A sublimation thermal transfer sheet having first, second, and third dye layers frame sequentially provided on a surface of a substrate in this order, and a back-face layer provided on another surface of the substrate. The first, second, and third dye layers contain an each individual sublimable dye and an each individual binder resin. One of the first and second dye layers further contains a releasing agent selected from a first group consisting of silicone oils, silicone-modified resins and phosphoric esters, and another dye layer further contains either one or both of at least a releasing agent selected from the first group and a cellulosic resin. The third dye layer (1) contains no releasing agent of the first group, or (2) contains the releasing agent at an amount of not more than 0.3% by weight based on the total weight of the solid content of the third dye layer.

A thermal transfer recording sheet set includes an image-receiving sheet that includes an image-receiving layer containing a compound represented by general formula (1) or (2) and an ink sheet that includes a yellow coloring material layer containing a particular dye and a cyan coloring material layer containing a particular dye.

An image forming method including preparing a thermal transfer sheet having a dye layer on a substrate, the dye layer containing a sublimable dye, preparing a decorative seal having a seal base material on a release sheet, the seal base material having a layered structure of an adhesive layer and a film layered in this order from the release sheet side, the film containing a resin having a dyeing affinity to the sublimable dye contained in the dye layer, and the film having an elongation percentage of not less than 150% and not more than 400% when determined by a test method in conformity with JIS-K-7127:1999, and thermally transferring the sublimable dye in the dye layer onto the seal base material by sublimation thermal transfer process, thereby forming a thermal transfer image on the seal base material.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer sheet which can prevent a kick and a scumming, and can form a photographic tone color image of high quality with a continuous tone image by sublimation transfer, while expanding the range of choices for colorants to be included in a colorant layer; a coating liquid for colorant layer to be used for forming the colorant layer of this thermal transfer sheet; a method for manufacturing this thermal transfer sheet; and image forming method employing this thermal transfer sheet. The problem is solved by a thermal transfer sheet (1) in which at least a colorant layer (3) is layered on a substrate sheet (2), wherein the colorant layer (3) contains a predetermined solvent, a colorant (10x) dispersible in the predetermined solvent, a dispersant, and a binder resin, and the dispersant being one or more selected from the group consisting of polyether-based dispersants, graft type polymer dispersants, acryl-based block type polymer dispersants, urethane-based polymer dispersants and azo-based dispersants.

An embossed heat transfer label includes a carrier, embossing layer, release coating, design layer, and adhesive layer, in which the embossing layer is formed to include an embossing pattern, and the design layer is configured to take up the embossing pattern from the embossing layer. The embossed heat transfer label is configured such that the design layer and the adhesive layer transfer to a target object upon application of heat and pressure, while the embossing layer and the release coating is removed and disposed with the carrier. The exposed design layer provides an embossed surface on the target object. The label can include a flat profile layer on which the design layer is printed.

An image forming method including preparing a thermal transfer sheet having a dye layer on a substrate, the dye layer containing a sublimable dye, preparing a decorative seal having a seal base material on a release sheet, the seal base material having a layered structure of an adhesive layer and a film layered in this order from the release sheet side, the film containing a resin having a dyeing affinity to the sublimable dye contained in the dye layer, and the film having an elongation percentage of not less than 150% and not more than 400% when determined by a test method in conformity with JIS-K-7127:1999, and thermally transferring the sublimable dye in the dye layer onto the seal base material by sublimation thermal transfer process, thereby forming a thermal transfer image on the seal base material.

When external forces are applied to both a base material layer and a second ink layer in directions away from each other in a first state in which a thermal transfer recording medium has been heated to a temperature higher than or equal to a first temperature and lower than or equal to a second temperature and subsequently cooled to a temperature lower than or equal to a third temperature, a breakage occurs between a first ink layer and the second ink layer or within the second ink layer. When the external forces are applied in a second state in which the thermal transfer recording medium has been heated to a temperature higher than the second temperature and subsequently cooled to a temperature lower than or equal to the third temperature, a breakage occurs between the first ink layer and the base material layer or within the first ink layer.

A thermal transfer recording medium includes: a base material layer; a welding layer; a first thermal transfer layer; and a second thermal transfer layer. The base material layer has a first surface and a second surface. The welding layer, the first thermal transfer layer, and the second thermal transfer layer are in direct contact with each other and are laminated in this order on the first surface of the base material layer. The welding layer has a solubility parameter higher than a solubility parameter of each of the base material layer and the first thermal transfer layer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer recording sheet that enables images having a wide color gamut, a high chroma, and good lightfastness, in which the degree of catalytic fading is reduced, to be formed. The thermal transfer recording sheet includes a base material and a colorant layer on the base material. The colorant layer includes a yellow dye layer, a magenta dye layer, and a cyan dye layer. The dye layers each include, as a dye, a compound having a specific structure.

Provided is a recording medium for a nail sticker and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a recording medium and a method of manufacturing the same, which show that an ink reception layer is formed on a base of a polyurethane material so that a nail sticker can be printed using a sublimation printer. The recording medium for a nail sticker comprises: a release paper; an adhesion layer formed on the release paper; a base of a polyurethane material attached onto the adhesion layer; an undercoating layer formed on the base; and an ink reception layer formed on the undercoating layer.