APPLICATION OF CLAY-CATIONIC DYE INTERCALATION TO IMAGE FIXATION IN THERMAL DYE TRANSFER PRINTING

A novel method for fixation of thermal cationic dye transfer images us ing clay-dye intercalation is presented. Instead of conventional dispe rse dyes, modified cationic dyes are transferred to a dye receiving la yer that includes a day that has exchangeable organophilic ammonium ca tions. The color image formed in the interior of the clay by superposi tion of cyan, magenta, and yellow dyes is stored as an insoluble and i nfusible pigment. The mechanism of fixing cationic dyes for practical thermal dye transfer printing is discussed.