PURPOSE: To produce a favorable two-density-value thermal transfer recording sheet and a continuous-gradation thermal transfer recording sheet comprising particles of a material solid at normal temperature dispersed in a thermal transfer layer, by a method wherein a suspended solution of an ink material in which portion of a hot-melt binder material is in an undissolved particulate state is applied to a base in the form of a layer, then the solvent is evaporated off, and the binder material is melted by heating to provide a thermal transfer layer.
CONSTITUTION: When the coated layer is heated at a temperature not lower than the melting or softening point of the hot-melt binder material, the particulate binder material is melted, and is thermally dissolved into the unevaporated solvent, whereby the particulate state disappears, the binder material may be compatible with other binder material, and the solvent or, further, the entire part of the binder material (in the condition where the solvent is evaporated) is uniformized, and the ink material layer is made to be smooth. The thermal transfer layer 20 comprises the ink material layer 21 comprising a coloring material 21b in the hot-melt binder material 21a, and the particles 22 of a material solid at normal temperature, and has a rugged surface. A heat-resistant base 10 is ordinarily constituted of a PET film. A thermal head is pressed against the side of the recording sheet opposite to the layer 20, and the thermal transfer layer 20 is heated through the base 10, thereby performing recording.
EZAKI HIROSHI
ONISHI HIROSHI
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