Abstract: An apparatus and method of securing and maintaining the integrity of desired information on a ribbon and media subsequent to a printing operation is provided. The apparatus and method includes a thermal transfer printer having a print station and a printhead operable for performing a printing operation. The printhead is capable of performing an initial print operation and then being raised from the media, thereby allowing the used ribbon to be rewound a predetermined distance about a supply spindle. Thereafter, a second print operation is performed on the space previously printed upon using characters, designs or block-out patterns and the used ribbon is then wound onto a take-up spindle. In exemplary embodiments, the used ribbon can also be reprinted with a waste media several times thus further obscuring the image on the used ribbon.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method to flash print an image. The apparatus includes an energy source that delivers energy. The apparatus includes an energy pulse width modulator coupled to the energy source. The energy pulse width modulator may receive energy from the energy source and modulate the energy received from the energy source. The energy pulse width modulator may be driven by a logic module. The apparatus also includes a plurality of imaging pixels modulated by the energy pulse width modulator and conveying modulated energy to a host material. The host material may be in close proximity to a receiving medium and the modulated energy may release the dye from the host material into the receiving medium.

Abstract: A reverse transfer printer and method for printing information onto histological specimen containers such as slides and cassettes. One embodiment of the method includes printing an ink specimen information image onto a transfer medium, and transferring the transfer medium with the specimen information image onto a print zone of the specimen container, with the transfer medium covering the ink.

Abstract: Thermal transfer printing method and apparatus are provided to make initial character image data left on a spent ink ribbon illegible. In the method, after forming an initial character image on an ink layer in black of the ink ribbon, a forefront of the ink layer is aligned with a forefront position of an intermediate transfer film. Then, overwrite character image data is applied on a thermal head to produce a first superimpose character image on the ribbon and a first superimpose character image on the film. After that, the forefront position of the ink layer is shifted from the forefront position of the film by a predetermined distance and the overwrite character image data is applied on the thermal head to produce a second superimpose character image on the ribbon and a second superimpose character image on the film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing device which provides high printing quality. The printing device includes: an image forming section which has a thermal head 9 and a platen roller 12; a media conveyance section for conveying an intermediate transfer film F; a ribbon conveyance section for conveying an ink ribbon R; a sensor 10 for detecting a first mark formed on the film F; and a control section for controlling the image forming section, the media conveyance section, and the ribbon conveyance section in accordance with output information from the sensor 10.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A ribbon includes a substrate film, wherein the film comprises a tensionable material; and an ink disposed on the ribbon. A length of the ribbon includes portions that have been tensioned to provide a code readable from the ribbon by measuring the tension over the length of the ribbon.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer medium conveying device conveys an intermediate transfer medium by a drive force of one DC motor, in a normal feed direction where the intermediate transfer medium is wound on a winding reel and in a reverse feed direction where the intermediate transfer medium is wound on a feeding reel. The intermediate transfer medium conveying device includes a winding shaft that drives the winding reel during normal feed where the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed in the normal feed direction, a feeding shaft driving the feeding reel during reverse feed where the intermediate transfer medium is conveyed in the reverse feed direction, transmission means for normal feed that transmits a drive force of the DC motor to the winding shaft during the normal feed, and transmission means for reverse feed that transmits a drive force of the DC motor to the feeding shaft during the reverse feed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including a head holding unit movably configured to hold a thermal head so that the thermal head can be in a pressing state pressing against a platen and in a separated state separated from the platen, a conveyance mechanism configured to convey an ink ribbon and a recording sheet which are put on each other to a recording region between the thermal head and the platen, a reflection surface provided on the head holding unit, and a ribbon sensor configured to detect a marker applied on the ink ribbon, the ribbon sensor being provided on an opposite side to the reflection surface across a path of the ink ribbon which has passed through the recording region and been peeled from the recording sheet. The ribbon sensor includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The reflection surface is configured so that light incident from the light emitting element reaches the light receiving element in both the separated state and the pressing state.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: Printing systems, printing apparatuses and methods of forming images on media are provided.

Abstract: A ribbon includes at least one dye region, at least one separating region and at least one recognition dye region. Each of the dye regions includes a plurality of dye zones. The separating region is formed on a side of the dye region for separating different dye regions. The recognition dye region is formed on the separating region or formed within a range covered by the corresponding dye region. A thermal print head of a thermal sublimation printer transfers the dye region and the recognition dye region of the ribbon onto a print medium, so as to form an image area and a recognition mark on the print medium, correspondingly. A cutting mechanism of the thermal sublimation printer is used for cutting the print medium when a sensor of the thermal sublimation printer senses the recognition mark.

Abstract: Thermal transfer printing method and apparatus are provided to make initial character image data left on a spent ink ribbon illegible. In the method, after forming an initial character image FGi1 on an ink layer 11b in black of the ink ribbon 11, a forefront position S1 of the ink layer 11b is aligned with a forefront position S2 of an intermediate transfer film 25. Then, overwrite character image data UGD1 is applied on a thermal head 19 to produce a first superimpose character image KG1i1 on the ribbon 11 and a first superimpose character image KG1m1 on the film 25. After that, the forefront position S1 of the ink layer 11b is shifted from the forefront position S2 of the film 25 by a predetermined distance and further, the overwrite character image data UGD1 is applied on the thermal head 19 to produce a second superimpose character image KG2i1 on the ribbon 11 and a second superimpose character image KG2m1 on the film 25.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing device which provides high printing quality. The printing device includes: an image forming section which has a thermal head 9 and a platen roller 12; a media conveyance section for conveying an intermediate transfer film F; a ribbon conveyance section for conveying an ink ribbon R; a sensor 10 for detecting a first mark formed on the film F; and a control section for controlling the image forming section, the media conveyance section, and the ribbon conveyance section in accordance with output information from the sensor 10.

Abstract: A printer includes a feeding unit, a conveying unit, a print unit to print information on an intermediate transfer film or a print medium, a transfer unit to transfer the information printed on the intermediate transfer film to a transferred article, a winding unit, a discharge unit, a detection unit structured so as to detect the intermediate transfer film or the print medium and inform the detection information to a setting unit, and the setting unit to decide an intermediate transfer film mode to operate the feeding unit, conveying unit, print unit, transfer unit, and winding unit when the detection information sent from the detection unit indicates that the intermediate transfer film is detected or decide a direct medium mode to operate the feeding unit, conveying unit, print unit, and discharge unit when the detection information sent from the detection unit indicates that the print medium is detected.

Abstract: A method of forming an image on a transfer sheet based on electronic data uses an image forming device and an ink ribbon cartridge. An ink ribbon of the ink ribbon cartridge has a plurality of ink films formed thereon with boundary lines being provided between the ink films. In the image forming method, the ink ribbon of the ink ribbon cartridge is conveyed when the power to the image forming device is turned on and the ink ribbon cartridge is installed in the image forming device and before the user inputs the image forming instruction. While the ink ribbon of the ink ribbon cartridge is conveyed, it is determined with a boundary line detecting unit whether at least one of the boundary lines formed on the ink ribbon has reached a predetermined position in the image forming device.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an ink ribbon on which a plurality of color inks are arranged frame-sequentially, a printing unit configured to be able to print by a predetermined length by transferring the plurality of color inks onto roll paper by one cycle of the ink ribbon, and a print control unit configured to control the printing apparatus to successively print two calendar sheets in case that the printing apparatus is instructed to print a calendar sheet having a length larger than the predetermined length. The calendar sheet includes an image area corresponding to the predetermined length and a date area having a length not larger than substantially 0.5 times of the predetermined length. The print control unit controls the printing apparatus to rotate, through 180°, one of the two calendar sheets to be successively printed, and print.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transport unit that transports a recording medium; a thermal transfer sheet that has an ink layer, and a protective material layer thermally transferred onto the recording medium to form a protective layer; a reforming sheet that has a printing opening portion for causing the ink layer and the protective material layer to come into contact with a surface of the recording medium, and a surface property reforming portion for reforming surface properties of the protective layer; and a thermal head that heats and causes the surface property reforming portion to come into pressing contact with the recording medium through the thermally transferred protective material layer, wherein a temperature limitation area is set in an outer peripheral portion of an area where the surface properties are reformed, and heating of the surface property reforming portion in the temperature limitation area is restricted.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including a head holding unit movably configured to hold a thermal head so that the thermal head can be in a pressing state pressing against a platen and in a separated state separated from the platen, a conveyance mechanism configured to convey an ink ribbon and a recording sheet which are put on each other to a recording region between the thermal head and the platen, a reflection surface provided on the head holding unit, and a ribbon sensor configured to detect a marker applied on the ink ribbon, the ribbon sensor being provided on an opposite side to the reflection surface across a path of the ink ribbon which has passed through the recording region and been peeled from the recording sheet. The ribbon sensor includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The reflection surface is configured so that light incident from the light emitting element reaches the light receiving element in both the separated state and the pressing state.

Abstract: A size-reduced printer that conveys a recording sheet in a circulating manner along a ring-like conveyance path while printing a plurality of images on the recording sheet in different colors sequentially in a superimposed manner, thereby forming a full color image. When a ribbon cassette that contains a multi-color ink ribbon is loaded at a predetermined position within a printer housing, a ring-like conveyance path is formed between the ribbon cassette and the printer housing. While the thermal head is driven and the recording sheet is conveyed once in a circulating manner along the conveyance path, a one-color image is printed on a previous printed one-color image in a superimposed manner in a corresponding one of the different color inks of the multi-color ink ribbon, thereby forming a full color image finally.

Abstract: A printer comprises a transfer assembly 56 for transferring a print image formed on an intermediate transfer sheet 42 to a print surface of a print medium 100, a print tray 12 on which the print medium 100 is placed, and a retaining roller 70 installed slightly downstream of the transfer assembly 56. The retaining roller 70 which is biased downward pushes the print medium 100 from above, to thereby prevent the print medium 100 from being lifted up.

Abstract: A transfer medium manufacturing method which manufactures a transfer medium in which a color material capable of being transferred to a target is attached to a base material, includes attaching first liquid containing the color material to the base material to form a colored layer, and attaching second liquid containing resin on the first liquid attached to the base material during the step of attaching the first liquid before the first liquid is dried, thereby forming a resin layer and forming a colored resin layer where the first liquid and the second liquid are mixed with each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides ink receptive particles, for receiving an ink containing a recording material, the ink receptive particles comprising trap structures for trapping at least a liquid component of the ink, and a liquid absorbing resin. Using the ink receptive particles, the invention also provides a marking materials system, an ink receiving method, a recording method, a recording apparatus, and an ink receptive particle storage cartridge.

Abstract: An ink receptive particle comprising an organic resin that is formed by a hydrophilic monomer component and a hydrophobic monomer component, wherein hydrophilic groups in the organic resin include a hydrophilic group having a salt structure and a hydrophilic group not having a salt structure.

Abstract: The ink set includes: a first liquid which contains a coloring material, a polymer, and a dispersion medium composed of water and water-soluble solvent, the coloring material and the polymer being dispersed in the dispersion medium, the coloring material having properties such that when dispersed in an aqueous coloring material solution, a volume-average particle size of the coloring material is changed along with a pH change of the aqueous coloring material solution, the polymer having properties such that when dispersed in an aqueous polymer solution, a volume-average particle size of the polymer is changed along with a pH change of the aqueous polymer solution; and a second liquid which changes pH of the first liquid, wherein a condition of |???1|?|???2| is satisfied, where ? is pH of the first liquid before the first liquid is subjected to a pH change caused by the second liquid, ?1 is pH of the aqueous coloring material solution at which the volume-average particle size of the coloring material reaches 1

Abstract: An arylidene-pyrazolone dye of the following formula (1): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 each independently represent a monovalent substituent; n indicates an integer of from 0 to 4; when n is 2 or more, plural R3's may be the same or different; and R1 and R2 may bond to each other to form a cyclic structure.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: a head which ejects ink droplets; an intermediate transfer body having a transfer surface on which a transfer image is formed by means of the ink droplets ejected from the head; a transfer device which performs transfer of the transfer image formed on the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body to a prescribed transfer-receiving medium; a transfer surface reading device which obtains read image data by reading in the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body after the transfer; a judgment device which performs judgment of a transfer state of the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body in accordance with the read image data obtained by the transfer surface reading device; and a transfer condition changing device which changes a transfer condition of the transfer device in accordance with the judgment of the judgment device.

Abstract: Thermal sublimation card printers and associated method for printing image onto a card are disclosed. One proposed method includes receiving target image data; moving a card; transferring dyes of a ribbon onto the card according to the target image data while moving the card; detecting the movement of the card; when the card has moved a predetermined distance, determining image characteristics corresponding to remaining image data of the target image data that has not printed yet; determining image content to be printed onto remaining area of the card according to determined image characteristics; and transferring dyes of the ribbon onto the remaining area of the card according to the image content.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir for use in a printing device includes a housing that, at least partially, forms at least one chamber therein. The chamber is configured to hold a fluid. A bubble port leads through housing into a first region of chamber and fluidically couples chamber to atmospheric gas external to housing. A bubble director arranged within chamber is configured to direct at least one bubble of gas from first region to a second region of chamber. The bubble is formed within fluid within first region upon gas entering chamber through bubble port.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of recording image information and additional information added separately from the image information to a photographic printing medium is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes: image information acquisition means for acquiring the image information, additional information acquisition means for acquiring the additional information, and recording means for recording the image information acquired by the image information acquisition means and the additional information acquired by the additional information acquisition means to the photographic printing medium, wherein the recording means can record the additional information by laminating a first transparent material that absorbs light of a specific wavelength and a second transparent material that does not absorb the light on a recording surface of the photographic printing medium.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a nip roller group for pressing a face of a conveyance belt on which a recording medium is held includes a pair of first end pressing parts which are arranged in the width direction of the conveyance belt at a distance corresponding to the recording medium having a predetermined size, and a first center pressing part which is arranged between the pair of first end pressing parts. Herein, a pressing force of the first center pressing part is set to be smaller than pressing forces of the first end pressing parts.

Abstract: A modular printer having a media take-up assembly, a support block assembly, a printhead assembly, a stepper motor assembly and a display assembly is provided. A support housing having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support housing. The support housing is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.

Abstract: An ink jet imaging system comprises a heated imaging drum that rotates in at least one direction, a print head for ejecting ink onto the heated imaging drum as it rotates past the print head to form an image, a media sheet transport for synchronizing movement of a media sheet with rotation of the heated imaging drum, a transfixing roller that forms a transfixing nip with the heated imaging drum to transfix the image on the rotating heated image drum onto the media sheet synchronized by the media sheet transport, and a media director located between the media sheet transport and the heated imaging drum to direct the media sheet into close proximity with the heated imaging drum at a position sufficiently prior to the transfixing nip that the heated imaging drum heats the media sheet before the media sheet enters the transfixing nip.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer for film capable of thermal transfer printing on a plastic film. The thermal transfer printer for film is provided with a conveyance for conveying the plastic film along a predetermined path, an ink ribbon moving mechanism which includes a holder for holding a plurality of ink ribbons 11 and moves an ink ribbon selected arbitrarily from the plurality of ink ribbons to a print position arranged on the predetermined path, and a print head which prints on the plastic film by heating the ink ribbon moved to the print position.

Abstract: A printer transfers to one image formation area a plurality of single colors of ink repeatedly arranged in a longitudinal direction of the ink sheet, to thus produce in an image formation area of an intermediate transfer sheet a transfer image formed as a result of lamination of single color images, and also transfers the transfer image of the intermediate transfer sheet to a subject to be printed, thereby producing a desired image on the subject. During the course of a first single color of ink C being transferred from the ink sheet to an image formation area of an intermediate transfer sheet, to thus produce a single color image in the first color on the intermediate transfer sheet, a position mark is transferred by use of a black ink area provided at a widthwise edge of an area of the first single color of ink of the ink sheet and outside the image formation area of the intermediate transfer sheet.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing machine 10 for thermally transferring image information on an information carrying medium to a printing medium is provided. The thermal transfer printing machine 10 includes a first platen roller 11 adapted so as to be rotatable, a second platen roller 12 adapted so as to be rotatable, the second platen roller 12 being separated from the first platen roller 11 and also paralleled thereto substantially, and a thermal print head 21 disposed between the first and second platen rollers 11, 12. The thermal print head 21 is adapted so as to be movable between a first transfer position to allow the thermal print head 21 to oppose the first platen roller 11 and a second transfer position to allow the thermal print head 21 to oppose the second platen roller 12.

Abstract: A method of forming an image, containing superposing a heat-sensitive transfer sheet on a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, and applying thermal energy from a side of a heat-resistant lubricating layer described below of the heat-sensitive transfer sheet, to form a thermally transferred image, in which the heat-sensitive transfer sheet comprises a substrate, a thermal transfer layer containing a thermally transferable dye and a resin on one face of the substrate, and the heat-resistant lubricating layer on the other face of the substrate; the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet comprise a support, and a heat insulation layer and a receptor layer on the support in this order; the thermal transfer layer contains a polymer compound having fluorine atom-substituted aliphatic groups on its side chains; and the receptor layer contains a latex polymer having a glass transition temperature of from 20° C. to 60° C.

Abstract: One or more arrays of heating elements are configured with insulating regions to prevent the dissipation of heat to unintended regions of a thermochromic substrate. Methods include printing and arranging impressions on a two-sided substrate avoiding bleeding and other problems more-commonly associated with traditional two-sided thermal printing techniques. A simple and reliable thermal printing system is provided for use in ballot marking, including several mechanisms for receiving and detecting the orientation of a substrate within a thermal printing apparatus.

Abstract: A printer includes an ink cartridge mounted on a main body, ink contained in the ink cartridge, a discriminating member attached to the ink cartridge and having information recorded with on the ink cartridge, the ink cartridge being discriminated by the information recorded on the discriminating member, a memory for individually storing information items of a plurality of the ink cartridges, a control unit for determining a status of ink level in the ink cartridge mounted on the main body by the information recorded on the discriminating member and by the information items of each ink cartridge stored in the memory.

Abstract: Methods of, and apparatus for, two-sided thermal printing comprising direct and/or thermal transfer print means are provided. In one embodiment, a combined direct thermal and thermal transfer printer and related media are disclosed wherein direct thermal printing is provided for on a first media side, and thermal transfer printing is provided on a second media side. In other embodiments, various two-sided thermal transfer printers and media are disclosed wherein thermal transfer printing is provided for on first and second media sides through use of, inter alia, a one- and/or a two-sided thermal transfer ribbon.

Abstract: To smoothly transport a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet having a heat-sensitive adhesive layer on one surface, while a damage or peeling off of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer is suppressed. A thermal activation apparatus includes a thermal head for heating a heat-sensitive adhesive layer, a platen roller for thermal activation opposed to the thermal head, a guide member, and insertion rollers for transporting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet. The guide member has a coating layer made of fluororesin, and the heat-sensitive adhesive layer before being thermally activated slides on the coating layer, whereby the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is guided toward the thermal head for thermal activation and the platen roller for thermal activation.

Abstract: A print apparatus includes a print unit that records a print pattern with a thermal head and a ribbon film, the ribbon film having a base film on which transfer-material areas and margin areas including cue marks are arranged; a cue-mark detector that detects the cue marks; a ribbon-moving mechanism that moves the ribbon film on which the transfer-material areas and the cue marks are arranged such that L1<L2 is satisfied, where L1 is a distance between the leading edge of each transfer-material area and the corresponding cue mark and L2 is a distance between a transfer position and a cue-mark detection position; and a ribbon movement controller that monitors the cue-mark detection and moves the ribbon film backward by a distance corresponding to the difference between the distances L1 and L2, thereby positioning the ribbon film with respect to a print start position.

Abstract: A card manufacturing method for manufacturing the card and a card manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the card are provided. The card 51 includes a card base 1, a first receptor layer 1a arranged on one side of the card base 1 to contain a sublimation-ink image 8, a protecting layer OC1 laminated on the first receptor layer 1a and an invisible-ink image 10 formed on the protecting layer OC1. Owing to the interposition of the protecting layer OC1 between the sublimation-ink image 8 and the invisible-ink image 10, the card 51 is capable of suppressing color fading of a sublimation ink in the image 8 in spite of a card structure where the sublimation ink and an invisible ink are printed so as to overlap each other, allowing the card 51 to be used for a long time.

Abstract: A printer transfers to one image formation area a plurality of single colors of ink repeatedly arranged in a longitudinal direction of the ink sheet, to thus produce in an image formation area of an intermediate transfer sheet a transfer image formed as a result of lamination of single color images, and also transfers the transfer image of the intermediate transfer sheet to a subject to be printed, thereby producing a desired image on the subject. During the course of a first single color of ink C being transferred from the ink sheet to an image formation area of an intermediate transfer sheet, to thus produce a single color image in the first color on the intermediate transfer sheet, a position mark is transferred by use of a black ink area provided at a widthwise edge of an area of the first single color of ink of the ink sheet and outside the image formation area of the intermediate transfer sheet.

Abstract: A tape drive comprising first and second motors, the first motor being a torque-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective motor, and a controller operable to control the energization of the motors such that tape may be transported in first and second directions between spools mounted on the spool supports. Each spool support is coupled to a respective motor by means of a drive coupling providing at least one fixed transmission ratio. When tape is moved in said first direction, said torque-controlled motor is energised in a first rotational direction, when tape is moved in said second direction, said torque-controlled motor is energised in said first rotational direction for a part of said movement and a second opposite rotational direction for another part of said movement.

Abstract: An ink receptive particle comprising an organic resin that is formed by a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer, the hydrophilic monomer including a hydrophilic group having a salt structure and a hydrophilic group not having a salt structure.