The present invention provides a laser marking ink composition with which a laser marking layer that enables recording with satisfactory visibility can be formed. This laser marking ink composition is a laser marking ink composition containing a binder resin (A), and titanium oxide (B) that causes color development in the laser marking layer by irradiation with laser light, wherein the titanium oxide (B) comprises at least one surface-treated titanium oxide (B.sub.I) selected from the group consisting of alumina-treated titanium oxide (b.sub.1), alumina-silica composite-treated titanium oxide (b.sub.2), and ATO-treated titanium oxide (b.sub.3), and at least one of condition 1 such that a ratio of a content of the surface-treated titanium oxide (B.sub.I) to a content of the binder resin (A), (B.sub.I/A), is 2.5 to 6.5 on a solid content mass ratio basis and condition 2 such that a ratio of a content of the titanium oxide (b.sub.3) to a content of the binder resin (A), (b.sub.3/A), is 1.0 to 6.5 on a solid content mass ratio basis is satisfied.

A thermal transfer apparatus includes a fixture, a foil securing film, a film retainer, a foil transfer tool, and a carriage conveyor. The fixture retains a transfer object. The foil securing film is disposed above the fixture. The foil securing film allows light to pass therethrough. The foil securing film presses, from above, a thermal transfer foil on the transfer object so as to secure the thermal transfer foil onto the transfer object. The film retainer retains the foil securing film. The film retainer moves the foil securing film in an up-down direction relative to the fixture. The foil transfer tool presses the foil securing film and the thermal transfer foil on the transfer object. The foil transfer tool emits light to the foil securing film. The carriage conveyor moves the foil transfer tool relative to the fixture.

A thermal transfer apparatus includes a fixture, a foil securing film, a film retainer, a foil transfer tool, and a carriage conveyor. The fixture retains a transfer object. The foil securing film is disposed above the fixture. The foil securing film allows light to pass therethrough. The foil securing film presses, from above, a thermal transfer foil on the transfer object so as to secure the thermal transfer foil onto the transfer object. The film retainer retains the foil securing film. The film retainer moves the foil securing film in an up-down direction relative to the fixture. The foil transfer tool presses the foil securing film and the thermal transfer foil on the transfer object. The foil transfer tool emits light to the foil securing film. The carriage conveyor moves the foil transfer tool relative to the fixture.

A cartridge includes: a cartridge case; a first supply portion including a heat-sensitive medium; and a second supply portion including an adhesive medium. The heat-sensitive medium includes a base material, a plurality of heat-sensitive layers, and at least one heat-insulating layer in a stacked state. The heat-sensitive layers include: a first heat-sensitive layer for producing a first color when heated above a first temperature; and a second heat-sensitive layer for producing a second color when heated above a second temperature higher than. the first temperature. The cartridge case includes: an opening for exposing the heat-sensitive medium; and a guide part positioned downstream of the opening in a conveying direction of the heat-sensitive medium for guiding the heat-sensitive medium and the adhesive medium bonded to a surface of the heat-sensitive medium opposite the base material with respect to the plurality of heat-sensitive layers.

A cartridge includes: a cartridge case; a first supply portion including a heat-sensitive medium; and a second supply portion including an adhesive medium. The heat-sensitive medium includes a base material, a plurality of heat-sensitive layers, and at least one heat-insulating layer in a stacked state. The heat-sensitive layers include: a first heat-sensitive layer for producing a first color when heated above a first temperature; and a second heat-sensitive layer for producing a second color when heated above a second temperature higher than. the first temperature. The cartridge case includes: an opening for exposing the heat-sensitive medium; and a guide part positioned downstream of the opening in a conveying direction of the heat-sensitive medium for guiding the heat-sensitive medium and the adhesive medium bonded to a surface of the heat-sensitive medium opposite the base material with respect to the plurality of heat-sensitive layers.

An anti-counterfeiting structure includes a substrate having a surface, and an device structure positioned on the surface. A side opposite to the side on which the substrate is positioned with respect to the device structure is an observation side, and the device structure comprises an optical device layer that emits predetermined light towards the observation side, and an information portion that contains given information. The information portion comprises a first substance having optical transparency, wherein the first substance is changeable to a second substance having a different optical characteristic from the first substance by laser irradiation, and the second substance representing information. The device structure has a display surface that is a surface opposite to the surface on which a surface of the substrate, and is configured so as to display information contained in the information portion via the display surface.

An anti-counterfeiting structure includes a substrate having a surface, and an device structure positioned on the surface. A side opposite to the side on which the substrate is positioned with respect to the device structure is an observation side, and the device structure comprises an optical device layer that emits predetermined light towards the observation side, and an information portion that contains given information. The information portion comprises a first substance having optical transparency, wherein the first substance is changeable to a second substance having a different optical characteristic from the first substance by laser irradiation, and the second substance representing information. The device structure has a display surface that is a surface opposite to the surface on which a surface of the substrate, and is configured so as to display information contained in the information portion via the display surface.

Printing process in which a substrate to be printed is disposed opposite an ink carrier having an ink layer, the ink layer being irradiated regionally by a laser beam, said layer accelerating by absorption of the laser beam in the substrate direction, wherein for laser absorption the ink layer is admixed with reflective particles and as soluble polymer having a weight average (Mw) molecular weight of greater than 250 000 g/mol.

A thermosensitive recording medium according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a recording layer that includes a coloring compound having electron-donating property, a developer having electron-accepting property, a photothermal conversion agent, and a polymer material; and a protective member that is stacked on the recording layer, and has a convexo-concave shape in a plane.

A thermosensitive recording medium according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a recording layer that includes a coloring compound having electron-donating property, a developer having electron-accepting property, a photothermal conversion agent, and a polymer material; and a protective member that is stacked on the recording layer, and has a convexo-concave shape in a plane.