer 22, the M layer 23, the C layer 24, the melting layer 25 and the roughness-imparting layer 26 is regarded as "one unit," this "one unit" is repeatedly provided on one surface of the substrate 21 of the thermal transfer sheet 20. One screenful of image is formed on the receiving layer 14 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 using the panels of the "one unit."

[0018] The substrate 21 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a thin paper or a stretched or unstretched plastic film. The Y layer 22, the M layer 23, and the C layer 24 are dye layers containing a dye and a binder resin for supporting the dye. The dye and the binder resin may be appropriately selected from those conventionally known in the field of dye-sublimation thermal transfer sheets.

[0019] The melting layer 25 may be any layer that satisfies the condition that it melts and softens when heated and can be transferred onto the transfer layer T, and includes, for example, a pigment and a binder resin.

[0020] The unevenness-imparting layer 26 is a resin layer in which convex portions 26a, which are regions with a large thickness, and concave portions 26b, which are regions with a small thickness, are repeatedly provided, and fine unevenness is formed on the surface. Examples of the resin for the unevenness-imparting layer 26 include acrylic resin, polyester, and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer. The unevenness-imparting layer 26 may be transparent, or may contain a colorant or an optical interference pigment such as a pearl pigment. The unevenness-imparting layer 26 is formed by applying a resin in a pattern onto the substrate 21.

[0021] The protrusions 26a may be in a stripe shape as shown in Fig. 6a, or in a dot shape as shown in Fig. 6b. Fig. 6a shows a configuration in which a plurality of stripes extend parallel to each other, but they may also be in a lattice shape. The protrusions 26a may also be in a concentric circle shape.

[0022] The height of the protrusions 26a (thickness of the protrusions 26a-thickness of the recesses 26b) is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 5.0 μm or less.

[0023] When the protrusions 26a are in a stripe shape as shown in Fig. 6a, the stripe width is preferably 50 µm or more and 250 µm or less, and the distance between the stripes is preferably 0.1 to 0.5 times the stripe width.

[0024] When the protrusions 26a are dot-shaped as shown in Fig. 6b, each dot is preferably a circle with a diameter of 50 μm to 250 μm in plan view, or a rectangle with a side length of 50 μm to 250 μm in plan view. The protrusion area ratio is preferably 50% to 95%.

[0025] The thermal transfer sheet 20 may further include other color material layers, such as a special color layer, etc. Also, the melting layer 25 may be omitted.

[0026] Next, a method for producing a printed matter using this thermal transfer printer will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, a winding of intermediate transfer medium 10 wound in a ribbon shape is loaded into a supply section 70 (first supply section) of the thermal transfer printer. The supply section 70 rotates the winding of intermediate transfer medium 10, and transports the intermediate transfer medium 10 in a long strip shape to the printing section 50 and the transfer section 60 in that order.

[0027] The printing unit 50 has a thermal head 53, a rotatable platen roll 54 provided below the thermal head 53, and a lifting means (not shown) for lifting the thermal head 53 relative to the platen roll 54. The intermediate transfer medium 10 supplied from the supply unit 70 passes between the thermal head 53 and the platen roll 54.

[0028] In the printing section 50, the thermal transfer sheet 20 passes from the supply roll 51 (second supply section) side through a guide roll 55, between a thermal head 53 and a platen roll 54, and through a guide roll 56 before being taken up by a take-up roll 52. Between the thermal head 53 and the platen roll 54, the Y layer 22, the M layer 23, the C layer 24, the melting layer 25, and the roughness-imparting layer 26 of the thermal transfer sheet 20 face the receiving layer 14 of the intermediate transfer medium 10.

[0029] The thermal head 53 heats the Y layer 22, the M layer 23, and the C layer 24 from the substrate 21 side of the thermal transfer sheet 20, and transfers the dye to the receiving layer 14 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 to form an image. The thermal head 53 also heats the melt layer 25 from the substrate 21 side of the thermal transfer sheet 20, and transfers the heat-fusible ink to the receiving layer 14 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 to form characters and patterns.

[0030] Next, the thermal head 53 heats the unevenness imparting layer 26 from the substrate 21 side of the thermal transfer sheet 20, and transfers the unevenness imparting layer 26 in a predetermined pattern onto the receiving layer 14 of the intermediate transfer medium 10, as shown in Fig. 7. The unevenness imparting layer 26 is transferred only to a part of the transfer region R (see Fig. 2). The shape of the transfer pattern of the unevenness imparting layer 26 is not particularly limited, and may be a figure, a letter, a logo, or the like.

[0031] The intermediate transfer medium 10 on which the image formation and the transfer of the roughness-imparting layer 26 have been performed in the printing unit 50 is transported to the transfer unit 60 via guide rolls 72 .

[0032] The transfer unit 60 includes a heat roller 61 and a pressure roll 62 provided below the heat roller 61. The transfer unit 60 transfers the transfer layer T of the intermediate transfer medium 10 onto the transfer recipient 40 supplied from a transfer recipient supply unit 42 (third supply unit).

[0033] The transfer medium supply unit 42 includes a feed device that feeds out the transfer medium 40 one by one in sheet form in accordance with the transport of the intermediate transfer medium 10, and a conveyor device that transports the fed transfer medium 40. In this embodiment, a case where a transfer medium 40 in sheet form is used will be described, but the transfer medium may be a long roll.

[0034] The transfer unit 60 overlaps the surface of the receiving layer 14 of the intermediate transfer medium 10 on which the image has been formed, onto the transfer recipient 40 between a heat roller 61 and a pressure roll 62, and heats it. As a result, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the unevenness-imparting layer 26 is transferred to the transfer recipient 40 together with the transfer layer T in the transfer region R, and an image is formed on the transfer recipient 40. Furthermore, unevenness is formed on the surface of the transfer layer T transferred to the transfer recipient 40 so as to follow the unevenness of the unevenness-imparting layer 26.

[0035] The transferee 40 (printed object) on which the image and unevenness are formed is transported to the discharge section 44 and accumulated one by one. After the transfer layer T is transferred to the transferee 40, the intermediate transfer medium 10 is taken up by a take-up roll 71 (take-up section).

[0036] In this way, according to this embodiment, a printed matter can be manufactured in which a concave-convex mark is formed on the surface of the transfer layer T. The concave-convex mark on the surface of the transfer layer T is minute due to the concave-convexity of the concave-convexity imparting layer 26, and is difficult to see at a glance when the entire printed matter is viewed, and has almost no effect on the design of the printed matter. However, if a person who knows the position of the concave-convex mark on the printed matter focuses his or her eyes, it can be seen with the naked eye. Therefore, it is easy to determine whether the printed matter is genuine or counterfeit without using special equipment.

[0037] When transferring the unevenness imparting layer 26 from the thermal transfer sheet 20 to the intermediate transfer medium 10, the position, size, shape, etc. at which the unevenness imparting layer 26 is transferred may be changed for each image. This makes it possible to produce printed products with different positions of uneven marks. Transfer information (position, size, shape, etc.) of the unevenness imparting layer 26 may be compiled into a database for each printed product. The authenticity of the printed product can be determined by checking whether the unevenness mark is present at the position indicated by the transfer information in the database.

[0038] The irregularity-imparting layer 26 may contain foamed particles. The foamed particles have an outer shell made of a thermoplastic resin and a foaming agent contained in the outer shell that vaporizes when heated. Therefore, the foamed particles expand when heated. After the transfer layer T and the irregularity-imparting layer 26 are transferred from the intermediate transfer medium 10 to the transfer recipient 40, the transfer recipient 40 is heated to expand the foamed particles in the irregularity-imparting layer 26, thereby forming irregularities on the surface of the transfer layer T.

[0039] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the resin film thickness is different between the convex portions 26a and the concave portions 26b in the unevenness imparting layer 26 of the thermal transfer sheet 10. However, as shown in FIG. 10, no resin may be provided in the concave portions 26b, and the surface of the underlying layer (e.g., the substrate 21) may be exposed.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the protrusions 26a of the unevenness imparting layer 26 are described as being striped or dot-shaped, but they may be in the form of letters, stars, or other figures when viewed from above. Also, the shape of the recesses 26b when viewed from above may be in the form of letters, stars, or other figures.

[0041] 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]

[0042] 10 Intermediate transfer medium 11 Support 12 Release layer 13 Protective layer 14 Receptor 17 Transfer layer remaining area 18 Detection mark 20 Thermal transfer sheet 26 Unevenness imparting layer 40 Transferred object 50 Printing Department 60 Transfer section T transfer layer R transcription region

Claims

1. A step of preparing an intermediate transfer medium having a support and a transfer layer provided on one surface of the support in such a manner that the transfer layer can be peeled off from the support, a thermal transfer sheet having a color material layer and a roughness-imparting layer having roughness formed on the surface, which are provided in surface order on a substrate, and a transfer recipient; a step of transferring a colorant contained in the colorant layer of the thermal transfer sheet to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium, thereby forming an image on the transfer layer; transferring the roughness-imparting layer from the thermal transfer sheet onto the transfer layer on which the image has been formed; a step of transferring the transfer layer and the roughness-imparting layer from the intermediate transfer medium onto the transfer recipient to produce a print product; A method for manufacturing a printed matter comprising the steps of:

2. The method for producing a print according to claim 1 , wherein the unevenness-imparting layer has a plurality of convex portions in a stripe or dot shape.

3. 3. The method for producing a print according to claim 2, wherein the stripe width of the stripe-shaped convex portions is 0.5 μm or more and 5.0 μm or less, and the distance between the stripes is 0.1 times or more and 0.5 times or less the stripe width.

4. The method for producing a print according to claim 2 , wherein the convex portions are in the form of dots, and an area ratio of the convex portions in the roughness-imparting layer is 50% or more and 95% or less.

5. The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 1 , wherein the convex portions or concave portions of the roughness-imparting layer form characters or figures in a plan view.

6. The method for producing a print according to claim 2 , wherein the height of the convex portion is 0.5 μm or more and 5.0 μm or less.

7. The method for producing a print according to claim 1 , wherein the roughness-imparting layer contains a colorant or an optical interference pigment.

Images