The material constituting the core of the coated pigment may be either an inorganic or organic material.

Examples of the inorganic material include natural mica, synthetic mica, glass, aluminum, and alumina.

Examples of the organic material include resin materials, such as polyester, polyamide, polyolefin, a vinyl resin, and a (meth)acrylic resin.

The core preferably contains glass and is more preferably composed of glass. In such a case, negative impacts to the tint of the covering material are reduced and the brightness of the printed material can be further enhanced.

Examples of the covering material include aluminum, iron, titanium, zirconium, silicon, cerium, nickel, chromium, brass, tin, brass, bronze, zinc, silver, platinum, gold, and oxides of the above metals. The covering material is preferably a metal in consideration of the brightness of the printed material.

The covering material preferably contains gold or silver and is more preferably composed of gold or silver. In such a case, the brightness of the printed material can be further enhanced.

The coated pigment is preferably composed of particles produced by covering glass particles with a metal and is particularly preferably composed of particles produced by covering glass particles with gold or silver. When the coated pigment particles are particles composed of glass and a metal, negative impacts to the tint of the covering material are reduced and the brightness of the printed material can be further enhanced.

The shape of particles of the luster pigment is not limited and may be, for example, spherical, acicular, or scale-like. Among these, a scale-like shape is preferable in consideration of brightness.

The average particle size of the luster pigment is preferably 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less and is more preferably 7 μm or more and 40 μm or less. In such a case, the brightness, durability, and image visibility of the printed material can be further enhanced and the transferability of the thermal transfer sheet can be further enhanced.

The average particle size of the luster pigment can be measured by a laser diffraction/scattering method. The size of scale-like particles is the light scattering equivalent diameter determined when the scale-like particles are analyzed by a laser diffraction/scattering method. A light scattering equivalent diameter is defined as the diameter of a sphere that has a scatter pattern closest to the light scatter pattern of the particles analyzed and that has the same refractive index as the particles.

The thickness of particles of the luster pigment is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 10 μm or less. In such a case, the brightness, durability, and image visibility of the printed material can be further enhanced, and the transferability of the thermal transfer sheet can be further enhanced.

The thickness of particles of the luster pigment can be determined by selecting a predetermined number (preferably, 100 or more) of scale-like particles from the particles that are to be analyzed and measuring the thicknesses of the selected scale-like particles with an electron microscope.

The cover of the core can be formed by vapor deposition or the like. Alternatively, a commercial coated pigment may also be used.

(Adhesive Layer)

The adhesive layer is a layer that is to be transferred from the thermal transfer sheet to an intermediate transfer medium or the like upon being heated.

The adhesive layer contains at least one type of thermoplastic resin that becomes softened and produces adhesion upon being heated. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polyester, a vinyl resin, a (meth)acrylic resin, polyurethane, a cellulose resin, polyamide, polyolefin, polystyrene, and resins produced by chlorinating the above resins.

In one embodiment, the adhesive layer contains the above luster pigment. This enhances the brightness of the printed material. The adhesive layer may contain two or more types of the luster pigments.

In the case where the adhesive layer contains the luster pigment, a PV ratio of the luster pigment (P) to the resin material (V) contained in the adhesive layer, such as a thermoplastic resin, is preferably 0.1 or more and 2 or less, and is more preferably 0.2 or more and 1 or less. In such a case, the brightness, durability, and image visibility of the printed material can be further enhanced, and the transferability of the thermal transfer sheet can be further enhanced.

The adhesive layer may contain an additive. Examples of the additive include a colorant, an ultraviolet absorber, a plasticizer, an antitarnish agent, a surfactant, a delusterant, a deodorizer, a flame retardant, a weathering agent, a yarn friction reducer, a slipping agent, an antioxidant, an ion exchanger, and a dispersant.

The thickness of the adhesive layer is, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 3 μm or less. In the present disclosure, the thickness of each layer is, in the case where the layer contains a luster pigment, the average thickness of portions of the layer in which the luster pigment is absent.

The adhesive layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in water or an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the substrate, the peeling layer, the release layer, or the like by publicly known means, such as roll coating, reverse roll coating, gravure coating, reverse gravure coating, bar coating, or rod coating, to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

The average area of the black portions can be adjusted by, for example, changing the amount of time during which the dispersion treatment of the coating liquid used for forming the layer containing the luster pigment is performed. For example, the larger the amount of time during which the dispersion treatment is performed, the smaller the average area of the black portions tends to be.

(Peeling Layer)

The peeling layer is a layer that is to be transferred from the thermal transfer sheet to an intermediate transfer medium, a transfer-receiving article, or the like upon being heated.

The peeling layer contains at least one type of a resin material. Examples of the resin material contained in the peeling layer include polyester, polyamide, polyolefin, a vinyl resin, a (meth)acrylic resin, an imide resin, a cellulose resin, a styrene resin, polycarbonate, and an ionomer resin. The peeling layer preferably contains a (meth)acrylic resin and more preferably contains polymethyl methacrylate in consideration of transferability.

In one embodiment, the peeling layer contains the luster pigment. This enhances the brightness of the printed material. The peeling layer may contain two or more types of the luster pigments.

In the case where the peeling layer contains the luster pigment, the ratio (PV ratio) of the luster pigment to the resin material contained in the peeling layer, such as a thermoplastic resin, is preferably 0.1 or more and 2 or less and is more preferably 0.2 or more and 1 or less. In such a case, the brightness, durability, and image visibility of the printed material can be further enhanced, and the transferability of the thermal transfer sheet can be further enhanced.

The peeling layer may contain at least one type of a release agent. Examples of the release agent include a fluorine compound, a phosphate ester compound, a silicone oil, a higher fatty acid amide, and a wax, such as a metal soap or a paraffin wax.

The peeling layer may contain the above additives.

The thickness of the peeling layer is, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 3 μm or less.

The peeling layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the substrate, the release layer, or the like by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

The peeling layer may be interposed between the substrate and the colorant layer.

(Intermediate Layer)

The intermediate layer is a layer that is to be transferred from the thermal transfer sheet to an intermediate transfer medium or the like upon being heated.

The intermediate layer contains at least one type of a resin material. Examples of the resin material include polyolefin, a vinyl resin, a (meth)acrylic resin, a cellulose resin, polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, polystyrene, a urethane resin, and an ionomer resin.

In one embodiment, the intermediate layer contains the luster pigment. This enhances the brightness of the printed material. The intermediate layer may contain two or more types of the luster pigments.

In the case where the intermediate layer contains the luster pigment, the ratio (PV ratio) of the luster pigment to the resin material contained in the intermediate layer, such as a thermoplastic resin, is preferably 0.1 or more and 2 or less and is more preferably 0.2 or more and 1 or less. In such a case, the brightness, durability, and image visibility of the printed material can be further enhanced, and the transferability of the thermal transfer sheet can be further enhanced.

The intermediate layer may contain the above additives.

The thickness of the intermediate layer is, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 3 μm or less.

The intermediate layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the peeling layer or the like by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

(Receiving Layer)

The receiving layer is a layer that is to be transferred from the thermal transfer sheet to a transfer-receiving article or the like upon being heated.

The receiving layer contains at least one type of a resin material. Examples of the resin material contained in the receiving layer include polyolefin, a vinyl resin, such as polyvinyl chloride, or a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, a (meth)acrylic resin, a cellulose resin, polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, a styrene resin, an epoxy resin, polyurethane, and an ionomer resin.

The content of the resin material in the receiving layer is preferably 80% by mass or more and 99.5% by mass or less and is further preferably 85% by mass or more and 99% by mass or less.

In one embodiment, the receiving layer contains the luster pigment. This enhances the brightness of the printed material. The receiving layer may contain two or more types of the luster pigments.

In the case where the receiving layer contains the luster pigment, the ratio (PV ratio) of the luster pigment to the resin material contained in the receiving layer is preferably 0.1 or more and 2 or less and is more preferably 0.2 or more and 1 or less. In such a case, the brightness, durability, and image visibility of the printed material can be further enhanced, and the transferability of the thermal transfer sheet can be further enhanced.

The receiving layer may contain the above additives.

The thickness of the receiving layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less and is more preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

The receiving layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the substrate, the release layer, the peeling layer, the protective layer, or the like by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

(Protective Layer)

The protective layer is a layer that is to be transferred from the thermal transfer sheet to a transfer-receiving article or the like upon being heated.

The protective layer contains at least one type of a resin material. Examples of the resin material contained in the protective layer include polyester, a (meth)acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a styrene resin, a (meth)acrylic polyol resin, polyurethane, an ionizing radiation curable resin, and an ultraviolet absorbing resin.

In one embodiment, the protective layer contains the luster pigment. This enhances the brightness of the printed material. The protective layer may contain two or more types of the luster pigments.

In the case where the protective layer contains the luster pigment, the ratio (PV ratio) of the luster pigment to the resin material contained in the protective layer is preferably 0.1 or more and 2 or less and is more preferably 0.2 or more and 1 or less. In such a case, the brightness, durability, and image visibility of the printed material can be further enhanced, and the transferability of the thermal transfer sheet can be further enhanced.

The protective layer may contain the above additives.

The thickness of the protective layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 7 μm or less and is more preferably 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less. In such a case, the durability of the protective layer can be further enhanced.

The protective layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the substrate, the release layer, the peeling layer, or the like by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

The colorant layer is a layer used for forming an image. The colorant layer contains at least one type of a colorant. The colorant layer may be either a sublimation transfer-type colorant layer from which a sublimation colorant contained in the colorant layer, such as a sublimation dye, is to be transferred or a melt transfer-type colorant layer from which the colorant layer itself is to be transferred. The thermal transfer sheet according to the present disclosure may include both sublimation transfer-type colorant layer and melt transfer-type colorant layer.

The colorant contained in the colorant layer may be either a pigment or dye.

The dye may be a sublimation dye.

Examples of the pigment include carbon black, acetylene black, lamp black, black smoke, iron black, aniline black, silica, calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, cadmium red, cadmopone red, chrome red, vermilion, iron oxide red, an azo pigment, alizarin lake, quinacridone, cochineal lake perylene, yellow ocher, aureolin, cadmium yellow, cadmium orange, chrome yellow, zinc yellow, naples yellow, nickel yellow, an azo pigment, greenish yellow, ultramarine, mountain blue, cobalt, phthalocyanine, anthraquinone, indigoid, cinnabar green, cadmium green, chrome green, phthalocyanine, azomethine, perylene, and an aluminum pigment.

Examples of the dye include a diarylmethane dye, a triarylmethane dye, a thiazole dye, a merocyanine dye, a pyrazolone dye, a methine dye, an indoaniline dye, an acetophenone azomethine dye, a pyrazolo azomethine dye, a xanthene dye, an oxazine dye, a thiazine dye, an azine dye, an acridine dye, an azo dye, a spiropyran dye, an indolinospiropyran dye, a fluoran dye, a naphthoquinone dye, an anthraquinone dye, and a quinophthalone dye.

The colorant layer contains at least one type of a resin material. Examples of the resin material contained in the colorant layer include polyester, polyamide, polyolefin, a vinyl resin, a (meth)acrylic resin, a cellulose resin, a styrene resin, polycarbonate, a phenoxy resin, an ionomer resin, and an acetal resin.

The colorant layer may contain the above additives.

The thickness of the colorant layer is, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 3 μm or less.

The colorant layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the substrate, the peeling layer, the primer layer, the release layer, or the like by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

The primer layer is a layer that remains on the substrate when thermal transfer is performed using the thermal transfer sheet. When the thermal transfer sheet includes the primer layer, the adhesion between the substrate and the colorant layer can be increased.

The primer layer contains at least one type of a resin material. Examples of the resin material contained in the primer layer include polyester, a vinyl resin, polyurethane, a (meth)acrylic resin, polyamide, polyether, a styrene resin, and a cellulose resin.

The primer layer may contain the above additives.

The thickness of the primer layer is, for example, 0.05 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less.

The primer layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the substrate or the like by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

The release layer is a layer that remains on the substrate when thermal transfer is performed using the thermal transfer sheet. When the thermal transfer sheet includes the release layer, transferability can be enhanced.

The release layer contains at least one type of a resin material. Examples of the resin material contained in the release layer include a (meth)acrylic resin, polyurethane, an acetal resin, polyamide, polyester, a melamine resin, a polyol resin, a cellulose resin, and a silicone resin.

The release layer may contain at least one type of a release agent. Examples of the release agent include a fluorine compound, a phosphate ester compound, a silicone oil, a higher fatty acid amide, and a wax, such as a metal soap or a paraffin wax.

The content of the release agent in the release layer is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less and is more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less. In such a case, the transferability of the thermal transfer sheet can be further enhanced.

The release layer may contain the above additives.

The thickness of the release layer is, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less.

The release layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the substrate or the like by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

The back layer is a layer disposed on a side of the substrate which is opposite to the side on which the transfer layer is present. When the thermal transfer sheet includes the back layer, the likelihood of sticking and wrinkling being caused by heating during the thermal transfer can be reduced.

The back layer may contain at least one type of a resin material. Examples of the resin material contained in the back layer include a vinyl resin, polyester, polyamide, polyolefin, a (meth)acrylic resin, polyolefin, polyurethane, a cellulose resin, and a phenolic resin.

The back layer may contain at least one type of an isocyanate compound. Examples of the isocyanate composition contained in the back layer include xylene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, and hexamethylene diisocyanate.

The back layer may contain the above additives.

The thickness of the back layer is, for example, 0.01 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less.

The back layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the substrate by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

[Combination of Thermal Transfer Sheet and Intermediate Transfer Medium]

A combination of a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium according to the present disclosure is a combination of the thermal transfer sheet according to the present disclosure and an intermediate transfer medium.

In the combination of the thermal transfer sheet according to the present disclosure and an intermediate transfer medium, the “substrate”, “peeling layer”, and “release layer” included in the thermal transfer sheet may be referred to as “first substrate”, “first peeling layer”, and “first release layer”, respectively, and the “substrate”, “peeling layer”, and “release layer” included in the intermediate transfer medium may be referred to as “second substrate”, “second peeling layer”, and “second release layer”, respectively.

The combination according to the present disclosure is described below with reference to the attached drawings.

In one embodiment, a combination 20 of a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium includes a thermal transfer sheet 10 that includes a substrate 11 and a transfer layer 12 and an intermediate transfer medium 30 that includes a second substrate 31 and a retransfer layer 32, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The transfer layer 12 is disposed on one of the surfaces of the substrate 11 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The retransfer layer 32 is disposed on one of the surfaces of the second substrate 31 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The retransfer layer 32 of the intermediate transfer medium 30 may optionally include a receiving layer (not illustrated in the drawing).

The retransfer layer 32 of the intermediate transfer medium 30 may optionally include a second peeling layer and a receiving layer, and the second peeling layer may be interposed between the second substrate 31 and the receiving layer (not illustrated in the drawing).

The retransfer layer 32 of the intermediate transfer medium 30 may optionally include a protective layer and a receiving layer, and the protective layer may be interposed between the second substrate 31 and the receiving layer (not illustrated in the drawing).

The retransfer layer 32 of the intermediate transfer medium 30 may optionally include a second peeling layer, a protective layer, and a receiving layer in this order, and the second peeling layer and the protective layer may be interposed between the second substrate 31 and the receiving layer (not illustrated in the drawing).

The intermediate transfer medium 30 may include a second release layer interposed between the second substrate 31 and the retransfer layer 32 (not illustrated in the drawing).

The combination of layers constituting the combination 20 can be changed as needed.

Each of the layers that may be included in the intermediate transfer medium, which constitutes the combination according to the present disclosure, is described below. The description of the thermal transfer sheet constituting the combination according to the present disclosure, which is described above, is omitted below.

The second substrate preferably has heat resistance to thermal energy applied when thermal transfer is performed using the intermediate transfer medium, a mechanical strength with which the second substrate supports the retransfer layer, etc. disposed on and above the second substrate, and resistance to solvents.

The material constituting the second substrate may be selected appropriately from the materials that can be used for producing the first substrate.

The thickness of the second substrate is, for example, 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

The retransfer layer is a layer that is to be transferred from the intermediate transfer medium to a transfer-receiving article or the like.

The retransfer layer may include a receiving layer. In such a case, an image can be readily formed on the intermediate transfer medium. In one embodiment, the receiving layer serves as a surface layer of the retransfer layer.

The retransfer layer may include a second peeling layer. In such a case, the transferability of the intermediate transfer medium can be enhanced.

The retransfer layer may include a protective layer. In such a case, the durability of the printed material can be enhanced.

(Receiving Layer)

The receiving layer is a layer that is to be transferred from the intermediate transfer medium to a transfer-receiving article or the like.

The receiving layer contains at least one type of a resin material. Examples of the resin material contained in the receiving layer include polyolefin, a vinyl resin, such as polyvinyl chloride, or a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, a (meth)acrylic resin, a cellulose resin, polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, a styrene resin, an epoxy resin, polyurethane, and an ionomer resin.

The content of the resin material in the receiving layer is preferably 80% by mass or more and 99.5% by mass or less and is further preferably 85% by mass or more and 99% by mass or less.

The receiving layer may contain the above additives.

The thickness of the receiving layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less and is more preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

The receiving layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the second substrate, the second release layer, the second peeling layer, the protective layer, or the like by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

(Second Peeling Layer)

The second peeling layer is a layer that is to be transferred from the intermediate transfer medium to a transfer-receiving article or the like.

The second peeling layer contains at least one type of a resin material. Examples of the resin material contained in the peeling layer include polyester, polyamide, polyolefin, a vinyl resin, a (meth)acrylic resin, an imide resin, a cellulose resin, a styrene resin, polycarbonate, and an ionomer resin.

The second peeling layer may contain the above release agents and the above additives.

The thickness of the second peeling layer is, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 3 μm or less.

The second peeling layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the second substrate or the like by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

(Protective Layer)

The protective layer is a layer that is to be transferred from the intermediate transfer medium to a transfer-receiving article or the like.

The protective layer contains at least one type of a resin material. Examples of the resin material contained in the protective layer include polyester, a (meth)acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a styrene resin, a (meth)acrylic polyol resin, polyurethane, an ionizing radiation curable resin, and an ultraviolet absorbing resin.

The protective layer may contain the above additives.

The thickness of the protective layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 7 μm or less and is more preferably 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less. In such a case, the durability of the protective layer can be further enhanced.

The protective layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the second substrate, the second release layer, the second peeling layer, or the like by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

The second release layer is a layer that remains on the second substrate when thermal transfer is performed using the intermediate transfer medium. When the intermediate transfer medium includes the second release layer, the transferability of the intermediate transfer medium can be enhanced.

The second release layer of the intermediate transfer medium can be the release layer described above in the description of the thermal transfer sheet according to the present disclosure.

The second release layer can be formed by dispersing or dissolving the above materials in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid, applying the coating liquid to the second substrate or the like by the above-described coating means to form a coating film, and drying the coating film.

Thermal transfer sheets and a combination of a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium according to embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. Note that the thermal transfer sheet and the combination of a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium according to the present disclosure are not limited to the following embodiments.

The present disclosure is a thermal transfer sheet including a substrate and a transfer layer,

- the transfer layer containing a luster pigment,
- wherein, when an image of the thermal transfer sheet is taken from a side on which the transfer layer is present using an optical microscope at a 500-fold magnification in order to obtain an 8-bit grayscale image, the image is analyzed with image analysis software, dark and light portions of the analyzed image are inverted, automatic thresholding is then performed by an ISODATA method in order to determine a threshold value of a brightness distribution of the analyzed image, binary representation is subsequently performed such that portions in which brightness is less than the threshold value are colored in black and portions in which brightness is equal to or more than the threshold value are colored in white, and the number and the total area of the black portions and the total area of the white portions are calculated,
- a ratio of the total area of the black portions to the total area of the white portions is 0.03 or more and 0.5 or less, and
- the black portions have an average area of 100 μm²or more and 300 μm²or less.

In one embodiment, the luster pigment may be a coated pigment including a core and a covering material that covers the core.

In one embodiment, the core may contain glass, and the covering material may contain gold or silver.

In one embodiment, the transfer layer may include an adhesive layer.

In one embodiment, the transfer layer may further include a peeling layer, and

- the peeling layer may be interposed between the substrate and the adhesive layer.

In one embodiment, the transfer layer may further include an intermediate layer,

- the intermediate layer may be interposed between the peeling layer and the adhesive layer, and
- one or more layers selected from the peeling layer, the intermediate layer, and the adhesive layer may contain a luster pigment.

In one embodiment, the thermal transfer sheet may further include a colorant layer disposed on the substrate, wherein the colorant layer and the transfer layer may be arranged on the substrate in a frame sequential manner.

In one embodiment, the transfer layer may include a receiving layer that serves as a surface layer.

The present disclosure is a combination of the thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium.

EXAMPLES

The present disclosure is described further in detail with reference to Examples below. The present disclosure is not limited to Examples below. Hereinafter, the content of a material described along with the solid content therein is the content of the material which has not been converted in terms of solid content.

Example 1

A PET film having a thickness of 4.5 μm (Lumirror (registered trademark) produced by Toray Industries, Inc.) was provided as a substrate (first substrate).

A back layer-forming coating liquid having the composition described below was applied onto one of the surfaces of the first substrate, and the resulting coating film was dried to form a back layer having a thickness of 0.1 μm.

Colorant layer-forming coating liquids A to D having the compositions described below were applied onto a part of the other surface of the first substrate, on which the back layer was absent, in a frame sequential manner, and the resulting coating films were dried to form colorant layers A to D, respectively, having a thickness of 0.7 μm.

Then, a peeling layer-forming coating liquid (first peeling layer-forming coating liquid) having the composition described below was applied in a frame sequential manner with respect to the colorant layers, and the resulting coating film was dried to form a peeling layer (first peeling layer) having a thickness of 0.8 μm.

An adhesive layer-forming coating liquid (containing a luster pigment) having the composition described below was applied to the first peeling layer with a coating tester GP-10 (produced by Kurabo Industries Ltd.) heliograph plate 54L, and the resulting coating film was dried at 100° C. for 1 minute to form an adhesive layer. Hereby, a thermal transfer sheet was produced. The first peeling layer and the adhesive layer constituted the transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet. In the preparation of the adhesive layer-forming coating liquid, 50 g of the adhesive layer-forming coating liquid and 250 g of zirconia beads having a size of 0.5 mm were charged into a glass bottle. Subsequently, a dispersion treatment was performed for 10 minutes by shaking the bottle with a paint shaker (produced by ASADA Iron Works Co., Ltd.).

Polyvinyl butyral (S-LEC (registered trademark)
2
parts by mass

BX-1 produced by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.)

Polyisocyanate (BURNOCK (registered
9.2
parts by mass

trademark) D750 produced by DIC Corporation)

Phosphate ester surfactant (PLYSURF (registered
1.3
parts by mass

trademark) A208N produced by DKS Co., Ltd.)

Talc (MICRO ACE (registered trademark) P-3
0.3
parts by mass

produced by Nippon Talc Co., Ltd.)

Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
43.6
parts by mass

Toluene
43.6
parts by mass

Yellow sublimation dye
5 parts by mass

Polyvinyl acetal
5 parts by mass

MEK
90 parts by mass

Magenta sublimation dye
5 parts by mass

Polyvinyl acetal
5 parts by mass

MEK
90 parts by mass

Cyan sublimation dye
5 parts by mass

Polyvinyl acetal
5 parts by mass

MEK
90 parts by mass

Carbon black
5 parts by mass

Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer
5 parts by mass

MEK
90 parts by mass

Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer
18 parts by mass

(SOLBIN (registered trademark) CNL

produced by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.)

Polyester (VYLON (registered trademark)
1 part by mass

220 produced by Toyobo Co., Ltd.)

Epoxy modified silicone oil (KP-1800U
1 part by mass

produced by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)

MEK
40 parts by mass

Toluene
40 parts by mass

Luster pigment A (METASHINE (registered
3.9
parts by mass

trademark) 2025PS produced by Nippon

Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., core: glass,

covering material: silver, average

particle size: 25 μm)

Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer
26.1
parts by mass

(SOLBIN (registered trademark) CNL

produced by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.)

MEK
35
parts by mass

Toluene
35
parts by mass

Examples 2 to 9 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4

A thermal transfer sheet was produced as in Example 1, except that the structure of the layers constituting the thermal transfer sheet was changed as described in Table 1. Details of the luster pigments listed in Table 1 are as follows.

Luster pigment B: METASHINE (registered trademark) 1030GP produced by Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., core: glass, covering material: gold, average particle size: 30 μm

Luster pigment C: METASHINE (registered trademark) 1030RY produced by Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., core: glass, covering material: titanium oxide, average particle size: 30 μm

Luster pigment D: FANTASPEARL (registered trademark) 1060YR produced by Nihon Koken Kogyo Co., Ltd., core: mica, covering material: titanium oxide, average particle size: 23 μm

In Comparative Example 4, in the preparation of the adhesive layer-forming coating liquid, 50 g of the adhesive layer-forming coating liquid and 250 g of zirconia beads having a size of 0.5 mm were charged into a glass bottle. Subsequently, a dispersion treatment was performed for 30 minutes by shaking the bottle with a paint shaker (produced by ASADA Iron Works Co., Ltd.).

Comparative Example 5

A thermal transfer sheet was produced as in Example 1, except that the composition of the adhesive layer-forming coating liquid was changed as described below.

Pearl pigment E (Iriodin/Afflair 223
10 parts by mass

produced by Merck Japan)

Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer
20 parts by mass

(SOLBIN (registered trademark) CNL produced

by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.)

MEK
35 parts by mass

Toluene
35 parts by mass

Example 10

As in Example 1, a back layer was formed on one of the surfaces of the first substrate, and colorant layers A to D were formed on a part of the other surface of the first substrate.

Then, a first peeling layer-forming coating liquid (containing a luster pigment) having the composition described below was applied in a frame sequential manner with respect to the colorant layers with a coating tester GP-10 (produced by Kurabo Industries Ltd.) heliograph plate 54L, and the resulting coating film was dried at 100° C. for 1 minute to form a first peeling layer.

An adhesive layer-forming coating liquid having the composition described below was applied to the first peeling layer, and the resulting coating film was dried to form an adhesive layer having a thickness of 1.2 μm. Hereby, a thermal transfer sheet was produced. The first peeling layer and the adhesive layer constituted the transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet.

Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer
15 parts by mass

(SOLBIN (registered trademark) CNL produced

by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.)

Polyester (VYLON (registered trademark) 220
4 parts by mass

produced by Toyobo Co., Ltd.)

Polyester (VYLON (registered trademark) 200
1 part by mass

produced by Toyobo Co., Ltd.)

Luster pigment A
10 parts by mass

MEK
35 parts by mass

Toluene
35 parts by mass

Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer
30 parts by mass

(SOLBIN (registered trademark) CNL produced

by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.)

MEK
35 parts by mass

Toluene
35 parts by mass

Example 11

As in Example 1, a back layer was formed on one of the surfaces of the first substrate, and colorant layers A to D and a first peeling layer were formed on the other surface of the first substrate.

Then, an intermediate layer-forming coating liquid (containing a luster pigment) having the composition described below was applied to the first peeling layer with a coating tester GP-10 (produced by Kurabo Industries Ltd.) heliograph plate 54L, and the resulting coating film was dried at 100° C. for 1 minute to form an intermediate layer.

An adhesive layer-forming coating liquid that was the same as that used in Example 10 was applied to the intermediate layer, and the resulting coating film was dried to form an adhesive layer having a thickness of 1.0 μm. Hereby, a thermal transfer sheet was produced. The first peeling layer, the intermediate layer, and the adhesive layer constituted the transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet.

Polyester (elitel (registered trademark)
11 parts by mass

UE-320 produced by Unitika Ltd.)

Polyester (VYLON (registered trademark)
7 parts by mass

GK250 produced by Toyobo Co., Ltd.)

Polyester (VYLON (registered trademark)
2 parts by mass

200 produced by Toyobo Co., Ltd.)

Luster pigment A
10 parts by mass

MEK
35 parts by mass

Toluene
35 parts by mass

[Production of Intermediate Transfer Medium]

A PET film having a thickness of 12 μm (Lumirror (registered trademark) produced by Toray Industries, Inc.) was provided as a second substrate. A second peeling layer-forming coating liquid having the composition described below was applied onto one of the surfaces of the second substrate, and the resulting coating film was dried to form a second peeling layer having a thickness of 1 μm. A protective layer-forming coating liquid having the composition described below was applied to the second peeling layer, and the resulting coating film was dried to form a protective layer having a thickness of 2 μm. A receiving layer-forming coating liquid having the composition described below was applied to the protective layer, and the resulting coating film was dried to form a receiving layer having a thickness of 2 μm. Hereby, an intermediate transfer medium was produced. The second peeling layer, the protective layer, and the receiving layer constituted the retransfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium.

(Meth)acrylic resin (DIANAL (registered
9.5 parts by mass

trademark) BR-87 produced by Mitsubishi

Chemical Corporation)

Polyester (VYLON (registered trademark)
0.5 parts by mass

200 produced by Toyobo Co., Ltd.)

Toluene
20 parts by mass

MEK
20 parts by mass

(Meth)acryl polyol resin (6KW-700 produced
100 parts by mass

by Taisei Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., solid

content: 36.5%, Tg: 102° C., Mw: 55000,

hydroxyl value: 30.1)

Isocyanate compound (TAKENATE (registered
3.6 parts by mass

trademark) D110N produced by Mitsui

Chemicals, Inc., solid content: 75%)

MEK
92 parts by mass

Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer
95 parts by mass

(SOLBIN (registered trademark) CNL produced

by Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.)

Epoxy modified silicone oil (KP-1800U
5 parts by mass

produced by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)

Toluene
200 parts by mass

MEK
200 parts by mass

<<Image Capture and Image Analysis>>

An image of the thermal transfer sheet produced in Example 1 was taken from a side on which the transfer layer was present using an optical microscope at a 500-fold magnification in order to obtain an 8-bit grayscale image (FIG. 6). The optical microscope used was a digital microscope VHX-500 produced by Keyence Corporation.

The image was analyzed with image analysis software. Dark and light portions of the analyzed image were inverted. Automatic thresholding was then performed by an ISODATA method in order to determine a threshold value of a brightness distribution of the analyzed image. Binary representation was subsequently performed such that portions in which brightness was less than the threshold value were colored in black and portions in which brightness was equal to or more than the threshold value were colored in white (FIG. 7). The number and the total area of the black portions and the total area of the white portions were calculated. The image analysis software used was ImageJ.

On the basis of the above data, the ratio of the total area of the black portions to the total area of the white portions and the average area of the black portions were calculated. Table 1 lists the calculation results.

In Examples 2 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5, the ratio of the total area of the black portions to the total area of the white portions and the average area of the black portions were calculated in the same manner as described above. Table 1 lists the calculation results.

<<First Transferability Evaluation>>

An image was formed on the retransfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium using the test printer described below with one of the thermal transfer sheets produced in Examples and Comparative Examples. The image was formed by transferring the colorants contained in the colorant layers A to D. Subsequently, the transfer layer of the thermal transfer sheet was transferred to the image.

- Thermal head: KEE-57-12GAN2-STA produced by KYOCERA Corporation
- Average resistance of heating element: 3303 Ω
- Resolution in main scanning direction: 300 dpi (dot per inch)
- Resolution in sub scanning direction: 300 dpi
- Line speed: 3.0 msec./line
- Printing start temperature: 35° C.
- Pulse Duty ratio: 70%

The transfer layer transferred on the intermediate transfer medium was visually inspected, and an evaluation was made in accordance with the following evaluation criteria. Table 1 lists the evaluation results.

(Evaluation Criteria)

- A: Wrinkles were absent in the surface of the transfer layer
- B: Shallow wrinkles were present in the surface of the transfer layer
- C: Deep wrinkles were present in the surface of the transfer layer
  
  <<Second Transferability Evaluation>>

The intermediate transfer medium that included the transfer layer disposed on the retransfer layer, which was produced in the evaluation of first transferability, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) card, and a laminator (Lamipacker LPD3212 produced by Fujipla) were provided.

The retransfer layer and transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium were second-transferred to the PVC card at a temperature of 175° C. and a speed of 40 mm/s. Hereby, a printed material was produced.

The printed material was visually inspected, and an evaluation was made in accordance with the following evaluation criteria. Table 1 lists the evaluation results. Note that the transfer failure portion (%) is the proportion of the region in which the transfer was not achieved with the retransfer layer and the transfer layer, which were to be transferred, being 100%.

(Evaluation Criteria)

- A: The transfer failure portion of the printed material was less than 5%
- B: The transfer failure portion of the printed material was 5% or more and less than 10%
- C: The transfer failure portion of the printed material was 10% or more
  
  <<Brightness Evaluation>>