RESOLUTION PERFORMANCE OF IMAGES PRINTED BY LASER-DYE THERMAL TRANSFER

Microscopic optical image density and resolution performance are discu ssed for laser thermal transfer printing of the dye sublimation type. This printing method provides high resolution because of the high conv erging property of the laser beam. In this study, optical density prof iles of line images-printed by dye sublimation type laser thermal tran sfer printing were measured and compared with images of the wax type i n order to clarify the spread of the printed dots. These profiles were explained numerically, using tone reproduction curves. Resolution per formance was evaluated, quantitatively, and the maximum resolution was found to be 10,160 dpi. This value was confirmed by the printed micro characters. Laser dye transfer printing is feasible for printing not o nly full-color images, but also fine patterns and microcharacters.