Thermal transfer recording medium

Abstract

To provide a thermal transfer recording medium having a mask layer which can surely prevent only an intermediate transfer recording medium transfer layer in a part where a mask layer is transferred from being transferred onto a body to be transferred, when a transfer layer of even an intermediate transfer recording medium, which has smaller transfer layer peeling force when being transferred onto the body to be transferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium than a conventional intermediate transfer recording medium, is transferred onto the body to be transferred, by transferring the mask layer onto the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium.SOLUTION: A thermal transfer recording medium for an intermediate transfer recording medium has a mask layer containing at least a wax having a melting point of 80°C or higher, fluorine-based particles, and a cellulose acetate resin, on one surface of a base material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording medium used for transferring images or characters to a transfer target via an intermediate transfer recording medium. Specifically, the present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording medium having a mask layer, by transferring the mask layer onto the intermediate transfer recording medium, the transfer layer of the portion below the mask layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium is not transferred to the transfer target.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in the production of printed matter, a combination of a thermal transfer sheet (thermal transfer recording medium) and an intermediate transfer recording medium that can accurately transfer only the transfer layer of the portion to be transferred on the intermediate transfer recording medium onto the transfer target, and a thermal transfer sheet used in combination with the intermediate transfer recording medium have been disclosed.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, as a thermal transfer recording medium used for such an object, a thermal transfer sheet used in combination with an intermediate transfer recording medium is disclosed, in which a block layer 2 (mask layer) is provided on a base material 1, and the block layer 2 contains carnauba wax. In Patent Document 1, it is described that by the block layer 2 containing carnauba wax, it becomes possible to accurately transfer only the transfer layer of the portion to be transferred on the intermediate transfer recording medium onto the transfer target.

[0004] In Patent Document 2, for the purpose of making the transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the card good regardless of the material of the card (transfer target), and suppressing a decrease in production efficiency, the intermediate transfer recording medium having a receiving layer on which an image is formed by the coloring material layer of the thermal transfer recording medium and the card are overlapped and fed while heating the intermediate transfer recording medium, and in a transfer unit that transfers the transfer layer on which the image is formed onto the card, a control unit that controls the card feed speed in the transfer unit based on the material of the card is provided. In the invention of Patent Document 2, by adjusting the card feed speed according to the card material, the transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the card is made good regardless of the card material.

[0005] By the way, if the transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the card is made good even for the card material with the worst transferability of the transfer layer, it is possible to make the transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium good for all cards without providing a control unit that controls the card feed speed of the thermal transfer printer according to the card material. If the peeling force of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium during transfer is reduced, the transferability of the transfer layer can be made good even for the card material with the worst transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the card.

[0006] However, when using a thermal transfer recording medium provided with a conventional mask layer for an intermediate transfer recording medium with a reduced peeling force of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium during transfer, the mask layer does not function, and there is a problem that the transfer layer is transferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the card, which is the object to be transferred, up to the portion where the mask layer is transferred. When transferring the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the object to be transferred, if the adhesive force of the mask layer adhering to the object to be transferred is smaller than the adhesive force of the intermediate transfer recording medium transfer layer to the substrate and the adhesive force of the mask layer adhering to the intermediate transfer recording medium transfer layer, and the portion where the mask layer is transferred does not adhere to the object to be transferred, the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium in the portion where the mask layer is transferred will not be retransferred to the object to be transferred. For this reason, it is preferable that the mask layer is a layer with low adhesiveness. However, when the mask layer is transferred from the thermal transfer recording medium to the intermediate transfer recording medium, if the mask layer cannot adhere firmly to the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium or the color material layer of the thermal transfer recording medium that forms the previously transferred image, etc., the mask layer cannot maintain the adhered state on the intermediate transfer recording medium until it is retransferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the object to be transferred. Therefore, the mask layer is required to have an adhesiveness that can firmly adhere to the intermediate transfer recording medium.

[0007] However, in the conventional mask layer, when trying to ensure an adhesiveness that can firmly adhere to the intermediate transfer recording medium, the adhesive force of the mask layer to the object to be transferred during retransfer also increases. For this reason, in the conventional mask layer, when trying to ensure an adhesiveness that can firmly adhere to the intermediate transfer recording medium, in an intermediate transfer recording medium with a reduced peeling force of the transfer layer during retransfer in order to improve the transferability of the transfer layer to the object to be transferred made of the material with the worst transferability, the adhesive force of the mask layer to the object to be transferred may exceed the peeling force of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium, and the mask layer may not function. That is, since the adhesive force of the mask layer to the object to be transferred exceeds the peeling force of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium, there is a problem that the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium up to the portion where the mask layer is provided is transferred to the object to be transferred.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008] [Patent Document 1] WO2019 / 151378 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-104207 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is that, without using a thermal transfer printer having a special function such as a control unit for controlling the feeding speed of the transfer medium, the peeling force of the transfer layer during transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer medium is made smaller than before, and the transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer medium is improved regardless of the material of the transfer medium. It is to provide a thermal transfer recording medium having a mask layer that can be used for an intermediate transfer recording medium, and even for an intermediate transfer recording medium in which the peeling force of the transfer layer during transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer medium is made smaller than before, by transferring a mask layer onto the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium, when the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium is transferred to the transfer medium, only the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium at the portion where the mask layer is transferred can be surely prevented from being transferred to the transfer medium. It is to provide a thermal transfer recording medium having a mask layer. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0010] A first invention is a thermal transfer recording medium for an intermediate transfer recording medium, characterized by having a mask layer containing at least a wax having a melting point of 80°C or higher, fluorine-based particles, and a cellulose acetate resin on one surface of a base material.

[0011] The second invention is the thermal transfer recording medium according to the first invention, wherein the wax content is 10% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less in the solid content of the mask layer, the content of the fluorine-based particles is 20% by weight or more and 70% by weight or less in the solid content of the mask layer, and the content of the cellulose acetate resin is 5% by weight or more and 60% by weight or less in the solid content of the mask layer.

[0012] The third invention is the thermal transfer recording medium according to the first invention or the second invention, wherein the average particle diameter of the fluorine-based particles is 0.5 μm or more and 4 μm or less.

[0013] The fourth invention is the thermal transfer recording medium according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the intermediate transfer recording medium is for card printing.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] By forming the mask layer of the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer containing at least wax having a melting point of 80°C or higher, fluorine-based particles, and cellulose acetate resin, when thermally transferring from the thermal transfer recording medium to the intermediate transfer recording medium, the mask layer firmly adheres to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium. However, when transferring the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium having the mask layer laminated thereon to the transfer body, the mask layer does not adhere to the transfer body. Therefore, the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention can reduce the transfer layer peeling force during transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer body compared to the conventional method, without using a special function thermal transfer printer such as a control unit for controlling the feeding speed of the transfer body. Thus, it can be used for an intermediate transfer recording medium that has improved transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer body regardless of the material of the transfer body. That is, by using the mask layer of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, even when used for the transfer layer of an intermediate transfer recording medium with a smaller transfer layer peeling force during transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer body than in the conventional case, when transferring the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer body, it is possible to ensure that only the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium at the portion where the mask layer is transferred is not transferred to the transfer body. It is possible to provide a thermal transfer recording medium having a mask layer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0017] 〔Thermal Transfer Recording Medium with Mask Layer〕 The thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention is a thermal transfer recording medium provided with at least one mask layer on one surface of a substrate. By transferring the mask layer of the present invention onto an intermediate transfer recording medium, when transferring the transfer layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium to a transfer object such as a card, only the transfer layer in the portion where the mask layer is transferred can be prevented from being transferred to the transfer object. A thermal transfer recording medium A with a mask layer, which is an example of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention is a thermal transfer recording medium in which a mask layer (11) is laminated on one surface of a substrate (10). As shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable to provide a heat-resistant lubricating layer (12) on the other surface of the substrate (10) of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention. Further, a release layer can be further provided between the mask layer (11) and the substrate (10), and the mask layer (11) may be a layer formed by laminating a plurality of layers. The thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention is preferably transferred onto an intermediate transfer recording medium as shown in FIG. 2 and used together with a thermal transfer recording medium having a coloring material layer for producing printing and / or printing on the intermediate transfer recording medium. By re-transferring the printing and printing produced on the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer object again, printing and printing can be produced on the transfer object. Further, the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention can also be provided with a mask layer together with one or more coloring material layers in the longitudinal direction on one side of the substrate in a surface-sequential manner.

[0018] (Substrate) As the substrate used for the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, various plastic films generally used as substrates for this type of thermal transfer recording medium such as polyethylene terephthalate film, polyethylene naphthalate film and other polyester films, polycarbonate film, polyamide film, aramid film can be used. Also, high-density thin paper such as capacitor paper can be used. The thickness of the substrate is usually about 2 to 10 μm, and in order to achieve good heat transfer, a range of 2 to 6 μm is preferable.

[0019] (Mask layer) When a release layer or the like is not provided between the base material and the mask layer, the mask layer is directly laminated on the base material. By containing a wax component and particles in addition to the resin component which is a binder, the mask layer surely adheres to the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium during heat transfer from the thermal transfer recording medium to the intermediate transfer recording medium. However, when transferring the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium on which the mask layer has been transferred to the transfer target, the mask layer can be prevented from adhering to the transfer target. Therefore, by containing a wax component and particles in addition to the resin component which is a binder, even when the mask layer is transferred onto the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium in which the peeling force of the transfer layer during transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer target is made smaller than before, the mask layer transferred to the intermediate transfer recording medium can be surely prevented from being transferred to the transfer target.

[0020] (Resin component) The resin component contained in the mask layer is preferably a cellulose acetate resin. Examples of the cellulose acetate resin include cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. Since the cellulose acetate resin is a resin with low adhesiveness, by containing the cellulose acetate resin in the mask layer, the mask layer is less likely to adhere to the transfer target during re-transfer, and the function as a mask layer can be surely exhibited. Further, as described above, in addition to the resin component, it is preferable that the mask layer contains wax and particles. When the mask layer contains wax and particles, the mask layer is likely to crack during the transfer from the thermal transfer recording medium to the intermediate transfer recording medium (hereinafter referred to as primary transfer), and during the re-transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer target (hereinafter referred to as secondary transfer). If the mask layer cracks during primary transfer or secondary transfer, the mask layer may not be transferred into the intended shape. By using a cellulose acetate resin as the resin component contained in the mask layer, film strength can be imparted to the mask layer. Therefore, even when the mask layer contains wax and particles in addition to the resin component, sufficient film strength can be given to the mask layer by using cellulose acetate as the resin component, the mask layer does not crack during primary transfer and secondary transfer, and the mask layer can be surely transferred into the intended shape.

[0021] The content of cellulose acetate contained in the mask layer is preferably 5% by weight or more and 60% by weight or less in the solid content of the mask layer. If the content is less than 5% by weight, the film strength of the mask layer is insufficient, and a part of the mask layer becomes powdery when not in use, and so-called powder shedding, in which the mask layer falls off, easily occurs. Cracks are likely to occur in the mask layer transferred during primary and secondary transfers, and there is a risk that the mask layer will not be transferred in the intended shape. On the other hand, if the content exceeds 60% by weight, the film strength of the mask layer becomes too strong, and when the thermal transfer recording medium is peeled from the intermediate transfer recording medium after thermal transfer, the mask layer of the part to be transferred is peeled from the intermediate transfer recording medium, and the mask layer is not transferred to the intermediate transfer recording medium, or the mask layer is transferred to an unnecessary part. So-called planar peeling is likely to occur, and the mask layer is likely to be transferred to the transfer target during secondary transfer, and there is a risk that the function as a mask layer cannot be exhibited.

[0022] (Wax) The wax contained in the mask layer is a wax having a melting point of 80°C or higher. When a wax having a melting point of less than 80°C is used, fine transfer (printing, printing) cannot be performed during primary transfer, and the appearance around the portion not transferred by the mask layer becomes poor during secondary transfer. The content of the wax contained in the mask layer is preferably 10% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less in the solid content of the mask layer. If the content is less than 10% by weight, the transferability of the mask layer during primary transfer deteriorates, and there is a risk that a transfer in the intended shape cannot be performed on the intermediate transfer recording medium. On the other hand, if the content exceeds 50% by weight, the mask layer is likely to be transferred to the transfer target during secondary transfer, and there is a risk that the function as a mask layer cannot be exhibited.

[0023] Any wax can be used as long as the wax contained in the mask layer has a melting point of 80°C or higher. One type of wax may be used alone, or two or more types of waxes may be used in combination. Among the waxes having a melting point of 80°C or higher, Fischer-Tropsch wax or polyethylene wax, which is a hydrocarbon-based synthetic wax, has a stable melting point, and thus can be particularly preferably used.

[0024] (fluorine-based particles) As the particles contained in the mask layer, fluorine-based particles are preferred. Examples of the fluorine-based particles include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin particles, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride (THV) resin particles, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based resin particles, polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE)-based resin particles, chlorotrifluoroethylene-ethylene (ECTFE)-based resin particles, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene (ETFE)-based resin particles, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene (FEP)-based resin particles, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA)-based resin particles, and the like. Among these, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin particles are preferred because they are highly effective in improving the mask performance such that the mask layer is not transferred to the transfer target during secondary transfer and in improving the sharpness of the mask layer during primary transfer.

[0025] The content of the fluorine-based particles contained in the mask layer is preferably 20% by weight or more and 70% by weight or less based on the solid content of the mask layer. If the content is less than 20% by weight, the sharpness of the mask layer during primary transfer may decrease. If the content exceeds 70% by weight, the adhesion of the mask layer to the intermediate transfer recording medium may be insufficient, and there may be a risk of poor transfer of the mask layer to the intermediate transfer recording medium.

[0026] The average particle diameter of the fluorine-based particles contained in the mask layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 4.0 μm or less. If the average particle diameter is less than 0.5 μm, the effect of containing the fluorine-based particles cannot be obtained, and the sharpness of the mask layer during temporary transfer may decrease. On the other hand, if the average particle diameter exceeds 4.0 μm, the transferability of the mask layer during primary transfer deteriorates, and a part of the mask layer to be transferred may not be transferred to the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium. The average particle diameter of the fluorine-based particles means the particle diameter at 50% of the integrated value in the particle size distribution determined by the laser diffraction / scattering method.

[0027] The mask layer thickness (thickness after drying, the same applies hereinafter) is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 1.5 μm or less. If the mask layer thickness is less than 0.5 μm, the mask performance during secondary transfer may deteriorate, and a part of the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium where the mask layer has been transferred may be transferred to the object to be transferred. On the other hand, if the mask layer thickness exceeds 1.5 μm, the sharpness and transferability of the mask layer during primary transfer may deteriorate, and a part of the mask layer to be transferred may not be transferred to the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium.

[0028] The mask layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in a suitable solvent to obtain a coating solution, and then coating the substrate by known means such as roll coating method, reverse roll coating method, gravure coating method, reverse gravure coating method, bar coating method and rod coating method to form a coating film, and then drying it.

[0029] The mask layer may contain various additives as long as it does not inhibit the various functions required for the mask layer. Examples of the additives include plasticizers, defoamers, surfactants, antioxidants, dispersants, tackifiers and the like.

[0030] (Heat-resistant lubricity layer) In the thermal transfer recording medium having the mask layer of the present invention, it is preferable to provide a heat-resistant lubricity layer on the substrate surface opposite to the surface provided with the mask layer. By providing the heat-resistant lubricity layer, damage to the substrate of the thermal transfer recording medium by the transfer head of the printer during printing on the intermediate transfer recording medium can be reduced. When the substrate is damaged, so-called sticking may occur, in which the transfer head adheres to the substrate during printing and cannot move smoothly. By providing the heat-resistant lubricity layer, such sticking can be prevented.

[0031] As the material for the heat-resistant and lubricious layer, those conventionally adopted in thermal transfer recording media can be used without particular limitation. Considering the heat resistance to the thermal head, the reduction of the dynamic friction coefficient at high temperatures, and the cost, among these, silicone-modified urethane resin, silicone-modified acrylic resin, silicone resin, or a mixture thereof is particularly preferable as the material for the heat-resistant and lubricious layer.

[0032] Other additives such as particles, lubricants, and antistatic agents may be incorporated into the heat-resistant and lubricious layer.

[0033] The thickness of the heat-resistant and lubricious layer (thickness after drying, the same hereinafter) is preferably 0.05 to 0.80 μm from the viewpoint of achieving a good anti-sticking effect and preventing deterioration of heat conductivity. If the thickness of the heat-resistant and lubricious layer is less than 0.05 μm, the heat resistance may be insufficient, sticking may occur during printing, or the substrate may melt and printing may become impossible. If it exceeds 0.80 μm, the heat conductivity may deteriorate and may hinder printing.

[0034] The method for forming the heat-resistant and lubricious layer can be the same as the method for the mask layer.

[0035] (Intermediate transfer recording medium) By transferring the mask layer of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium, the transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium in the portion where the mask layer is transferred can be prevented from being re-transferred (secondary transfer) from the intermediate transfer recording medium to a transfer object such as a card. The transfer layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium in the portion where the mask layer is transferred refers to, in the example of the intermediate transfer recording medium described later, among the prints and images formed on the image receiving layer by the image receiving layer, the peeling layer, and the coloring material layer transferred from the thermal transfer recording medium, the portion where the mask layer is transferred.

[0036] As the intermediate transfer recording medium using the mask layer of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, any intermediate transfer recording medium can be used as long as it has an image receiving layer capable of receiving the mask layer. However, from the viewpoint of realizing good retransfer even for a transfer body with poor retransferability of the image receiving layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium, it is preferable that the intermediate transfer recording medium can adjust the peeling force of the image receiving layer from the substrate. As such an intermediate transfer recording medium, it is preferable that the intermediate transfer recording medium has a peeling layer for adjusting the peeling force of the image receiving layer from the substrate between the image receiving layer and the substrate. FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an intermediate transfer recording medium provided with a peeling layer (21) between a substrate (20) and an image receiving layer (22). In such an intermediate transfer recording medium, the substrate (20), the peeling layer (21), and the image receiving layer (22) are essential components. If necessary, a back layer such as a heat-resistant lubricity layer is provided on the surface of the substrate (20) opposite to the surface provided with the peeling layer (21) of the substrate (20), and another layer effective for improving the image receiving performance of the image receiving layer can also be provided between the peeling layer (21) and the image receiving layer (22).

[0037] (Substrate) As the substrate of the intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, various plastic films generally used as this type of substrate such as polyethylene terephthalate film, polyethylene naphthalate film and other polyester films, polycarbonate film, polyamide film, aramid film can be used. Also, high-density thin paper such as condenser paper can be used. The thickness of the substrate is usually about 5 to 30 μm, and in order to improve heat transfer, a range of 5 to 20 μm is preferable.

[0038] (Peeling layer) The intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention preferably has a release layer between the base material and the image receiving layer described later. The intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention preferably has good transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer body regardless of the material of the transfer body such as a card. In order to have good transferability of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer body regardless of the material of the transfer body such as a card, it is preferable that the release force of the release layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium is small.

[0039] When the transfer body is a card, the portion where the transferability of the transfer layer such as the image receiving layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium is the worst is often the portion where a magnetic layer is printed or attached to the card surface. The magnetic layer on the card surface is a layer provided for writing information of the card owner and the like. In order to perform secondary transfer of the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium and the printing and imaging formed on the thermal transfer recording medium on the image receiving layer onto such a magnetic layer by secondary transfer using the intermediate transfer recording medium, it is preferable that the release force of the release layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium measured by the following measurement method is 0.08 N / 18 mm or more and 0.9 N / 18 mm or less, and more preferably 0.2 N / 18 mm or more and 0.6 N / 18 mm or less. When the release force of the release layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium is less than 0.08 N / 18 mm, the transfer layer transferred from around the card as the transfer body may protrude in a burr shape, and the release layer may peel off from the intermediate transfer recording medium before use, which is not preferable. On the other hand, when it exceeds 0.9 N / 18 mm, cracks are likely to occur in the transfer layer transferred onto the magnetic layer, and particularly when the release force is large, secondary transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer body cannot be performed, and there is a possibility of transfer failure, which is not preferable.

[0040] (Measurement method for the release force of the release layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium) Cut the intermediate transfer recording medium to a width of 1 inch (25.4 mm). On the image receiving layer surface of the intermediate transfer recording medium, attach the adhesive surface of the mending tape "Scotch (registered trademark) Mending Tape 810 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Limited), width 18 mm" so that it is parallel to the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape does not protrude from the intermediate transfer recording medium, excluding one end in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer recording medium. When attaching the image receiving layer and the adhesive surface, attach them so that no air bubbles enter between the image receiving layer and the adhesive surface. Crimp the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape in a method of reciprocating a 2 Kg roller twice, and leave it at room temperature for 24 hours after crimping. Hold the respective knob portions (the unbonded portion at one end) of the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape with the fixture of the measuring machine so that the portion where the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape are bonded is on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Next, operate the measuring machine to measure the peel force. The peel force measurement is performed using a tensile testing machine HEIDON-14 manufactured by Shinto Kagaku Co., Ltd. in a T-peel mode (90-degree peel) under the conditions of a peel speed of 3064 mm / min in an atmosphere of 25°C and 60% RH.

[0041] In the intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, by adjusting the material components of the release layer, the release layer peel force from the intermediate transfer recording medium can be made within the above preferable range.

[0042] The release layer is preferably a layer containing a resin serving as a binder and particles. In the present invention, the binder is a component of each layer formed by coating. Each layer can be composed of only the binder, and when each layer contains components such as a colorant, particles, and additives, the binder is a component used to hold these contents in each layer. The properties required for the release layer are that it has hot peelability that makes it easy to peel from the base material when heated, and when transferring to a transfer object such as a magnetic layer with low transferability, it can surely transfer the transfer layer such as the image receiving layer to the transfer object, while satisfying both the image receiving layer holding performance of being able to hold the image receiving layer without peeling it from the base material until it is heated.

[0043] Any material that can exhibit such properties as heat peelability and image receiving layer holding performance can be used as a binder for the release layer. However, it is preferably a mixture of a release force adjusting component that has the property of imparting adhesion to the base material of the release layer and the image receiving layer and can adjust the release force of the release layer from the base material during heating by adjusting the content, and a film strength imparting component that imparts film strength to the release layer. Examples of the release force adjusting component include polyurethane, polyester, and polyester urethane. Examples of the film strength imparting component include resin components such as acrylic, epoxy, polyester, vinyl chloride, and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer. Among these, a mixture of polyester urethane and acrylic can exhibit excellent performance in both heat peelability and image receiving layer holding performance, and thus can be particularly preferably used.

[0044] When containing polyester urethane as a binder for the release layer, the content ratio of polyester urethane in the solid of the release layer is preferably 0.8% by weight or more and 4.0% by weight or less, more preferably 1.8% by weight or more and 3.2% by weight or less. When the content ratio is less than 0.8% by weight, the transferred transfer layer from around the card, which is the object to be transferred, may become burr-like and protrude, and at the same time, the release force may become too light, and a so-called powder drop may occur where the release layer becomes powdery together with the upper image receiving layer and falls off from the base material during non-use. Sufficient sharpness cannot be imparted to the release layer, and there is also a possibility of planar peeling occurring during secondary transfer. The sharpness of the release layer refers to the performance of the release layer breaking at the interface between the part of the release layer transferred to the object to be transferred and the part of the release layer remaining on the base material without being transferred to the object to be transferred when the release layer is peeled from the base material by secondary transfer. Planar peeling refers to the phenomenon that during secondary transfer, the part of the release layer transferred to the object to be transferred and the part of the release layer remaining on the base material without being transferred to the object to be transferred do not break, and are transferred to the object to be transferred up to the release layer of the part that should not be transferred originally. On the other hand, when the content ratio exceeds 4.0% by weight, cracks are likely to occur in the transfer layer transferred onto the magnetic layer, and furthermore, when the release force becomes larger, secondary transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the object to be transferred may not be possible, resulting in a risk of transfer failure, so it is not preferable.

[0045] When the release layer contains acrylic as a binder, the content ratio of acrylic in the release layer solid is preferably 10% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less. When the content ratio is less than 10% by weight, the film strength of the release layer is insufficient, and the peeling of the release layer from the substrate becomes unstable, which may cause transfer defects of the release layer. On the other hand, when the content ratio exceeds 50% by weight, the film strength of the release layer becomes too strong, and sufficient sharpness cannot be imparted to the release layer, and planar peeling may occur during secondary transfer.

[0046] If the release layer is composed of only a binder, the sharpness of the release layer during secondary transfer may be insufficient, and planar peeling may occur. By adding particles to the release layer in addition to the binder, sufficient sharpness can be imparted to the release layer. Examples of the particles that can impart sharpness to the release layer include colloidal silica, silica, alumina, calcium carbonate, resin particles (acrylic, melamine, silicone, etc.). Among these, it is preferable to use colloidal silica in terms of being able to impart excellent sharpness and ensuring the transparency of the release layer easily.

[0047] When the release layer contains colloidal silica, the content ratio of colloidal silica in the release layer solid is preferably 50% by weight or more and 90% by weight or less. When the content ratio is less than 50% by weight, sufficient sharpness cannot be imparted to the release layer during secondary transfer, and planar peeling may occur. On the other hand, when the content ratio exceeds 90% by weight, the film strength of the release layer is insufficient, and transfer defects may occur. The average particle diameter of the colloidal silica is preferably 10 nm or more and 50 nm or less. When the average particle diameter is less than 10 nm, sufficient sharpness cannot be imparted to the release layer. On the other hand, when the average particle diameter exceeds 50 nm, the release layer becomes cloudy, which is not preferable. The average particle diameter of the colloidal silica in the present invention is a value measured using a method of converting from the specific surface area by the BET method, and assuming the particles as spherical, the average particle diameter is calculated by the following formula. d = 6000 / (S × ρ) (d: average particle diameter (nm), S: specific surface area (m 2 / g), ρ: true specific gravity (g / cm 3 ))

[0048] The thickness of the release layer (thickness when dry, the same applies hereinafter) is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less. When the thickness of the release layer is less than 0.5 μm, the release of the release layer from the substrate becomes unstable, and there is a risk of poor transfer of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the transfer object. On the other hand, when the thickness of the release layer exceeds 3.0 μm, the sharpness of the release layer decreases, and planar peeling is likely to occur.

[0049] The release layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in a suitable solvent to form a coating solution, and then coating the substrate by known means such as roll coating method, reverse roll coating method, gravure coating method, reverse gravure coating method, bar coating method, and rod coating method to form a coating film, and then drying it.

[0050] The release layer may contain various additives as long as it does not inhibit the various functions required for the release layer. Examples of the additives include plasticizers, defoamers, surfactants, antioxidants, and dispersants.

[0051] (Image receiving layer) The intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention is provided with an image receiving layer directly on the release layer or via another layer. The image receiving layer is the outermost layer, and it receives the color material layer that is primarily transferred from the thermal transfer recording medium provided with the color material layer, and is a layer on which printing or printing formed with the color material of the thermal transfer recording medium is provided on the surface. The image receiving layer also receives the mask layer that is thermally transferred from the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention. Further, the image receiving layer is also a layer that exhibits adhesiveness to the transfer object during secondary transfer and adheres to the transfer object.

[0052] Therefore, the performance required for the image receiving layer is the image receiving performance of reliably receiving the color material layer and the mask layer thermally transferred (primary transfer) from the thermal transfer recording medium and fixing them on the surface, and the transferability to the transfer target for fixing on the transfer target together with the received printing and image printing by secondary transfer. As described above, the present invention is an invention assuming secondary transfer from the intermediate transfer recording medium even to the portion where the magnetic layer is printed on the surface of the card where the transferability of the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium is the worst. Therefore, the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention is a layer having sufficient transferability in secondary transfer even with respect to such a magnetic layer.

[0053] A resin that exhibits adhesiveness by heating can be preferably used as a binder for the image receiving layer. Specifically, acrylic resins, epoxy resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resins, etc. are exemplified, and one or more of these can be contained.

[0054] The thickness of the image receiving layer (dry thickness, the same hereinafter) is preferably 0.3 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less. If the thickness of the image receiving layer is less than 0.3 μm, the transferability of the mask layer and the color material layer during primary transfer from the thermal transfer recording medium may decrease. On the other hand, if the thickness of the image receiving layer exceeds 2.0 μm, the sharpness of the image receiving layer decreases, and planar peeling is likely to occur during secondary transfer.

[0055] The image receiving layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to obtain a coating liquid, and coating the coating liquid on a substrate by known means such as roll coating method, reverse roll coating method, gravure coating method, reverse gravure coating method, bar coating method, and rod coating method to form a coating film, and then drying it.

[0056] The image receiving layer may contain various additives as long as they do not inhibit the various functions required for the image receiving layer. Examples of the additives include plasticizers, defoaming agents, surfactants, antioxidants, dispersants, and tackifiers.

[0057] 〔Thermal Transfer Recording Medium with Color Material Layer〕 An intermediate transfer recording medium that can use the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer, which is the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention, can form printing and imaging on a transfer body by secondarily transferring the printing and imaging primarily transferred onto an image receiving layer using a thermal transfer recording medium having a coloring material layer. Further, by primarily transferring the mask layer of the present invention onto the coloring material layer primarily transferred onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium, when transferring the image receiving layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium to a transfer body such as a card, only the coloring material layer of the portion where the mask layer is transferred can be prevented from being transferred to the transfer body.

[0058] The thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer (hereinafter referred to as the thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer) that can be used together with the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention is a thermal transfer recording medium in which at least one layer of coloring material layer is provided on one surface of a base material. An example of the thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer, the thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer C, is shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer C is a thermal transfer recording medium in which a coloring material layer (31) is laminated on one surface of a base material (30), and it is preferable to have a heat-resistant lubricity layer (32) on the other surface of the base material (30). Further, the thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer may further have a release layer between the coloring material layer (31) and the base material (30), or the coloring material layer (31) may be formed of a plurality of layers.

[0059] (Base material) As the base material used for the thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer, the same base materials as those described above can be used as those that can be used for the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention. Further, as described above, the mask layer and the coloring material layer of the present invention may be provided in the longitudinal direction on the same base material in sequence.

[0060] (Coloring material layer) When a release layer or the like is not provided between the base material and the coloring material layer, the coloring material layer is a layer directly laminated on the base material. The coloring material layer can be configured by adding a pigment or a dye, which is a coloring material, to a resin serving as a binder. The coloring material layer may contain particles for the purpose of improving the sharpness of the coloring material layer during transfer, or may contain wax for the purpose of improving transferability or the like. When using a pigment, it is preferable to use a pigment dispersant for the purpose of dispersing the pigment in the coloring material layer.

[0061] (Resin component) As the resin component contained in the coloring material layer, any resin can be used. However, considering the sharpness of the coloring material layer during primary transfer to the intermediate transfer recording medium, the adhesiveness to the image receiving layer, and the adhesiveness to the transfer object during secondary transfer, it is preferable to use a resin having excellent adhesiveness such as an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin.

[0062] The content ratio of the resin component contained in the coloring material layer is preferably 5% by weight or more and 90% by weight or less based on the solid content of the coloring material layer. When the content ratio of the resin component is less than 5% by weight, the film strength of the coloring material layer is insufficient, and so-called powder falling, in which a part of the coloring material layer becomes powdery and falls off from the coloring material layer or the base material, is likely to occur when not in use. On the other hand, when the content of the resin component exceeds 90% by weight, although it depends on the color of the coloring material, the amount of the pigment and / or dye that can be contained is small, so sufficient printing density cannot be obtained.

[0063] The thickness of the coloring material layer (dry thickness, the same hereinafter) is preferably 0.3 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less. When the thickness of the coloring material layer is less than 0.3 μm, sufficient density cannot be obtained for the printing and printing images produced by transferring the coloring material layer. On the other hand, when the thickness of the coloring material layer exceeds 2.0 μm, the sharpness of the transfer layer during secondary transfer of the portion where the coloring material layer is transferred decreases, and planar peeling of the transfer layer is likely to occur.

[0064] The coloring material layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in a suitable solvent to form a coating liquid, and coating the coating liquid on the base material by known means similar to the mask layer to form a coating film, and then drying it.

[0065] Within the range that does not inhibit the various functions required of the coloring material layer, the coloring material layer may contain various additives. Examples of the additives include plasticizers, defoamers, surfactants, antioxidants, dispersants, tackifiers, and the like.

[0066] (Heat-resistant lubricity layer) Even in the heat transfer recording medium having a coloring material layer, it is preferable to provide a heat-resistant lubricity layer on the base material surface on the side opposite to the surface provided with the coloring material layer. As the material and layer thickness of the heat-resistant lubricity layer, the same ones as those of the heat transfer recording medium provided with the mask layer can be used, and the method for forming the heat-resistant lubricity layer is also the same as that of the heat-resistant lubricity layer of the heat transfer recording medium provided with the mask layer.

[0067] (Transfer body) As the transfer body for secondarily transferring the printing and imaging formed on the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium using the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of the present invention, various types of transfer bodies can be used, but particularly cards are suitable as the transfer body. Examples of the materials of the cards include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene-co-1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PETG), and the like. Also, in the portion where a magnetic layer is printed or attached to the card surface, the transferability of the transfer layer such as the image receiving layer from the intermediate transfer recording medium is the worst. In order to improve the transferability to such a magnetic layer, it is effective to lower the peeling force of the peeling layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium. However, even for such an intermediate transfer recording medium with a lowered peeling force of the peeling layer, if the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of the present invention is used, the mask layer will not strongly adhere to the transfer body, and the mask layer and the transfer layer such as the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium where the mask layer is transferred will not be transferred from the intermediate transfer recording medium to the card or the like which is the transfer body.

[0068] (Examples) The present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the following examples and comparative examples. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by these examples. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the amounts of each material expressed in parts are by weight.

[0069] (Thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer) (Example 1) (Heat-resistant lubricious layer) (Premix ink for heat-resistant lubricious layer) The materials of the following formulation were kneaded to prepare a premix ink for a heat-resistant lubricious layer. Silicone urethane resin solution (solid content 25%) 32.33 parts Melamine-formaldehyde resin particles (Average particle diameter: 0.2 μm, solid content 100%) 0.30 part Methyl ethyl ketone 67.37 parts Next, the ink for a heat-resistant lubricious layer prepared by kneading the materials of the following formulation was coated on a 4.5-μm-thick PET film used as a substrate so that the thickness after drying would be 0.2 μm, and dried to form a heat-resistant lubricious layer. (Ink for heat-resistant lubricious layer) Premix ink for heat-resistant lubricious layer 29.75 parts Polyisocyanate solution (solid content 45%) 4.50 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 55.75 parts Toluene 10.00 parts

[0070] (Mask layer) The materials of the following formulation were kneaded to prepare a mask layer ink, which was coated on the substrate on the side opposite to the side on which the heat-resistant lubricious layer of the substrate was laminated so that the thickness after drying would be 0.7 μm, and dried to form a mask layer, thereby obtaining a thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1. PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 2.14 parts Fisher-Tropsch wax (melting point 105°C, solid content 100%) 0.92 part Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142°C, solid content 100%) 1.64 parts Toluene 31.72 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.59 parts

[0071] (Example 2) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 2.08 parts Fisher-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 °C, solid content 100%) 0.89 part Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 °C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

[0072] (Example 3) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 3 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 1.19 parts Fisher-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 °C, solid content 100%) 1.19 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 °C, solid content 100%) 3.56 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

[0073] (Example 4) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 4.15 parts Fisher-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 °C, solid content 100%) 1.49 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 °C, solid content 100%) 0.30 part Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

[0074] (Example 5) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 5 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 2.37 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 °C, solid content 100%) 0.60 part Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 °C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

[0075] (Example 6) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 6 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 1.96 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 °C, solid content 100%) 1.01 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

[0076] (Example 7) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 7 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 1.13 parts Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 °C, solid content 100%) 1.19 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 °C, solid content 100%) 3.62 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

[0077] (Example 8) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 8 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 4.22 parts Fisher-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 °C, solid content 100%) 1.48 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 °C, solid content 100%) 0.24 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

[0078] (Example 9) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 9 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 2.44 parts Fisher-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 °C, solid content 100%) 0.54 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 °C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

[0079] (Example 10) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 10 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 1.78 parts Fisher-Tropsch wax (melting point 105 °C, solid content 100%) 3.03 parts Cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142 °C, solid content 100%) 1.13 parts Toluene 30.85 parts Isopropyl alcohol 13.21 parts

[0080] (Example 11) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 11 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105°C) was changed to microcrystalline wax (melting point 84°C).

[0081] (Comparative Example 1) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. 3.56 parts of PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 2.38 parts of cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142°C, solid content 100%) 30.85 parts of toluene 13.21 parts of isopropyl alcohol

[0082] (Comparative Example 2) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Comparative Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. 3.56 parts of PTFE resin particles (average particle diameter 2.8 μm, solid content 100%) 2.38 parts of Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105°C, solid content 100%) 30.85 parts of toluene 13.21 parts of isopropyl alcohol

[0083] (Comparative Example 3) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Comparative Example 3 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that the mask layer ink was changed to the following formulation. 2.97 parts of Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105°C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts of cellulose acetate propionate (molecular weight 25000, Tg 142°C, solid content 100%) 30.85 parts of toluene 13.21 parts of isopropyl alcohol

[0084] (Comparative Example 4) A heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Comparative Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1, except that Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 105°C) was changed to microcrystalline wax (melting point 75°C).

[0085] (Heat transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer) (Heat-resistant lubricity layer) (Premix ink for heat-resistant lubricity layer) The ink for heat-resistant lubricity layer used in the heat transfer recording medium with a mask layer of Example 1 was adjusted so that the thickness after drying would be 0.20 μm on a 4.5-μm PET film used as a base material, and then coated and dried on the base material to form a heat-resistant lubricity layer.

[0086] (Coloring material layer) The coloring material layer ink prepared by kneading the materials of the following formulation was coated and dried on the base material on the side opposite to the side on which the heat-resistant lubricity layer of the base material was laminated so that the thickness after drying would be 0.7 μm to form a coloring material layer. Acrylic resin (molecular weight 30000, Tg 75°C, solid content 100%) 4.96 parts Epoxy resin (molecular weight 1650, softening point 97°C, epoxy equivalent 925, solid content 100%) 1.65 parts Polyester-based polymer dispersant (solid content 100%) 2.99 parts Carbon black 21.52 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 35.77 parts Propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 3.11 parts

[0087] (Intermediate transfer recording medium 1) The release layer ink and the image receiving layer ink were prepared by kneading the materials of the following formulation. Release layer ink 1 was coated and dried on one surface of a 12-μm PET base material so that the thickness after drying would be 1.1 μm to form a release layer. The image receiving layer ink was coated and dried on the release layer so that the thickness after drying would be 1.0 μm to form an image receiving layer, thereby obtaining an intermediate transfer recording medium 1. (Preparation of coating liquids for each layer) (Release layer ink 1) Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30%, average particle size 12 nm) 46.20 parts Saturated copolymerized polyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32,000, Tg -22°C, solid content 30%) 0.66 part Acrylic resin (molecular weight 25,000, Tg 105°C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Acrylic resin (molecular weight 28,000, Tg 105°C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 45.31 parts Propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 1.89 parts

[0088] (Image receiving layer ink) Acrylic resin (molecular weight 25,000, Tg 105°C, solid content 100%) 15.00 parts Bisphenol A type epoxy resin (molecular weight 3,800, softening point 144°C, epoxy equivalent 2,850, solid content 100%) 4.00 parts Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer (molecular weight 50,000, Tg 70°C, solid content 100%) 1.00 part Methyl ethyl ketone 77.60 parts Propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 2.40 parts

[0089] (Intermediate transfer recording medium 2) An intermediate transfer recording medium 2 was obtained in the same manner as intermediate transfer recording medium 1, except that the release layer ink 1 was changed to the release layer ink 2 with the following formulation. (Release layer ink 2) Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30%, average particle size 12 nm) 46.20 parts Saturated copolymerized polyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32,000, Tg -22°C, solid content 30%) 1.35 parts Acrylic resin (molecular weight 25,000, Tg 105°C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Acrylic resin (molecular weight 28,000, Tg 105°C, solid content 100%) 2.97 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 45.31 parts 1.89 parts of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate

[0090] (Intermediate transfer recording medium 3) The intermediate transfer recording medium 3 was obtained in the same manner as the intermediate transfer recording medium 1, except that the release layer ink 1 was changed to the release layer ink 3 with the following formulation. (Release layer ink 3) 45.58 parts of organosol-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30%, average particle diameter 12 nm) 2.01 parts of saturated copolymerized polyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32000, Tg -22 °C, solid content 30%) 2.93 parts of acrylic resin (molecular weight 25000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.93 parts of acrylic resin (molecular weight 28000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 44.69 parts of methyl ethyl ketone 1.86 parts of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate

[0091] (Intermediate transfer recording medium 4) The intermediate transfer recording medium 4 was obtained in the same manner as the intermediate transfer recording medium 1, except that the release layer ink 1 was changed to the release layer ink 4 with the following formulation. (Release layer ink 4) 45.58 parts of organosol-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30%, average particle diameter 12 nm) 2.55 parts of saturated copolymerized polyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32000, Tg -22 °C, solid content 30%) 2.93 parts of acrylic resin (molecular weight 25000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.93 parts of acrylic resin (molecular weight 28000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 44.69 parts of methyl ethyl ketone 1.86 parts of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate

[0092] (Intermediate transfer recording medium 5) The intermediate transfer recording medium 5 was obtained in the same manner as the intermediate transfer recording medium 1, except that the release layer ink 1 was changed to the release layer ink 5 with the following formulation. (Release layer ink 5) Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30%, average particle diameter 12 nm) 46.42 parts Saturated copolymerized polyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32,000, Tg -22 °C, solid content 30%) 0.20 part Acrylic resin (molecular weight 25,000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.98 parts Acrylic resin (molecular weight 28,000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.98 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 45.52 parts Propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 1.90 parts

[0093] (Intermediate transfer recording medium 6) An intermediate transfer recording medium 6 was obtained in the same manner as the intermediate transfer recording medium 1, except that the release layer ink 1 was changed to the release layer ink 6 with the following formulation. (Release layer ink 6) Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30%, average particle diameter 12 nm) 44.94 parts Saturated copolymerized polyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32,000, Tg -22 °C, solid content 30%) 3.38 parts Acrylic resin (molecular weight 25,000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.89 parts Acrylic resin (molecular weight 28,000, Tg 105 °C, solid content 100%) 2.89 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 44.07 parts Propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 1.84 parts

[0094] (Intermediate transfer recording medium 7) An intermediate transfer recording medium 7 was obtained in the same manner as the intermediate transfer recording medium 1, except that the release layer ink 1 was changed to the release layer ink 7 with the following formulation. (Release layer ink 7) Organic solvent-dispersed colloidal silica (solid content 30%, average particle diameter 12 nm) 43.32 parts Saturated copolymerized polyester urethane resin (molecular weight 32,000, Tg -22 °C, solid content 30%) 6.87 parts Acrylic resin (molecular weight 25,000, Tg 105°C, solid content 100%) 2.78 parts Acrylic resin (molecular weight 28,000, Tg 105°C, solid content 100%) 2.78 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 42.47 parts Propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 1.77 parts

[0095] (Method for evaluating the peeling force of the intermediate transfer recording medium) Cut the intermediate transfer recording medium into a width of 1 inch (25.4 mm). On the image receiving layer surface of the intermediate transfer recording medium, attach the adhesive surface of the mending tape "Scotch (registered trademark) mending tape 810 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Limited), width 18 mm" so that it is parallel to the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape does not protrude from the intermediate transfer recording medium, excluding one end in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer recording medium. When attaching the image receiving layer and the adhesive surface, attach them so that no bubbles enter between the image receiving layer and the adhesive surface. Press the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape in a method of reciprocating a 2 Kg roller twice, and leave it at room temperature for 24 hours after pressing. Hold the respective knob portions (the non-attached portion at one end) of the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape with the fixture of the measuring machine so that the portion where the intermediate transfer recording medium and the mending tape are bonded is on the lower side in the direction of gravity. Next, operate the measuring machine to measure the peeling force. The peeling force measurement is carried out using a tensile testing machine HEIDON-14 manufactured by Shinto Kagaku Co., Ltd. in the T peeling mode (90-degree peeling) under the conditions of a peeling speed of 3064 mm / min in an atmosphere of 25°C and 60% RH. The peeling forces of intermediate transfer recording media 1 to 7 were measured by the above method. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

[0096] (Transfer evaluation of the intermediate transfer recording medium) On each image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording media 1 to 7, a predetermined printing pattern is transferred by the following primary transfer printing method using the above heat transfer recording media with a coloring material layer. Next, the image receiving layers of the intermediate transfer recording media 1 to 7 on which the predetermined printing pattern has been transferred are transferred to the surface of the card, which is the transfer target, by the following secondary transfer method. As the card for secondary transfer, a card made of PVC with a magnetic layer (magnetic stripe) provided on a part of the surface to be secondarily transferred was used.

[0097] The printing formed by the secondary transfer on the surface of the card produced with each intermediate transfer recording medium was visually confirmed and also confirmed using a magnifying lens with a magnification of 5 times, and evaluated according to the following criteria. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. Evaluation criterion ◎: When visually checking the transfer target, all the transfer layers were surely transferred to the entire surface of the transfer target including the magnetic stripe part. Also, after the peeling of the transfer layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium side, no remaining transfer layer that was not transferred was confirmed. Also, after the peeling of the transfer layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium side, no remaining transfer layer that was not transferred was confirmed. After the peeling of the transfer layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium side, no remaining transfer layer that was not transferred was confirmed. ○: When visually checking the transfer target, all the transfer layers seem to be surely transferred to the entire surface of the transfer target including the magnetic stripe part, but after the peeling of the transfer layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium side, fine transfer layers that were not transferred were confirmed. When visually checking the transfer target, all the transfer layers seem to be surely transferred to the entire surface of the transfer target including the magnetic stripe part, but after the peeling of the transfer layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium side, fine transfer layers that were not transferred were confirmed. After the peeling of the transfer layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium side, fine transfer layers that were not transferred were confirmed. △: When visually checking the transfer target, fine cracks in the transfer layer were confirmed in the magnetic stripe part. Or, the transfer layer protruded in a burr shape from the periphery of the card that was the transfer target, but when confirmed with a magnifying lens with a magnification of 5 times, the protruding amount was less than 0.5 mm. When visually checking the transfer target, fine cracks in the transfer layer were confirmed in the magnetic stripe part. Or, the transfer layer protruded in a burr shape from the periphery of the card that was the transfer target, but when confirmed with a magnifying lens with a magnification of 5 times, the protruding amount was less than 0.5 mm. The protruding amount was less than 0.5 mm. ×: When visually checking the transfer target, a part where the transfer layer was not transferred was confirmed in the magnetic stripe part. Or, the transfer layer protruded in a burr shape from the periphery of the card that was the transfer target, and when confirmed with a magnifying lens with a magnification of 5 times, the protruding amount was 0.5 mm or more. When visually checking the transfer target, a part where the transfer layer was not transferred was confirmed in the magnetic stripe part. Or, the transfer layer protruded in a burr shape from the periphery of the card that was the transfer target, and when confirmed with a magnifying lens with a magnification of 5 times, the protruding amount was 0.5 mm or more. The protruding amount was 0.5 mm or more.

[0098] (Primary transfer printing method) Using an SG-408R printer manufactured by SATO Corporation, a predetermined print (print pattern) is printed on the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium using the thermal transfer recording medium with the above-mentioned colorant layer at a printing speed of 4 inches / sec, energy of 3B, and printing resolution of 200 dpi.

[0099] (Secondary transfer method) The image receiving layer surface of each intermediate transfer recording medium to which the print pattern was transferred by the primary transfer is set to face the transferee, and the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium is transferred to the transferee together with the print pattern formed on the image receiving layer by the primary transfer by a roll type thermal transfer machine. The transfer conditions by the roll type thermal transfer machine were: surface temperature (transfer temperature) of the silicone rubber roll used as the transfer roll: 190°C, pressure (transfer pressure): 118N (12kg), and feed speed of the intermediate transfer recording medium and the transferee: 35mm / sec.

[0100] (Table 1) TIFF0007691917000001.tif47141

[0101] (Evaluation of the Handling of Thermal Transfer Recording Media with Mask Layer) The thermal transfer recording medium with the mask layer of each Example and Comparative Example was cut into a sheet of 100 mm width and 200 mm length, the sheet was rubbed with hands, and the presence or absence of the mask layer falling off was visually confirmed and evaluated according to the following criteria. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2. Evaluation criteria: .circle-solid.: The mask layer does not fall off from the substrate even when rubbed with hands. ○: When rubbed with hands, the mask layer slightly falls off from the base material, but the amount of falling off is This is at a level that does not affect the functionality of the screen. ×: The mask layer falls off from the base material when rubbed with hands. (Due to the mask layer falling off, Even if the mask layer is transferred using a thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer, the mask layer It is at a level where it can no longer function as a

[0102] (Primary transfer evaluation of thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer) On the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium 2, a predetermined printing pattern was transferred by the above-described printing method for the thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer using the above-described thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer. Next, on the image receiving layer onto which the coloring material layer was transferred, a predetermined printing pattern different from the printing pattern of the thermal transfer recording medium with a coloring material layer was transferred using the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of each example and each comparative example. However, for the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer for which the result of the handling property evaluation was ×, the primary transfer evaluation was not performed. The printing formed by transferring the mask layer onto the image receiving layer was visually confirmed and confirmed using a magnifying lens with a magnification of 5 times, and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results of this evaluation are shown in Table 2. Evaluation criterion ◎: Even fine lines with a width of 0.125 mm (the minimum line width drawn with dots at a printing resolution of 200 dpi) and small characters with a character height of 0.875 mm (the character height drawn with 7 dots vertically and 5 dots horizontally at a printing resolution of 200 dpi) can be printed finely without chipping. ○: For fine lines with a width of 0.125 mm and small characters with a character height of 0.875 mm, there are slight chips, and it can be confirmed that there is roundness in the thickness of the characters and the parts that should originally be the edges, but the characters are at a legible level. ×: For fine lines with a width of 0.125 mm and small characters with a character height of 0.875 mm, due to chipping or smudging, it is at an illegible level.

[0103] (Secondary transfer evaluation of the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer) In the primary transfer evaluation, onto the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium 2, using the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer of each example and each comparative example, the intermediate transfer recording medium onto which the mask layer was transferred was used, and the image receiving layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium was transferred onto the surface of the card, which is the object to be transferred, by the above-described secondary transfer method. As the card for secondary transfer, a card made of PVC with a magnetic stripe provided on a part of the surface to be secondary transferred was used. However, for the intermediate transfer recording medium produced using the thermal transfer recording medium with a mask layer for which the result of the above-described primary transfer evaluation was ×, the secondary transfer evaluation was not performed. The printing formed by transferring onto the object to be transferred was visually confirmed and confirmed using a magnifying lens with a magnification of 5 times, and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results of this evaluation are shown in Table 2. Evaluation criterion ◎: The mask layer is not transferred at all and the mask layer functions perfectly. ○: Part of the mask layer is transferred, but the image receiving layer or the colorant layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium under the part covered by the mask layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium is not transferred, and the mask layer functions. The image receiving layer or the colorant layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium under the part covered by the mask layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium is not transferred, and the mask layer functions. ×: When the mask layer is transferred, the image receiving layer or the colorant layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium that was covered by the mask layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium is also transferred, and the mask layer does not function. The image receiving layer or the colorant layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium that was covered by the mask layer on the intermediate transfer recording medium is also transferred, and the mask layer does not function.

[0104] (Table 2) TIFF0007691917000002.tif83145

Explanation of symbols

[0105] 10… Substrate (thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer) 11… Mask layer (thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer) 12… Heat-resistant and lubricious layer (thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer) 20… Substrate (intermediate transfer recording medium) 21… Release layer (intermediate transfer recording medium) 22… Image receiving layer (intermediate transfer recording medium) 30… Substrate (thermal transfer recording medium with colorant layer) 31… Colorant layer (thermal transfer recording medium with colorant layer) 32… Heat-resistant and lubricious layer (thermal transfer recording medium with colorant layer) A… Thermal transfer recording medium with mask layer B… Intermediate transfer recording medium C… Thermal transfer recording medium with colorant layer D… Object to be transferred (card)​​

Claims

1. A thermal transfer recording medium for an intermediate transfer recording medium, characterized by having a mask layer containing at least wax with a melting point of 80 °C or higher, fluorine-based particles, and cellulose acetate resin on one surface of a substrate.

2. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the content of the wax is 10% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less in the solid content of the mask layer, the content of the fluorine-based particles is 20% by weight or more and 70% by weight or less in the solid content of the mask layer, and the content of the cellulose acetate resin is 5% by weight or more and 60% by weight or less in the solid content of the mask layer.

3. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the average particle diameter of the fluorine-based particles is 0.5 μm or more and 4 μm or less.

4. The thermal transfer recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the intermediate transfer recording medium is for card printing.

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