Abstract: A thermal head in a thermal transfer printer in which a tension is given to an ink ribbon that has warped as being heated by the thermal head to reduce friction force generated between the thermal head and the ink ribbon. A ribbon transport direction changing member 30 pushes the ink ribbon 13 away from a heat generator 21, as a transport direction of the ink ribbon 13 is slightly moved toward a platen roller 10, so a constant tension is given to a film layer 24 of the ink ribbon immediately after being heated.

Abstract: A thermal head in a thermal transfer printer in which a tension is given to an ink ribbon that has warped as being heated by the thermal head to reduce friction force generated between the thermal head and the ink ribbon. A ribbon transport direction changing member 30 pushes the ink ribbon 13 away from a heat generator 21, as a transport direction of the ink ribbon 13 is slightly moved toward a platen roller 10, so a constant tension is given to a film layer 24 of the ink ribbon immediately after being heated.

Abstract: A printer operable for reading and writing data to a RFID tag included in a continuous label without any restriction as to deploying an antenna on the continuous label and an antenna on the printer. Upon receiving a command for identifying the position of an antenna of a RFID tag included in a label, the printer feeds a continuous label such that the antenna of the RFID tag is in alignment in the direction perpendicular to the label feed with an antenna for a RFID read/write unit on the printer, thereby reading or writing of data to an IC chip of the RFID tag.