Patent ID: 6797671
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: B41M

Abstract:
A method for image formation, comprising the steps of:providing an intermediate transfer recording medium comprising a substrate and a light transparent protective layer provided on one side of the substrate; providing a first thermal transfer recording medium comprising a substrate and a light transparent ink layer provided on one side of the substrate; putting the intermediate transfer recording medium and the first thermal transfer recording medium on top of each other so that the light transparent protective layer in the intermediate transfer recording medium faces the light transparent ink layer in the first thermal transfer recording medium; imagewise heating the assembly to form a light transparent image on the light transparent protective layer in the intermediate transfer recording medium; providing a second thermal transfer recording medium comprising a substrate and, provided on one side of the substrate, a color ink layer comprising a thermoplastic resin and a colorant; putting the intermediate transfer recording medium with the light transparent image formed thereon on top of the second thermal transfer recording medium so that the light transparent protective layer on its light transparent image-formed side in the intermediate transfer recording medium faces the color ink layer in the second thermal transfer recording medium; imagewise heating the assembly to transfer the color ink layer or the colorant contained in the color ink layer onto the light transparent protective layer on its light transparent image-formed side in the intermediate transfer recording medium, whereby a color image is formed on the light transparent protective layer; putting an object on top of the intermediate transfer recording medium with the light transparent image and the color image formed on its light transparent protective layer so that the light transparent image and the color image face the object; and heating the whole assembly to form a color image, a light transparent image, and a light transparent protective layer on the object.