Thermal transfer system, method for manufacturing printed matter, and method for manufacturing decorated molded products

Abstract

To suppress missing color or poor foaming.SOLUTION: A thermal transfer system comprises: a first transfer section 1 that heats a foamed layer transfer sheet 10 provided with a foamed layer 12 containing foamed particles to transfer the foamed layer 12 on an object 6 to be transferred; a print section 2 that heats a thermal transfer sheet 27 provided with a coloring material layer to transfer the coloring material on a transfer layer 24 of an intermediate transfer medium 20 to form an image; and a second transfer section 3 that heats the intermediate transfer medium 20 in which the image was formed on the transfer layer 24 to transfer the transfer layer 24 on the object to be transferred 6 from the intermediate transfer medium 20 so as to cover the foamed layer 12 and to expand the foamed layer 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a thermal transfer system, a method for producing a printed matter, and a method for producing a decorated molded article. [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 unevenness, created by heating a card containing expanded particles in a given pattern to form an expanded area. In the conventional method of forming an image by transferring a receiving layer onto a foamed layer containing expanded particles and expanding the expanded particles in the foamed layer, and then transferring a coloring material to the receiving layer to form an image, there were cases where color loss or foaming failure occurred. [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 thermal transfer system, a method for manufacturing a printed matter, and a method for manufacturing a decorated molded product that suppress color loss and foaming defects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The thermal transfer system disclosed herein comprises a first transfer unit that heats a foam layer transfer sheet having a foam layer containing foam particles and transfers the foam layer onto a recipient, a printing unit that heats a thermal transfer sheet having a colorant layer and transfers the colorant to the transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium to form an image, and a second transfer unit that heats the intermediate transfer medium with the image formed on the transfer layer, transfers the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer medium onto the recipient so as to cover the foam layer, and expands the foam layer.

[0007] The method for producing a print disclosed herein includes the steps of heating a foam layer transfer sheet having a foam layer containing foam particles, and transferring the foam layer onto a recipient; heating a thermal transfer sheet having a color material layer, and transferring the color material to the transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium to form an image; and heating the intermediate transfer medium with the image formed on the transfer layer, and transferring the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer medium onto the recipient so as to cover the foam layer, while expanding the foam layer.

[0008] The manufacturing method of the decorative molded product disclosed herein includes the steps of heating a foam layer transfer sheet having a foam layer containing foamed particles, and transferring the foam layer onto a recipient; heating a thermal transfer sheet having a color material layer, and transferring the color material to the transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium to form an image; heating the intermediate transfer medium having the image formed on the transfer layer, and transferring the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer medium onto the recipient so as to cover the foam layer, to produce a thermoplastic sheet for decorative molding in which the foam layer and the transfer layer are laminated on the recipient; and heating and softening the thermoplastic sheet to perform out-mold molding and expand the foam layer. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, color loss and foaming defects can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a thermal transfer system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a thermal transfer sheet. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3a is a plan view of a transfer target body to which a foam layer has been transferred, and FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIb-IIIb of FIG. 3a. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate transfer medium. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a thermal transfer system. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a transfer recipient to which a foam layer has been transferred. [Figure 8] FIG. 8a is a plan view of the print, and FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIb-VIIIb of FIG. 8a. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the uneven processing of a print. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] 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.

[0012] 1, a thermal transfer system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first transfer unit 1 that transfers a foam layer to a transfer recipient 6, a printing unit 2 that forms an image on the transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium 20, and a second transfer unit 3 that transfers the transfer layer on which the image has been formed from the intermediate transfer medium 20 onto the transfer recipient 6 on which the foam layer has been transferred, and expands the foam particles in the foam layer. The thermal transfer system may further include an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 4.

[0013] The first transfer unit 1 transfers a foam layer onto a transfer-receiving body 6 using a foam layer transfer sheet 10. The transfer-receiving body 6 is not particularly limited and may be a plastic card substrate or paper.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the foam layer transfer sheet 10 has a substrate 11 and a foam layer 12 provided on one surface of the substrate 11.

[0015] The foamed layer 12 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.

[0016] A back layer (not shown) may be provided on the other surface of the substrate 11. A release layer (not shown) may be provided between the foam layer 12 and the substrate 11. An adhesive layer (not shown) may be provided on the foam layer 12.

[0017] In the first transfer section 1 , the foam layer transfer sheet 10 and the transfer-receiving body 6 are superimposed between a thermal head 15 and a platen roll 16 .

[0018] The thermal head 15 heats the foam layer transfer sheet 10 in a predetermined pattern based on a control signal from a control unit (not shown), and transfers the foam layer 12 onto the transfer target body 6, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b. The transfer pattern is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, letters or a pattern.

[0019] The heat energy applied to the foam layer transfer sheet 10 when transferring the foam layer 12 is set to an amount that does not cause the foam particles to expand.

[0020] The transfer target body 6 onto which the foam layer 12 has been transferred is transported to the second transfer section 3 .

[0021] The printing unit 2 forms an image on the intermediate transfer medium 20 using a thermal transfer sheet 27. A winding of the intermediate transfer medium 20 wound in a ribbon shape is loaded into a supply unit 28 of the printing unit 2. The supply unit 28 rotates the winding of the intermediate transfer medium 20 and transports the intermediate transfer medium 20 in a long strip shape to the printing unit 2 and the second transfer unit 3 in order. The intermediate transfer medium 20 supplied from the supply unit 28 passes between a thermal head 25 and a platen roll 26 of the printing unit 2.

[0022] 4, the intermediate transfer medium 20 includes a support 21 and a transfer layer 24 provided on one surface of the support 21. The transfer layer 24 has a laminated structure including a release layer 22 provided on the support 21 and a receiving layer 23 laminated on the release layer 22. The receiving layer 23 is located on the outermost surface of the intermediate transfer medium 20, and is located farthest from the support 21 among the layers constituting the transfer layer 24.

[0023] An arbitrary layer such as a protective layer (not shown) may be provided between the release layer 22 and the receiving layer 23. Alternatively, the transfer layer 24 may be formed by laminating the protective layer and the receiving layer 23 in this order from the support 21 side. Alternatively, an arbitrary layer may be provided between the support 21 and the transfer layer 24. Alternatively, a back layer (not shown) may be provided on the other surface of the support 21.

[0024] The thermal transfer sheet 27 has a substrate and a yellow dye layer, a magenta dye layer, and a cyan dye layer provided in surface order on one side of the substrate. The thermal transfer sheet 27 may also have a black melting layer and a special color layer. Examples of the special color layer include a layer containing a special color pigment such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, iron yellow, ultramarine, hologram powder, aluminum powder, metallic pigment, pearlescent (pearl) pigment, metallic luster pigment, fluorescent pigment, and phosphorescent pigment, and a hologram layer. On the substrate of the thermal transfer sheet 27, a set of color material layers consisting of a dye layer and a melting layer is repeatedly provided. Conventionally known dye layers and melting layers can be used.

[0025] Between the thermal head 25 and platen roll 26 of the printing unit 2, the color material layer of the thermal transfer sheet 27 faces the receiving layer 23 of the intermediate transfer medium 20. The thermal head 25 heats the color material layer from the substrate side of the thermal transfer sheet 27, and transfers the color material to the receiving layer 23 of the intermediate transfer medium 20 to form an image. The transfer of the color material includes the migration of only the dye from the dye layer.

[0026] The intermediate transfer medium 20 , on which an image has been formed on the receiving layer 23 in the printing unit 2 , is transported to the second transfer unit 3 .

[0027] The second transfer unit 3 includes a heat roller 31 and a pressure roll 32 provided below the heat roller 31 .

[0028] The second transfer section 3 heats the intermediate transfer medium 20 between the heat roller 31 and the pressure roll 32, with the surface of the receiving layer 23 of the intermediate transfer medium 20 on which the image is formed facing the surface of the transferee 6 on which the foam layer is formed. As a result, as shown in Figs. 5a and 5b, the transfer layer 24 of the intermediate transfer medium 20 is transferred onto the transferee 6, and an image is formed on the transferee 6. For example, the transfer layer 24 covers the foam layer 12 and is transferred onto the entire surface of the transferee 6. In addition, the foam particles in the foam layer 12 expand as the heat is applied by the heat roller 31. As a result, a printed matter having an uneven surface is produced.

[0029] In this embodiment, an image is formed on the transfer layer 24 of the intermediate transfer medium 20, and the foamed particles are expanded while the transfer layer 24 on which the image is formed is transferred onto the foam layer 12. Since an image is formed on the transfer layer 24 of the intermediate transfer medium 20 in advance, color loss can be suppressed. In addition, since the foamed particles can be expanded by applying higher energy than during the transfer of the foam layer, the occurrence of foaming defects can be suppressed.

[0030] The image formed on the receiving layer 23 in the printing unit 2 corresponds to the transfer pattern of the foam layer 12 in the first transfer unit 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 3a, the first transfer unit 1 transfers the foam layer 12 to form a character pattern of "ABC." The printing unit 2 forms the characters "ABC" on the receiving layer 23. In the second transfer unit 3, the transfer layer 24 is transferred so that the characters formed on the receiving layer 23 are positioned on the character pattern of the foam layer 12 on the transfer target 6, and the foam particles are expanded. This produces a print with the characters "ABC" raised, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

[0031] When the foam layer 12 contains an ultraviolet curing resin, the print may be irradiated with ultraviolet rays using the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 to cure the foam layer 12.

[0032] Fig. 6 shows a thermal transfer system according to another embodiment. This thermal transfer system is provided with an embossing roller 5 instead of the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 4 of the thermal transfer system shown in Fig. 1. A method for producing a printed matter using the thermal transfer system shown in Fig. 6 will be described.

[0033] The first transfer unit 1 transfers a foam layer 12 onto the entire surface of a transfer target body 6, as shown in FIG.

[0034] The printing unit 2 forms a desired image on a receptor layer 23 of an intermediate transfer medium 20 .

[0035] The second transfer unit 3 heats the intermediate transfer medium 20, covers the foam layer 12, and transfers the transfer layer 24 to the entire surface of the transfer recipient 6, while expanding the foam particles of the foam layer 12, as shown in Figures 8a and 8b. The foam particles may be expanded over the entire surface of the transfer recipient 6, or may be expanded in predetermined regions including regions that are ultimately desired to become convex portions.

[0036] The transfer layer 24 is transferred to the transfer recipient 6 in the second transfer section 3, and the foamed particles are expanded. The transfer recipient 6 is heated and pressed by an embossing roller 5 as shown in Fig. 9, and the surface is textured. For example, the foamed particles of the foamed layer 12 in areas other than the predetermined pattern area are crushed by the embossing roller 5 to provide the textured surface. The pressure and temperature of the embossing roller 5 are higher than those of the heat roller 31 and pressure roll 32 in the second transfer section 3.

[0037] This method also makes it possible to prevent discoloration and foaming defects.

[0038] Instead of the embossing roller 5, a heat roller around which a shaping sheet is wound may be used to perform the uneven processing.

[0039] Next, the material of the foam layer transfer sheet 10 will be described.

[0040] (base material) The substrate 11 of the foam layer transfer sheet 10 is not limited in any way, and any conventionally known substrate in the field of thermal transfer sheets can be appropriately selected and used. Examples include stretched or unstretched plastic films such as polyesters with high heat resistance, 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 ionomer. 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 11, but a range of 2 μm to 10 μm is preferred.

[0041] (Release layer) In order to improve the transferability of the foam layer 12, a release layer may be provided on the substrate 11. Examples of binder resins 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.

[0042] (Foam layer) The foamed layer 12 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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).

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 50 μm or more and 600 μm or less.

[0049] The foam layer may contain an ultraviolet curable resin.

[0050] (adhesive layer) In order to improve the adhesion between the foam layer 12 and the transfer-receiving body 6, an adhesive layer may be provided on the foam layer 12. 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.

[0051] (back layer) There is no limitation on the material of the back layer provided on the other surface of the substrate 11, 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 type of these resins alone, or may contain two or more types.

[0052] Next, the material of the intermediate transfer medium 20 will be described.

[0053] (Support) The material of the support 21 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include highly heat-resistant polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate, and stretched or unstretched plastic films such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, polyethylene derivatives, polyamide, and polymethylpentene. Composite films in which two or more of these materials are laminated can also be used. The thickness of the support can be appropriately selected depending on the material so that the strength, heat resistance, etc. are appropriate, but is usually in the range of 3 μm to 30 μm, and preferably in the range of 4 μm to 15 μm.

[0054] (Release layer) The release layer 22 is intended to improve the transferability (removability) of the transfer layer 24, and is located closest to the support 21 among the layers constituting the transfer layer 24. Examples of components of the release layer include waxes, silicone wax, silicone resins, silicone modified resins, fluororesins, fluoromodified resins, polyvinyl alcohol, acrylic resins, thermally crosslinkable epoxy-amino resins, and thermally crosslinkable alkyd-amino resins. The release layer may contain one type of these components alone, or two or more types.

[0055] The thickness of the release layer is not particularly limited, but is, for example, in the range of 0.5 μm to 5 μm.

[0056] (Receptive layer) There is no particular limitation on the material of the receiving layer 23, and a receiving layer that is conventionally known in the field of intermediate transfer media can be appropriately selected and used. For example, polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, halogenated resins such as polyvinyl chloride or polyvinylidene chloride, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers or polyacrylic acid esters, polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate, polystyrene resins, polyamide resins, copolymer resins of olefins such as ethylene or propylene with other vinyl polymers, cellulose resins such as ionomers or cellulose diastase, polycarbonates, solvent-based resins such as acrylic resins, etc. The receiving layer may contain one of these components alone, or two or more of them.

[0057] The receiving layer may contain a release agent in addition to the resin component. Examples of the release agent include solid waxes such as polyethylene wax, amide wax, and Teflon (registered trademark) powder, fluorine-based or phosphate-based surfactants, silicone oils, reactive silicone oils, cured silicone oils, and other modified silicone oils, and various silicone resins.

[0058] The thickness of the receiving layer is not particularly limited, but is, for example, in the range of 1 μm to 10 μm.

[0059] When the transfer layer 24 is transferred onto the transferee 6, a thermoplastic sheet for manufacturing a decorative molded product may be prepared so that the foam particles of the foam layer 12 do not expand, and the foam particles are expanded in the decorative molding process. When the decorative molding process is out-mold molding, the material of the transferee 6 is preferably PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PETG (glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate), PO (polyolefin), PU (polyurethane), TPU (polyurethane plastic elastomer), etc. When the decorative molding process is in-mold molding, the material of the transferee 6 is preferably PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like. When the decorative molding process is insert molding, the material of the transferee 6 is preferably acrylic, a composite material of acrylic / PC (polycarbonate), PC, etc. The thickness of the transferee 6 is about 25 μm or more and 1000 μm or less.

[0060] The preferred method for producing the decorative molded product is out-molding, and vacuum molding is particularly preferred. In vacuum molding, the thermoplastic sheet, which is the transfer object 6 on which the foam layer 12 and the transfer layer 24 are laminated, is set in the mold of a vacuum molding machine, and the thermoplastic sheet is heated and softened by a heater element installed above the mold, and at the same time, air is sucked between the mold and the softened sheet through an air hole provided in the mold to create a vacuum, and the softened sheet is then pressed against the mold to form it. The foam particles of the foam layer 12 are expanded at the same time as the molding to produce the decorative molded product.

[0061] 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]

[0062] 1 First transfer section 2 Printing Department 3 Second Transfer Section 4. Ultraviolet irradiation section 5 Embossing roller 6 Transferred object 10 Foam layer transfer sheet 20 Intermediate transfer medium 27 Thermal transfer sheet

Claims

1. a first transfer section for heating a foam layer transfer sheet having a foam layer containing foam particles provided thereon, and transferring the foam layer onto a transfer receiving body; a printing section for heating a thermal transfer sheet having a color material layer thereon and transferring the color material to a transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium to form an image; a second transfer section that heats the intermediate transfer medium on which the image is formed on the transfer layer, transfers the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer medium onto the transferee so as to cover the foam layer, and expands the foam layer; A thermal transfer system comprising:

2. The thermal transfer system according to claim 1 , wherein the first transfer section transfers the foam layer onto the transfer medium in a predetermined pattern.

3. The foam layer contains an ultraviolet curable resin, The thermal transfer system according to claim 2 , further comprising an ultraviolet irradiating section that irradiates the transfer-receiving body on which the foam layer has been expanded by the second transfer section with ultraviolet light.

4. The first transfer unit transfers the foam layer onto the entire surface of the transfer target body, The thermal transfer system according to claim 1 , further comprising an unevenness processing section that performs uneven processing on the transfer-receiving body on which the foam layer has been expanded by the second transfer section.

5. The thermal transfer system according to claim 4 , wherein the uneven processing section has an embossing roller, and the temperature of the embossing roller and the pressure applied to the transferred material are higher than the temperature of the heating element of the second transfer section and the pressure applied to the transferred material.

6. a step of heating a foam layer transfer sheet provided with a foam layer containing foam particles, and transferring the foam layer onto a transfer target; a step of heating the thermal transfer sheet provided with the color material layer to transfer the color material to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium to form an image; a step of heating the intermediate transfer medium on which the image has been formed on the transfer layer, transferring the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer medium onto the transferee so as to cover the foam layer, and expanding the foam layer; A method for manufacturing a printed matter comprising the steps of:

7. The method for producing a print according to claim 6, further comprising the step of transferring the foam layer onto the transfer-receiving body in a predetermined pattern.

8. The foam layer contains an ultraviolet curable resin, The method for producing a print according to claim 7 , further comprising the step of irradiating the transfer-receiving body with ultraviolet light after the foam layer has been expanded.

9. Transferring the foam layer onto the entire surface of the transfer body; The method for producing a print according to claim 6, further comprising the step of: providing a concave-convex processing to the transfer-receiving body in which the foam layer has been expanded.

10. a first transfer section for heating a foam layer transfer sheet having a foam layer containing foam particles provided thereon, and transferring the foam layer onto a transfer receiving body; a printing section for heating a thermal transfer sheet having a color material layer thereon and transferring the color material to a transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium to form an image; a second transfer section that heats the intermediate transfer medium on which the image is formed on the transfer layer, and transfers the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer medium onto the transferee so as to cover the foam layer; A thermal transfer system comprising:

11. a step of heating a foam layer transfer sheet provided with a foam layer containing foam particles, and transferring the foam layer onto a transfer target; a step of heating the thermal transfer sheet provided with the color material layer to transfer the color material to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium to form an image; a step of heating the intermediate transfer medium on which the image has been formed on the transfer layer, and transferring the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer medium onto the transfer-receiving body so as to cover the foam layer; A method for manufacturing a printed matter comprising the steps of:

12. a step of heating a foam layer transfer sheet provided with a foam layer containing foam particles, and transferring the foam layer onto a transfer target; a step of heating the thermal transfer sheet provided with the color material layer to transfer the color material to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium to form an image; a step of heating the intermediate transfer medium on which the image has been formed on the transfer layer, and transferring the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer medium onto the transferee so as to cover the foam layer, thereby producing a thermoplastic sheet for decorative molding in which the foam layer and the transfer layer are laminated on the transferee; a step of heating and softening the thermoplastic sheet to perform out-molding and expand the foam layer; A method for manufacturing a decorated molded product comprising the steps of:

Images