Heat transfer printing sheet and heat transfer printing method using the same

A process for heat transfer printing which comprises contacting a heat transfer printing sheet having a pattern comprising (1) a basic dye which will not sublime, melt or evaporate at the temperature employed in the heat transfer printing step, (2) from 0.1 to 20 molar equivalent of an alkaline agent per molar equivalent of basic dye and (3) a binder therefor formed on a support sheet, with a material to which said pattern is to be heat transfer printed, and heating said sheet and said material together to transfer said dye to said material.

In a temporary carrier for use in the dry transfer printing or dyeing process said temporary carrier comprising an inert, heat-resistant base sheet bearing on at least one face thereof a transfer coating the improvement according to which the transfer coating comprises (a) a layer comprising (1) at least one cationic dyestuff which after reacting with an alkalizing agent passes into the vapor state at a temperature of from 160.degree. C. to 210.degree. C. and (2) a binder which upon drying forms a film sufficient to bond the dyestuff to the carrier base, which film is inert to the dyestuff and does not decompose under conditions of transfer, and (b) a layer comprising (1) an alkalizing agent which is capable of reacting with cationic dyestuff present in layer (a) to render said dyestuff vaporizable at a temperature of from 160.degree. C. to 210.degree. C. said agent being selected from the group consisting of an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of a weak acid and (2) a binder which is stable to electrolytes, which upon drying forms a film which is inert to dyestuff present during transfer and which does not decompose under conditions to transfer.