RECEPTOR SHEET FOR THERMAL MASS TRANSFER PRINTING

摘要

This invention relates to thermal mass transfer printing, and, in particular to a novel receptor sheet for such printing. Pigmented wax from a donor sheet normally used in thermal mass transfer printing does not reliably adhere to bare, untreated polyethylene terephthalate film because lack of compliance of the surfaces of the donor sheet and receptor sheet makes contact between pigmented wax of the donor sheet and image receptive surface of the receptor sheet difficult. The receptor sheet of this invention is suitable for use in thermal mass transfer printing and comprises a polymeric backing bearing on at least one major surface thereof a wax-compatible, image receptive layer having a softening temperature in the range of about 30.degree.C to about 90.degree.C, the surface of said image receptive layer having a higher critical surface tension than the donor material of the donor sheet from which pigmented wax is transferred to the receptor sheet to form images thereon. A preferred receptor sheet comprises a backing made of polyethylene terephthalate and an image receptive layer formed from a blend of a wax and a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate.