Printing method, transfer layer peel-off method, and thermal transfer sheet

Abstract

To improve peel-off properties in a manufacturing method of a printed matter configured to remove a desired part of a transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium and then transfer the transfer layer onto a transfer target body.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method of a printed matter includes: a step (1) of preparing a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium; a step (2) of removing a part of a transfer layer; and a step (3) of transferring the transfer layer onto a transfer target body. The thermal transfer sheet includes a base material, and a metal particle-including layer and a peel-off layer disposed on the base material. The intermediate transfer medium includes a support medium and a transfer layer disposed on the support medium. A part of the transfer layer is a removal scheduled region. The step (2) includes: a step of transferring the metal particle-including layer onto at least the part of the removal scheduled region of the transfer layer from the thermal transfer sheet; and a step of removing the removal scheduled region together with the metal particle-including layer transferred onto the removal scheduled region by the peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] One method proposed for forming a thermal transfer image on any object involves preparing an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer removably disposed on a support, forming a thermal transfer image on the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium using a thermal transfer sheet having a colorant layer, and then transferring the transfer layer onto the object to be transferred.

[0003] Depending on the type of print formed using the intermediate transfer medium, it may be necessary to leave an area for providing an IC chip section, a magnetic stripe section, a transmitting / receiving antenna section, a signature section, etc. Specifically, it may be necessary to remove a part of the transfer layer corresponding to the above-mentioned area before transferring the transfer layer onto the transfer recipient.

[0004] As a method for removing a portion of the transfer layer, a peel-off sheet having a peel-off layer provided on one side of a substrate is used, and areas of the transfer layer that are not desired to be transferred to the transfer recipient are removed by the peel-off layer at a stage prior to transferring the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium onto the transfer recipient (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-326865 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the above-mentioned method using a peel-off sheet, it is important that a part of the transfer layer is accurately removed by the peel-off layer, that is, peel-off property. The present disclosure aims to improve the peel-off property in a manufacturing method of a printed matter in which a desired part of the transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium is removed and then the transfer layer is transferred onto a transferee. The present disclosure aims to improve the peel-off property in a peel-off method of a transfer layer in which a desired part of the transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium is removed. The present disclosure aims to provide a thermal transfer sheet suitable for use in such a manufacturing method and peel-off method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the method for producing a print product of the present disclosure includes a step (1) of preparing a first thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer, a step (2) of removing a part of the transfer layer, and a step (3) of transferring the partly removed transfer layer onto a transferee. The first thermal transfer sheet may include a first substrate, and a metal particle-containing layer and a peel-off layer provided in surface order on one surface of the first substrate. The intermediate transfer medium may include a support and a transfer layer provided on one surface of the support so as to be peelable from the support. The part of the transfer layer may be a region to be removed in step (2). Step (2) may include, in this order, a step of transferring the metal particle-containing layer from the first thermal transfer sheet onto at least a part of the region to be removed of the transfer layer in the intermediate transfer medium, and a step of removing the region to be removed of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the region to be removed by the peel-off layer of the first thermal transfer sheet.

[0008] In one embodiment, the method for producing a print of the present disclosure includes a step (1) of preparing a second thermal transfer sheet, a peel-off sheet having a peel-off layer, and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer, a step (2) of removing a part of the transfer layer, and a step (3) of transferring the partly removed transfer layer onto a transferee. The second thermal transfer sheet may include a second substrate and a metal particle-containing layer provided on one side of the second substrate. The peel-off sheet may include a third substrate and a peel-off layer provided on one side of the third substrate. The intermediate transfer medium may include a support and a transfer layer provided on one side of the support so as to be peelable from the support. The part of the transfer layer may be a region to be removed in step (2). Step (2) may include, in this order, a step of transferring a metal particle-containing layer from a second thermal transfer sheet onto at least a portion of the intended removal region of the transfer layer on the intermediate transfer medium, and a step of removing the intended removal region of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the intended removal region by the peel-off layer of the peel-off sheet.

[0009] In one embodiment, the transfer layer peel-off method of the present disclosure includes a step (1) of preparing a first thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer, and a step (2) of removing a part of the transfer layer. The first thermal transfer sheet may include a first substrate, and a metal particle-containing layer and a peel-off layer provided in surface order on one surface of the first substrate. The intermediate transfer medium may include a support and a transfer layer provided on one surface of the support so as to be peelable from the support. The part of the transfer layer may be a region to be removed in step (2). Step (2) may include, in this order, a step of transferring the metal particle-containing layer from the first thermal transfer sheet onto at least a part of the region to be removed of the transfer layer in the intermediate transfer medium, and a step of removing the region to be removed of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the region to be removed by the peel-off layer of the first thermal transfer sheet.

[0010] In one embodiment, the transfer layer peel-off method of the present disclosure includes a step (1) of preparing a second thermal transfer sheet, a peel-off sheet having a peel-off layer, and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer, and a step (2) of removing a part of the transfer layer. The second thermal transfer sheet may include a second substrate and a metal particle-containing layer provided on one side of the second substrate. The peel-off sheet may include a third substrate and a peel-off layer provided on one side of the third substrate. The intermediate transfer medium may include a support and a transfer layer provided on one side of the support so as to be peelable from the support. The part of the transfer layer may be a region to be removed in step (2). Step (2) may include, in this order, a step of transferring a metal particle-containing layer from a second thermal transfer sheet onto at least a portion of the intended removal region of the transfer layer on the intermediate transfer medium, and a step of removing the intended removal region of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the intended removal region by the peel-off layer of the peel-off sheet.

[0011] The thermal transfer sheet of the present disclosure is a thermal transfer sheet used in the above-mentioned method for producing a printed matter or the above-mentioned method for peeling off a transfer layer, and includes a first substrate, and a color material layer, a metal particle-containing layer, and a peel-off layer provided in surface sequence on one surface of the first substrate. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the peel-off property in a manufacturing method of a printed matter in which a desired part of a transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium is removed and then the transfer layer is transferred onto a transferee. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the peel-off property in a peel-off method of a transfer layer in which a desired part of a transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium is removed. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a thermal transfer sheet that is suitably used in such a manufacturing method and peel-off method. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a process cross-sectional view illustrating a method for producing a print according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a process cross-sectional view illustrating a method for producing a print according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a process cross-sectional view illustrating a method for producing a print product according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate transfer medium from which the area of ​​the transfer layer to be removed has been removed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a thermal transfer sheet according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a thermal transfer printer used in the method for producing a print according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail. The present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms, and is not to be interpreted as being limited to the description of the embodiments exemplified below. In the drawings, the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each layer may be shown diagrammatically in order to make the explanation clearer, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. In this specification and each figure, elements similar to those already explained with respect to the previous figures are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations may be omitted as appropriate.

[0015] Below, the thermal transfer sheet, peel-off sheet, and intermediate transfer medium that can be used in the method for producing a printed matter and the method for peeling off a transfer layer of the present disclosure will be described, and then the method for producing a printed matter and the method for peeling off a transfer layer will be described.

[0016] The first thermal transfer sheet includes a first substrate, and a metal particle-containing layer and a peel-off layer that are provided in surface order on one surface of the first substrate. By using the first thermal transfer sheet, the primary transfer step and the transfer layer removal step described below can be performed using a single thermal transfer sheet.

[0017] The second thermal transfer sheet comprises a second substrate and a metal particle-containing layer provided on one surface of the second substrate. The peel-off sheet comprises a third substrate and a peel-off layer provided on one surface of the third substrate. When the second thermal transfer sheet and the peel-off sheet are used, the primary transfer step can be performed using the second thermal transfer sheet, and the transfer layer removal step can be performed using the peel-off sheet.

[0018] The intermediate transfer medium includes a support and a transfer layer provided on one side of the support so as to be peelable from the support. A part of the transfer layer is a removal area to be removed by a peel-off layer in step (2) described later.

[0019] <Thermal transfer sheets and peel-off sheets> Hereinafter, each layer of the first thermal transfer sheet, the second thermal transfer sheet, and the peel-off sheet will be described. When describing matters common to the first thermal transfer sheet and the second thermal transfer sheet, they will also be simply referred to as thermal transfer sheets.

[0020] A cross-sectional view of a first thermal transfer sheet according to one embodiment is shown in a part of the process diagram in Fig. 1. The thermal transfer sheet 10 comprises a substrate 12, and a metal particle-containing layer 14 and a peel-off layer 16 provided on one surface of the substrate 12. The metal particle-containing layer 14 and the peel-off layer 16 are provided in surface order on one surface of the substrate 12. Description of the second thermal transfer sheet and the peel-off sheet based on the drawings will be omitted.

[0021] (base material) The first thermal transfer sheet, the second thermal transfer sheet, and the peel-off sheet each have a substrate. For convenience, the substrates in the first thermal transfer sheet, the second thermal transfer sheet, and the peel-off sheet are referred to as the first substrate, the second substrate, and the third substrate, respectively. These substrates may be the same or different. When describing matters common to these sheets, they are also simply referred to as substrates.

[0022] Examples of the substrate include paper substrates and resin substrates. Examples of the paper substrate include glassine paper, condenser paper, and paraffin paper. The resin substrate is a substrate made of a resin material. Examples of the resin material include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, 1,4-polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate, and terephthalic acid-cyclohexane dimethanol-ethylene glycol copolymers; polyamides; polyimides; polycarbonates; polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polymethylpentene; polystyrenes; vinyl resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone; vinyl acetal resins such as polyvinyl acetoacetal and polyvinyl butyral; (meth)acrylic resins such as poly(meth)acrylate; cellulose resins such as cellophane, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate propionate, and cellulose acetate butyrate; and ionomer resins. The resin substrate can contain one or more types of resin materials.

[0023] In the present disclosure, "(meth)acrylic" includes both "acrylic" and "methacrylic", and "(meth)acrylate" includes both "acrylate" and "methacrylate".

[0024] Among the above resin materials, from the viewpoints of heat resistance and mechanical strength, polyester is preferred, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) are more preferred, and PET is even more preferred.

[0025] The substrate may be a laminate of resin substrates. The laminate of resin substrates can be produced by, for example, a dry lamination method, a wet lamination method, or an extrusion method.

[0026] The resin substrate may be a stretched film or an unstretched film. From the viewpoint of strength, a stretched film that is uniaxially or biaxially stretched is preferred.

[0027] The substrate may be subjected to a surface treatment, for example, a corona discharge treatment, a flame treatment, an ozone treatment, an ultraviolet treatment, a radiation treatment, a roughening treatment, a chemical treatment, a plasma treatment, a low-temperature plasma treatment, a primer treatment, or a grafting treatment.

[0028] The thickness of the substrate is preferably from 1 μm to 100 μm, more preferably from 2 μm to 50 μm, and further preferably from 3 μm to 25 μm, which can improve, for example, the mechanical strength of the substrate and the transferability of thermal energy during thermal transfer.

[0029] (Metal particle containing layer) The thermal transfer sheet includes a metal particle-containing layer. The metal particle-containing layer is a layer that is transferred onto at least a part of the planned removal area of ​​the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium. The metal particle-containing layer melts or softens when heated, and is transferred onto the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium. Since the metal particle-containing layer has high thermal conductivity, it can efficiently conduct heat from the peel-off layer to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium, thereby improving the peel-off property. This can reduce the amount of heat applied from the thermal transfer printer, for example.

[0030] The metal particle-containing layer contains metal particles and a binder. The use of metal particles can improve thermal conductivity. The metal particles do not have to be entirely made of metal, and may be, for example, a part of the particles containing metal. In one embodiment, the metal content of the metal particles may be, for example, 20% by mass or more, 50% by mass or more, 70% by mass or more, 80% by mass or more, 90% by mass or more, or 95% by mass or more.

[0031] Examples of the metal particles include pigments such as aluminum, nickel, chromium, brass, tin, brass, bronze, zinc, silver, platinum, gold, indium, and oxides thereof, as well as glass subjected to metal deposition. Among these, from the viewpoint of the thermal conductivity of the metal particle-containing layer, aluminum particles are preferred, and scaly aluminum pigments, i.e., aluminum flakes, are more preferred.

[0032] The aluminum pigment may be of a leafing type or a non-leafing type. A non-leafing type aluminum pigment is preferred from the viewpoint that the aluminum pigment is uniformly dispersed in the metal particle-containing layer, thereby increasing the thermal conductivity of the metal particle-containing layer.

[0033] The median particle size (D50) of the metal particles is preferably 4 μm or more and 10 μm or less, more preferably 4.5 μm or more and 9.5 μm or less. By using metal particles having such a particle size, for example, the thermal conductivity of the metal particle-containing layer can be further improved, and the metal particle-containing layer can be hardened, thereby improving the peel-off property. For example, the occurrence of minute omissions of the transfer layer during peel-off can be suppressed. In the present disclosure, the D50 of the metal particles is measured in accordance with JIS Z8825:2013.

[0034] The metal particle-containing layer can contain one or more types of metal particles. The content of metal particles in the metal particle-containing layer is preferably 23% by mass or more and 83% by mass or less, more preferably 33% by mass or more and 67% by mass or less, which can improve, for example, the thermal conductivity of the metal particle-containing layer.

[0035] Examples of the binder include a resin material and a wax. Examples of the resin material include (meth)acrylic resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid ester copolymer, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl acetate resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinylidene chloride resin, polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, and polyisobutylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl butyral, cellulose resins such as acetyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, and ethyl cellulose, petroleum resin, fluororesin, epoxy resin, and ionomer resin.

[0036] Examples of waxes include microcrystalline wax, carnauba wax, paraffin wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, various low molecular weight polyethylenes, wood wax, beeswax, whale wax, ivory wax, wool wax, shellac wax, candelilla wax, petrolactam, polyester wax, partially modified waxes, fatty acid esters, and fatty acid amides.

[0037] As the binder, a resin material is preferable, a (meth)acrylic resin, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and a polyester are more preferable, and a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer is further preferable. In one embodiment, the metal particle-containing layer is a melt transfer type resin layer.

[0038] The metal particle-containing layer can contain one or more types of binder. The content of the binder in the metal particle-containing layer is preferably from 17% by mass to 77% by mass, more preferably from 33% by mass to 67% by mass, which can, for example, further improve the transferability of the metal particle-containing layer and its adhesion to the transfer layer.

[0039] The ratio of the content of metal particles to the content of binder in the metal particle-containing layer (PV ratio=content of metal particles / content of binder) is, by mass, preferably from 0.3 to 5, more preferably from 0.5 to 2. This can further improve, for example, the transferability, thermal conductivity, and adhesion to the transfer layer of the metal particle-containing layer.

[0040] The metal particle-containing layer may contain one or more additives, such as fillers, plasticizers, antistatic agents, UV absorbers, inorganic particles, organic particles, release agents, and dispersants.

[0041] The thickness of the metal particle-containing layer is preferably 0.1 μm to 10 μm, more preferably 0.1 μm to 7 μm, and even more preferably 0.2 μm to 4.5 μm, which can improve peel-off properties when removing the region of the transfer layer to be removed by the peel-off layer, for example.

[0042] In one embodiment, the thickness of the metal particle-containing layer is smaller than the thickness of the peel-off layer. This can, for example, improve the peel-off property. For example, when the metal particle-containing layer is transferred onto the transfer layer in a dot or line shape, the contact between the non-transfer area of ​​the metal particle-containing layer and the peel-off layer can be improved during the transfer layer removal step described below.

[0043] (Peel-off layer) The first thermal transfer sheet and the peel-off sheet each include a peel-off layer. The peel-off layer is a layer for removing a portion of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium. In the present disclosure, the portion of the transfer layer that is ultimately removed by the peel-off layer is also referred to as the "area to be removed" of the transfer layer.

[0044] In one embodiment, the peel-off layer contains a resin material such as a thermoplastic resin, for example, polyolefin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, (meth)acrylic resin, styrene-(meth)acrylic resin, styrene-vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyester, polyamide, butyral resin, and epoxy resin. The peel-off layer can contain one or more types of resin materials.

[0045] Among the resin materials, polyester, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, (meth)acrylic resin, and mixed resin of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and (meth)acrylic resin are preferred because of their excellent peel-off properties.

[0046] In one embodiment, the peel-off layer contains at least one selected from vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and polyester, preferably at least one selected from vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and crystalline polyester, and may contain vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and crystalline polyester, thereby improving the peel-off property.

[0047] In the present disclosure, a crystalline polyester refers to a polyester that, when measured using a differential scanning calorimeter, exhibits a clear melting peak in either of two heating processes, that is, heating from -100°C to 300°C at 20°C / min, then cooling from 300°C to -100°C at 50°C / min, and then heating from -100°C to 300°C at 20°C / min.

[0048] The melting point of the crystalline polyester is preferably 50° C. or higher and 150° C. or lower, more preferably 80° C. or higher and 120° C. or lower. This makes it possible to more significantly improve the peel-off property. In the present disclosure, the melting point is obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in accordance with JIS K 7121 (published in 2012).

[0049] In the present disclosure, the content of the (meth)acrylic resin in the peel-off layer relative to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and the (meth)acrylic resin may be 10 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less, or 30 parts by mass or more and 70 parts by mass or less, thereby further improving the peel-off property.

[0050] The peel-off layer may contain one or more additives, such as fillers, plasticizers, UV absorbers, inorganic particles, organic particles, and dispersants.

[0051] The thickness of the peel-off layer is preferably from 0.1 μm to 15 μm, more preferably from 0.2 μm to 10 μm, which can improve, for example, the film strength of the peel-off layer, the adhesion of layers in contact with the peel-off layer, and the adhesion between the peel-off layer and the intermediate transfer medium.

[0052] (Primer layer) In one embodiment, the first thermal transfer sheet and the peel-off sheet include a primer layer between the substrate and the peel-off layer, which can improve adhesion between these layers.

[0053] In one embodiment, the primer layer contains a resin material. Examples of the resin material include polyester, vinyl resin, (meth)acrylic resin, polystyrene, polyamide, polyether, urethane resin, and cellulose resin. Among these, polyester is preferred from the viewpoint of adhesion between the substrate and the peel-off layer. The primer layer can contain one or more types of resin materials.

[0054] The primer layer may contain one or more of the above additives. The thickness of the primer layer is, for example, not less than 0.05 μm and not more than 2.0 μm.

[0055] (color material layer) In one embodiment, the first thermal transfer sheet may further include a colorant layer on one surface of the first substrate. In this embodiment, a colorant layer, a metal particle-containing layer, and a peel-off layer are provided in surface order on one surface of the first substrate. FIG. 5 shows an example of a thermal transfer sheet according to this embodiment. The thermal transfer sheet 10 includes a first substrate 12, and a colorant layer 18, a metal particle-containing layer 14, and a peel-off layer 16, which are provided in surface order on one surface of the first substrate.

[0056] In one embodiment, the second thermal transfer sheet may further include a colorant layer on one surface of the second substrate. In this embodiment, the colorant layer and the metal particle-containing layer are provided in surface order on one surface of the second substrate.

[0057] By using the thermal transfer sheet of these embodiments, a thermal transfer image can be formed on the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium. Therefore, without using a separate thermal transfer sheet having a colorant layer, the thermal transfer sheet having at least a colorant layer and a metal particle-containing layer can be used to simultaneously form a thermal transfer image on the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium and transfer the metal particle-containing layer onto the transfer layer.

[0058] For example, when a thermal transfer image is formed by a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method, the color material layer is a sublimation transfer type color material layer containing a sublimation dye and a binder resin.

[0059] The sublimation dye preferably has sufficient coloring density and does not discolor or fade due to light, heat, etc. Examples of such sublimation dyes include red dyes, yellow dyes, and blue dyes. The sublimation transfer color material layer can contain one or more sublimation dyes. The content of the sublimation dye in the sublimation transfer color material layer is preferably 5% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less.

[0060] Examples of the binder resin in the sublimation transfer colorant layer include cellulose resin, vinyl resin, vinyl acetal resin, (meth)acrylic resin, urethane resin, polyamide, polyimide, and polyester. The sublimation transfer colorant layer can contain one or more binder resins. The content of the binder resin in the sublimation transfer colorant layer is preferably 20% by mass or more and 75% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less.

[0061] The sublimation transfer color material layer may be cured with a curing agent. Examples of the curing agent include epoxy resin, isocyanate, and carbodiimide. One or more types of curing agents may be used.

[0062] For example, when a thermal transfer image is formed by a melting type thermal transfer method, the color material layer is a melting type color material layer containing a colorant and a binder resin.

[0063] The colorant preferably has sufficient coloring density and does not discolor or fade due to light, heat, or the like. Examples include organic pigments, inorganic pigments, and dyes. The color of the colorant is not limited to, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, or black, and may be any of a variety of colors. The melt-transfer colorant layer may contain one or more types of colorant. The content of the colorant in the melt-transfer colorant layer is preferably 10% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less, more preferably 20% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less.

[0064] Examples of the binder resin in the melt-transfer colorant layer include polyolefin, vinyl resin, vinyl acetal resin, (meth)acrylic resin, polystyrene, polycarbonate, cellulose resin, and petroleum resin. The melt-transfer colorant layer can contain one or more binder resins. The content of the binder resin in the melt-transfer colorant layer is preferably 20% by mass or more and 75% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less.

[0065] The melt transfer type color material layer may further contain a conventionally known wax. The color material layer may contain one or more of the above additives.

[0066] The thermal transfer sheet may have one colorant layer on one side of the substrate, or may have multiple colorant layers of different hues, for example, a yellow colorant layer, a magenta colorant layer, a cyan colorant layer and a black colorant layer, arranged in face sequence.

[0067] In one embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet comprises a dye layer consisting of a yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) layer provided on one surface of a substrate, a black (BK) melt-transfer type colorant layer, and a metal particle-containing layer, and in the case of a first thermal transfer sheet, further comprises a peel-off layer. In the case of the first thermal transfer sheet, in one embodiment, the Y layer, M layer, C layer, BK layer, metal particle-containing layer and peel-off layer are provided in surface order on the first substrate.

[0068] The thickness of the color material layer is, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 30 μm or less, preferably 0.1 μm or more and 20 μm or less, and more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

[0069] (Release layer) In one embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet may further include a release layer between the substrate and the metal particle-containing layer. When the color material layer is a melt-transfer type color material layer, the thermal transfer sheet may further include a release layer between the substrate and the melt-transfer type color material layer. This can, for example, further improve the peelability of the metal particle-containing layer and the melt-transfer type color material layer from the substrate.

[0070] The release layer is a layer that does not constitute the metal particle-containing layer or the melt-transfer type color material layer, and is a layer that remains on the substrate side when the metal particle-containing layer or the melt-transfer type color material layer is transferred.

[0071] In one embodiment, the release layer contains a resin material. Examples of the resin material include vinyl resins such as polyvinyl alcohol, vinyl acetal resins such as polyvinyl acetal, (meth)acrylic resins, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, urethane resins, cellulose resins, silicone resins, and fluororesins. The release layer can contain one or more types of resin materials. The content of the resin material in the release layer is preferably 50% by mass or more.

[0072] The release layer may contain a release agent. Examples of the release agent include fluorine compounds, phosphate compounds, higher fatty acid amide compounds, metal soaps, silicone oils, and waxes such as polyethylene wax and paraffin wax. The release layer may contain one or more types of release agents. The content of the release agent in the release layer is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less. The release layer may contain one or more of the above additives.

[0073] The thickness of the release layer is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 3 μm or less, and more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 2 μm or less, which can, for example, further improve the transferability.

[0074] (back layer) In one embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet may have a back layer on the surface of the substrate opposite to the metal particle-containing layer. In one embodiment, the peel-off sheet may have a back layer on the surface of the substrate opposite to the peel-off layer. This can, for example, prevent sticking and wrinkles caused by heating during thermal transfer or peel-off.

[0075] In one embodiment, the back layer contains a resin material. Examples of the resin material include polyolefin, polystyrene, vinyl resin, (meth)acrylic resin, vinyl acetal resin such as polyvinyl butyral and polyvinyl acetoacetal, silicone resin, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, urethane resin, and cellulose resin. The back layer can contain one or more types of resin materials. The content of the resin material in the back layer is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more.

[0076] The back layer may be a layer formed by crosslinking a resin material having a reactive group such as a hydroxyl group using a crosslinking agent such as polyisocyanate. Examples of polyisocyanates include xylylene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, and hexamethylene diisocyanate. One or more types of crosslinking agents can be used.

[0077] The back layer may contain a release agent. Examples of the release agent include fluorine compounds, phosphate compounds, higher fatty acid amide compounds, metal soaps, silicone oils, and waxes such as polyethylene wax and paraffin wax. This can improve, for example, slip properties. The back layer can contain one or more types of release agents. The content of the release agent in the back layer is preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 12% by mass or less.

[0078] The back layer may contain one or more additives. Examples of additives include plasticizers, UV absorbers, inorganic particles, organic particles, and dispersants. The content of the additives relative to 100 parts by mass of the resin material contained in the back layer is preferably 0.1 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less, more preferably 0.5 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less.

[0079] The thickness of the back layer is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 5 μm or less, more preferably 0.3 μm or more and 3 μm or less, which can improve, for example, the heat resistance of the thermal transfer sheet.

[0080] <Intermediate transfer medium> The intermediate transfer medium includes a support and a transfer layer. More specifically, the intermediate transfer medium includes a support and a transfer layer provided on one surface of the support so as to be peelable from the support.

[0081] A cross-sectional view of an intermediate transfer medium according to one embodiment is shown in a part of the process diagram in Fig. 1. The intermediate transfer medium 20 includes a support 22 and a transfer layer 24 provided on one surface of the support 22. The transfer layer 24 includes a release layer 26 and a receiving layer 25, in this order from the support 22 side, in the thickness direction of the intermediate transfer medium 20. The receiving layer 25 is located on the outermost surface of the intermediate transfer medium 20, and is located furthest from the support 22 among the layers constituting the transfer layer 24.

[0082] (Support) As the support, the same materials as the above-mentioned base material can be used.

[0083] (Transfer layer) In one embodiment, the transfer layer includes a receiving layer. The transfer layer may have a single-layer structure including a receiving layer, or may have a multi-layer structure including a receiving layer and other layers. When the transfer layer has a multi-layer structure, the receiving layer constitutes a surface layer on the side opposite to the support side of the transfer layer.

[0084] In one embodiment, the transfer layer includes a release layer and a receiving layer in this order in the thickness direction from the support side. In one embodiment, the transfer layer includes a release layer, a protective layer, and a receiving layer in this order in the thickness direction from the support side.

[0085] <Receptive layer> In one embodiment, the receptor layer constitutes a surface layer on one side of the intermediate transfer medium. For example, a thermal transfer sheet having a colorant layer is used to form a thermal transfer image on a receiving layer, and then the transfer layer including this receiving layer is transferred onto any desired receiving body, thereby obtaining a printed matter having a transfer layer including a receiving layer on which a thermal transfer image has been formed, on the desired receiving body.

[0086] In one embodiment, the receiving layer contains a resin material, for example, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate, polystyrene, (meth)acrylic resins, polyamides, polyimides, polycarbonates, urethane resins, cellulose resins, and ionomer resins. The receiving layer can contain one or more types of resin materials.

[0087] The content of the resin material in the receiving layer is preferably 80% by mass to 99% by mass, more preferably 85% by mass to 98% by mass, which can further improve the receptivity of, for example, the sublimation dye.

[0088] In one embodiment, the receptor layer contains a release agent, which can improve the releasability between the receptor layer and the thermal transfer sheet, for example.

[0089] Examples of the release agent include fluorine compounds, phosphoric acid ester compounds, higher fatty acid amide compounds, metal soaps, silicone oils, and waxes such as polyethylene wax and paraffin wax. Among these, silicone oils are preferred from the viewpoint of the above-mentioned release properties.

[0090] Examples of silicone oils include straight silicone oils such as dimethyl silicone oil and methylphenyl silicone oil, and modified silicone oils such as amino-modified silicone oil, epoxy-modified silicone oil, carboxy-modified silicone oil, (meth)acrylic-modified silicone oil, mercapto-modified silicone oil, carbinol-modified silicone oil, fluorine-modified silicone oil, methylstyryl-modified silicone oil, and polyether-modified silicone oil. Modified silicone oils include one-end type, both-end type, and side chain one-end type. The receiving layer may contain one or more types of release agents.

[0091] The content of the release agent in the receiving layer is preferably from 0.5% by mass to 20% by mass, more preferably from 0.5% by mass to 10% by mass, which can improve, for example, the releasability.

[0092] The receiving layer may contain an additive. Examples of the additive include a plasticizer, an ultraviolet absorber, inorganic particles, organic particles, and a dispersant. The receiving layer may contain one or more additives. The content of the additive relative to 100 parts by mass of the resin material contained in the receiving layer is preferably 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, more preferably 0.5 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less.

[0093] The thickness of the receiving layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, which can improve, for example, the density of the thermal transfer image formed on the receiving layer.

[0094] <Release layer> In one embodiment, the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium has a release layer as a surface layer on the support side. This can improve the release property of the transfer layer from the support when transferring the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer medium. The release layer is a layer that is transferred from the intermediate transfer medium onto the transferee.

[0095] In one embodiment, the release layer contains a resin material. Examples of the resin material include polyolefin, vinyl resin, polystyrene, (meth)acrylic resin, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, cellulose resin, and ionomer resin. The release layer can contain one or more types of resin materials.

[0096] The release layer may contain one or more of the above-mentioned release agents. The release layer may contain one or more of the above additives. The thickness of the release layer is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 8 μm or less, and more preferably 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less, which can, for example, further improve the durability of the release layer.

[0097] ≪Protective layer≫ In one embodiment, the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium includes a protective layer on the support side of the receiving layer, or between the release layer and the receiving layer.

[0098] In one embodiment, the protective layer contains a resin material. Examples of the resin material include polyester, polystyrene, urethane resin, (meth)acrylic resin, and (meth)acrylic polyol resin. The protective layer can contain one or more types of resin materials. The protective layer may contain one or more of the above additives.

[0099] The thickness of the protective layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 7 μm or less, and more preferably 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less, which can, for example, further improve the durability of the protective layer.

[0100] There is no particular limitation on the method for forming each layer described above. For example, a coating liquid containing each component exemplified above is prepared, and the coating liquid is applied to an object on which each layer is to be formed by a known means, and then dried to form each layer. Examples of the above means include a roll coating method, a reverse roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, a bar coating method, and a rod coating method.

[0101] <Method for producing printed matter and method for peeling off transfer layer> The first method for producing a print object according to the present disclosure includes: (1) preparing a first thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer; A step (2) of removing a portion of the transfer layer; A step (3) of transferring the partially removed transfer layer onto a transfer target; Includes.

[0102] The second method for producing a print according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: (1) preparing a second thermal transfer sheet, a peel-off sheet having a peel-off layer, and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer; A step (2) of removing a portion of the transfer layer; A step (3) of transferring the partially removed transfer layer onto a transfer target; Includes.

[0103] A first peel-off method of the transfer layer of the present disclosure includes step (1) of preparing a first thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer, and step (2) of removing a portion of the transfer layer. The second peel-off method of the transfer layer disclosed herein includes step (1) of preparing a second thermal transfer sheet, a peel-off sheet having a peel-off layer, and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer, and step (2) of removing a portion of the transfer layer.

[0104] (Process (1)) In step (1) of the first manufacturing method and the first peel-off method, a first thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium are prepared. In step (1) of the second manufacturing method and the second peel-off method, a second thermal transfer sheet, a peel-off sheet, and an intermediate transfer medium are prepared. The details of each of the above sheets and the intermediate transfer medium are as described above.

[0105] In step (1), an intermediate transfer medium on which a thermal transfer image has already been formed on a transfer layer may be used, or a thermal transfer image may be formed on the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium. That is, in one embodiment, the method for producing a print and the method for peeling off a transfer layer of the present disclosure include a step of forming a thermal transfer image on the transfer layer (specifically, the receiving layer) of the intermediate transfer medium. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a thermal transfer image is formed in advance on the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium.

[0106] Specifically, in the image forming process, an intermediate transfer medium having a receptor layer and a thermal transfer sheet having a color material layer are superimposed so that the receptor layer and the color material layer face each other, and a heating member such as a thermal head is used to apply thermal energy from the rear side of the thermal transfer sheet to transfer the sublimation dye contained in the sublimation transfer type color material layer to the receptor layer, or to transfer the melt transfer type color material layer onto the receptor layer, thereby forming a thermal transfer image. The thermal transfer image may be formed using a first or second thermal transfer sheet having a color material layer, or may be formed using another thermal transfer sheet.

[0107] The thermal transfer image may be formed before the transfer layer removal step, or may be formed after the removal-intended region of the transfer layer is removed in the transfer layer removal step. The thermal transfer image may be formed on at least a part of the removal-intended region of the transfer layer.

[0108] (Process (2)) Step (2) in the first manufacturing method and the first peel-off method is A step of transferring a metal particle-containing layer from a first thermal transfer sheet onto at least a part of a region of the intermediate transfer medium to be removed from the transfer layer (primary transfer step); a step of removing the planned removal area of ​​the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the planned removal area by a peel-off layer of the first thermal transfer sheet (transfer layer removal step); Includes, in this order.

[0109] Step (2) in the second manufacturing method and the second peel-off method is A step of transferring a metal particle-containing layer from a second thermal transfer sheet onto at least a part of a region of the intermediate transfer medium to be removed from the transfer layer (primary transfer step); a step of removing the planned removal area of ​​the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the planned removal area by the peel-off layer of the peel-off sheet (transfer layer removal step); Includes, in this order.

[0110] <Primary transfer process> In the primary transfer process, for example, the metal particle-containing layer of the thermal transfer sheet is placed opposite the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium, and thermal energy is applied to the back surface of the thermal transfer sheet using a heating member such as a thermal head, so that the metal particle-containing layer corresponding to the area to which the thermal energy is applied is transferred onto at least a portion of the area of ​​the transfer layer to be removed.

[0111] In the method for producing a printed matter and the method for peeling off a transfer layer of the present disclosure, before removing the intended removal area of ​​the transfer layer with the peel-off layer, a metal particle-containing layer is transferred in advance onto at least a part of the intended removal area of ​​the transfer layer. This improves the peel-off property when removing the intended removal area of ​​the transfer layer with the peel-off layer. According to the method for producing a printed matter and the method for peeling off a transfer layer of the present disclosure, the peel-off property can be improved compared to a method in which the intended removal area is removed with a peel-off layer without transferring a metal particle-containing layer onto the intended removal area of ​​the transfer layer.

[0112] For example, the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto at least a part of the planned removal region of the transfer layer improves the adhesion between the transfer layer and the peel-off layer during peel-off. The above layer also has excellent thermal conductivity because it contains metal particles. Therefore, the thermal conductivity from the heating member during peel-off is improved, and the peel-off efficiency is further improved. That is, the peel-off property is improved when the planned removal region of the transfer layer is removed by the peel-off layer together with the transferred metal particle-containing layer. Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the print product of the present disclosure, the transfer layer from which the planned removal region has been accurately removed can be transferred onto the transferee. According to the transfer layer peel-off method of the present disclosure, the planned removal region of the transfer layer can be accurately removed.

[0113] There is no particular limitation on the size, shape, etc. of the area to be removed, i.e., the transfer layer to be removed by the peel-off layer. Examples of the area to be removed of the transfer layer include the outer peripheral portion of the transfer layer and areas corresponding to the IC chip part, magnetic stripe part, transmitting / receiving antenna part, signature part, etc. of the transferee. By removing the above-mentioned area from the transfer layer, an image can be formed on the transferee while preventing the desired area of ​​the transferee from being covered by the transfer layer.

[0114] 1 to 3 show cross-sectional views of the steps of one embodiment of the first manufacturing method of the printed matter of the present disclosure. 1 to 2 show cross-sectional views of the steps of one embodiment of the first peel-off method of the transfer layer of the present disclosure. The second manufacturing method of the printed matter of the present disclosure and the second peel-off method of the transfer layer are basically the same as the first manufacturing method and the first peel-off method, except that a peel-off sheet is used to partially remove the transfer layer, and therefore a description based on the drawings will be omitted.

[0115] 1(a), thermal transfer sheet 10 comprises a first substrate 12, a metal particle-containing layer 14 and a peel-off layer 16, which are provided in surface order on one surface of first substrate 12. Intermediate transfer medium 20 comprises a support 22 and a transfer layer 24 provided on support 22. Transfer layer 24 comprises a receiving layer 25 on which thermal transfer image A is formed, and a release layer 26.

[0116] In FIG. 1(b), the metal particle-containing layer 14 of the thermal transfer sheet 10 and the transfer layer 24 of the intermediate transfer medium 20 are placed opposite each other, and thermal energy is applied to the back surface of the thermal transfer sheet 10, so that the metal particle-containing layer 14a corresponding to the area to which the thermal energy is applied is transferred onto at least a portion of the area 24a of the transfer layer 24 to be removed.

[0117] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1(b), when the intermediate transfer medium 20 is viewed in a plane, the metal particle-containing layer 14a is transferred onto the transfer layer 24 of the intermediate transfer medium 20 so that it overlaps in the thickness direction with the entire area of ​​the intended removal area 24a of the transfer layer 24 and does not protrude outside the intended removal area 24a.

[0118] The metal particle-containing layer may be transferred onto at least a part of the planned removal region of the transfer layer. For example, the metal particle-containing layer may be transferred onto the entire surface of the transfer layer, the metal particle-containing layer may be transferred onto the entire area of ​​the planned removal region of the transfer layer with the same size as the planned removal region, or the metal particle-containing layer may be transferred to have an area larger or smaller than the area of ​​the planned removal region in the plan view.

[0119] The transfer pattern of the metal particle-containing layer may be, for example, when the intermediate transfer medium is viewed in a plane, the metal particle-containing layer may be transferred in the form of one or more dots, the metal particle-containing layer may be transferred in the form of one or more lines, the metal particle-containing layer may be transferred onto the transfer layer in the form of a frame that follows the periphery of the area to be removed from the transfer layer, or a combination of these transfer patterns.

[0120] The metal particle-containing layer may be transferred onto the transfer layer such that, when the intermediate transfer medium is viewed from the transfer layer side in a plan view, the transferred metal particle-containing layer overlaps the entire area of ​​the region to be removed and the outer edge of the region to be removed coincides with the outer edge of the transferred metal particle-containing layer. In this case, when viewed in a plan view, the region to be removed of the transfer layer and the transferred metal particle-containing layer have the same shape.

[0121] In the plan view, there is no particular limitation on the area ratio of the transfer layer's intended removal region and the transferred metal particle-containing layer overlapping in the thickness direction. Regardless of the ratio, even if a step occurs due to the transferred metal particle-containing layer, the peel-off property can be improved when removing the transfer layer's intended removal region by the peel-off layer.

[0122] The larger the area ratio, the better the peel-off property tends to be. When the area of ​​the region to be removed of the transfer layer is taken as 100% in the plan view, the area ratio of the region to be removed of the transfer layer and the transferred metal particle-containing layer overlapping in the thickness direction is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 50% or more, and even more preferably 90% or more.

[0123] The metal particle-containing layer may be transferred onto the transfer layer such that, in the plan view, the transferred metal particle-containing layer overlaps a part or all of the region to be removed of the transfer layer and protrudes outward from the region to be removed. This allows the metal particle-containing layer to remain on the final printed matter. The remaining metal particle-containing layer can enhance the design of the printed matter. Since the metal particle-containing layer contains metal particles, the metal particle-containing layer remaining on the printed matter can impart high design quality to the printed matter.

[0124] The metal particle-containing layer may be transferred onto the transfer layer so that, in the plan view, the transferred metal particle-containing layer overlaps the entire area of ​​the area to be removed of the transfer layer and protrudes outward from the entire periphery of the area to be removed. In this case, after the area to be removed of the transfer layer is removed, a frame-shaped metal particle-containing layer remains along the periphery of the area to be removed (see FIG. 4(a)). For example, if the area to be removed corresponds to the signature portion of the transfer object, the signature portion can be made to stand out by transferring the frame-shaped metal particle-containing layer to the transfer object.

[0125] The metal particle-containing layer may be transferred onto the planned removal area of ​​the transfer layer, and also transferred onto an area of ​​the transfer layer different from the planned removal area to form a predetermined image. The metal particle-containing layer may have a function of improving peel-off properties and a function of forming a predetermined image. In the primary transfer step, the transfer of the metal particle-containing layer onto the planned removal area and the formation of the predetermined image by the metal particle-containing layer can be performed simultaneously. This can improve the design of the printed matter.

[0126] <Transfer layer removal process> The transfer layer removal step is carried out, for example, as follows. The peel-off layer of the first thermal transfer sheet or peel-off sheet is placed opposite the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium to which the metal particle-containing layer has been transferred. Heat energy is applied to an area on the back surface of the first thermal transfer sheet or peel-off sheet that corresponds to the area to be removed by a heating member such as a thermal head, and the area to be removed of the transfer layer is removed by the peel-off layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred in the primary transfer step. This allows the area to be removed of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium to be accurately removed.

[0127] In this step, for example, the peel-off layer and the region of the transfer layer to be removed are heated and pressed at least partially through the metal particle-containing layer, so that the transfer layer is adhered to the peel-off layer at least partially through the metal particle-containing layer, and then removed. In this step, it is preferable that the heat-pressure bonding between the peel-off layer and the transfer layer at least partially through the metal particle-containing layer is performed over the entire region to be removed. This allows the transfer layer in the region to be removed to be removed more accurately.

[0128] In Fig. 2(a), the peel-off layer 16 of the first thermal transfer sheet 10 and the transfer layer 24 of the intermediate transfer medium 20 are placed opposite each other. In Fig. 2(b), thermal energy is applied to an area corresponding to the intended removal area 24a on the back surface of the first thermal transfer sheet 10. As a result, the intended removal area 24a of the transfer layer 24 (the peeling layer 26a and the receiving layer 25a) is removed by the peel-off layer 16 together with the metal particle-containing layer 14a transferred in the primary transfer step.

[0129] In Fig. 2, the transfer layer 24 is removed so as to avoid the thermal transfer image A formed on the receiving layer 25. In the plan view, the area where the thermal transfer image A is formed and the area of ​​the transfer layer to be removed may partially overlap. That is, a part of the thermal transfer image A may be removed by the peel-off layer (see Fig. 4(b)).

[0130] (Step (3) (Secondary transfer step)) In step (3), the transfer layer, part of which has been removed in step (2), is transferred onto a transferee (secondary transfer step). In step (3), for example, the transferee and the intermediate transfer medium, part of which has been removed, are superimposed, that is, the transferee and the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium are opposed to each other, and the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium is transferred onto the transferee.

[0131] The receiving material can be appropriately selected depending on the application, and examples of the receiving material that can be used include card substrates; paper substrates such as fine paper, art paper, coated paper, resin coated paper, cast coated paper, paperboard, synthetic paper, and impregnated paper; and the above-mentioned resin substrates.

[0132] 3(a) and (b), the transfer layer 24, from which a part has been removed, is transferred onto the transfer-receiving body 30 from the intermediate transfer medium 20. In this way, a print 50 is obtained.

[0133] <Thermal transfer printer> An example of a thermal transfer printer used in the method for producing a printed matter and the method for peeling off a transfer layer of the present disclosure will be described. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the thermal transfer printer includes a first supply unit 470 for supplying an intermediate transfer medium 20 having a transfer layer provided on one side of a support, a second supply unit 451 for supplying a thermal transfer sheet 10 having a metal particle-containing layer and a peel-off layer provided on the same side of a substrate, a printing unit 450 for heating the thermal transfer sheet 10, transferring the metal particle-containing layer to at least a part of the removal-intended region of the transfer layer, and removing the removal-intended region of the transfer layer by the peel-off layer after the transfer of the metal particle-containing layer, a third supply unit 442 for supplying a transfer-receiving body 30, and a transfer unit 460 for transferring the transfer layer from which the removal-intended region has been removed onto the transfer-receiving body 30. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a thermal transfer printer.

[0134] A winding of the intermediate transfer medium 20 wound in a ribbon shape is loaded in the first supply unit 470. The first supply unit 470 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 450 and the transfer unit 460.

[0135] The printing unit 450 includes a thermal head 453, a rotatable platen roll 454 provided below the thermal head 453, and a lifting means (not shown) for lifting the thermal head 453 relative to the platen roll 454. The intermediate transfer medium 20 supplied from the first supply unit 470 passes between the thermal head 453 and the platen roll 454.

[0136] The thermal transfer sheet 10 passes from the supply roll side as the second supply section 451, through a guide roll 455, between a thermal head 453 and a platen roll 454, and through a guide roll 456, before being taken up by a take-up roll 452. Between the thermal head 453 and the platen roll 454, the metal particle-containing layer and the peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet 10 face the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium 20 (not shown).

[0137] The thermal head 453 heats the metal particle-containing layer of the thermal transfer sheet 10 and transfers the metal particle-containing layer corresponding to the region to be removed onto the transfer layer. After aligning the intermediate transfer medium 20 and the metal particle-containing layer of the thermal transfer sheet 10, the thermal transfer printer lowers the thermal head 453 toward the platen roll 454 and brings the thermal head 453 into contact with the platen roll 454 via the thermal transfer sheet 10 and the intermediate transfer medium 20. The platen roll 454 is driven to rotate, and the thermal transfer sheet 10 and the intermediate transfer medium 20 are transported downstream. During this time, the thermal head 453 selectively heats the metal particle-containing layer of the thermal transfer sheet 10 based on the data transmitted to the thermal head 453. As a result, the metal particle-containing layer is transferred onto at least a part of the region to be removed of the transfer layer.

[0138] When the metal particle-containing layer is also used to form a thermal transfer image, composite data that combines image pattern data of the thermal transfer image and transfer pattern data of the metal particle-containing layer to be transferred onto the area to be removed can be sent to thermal head 453, so that the transfer of the metal particle-containing layer onto the area to be removed and the formation of the thermal transfer image can be performed simultaneously.

[0139] The thermal head 453 heats the peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet 10 and removes the area of ​​the transfer layer to be removed together with the previously transferred metal particle-containing layer. After the transfer of the metal particle-containing layer, the thermal transfer printer raises the thermal head 453 to align the intermediate transfer medium 20 with the peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet 10. Next, the thermal head 453 is lowered toward the platen roll 454 and brought into contact with the platen roll 454 via the thermal transfer sheet 10 and the intermediate transfer medium 20. Next, the platen roll 454 is rotated to transport the thermal transfer sheet 10 and the intermediate transfer medium 20 downstream. During this time, the thermal head 453 selectively heats the peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet 10 based on the data of the area to be removed transmitted to the thermal head 453. As a result, the area of ​​the transfer layer to be removed is removed together with the previously transferred metal particle-containing layer.

[0140] The thermal transfer printer transports the intermediate transfer medium 20, from which the region to be removed of the transfer layer has been removed, to a transfer unit 460 via a guide roll 472. The transfer unit 460 includes a heat roller 461 and a pressure roll 462 provided below the heat roller 461. The transfer unit 460 transfers the transfer layer, from which the region to be removed has been removed, to the transferred body 30 supplied from a third supply unit 442.

[0141] The third supply unit 442 includes a feeding device that feeds out the sheet-like transfer target 30 one by one in accordance with the transport of the intermediate transfer medium 20, and a conveyor device that transports the fed transfer target 30. The transfer target 30 may be a long roll.

[0142] The transfer unit 460 heats the transfer layer surface of the intermediate transfer medium 20 superimposed on the transfer recipient 30 between the heat roller 461 and the pressure roll 462. This results in a print 50 in which the transfer layer from which the intended removal region has been removed is transferred onto the transfer recipient 30.

[0143] The print objects 50 are transported to a discharge section 444 and accumulated one by one. The intermediate transfer medium 20 to which the transfer layer has been transferred is taken up by a take-up roll 471.

[0144] According to the thermal transfer printer of the embodiment described above, the areas to be removed of the transfer layer can be accurately removed, and the transfer layer from which the areas to be removed have been accurately removed can be transferred onto a transfer-receiving body.

[0145] In one embodiment, the thermal transfer printer aligns the intermediate transfer medium 20 with the color material layer of the thermal transfer sheet 10, lowers the thermal head 453 toward the platen roll 454, and brings the thermal head 453 into contact with the platen roll 454 via the thermal transfer sheet 10 and the intermediate transfer medium 20. The platen roll 454 is then rotated to transport the thermal transfer sheet 10 and the intermediate transfer medium 20 downstream. During this time, the thermal head 453 selectively heats an area of ​​the color material layer of the thermal transfer sheet 10 based on image data transmitted to the thermal head 453, and transfers the color material of the color material layer from the thermal transfer sheet 10 to the receiving layer that constitutes the transfer layer. This allows a thermal transfer image to be formed on the transfer layer.

[0146] The present disclosure relates to, for example, the following [1] to

[12] . [1] A method for producing a printed product comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a first thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer; (2) removing a portion of the transfer layer; and (3) transferring the partially removed transfer layer onto a recipient, wherein the first thermal transfer sheet comprises a first substrate, and a metal particle-containing layer and a peel-off layer which are provided in surface sequence on one side of the first substrate; the intermediate transfer medium comprises a support, and a transfer layer which is provided on one side of the support and is peelable from the support; the portion of the transfer layer is a region to be removed in step (2); and step (2) comprises, in this order, a step of transferring the metal particle-containing layer from the first thermal transfer sheet onto at least a portion of the region to be removed of the transfer layer in the intermediate transfer medium; and a step of removing the region to be removed of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the region to be removed by the peel-off layer of the first thermal transfer sheet. [2] A method for producing a printed matter, comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a second thermal transfer sheet, a peel-off sheet having a peel-off layer, and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer; (2) removing a portion of the transfer layer; and (3) transferring the partially removed transfer layer onto a transferee, wherein the second thermal transfer sheet comprises a second substrate and a metal particle-containing layer provided on one side of the second substrate, the peel-off sheet comprises a third substrate and a peel-off layer provided on one side of the third substrate, and the intermediate transfer medium comprises a transfer layer. A method for producing a printed matter, the medium comprising a support and a transfer layer provided on one side of the support so as to be peelable from the support, a portion of the transfer layer being a region to be removed in step (2), the step (2) comprising, in this order, a step of transferring a metal particle-containing layer from a second thermal transfer sheet onto at least a portion of the region to be removed of the transfer layer in the intermediate transfer medium, and a step of removing the region to be removed of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the region to be removed by the peel-off layer of the peel-off sheet. [3] The method for producing a printed matter according to the above [1] or [2], further comprising a step of forming a thermal transfer image on the receiving layer prior to step (2), wherein the transfer layer in the intermediate transfer medium includes a receiving layer. [4] A method for producing a printed matter described in [3] above, wherein a first thermal transfer sheet has a colorant layer, a metal particle-containing layer and a peel-off layer arranged in surface sequence on one surface of a first substrate, and a thermal transfer image is formed using the colorant layer of the first thermal transfer sheet. [5] A method for producing a printed matter described in [3] above, wherein a second thermal transfer sheet has a colorant layer and a metal particle-containing layer arranged in surface sequence on one surface of a second substrate, and a thermal transfer image is formed using the colorant layer of the second thermal transfer sheet. [6] The method for producing a printed matter according to any one of the above [1] to [5], wherein the metal particle-containing layer contains a resin material. [7] The method for producing a printed matter according to any one of the above [1] to [6], wherein the metal particle-containing layer contains aluminum particles. [8] A method for peeling off a transfer layer, comprising step (1) of preparing a first thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer, and step (2) of removing a portion of the transfer layer, wherein the first thermal transfer sheet comprises a first substrate, and a metal particle-containing layer and a peel-off layer which are provided in surface order on one side of the first substrate, the intermediate transfer medium comprises a support, and a transfer layer which is provided on one side of the support and is peelable from the support, the portion of the transfer layer being a region to be removed in step (2), and step (2) comprises, in this order, a step of transferring the metal particle-containing layer from the first thermal transfer sheet onto at least a portion of the region to be removed of the transfer layer in the intermediate transfer medium, and a step of removing the region to be removed of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the region to be removed by the peel-off layer of the first thermal transfer sheet. [9] A method for peeling off a transfer layer, comprising step (1) of preparing a second thermal transfer sheet, a peel-off sheet having a peel-off layer, and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer, and step (2) of removing a portion of the transfer layer, wherein the second thermal transfer sheet comprises a second substrate and a metal particle-containing layer provided on one side of the second substrate, the peel-off sheet comprises a third substrate and a peel-off layer provided on one side of the third substrate, the intermediate transfer medium comprises a support and a transfer layer provided on one side of the support so as to be peelable from the support, the portion of the transfer layer is a region to be removed in step (2), and step (2) comprises, in this order, a step of transferring the metal particle-containing layer from the second thermal transfer sheet onto at least a portion of the region to be removed of the transfer layer in the intermediate transfer medium, and a step of removing the region to be removed of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the region to be removed by the peel-off layer of the peel-off sheet.

[10] A thermal transfer sheet for use in the method for producing a printed matter described in [1] above or the method for peeling off a transfer layer described in [8] above, the thermal transfer sheet comprising a first substrate and, provided in surface order on one surface of the first substrate, a colorant layer, a metal particle-containing layer and a peel-off layer.

[11] The thermal transfer sheet according to the above

[10] , wherein the metal particle-containing layer contains a resin material.

[12] The thermal transfer sheet according to the above

[10] or

[11] , wherein the metal particle-containing layer contains aluminum particles. EXAMPLES

[0147] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. Unless otherwise specified, parts are based on mass. Parts are mass after solid content conversion (excluding solvent).

[0148] [Preparation of thermal transfer sheet (1)] A polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of 6 μm was used as the first substrate. A release layer coating liquid having the following composition was applied on one surface of the first substrate, and dried to form a release layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm. A metal particle-containing layer coating liquid having the following composition was applied on the release layer, and dried to form a metal particle-containing layer having a thickness of 0.7 μm. A peel-off layer coating liquid having the following composition was applied on the same surface of the first substrate in surface order with the metal particle-containing layer, and dried to form a peel-off layer having a thickness of 1 μm. A back layer coating liquid having the following composition was applied on the other surface of the first substrate, and dried to form a back layer having a thickness of 0.8 μm.

[0149] <Release layer coating fluid> - 25 parts urethane resin Polyvinyl acetal 75 parts (S-LEC (registered trademark) KS-5, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) Toluene 950 parts 950 parts isopropyl alcohol

[0150] <Coating fluid for metal particle-containing layer> Aluminum pigment 20 parts (FD-5060, median diameter (D50) 6μm, hiding power 3.4, Non-leafing type, Asahi Kasei Corporation) Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer 20 parts (Solvine (registered trademark) CNL, Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Methyl ethyl ketone 30 parts Toluene 30 parts

[0151] <Coating solution for peel-off layer> Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer 10 parts (Solvine (registered trademark) C5R, Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) (Meth)acrylic resin 10 parts (Dianal (registered trademark) BR-83, Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) Methyl ethyl ketone 80 parts

[0152] <Coating fluid for back layer> Polyvinyl butyral 2 parts (S-LEC (registered trademark) BX-1, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) Polyisocyanate 9.2 parts (Burnoc (registered trademark) D750, DIC Corporation) Phosphate ester surfactant 1.3 parts (Prysurf (registered trademark) A208N, Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) Talc 0.3 parts (Microace (registered trademark) P-3, Nippon Talc Industries Co., Ltd.) Toluene 43.6 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 43.6 parts

[0153] [Preparation of thermal transfer sheet (2)] Thermal transfer sheet (2) was obtained in the same manner as thermal transfer sheet (1), except that a melt-transfer type resin layer having a thickness of 0.7 μm was formed using a coating liquid for a melt-transfer type resin layer having the following composition instead of the coating liquid for the metal particle-containing layer.

[0154] (Coating fluid for melt transfer resin layer) Carbon black 20 parts Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer 20 parts (Solvine (registered trademark) CNL, Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Methyl ethyl ketone 25 parts Toluene 25 parts

[0155] [Preparation of intermediate transfer medium (1)] A polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of 16 μm was used as the support. A release layer coating liquid having the following composition was applied onto the substrate and dried to form a release layer having a thickness of 1 μm. A protective layer coating liquid having the following composition was applied onto the release layer and dried to form a protective layer having a thickness of 2 μm. A receiving layer coating liquid having the following composition was applied onto the protective layer and dried to form a receiving layer having a thickness of 1.5 μm. In this way, an intermediate transfer medium (1) was obtained that had a support, a release layer, a protective layer, and a receiving layer in this order in the thickness direction. The transfer layer is composed of a release layer, a protective layer, and a receiving layer.

[0156] <Coating solution for release layer> (Meth)acrylic resin 29 parts (Dianal (registered trademark) BR-87, Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.) 1 part polyester (Vylon (registered trademark) 200, Toyobo Co., Ltd.) Methyl ethyl ketone 35 parts Toluene 35 parts

[0157] <Coating solution for protective layer> 30 parts polyester (Vylon (registered trademark) 200, Toyobo Co., Ltd.) Methyl ethyl ketone 35 parts Toluene 35 parts

[0158] <Coating solution for receiving layer> Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer 20 parts (Solvine (registered trademark) CNL, Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part silicone oil (X-22-3000T, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) Methyl ethyl ketone 79 parts

[0159] [Example 1] The metal particle-containing layer of the thermal transfer sheet (1) was placed opposite the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium (1), and the following printer was used to apply 255 / 255 gradation energy to transfer the metal particle-containing layer of the thermal transfer sheet (1) onto the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium (1). Next, the peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet (1) was placed opposite the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium (1) to which the metal particle-containing layer had been transferred, and the following printer was used to apply 255 / 255 gradation energy to remove the area of ​​the transfer layer to be removed together with the transferred metal particle-containing layer. The transfer of the metal particle-containing layer was performed so as to cover the entire surface of the area to be removed.

[0160] (Printer) Thermal head: KEE-57-12GAN2-STA (Kyocera Corporation) Heating element average resistance: 3303 (Ω) Print density in the main scanning direction: 300 (dpi) Sub-scanning direction print density: 300 (dpi) 1 line period: 2.0 (msec.) Printing start temperature: 35(℃) Pulse duty ratio: 85% Printing voltage: 18(V)

[0161] [Reference example 1] The melt transfer resin layer of the thermal transfer sheet (2) was placed opposite the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium (1), and the above printer was used to apply 255 / 255 gradation energy to transfer the melt transfer resin layer of the thermal transfer sheet (2) onto the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium (1). Next, the peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet (2) was placed opposite the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium (1) to which the melt transfer resin layer was transferred, and the above printer was used to apply 255 / 255 gradation energy to remove the area of ​​the transfer layer to be removed together with the transferred melt transfer resin layer. The transfer of the melt transfer resin layer was performed so as to cover the entire surface of the area to be removed.

[0162] [Reference example 2] The peel-off layer of the thermal transfer sheet (2) was placed opposite the receiving layer of the intermediate transfer medium (1), and the above-mentioned printer was used to apply energy of 255 / 255 gradations to remove the areas of the transfer layer to be removed.

[0163] [Peel-off property evaluation] The intermediate transfer medium in which the removal-intended area of ​​the transfer layer had been removed by the methods of Example 1, Reference Example 1, and Reference Example 2 was visually inspected and the peel-off property was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. As a result, Example 1 was rated as "5", Reference Example 1 was rated as "4", and Reference Example 2 was rated as "3".

[0164] [Evaluation Criteria] 5: The removal of the area to be removed of the transfer layer is accurate; There is no wobble in the boundaries or tiny holes in the areas to be removed. 4: The removal of the area to be removed of the transfer layer is accurate; There is little wobble in the boundaries or tiny holes in the areas to be removed. 3: The removal of the area to be removed of the transfer layer is accurate, but There is slight jitter at the boundary line and slight gaps within the area to be removed. 2: There are some inaccuracies in the removal of the areas of the transfer layer that are to be removed, but these are acceptable for practical use. 1: The area of ​​the transfer layer to be removed was not removed accurately (NG). [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 10: thermal transfer sheet, 12: substrate, 14: metal particle-containing layer, 14a: part of the metal particle-containing layer, 16: peel-off layer, 18: colorant layer, 20: intermediate transfer medium, 22: support, 24: transfer layer, 24a: area of ​​transfer layer to be removed, 25: receiving layer, 25a: part of receiving layer, 26: release layer, 26a: part of release layer, 30: transferee, 50: printed matter, A: thermal transfer image, 470: first supply section, 451: second supply section, 450: printing section, 442: third supply section, 460: transfer section, 453: thermal head, 454: platen roll, 455, 456, 472: guide roll, 452, 471: take-up roll, 461: heat roller, 462: pressure roll, 444: discharge section

Claims

1. (1) preparing a first thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer; A step (2) of removing a portion of the transfer layer; A step (3) of transferring the transfer layer from which a portion has been removed onto a transfer receiving body; A method for producing a print comprising the steps of: the first thermal transfer sheet comprises a first substrate, and a metal particle-containing layer and a peel-off layer provided in surface order on one surface of the first substrate; the intermediate transfer medium includes a support and a transfer layer provided on one surface of the support so as to be peelable from the support, a portion of the transfer layer being a region to be removed in the step (2); the step (2) includes, in this order, a step of transferring the metal particle-containing layer from the first thermal transfer sheet onto at least a part of the intended removal region of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium, and a step of removing the intended removal region of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the intended removal region by the peel-off layer of the first thermal transfer sheet; The metal particle-containing layer contains at least one metal particle selected from the group consisting of aluminum, nickel, chromium, brass, tin, brass, bronze, zinc, silver, platinum, gold, and indium. A method for producing printed matter.

2. (1) preparing a second thermal transfer sheet, a peel-off sheet having a peel-off layer, and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer; A step (2) of removing a portion of the transfer layer; A step (3) of transferring the transfer layer from which a portion has been removed onto a transfer receiving body; A method for producing a print comprising the steps of: the second thermal transfer sheet comprises a second substrate and a metal particle-containing layer provided on one surface of the second substrate; the peel-off sheet comprises a third substrate and a peel-off layer provided on one surface of the third substrate; the intermediate transfer medium includes a support and a transfer layer provided on one surface of the support so as to be peelable from the support, a portion of the transfer layer being a region to be removed in the step (2); the step (2) includes, in this order, a step of transferring the metal particle-containing layer from the second thermal transfer sheet onto at least a part of the intended removal region of the transfer layer in the intermediate transfer medium, and a step of removing the intended removal region of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the intended removal region by the peel-off layer of the peel-off sheet; The metal particle-containing layer contains at least one metal particle selected from the group consisting of aluminum, nickel, chromium, brass, tin, brass, bronze, zinc, silver, platinum, gold, and indium. A method for producing printed matter.

3. The transfer layer in the intermediate transfer medium includes a receiving layer, The method further includes forming a thermal transfer image on the receptor layer before the step (2), The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 1, wherein the first thermal transfer sheet comprises a colorant layer, the metal particle-containing layer and the peel-off layer, which are provided in surface sequence on one surface of the first substrate, and the thermal transfer image is formed using the colorant layer of the first thermal transfer sheet.

4. The transfer layer in the intermediate transfer medium includes a receiving layer, The method further includes forming a thermal transfer image on the receptor layer before the step (2), The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 2, wherein the second thermal transfer sheet comprises a colorant layer and the metal particle-containing layer arranged in surface sequence on one surface of the second substrate, and the thermal transfer image is formed using the colorant layer of the second thermal transfer sheet.

5. The method for producing a print according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the metal particle-containing layer contains a resin material.

6. The method for producing a print according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the metal particle-containing layer contains aluminum particles.

7. (1) preparing a first thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer; A step (2) of removing a portion of the transfer layer; A method for peeling off a transfer layer, comprising: the first thermal transfer sheet comprises a first substrate, and a metal particle-containing layer and a peel-off layer provided in surface order on one surface of the first substrate; the intermediate transfer medium includes a support and a transfer layer provided on one surface of the support so as to be peelable from the support, a portion of the transfer layer being a region to be removed in the step (2); the step (2) includes, in this order, a step of transferring the metal particle-containing layer from the first thermal transfer sheet onto at least a part of the intended removal region of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium, and a step of removing the intended removal region of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the intended removal region by the peel-off layer of the first thermal transfer sheet; The metal particle-containing layer contains at least one metal particle selected from the group consisting of aluminum, nickel, chromium, brass, tin, brass, bronze, zinc, silver, platinum, gold, and indium. How to peel off the transfer layer.

8. (1) preparing a second thermal transfer sheet, a peel-off sheet having a peel-off layer, and an intermediate transfer medium having a transfer layer; A step (2) of removing a portion of the transfer layer; A method for peeling off a transfer layer, comprising: the second thermal transfer sheet comprises a second substrate and a metal particle-containing layer provided on one surface of the second substrate; the peel-off sheet comprises a third substrate and a peel-off layer provided on one surface of the third substrate; the intermediate transfer medium includes a support and a transfer layer provided on one surface of the support so as to be peelable from the support, a portion of the transfer layer being a region to be removed in the step (2); the step (2) includes, in this order, a step of transferring the metal particle-containing layer from the second thermal transfer sheet onto at least a part of the intended removal region of the transfer layer in the intermediate transfer medium, and a step of removing the intended removal region of the transfer layer together with the metal particle-containing layer transferred onto the intended removal region by the peel-off layer of the peel-off sheet; The metal particle-containing layer contains at least one metal particle selected from the group consisting of aluminum, nickel, chromium, brass, tin, brass, bronze, zinc, silver, platinum, gold, and indium. How to peel off the transfer layer.

9. A thermal transfer sheet for use in the method for producing a printed matter according to claim 1 or the method for peeling off a transfer layer according to claim 8, comprising a first substrate, and a color material layer, a metal particle-containing layer, and a peel-off layer, which are provided in surface order on one surface of the first substrate; The thermal transfer sheet, wherein the metal particle-containing layer contains particles of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, nickel, chromium, brass, tin, brass, bronze, zinc, silver, platinum, gold, and indium.

10. The thermal transfer sheet according to claim 9 , wherein the metal particle-containing layer contains a resin material.

11. The thermal transfer sheet according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the metal particle-containing layer contains aluminum particles.

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