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.

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 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.

A printed product including: a yellow image formed on an image receiving sheet including a coloring material receiving layer and a surface protective layer formed on the yellow image, wherein the yellow image and the surface protective layer are formed by sequentially applying heat to a yellow coloring material layer for forming the yellow image and a surface protective layer forming layer for forming a surface protective layer through use of a thermal transfer recording sheet including the yellow coloring material layer and the surface protective layer forming layer field sequentially; the yellow coloring material layer contains a compound having a predetermined structure as a yellow coloring material, and wherein in the printed product having formed thereon the yellow image and the surface protective layer, the compound permeates into the coloring material receiving layer to a depth of 2 μm or more.

A thermal transfer sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a substrate and a transfer layer disposed on one surface side of the substrate, in which the transfer layer includes at least a discoloration- or decolorization-imparting layer, and the discoloration- or decolorization-imparting layer contains a compound responsible for discoloration or decolorization.

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.

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.

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.

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.

To provide a protective layer transfer sheet that can produce a print having excellent abrasion resistance and an excellent glossiness.

A protective layer transfer sheet 100 including a transfer layer 10 provided on one surface of a substrate 1, wherein the transfer layer 10 has a single-layer structure composed only of a protective layer 5 or a layered structure in which the protective layer 10 is located nearest to a side of the substrate 1, and the protective layer 5 contains a styrene resin and a particulate organofluorine compound.