Abstract: A multicolor thermal transfer printer system (20) is disclosed which prints computer controlled patterns on both faces of cards (22) (e.g. credit cards of polymer or paper stock). The system utilizes interdigitally arranged printer modules (30) which are dimensioned to transfer each card between drive rollers (34) and idler rollers (36) of adjacent printer modules. Each printer module has a microprocessor (28) which stores in memory (172) any pattern sent by a control computer (24). As each card passes through the printer module, thermal elements (101) in a print head (38) transfer ink from a transfer ribbon (32) to the card in accordance with the stored pattern. To conserve transfer ribbon it is moved past the print head only when the print head is in a print position. Each microprocessor reports status of its printer module such as end of ribbon, broken ribbon and card location.