Apparatus and methods for transferring a pigment-based decorative design onto a surface without using a plastic film or adhesive.

There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having: (a) a first binder layer; (b) a plurality of transparent microspheres partially embedded in the first binder layer wherein the transparent microspheres have refractive indices that are less than a refractive index of the first binder layer and wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres consist of microspheres having a refractive index of no more than 1.490. There is also provided a transfer article comprising: (a) a transfer carrier, the transfer carrier comprising: (i) a support layer; and (ii) a thermoplastic release layer bonded to the support layer; (b) a layer of a plurality of transparent microspheres, formed on a side of the thermoplastic transparent microsphere release layer opposite the support layer, wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres consist of microspheres having a refractive index of no more than 1.490.

A transparent or translucent carrier sheet is provided with an alignment grid for positioning a decorative transfer.

A three-dimensionally shaped object forming sheet includes: a thermally expansive layer distending at a predetermined temperature or higher; a base laminated on one side thereof with the thermally expansive layer; and a photothermal conversion layer for converting absorbed light to heat, formed on at least one side, wherein the base includes a first base and a second base that are laminated; and the first base has an elasticity that is greater than an elasticity of the second base.

A transparent or translucent carrier sheet is provided with an alignment grid for positioning a decorative transfer.

A transparent or translucent carrier sheet is provided with an alignment grid for positioning a decorative transfer.

A three-dimensionally shaped object forming sheet includes: a thermally expansive layer distending at a predetermined temperature or higher; a base laminated on one side thereof with the thermally expansive layer; and a photothermal conversion layer for converting absorbed light to heat, formed on at least one side, wherein the base includes a first base and a second base that are laminated; and the first base has an elasticity that is greater than an elasticity of the second base.

A manufacturing method for a decorated object is provided. In this manufacturing method, a foil is attached to a medium to obtain the decorated object. The manufacturing method includes: a foil layer forming step of attaching the foil to an adhesive layer formed on the medium, so as to form a foil layer in a manner that the adhesive layer is partly exposed; and an ink layer forming step of applying an ink to the foil layer on which the adhesive layer is partly exposed, so as to form an ink layer in a manner that the ink contacts an exposed part of the adhesive layer.

There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having: (a) a first binder layer; (b) a plurality of transparent microspheres partially embedded in the first binder layer such that about 20% to about 70% of the average diameter of the transparent microspheres is exposed at the outermost surface of the article, wherein the transparent microspheres have refractive indices that are less than a refractive index of the first binder layer and wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres consist of microspheres having a refractive index of no more than 1.490. There is also provided a transfer article comprising: (a) a transfer carrier, the transfer carrier comprising: (i) a support layer; and (ii) a thermoplastic release layer bonded to the support layer; (b) a layer of a plurality of transparent microspheres, formed on a side of the thermoplastic transparent microsphere release layer opposite the support layer, wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres consist of microspheres having a refractive index of no more than 1.490.

A method for producing a light-accumulating transfer sheet, which comprises: an adhesive layer forming step for forming an adhesive layer on a supporting layer; a resin layer forming step for forming a resin layer on the adhesive layer; a heat generation layer forming step for forming a heat generation layer, which comprises a dye layer containing a near-infrared absorbing dye on the resin layer; and a pigment dispersion layer forming step for forming a pigment dispersion layer, which contains a light-accumulating pigment on the heat generation layer.