Thermal transfer ribbon assembly comprising a metal layer and a protective coating layer

A system for introducing one or more of a reflective or diffractive metallic image to a substrate by use of thermal transfer printing, the system comprising:

• a thermal transfer ribbon comprising a protective coating layer, a metal layer, and an adhesive layer, wherein a defined portion of each of the protective coating layer, the metal layer, and the adhesive layer are configured to be simultaneously transferred from a carrier film of the thermal transfer ribbon to the substrate by applying heat to the thermal transfer ribbon,
• wherein the defined portions of the metal layer and the protective coating layer that were transferred are configured to be adhered to the substrate using the adhesive layer, and
• wherein, subsequent to transferring the defined portions of the protective coating layer, the metal layer, and the adhesive layer, the defined portion of the protective coating layer is configured to be cross-linked by exposing the protective coating layer to a radiation source after the defined portions of the protective coating layer, the metal layer, and the adhesive layer are transferred from the carrier film, wherein cross-linking the defined portion of the protective coating layer provides durability to the defined portion of the metal layer that is transferred to the substrate.

The system of claim 17, wherein the defined portions of the protective coating layer, the metal layer, and the adhesive layer are transferred to have sharp, defined, and non-filmy edges.

The system of claim 17, wherein the defined portions of the protective coating layer, the metal layer, and the adhesive layer that are transferred include only necessary amounts of the protective coating layer and the metal layer to form one or more of a variable or non-variable image on the substrate and no additional amount of the protective coating layer or the metal layer.

The system of claim 17, wherein cross-linking the defined portion of the protective coating layer that was transferred forms an abrasion-resistant layer and/or a chemical-resistant layer over the defined portion of the metal layer that was transferred.

The system of claim 17, wherein the protective coating layer includes a polymeric transfer material and a polymeric base material, and

• wherein cross-linking the portion of the protective coating layer cross-links the polymeric transfer material and the polymeric base material with each other in the defined portion of the protective coating layer that was transferred.

The system of claim 17, wherein only the defined portion of the protective coating layer that is over the portion of the metal layer that is transferred to the substrate is configured to be transferred.

The system of claim 17, wherein the protective coating layer is coupled with the metal layer such that transferring the defined portion of the metal layer necessarily transfers the corresponding defined portion of the protective coating layer.

The system of claim 17, wherein the defined portion of the metal layer that is transferred is reflective.