Transfer method, method for manufacturing printed matter, and transfer device

Abstract

Provided is a transfer method in which a functional powder is used while reducing manufacturing labor and manufacturing costs.　This transfer method comprises a printing step, a powder application step, and a pressing step. In the printing step, an image IM is printed on a medium M with ink. In the powder application step, a hot-melt powder HP (adhesive material) into which functional powder FP is mixed is applied to the image IM on the medium M. In the pressing step, the image IM, on which an adhesive layer AL formed by the hot-melt powder HP is laminated, is transferred to a workpiece Wk by superposing and pressing the printing surface of the image IM on the medium M onto the workpiece Wk.

Description

Transfer method, manufacturing method of printed matter, and transfer device

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer method, a method for producing a printed matter, and a transfer device.

[0002] DTF (Direct to Film) is a transfer method. An image is printed on a film using a printer, and an adhesive is applied to the image. The printed surface of the film is placed on a workpiece, heat-pressed, and then the film is peeled off, transferring the image to the workpiece (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-312196

[0004] In recent years, user needs have become more diverse, and in addition to simply transferring images printed with standard color inks to workpieces, there is a demand for adding functional powders, such as phosphorescent pigments and effect pigments. However, functional powders generally have large particle sizes, making them difficult to print onto film using a standard inkjet printer. This requires a separate process for applying these pigments to the workpiece, separate from the process for transferring the image onto the film, which can increase manufacturing man-hours and costs.

[0005] There is a need to provide a transfer method using functional powder while reducing the number of manufacturing steps and manufacturing costs.

[0006] A transfer method in one aspect of the present invention includes: (1) a printing step of printing an image on a medium; an application step of applying an adhesive mixed with a functional powder to the image on the medium; and a pressing step of transferring the image with the adhesive applied to the work by placing the printed surface of the image on the medium on top of a work and pressing it.

[0007] (2) In the transfer method of (1), the applying step applies the adhesive mixed with luminescent powder, and the printing step includes a white printing step of printing white ink over the entire area of ​​the medium where the image is to be printed, and a color printing step of printing a masking portion MK with color ink within the area to block the light emission from the luminescent powder.

[0008] (3) In the transfer method of (2) above, in the color printing step, the portion of the area other than the masking portion MK is printed with white ink or clear ink.

[0009] (4) In the transfer method of (1), the printing step includes a color printing step of printing an image on the medium with ink containing color ink, and a white printing step of printing white ink over the image printed in the color printing step, and in the application step, the adhesive mixed with the functional powder is applied to the white ink printed in the white printing step, and in the color printing step, areas of the image that block the functional powder are printed with the color ink, and areas that transmit the functional powder are printed with clear ink or white ink.

[0010] (5) In the transfer method of (4), the functional powder is an effect pigment, and in the white printing step, clear ink is printed in the areas of the image that overlap with areas that transmit the effect pigment.

[0011] (6) The transfer method of (1) includes the steps of: printing the first image on the medium with clear ink in the printing step; applying the adhesive mixed with the functional powder to the first image in the application step; and pressing the first image of the medium onto a region of the workpiece including a portion where a second image printed with the ink containing color ink has been transferred.

[0012] (7) The transfer method of (6) includes a color printing step of printing the second image on the medium with ink containing color ink; a white printing step of printing white ink over the second image printed in the color printing step; a second application step of applying the adhesive not mixed with the functional powder to the white ink printed in the white printing step; and a pressing step of transferring the second image with the adhesive applied to the work by pressing the printed surface of the second image on the medium over a workpiece.

[0013] A transfer method in one aspect of the present invention includes: (8) a first printing step of printing the first image on a medium with clear ink; a first applying step of applying functional powder to the first image; a second printing step of printing a second image on the medium with ink containing a pigment in an area including the portion on which the first image is printed; a second applying step of applying adhesive to the first image and the second image on the medium; and a pressing step of transferring the first image and the second image with the adhesive applied to the work by overlapping the printed surfaces of the first image and the second image on the medium on a work and pressing them.

[0014] (9) In the transfer method of (8), in the first printing step, a mark indicating the area is printed on the medium, and in the second printing step, the printing position of the second image is adjusted based on the mark.

[0015] (10) In the transfer method of (8) or (9), a third printing step of printing white ink over the first image and the second image is included between the second printing step and the second application step.

[0016] A method for producing a printed matter according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: (11) the transfer method according to any one of (1) to (10) above.

[0017] A transfer system in one aspect of the present invention includes: (12) a printing device that prints an image on a medium with ink; an adhesive applying device that applies an adhesive mixed with functional powder to the image on the medium; and a pressing device that transfers the image with the adhesive applied to the work by placing the printed surface of the image on the medium on top of a work and pressing it.

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a transfer method using functional powder while reducing the number of manufacturing steps and manufacturing costs.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a transfer system 1 according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating basic steps of a transfer method according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating each step of the transfer method; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a printing step; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a printing step; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a printing step; FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating details of a first transfer step; FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating details of a second transfer step; FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a transfer example of modified example 1; FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a transfer method according to modified example 2; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a transfer example of modified example 2.

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a transfer system 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the basic steps of a transfer method according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating each step of the transfer method. FIG. 3(a) shows an example of an image IM printed on a medium M in a printing step. FIG. 3(b) shows an adhesive layer AL formed on the image IM in a laminating step and a heating step. FIG. 3(c) shows a state in which the medium M is superimposed on a workpiece Wk before a pressing step. FIG. 3(d) shows a workpiece Wk after a peeling step. In the drawings, the adhesive layer AL is indicated by cross-hatching.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer system 1 includes a printer 2 (printing device), a shaker 4 (adhesive application device), and a heat press 8 (press device). The X, Y, and Z directions shown in FIG. 1 are intended to illustrate an example of the positional relationship between the printer 2 and the shaker 4. The Z direction is along the vertical line (the direction of gravity) and is the up-down direction on the paper surface of FIG. 1. The X and Y directions are along the horizontal direction and are perpendicular to the Z direction. Note that the thickness of the media M in the heat press 8 in FIG. 1 is exaggerated.

[0022] The transfer system 1 can produce a printed material by transferring an image IM (see FIG. 3 ) to a workpiece Wk using, for example, a transfer method called DTF (Direct to Film). In DTF, the image IM is transferred to the workpiece Wk by placing a medium M printed with the image IM on the workpiece Wk and heat-pressing it. The medium M can be, for example, a resin film with a release layer formed on its surface. Note that media M other than film, such as paper, can also be used as long as it is treated so that the image IM can be peeled from the medium after transfer. The workpiece Wk can be made of, for example, fabrics made from various fibers such as cotton, polyester, and nylon, leather, nonwoven fabric, wood, metal plates, or materials that combine at least some of these. The workpiece Wk can be, for example, clothing such as T-shirts made from these materials, or cloth products such as tapestries and banners.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2 , the transfer method (a method for manufacturing a printed material) executed by the transfer system 1 includes a printing step (step S01), a powder application step (step S02), a powder fixing step (step S03), a pressing step (step S04), and a peeling step (step S05). As shown in FIG. 1 , in the printing step, a printer 2 prints an image IM on a medium M (see FIG. 3A). As shown in FIG. 1 , in the powder application step, a shaker 4 applies hot melt powder HP (adhesive) to the image IM printed on the medium M. As will be described in detail later, the hot melt powder HP contains a functional powder FP. As shown in FIG. 1 , in the powder fixing step, the shaker 4 heats the medium M, melting the hot melt powder HP applied to the image IM and fixing it to the image IM. This forms an adhesive layer AL (see FIG. 3B) on the surface of the image IM. In the pressing process, the printed surface of the image IM on the media M is superimposed on the surface of the workpiece Wk (see FIG. 3(c)), and the media M and the workpiece Wk are pressed together using a heat press 8 (see FIG. 1). This causes the image IM, on which the adhesive layer AL has been formed, to adhere to the workpiece Wk. In the peeling process, the media M is peeled off from the workpiece Wk. This completes a printed product in which the image IM has been transferred to the workpiece Wk, as shown in FIG. 3(d). Note that, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(d), the image IM transferred to the workpiece Wk is a reversed version of the image IM printed by the printer 2.

[0024] The printer 2 may be, for example, an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting droplets of ink from nozzles 23. FIG. 1 shows, as an example, a printer 2 that prints while unwinding a rolled medium M and transporting it in the X direction. The printer 2 includes a platen 21 that supports the medium M, and a head 22 that faces the platen 21 in the Z direction and ejects ink onto the medium M supported by the platen 21. The head 22 is disposed with a gap between it and the upper surface of the platen 21. The lower surface of the head 22 that faces the platen 21 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 23 that are ink ejection openings. The head 22 is movable in the Y direction by a movement mechanism (not shown).

[0025] A shaft 24 is provided on the X1 side of the platen 21, and is rotatable about an axis Y1 along the Y direction. The media M is wound in a roll and supported on the outer periphery of the shaft 24. When the media M is sent out to the X2 side by a sending mechanism (not shown), the shaft 24 rotates clockwise about the axis Y1 to pay out the media M. The media M is wound around the top surface of the platen 21 in a direction transverse to the X direction. Ink is ejected from the nozzles 23 of the head 22 onto the media M located on the top surface of the platen 21.

[0026] Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the head 22 of the printer 2 has a nozzle row in which multiple nozzles 23 are arranged, and each nozzle row can be configured to eject a different type of ink. The ink used in the printer 2 is not limited to a specific type, but water-based ink can be used in DTF. The ink can be, for example, an ink containing a pigment, which is a coloring material. The pigment-containing ink can be, for example, a process color ink of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), or K (black) (hereinafter referred to as "color ink"), or a white ink. Alternatively, the ink can be a clear ink that does not contain a coloring material such as a pigment.

[0027] Although not shown in the figures, the printer 2 includes a controller that controls the operation of each component. Print data created based on data of an image to be printed on the medium M is input to the controller. The controller controls the type of ink to be ejected onto the medium M, as well as the ejection position and ejection amount of each ink, in accordance with the print data, thereby printing an image on the medium M.

[0028] 1, the printer 2 can be equipped with a sensor 25 capable of sensing the medium M. The sensor 25 can be, for example, an optical sensor equipped with a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit and reflected by the medium M. Alternatively, the sensor 25 can be a camera that can photograph the medium M. The controller of the printer 2 can adjust the operation of each unit of the printer 2 based on the detection results of the sensor 25.

[0029] After the printing process is completed, the medium M is sent out from the platen 21 by a sending mechanism (not shown) and carried into the shaker 4 located on the X2 side of the printer 2. Note that while Figure 1 shows the printer 2 compatible with roll-shaped medium M, the printer 2 may also be one that prints on, for example, sheet-shaped or board-shaped medium M. In this case, the printer 2 may include a flat table platen 21 and a movement mechanism that moves the head 22 relative to the platen 21 in the X and Y directions.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 , the shaker 4 includes an application unit 41 that applies hot melt powder HP to the medium M, a heating unit 44 that heats the medium M to which the hot melt powder HP has been applied, and a winding unit 47 that winds up the dried medium M into a roll. The application unit 41, heating unit 44, and winding unit 47 are arranged in this order from the X1 side to the X2 side in the X direction. The winding unit 47 includes a shaft 48 that extends along the Y direction and a motor (not shown) that rotates the shaft 48 about an axis Y2 that extends along the Y direction. The medium M is supported by being wound in a roll around the outer periphery of the shaft 48. The motor rotates the shaft 48 counterclockwise about the axis Y2, transporting the medium M from the printer 2 toward the X2 side in the X direction, passing through the application unit 41 and heating unit 44, and being wound up around the outer periphery of the shaft 48.

[0031] 1, a support section 45 that supports the media M is provided below the heating section 44 of the shaker 4 in the Z direction. A recess Mb for the media M is formed below the application section 41 of the shaker 4 in the Z direction. The media M loaded into the shaker 4 hangs down in the Z direction due to its own weight between the platen 21 of the printer 2 and the support section 45 provided below the heating section 44 in the Z direction, forming the recess Mb. The recess Mb is formed in a position that overlaps with the application section 41 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0032] The application unit 41 can be configured, for example, from a nozzle that sprays hot melt powder HP. The application unit 41 supplies the hot melt powder HP to the recessed portion Mb of the medium M located below. As a result, the hot melt powder HP supplied from the application unit 41 accumulates in the recessed portion Mb. As the medium M passes through the recessed portion Mb, it comes into contact with the hot melt powder HP accumulated in the recessed portion Mb. The hot melt powder HP comes into contact with the image printed on the medium M. Because the medium M is transported directly from the printer 2 to the shaker, the ink in the image printed on the medium is not yet dry. Therefore, the hot melt powder HP adheres to the wet image (powder application process).

[0033] A vibration mechanism 45a is built into the support unit 45 provided on the X2 side of the application unit 41. Because the media M is supported by the support unit 45, the vibration of the vibration mechanism 45a is transmitted via the support unit 45 to the entire media M being transported through the shaker 4. Vibration of the media M causes the hot melt powder HP to move over the media, making it easier to adhere to the image. Vibration of the media also allows excess hot melt powder HP not adhering to the image to fall off the media M.

[0034] Known hot melt powders for DTF can be used. Suitable hot melt powders include, for example, resin powders containing urethane, acrylic, polyester, polyamide, or mixtures thereof. Furthermore, hot melt powders can be, for example, those primarily composed of thermoplastic polymers and free of water or organic solvents. Hot melt powders that are solid at room temperature and melt and become sticky when heated can be used.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1 , functional powder FP can be mixed with hot melt powder HP. Functional powder FP is a powder with optical or visual effects, imparting functions such as luminescence and decorative features to printed materials. Functional powder FP can include, for example, phosphorescent pigments (luminous powders) and effect pigments. Phosphorescent pigments are pigments containing a phosphorescent substance (e.g., strontium aluminate) that stores light and emits light in the dark. Effect pigments can be decorative pigments such as glitter pigments, glitter pigments, and pearl pigments. Effect pigments can include, for example, aluminum, alumina, silica, glass, and other flakes. Effect pigments can include, for example, powders of crushed minerals such as mica and tourmaline, shells, and fish scales, as well as powders of bismuth oxychloride, titanium oxide-coated borosilicate, bismuth oxychloride, and stainless steel.

[0036] As described above, there are various types of functional powder FP. Any one of these functional powders FP may be mixed with the hot melt powder HP, or multiple types may be mixed in combination. The mixing ratio of the functional powder FP and the hot melt powder HP can be determined appropriately, taking into consideration the balance between the functionality required of the functional powder FP and the adhesiveness required of the hot melt powder HP. Instead of providing an application unit 41 such as a spray nozzle, the user may manually supply the hot melt powder HP to the recesses Mb of the media M.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the heating unit 44 includes a heater 46 that heats the medium M. By heating the medium M, the heater 46 dries the ink in the image that has not yet dried and melts the hot melt powder HP that has adhered to the image, thereby fixing it to the image (powder fixing process). Furthermore, the hot melt powder HP becomes sticky when melted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, an adhesive layer AL that can be adhered to the workpiece Wk is formed on the surface of the image IM.

[0038] 1 shows an example in which the shaker 4 is integrally provided with the heater 46, which is a mechanism for heating the media M, but a mechanism for heating the media M may be provided separately from the shaker 4. For example, if the media M is in a sheet form rather than a roll form, an oven or the like may be provided as a mechanism for heating the media M. The heating conditions for the media M are not limited, but it is conceivable to maintain a heating temperature of about 130°C (e.g., about 120 to 150°C) for about 5 minutes (e.g., about 1 to 10 minutes).

[0039] The medium M that has passed through the heating unit 44 is wound up in a roll on the shaft 48 of the winding unit 47. The user cuts out an area (see FIG. 3B) from the medium M wound up on the shaft 48 that includes the image IM to be transferred to the workpiece Wk, and overlays it on the workpiece Wk. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3C, the printed surface of the image IM of the medium M is overlaid on the surface of the workpiece Wk. As a result, the adhesive layer AL formed on the surface of the image IM comes into contact with the surface of the workpiece Wk. The user presses the workpiece Wk with the medium M overlaid on it using a heat press 8.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1 , the heat press machine 8 includes a placement section 81 on which the workpiece Wk is placed, and a press section 82 that is disposed above the placement section 81 in the Z direction and sandwiches and presses the workpiece Wk between the placement section 81. A heater 83 is built into the placement section 81. A user places the workpiece Wk, which has the medium M superimposed thereon, on the placement section 81 and drives the heater 83 to heat the medium M. The user presses down on the press section 82, sandwiching and pressing the workpiece Wk between the press section 82 and the placement section 81. As a result, the image IM with the adhesive layer AL formed thereon is pressed against the surface of the workpiece Wk, and the image IM adheres to the workpiece Wk.

[0041] After the pressing process is completed, the user removes the workpiece Wk from the heat press 8 and peels the medium M from the workpiece Wk and the image IM adhered to the workpiece Wk. As shown in FIG. 3(d), a printed matter is produced in which the image IM is transferred to the workpiece Wk.

[0042] In addition, in order to fix the image IM transferred to the workpiece Wk, a pressing process may be performed again after the peeling process. In this case, pressing may be performed with paper or the like sandwiched between the workpiece Wk placed on the placement section 81 of the heat press machine 8 and the pressing section 82. This makes it possible to reduce peeling of the image IM from the workpiece Wk during pressing.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment, the functional powder FP is mixed with the hot melt powder HP to be applied to the image IM. By applying the functional powder FP to a printed material, the added value of the printed material can be increased. However, the particle size of the functional powder FP is generally large, making it difficult to eject from the nozzle of an inkjet printer. When using the functional powder FP, it is conceivable to apply it to the medium M by hand, for example. However, this process takes time, and it may be difficult to express complex characters, figures, etc., by hand.

[0044] In this embodiment, the functional powder FP is mixed with the hot melt powder HP and then applied to the image IM together with the hot melt powder HP in the powder application process ( FIG. 2 , step S02). In other words, the functional powder FP can be applied to the area where the image IM is printed by the printer 2, making it possible to accommodate complex characters, figures, and the like. The adhesive layer AL formed by melting the hot melt powder HP is located below the ink layer that constitutes the image IM when transferred to the workpiece Wk. If the ink layer contains color ink, the functional powder FP with optical or visual effects contained in the adhesive layer AL is obscured by the color ink and becomes difficult to see. On the other hand, if the ink layer does not contain color ink and is composed of white ink or clear ink, the functional powder FP contained in the adhesive layer AL is easily visible because light is scattered by the ink layer or transmitted through the ink layer. In this embodiment, the printing process for producing printed materials utilizing the functional powder FP is carried out while taking into account the relationship between the functional powder FP and various inks. The printing process is not limited to a particular embodiment, but three examples of the printing process are described in detail below.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a printing process. In the drawings illustrating subsequent examples of the printing process, the media M and workpiece Wk are shown as schematic rectangles. To facilitate distinction between the media M and workpiece Wk, the media M is shown with a solid line, and the workpiece Wk is shown with a two-dot chain line. FIG. 4(a) shows an example of an image IM formed on the media M during the printing process. FIG. 4(b) shows a cross-section of the image IM after the heating process, taken along line A-A in FIG. 4(a). FIG. 4(c) shows a cross-section of the image IM after transfer to the workpiece Wk. Note that hatching of the cross-sections of the media M, workpiece Wk, white ink WH, and clear ink CL has been omitted from the cross-sectional view. The thicknesses of the layers formed by each ink and the adhesive layer AL are exaggerated. Because the cross-sectional view is merely a schematic view, some dimensions may not match those of the original view. This also applies to the cross-sectional views illustrated subsequently.

[0046] In a first example of the printing process, printing is performed so that the functional powder FP is visible across the entire surface of the image IM. As shown in (a) of FIG. 4 , in the first example of the printing process, the image IM is printed on the medium M using white ink WH or clear ink CL. An ink layer of white ink WH or clear ink CL is formed on the medium M. In the powder application process, a hot melt powder HP mixed with the functional powder FP is layered on the surface of the ink layer. In the powder fixing process, the hot melt powder HP melts, and an adhesive layer AL containing the functional powder FP is formed on the surface of the ink layer, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4 . In the pressing process and peeling process, the image IM with the adhesive layer AL formed thereon is transferred from the medium M to the workpiece Wk. As shown in (c) of FIG. 4 , the adhesive layer AL is the bottom layer on the workpiece Wk, and an ink layer of white ink WH or clear ink CL is layered on top of the adhesive layer AL. In this case, the functional powder FP contained in the adhesive layer AL becomes visible through the ink layer of the white ink WH or the clear ink CL. In this way, in the first example of the printing process, the functional powder FP becomes visible across the entire surface of the image IM printed in the printing process.

[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates a second example of the printing process. (a) of FIG. 5 shows an example of an image formed on the medium M during the printing process. (b) of FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the image after the heating process, taken along line A-A in (a) of FIG. 5. (c) of FIG. 5 shows the image after transfer to the workpiece Wk, and (d) of FIG. 5 shows a cross-section taken along line B-B in (c) of FIG. 5. In the second example, a phosphorescent pigment LP is used as the functional powder. Then, in the printing process, a masking area MK that blocks the light emitted by the phosphorescent pigment LP is printed using color ink. FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which an image having an overall rectangular area IA is transferred to the workpiece Wk. As shown in (a) of FIG. 5, in the second example of the printing process, first, the printer 2 prints white ink WH over the entire area IA (white printing process). Next, the printer 2 prints a masking area MK within the area IA using color ink (color printing process). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5A, in area IA1 on the right side of area IA, a masking portion MK is printed in the background except for the central letters "AB." Furthermore, in area IA2 on the left side of area IA, a masking portion MK is printed in the central letters "CD." As shown in Fig. 5B, an ink layer of white ink WH is formed on medium M, and a masking portion MK made of color ink is layered on a portion of the ink layer of white ink WH.

[0048] In the printer 2, the white printing process and the color printing process may be performed independently or in parallel. When the white printing process and the color printing process are performed independently, the white ink WH is printed in the area IA while the medium M is fed toward the X2 side on the platen 21 (see FIG. 1 ), and then the medium M is returned to the X1 side and fed again toward the X2 side, while the masking portion MK is printed with the color ink. When the white printing process and the color printing process are performed in parallel, the white ink WH is printed in the area IA while the medium M is fed toward the X2 side on the platen 21. Furthermore, the color ink is printed after the white ink WH in the area in the area IA where the masking portion MK is printed. In this case, since there is no need to return the medium M to the X1 side, printing speed can be improved. Similarly, in the examples described below, when multiple printing processes are performed consecutively, these printing processes may be performed independently or in parallel.

[0049] Next, an adhesive layer AL containing the phosphorescent pigment LP is formed over the entire surface of region IA of the image through a powder application process and a powder fixing process. The image is transferred from the medium M to the workpiece Wk through a pressing process and a peeling process. As shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the adhesive layer AL containing the phosphorescent pigment LP is the bottom layer of the workpiece Wk after transfer. In the image, the letters "AB" in region IA1 and the background of region IA2 have only a layer of white ink WH laminated on the adhesive layer AL. Therefore, in these areas, the luminescence of the phosphorescent pigment LP contained in the bottommost adhesive layer AL is transmitted through the white ink WH layer and becomes visible. Meanwhile, in the background of region IA1 and the letters "CD" in region IA2 of the image, a masking portion MK and a layer of white ink WH are laminated on top of the adhesive layer AL. Therefore, in these areas, the luminescence of the phosphorescent pigment LP is blocked by the masking portion MK, making it difficult to see. In this way, in the second example of the printing process, by printing a masking portion MK that blocks the luminescence of the luminous pigment LP contained in the adhesive layer AL in the printing process, it is possible to add luminous functionality to desired locations on the image, thereby making it possible to express complex characters and figures using the luminous pigment LP.

[0050] (e) of Figure 5 shows a variation of the second example of the printing process. As described above, in the color printing process, the masking area MK is printed with color ink, but white ink WH or clear ink CL may be printed in the areas of the image area IA other than the masking area MK. In this case, as shown in (e) of Figure 5, in the areas of the image transferred to the workpiece Wk where the masking area MK is not printed, a layer of white ink WH or clear ink CL is formed between the adhesive layer AL and the white ink WH layer. In this case, the luminescence of the luminescent pigment LP contained in the adhesive layer AL is transmitted through the clear ink CL or white ink WH layer, making the luminescence of the luminescent pigment LP visible. In this variation, the thickness of the transferred image is uniform across the entire image, making it suitable, for example, for situations where a smooth surface is required for the printed material.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third example of the printing process. FIG. 6(a) shows an example of an image IM formed on a medium M during the printing process. FIG. 6(b) shows a cross section of the image IM after the heating process, taken along line A-A in FIG. 6(a). FIG. 6(c) shows the image IM after transfer to a workpiece Wk, and FIG. 6(d) shows a cross section taken along line B-B in FIG. 6(c). FIG. 6 shows an example in which a phosphorescent pigment LP is used as the functional powder. The third example of the printing process is suitable, for example, for forming pinpoint luminous areas within an image IM printed with color ink.

[0052] 6A and 6B, in a third example of the printing process, an image IM is printed on a medium M using color inks CMYK by a printer 2 (color printing process). At this time, areas IMa and IMb in the image IM are printed using clear ink CL. Next, the printer 2 prints white ink WH over the entire image IM (white printing process).

[0053] As shown in Fig. 6(b) , an adhesive layer AL containing the phosphorescent pigment LP is formed on the surface of the image IM through the powder application step, powder fixing step, and heating step. In the portions of the image IM other than areas IMa and IMb, the adhesive layer AL is laminated on the layers of color inks CMYK and white ink WH. In the portions of the image IMa and IMb, the adhesive layer AL is laminated on the ink layers of clear ink CL and white ink WH.

[0054] The image IM is transferred from the medium M to the workpiece Wk through the pressing process and peeling process. As shown in Figures 6(c) and 6(d), the adhesive layer AL is the bottom layer of the workpiece Wk after transfer. In areas other than areas IMa and IMb of the image IM, layers of white ink WH and color inks CMYK are stacked on the adhesive layer AL, making the top layer of color ink CMYK visible. Note that by printing white ink WH under the color inks CMYK, the color inks CMYK are clearly visible even when the workpiece Wk is dark or transparent. Furthermore, the light emission of the phosphorescent pigment LP contained in the adhesive layer AL is blocked by the color inks CMYK. In areas IMa and IMb of the image IM, layers of white ink WH and clear ink CL are stacked on the adhesive layer AL. Therefore, in the image IM, in the regions IMa and IMb, the luminescence of the phosphorescent pigment LP contained in the adhesive layer AL passes through the layers of white ink WH and clear ink CL and becomes visible.

[0055] In this way, in the third example of the printing process, luminous functionality can be imparted to any region of the image IM printed with color inks CMYK. For example, it can be applied to small or detailed regions where it is difficult to apply luminous paint manually, thereby meeting the diverse needs of users. Note that in the color printing process, white ink WH may be printed instead of clear ink CL in the regions IMa and IMb of the image IM. Also, in the third example of the printing process, effect pigments may be mixed as functional powders FP into the hot melt powder HP in the lamination process. In this case, in the white printing process, clear ink CL may be printed in the areas of the image IM that overlap the regions IMa and IMb.

[0056] As described above, the transfer method described in the embodiment includes, for example, the following steps. (1) The transfer method includes a printing step (step S01), a powder application step (application step, step S02), and a pressing step (step S04). In the printing step, an image IM is printed on a medium M using ink. In the powder application step, a hot melt powder HP (adhesive) mixed with a functional powder FP is applied to the image IM on the medium M. In the pressing step, the printed surface of the image IM on the medium M is placed on a workpiece Wk and pressed, thereby transferring the image IM to which an adhesive layer AL formed by the hot melt powder HP has been applied to the workpiece Wk.

[0057] The transfer system 1 described in the embodiment has, for example, the following configuration: (12) The transfer system 1 includes a printer 2 (printing device), a shaker 4 (adhesive application device), and a heat press 8 (pressing device). The printer 2 prints an image IM on a medium M using ink. The shaker 4 applies hot melt powder HP (adhesive) mixed with functional powder FP to the image IM on the medium M. The heat press 8 presses the printed surface of the image IM on the medium M onto a workpiece Wk, thereby transferring the image IM to which an adhesive layer AL formed by the hot melt powder HP has been applied, onto the workpiece Wk.

[0058] In DTF, the added value of printed materials can be increased by using functional powder FPs such as phosphorescent pigments and effect pigments in addition to inks containing general pigments. However, functional powder FPs generally have large particle sizes, making them difficult to print on film using a regular inkjet printer. For example, it is possible to apply the functional powder FP to the printed material in a separate process, such as by hand, after transfer using DTF, but this could increase the number of steps required to manufacture the printed material.

[0059] In this embodiment, the functional powder FP is mixed with the hot melt powder HP that is applied to the image IM in the powder application process. The hot melt powder HP is melted in the heating process, forming an adhesive layer AL containing the functional powder FP on the image IM. In the pressing process, the adhesive layer AL and the image IM are transferred to the workpiece Wk, thereby applying the functional powder FP to the workpiece Wk. In other words, in this embodiment, the functional powder FP can also be applied to the workpiece Wk by performing a series of steps in the transfer method, thereby increasing the added value of the printed product while minimizing the increase in manufacturing man-hours. For example, in the printing process, the image IM is printed with white ink WH or clear ink CL, and in the powder application process, the hot melt powder HP mixed with the functional powder FP is applied to the image IM (see Figure 4, first example). As a result, the functional powder FP contained in the bottommost adhesive layer AL of the workpiece Wk after transfer is visible through the white ink WH or clear ink CL. That is, it is possible to produce a printed matter in which the effect of the functional powder FP is imparted to the entire surface of the image IM.

[0060] In the embodiment, an example in which hot melt powder HP is used as the adhesive has been described. However, any adhesive may be used as long as it can be attached to the image IM and can transfer the image IM to the workpiece Wk. For example, a paste or gel adhesive may be applied to the image IM. Furthermore, if such an adhesive can form an adhesive layer AL without heating, the powder fixing step (step S03) in which the medium M is heated to melt the hot melt powder HP and fix it to the image IM may be omitted.

[0061] In this embodiment, the (2) transfer method can, for example, apply a hot melt powder HP mixed with a phosphorescent pigment LP (luminescent powder) to the image IM in the powder application step. The printing step includes, for example, a white printing step and a color printing step (see FIG. 5 , second example). In the white printing step, white ink WH is printed over the entire area IA of the medium M where the image IM is to be printed. In the color printing step, a masking area MK that blocks the light emission of the phosphorescent pigment LP is printed using color inks CMYK within the area IA printed with the white ink WH.

[0062] In this way, in the printing process, white ink WH, which transmits the luminescence of the luminescent pigment LP contained in the adhesive layer AL, is printed over the entire area IA of the image IM, and then color inks CMYK are printed as masking areas MK in the areas where the luminescence should be blocked, thereby making it possible to add luminescence functionality to desired areas of the image IM. This makes it possible to express complex characters and figures using the luminescent pigment LP.

[0063] Furthermore, in the (3) color printing process, the portions of the area IA printed with the white ink WH other than the masking portion MK can be printed with the white ink WH or the clear ink CL (see (e) of FIG. 5).

[0064] This makes the thickness of the image IM after transfer onto the workpiece Wk uniform over the entire surface, making it possible to smooth the surface of the printed matter.

[0065] Furthermore, (4) the printing process includes, for example, a color printing process and a white printing process (see FIG. 6 , third example). In the color printing process, an image IM is printed on a medium M using inks including color inks CMYK. In the white printing process, white ink WH is printed over the image IM printed in the color printing process. In the powder application process, hot melt powder HP mixed with functional powder FP such as a phosphorescent pigment or effect pigment is applied to the white ink WH printed in the white printing process. In the color printing process, portions of the image IM other than regions IMa and IMb (regions that block the functional powder FP) are printed with color inks CMYK, and regions IMa and IMb that transmit the functional powder FP are printed with clear ink CL or white ink WH.

[0066] In the color printing process in which the image IM is printed with color inks CMYK, the areas that transmit the functional powder FP are printed with clear ink CL, so that the effects of the functional powder FP can be imparted to any area of ​​the image IM after it is transferred to the workpiece Wk. For example, since the luminescent powder can be applied to small or detailed areas that are difficult to apply manually, the system can meet the diverse needs of users.

[0067] Furthermore, (5) an effect pigment can be used as the functional powder FP. In a third example of the printing process, in the white printing process, clear ink CL can be printed in the areas of the image IM that overlap with the areas IMa and IMb that transmit the effect pigment.

[0068] This makes it easier to see the effect pigment contained in the adhesive layer AL located at the bottom after transfer to the workpiece Wk.

[0069] <Modification 1> The transfer method (method for manufacturing a printed material) according to Modification 1 includes a first transfer step of transferring an image IM1 (second image) printed with color inks CMYK to a workpiece Wk, and a second transfer step of transferring an image IM2 (first image) printed with clear ink CL and to which functional powder FP has been applied to the workpiece Wk. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the first transfer step. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the second transfer step. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a transfer example of Modification 1. FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing the workpiece Wk after the first transfer step. FIG. 9(b) shows the image IM2 printed on the medium M in the second transfer step. FIG. 9(c) is a diagram showing the workpiece Wk after the second transfer step. FIG. 9(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 9(c). Note that the configuration of the transfer system 1 according to Modification 1 is the same as that of the embodiment (see FIG. 1), and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 7 , the first transfer process includes a color printing process (step S101), a white printing process (step S102), a powder application process (step S103), a powder fixing process (step S104), a pressing process (step S105), and a peeling process (step S106). In the color printing process, a printer 2 (see FIG. 1 ) prints an image IM1 (see FIG. 9A ) on a medium M using inks including color inks CMYK. In the white printing process, the printer 2 prints white ink WH over the image IM1 printed in the color printing process. In the powder application process, a shaker 4 applies hot melt powder HP to the image IM1 printed on the medium M. Furthermore, in the powder fixing process, the medium M is heated to fix the hot melt powder HP to the image. This forms an adhesive layer AL on the image IM1. In the powder application step of the first transfer step, the functional powder FP does not need to be mixed with the hot melt powder HP. In the pressing step, the printed surface of the image IM1 of the medium M is superimposed on the workpiece Wk, and the medium M and the workpiece Wk are pressed together using a heat press 8 to transfer the image IM1 to the workpiece Wk. In the peeling step, the medium M is peeled off from the workpiece Wk.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 9A, in the first transfer step, an image IM1 shown by a solid line in Fig. 9A is transferred onto a workpiece Wk. An image IM2 (shown by a dashed line) that is transferred in the second transfer step is added to the image IM1, thereby producing the final printed matter.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 8 , the second transfer process includes a clear ink printing process (step S201), a powder application process (step S202), a powder fixing process (step S203), a pressing process (step S204), and a peeling process (step S205). In the clear ink printing process, the printer 2 prints an image IM2 (see FIG. 9B ) on the medium M using ink containing clear ink CL. In the powder fixing process, the shaker 4 adheres hot melt powder HP mixed with functional powder FP to the image IM2. In the powder fixing process, the medium M is heated to fix the hot melt powder HP to the image IM2. This forms an adhesive layer AL on the image IM2. The adhesive layer AL contains the functional powder FP. In the pressing process, the printed surface of the image IM2 on the medium M is superimposed on the area of ​​the workpiece Wk where the image IM1 has been transferred. Specifically, the image IM2 printed on the medium M is aligned so that it overlaps the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 9A. The medium M and the workpiece Wk are pressed together using a heat press 8 (see FIG. 1), transferring the image IM2 to the workpiece Wk as shown in FIG. 9C. In the peeling process, the film is peeled off from the workpiece Wk. As shown in FIG. 9D, in the workpiece Wk, the image IM1 portion is formed by stacking a layer of white ink WH and a layer of color inks CMYK on an adhesive layer AL that does not contain functional powder FP. That is, the color inks CMYK on the top layer are visible in the image IM1. Furthermore, the presence of the white ink WH layer below the color inks CMYK improves the visibility of the color inks CMYK. In the image IM2 portion, a layer of clear ink CL is stacked on an adhesive layer AL that contains functional powder FP. Therefore, the functional powder FP is visible through the clear ink CL layer.

[0073] In this manner, in Variation 1, an image IM2 that visually displays the functional powder FP is transferred onto a workpiece Wk onto which an image IM1 printed with CMYK color inks has already been transferred. Variation 1 allows the image IM1 of the color inks IM1 and the image IM2 of the functional powder FP to be formed independently, for example, even when the image IM1 of the color inks IM1 and the image IM2 of the functional powder FP are not integrated, thereby improving the quality of the printed matter. Furthermore, in Variation 1, the functional powder FP only needs to be mixed into the hot melt powder HP in the second transfer process, which transfers the image IM2 to the workpiece Wk. Therefore, in cases where the image IM1 of the color inks IM1 occupies a large area on the printed matter, the amount of functional powder FP used can be reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0074] Note that the image IM1 of the color inks CMYK and the image IM2 of the functional powder FP may be ultimately transferred onto the same workpiece Wk, so the order of the first and second transfer steps is not limited, and the second transfer step may be performed before the first transfer step.

[0075] As described above, the transfer method according to Modification 1 includes, for example, the following steps. (6) The second transfer step includes a clear printing step (printing step, step S201), a powder application step (step S202), and a pressing step (step S204). In the clear printing step, an image IM2 (first image) is printed on the medium M with clear ink CL. In the powder application step, hot melt powder HP mixed with functional powder FP is applied to the image IM2. In the pressing step, the image IM2 of the medium M is pressed onto an area of ​​the workpiece Wk that includes a portion onto which the image IM1 (second image) printed with ink containing the color inks CMYK has been transferred.

[0076] In this way, if an image IM2 that makes the functional powder FP visible is transferred to a workpiece Wk onto which an image IM1 printed with color inks CMYK has already been transferred, for example, in cases where the image IM1 of color inks CMYK and the image IM2 of functional powder FP are not integrated, each image can be formed independently, thereby improving the quality of the printed matter.

[0077] In this case, (7) the first transfer process includes a color printing process (step S101), a white printing process (step S102), a powder application process (second application process, step S103), and a press process (second press process, step S105). In the color printing process, an image IM1 (second image) is printed on a medium M using ink containing the color inks CMYK. In the white printing process, white ink WH is printed over the image IM1 printed in the color printing process. In the powder application process, hot melt powder HP not mixed with functional powder FP is applied to the white ink WH printed in the white printing process. In the press process, the printed surface of the image IM1 on the medium M is pressed against a workpiece Wk, thereby transferring the image IM1, on which an adhesive layer AL formed by the hot melt powder HP is laminated, to the workpiece Wk.

[0078] By providing separate transfer processes for the CMYK color ink image IM1 and the functional powder FP image IM2, it is no longer necessary to mix the functional powder FP with the hot melt powder HP in the first transfer process. This allows for a reduction in the amount of functional powder FP used and a reduction in manufacturing costs when the CMYK color ink image IM1 occupies a large area on the printed matter.

[0079] <Variation 2> In the transfer method according to Variation 2, the functional powder FP is not mixed with the hot melt powder HP but is applied to the image alone. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the transfer method according to Variation 2. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a transfer example according to Variation 2. FIG. 11(a) shows an image IM3 printed on the medium M in the clear printing process and an image IM4 printed in the color printing process. FIG. 11(b) is a diagram illustrating the detection of the mark mk by the sensor 25 of the printer 2. FIG. 11(c) is a cross-sectional view of the image IM3 and the image IM4 after transfer to the workpiece Wk. Note that the transfer system 1 executing the transfer method according to Variation 2 can have the same configuration as the embodiment (see FIG. 1). FIG. 11 shows a simplified illustration of the printer 2, the medium M, and the workpiece Wk.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 10 , the transfer method according to Modification 2 includes a clear ink printing step (first printing step, step S301), a first application step (step S302), a color printing step (step S303), a white printing step (third printing step, step S304), and a second application step (step S305). In the clear ink printing step, the printer 2 (see FIG. 1 ) prints an image IM3 (first image, see FIG. 11A ) of the functional powder FP on the medium M using clear ink CL. Furthermore, in the clear ink printing step, a mark mk indicating the area where the image IM3 is printed (hereinafter referred to as the "printed area PA") is printed on the medium M using ink (e.g., color inks CMYK) that can be detected by the sensor 25.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 11A, the mark mk can be printed, for example, at the four corners of the printing area PA so as to surround the image IM3 printed in the printing area PA. The mark mk can be, for example, L-shaped, including a line segment S1 extending in one direction (e.g., the X direction) and a line segment S2 connecting to one end of the line segment S1 and extending in a direction perpendicular to the line segment S1 (e.g., the Y direction). The shape of the mark mk is not limited to this, and it can also be, for example, a cross shape where the line segments S1 and S2 intersect. The mark mk can also be, for example, only the line segment S1 or only the line segment S2.

[0082] In the first application step, functional powder FP is applied to an image IM3 printed with clear ink CL. In the first application step, the functional powder FP can be applied to the image IM3 alone, without being mixed with the hot melt powder HP. The first application step can be performed using a shaker 4 (see FIG. 1 ), similar to the powder application step of the embodiment. In this case, only the functional powder FP is supplied to the medium M from the application unit 41 of the shaker 4. Furthermore, heating by the heater 46 in the shaker 4 can be omitted. Alternatively, the first application step can be performed manually.

[0083] In Modification 2, the medium M after the first application step is removed from the take-up unit 47 of the shaker 4 and set back into the printer 2, where the color printing step is performed. In the color printing step, the printer 2 prints an image IM4 (second image) using inks containing the color inks CMYK within the printing area PA of the image IM3 on the medium M. Here, when the images IM3 and IM4 are combined to form a single printed product, the image IM4 needs to be printed at an appropriate printing position (the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 11(a)) relative to the previously printed image IM3.

[0084] However, in the color printing process, the medium M is reset in the printer 2, and therefore may be misaligned or tilted relative to the medium M in the clear printing process. In particular, when the printer 2 unwinds and prints on a roll of medium M, misalignment or tilt is likely to occur.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 11B , in Modification 2, when performing the color printing process, the printer 2 uses the sensor 25 to detect the mark mk printed on the medium M. As described above, the mark mk indicates the printing area PA of the image IM3. That is, the printer 2 can calculate the positional shift and tilt of the printing area PA of the image IM3 based on the mark mk detected by the sensor 25. The printer 2 adjusts the ink ejection position for printing the image IM4 based on the calculated positional shift and tilt. This allows the image IM4 to be printed at an appropriate position within the printing area PA of the image IM3.

[0086] In the white printing step, the printer 2 prints white ink WH on the images IM3 and IM4 in an overlapping manner. In the second application step, the shaker 4 applies hot melt powder HP to the images IM3 and IM4. In the second application step, it is not necessary to mix the functional powder FP with the hot melt powder HP. In the second application step, the heater 46 of the shaker 4 is driven. That is, as in the embodiment, the powder fixing step ( FIG. 10 , step S306) is performed to melt and fix the hot melt powder HP attached to the images IM3 and IM4.

[0087] Furthermore, by performing the pressing process and peeling process (steps S306 and S307) as in the embodiment, images IM3 and IM4 are transferred from the medium M to the workpiece Wk. As shown in FIG. 11D, in the workpiece Wk, the image IM3 portion has a layer of functional powder FP and a layer of clear ink CL stacked on top of the adhesive layer AL and the layer of white ink WH. The functional powder FP is visible through the layer of clear ink CL. Furthermore, the presence of the layer of white ink WH below the functional powder FP improves the visibility of the functional powder FP. In the image IM4 portion, a layer of white ink WH and a layer of color inks CMYK are stacked on top of the adhesive layer AL, which does not contain functional powder FP. In other words, in image IM4, the color inks CMYK in the top layer are visible. Furthermore, the presence of the layer of white ink WH below the color inks CMYK improves the visibility of the color inks CMYK. In this way, in the transfer method of Modification 2, the functional powder FP is applied to the image IM3 without being mixed with the hot melt powder HP, so it is possible to apply a large amount of functional powder FP. In other words, the transfer method of Modification 2 is suitable for use when it is desired to maximize the decorative and luminous functions of the functional powder FP in the printed matter.

[0088] As described above, the transfer method according to Modification 2 includes, for example, the following steps. (8) The transfer method includes a clear printing step (first printing step), a first application step, a color printing step (second printing step), and a second application step. In the clear printing step, an image IM3 (first image) is printed on the medium M using clear ink CL. In the first application step, functional powder FP is applied to the image IM3. In the color printing step, an image IM4 (second image) is printed using ink containing color inks CMYK (ink containing pigments) in a printing area PA of the medium M, which is an area including the portion on which the image IM3 is printed. In the second application step, hot melt powder HP is applied to the images IM3 and IM4 on the medium M.

[0089] In this way, in Modification 2, the functional powder FP can be applied only to the portion of the printed matter to which the function of the functional powder FP is to be imparted (image IM3), and the functional powder FP can be applied without being mixed with the hot melt powder HP. In other words, this is suitable for cases where it is desired to maximize the decorative and luminescent functions of the functional powder FP while reducing the amount of functional powder FP used.

[0090] Furthermore, in the (9) clear printing process, a mark mk indicating the printing area PA is printed on the medium M. In the color printing process, the position where the image IM4 is printed is adjusted based on the mark mk.

[0091] For example, when the medium M that has completed the first application process is removed from the take-up section 47 of the shaker 4 and reset in the printer 2 for the color printing process, tilting or misalignment of the medium M may occur. The printer 2 detects the mark mk, for example, using the sensor 25, and adjusts the printing position of the image IM4 based on the position and tilt of the mark mk, thereby making it possible to print the image IM4 in an appropriate position.

[0092] Furthermore, (10) the transfer method according to variant example 2 can include a white printing step (third printing step) between the color printing step and the second application step, in which white ink WH is printed over the images IM3 and IM4.

[0093] By forming a layer of functional powder FP in image IM3 and a layer of white ink WH under the layer of color ink CMYK in image IM4, the visibility of images IM3 and IM4 can be improved even when the workpiece Wk is dark in color or transparent.

[0094] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, the modifications may not only be applied to the embodiments, but at least a portion of each of the modifications may also be applied to other modifications. Furthermore, the effects described regarding the transfer method also apply to the transfer system 1 that executes the transfer method and the method for manufacturing printed matter.

[0095] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Transfer system 2 Printer (printing device) 4 Shaker (adhesive application device) 8 Heat press (press device) 21 Platen 22 Head 25 Sensor 41 Application section 44 Heating section 47 Winding section FP Functional powder LP Phosphorescent pigment CL Clear ink CMYK Color ink WH White ink AL Adhesive layer HP Hot melt powder (adhesive) M Media Mb Recess Wk Work

Claims

1. A transfer method comprising: a printing step of printing an image on a medium; an application step of applying an adhesive material mixed with functional powder to the image on the medium; and a pressing step of transferring the image with the adhesive material applied to the workpiece by placing the printed surface of the image on the medium on top of the workpiece and pressing it.

2. A transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the applying step applies the adhesive mixed with luminescent powder, and the printing step includes a white printing step of printing white ink over the entire area of ​​the medium where the image is to be printed, and a color printing step of printing a masking portion within the area with color ink to block the light emission from the luminescent powder.

3. A transfer method according to claim 2, wherein in the color printing step, the portions of the area other than the masked portions are printed with white ink or clear ink.

4. A transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the printing step includes a color printing step of printing an image on the medium with ink containing color ink, and a white printing step of printing white ink over the image printed in the color printing step, wherein in the application step, the adhesive mixed with the functional powder is applied to the white ink printed in the white printing step, and in the color printing step, areas of the image that block the functional powder are printed with the color ink, and areas that allow the functional powder to pass through are printed with clear ink or white ink.

5. A transfer method according to claim 4, wherein the functional powder is an effect pigment, and in the white printing step, clear ink is printed in the areas of the image that overlap with the areas that transmit the effect pigment.

6. A transfer method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the printing step, a first image is printed on the medium with clear ink; in the applying step, the adhesive mixed with the functional powder is applied to the first image; and in the pressing step, the first image of the medium is pressed onto an area of ​​the workpiece including a portion to which a second image printed with ink including color ink has been transferred.

7. A transfer method according to claim 6, comprising: a color printing step of printing the second image on the medium with ink containing color ink; a white printing step of printing white ink over the second image printed in the color printing step; a second application step of applying the adhesive not mixed with the functional powder to the white ink printed in the white printing step; and a pressing step of transferring the second image with the adhesive applied to the work by pressing the printed surface of the second image on the medium over a workpiece.

8. A transfer method comprising: a first printing step of printing a first image on a medium using clear ink; a first applying step of applying functional powder to the first image; a second printing step of printing a second image on the medium using ink containing a pigment in an area including the portion on which the first image is printed; a second applying step of applying adhesive to the first image and the second image on the medium; and a pressing step of transferring the first image and the second image to which the adhesive has been applied onto the work by overlapping the printed surfaces of the first image and the second image on the medium onto the work and pressing them.

9. A transfer method according to claim 8, wherein in the first printing step, a mark indicating the area is printed on the medium, and in the second printing step, the printing position of the second image is adjusted based on the mark.

10. A transfer method according to claim 8, characterized in that it includes a third printing step between the second printing step and the second application step, in which white ink is printed over the first image and the second image.

11. A method for producing a printed matter, comprising the transfer method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A transfer system comprising: a printing device that prints an image on a medium with ink; an adhesive applying device that applies an adhesive mixed with functional powder to the image on the medium; and a pressing device that transfers the image with the adhesive applied to the work by placing the printed surface of the image on the medium on top of a work and pressing it.

Images