A visual security feature is provided that is disposed on a target. The visual security feature includes two substantially transparent layers. At least one of the two substantially transparent layers is present in an image-wise pattern.

An intermediate transfer medium having a first transfer layer releasably provided on a support, a thermal transfer sheet in which a first colorant layer, a second transfer layer, and a second colorant layer are provided on one surface of a substrate so as being frame sequentially, and the second transfer layer is releasably provided from the substrate, and a transfer receiving article. The first colorant layer is used to form a first image on the first transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium. The second transfer layer is transferred onto the first transfer layer on which the first image is formed, and then, the second colorant layer is used to form a second image on the second transfer layer. The first transfer layer is transferred together with the second transfer layer transferred on the first transfer layer onto the transfer receiving article to obtain a print having a stereoscopic image.

Method for protecting printed data on a varnish area of a transfer film of a heat-transfer machine, including: a varnishing step during which the varnish area and a plastic card advance simultaneously under the thermal head and during which the thermal head heats in order to deposit the varnish on the plastic card, generating a deformation of the transfer film at a text printed on the plastic card; a rewinding step during which the transfer film is rewound in order to position the varnish area upstream of the thermal head, and the plastic card is repositioned upstream of the thermal head; and a defacing step during which the varnish area and the plastic card advance simultaneously under the thermal head and during which the thermal head heats at the level of the text and at the deformation in accordance with a sign scheme making the deformation illegible.

Card substrate printers, such as credential production devices, are generally configured to print images to plastic substrates to form identification cards, driver's licenses, credit cards, and other items. The image printing process that is performed by the printer may be a direct-to-card printing operation, in which a print unit prints an image directly to a surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the image printing process may involve a reverse-image printing process, during which a print unit prints an image to an intermediate substrate, such as a transfer film, and the printed image is transferred from the intermediate substrate to a surface of the card substrate to complete the printing process.

The present invention aims principally to provide a protective layer transfer sheet that can prevent occurrence of fusion between a receiving layer and a transfer layer and occurrence of peeling traces when the transfer layer is peeled from the receiving layer, even in the case that thermal energy applied on transfer of the transfer layer is increased and can obtain a high quality printed article and to provide a protective layer transfer sheet that can impart extremely good scratch resistance to the surface of a printed article. The protective layer transfer sheet includes a substrate, and a transfer layer provided on a surface of the substrate, and the transfer layer includes a binder resin and one or more substances selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid esters, olefin-maleic acid copolymers, and amino polyether-modified silicone oils.

A thermal transfer foil and also a process for producing a true color image, and a true color image, wherein the thermal transfer foil includes at least one effect pigment layer and a carrier foil which has first effect pigments in one or more first regions.

In accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a printing apparatus includes: a housing including at least one removable portion, a pair of spool supports which are rotatably drivable by at least one motor, a supply spool, a take-up spool, each spool being receivable on a respective spool support, such that, in use, a ribbon extends along a ribbon path between the supply spool and the take-up spool, a ribbon identification system comprising: a tag for storing information concerning a property of the ribbon, a reader, wherein the tag is attached to one of the supply and take-up spools and the reader is attached to the removable portion or one of the removable portions, and wherein a signal emitted by the tag and received by the reader allows the reader to identify a property of the ribbon.

An intermediate transfer medium having a first transfer layer releasably provided on a support, a thermal transfer sheet in which a first colorant layer, a second transfer layer, and a second colorant layer are provided on one surface of a substrate so as being frame sequentially, and the second transfer layer is releasably provided from the substrate, and a transfer receiving article. The first colorant layer is used to form a first image on the first transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium. The second transfer layer is transferred onto the first transfer layer on which the first image is formed, and then, the second colorant layer is used to form a second image on the second transfer layer. The first transfer layer is transferred together with the second transfer layer transferred on the first transfer layer onto the transfer receiving article to obtain a print having a stereoscopic image.

Method for protecting printed data on a varnish area of a transfer film of a heat-transfer machine, including: a varnishing step during which the varnish area and a plastic card advance simultaneously under the thermal head and during which the thermal head heats in order to deposit the varnish on the plastic card, generating a deformation of the transfer film at a text printed on the plastic card; a rewinding step during which the transfer film is rewound in order to position the varnish area upstream of the thermal head, and the plastic card is repositioned upstream of the thermal head; and a defacing step during which the varnish area and the plastic card advance simultaneously under the thermal head and during which the thermal head heats at the level of the text and at the deformation in accordance with a sign scheme making the deformation illegible.

A visual security feature is provided that is disposed on a target. The visual security feature includes two substantially transparent layers. At least one of the two substantially transparent layers is present in an image-wise pattern.