Thermal Transfer Sheet for 3D Printed Surface Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing methods fail to produce printed materials with a high three-dimensional effect and a well-defined protrusion-and/or-recess shape on the surface.
Innovation Solution
A thermal transfer sheet with a transfer layer containing visible light-nonabsorbing particles, which after transfer, has a reduced peak height (Spk) of 0.6 μm or more, and a method involving heating to form protrusions and/or recesses on an image-receiving sheet, followed by transferring the particle layer to create a high three-dimensional effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional thermal transfer methods are used, then printing process is simple, but three-dimensional effect and protrusion-and/or-recess shape are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by incorporating inorganic particles (such as glass beads, silica, or titania) into the transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet. This composite structure enables the transfer layer to create protrusion-and/or-recess shapes on the printed material surface while maintaining the thermal transfer functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving three-dimensional effects and keeping the device structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different surface heights through the transfer layer. The transfer layer is designed to transfer selectively to form protruding portions or recessed portions at specific locations on the printed material, enabling three-dimensional effects without requiring complex device modifications.
2Shape
If transfer layer is made smoother for better print quality, then image sharpness improves, but tactile three-dimensional effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different surface heights through the transfer layer. The transfer layer is designed to transfer selectively to form protruding portions or recessed portions at specific locations on the printed material, enabling three-dimensional effects without compromising overall image sharpness.
Solution Approach 2:
The incorporation of inorganic particles in the transfer layer allows the creation of tactile three-dimensional effects while maintaining image quality. The particles are distributed to create height variations that provide tactile feedback without significantly degrading the visual sharpness of the printed image.
3Shape
If inorganic particles are added to transfer layer for three-dimensional effect, then protrusion shape is achieved, but light absorption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by carefully selecting inorganic particles that are transparent or translucent to visible light. This allows the transfer layer to maintain its original color appearance and light transmission properties while incorporating particles that create the desired protrusion-and/or-recess shapes, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving three-dimensional effects and maintaining illumination properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials with inorganic particles that are transparent or translucent to visible light. This allows the transfer layer to maintain its original color appearance and light transmission properties while incorporating particles that create the desired protrusion-and/or-recess shapes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method enables the production of printed materials with a good protrusion-and/or-recess shape and a high three-dimensional effect, enhancing design properties.
Implementation Method 1
a thermofusible transfer method is known in which energy is applied to a thermal transfer sheet including a substrate and a transfer layer with, for example, a thermal head to transfer the transfer layer onto a transfer-receiving article
Implementation Method 2
The sublimation type thermal transfer method enables density gradation to be freely adjusted, has excellent reproducibility of neutral colors and of gradation, and makes it possible to form high-quality images comparable to silver halide photographs. In the sublimation type thermal transfer method, a thermal transfer sheet including a sublimation transfer-type coloring material layer containing a sublimation dye is heated by a thermal head of a printer to transfer the sublimation dye in the sublimation transfer-type coloring material layer to the receiving layer
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal transfer sheet includes a substrate and a transfer layer, in which the transfer layer after transfer has a reduced peak height (Spk) of 0.6 μm or more. A method for producing a printed material using a thermal transfer sheet including a particle layer disposed on a substrate and an image-receiving sheet including a thermal protrusion-and/or-recess forming layer and a receiving layer stacked in that order on a second substrate, the receiving layer including an image that has been formed, includes the steps of heating the image-receiving sheet to form a protrusion and/or a recess at the image-receiving sheet, and heating the thermal transfer sheet to transfer the particle layer to at least part of the protrusion of the image-receiving sheet.