The peel-off sheet according to the present disclosure includes a first substrate and a peel-off layer, wherein the peel-off layer contains a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and a crystalline polyester, or the peel-off sheet includes a structural component containing particles, wherein the particle size distribution of the particles contained in the structural component which is determined with a laser diffraction scattering particle size distribution analyzer has a maximum peak at a position of more than 0.2 μm and 5 μm or less.

Provided are a combination of a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium which is capable of accurately transferring only a transfer layer of the intermediate transfer medium desired to be transferred onto a transfer receiving article in the production of a print, and a thermal transfer sheet which is used in combination with an intermediate transfer medium. Also provided are a method for producing a print, comprising accurately transferring only a transfer layer of an intermediate transfer medium desired to be transferred onto a transfer receiving article, and a thermal transfer printer which is used in this method for producing a print. In the thermal transfer sheet which is used in combination with an intermediate transfer medium, inhibit layer 2 is disposed on substrate 1, and the inhibit layer 2 contains a carnauba wax.

A thermal transfer sheet according to the present disclosure includes a first substrate and a metallic luster layer containing a metal pigment, the metallic luster layer having a 45-degree specular gloss in the range of 30% to 80%.

A thermal transfer sheet, a combination of an intermediate transfer medium and a thermal transfer sheet, method for producing a printed material using the thermal transfer sheet, and a decorative material, wherein the thermal transfer sheet includes a transfer layer on one surface of a substrate, the transfer layer having a single layer structure consisting only of a heat seal layer or a multilayer structure including a heat seal layer, and in a case where the transfer layer has the multilayer structure, the heat seal layer among the layers constituting the transfer layer is positioned closest to the substrate. The heat seal layer contains one or both of (i) a polyester having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 55° C. or more and a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 15000 or less, and (ii) a polyester having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than 55° C.

A combination of a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium of the present disclosure is characterized in that the thermal transfer sheet includes a first substrate and a coloring layer, a peel-off layer, and a heat seal layer disposed on the first substrate; the intermediate transfer medium includes a second substrate and a transfer layer; the peel-off layer is a layer for removing a portion of the transfer layer from the intermediate transfer medium; and an absolute value of a difference in 45-degree specular gloss between the heat seal layer and the transfer layer is 20% or more.

An image transfer article can include an image-imparting member and a removable substrate disposed adjacent to the image-imparting member. The image-imparting member can have a softening point temperature less than about 220° C. The image-imparting member can include at least one surface configured to receive and carry indicia to be transferred and at least one portion comprising a pigment providing an opaque background for received indicia. In some examples, the image-imparting member can comprise a first polymer including the indicia and at least a second polymer including the pigment. In some examples, the image-imparting member can comprise a polymer including the indicia and the pigment. The indicia and the opaque background can be arranged to concurrently transfer to a woven- or fabric-based article or paper in contact with the image-imparting member, upon application of iron pressing temperatures.

A combination of a thermal transfer sheet and an intermediate transfer medium according to the present disclosure is characterized in that the thermal transfer sheet includes a first substrate and a melt transfer coloring layer, the intermediate transfer medium includes a second substrate and a transfer layer including a receiving layer, and the melt transfer coloring layer and the receiving layer contain a release material.

A thermal transfer sheet is used in indirect transfer printing for forming an image through a primary transfer from the thermal transfer sheet to an intermediate transfer medium and thereafter forming an image on a transfer target through secondary transfer to the transfer target. The thermal transfer sheet includes, on a substrate, a masking layer that is a portion that prevents transfer to the transfer target during the secondary transfer. The masking layer is formed from a resin having a Tg of 140° C. or more and 220° C. or less, and the masking layer contains 0.5 wt % or more and 20 wt % or less filler particles relative to the resin.

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.

The present invention relates to a printing method for transferring printing substance from an ink carrier to a substrate, in which the printing substance undergoes a change in volume and/or position with the aid of an energy-emitting device that emits energy during a process time in the form of electromagnetic waves wherein the printing substance comprises a high molecular weight binder. In addition, the present invention describes a printing substance for carrying out the method and the use thereof.