Abstract: A thermal printer that includes a thermally conductive sacrificial member disposed between the thermal print head and the web. The sacrificial member is held generally under tension and prevents the web from directly engaging the thermal print head. The sacrificial member may take one of many different forms, including a fixed strip or belt, a rotatable, continuous belt which slowly recirculates during printing to equalize wear across its surface, or a Moebius loop which further provides that wear is equalized across both sides of the belt. By providing a sacrificial member between the print head and web, wear and exposure of the print head is reduced, thereby prolonging the life of the print head.

Abstract: Method of printing with ultraviolet photosensitive resin-containing materials includes depositing at least one substance that includes an ultraviolet photosensitive resin on to a substrate, partially curing the substance by irradiating the substance with at least one ultraviolet light emitting device, and completely curing the substance. Substance curing system including a substrate, an applicator that deposits a substance that includes an ultraviolet photosensitive resin on to a substrate, and at least one ultraviolet light emitting device usable to irradiate the substance to partially cure and/or completely cure the substance.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing method conducts a thermal transfer printing by alternately driving heating elements of a thermal print head using a multi-colored thermal transfer ink ribbon, an intermediate transfer medium, the thermal print head and a platen roller that press fits these components. Thickness of ink layers of the thermal transfer ink ribbon is 0.4-1 &mgr;m and the rubber hardness of the platen roller is 80° or more.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which can perform switching between a direct transfer system and an indirect transfer system, and which has reduced malfunction in print process, is provided. In the printing apparatus, determination is made whether a light emitting device detects the intermediate transfer sheet (S124), when the determination is affirmative, the touch panel is controlled to refuse accepting an input of a direct transfer mode (S128) and power supply for pulse motors which are driving sources for the direct transfer mode is stopped to make the first mode disable (S130). When the determination is negative, the touch panel is controlled to refuse accepting an input of an indirect transfer mode (S136) and power supply for pulse motors which are driving sources for the indirect transfer mode is stopped to make the indirect transfer mode disable (S138). When one mode is set, another mode is made disable.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus using an indirect transferring method, an ink ribbon is selectively heated by a thermal head, in a state where an intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon are put one on the other on a platen roller, so that a record-image is formed as a mirror image on an image-forming layer of the intermediate transfer film. Then, the intermediate transfer film and a target object are supplied with heat and pressure between a heating roller and a pressure roller, so that the record-image is transferred along with the image-forming layer of the intermediate transfer film to the target object. The intermediate transfer film and the ink ribbon are respectively accommodated in cassettes detachably mounted in the apparatus, and are used for forming the record-image while being fed from the cassettes.

Abstract: The thermal transfer line printer is provided with a controller for controlling a heating roller contact ON/OFF motor so that a heating roller contact ON/OFF mechanism is selectively operated at least in a weak pressure contact state that a heating roller is in contact with an intermediate transfer sheet with a weak pressure and in a strong pressure contact state that the heating roller is in contact with the intermediate transfer sheet with a strong pressure when retransfer is carried out.

Abstract: There is provided provide an image-forming apparatus that is capable of bringing a transfer film and a print medium into intimate contact without any gap therebetween, to thereby enhancing the quality of an image transferred from the film to the print medium. An image-forming apparatus uses a print medium, and a transfer film formed of a water-soluble resin material and having a smooth printing surface, to form a transferred image on the print medium. An image is printed on the printing surface of the transfer film, with sublimable dye ink. The printed transfer film and the print medium are overlaid such that the printing surface of the transfer film faces a transfer surface of the print medium. The printed transfer film and the print medium overlaid to each other are sandwiched and a thermal pressing process is performed on the printed transfer film and the print medium to cause the image printed on the transfer film to be diffused and fixed on the transfer surface.

Abstract: The present invention to provide an intermediate transfer recording medium and a method for image formation using the same which, can prepare an object having whole plane image with no blank in the edge of the print, and can yield a thermally transferred image possessing excellent various fastness properties even under severe service conditions.

Abstract: The thermal transfer line printer is provided with tension roller position detection means having tension rollers, rotatable tension roller support frames that support the tension rollers rotatably and press the tension rollers toward an intermediate sheet, and a detector and a sensor for detecting a position of the tension rollers and is provided with a controller for controlling operation of an intermediate transfer sheet feeding motor that moves at least the intermediate transfer sheet, and the controller controls the intermediate transfer sheet feeding motor so as to position the detectors in a detection range of the sensors when the intermediate transfer sheet is moved.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer is described. The thermal transfer printer includes a transfer roller, a first platen, a thermal transfer printing section, and a second platen. The transfer roller is operable to heat first ink for transfer of the first ink from a first ink film to a printing medium. The transfer roller presses the first ink film and the printing medium against the first platen. The thermal transfer printing section is operable to heat second ink for transfer the second ink from a second ink film to the printing medium. The thermal transfer printing section presses the second ink film and the printing medium against the second platen.

Abstract: Clear hot stamp coating methods of creating durable protective coatings to the printed side of printed transparencies.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus in which ink transfer from a donor sheet to an image-receiving sheet is carried out. The donor sheet has a size larger than the image-receiving sheet. The apparatus includes a rotating drum around which the image-receiving sheet and the donor sheet may be wound and laminated, and a squeeze roller. The squeeze roller has a middle portion with a fixed radius and a smaller radius portion at one or both ends. Outside an area for the image-receiving sheet, the drum has a first protruding mound portion with which the donor sheet is in surface-contact when the sheets are wound around the drum. A boundary of the smaller radius portion and the middle portion is positioned at an image-receiving sheet side of the first mound portion when the sheets are pressed against the drum.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording system wherein an area of a thermal transfer imaging medium is heated imagewise while in contact only with a thermal printing head and the imaged area of the thermal transfer recording medium subsequently transferred to a receiver material.

Abstract: An image recording method comprises the steps of attaching recording paper on an outer peripheral surface of a recording drum, attaching an image receiving sheet having an image receiving layer on the recording paper to transfer the image receiving layer thereon, attaching a toner sheet on the image recording sheet, and transferring toner of the toner sheet onto the image receiving layer in accordance with recording data.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compensating for imaging aberrations that result from repeated passes by an imaging laser array. The aberrations may result from swath lines formed by thermal heating and from the ruling and screen angle of the image. The techniques described herein reduce the undesirable aberrations in thermal laser generated images by breaking up and/or reducing the swath lines. In general, the techniques provide for overlapping swaths and providing masking for one or both passes that print the overlapped region.

Abstract: A formulation and method of printing an ink or meltable ink layer having reactive dyes or mixtures of reactive dyes and disperse dyes as colorants. The ink or ink melt layer also includes an alkaline substance, a binder, and optionally, a heat-activated printing additive. Permanently bonded color images are provided by the reaction between the reactive dye and the final substrate, which may be any cellulosic, protein, or polyamide fiber material, or mixtures with polyester. Reaction occurs upon heat activation of the printed ink image.

Abstract: A thermal printer that includes a thermally conductive sacrificial member disposed between the thermal print head and the web. The sacrificial member is held generally under tension and prevents the web from directly engaging the thermal print head. The sacrificial member may take one of many different forms, including a fixed strip or belt, a rotatable, continuous belt which slowly recirculates during printing to equalize wear across its surface, or a Moebius loop which futher provides that wear is equalized across both sides of the belt. By providing a sacrificial member between the print head and web, wear and exposure of the print head is reduced, thereby prolonging the life of the print head.

Abstract: An image forming system and method form temporarily attached color particles corresponding to an image on an intermediate image transfer device. The color particles are temporarily attached to the intermediate image transfer device by supplying energy, such as optical or thermal energy, corresponding to image signals, where the source of energy is located on the reverse side of the intermediate image transfer device from the side on which the particles are temporarily attached. Finally, an adhesion device transfers the color particles corresponding to the image from the intermediate image transfer device to a printing sheet and fuses the image into the printing sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image-formation on any selected kind of objective body. The characterizing features reside in such that, based upon fed image data, required images are formed on an image-transferable sheet acting for image carry-over service and in reliance on sublimation image transfer technique, and then, by the use of said sheet with said images thus formed thereon, the formed images thereon are transferringly applied on the objective body. By adopting the above measures, the objective body can be formed sharply and clearly with any desired images, irrespective of kind and configuration thereof, with such superior results of highly improved unity and solidability between the formed images and the objective body to be decorated with.

Abstract: A method of transferring printing ink from an intermediate carrier to a printing-ink receiver selected from the group consisting of a further intermediate carrier and a substrate, wherein the printing ink adheres either in a granular state or in an at least partially liquid state to the intermediate carrier includes, with respect to the first-mentioned state of the printing ink, melting the printing ink at a side thereof facing away from the intermediate carrier before transferring the printing ink to the printing-ink receiver and, with respect to the second-mentioned state of the printing ink, reducing the adhesion of the printing ink to the intermediate carrier with a separating agent at one time at least before and during transfer to the printing-ink receiver; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus uses an ink ribbon having ink layers of different colors, and a long, film-like intermediate transfer medium. A platen for holding the medium during transfer is driven by a motor via a synchronous reduction gear whose speed reducing ratio is an integer multiple. The ink ribbon is selectively heated by a thermal head having regular polygonal or circular heat-generating portions. Under the control of a controller, the thermal head is driven on the basis of image information, and a record image containing an area gradation image is formed on the medium. This area gradation image has a color set by stacking dots having different colors in the same spot. The medium on which the record image is formed is overlapped on a target body and heated and pressed by a heat roller, thereby transferring the record image from the medium onto the target body.

Abstract: A formulation and method of printing an ink or meltable ink layer having reactive dyes or mixtures of reactive dyes and disperse dyes as colorants. The ink or ink melt layer also includes an alkaline substance, a binder, and optionally, a heat-activated printing additive. Permanently bonded color images are provided by the reaction between the reactive dye and the final substrate, which may be any cellulosic, protein, or polyamide fiber material, or mixtures with polyester. Reaction occurs upon heat activation of the printed ink image.

Abstract: A formulation and method of printing an ink or meltable ink layer having reactive dyes or mixtures of reactive dyes and disperse dyes as colorants. The ink or ink melt layer also includes an alkaline substance, a binder, and optionally, a heat-activated printing additive. Permanently bonded color images are provided by the reaction between the reactive dye and the final substrate, which may be any cellulosic, protein, or polyamide fiber material, or mixtures with polyester. Reaction occurs upon heat activation of the printed ink image.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and a method suitable for printing on two sides of medium, such as paper by using an intermediate transfer surface. The device consists of a print head, an intermediate transfer surface and a medium path such that as the medium is transported along the medium path the print head prints a first image on the transfer surface, then sequentially prints a second image to one face of medium while the transfer surface is transferring the first image to the other face of a medium by pressing the transfer surface against the medium. A method for printing is also disclosed comprising of the steps of printing a first image on a transfer surface, printing a second image directly onto one face of the medium, then transferring the first image onto the other face of the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a heating drum image forming material supply device that feeds the image forming material in the form of a roll and winds the image forming material to the heating drum, a photosensitive material supply device that feeds the photosensitive material in the form of a roll and conveys the photosensitive material to an exposure section, and a laminating section which laminates the photosensitive film and image forming film onto the heating drum, and a take up device for the used photosensitive material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image-formation on any selected kind of objective body. The characterizing features reside in such that, based upon fed image data, required images are formed on an image-transferable sheet acting for image carry-over service and in reliance on sublimation image transfer technique, and then, by the use of said sheet with said images thus formed thereon, the formed images thereon are transferringly applied on the objective body. By adopting the above measures, the objective body can be formed sharply and clearly with any desired images, irrespective of kind and configuration thereof, with such superior results of highly improved unity and solidability between the formed images and the objective body to be decorated with.

Abstract: Facsimile device having a thermo-transfer foil for printing a paper sheet and having a device for reducing the foil consumption. A facsimile device (1) having paper-supply holding mechanism (2) for holding at least one sheet of paper (3) and having thermal printing device (14) for printing the sheet of paper (3) by a device of a thermo-transfer foil (7) includes additional mechanism (36) by which an unnecessary consumption of thermo-transfer foil (7) can be avoided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus uses an ink ribbon having ink layers of different colors, and a long, film-like intermediate transfer medium. A platen for holding the medium during transfer is driven by a motor via a synchronous reduction gear whose speed reducing ratio is an integer multiple. The ink ribbon is selectively heated by a thermal head having regular polygonal or circular heat-generating portions. Under the control of a controller, the thermal head is driven on the basis of image information, and a record image containing an area gradation image is formed on the medium. This area gradation image has a color set by stacking dots having different colors in the same spot. The medium on which the record image is formed is overlapped on a target body and heated and pressed by a heat roller, thereby transferring the record image from the medium onto the target body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multi-color printing on plastic cards, such as credit cards, identification cards, and the like. The printing apparatus includes a rotatably driven cylinder having a smooth, high friction outer surface, and a plurality of color print stations spaced circumferentially about the cylinder. A receptor web supply roll is mounted adjacent to the cylinder and supplies an uninterrupted length of a receptor web to the outer surface of the cylinder. The receptor web is frictionally engaged with the outer surface of the cylinder such that the web rotates therewith when the cylinder is rotated. A stepper motor and gearing assembly is connected to the cylinder for rotating the cylinder, and therefore the receptor web that is disposed on the outer surface thereof, to position the receptor web relative to the color print stations. The stepper motor and gearing assembly allow precise positioning of the cylinder and the receptor web relative to each print head, to ensure precise print registration.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus comprising a first drum having an image receiving portion, an exposure section for applying imagewise thermal energy to the second drum in a state that a toner sheet with an image forming thin film is superposed on the image receiving portion of the first drum, with the image forming thin film being layered on the image receiving portion of the first drum, and a second drum for holding a final image supporting sheet thereon for finally supporting an image thereon. In the image forming apparatus, after an image is formed through the likewise application of the thermal energy by the exposure section and the image is transferred onto the image receiving portion, the toner sheet is separated from the image receiving portion of the first drum, and the final image supporting sheet is pressed against a predetermined location on the image receiving portion by a relative movement of the first drum to and from the second drum.

Abstract: An image forming device including a plurality of image forming units each for forming an image on an intermediate transfer body using one of different colored inks. Different colored images are selectively formed in an overlapping relation on the intermediate transfer body, thereby forming a multicolor image thereon. Each different colored image is formed by a thermal transfer operation in which ink on an ink holding member is heated, melted, and then transferred directly onto the intermediate transfer body or onto an existing ink image on the intermediate transfer body. Heat to be supplied to the ink to be transferred onto the existing ink image is insufficient to melt ink in the existing ink image.

Abstract: This invention relates to a color image recording apparatus, which once records an image on an intermediate sheet by means of a recording means, and then transcribe the recorded image on any desired recording sheet. Where, in the step of recording on the dye depositing layer of intermediate sheet, the color image is recorded for a length longer than that the sheet holding body can hold the intermediate sheet at one time by repeating the process cycle of multi color-recording with the intermediate sheet held sticking fast on the sheet holding body and releasing of the intermediate sheet from the tight holding; and then the dye depositing layer carrying the recorded image is transcribed on any desired recording sheet.In doing this way, snaking motion and slipping of the intermediate sheet are prevented, heat shrinkage of the intermediate sheet is curtailed to produce a quality color image having precise alignment of color positioning on any desired recording sheet.

Abstract: A thermal recording method, using a thermal recording apparatus comprising an intermediate recording medium made of silicone rubber layer, of which surface thickness is 1 mm or less, surface roughness is 5 microns or less, contact angle cosine is 0.4 or less, density is 0.90 to 1.15, and rubber hardness is 20 to 50.sup.HS, a fixing roll, and a thermal recording head, and an ink sheet of which viscosity of colored material on the substrate at 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording system, there is prepared a thermal transfer sheet such as a sublimation or heat fusion thermal transfer sheet, and also prepared an intermediate transfer recording medium comprising a substrate sheet and a receptor layer disposed on the substrate sheet so as to be transferable; the thus prepared thermal transfer sheet is disposed together with the intermediate transfer recording medium between a heating device such as a thermal head and a platen roller; the thermal head is heated in accordance with an image information to be printed to thereby form the image in the receptor layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium; and thereafter, the image is transferred together with the receptor layer to a transfer-receiving material.

Abstract: A transfer member includes a dyeing layer transfer member, which has a lubricating heat-resistant layer on the reverse surface of a first base material and laminated layers of a parting layer and a dyeing layer on the obverse surface, an ink transfer member, having a lubricating heat-resistant layer on the reverse surface of a second base material and the laminated layers of an adhesive layer and an ink layer, an intermediate member having a functional layer on a third base material, and an image-receptor.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer type thermal transfer recording method comprising the steps of: forming first an image on an intermediate transfer medium by heating a melt-type thermal transfer recording medium with a heating head, and transferring the image formed on the intermediate transfer medium onto an image receptor pressed against the intermediate transfer medium, wherein an image of a heat-meltable colored ink is formed on an image receptor by said intermediate transfer type thermal transfer recording method and a transparent heat-meltable ink is then transferred on the image receptor to cover a region thereof including the image of the colored ink by said intermediate transfer type thermal transfer recording method. The method provides a lustrous image on a paper sheet and an image with high light transmittance on an OHP sheet.

Abstract: A thermal printing apparatus includes an intermediate medium. A color developing layer transfer member includes a first base member and a color developing layer on a surface of the first base member. A dye layer transfer member includes a second base member and a dye layer on a surface of the second base member. The dye layer contains dye. At least a part of the color developing layer is transferred from the color developing layer transfer member onto the intermediate medium in response to at least one of heat and pressure. The dye is transferred from the dye layer of the dye layer transfer member onto the color developing layer on the intermediate medium to form a recorded picture on the color developing layer in response to both heat and pressure while the dye layer on the dye layer transfer member and the color developing layer on the intermediate medium are in contact with each other. The color developing layer with the recorded picture is transferred from the intermediate medium onto an image receptor.

Abstract: A recording device having a highly integrated recording head, which can perform high-quality high-speed printing of halftone image and which is compact and inexpensive to manufacture and can work at reduced running cost (with no need of replacing its recording head due to contamination with ink) and at saved power consumption. The recording device comprises an ink feeding unit for applying ultraviolet curing ink to an image transfer intermediate, an ultraviolet ink-curing head for selectively ultraviolet curing ink applied to the image transfer intermediate according to an image pattern, a platen for pressing a recording medium against the image transfer intermediate to transfer not-cured ink from the image transfer intermediate onto the recording medium, ultraviolet thermal ink-curing unit for fixing the ink on the recording medium and an ink removing unit for removing residual ink from the image transfer intermediate.

Abstract: The present invention is for an image processing apparatus (10) for a method of exposing imagesetter recording film (42) on a color-proofing apparatus. The method comprises the steps of loading a sheet of dye collection support (45) on a vacuum imaging drum (300) and loading a first sheet of imagesetter recording film in registration with the dye collection support. The first sheet of imagesetter recording film is loaded dye side down. An intended image is formed on the first sheet of imagesetter recording film by removing dye from the first sheet of imagesetter recording film which is collected on the dye collection support. Additional sheets of imagesetter recording film and other embodiments are prepared in a similar manner. In a further embodiment, the dye collection support is removed from the vacuum imaging drum as each sheet of imagesetter recording film is removed to provide a blue line image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image-formation on any selected kind of objective body. The characterizing features reside in such that, based upon fed image data, required images are formed on an image-transferable sheet acting for image carry-over service and in reliance on sublimation image transfer technique, and then, by the use of said sheet with said images thus formed thereon, the formed images thereon are transferringly applied on the objective body. By adopting the above measures, the objective body can be formed sharply and clearly with any desired images, irrespective of kind and configuration thereof, with such superior results of highly improved unity and solidability between the formed images and the objective body to be decorated with.

Abstract: A transfer member includes a dyeing layer transfer member, which has a lubricating heat-resistant layer on the reverse surface of a first base material and laminated layers of a parting layer and a dyeing layer on the obverse surface, an ink transfer member, having a lubricating heat-resistant layer on the reverse surface of a second base material and the laminated layers of an adhesive layer and an ink layer, an intermediate member having a functional layer on a third base material, and an image-receptor.

Abstract: A dye donor, such as a transfer ribbon, comprises a supporting substrate and a relatively thick dye layer consisting of a dye dispersed within a dye binder. A heater, such as a modulated scanning laser beam, heats selected pixel regions of the ribbon and causes dye to diffuse from the heated regions to a receiver sheet and print a number of pixels thereon which build up to form an image. In order to allow the donor to be reused, it is passed between a pair of heated rollers to cause dye in the dye layer to diffuse to an even density whereby the regions depleted of dye during the print process are replenished. Instead of the replenishment dye coming from the body of the donor, it may be supplied by a separate source.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer of the intermediate transfer type that first melts ink of an ink ribbon by heat of a thermal head and subsequently transfers the molten ink onto an intermediate transfer member to thereby form a primary recording image, and finally re-transfers this primary recording image onto paper to thereby perform a desired recording. The intermediate transfer member is made of a material selected in such a manner that the coefficient of friction for this material is equal to or more than 1.0. In one embodiment, the material of the intermediate transfer member is silicon rubber.

Abstract: Apparatus for color printing on a moveable receiver includes a re-inkable belt including an ink transfer layer where an ink can be transferred; a structure for causing the moveable receiver to move into proximate contact with the re-inkable belt at a nip position for transferring ink imagewise to the moveable receiver; and an interface capillary spaced from the re-inkable belt and for receiving ink and including pumping structure operating on the ink in the interface capillary for forming a meniscus in such space which engages the re-inkable belt so that ink will be diffused into the ink transfer surface. The apparatus further forms a meniscus when the re-inkable belt passes by the interface capillary to cause ink to diffuse into the ink transfer layer when the ink transfer layer is saturated with ink.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing method using a color developing layer transfer sheet having color developing layer at least on either side of its substrate, a dye layer transfer sheet having at least on either side of its substrate and an intermediate medium and including the steps of first transferring partly or entirely the color developing layers on the color developing layer transfer sheet onto the intermediate medium by means of heat and/or pressure as color developing layer transfer means, then laying the color developing layer and the dye layer one upon the other and causing the dye to migrate to the color developing layer on the intermediate medium by means of heat and pressure for formation of pictorial image thereon and further transferring the formed pictorial image from the intermediate medium onto the color receiving sheet again by means of heat and pressure.

Abstract: A printing image is transferred onto a first fabric tape (1), which can be wetted with a liquid (19), at a printing image transfer point (3) as a result of the partial evaporation of the included liquid (19). At a subsequent transfer printing point (12), the first fabric tape (1) is located between a heating device (10) and a second fabric tape (4). Printing ink (11) is included in the second fabric tape (4). This printing ink (11) is expelled from the second fabric tape (4) by the liquid (19), which remained in the first fabric tape (1) and represents the printing image and which evaporates at the transfer printing point (12), and is transferred onto a recording medium (9).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing contact between a donor sheet and a receptor sheet in a laser-induced thermal transfer printer make use of a support means for supporting a receptor sheet, means for mounting a donor sheet proximal to the receptor sheet over the support means, and means for applying tension to the donor sheet to draw the donor sheet into contact with the receptor sheet. The means for mounting the donor sheet and applying tension may be a clamp mechanism mounted on the support means. The clamp mechanism has a first clamp for holding a first end of the donor sheet and a second clamp for holding a second end of the donor sheet. The second clamp is movable relative to the first clamp to apply tension to the donor sheet, thereby drawing the donor sheet into contact with the receptor sheet.

Abstract: In an image forming device, a hot melt ink is preliminarily heated by a heater, the melted ink is retained in an ink retaining roller made of a porous material and having apertures formed in the radial direction, and then melted under heating by a thermal head and transferred on a recording medium. The ink supply device of the image forming device can use inks efficiently with no waste and thereby reduce the running cost.

Abstract: A thermal printing apparatus includes an intermediate medium. A color developing layer transfer member includes a first base member and a color developing layer on a surface of the first base member. A dye layer transfer member includes a second base member and a dye layer on a surface of the second base member. The dye layer contains dye. At least a part of the color developing layer is transferred from the color developing layer transfer member onto the intermediate medium in response to at least one of heat and pressure. The dye is transferred from the dye layer of the dye layer transfer member onto the color developing layer on the intermediate medium to form a recorded picture on the color developing layer in response to both heat and pressure while the dye layer on the dye layer transfer member and the color developing layer on the intermediate medium are in contact with each other. The color developing layer with the recorded picture is transferred from the intermediate medium onto an image receptor.

Abstract: Thermal transfer printing apparatus essentially made of a drum-shaped recording intermediate member composed of a base material and an elastic layer disposed on the outer surface of the base material, a dyeing layer transfer member which is mounted adjacent to the drum-shaped recording intermediate layer and comprising a base material and a dyeing layer disposed on the base material of the dyeing layer transfer member, a dye transfer member mounted adjacent to the drum-shaped recording intermediate layer and comprising a base material and a dye layer disposed on the base material and an image receptor mounted adjacent to the drum-shaped recording intermediate layer, whereby the separating strength between the base material of the dyeing layer of the dyeing layer transfer member is more than 5 g/25 mm.