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Method For Producing Transfer Medium And Transfer Recording Method

20260103839 ยท 2026-04-16

    Inventors

    Cpc classification

    International classification

    Abstract

    A method for producing a transfer medium according to the present disclosure includes: forming a first layer by adhering an image forming ink to a transfer sheet; and forming a second layer by adhering an adhesive ink on top of the first layer. The transfer sheet includes a substrate and an ink receiving layer containing resin. The ink receiving layer has a thickness of 7 m or more. A total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is 110 g/m.sup.2 or more.

    Claims

    1. A method for producing a transfer medium comprising: forming a first layer by adhering an image forming ink to a transfer sheet; and forming a second layer by adhering an adhesive ink on top of the first layer, wherein the transfer sheet includes a substrate and an ink receiving layer containing resin, the ink receiving layer has a thickness of 7 m or more, and a total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is 110 g/m.sup.2 or more.

    2. The method for producing a transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the ink receiving layer further contains an inorganic oxide particle.

    3. The method for producing a transfer medium according to claim 2, wherein the inorganic oxide particle has a maximum particle diameter of 5 m or more.

    4. The method for producing a transfer medium according to claim 2, wherein the ink receiving layer contains, as the resin, at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, and urethane resin.

    5. The method for producing a transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein, the forming the first layer uses a color ink and a white ink as the image forming ink, and the white ink is adhered on top of the color ink on at least a portion of the transfer sheet.

    6. The method for producing a transfer medium according to claim 1, further comprising drying the transfer sheet by heating the transfer sheet having the first layer and the second layer to 100 C. or more.

    7. The method for producing a transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein an amount of adhesion of the image forming ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is 30 g/m.sup.2 or more and 200 g/m.sup.2 or less.

    8. The method for producing a transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein an amount of adhesion of the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is 30 g/m.sup.2 or more and 500 g/m.sup.2 or less.

    9. A transfer recording method comprising thermally transferring the ink receiving layer, the first layer, and the second layer included in the transfer medium produced by the method for producing a transfer medium according to claim 1 onto a transfer target medium.

    10. A transfer recording method comprising: forming a first layer by adhering an image forming ink to a transfer sheet including a substrate and an ink receiving layer containing resin and an inorganic oxide particle having a maximum particle diameter of 5 m or more; forming a second layer by adhering an adhesive ink on top of the first layer; drying the transfer sheet by heating the transfer sheet having the first layer and the second layer to 100 C. or more; and thermally transferring the ink receiving layer, the first layer, and the second layer included in the transfer medium produced through the forming the first layer, the forming the second layer, and the drying, onto a transfer target medium, wherein the ink receiving layer contains, as the resin, at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, and urethane resin, the ink receiving layer has a thickness of 7 m or more, and the forming the first layer uses a color ink and a white ink as the image forming ink, the white ink is adhered on top of the color ink on at least a portion of the transfer sheet, an amount of adhesion of the image forming ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is 30 g/m.sup.2 or more and 200 g/m.sup.2 or less, an amount of adhesion of the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is 30 g/m.sup.2 or more and 500 g/m.sup.2 or less, and a total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is 110 g/m.sup.2 or more.

    Description

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

    [0010] FIG. 1 is a process diagram illustrating a method for producing a transfer medium according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

    [0011] FIG. 2 is a process diagram illustrating a transfer recording method according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

    [0012] FIG. 3 is a table showing compositions of image forming inks of Preparation Examples A1 and A2.

    [0013] FIG. 4 is a table showing compositions of adhesive inks of Preparation Examples B1 to B5.

    [0014] FIG. 5 is a table collectively showing production conditions of transfer media and recorded products of Examples 1 to 9.

    [0015] FIG. 6 is a table collectively showing production conditions of transfer media and recorded products of Examples 10 to 18.

    [0016] FIG. 7 is a table collectively showing production conditions of transfer media and recorded products of Examples 19 and 20 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.

    [0017] FIG. 8 is a table collectively showing evaluation results of Examples 1 to 9.

    [0018] FIG. 9 is a table collectively showing evaluation results of Examples 10 to 18.

    [0019] FIG. 10 is a table collectively showing evaluation results of Examples 19 and 20 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.

    DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

    [0020] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail.

    1 Method for Producing Transfer Medium

    [0021] First, a method for producing a transfer medium of the present disclosure will be described.

    [0022] FIG. 1 is a process diagram illustrating a method for producing a transfer medium according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

    [0023] The method for producing a transfer medium 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a first layer formation step (1a) of forming a first layer 2 by adhering an image forming ink 2to a transfer sheet 1 and a second layer formation step (1b) of forming a second layer 3 by adhering an adhesive ink 3 on top of the first layer 2. The transfer sheet 1 includes a substrate 11 and an ink receiving layer 12 containing resin. The ink receiving layer 12 has a thickness of 7 m or more, and the total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink 2 and the adhesive ink 3 per unit area of the transfer sheet 1 is 110 g/m.sup.2 or more. Such a configuration can provide a method for producing a transfer medium capable of properly producing a transfer medium that is unlikely to have ink dripping during transport and problems such as bleeding and insufficient color developability of an image formed by transfer to the transfer target medium and that allows an image to be properly transferred to a transfer target medium. This configuration can also effectively reduce cracking or the like of a coating film, which may be caused when the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 are dried. Furthermore, in a case where a fabric is used as a transfer target medium 5 in the transfer recording method described below, this configuration can effectively reduce the possibility that a whitening phenomenon will occur after washing of a produced recorded product 100.

    [0024] In contrast, a configuration that does not satisfy the above-described conditions cannot have satisfactory results.

    [0025] For example, if the thickness of the ink receiving layer of the transfer sheet is too small, ink dripping is likely to occur during transport of the transfer sheet, and thus an image transferred to a transfer target medium is likely to have problems such as bleeding.

    [0026] In contrast, if the total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is too small, problems such as insufficient color developability of the image transferred to the transfer target medium and a decrease in transferability of the image to the transfer target medium occur.

    [0027] For example, when the ink receiving layer contains an inorganic oxide particle described below and the particle diameter of the inorganic oxide particle is relatively large, the thickness of the ink receiving layer varies. In such a case, only the thickness (maximum thickness) of a portion where the ink receiving layer has the largest thickness needs to satisfy the above-described condition. In the present specification, the total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet refers to the total amount of adhesion at a portion of the transfer sheet where the total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink is the largest. In determination of the total amount of adhesion, the total amount of adhesion (mass) in a minute region, for example, a 1 mm1 mm region, of the transfer sheet is determined, and using this value, a value converted into the amount of adhesion per 1 m.sup.2 (g/m.sup.2) can be determined. In the calculation of the total amount of adhesion, the mass of each of the ejected inks is used, not the mass of each of the dried inks. The amount of adhesion of the image forming ink per unit area and the amount of adhesion of the adhesive ink per unit area, which will be described later, can also be determined in the same manner.

    1-1 First Layer Formation Step

    [0028] In the first layer formation step, the first layer 2 is formed by adhering the image forming ink 2 to the transfer sheet 1 (1a).

    1-1-1 Transfer Sheet

    [0029] The transfer sheet 1 includes the substrate 11 and the ink receiving layer 12 containing resin. The image forming ink 2 is applied to the ink receiving layer 12 of the transfer sheet 1.

    1-1-1-1 Substrate

    [0030] The substrate 11 has a function of supporting the ink receiving layer 12. The substrate 11 may be formed of, for example, paper, a plastic material, or a metal material.

    [0031] Examples of the plastic material constituting the substrate 11 include polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Among these, polyethylene terephthalate is preferable as the constituent of the substrate 11. This enables the substrate 11 to have more appropriate flexibility, making it easier to handle the substrate 11. In addition, in the transfer recording method described below, the releasability between the portion of the ink receiving layer 12 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 and the substrate 11 can be made higher, and the portion of the ink receiving layer 12 corresponding to the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 can be more properly transferred to the transfer target medium 5 together with the first layer 2 and the second layer 3.

    [0032] The substrate 11 may have any shape but preferably has a sheet-like shape.

    [0033] When the substrate 11 has a sheet-like shape, the thickness of the substrate 11 is not particularly limited but is preferably 30 m or more and 500 m or less, more preferably 50 m or more and 300 m or less, and still more preferably 70 m or more and 200 m or less.

    1-1-1-2 Ink Receiving Layer

    [0034] The ink receiving layer 12 has a portion to which the image forming ink 2 is applied and receives the applied ink. In the transfer recording method described below, a portion of ink receiving layer 12 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 is transferred to the transfer target medium 5 together with the first layer 2 and the second layer 3.

    [0035] The ink receiving layer 12 is formed of a material containing resin. Examples of the resin constituting the ink receiving layer 12 include acrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, urethane resin, and polyester resin. One or more of these may be selected and used in combination. Among these, the resin constituting the ink receiving layer 12 is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, and urethane resin. This enables the ink receiving layer 12 to more properly retain ink, further reducing the likelihood of problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding. This can also further improve the transferability of the ink receiving layer 12 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 to the transfer target medium 5 in the transfer recording method described below.

    [0036] The resin content of the ink receiving layer 12 is not particularly limited but is preferably 20% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less, more preferably 40% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and still more preferably 60% by mass or more and 85% by mass or less. This enables the ink receiving layer 12 to further properly retain ink, further reducing the likelihood of problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding. This can also further improve the transferability of the ink receiving layer 12 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 to the transfer target medium 5 in the transfer recording method described below.

    [0037] The ink receiving layer 12 may contain a component other than resin. Examples of such a component include an inorganic oxide particle and a polyvalent metal salt (magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, and calcium nitrate).

    [0038] When the ink receiving layer 12 contains an inorganic oxide particle, the ink receiving layer 12 can more properly retain ink, further reducing the likelihood of problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding. This can also further improve the transferability of the ink receiving layer 12 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 to the transfer target medium 5 in the transfer recording method described below.

    [0039] Examples of the inorganic oxide particle include alumina and silica, and one or more of these may be selected and used in combination. Among these, alumina and silica are preferable. This enables the ink receiving layer 12 to further properly retain ink, further reducing the likelihood of problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding. This can also further improve the transferability of the ink receiving layer 12 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 to the transfer target medium 5 in the transfer recording method described below.

    [0040] The inorganic oxide particle is preferably a porous inorganic particle. This enables the ink receiving layer 12 to further properly retain ink, further reducing the likelihood of problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding. This can also further improve the transferability of the ink receiving layer 12 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 to the transfer target medium 5 in the transfer recording method described below.

    [0041] The maximum particle diameter of the inorganic oxide particles is preferably 5 m or more, more preferably 5 m or more and 20 m or less, and still more preferably 5 m or more and 15 m or less. This can more effectively reduce the variation in the thickness of the ink receiving layer 12. In addition, the ink receiving layer 12 can more properly retain the ink, further reducing the likelihood of problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding. This can also further improve the transferability of the ink receiving layer 12 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 to the transfer target medium 5 in the transfer recording method described below.

    [0042] The maximum particle size can be determined, for example, by adding a sample to methanol, dispersing the sample with an ultrasonic disperser for 3 minutes, and measuring the dispersion with a Coulter counter particle size distribution analyzer (Model TA-II available from Coulter Electronics, Inc.) using a 50 m aperture.

    [0043] The inorganic oxide particle content of the ink receiving layer 12 is not particularly limited but is preferably 1% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, more preferably 3% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, and still more preferably 5% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less. This can more effectively reduce the variation in the thickness of the ink receiving layer 12. In addition, the ink receiving layer 12 can more properly retain the ink, further reducing the likelihood of problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding. This can also further improve the transferability of the ink receiving layer 12 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 to the transfer target medium 5 in the transfer recording method described below.

    [0044] The thickness of the ink receiving layer 12 only needs to be 7 m or more as described above but is preferably 8 m or more and 70 m or less, more preferably 9 m or more and 50 m or less, and still more preferably 10 m or more and 30 m or less. This enables the ink receiving layer 12 to more properly retain ink, further reducing the likelihood of problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding. This can also further improve the transferability of the ink receiving layer 12 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 to the transfer target medium 5 in the transfer recording method described below.

    [0045] The transfer sheet 1 only needs to include the substrate 11 and the ink receiving layer 12 but may further include other components. For example, the transfer sheet 1 may further include, between the substrate 11 and the ink receiving layer 12, a release layer (not illustrated) that enhances the releasability between the substrate 11 and the ink receiving layer 12.

    1-1-2 Image Forming Ink

    [0046] The image forming ink 2 is used to form the first layer 2. In the transfer recording method described below, the first layer 2 forms an image to be transferred to the transfer target medium 5.

    [0047] The image forming ink 2 typically contains a coloring material and a liquid medium for dissolving or dispersing the coloring material.

    1-1-2-1 Coloring Material

    [0048] As the coloring material contained in the image forming ink 2, for example, various pigments and dyes can be used, and one or more of these may be selected and used in combination.

    [0049] As the pigment, various inorganic pigments and organic pigments can be used.

    [0050] As the pigment, for example, a self-dispersing pigment may be used. The self-dispersing pigment is a self-dispersing pigment having a hydrophilic group on the pigment surface, and examples of the hydrophilic group include OM, COOM, CO, SO.sub.3M, SO.sub.2M, SO.sub.2NH.sub.2, RSO.sub.2M, PO.sub.3HM, PO.sub.3M.sub.2, SO.sub.2NHCOR, NH.sub.3, and NR.sub.3. In the formula, M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an ammonium, or an organic ammonium, and R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a naphthyl group optionally having a substituent. A phenyl group, for example, may be present between the pigment surface and the hydrophilic group.

    [0051] The self-dispersing pigment can be produced by subjecting the pigment to a physical treatment or a chemical treatment to bond the hydrophilic group to the surface of the pigment. Examples of the physical treatment include a vacuum plasma treatment. Examples of the chemical treatment include a wet oxidation method in which oxidation using an oxidant is performed in water.

    [0052] The self-dispersing pigment is preferably a surface treated self-dispersing pigment that has been subjected to an oxidation treatment with a hypohalous acid and/or a hypohalite, an oxidation treatment with ozone, or an oxidation treatment with a persulfuric acid and/or a persulfate in order to have high color development. The self-dispersing pigment may be a commercially available product. Preferred examples thereof include Microjet CW1 (available from Orient Chemical Industries, Co., ltd.), CAB-O-JET250C, CAB-O-JET260M, CAB-O-JET270Y, and CAB-O-JET444MP (available from Cabot Corporation).

    [0053] Examples of the dye include various acid dyes, reactive dyes, disperse dyes, and sublimation dyes.

    [0054] The coloring material content of the image forming ink 2 is not particularly limited but is preferably 1.0% by mass or more and 25.0% by mass or less, more preferably 2.0% by mass or more and 20.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 5.0% by mass or more and 15.0% by mass or less. This enables the first layer 2 formed of the image forming ink 2 to readily have a sufficient color density, improving the color developability of the recorded product 100 and also improving the storage stability of the image forming ink 2. This also improves, in a case where the image forming ink 2 is ejected by an ink jet method, the ejection stability of the image forming ink 2 using the ink jet method, and the recoverability from clogging in the ink jet head 50.

    1-1-2-2 Liquid Medium

    [0055] The image forming ink 2 contains a liquid medium in which the coloring material described above is dissolved or dispersed. In other words, the liquid medium contained in the image forming ink 2 has a function of dissolving or dispersing the coloring material described above.

    [0056] As the liquid medium, for example, various organic solvents can be used, but the liquid medium preferably contains at least water.

    [0057] The ratio of water in the entire liquid medium constituting the image forming ink 2 is not particularly limited but is preferably 40.0% by mass or more and 90.0% by mass or less, more preferably 50.0% by mass or more and 85.0% by mass or less, and still more preferably 55.0% by mass or more and 80.0% by mass or less.

    [0058] The image forming ink 2 may contain an organic solvent as the liquid medium. This enables proper adjustment of the viscosity and surface tension of the image forming ink 2. Furthermore, this improves the moisture retention of the image forming ink 2, and in a case where the image forming ink 2 is ejected by an ink jet method, this can effectively prevent unintentional precipitation of solids from the image forming ink 2 due to drying in the ink jet head 50 or the like and can also improve the recoverability from clogging, resulting in improvement of the ejection stability of the image forming ink 2.

    [0059] The organic solvent is preferably a water-soluble organic solvent. As the water-soluble organic solvent, an organic solvent having a solubility of 10 g/100 g water or more at 25 C. is preferably used. In particular, the image forming ink 2 preferably contains an organic solvent having a boiling point of 280 C. or more. This improves the moisture retention of the image forming ink 2.

    [0060] Examples of the organic solvent, especially the water-soluble organic solvent, contained in the image forming ink 2 include polyol compounds, glycol ethers, and cyclic amide compounds. One or more of these may be selected and used in combination.

    [0061] Examples of the polyol compound include polyol compounds, preferably diol compounds, having 2 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms in the molecule and optionally having one ether bond in the molecule. Specific examples thereof include glycols such as 1,2-pentanediol, glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-heptanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 2-methyl-3-phenoxy-1,2-propanediol, 3-(3-methylphenoxy)-1,2-propanediol, 3-hexyloxy-1,2-propanediol, 2-hydroxymethyl-2-phenoxymethyl-1,3-propanediol, 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, and 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol. Examples of the glycol ether include monoalkyl ethers of glycol selected from ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and tripropylene glycol. Examples of the monoalkyl ether include triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether. Examples of the cyclic amide compound include 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethylimidazolinone, 2-piperidone (-valerolactam), and N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone.

    [0062] The ratio of the organic solvent in the entire liquid medium constituting the image forming ink 2 is not particularly limited but is preferably 10.0% by mass or more and 60.0% by mass or less, more preferably 15.0% by mass or more and 50.0% by mass or less, and still more preferably 20.0% by mass or more and 45.0% by mass or less. This allows the effect of containing the above-described organic solvent to be more remarkably exhibited.

    [0063] The liquid medium content of the image forming ink 2 is not particularly limited but is preferably 55.0% by mass or more and 90.0% by mass or less, more preferably 62.0% by mass or more and 88.0% by mass or less, and still more preferably 68.0% by mass or more and 85.0% by mass or less. This enables the first layer 2 formed of the image forming ink 2 to readily have a sufficient color density, improving the color developability of the recorded product 100 and also improving the storage stability of the image forming ink 2. This also improves, in a case where the image forming ink 2 is ejected by an ink jet method, the ejection stability of the image forming ink 2 using the ink jet method, and the recoverability from clogging in the ink jet head 50.

    1-1-2-3 Resin

    [0064] The image forming ink 2 may contain resin. This can improve, for example, the adhesion of the first layer 2 formed of the image forming ink 2 to the second layer 3 or the ink receiving layer 12. This also improves, if the image forming ink 2 contains a pigment, the dispersion stability of the pigment in the image forming ink 2.

    [0065] The resin content of the image forming ink 2 is preferably 2.0% by mass or more and 15.0% by mass or less, more preferably 4.0% by mass or more and 13.0% by mass or less, and still more preferably 7.0% by mass or more and 12.0% by mass or less. This can improve the adhesion of a recording section 4 to the transfer target medium 5 while allowing the ejection stability of the image forming ink 2 using the ink jet method and the production stability of the recorded product 100 using the transfer recording method described below to be sufficiently high. Furthermore, in a case where the transfer target medium 5 is a fabric or the like, this can improve the texture of the recorded product 100.

    [0066] In a case where the image forming ink 2 contains resin, the resin may be present in the image forming ink 2 in any form. For example, in the image forming ink 2, the resin may be contained in a dispersed state or in a dissolved state but is preferably contained in a dispersed state. This can improve the ejection stability of the image forming ink 2 using an ink jet method, resulting in more stable formation of the recorded product 100.

    [0067] In a case where the resin is contained in the image forming ink 2 in a dispersed state, an average particle size of the resin is preferably 30 nm or more and 3 m or less, more preferably 50 nm or more and 1 m or less, and even more preferably 60 nm or more and 300 nm or less. This allows the above-described effect to be more remarkably exhibited.

    [0068] In this specification, the average particle size refers to a volume-based average particle size and can be determined, for example, by adding a sample to methanol, dispersing the sample with an ultrasonic disperser for 3 minutes, and measuring the dispersion with a Coulter counter particle size distribution analyzer (Model TA-II available from Coulter Electronics, Inc.) using a 50 m aperture.

    [0069] Examples of the resin contained in the image forming ink 2 include polyurethane, polyester, styrene acrylic resin, acrylic resin, and polyvinyl chloride, and one or more of these may be selected and used in combination. Among these, polyurethane is preferable. This allows the above-described effect to be more remarkably exhibited.

    [0070] A glass transition temperature of the resin contained in the image forming ink 2 is preferably 40 C. or more and 0 C. or less, more preferably 35 C. or more and 5 C. or less, and even more preferably 30 C. or more and 10 C. or less. This can improve the texture, the washing fastness, and the like of the produced recorded product 100, for example, in a case where a fabric is used as the transfer target medium 5 in the transfer recording method described below.

    [0071] In the case where the image forming ink 2 contains resin and a pigment, preferably 0.2XR/XP1.8 is satisfied, more preferably 0.6XR/XP1.5 is satisfied, and still more preferably 0.8XR/XP1.2 is satisfied, in which XR represents the resin content of the image forming ink 2 (% by mass) and XP represents the pigment content of the image forming ink 2 (% by mass). This enables the first layer 2 formed of the image forming ink 2 to readily have a sufficient color density, improving the color developability of the recorded product 100 produced by using the transfer recording method described below, and also improving the storage stability of the image forming ink 2. This also improves, in a case where the image forming ink 2 is ejected by an ink jet method, the ejection stability of the image forming ink 2 using the ink jet method, and the recoverability from clogging in the ink jet head 50. Furthermore, in a case where the transfer target medium 5 is a fabric or the like, this can improve the texture of the recorded product 100.

    1-1-2-4 Surfactant

    [0072] The image forming ink 2 may contain a surfactant. As the surfactant, for example, various surfactants such as an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant can be used.

    [0073] When the image forming ink 2 contains a surfactant, the surfactant content of the image forming ink 2 is preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 1.50% by mass or less, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 1.00% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.07% by mass or more and 0.70% by mass or less.

    1-1-2-5 Other Components

    [0074] The image forming ink 2 may contain components other than the above-described components. Hereinafter, such components will also be referred to as other components in this section. Examples of other components include chelating agents, preservatives, antifungal agents, rust inhibitors, flame retardants, various dispersants, pH adjusting agents such as triethanolamine, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, oxygen absorbers, dissolution aids, and penetrants.

    [0075] Examples of the chelating agents include ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. Examples of the preservatives and antifungal agents include sodium benzoate, sodium pentachlorophenol, sodium 2-pyridinthiol-1-oxide, sodium sorbate, sodium dehydroacetate, 1,2-dibenzoisothiazolin-3-one, and 4-chloro-3-methylphenol. Examples of the rust inhibitors include benzotriazole. As the preservatives and the antifungal agents, for example, a compound having an isothiazoline ring structure in the molecule can be properly used.

    [0076] The content of the other components of the image forming ink 2 is preferably 6.0% by mass or less, and more preferably 5.0% by mass or less. The lower limit of the content of the other component is 0% by mass.

    1-1-2-6 Other Conditions

    [0077] The first layer 2 is formed by applying the image forming ink 2 to the transfer sheet 1 having the ink receiving layer 12. More specifically, the image forming ink 2 is applied to be in contact with the ink receiving layer 12 of the transfer sheet 1. In this step, the first layer 2 is formed as the reverse image, that is, a mirror image of the recording section 4 to be formed on the transfer target medium 5.

    [0078] In this step, multiple types of the image forming ink 2 may be used. For example, multiple types of image forming inks 2 having different color tones, more specifically, two or more selected from the group consisting of white ink, black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink may be used in combination.

    [0079] In particular, in the first layer formation step, it is preferable that a color ink and a white ink are used as the image forming ink 2, and the white ink is adhered on top of the color ink on at least a portion of the transfer sheet 1. When the white ink is adhered on top of the color ink on the transfer sheet and then the white ink and the color ink are transferred to the transfer target medium, typically, the amount of adhesion of the entire image forming ink or the total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink tends to increase, and thus the above-described problems were likely to occur in the related art. In contrast, the present disclosure can have the above-described effect, even when the amount of adhesion of ink is increased as above. That is, in the first layer formation step, when the color ink and the white ink are used as the image forming ink 2 and the white ink is adhered on top of the color ink on at least a portion of the transfer sheet 1, the effect of the present disclosure as described above is more remarkably exhibited. In this specification, the color ink refers to an ink containing a chromatic color material.

    [0080] The method for applying the image forming ink 2 to the transfer sheet 1 is not particularly limited, and for example, various printing methods can be used, but an ink jet method is preferable. This can provide advantages, such as more preferable fine pattern formation and an excellent on-demand property.

    [0081] Examples of the ink jet method include an on-demand method such as a charge deflection method, a continuous method, a piezoelectric method, and a bubble jet (registered trademark) method. In particular, the piezoelectric method, which ejects an ink from an ink jet head having a piezoelectric oscillator, is preferably employed. This can effectively reduce unintentional denaturation or the like of the constituent components of the image forming ink 2 in the ink jet head 50 and improve the ejection stability of the ink jet method.

    [0082] In addition, examples of the ink jet head 50 include a line head that records using a line method and a serial head that records using a serial method. In the line method using a line head, for example, a fixed ink jet head 50 having a width equal to or larger than the recording width of the transfer sheet 1 is fixed to the recording apparatus. Then, the transfer sheet 1 is moved in the sub-scanning direction (the transport direction of the transfer sheet 1), and ink drops of the image forming ink 2 are ejected from the nozzles of the ink jet head 50 in conjunction with this movement, forming the first layer 2 on the transfer sheet 1. In the serial method using a serial head, for example, the ink jet head 50 is mounted on a carriage movable in the width direction of the transfer sheet 1. Then, the carriage is moved in the main scanning direction (width direction of the transfer sheet 1), and ink droplets of the image forming ink 2 are ejected from the nozzles of the serial head, which is the ink jet head 50, in conjunction with this movement, forming the first layer 2 on the transfer sheet 1.

    [0083] The amount of adhesion of the image forming ink 2 per unit area of the transfer sheet 1 is preferably 30 g/m.sup.2 or more and 200 g/m.sup.2 or less, more preferably 35 g/m.sup.2 or more and 150 g/m.sup.2 or less, and even more preferably 40 g/m.sup.2 or more and 100 g/m.sup.2 or less. This enables the first layer 2 formed of the image forming ink 2 to readily have a sufficient color density while sufficiently reducing the likelihood of problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding, improving the color developability of the recorded product 100.

    [0084] The viscosity of the image forming ink 2 at 25 C. is preferably 2 mPa.Math.s or more and 10 mPa.Math.s or less, and more preferably 3 mPa.Math.s or more and 8 mPa.Math.s or less. This also improves, for example, in a case where the image forming ink 2 is ejected by an ink jet method, the ejection stability of the image forming ink 2 using the ink jet method, and the recoverability from clogging in the ink jet head 50. The viscosity can be measured by using a vibrational viscometer, a rotational viscometer, a capillary viscometer, or a rolling-ball viscometer. For example, the viscosity is determined by using a vibration viscometer in accordance with JIS Z8809.

    [0085] The surface tension at 25 C. of the image forming ink 2 is not particularly limited but is preferably 20 mN/m or more and 60 mN/m or less, more preferably 25 mN/m or more and 50 mN/m or less, and even more preferably 27 mN/m or more and 40 mN/m or less. This also improves, for example, in a case where the image forming ink 2 is ejected by an ink jet method, the ejection stability of the image forming ink 2 using the ink jet method, and the recoverability from clogging in the ink jet head 50. The surface tension can be measured by the Wilhelmy method or the ring method. The surface tension can be measured using a surface tensiometer (such as DY-300, DY-500, and DY-700 available from Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd).

    1-2 Second Layer Formation Step

    [0086] In the second layer formation step, the second layer 3 is formed by adhering the adhesive ink 3 on top of the first layer 2 (1b).

    1-2-1 Adhesive Ink

    [0087] The adhesive ink 3 is used to form the second layer 3 and may be formed of any material as long as it exhibits adhesiveness in a dry state, but preferably contains resin and water. This enables, for example, in a case where the adhesive ink 3 is ejected by an ink jet method, more stable ejection of the adhesive ink 3 using the ink jet method and improves adhesion of the recording section 4 to the transfer target medium 5. Furthermore, in a case where the transfer target medium 5 is a fabric or the like, this can improve the washing fastness and the like of the produced recorded product 100.

    1-2-1-1 Resin

    [0088] The adhesive ink 3 preferably contains resin. Examples of the resin contained in the adhesive ink 3 include polyester, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, styrene-acrylic resin, and acrylic resin. One or more of these may be selected and used in combination. However, the resin is preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride. This allows the produced recorded product 100 to have both a higher level of texture and a higher level of washing fastness, for example, in a case where a fabric is used as the transfer target medium 5 in the transfer recording method described below.

    [0089] The resin may be present in the adhesive ink 3 in any form. For example, in the adhesive ink 3, the resin may be contained, for example, in a dispersed state or in a dissolved state but is preferably contained in a dispersed state. This can improve, for example, in a case where the adhesive ink 3 is ejected by an ink jet method, the ejection stability of the adhesive ink 3 using the ink jet method and the recoverability from clogging in the ink jet head 50, resulting in more stable formation of the transfer medium 10 and the recorded product 100. This can also effectively prevent the liquid component from undesirably remaining in the second layer 3 or the recording section 4.

    [0090] When the resin is contained in a dispersed state in the adhesive ink 3, the average particle diameter of the resin is preferably 30 nm or more and 3 m or less, more preferably 50 nm or more and 1 m or less, and still more preferably 60 nm or more and 300 nm or less. This allows the above-described effect to be more remarkably exhibited.

    [0091] The glass transition temperature of the resin contained in the adhesive ink 3 is preferably 20 C. or more and 50 C. or less, more preferably 10 C. or more and 45 C. or less, and still more preferably 0 C. or more and 40 C. or less. This can improve, for example, the storage stability of the adhesive ink 3. Furthermore, for example, in a case where the transfer target medium 5 is a fabric or the like, this allows the recorded product 100 to have both a higher level of texture and a higher level of washing fastness.

    [0092] The melting point of the resin contained in the adhesive ink 3 is preferably 80 C. or more and 140 C. or less, more preferably 85 C. or more and 130 C. or less, and still more preferably 90 C. or more and 120 C. or less. This can improve the storage stability of the adhesive ink 3. Furthermore, in a case where the transfer target medium 5 is a fabric or the like, this allows the recorded product 100 to have both a higher level of texture and a higher level of washing fastness.

    [0093] The resin content of the adhesive ink 3 is preferably 5.0% by mass or more and 20.0% by mass or less, more preferably 6.0% by mass or more and 17.0% by mass or less, and still more preferably 7.0% by mass or more and 15.0% by mass or less. This can improve, for example, the storage stability of the adhesive ink 3. Furthermore, for example, in a case where the transfer target medium 5 is a fabric or the like, this allows the recorded product 100 to have both a higher level of texture and a higher level of washing fastness.

    1-2-1-2 Water

    [0094] The adhesive ink 3 preferably contains water.

    [0095] Water is a component that functions as, for example, a dispersion medium for dispersing the resin or a solvent for dissolving the resin in the adhesive ink 3.

    [0096] The water content of the adhesive ink 3 is preferably 50.0% by mass or more and 85.0% by mass or less, more preferably 55.0% by mass or more and 80.0% by mass or less, and still more preferably 60.0% by mass or more and 75.0% by mass or less.

    1-2-1-3 Organic Solvent

    [0097] The adhesive ink 3 may contain an organic solvent. This enables proper adjustment of the viscosity and surface tension of the adhesive ink 3. Furthermore, for example, this can make the moisture retention of the adhesive ink 3 excellent. Thus, for example, in a case where the adhesive ink 3 is ejected by an ink jet method, this can effectively prevent unintentional precipitation of solids from the adhesive ink 3 due to drying in the ink jet head 50 or the like and can also improve the recoverability from clogging, resulting in improvement of the ejection stability of the adhesive ink 3.

    [0098] However, it is preferable that the adhesive ink 3 do not contain an organic solvent having a boiling point of 280 C. or more. This improves the drying property of the second layer 3 formed using the adhesive ink 3 and thus improves the releasability of the laminate including the ink receiving layer 12, the first layer 2, and the second layer 3 from the transfer sheet 1.

    [0099] The organic solvent is preferably a water-soluble organic solvent. As the water-soluble organic solvent, an organic solvent having a solubility of 10 g/100 g water or more at 25 C. is preferably used. Examples of the organic solvent contained in the adhesive ink 3, particularly the water-soluble organic solvent, include polyol compounds, glycol ethers, and cyclic amide compounds, and one or more of these may be selected and used in combination. Examples of the polyol compound include polyol compounds, preferably diol compounds, having 2 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms in the molecule and optionally having one ether bond in the molecule. Specific examples thereof include glycols such as 1,2-pentanediol, glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-heptanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 2-methyl-3-phenoxy-1,2-propanediol, 3-(3-methylphenoxy)-1,2-propanediol, 3-hexyloxy-1,2-propanediol, 2-hydroxymethyl-2-phenoxymethyl-1,3-propanediol, 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, and 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol. Examples of the glycol ether include monoalkyl ethers of glycol selected from ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and tripropylene glycol. Examples of the monoalkyl ether include triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether. Examples of the cyclic amide compound include 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethylimidazolinone, 2-piperidone (-valerolactam), and N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone.

    [0100] In particular, the adhesive ink 3 preferably contains propylene glycol as the organic solvent. This improves the drying properties, facilitating curing of the resin when heated, resulting in improvement of the fastness. In particular, when the adhesive ink 3 contains propylene glycol, the ratio of propylene glycol in the total organic solvent contained in the adhesive ink 3 is preferably 50% by mass or more, more preferably 70% by mass or more, and still more preferably 80% by mass or more. This allows the above-described effect to be more remarkably exhibited.

    [0101] The organic solvent content of the adhesive ink 3 is preferably 5.0% by mass or more and 35.0% by mass or less, more preferably 7.0% by mass or more and 30.0% by mass or less, and still more preferably 10.0% by mass or more and 25.0% by mass or less. This enables more proper adjustment of the viscosity and surface tension of the adhesive ink 3. This also improve the moisture retention of the adhesive ink 3, and in a case where the adhesive ink 3 is ejected by an ink jet method, this can effectively prevent unintentional precipitation of solids from the adhesive ink 3 due to drying in the ink jet head 50 or the like and can also improve the recoverability from clogging, resulting in improvement of the ejection stability of the adhesive ink 3.

    1-2-1-4 Surfactant

    [0102] The adhesive ink 3 may contain a surfactant. As the surfactant, for example, various surfactants such as an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant can be used.

    [0103] When the adhesive ink 3 contains a surfactant, the surfactant content of the adhesive ink 3 is preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 1.50% by mass or less, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 1.00% by mass or less, and still more preferably 0.10% by mass or more and 0.70% by mass or less.

    1-2-1-5 Other Components

    [0104] The adhesive ink 3 may contain components other than the above-described components. Hereinafter, such components will also be referred to as other components in this section. Examples of other components include chelating agents, preservatives, antifungal agents, rust inhibitors, flame retardants, various dispersants, pH adjusting agents such as triethanolamine, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, oxygen absorbers, dissolution aids, and penetrants.

    [0105] The content of the other components in the adhesive ink 3 is preferably 6.0% by mass or less, and more preferably 5.0% by mass or less. The lower limit of the content of the other component is 0% by mass.

    1-2-1-6 Other Conditions

    [0106] The second layer 3 is formed by applying the adhesive ink 3 to the transfer sheet 1 having the first layer 2. More specifically, the adhesive ink 3 is applied onto the first layer 2 that was formed in the first layer formation step.

    [0107] In this step, multiple types of adhesive ink 3 may be used. For example, the adhesive ink 3 having different types of resin or different resin contents may be used.

    [0108] The method for applying the adhesive ink 3 to the transfer sheet 1 having the first layer 2 is not particularly limited, and for example, various printing methods can be used, but an ink jet method is preferable. This can provide advantages, such as more preferable fine pattern formation and an excellent on-demand property.

    [0109] Examples of the ink jet method include an on-demand method such as a charge deflection method, a continuous method, a piezoelectric method, and a bubble jet (registered trademark) method. In particular, the piezoelectric method, which ejects an ink from an ink jet head having a piezoelectric oscillator, is preferably employed. This can effectively reduce unintentional denaturation or the like of the constituent components of the adhesive ink 3 in the ink jet head 50 and improve the ejection stability of the ink jet method. In addition, examples of the ink jet head 50 include a line head that records using a line method and a serial head that records using a serial method.

    [0110] The amount of adhesion of the adhesive ink 3 per unit area of the transfer sheet 1 is preferably 30 g/m.sup.2 or more and 500 g/m.sup.2 or less, more preferably 35 g/m.sup.2 or more and 300 g/m.sup.2 or less, and even more preferably 40 g/m.sup.2 or more and 200 g/m.sup.2 or less. This can improve the transferability to the transfer target medium 5 while sufficiently reducing the likelihood of problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding.

    [0111] The total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink 2 and the adhesive ink 3 per unit area of the transfer sheet 1 may be 110 g/m.sup.2 or more but is preferably 115 g/m.sup.2 or more and 700 g/m.sup.2 or less, and more preferably 120 g/m.sup.2 or more and 200 g/m.sup.2 or less. This can improve the transferability to the transfer target medium 5 while sufficiently reducing the likelihood of problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding. This also enables the first layer 2 formed of the image forming ink 2 to readily have a sufficient color density, improving the color developability of the recorded product 100.

    [0112] The viscosity of the adhesive ink 3 at 25 C. is preferably 2 mPa.Math.s or more and 10 mPa.Math.s or less, and more preferably 3 mPa.Math.s or more and 8 mPa.Math.s or less. This also improves, for example, in a case where the adhesive ink 3 is ejected by an ink jet method, the ejection stability of the adhesive ink 3 using the ink jet method and the recoverability from clogging in the ink jet head 50.

    [0113] The surface tension of the adhesive ink 3 at 25 C. is not particularly limited but is preferably 20 mN/m or more and 60 mN/m or less, more preferably 25 mN/m or more and 50 mN/m or less, and even more preferably 27 mN/m or more and 40 mN/m or less. This also improves, for example, in a case where the adhesive ink 3 is ejected by an ink jet method, the ejection stability of the adhesive ink 3 using the ink jet method and the recoverability from clogging in the ink jet head 50.

    1-3 Drying Step

    [0114] The method for producing a transfer medium only needs to include the first layer formation step and the second layer formation step described above, but preferably further includes a drying step of heating and drying the transfer sheet 1 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3. This can reduce the likelihood of the above-described problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding.

    [0115] The heating temperature of the transfer sheet 1 having the first layer 2 and the second layer 3 in the drying step is not particularly limited but is preferably 100 C. or more, more preferably 120 C. or more and 200 C. or less, and still more preferably 140 C. or more and 180 C. or less. This can improve the productivity of the transfer medium 10 and the recorded product 100 while effectively reducing the above-described problems, such as bleeding of the image.

    [0116] The heating duration (heating duration at 100 C. or more) in this step is preferably 10 seconds or more and 10 minutes or less, more preferably 1 minute or more and 8 minutes or less, and still more preferably 3 minutes or more and 6 minutes or less.

    [0117] The transfer medium 10 is produced in the above way (1c).

    2 Transfer Recording Method

    [0118] Next, the transfer recording method of the present disclosure will be described.

    [0119] FIG. 2 is a process diagram illustrating a transfer recording method according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

    [0120] The transfer recording method illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a transfer medium preparation step (2a) of preparing the transfer medium 10 produced by the above-described method for producing a transfer medium and a thermal transfer step (2b) of thermally transferring the second layer 3, the first layer 2, and the portion of the ink receiving layer 12 having these layers, which are included in the transfer medium 10, onto the transfer target medium 5 by heating the transfer medium 10 with the surface of the transfer medium 10 having the ink receiving layer 12, the first layer 2, and the second layer 3 facing the transfer target medium 5. More specifically, the ink receiving layer 12, the first layer 2, and the second layer 3 included in the transfer medium 10 produced by using the method described in the above 1 are thermally transferred onto the transfer target medium 5. This can provide a transfer recording method that is unlikely to have problems such as bleeding and insufficient color developability of the image (the recording section 4) formed by transfer to the transfer target medium 5 and that can properly transfer the image to the transfer target medium 5. Furthermore, in the related art, in a case where the transfer target medium is a fabric, unintended unevenness is generated in the recording section when the recorded product is washed, causing irregular reflection of light, and the transferred image becomes whitish, but the thermal transfer method as described above can properly prevent the occurrence of such a problem.

    2-1 Transfer Medium Preparation Step

    [0121] The transfer medium preparation step includes preparing the transfer medium 10 produced by the above-described method for producing a transfer medium (2a). The transfer medium 10 prepared in this step may be the transfer medium 10 produced by the above-described method for producing a transfer medium that was subjected to a process such as cutting into an appropriate size, for example.

    2-2 Thermal Transfer Step

    [0122] In the thermal transfer step, the transfer medium 10 is heated with the surface having the ink receiving layer 12, the first layer 2, and the second layer 3 facing the transfer target medium 5 to thermally transfer the second layer 3, the first layer 2, and the portion of the ink receiving layer 12 having these layers, which are included in the transfer medium 10, to the transfer target medium 5 (2b).

    2-2-1 Transfer Target Medium

    [0123] The transfer target medium 5 may be any member but is preferably an absorbent member. This can more effectively prevent the above-described problems such as ink dripping and image bleeding, as compared with the case in which a non-absorbent member is used.

    [0124] In this specification, the absorbent member refers to a member that absorbs more than 10 mL/m.sup.2 of water for the period from the first contact to 30 msec.sup.1/2 in accordance with the Bristow method. The Bristow method is the most widely used method for measuring the amount of liquid absorbed in a short period of time and has been adopted by Japan Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (JAPAN TAPPI). The test method is detailed in Specification No. 51 Paper and Cardboards-Liquid Absorption Test Methods-Bristow Method (in Japanese) in JAPAN TAPPI Pulp and Paper Test Methods 2000 (in Japanese).

    [0125] Examples of the absorbent member include various types of paper, porous metals, porous ceramics, porous glass, porous plastic, fabric, and leather. Among them, fabric is preferably employed. In the transfer recording on a fabric, the recorded product may be required to have a soft texture and washing fastness peculiar to the fabric. The transfer recording method of the present disclosure can be particularly properly used for transfer recording on a fabric because a recorded product excellent in texture and washing fastness can be produced, for example, by employing the above-described preferable embodiment.

    2-2-2 Heating Condition

    [0126] The heating temperature in this step is not particularly limited but is preferably 120 C. or more and 270 C. or less, more preferably 140 C. or more and 250 C. or less, and still more preferably 150 C. or more and 210 C. or less. Thus, the second layer 3, the first layer 2, and the portion of the ink receiving layer 12 having these layers, which are included in the transfer medium 10, can be more properly thermally transferred to the transfer target medium 5, and the constituents of them can be more properly prevented from undesirably remaining on the transfer sheet 1. This can also produce the recorded product 100 with higher productivity and less energy.

    [0127] Preferably 70TpTg290 is satisfied, more preferably 95TpTg260 is satisfied, and still more preferably 110TpTg210 is satisfied, where Tg ( C.) represents the glass-transition temperature of the resin contained in the adhesive ink 3 and Tp ( C.) represents the heating temperature in the thermal transfer step. Thus, the second layer 3, the first layer 2, and the portion of the ink receiving layer 12 having these layers, which are included in the transfer medium 10, can be more properly thermally transferred to the transfer target medium 5, and the constituents of them can be more properly prevented from undesirably remaining on the transfer sheet 1. This can also produce the recorded product 100 with higher productivity and less energy.

    [0128] Heating time in the present step is not particularly limited but is preferably 5 seconds or more and 90 seconds or less, more preferably 15 seconds or more and 70 seconds or less, and even more preferably 20 seconds or more and 60 seconds or less. Thus, the second layer 3, the first layer 2, and the portion of the ink receiving layer 12 having these layers, which are included in the transfer medium 10, can be more properly thermally transferred to the transfer target medium 5, and the constituents of them can be more properly prevented from undesirably remaining on the transfer sheet 1. This can also produce the recorded product 100 with higher productivity and less energy.

    [0129] This step may be performed by any method as long as the transfer medium 10 is heated with the surface having the ink receiving layer 12, the first layer 2, and the second layer 3 facing the transfer target medium 5 but is preferably performed by hot pressing.

    [0130] When this step is performed by hot pressing, the pressure applied to the laminate of the transfer medium 10 and the transfer target medium 5 is preferably 0.1 N/cm.sup.2 or more and 30 N/cm.sup.2 or less, more preferably 0.6 N/cm.sup.2 or more and 15 N/cm.sup.2 or less, and still more preferably 1.5 N/cm.sup.2 or more and 5 N/cm.sup.2 or less.

    2-3 Recorded Product

    [0131] The above steps produce the recorded product 100 (2c).

    [0132] The recorded product 100 produced as described above has the recorded section 4 formed of the second layer 3, the first layer 2, and the ink receiving layer 12.

    [0133] When the transfer target medium 5 is an absorbent member, at least a portion of the recording section 4 is preferably in the transfer target medium 5. This can improve the durability and the like of the recorded product 100.

    2-4 Summary

    [0134] As described above, the transfer recording method according to the present disclosure only needs to include thermally transferring, onto a transfer target medium, the ink receiving layer, the first layer, and the second layer included in the transfer medium produced by the method for producing a transfer medium including forming the first layer by adhering an image forming ink to the transfer sheet and forming the second layer by adhering an adhesive ink on top of the first layer. The transfer sheet includes a substrate and the ink receiving layer containing resin, the ink receiving layer has a thickness of 7 m or more, and a total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is 110 g/m.sup.2 or more. The transfer recording method preferably includes forming a first layer by adhering an image forming ink to a transfer sheet including a substrate and an ink receiving layer containing resin and an inorganic oxide particle having a maximum particle diameter of 5 m or more, forming a second layer by adhering an adhesive ink on top of the first layer, drying the transfer sheet by heating the transfer sheet having the first layer and the second layer to 100 C. or more; and thermally transferring the ink receiving layer, the first layer, and the second layer included in the transfer medium produced through the forming the first layer, the forming the second layer, and the drying, onto a transfer target medium, wherein the ink receiving layer contains, as the resin, at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, and urethane resin, the ink receiving layer has a thickness of 7 m or more, and the forming the first layer uses a color ink and a white ink as the image forming ink, the white ink is adhered on top of the color ink on at least a portion of the transfer sheet, an amount of adhesion of the image forming ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is 30 g/m.sup.2 or more and 200 g/m.sup.2 or less, an amount of adhesion of the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is 30 g/m.sup.2 or more and 500 g/m.sup.2 or less, and a total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet is 110 g/m.sup.2 or more. This allows each of the above-described effects to work synergistically with each other, resulting in a particularly excellent effect.

    3 Ink Set

    [0135] Next, the ink set according to the present disclosure will be described.

    [0136] The ink set according to the present disclosure includes the image forming ink and the adhesive ink described above. More specifically, the ink set according to the present disclosure may preferably include the image forming ink that satisfies the conditions described in above 1-1-2 and the adhesive ink that satisfies the conditions described in above 1-2-1.

    [0137] The ink set according to the present disclosure only needs to include at least one type of each of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink but may include multiple types of image forming ink or multiple types of adhesive ink. Furthermore, the ink set according to the present disclosure may further include another ink in addition to the image forming ink and the adhesive ink that satisfies the above-described conditions.

    [0138] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure should not be limited to the embodiments.

    [0139] For example, the method for producing a transfer medium according to the present disclosure only needs to include the first layer formation step and the second layer formation step, and the above-described drying step may be omitted. The method for producing a transfer medium according to the present disclosure may further include steps other than the above-described steps, such as a pretreatment step, an intermediate treatment step, and a post-treatment step. The transfer recording method according to the present disclosure only needs to include the thermal transfer step and may further include another step other than the thermal transfer step.

    [0140] The above mainly explains a case where a method for ejecting ink droplets by an ink jet method is employed as the method for applying the image forming ink and the method for applying the adhesive ink, but the method for applying the image forming ink and the method for applying the adhesive ink are not limited to the ink jet method.

    [0141] The above mainly explains a case where an absorbent member is used as the transfer target medium, but a non-absorbent member, such as a metal or plastic member that is non-absorbent, may also be used as the transfer target medium.

    [0142] In the above-described embodiment, after formation of the first layer having the desired pattern on the transfer sheet by adhering the image forming ink, the second layer having the desired pattern is formed by applying the adhesive ink, and then the thermal transfer step is performed. However, in the present disclosure, multiple steps may be performed simultaneously. More specifically, for example, the image forming ink and the adhesive ink may be applied simultaneously at different portions of the same transfer sheet.

    EXAMPLES

    [0143] Next, specific examples of the present disclosure will be described.

    4 Preparation of Image Forming Ink

    Preparation Example A1

    [0144] An image forming ink having the composition shown in FIG. 3 was produced by mixing the components in a predetermined ratio.

    Preparation Example A2

    [0145] An image forming ink was prepared in the same manner as in Preparation Example A1 except that the type of component that forms the image forming ink and the ratio of the components were changed as shown in FIG. 3.

    [0146] FIG. 3 collectively shows the compositions of the image forming inks of Preparation Examples A1 and A2. In FIG. 3, PB15:3 is C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3, polyurethane resin is polyurethane resin having a glass transition temperature of 20 C. (TAKELAC W6110 solid content available from Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.), and SAG503A is SILFACE SAG503A (available from Nissin Chemical Industries, Ltd.) used as a surfactant. The image forming inks of Preparation Examples A1 and A2 each include the resin having an average particle size of 60 nm or more and 300 nm or less. The image forming inks of Preparation Examples A1 and A2 each have a surface tension at 25 C. of 27 mN/m or more and 40 mN/m or less and a viscosity at 25 C. of 3 mPa.Math.s or more and 8 mPa.Math.s or less. The surface tension was measured by the Wilhelmy method using a surface tensiometer (DY-300 available from Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd), and the viscosity was measured in accordance with JIS Z8809 using a torsional oscillation-type viscometer (VM-100 available from SEKONIC CORPORATION).

    5 Preparation of Adhesive Ink

    Preparation Example B1

    [0147] An adhesive ink having the composition shown in FIG. 4 was produced by mixing the components in a predetermined ratio.

    Preparation Examples B2 to B5

    [0148] An adhesive ink was prepared in the same manner as in Preparation Example B1 except that the types of components that form the adhesive inks and the ratio of the components were changed as shown in FIG. 4.

    [0149] FIG. 4 collectively shows the compositions of the adhesive inks of Preparation Examples B1 to B5. In FIG. 4, polyester resin is polyester resin (KT0507 solid content available from UNITIKA LTD.), vinyl chloride resin is vinyl chloride resin (VINYBLAN 715S solid content available from Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), polyurethane resin is polyurethane resin (TAKELAC W6061 solid content available from Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.), PG is propylene glycol, which is a water-soluble organic solvent, and SAG503A is SILFACE SAG503A (available from Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) used as a surfactant. The resin contained in each of the adhesive inks of Preparation Examples B1 to B5 has an average particle size of 60 nm or more and 300 nm or less. The adhesive inks of Preparation Examples B1 to B5 each have a surface tension at 25 C. of 27 mN/m or more and 40 mN/m or less and a viscosity at 25 C. of 3 mPa.Math.s or more and 8 mPa.Math.s or less. The surface tension was measured by the Wilhelmy method using a surface tensiometer (DY-300 available from Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd), and the viscosity was measured in accordance with JIS Z8809 using a torsional oscillation-type viscometer (VM-100 available from SEKONIC CORPORATION).

    6 Production of Transfer Medium and Recorded Product

    Example 1

    [0150] First, a transfer sheet (Ecofreen premium available from Ecofreen Co., Ltd.) having an ink receiving layer on a substrate was provided.

    [0151] Next, the image forming ink produced in Preparation Example A1, the image forming ink produced in Preparation Example A2, and the adhesive ink produced in Preparation Example B1 were loaded in an ink jet recording apparatus (SC-F2150 available from Seiko Epson).

    [0152] Next, a first layer having a predetermined pattern was formed by ejecting the image forming ink produced in Preparation Example A1 in a predetermined pattern from the ink jet head to the surface of the transfer medium that has the ink receiving layer and further ejecting the image forming ink produced in Preparation Example A2 so that it overlaps the image forming ink produced in Preparation Example A1 in the same pattern. At this time, the amount of adhesion of the image forming ink per unit area of the transfer sheet, that is, the total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink produced in Preparation Example A1 and the image forming ink produced in Preparation Example A2 was set to be 80 g/m.sup.2.

    [0153] Next, the second layer was formed by ejecting the adhesive ink from the ink jet head so that is overlaps the first layer in the same pattern. At this time, the amount of adhesion of the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet was set to be 40 g/m.sup.2. That is, in this example, the total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet was 120 g/m.sup.2.

    [0154] Next, the transfer sheet having the first layer and the second layer was dried by a heating treatment under the condition of 160 C.5 minutes to produce a transfer medium.

    [0155] Next, the transfer sheet was subjected to a heat treatment at 200 C. and hot-pressing at 4.2 N/cm.sup.2 for 40 seconds with the surface having the first layer and the second layer facing a cotton broadcloth (#4000), which is the absorbent transfer target medium available from Nisshinbo Inc., to thermally transfer the second layer, the first layer, and a portion of the ink receiving layer having these layers onto the transfer target medium. The transfer medium was then removed, and thus the recorded product was produced.

    Examples 2 to 20

    [0156] Transfer media and recorded products were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the type of adhesive ink, the type of transfer sheet, the amount of adhesion of the image forming ink per unit area of the transfer sheet, the amount of adhesion of the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet, and the type of the transfer target medium were changed as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7.

    Comparative Example 1

    [0157] A transfer medium and a recorded product were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that kimoto Releasy MAG01 (available from Kimoto Co., Ltd) was used as the transfer sheet.

    Comparative Example 2

    [0158] A transfer medium and a recorded product were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that Lumirror S10 (available from Toray Industries, Inc.) was used as the transfer sheet.

    Comparative Example 3

    [0159] A transfer medium and a recorded product were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of adhesion of the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet was changed to 20 g/m.sup.2 and the total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet was changed to 100 g/m.sup.2.

    [0160] FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 collectively show the production conditions of the transfer media and recorded products of Examples and Comparative Examples. In FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, transfer sheet A is Ecofreen premium (available from Ecofreen Co., Ltd.) used as a transfer sheet, transfer sheet B is DTF Premium Transfer Film (DTF-TF12) (available from Europort) used as a transfer sheet, transfer sheet C is kimoto Releasy MAG01 (available from Kimoto Co., Ltd) used as a transfer sheet, transfer sheet D is Lumirror S10 (available from Toray Industries, Inc.) used as a transfer sheet, cotton broadcloth is Cotton Broadcloth (#4000) (available from Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.) used as a transfer target medium, blend is TC4520 (blend fabric of 35% by mass cotton and 65% by mass polyester fiber available from TOYOSHIMA & CO., LTD) used as a transfer target medium, polyester is Tropical (polyester fabric available from Toray Industries, Inc.) used as a transfer target medium, nylon is PAREL Taffeta N2188 (nylon fabric available from Toray Industries, Inc.,) used as a transfer target medium, leather is natural leather cowhide (available from Daiki Hikaku K.K.) used as a transfer target medium, PET film is PET50A (available from LINTEC Corporation) used as a transfer target medium, and aluminum plate is a 50 m thick aluminum plate (opened two-piece can) used as a transfer target medium.

    [0161] The transfer sheet A had an ink receiving layer having a thickness of 10 m and formed of a material containing acrylic resin and an inorganic oxide particle (average particle diameter of 3 m, maximum particle diameter of 5 m) formed of silica and alumina on a substrate formed of polyethylene terephthalate. The transfer sheet B had an ink receiving layer having a thickness of 15 m and formed of a material containing urethane resin and an inorganic oxide particle (average particle diameter of 5 m, maximum particle diameter of 10 m) formed of silica and alumina on a substrate formed of polyethylene terephthalate. The transfer sheet C had an ink receiving layer having a thickness of 6 m and formed of a material containing acrylic resin and an inorganic oxide particle (average particle diameter of 1 m, maximum particle diameter of 5 m or less) formed of silica on a substrate formed of polyethylene terephthalate. The transfer sheet D did not have an ink receiving layer.

    7 Evaluation

    7-1 Ink Dripping

    [0162] The transfer media of Examples and Comparative Examples before drying were each allowed to stand still with the main surface facing in the vertical direction. After a lapse of 5 minutes, the transfer medium was visually observed and evaluated for ink dripping according to the following criteria. A and B were considered a good level. [0163] A: No ink dripping was observed. [0164] B: Ink dripping was barely observed. [0165] C: Ink dripping was clearly observed.

    7-2 Bleeding

    [0166] The recorded products of Examples and Comparative Examples were each evaluated for bleeding as follows.

    [0167] For evaluation of bleeding, each ink composition was loaded in an ink jet recording apparatus (SC-F2150 available from Seiko Epson), and recording was performed on a recording target medium (Ecofreen premium (available from Ecofreen Co., Ltd.)). More specifically, a filling pattern which can be recorded with a duty of 100% at a resolution of a horizontal 1200 dpi and a vertical 600 dpi was prepared and used. The solid patterns in different colors of the recorded product were printed adjacent to each other and dried at 160 C. for 5 minutes, and bleeding at the boundary portion was visually observed for evaluation according to the following evaluation criteria. This evaluation was performed in a laboratory at room temperature (25 C.). A and B were considered a good level. [0168] A: No bleeding at the boundary portion was observed. [0169] B: Some bleeding at the boundary was observed. [0170] C: Considerable bleeding at the boundary was observed.

    7-3 Texture

    [0171] The recorded products of Examples and Comparative Examples were each evaluated for texture as follows.

    [0172] Specifically, the recorded products were each sensory evaluated for texture by a specific blindfolded evaluator according to the following criteria. A and B were considered a good level. [0173] A: Soft and non-coarse [0174] B: Slightly hard and slightly coarse [0175] C: Very coarse

    7-4 Washing Fastness

    [0176] The recorded products of Examples and Comparative Examples were each evaluated for washing fastness as follows.

    [0177] Specifically, the washing fastness test was carried out in accordance with ISO 105 C10 (B2), and the washing fastness was evaluated according to the following criteria. A and B were considered a good level. [0178] AA: Washing fastness level of 3-4 or higher [0179] A: Washing fastness level of 3 or higher and less than 3-4 [0180] B: Washing fastness level of 2 or higher and lower than 3 [0181] C: Washing fastness level of lower than 2

    7-5 Releasability

    [0182] For each of Examples and Comparative Examples, the transfer medium after transfer of the recording section to the transfer target medium was observed and evaluated for releasability according to the following criteria. A and B were considered a good level. [0183] A: 100% transfer of the image area printed on the transfer medium [0184] B: 80% or more and less than 100% transfer of the image area printed on the transfer medium [0185] C: Less than 80% transfer of the image area printed on the transfer medium

    7-6 Cracking of Coating Film

    [0186] The recorded products of Examples and Comparative Examples were each evaluated for cracking of the coating film as follows.

    [0187] For evaluation of cracking of the coating film, each ink composition was loaded in an ink jet recording apparatus (SC-F2150 available from Seiko Epson), and recording was performed on a recording medium (Ecofreen premium (available from Ecofreen Co., Ltd.)). More specifically, a filling pattern which can be recorded with a duty of 100% at a resolution of a horizontal 1200 dpi and a vertical 600 dpi was prepared and used. The solid patterns in different colors of the recorded product were printed adjacent to each other and dried at 160 C. for 5 minutes, and the coating film was evaluated for cracking according to the following criteria. A and B were considered a good level. [0188] A: No cracking in the coating film was observed. [0189] B: Slight cracking in the coating film was observed. [0190] C: Obvious cracking in the coating film was observed.

    7-7 Whitening After Washing

    [0191] The recorded products of Examples and Comparative Examples were each evaluated for whitening after washing as follows.

    [0192] A washing fastness test (ISO 105 C10 (B2)) was performed, and evaluation for whitening after washing was performed according to the following criteria. A and B were considered a good level. [0193] A: No color change of the printed surface is observed. [0194] B: Slight whitening of the surface of the printed product is observed. [0195] C: A white section is clearly present on the surface of the printed product.

    [0196] These results are collectively shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10.

    [0197] As is clear from FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, Examples of the present disclosure showed excellent results. In contrast, Comparative Examples showed unsatisfactory results.

    [0198] Furthermore, transfer media and recorded products were produced in the same way as in Examples except that the thickness of the ink receiving layer was varied in the range of 20 m or more and 70 m or less, the amount of adhesion of the image forming ink per unit area of the transfer sheet was varied in the range of 30 g/m.sup.2 or more and 200 g/m.sup.2 or less, the amount of adhesion of the adhesive ink per unit area of the transfer sheet was varied in the range of 30 g/m.sup.2 or more and 500 g/m.sup.2 or less, the total amount of adhesion of the image forming ink and the adhesive ink to the transfer sheet was varied in the range of 110 g/m.sup.2 or more and 700 g/m.sup.2 or less, and the resin contained in the ink receiving layer was changed to vinyl acetate resin. The produced transfer media and recorded products were evaluated in the same manner as above, and the same excellent results were obtained as above.