PURPOSE: To bring a transfer foil into uniform and close contact with a transfer medium even having a modified cross-sectional shape to ensure a beautiful transfer result by a method wherein in a transfer roll of a thermal transfer machine formed by fitting a roll body of a heat-resistant elastic material over a roll shaft, the roll body is compressed in the axial direction of the roll shaft by a restoring force of springs.

CONSTITUTION: In a transfer roll of a thermal transfer machine formed by fitting a roll body 3 of a heat-resistant elastic material (e.g. a silicone rubber) over a roll shaft 1, the roll body 3 is compressed in the axial direction of the roll shaft 1 by a restoring force of springs 5. As a result, the roll body 3 can expand under heat against the restoring force of the springs 5. Therefore, a uniform and close contact of a transfer foil to a transfer medium without deformation of the roll body 3 ensures a beautiful transfer result.