Abstract: A thermal transfer printer including a thermal head for generating heat in accordance with a desired print pattern, a platen having a surface for supporting an ink-sheet and paper, the ink-sheet and paper being pressed by the thermal head on the platen surface so that ink from the ink-sheet is transferred to the paper, a paper supply for storing and supplying paper, an ink-sheet supply and drive for storing and supplying an ink-sheet, the ink-sheet supply and drive driving the ink-sheet to move in accordance with the movement of the paper, a paper drive arranged between the platen and the paper supply, the paper drive driving the paper by the required length according to the position of the paper relative to the position of the platen, and a paper tension device for applying suitable tension to the paper at least between the platen and the paper drive so that the length by which the paper drive drives the paper is identical with the length by which the paper moves on the platen.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing apparatus comprises a recording sheet conveying passageway of a chuckless type which does not require a chuck mechanism for affixing a recording sheet to a platen roller. The recording sheet conveying passageway is constituted in loop form by at least one guide member and at least one roller for conveying the recording sheet and has at one end a recording sheet ejector for ejecting the recording sheet to outside from the conveying passageway. The recording sheet is moved through the conveying passageway repeatedly for a number of times required to perform superimposing printing by means of a thermal head. Upon completion of printing, the recording sheet is ejected from the apparatus to outside via the recording sheet ejector.