PURPOSE: To obtain a nonwoven fabric good in printer aptitude and strong against tearing by applying a coating soln. based on a polyester resin to the single surface of a thermoplastic resin nonwoven fabric and drying the coated nonwoven fabric to provide a printing layer.

CONSTITUTION: A thermoplastic resin nonwoven fabric is used as a base material and a coating soln. used in the formation of a printing layer is based on a polyester resin, for example, a saturated copolyester resin and excellent in the compatibility with the ink ribbon of a transfer printer. The smoothness of a printing surface is an important element in order to obtain sharp printing, but even if a coating layer having considerable thickness is provided on the surface of the nonwoven fabric, it is difficult to make the properties of the nonwoven fabric equal to those of coated paper or art paper. The surface unevenness of the printing layer is left as it is and the insufficiency of smoothness is covered with the compatibility with the ink ribbon to prevent missing printing. Undercoating treatment is applied to the base material in order to enhance the close adhesiveness of the base material and the printing layer and the coating soln. is applied by a gravure roll coater and dried to form the printing layer.