Transfer medium manufacturing method, transfer method, transfer medium manufacturing apparatus, and transfer apparatus

A transfer medium manufacturing apparatus comprising:

• a recording material application unit that includes a foil forming recording material storage unit, the foil forming recording material containing metallic particles, the recording material application unit applying the foil forming recording material in the storage unit to a base material, the foil forming material applied to the base material being transferrable to a target medium;
• and
• a smoothing unit a smoothing unit that is located downstream of the recording material application unit so that the smoothing unit can smooth the surface of the foil forming recording material applied to the base material by the recording material application unit, wherein the smoothing unit includes:
• a pressing unit capable of applying pressure to the foil forming recording material that has been applied to the base material;
• a biasing unit that biases the pressing unit toward the foil forming recording material,
• a linking member that links the pressing unit and the biasing unit, the pressing unit being located at a first end of the linking member and the biasing unit being wound about the linking member;
• a stopping portion provided at a location midway in a lengthwise direction of the linking member;
• an intermediate member being located at a second end of the linking member and supporting the linking member;
• and
• an eccentric cam that provides a biasing force to the biasing unit, the intermediate member and the linking member.