Abstract: An image formation method and a thermal transfer sheet for use in the image formation method are provided. According to the image formation method and the thermal transfer sheet, an intermediate transfer recording medium comprising a substrate film and a transfer part, comprising at least a receptive layer, provided separably on the substrate film is used, and, at the time of the transfer of the transfer part in the intermediate transfer recording medium onto an object, the transfer of the transfer part onto the object in its nontransfer region, onto which the transfer part should not be transferred, can be avoided without installing any special ancillary tool on an image forming apparatus. In the method for image formation, a thermal transfer sheet comprising a substrate and at least a peel-off layer provided on the substrate is provided.

Abstract: An article for receiving an image by thermal transfer printing includes an image-receiving surface of plastics material coated with a layer of dye-receptive material capable of accepting an image by means of a dye thermal transfer process, wherein the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the dye receptive material is at least 50° C. lower than the softening point of the plastics material of the image-receiving surface. By having a difference between the softening point of the plastics material article surface and the Tg of the material coated thereon of at least 50° C. it is possible to achieve printing in a single step transfer process of high density images without distortion of the plastics material. The invention can be used with three-dimensional articles possibly having compound curves, including casings for mobile telephones made of polymers such as polycarbonate.

Abstract: A method of equalizing web-stretching caused by web tensioning in a dye transfer printer that is for use with a donor web having a dye transfer area and opposite edge areas alongside the dye transfer area, includes the steps of heating a dye transfer area to effect a dye transfer from the dye transfer area to a dye receiver, and heating the edge areas alongside the dye transfer area less than the dye transfer area is heated to effect the dye transfer, but sufficiently so that the edge areas may be stretched by tension substantially the same as the dye transfer area may be stretched. If the edge areas alongside a dye transfer area being used in the printer are stretched substantially the same as the dye transfer area, the likelihood of any creases being created in the next unused transfer area is substantially reduced. Thus, no line artifacts will be printed on a dye receiver in the printer.

Abstract: A printer and method for monitoring consumption of a print ribbon of a thermal printer is provided. The method includes pressing the print ribbon against a medium located on a drawer of the thermal printer using a thermal print head of the thermal printer. The method includes moving the drawer and the print ribbon simultaneously and at substantially the same rate past the thermal print head so as to deposit a transferable coating of the print ribbon on the medium whereby printing an image on the medium. Measuring a distance moved by the drawer while pressing the print ribbon against the medium and equating the distance moved by the drawer to an amount of print ribbon consumed are also included in the method.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer includes three light emitting diodes (7, 8, 9) emitting red, green and blue light respectively, and respective detectors (10, 11, 12) mounted on the opposite side of a dyesheet (1) passing through the printer. The detectors (10, 11, 12) detect the light absorption ratios of three colour print panels (Y, M and C) of the dyesheet, and these detected ratios are compared with acceptable ranges of light absorption ratios. If the detected light absorption ratio for any colour falls outside the corresponding range, use or further use of the dyesheet in the printer is prevented, for example by disabling an essential function of the printer or ejecting the dyesheet from the printer.

Abstract: This label has a printing head (1) which may be stationary or mob\vale along a guide (2), a ribbon (3) bearing a printing medium, a ribbon pay-out spool (4), a ribbon tale-up spool (5) driven by a stepper motor (6), a control device (8) that governs the printing head (1), and a means for controlling the advance of the ribbon, (3). Said means for controlling the advance of the ribbon (3) comprises a device (7) for detecting the spin of the pay-out spool (4) and sending a signal to the control device (8) that reports on the spinning of the pay-out spool (4) when the stepper motor (6) makes the take-up spool (5) spin at a certain rate. The invention also includes a method for using this label printer for multiple label printing.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an image forming portion for selectively forming images to a card and to an intermediate transfer sheet, and a transfer portion for transferring images formed onto an intermediate transfer medium to a card. The image forming portion and transfer portion are opposingly arranged to a card transport path and are arranged offset along the card transport path. This allows the shared use of members for direct transfer and indirect transfer to enable smooth printing. The apparatus switches between the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method to print to the card and enables lower costs and improved printing speed.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for producing a finished sheet of recording medium with an image printed thereon includes an image recorder with a platen drum, a clamper, a movable guide provided in an entrance side around said platen drum and a fixed guide adjacent to said movable guide. A paper feed has a recording medium wound up in a roll state for providing recording medium sheets upon cutting, a paper feed side cutter, paper feed rollers and a paper feed side slide guide. A thermal transfer ink ribbon with heatable coloring materials is heated by a thermal head. A paper discharge has a paper discharge side slide guide with a tip portion for receiving the recording medium and also having a paper discharge side cutter. A paper waste patting bar is rotatably provided between an exit of said paper discharge side slide guide and said paper discharge cutter and a paper discharge roller is provided for discharging the finished recording medium.

Abstract: In a dye transfer printer, a donor web having successive dye transfer areas and opposite longitudinal edge areas alongside each one of the dye transfer areas is subjected to a longitudinal tension when the donor web is advanced in the printer. The longitudinal tension can stretch the dye transfer areas more than the edge areas because the dye transfer areas, but not the edge areas, are heated at a print head. According to the invention, the resistance of the edge areas relative to the dye transfer areas, to being stretched, is weakened so that the edge areas can be stretched substantially the same as the dye transfer areas. If the edge areas alongside a dye transfer area being used are stretched substantially the same as the dye transfer area, the likelihood of any creases being created in the next unused transfer area is substantially reduced. Thus, no line artifacts will be printed on a dye receiver during dye transfer in the printer.

Abstract: A method for determining a mismatch involving the availability of a dye donor supply and a dye receiver supply in a thermal printer when a particular print size and print quantity are selected, comprises: comparing a remaining number of similar-size donor patches available on the dye donor supply with a remaining number of like-size donor patches required for the selected print size and print quantity, and should the former number be less than the latter number providing a warning; and comparing a remaining length of dye receiver available on the dye receiver supply with a remaining length of dye receiver required for the selected print size and print quantity, and should the former length be less than the latter length providing a warning.

Abstract: A donor web having successive dye transfer areas and opposite longitudinal edge areas alongside each one of the dye transfer areas is subjected to a longitudinal tension when the donor web is advanced in a dye transfer printer, which can stretch the dye transfer areas more than the edge areas because the dye transfer areas, but not the edge areas, are heated at a print head in the printer. According to the invention, the edge areas are pre-weakened before the donor web is used in the printer to weaken a resistance of the edge areas, relative to the dye transfer areas, to being stretched so that the edge areas can be stretched substantially the same as the dye transfer areas when the donor web is used in the printer. The edge areas can be pre-weakened, for example, by perforating or piercing them to create holes in them, or by slitting or cutting them to create cuts in them.

Abstract: A donor web having successive dye transfer areas and opposite longitudinal edge areas alongside each one of the dye transfer areas is subjected to a longitudinal tension when the donor web is advanced in a dye transfer printer, which can stretch the dye transfer areas more than the edge areas because the dye transfer areas, but not the edge areas, are heated at a print head in the printer. According to the invention, the edge areas are pre-weakened before the donor web is used in the printer to weaken a resistance of the edge areas, relative to the dye transfer areas, to being stretched so that the edge areas can be stretched substantially the same as the dye transfer areas when the donor web is used in the printer. The edge areas can be pre-weakened, for example, by perforating or piercing them to create holes in them, or by slitting or cutting them to create cuts in them.

Abstract: A method of equalizing web-stretching caused by web tensioning in a dye transfer printer that is for use with a donor web having a dye transfer area and opposite edge areas alongside the dye transfer area, includes the steps of heating a dye transfer area to effect a dye transfer from the dye transfer area to a dye receiver, and heating the edge areas alongside the dye transfer area less than the dye transfer area is heated to effect the dye transfer, but sufficiently so that the edge areas may be stretched by tension substantially the same as the dye transfer area may be stretched. If the edge areas alongside a dye transfer area being used in the printer are stretched substantially the same as the dye transfer area, the likelihood of any creases being created in the next unused transfer area is substantially reduced. Thus, no line artifacts will be printed on a dye receiver in the printer.

Abstract: In a dye transfer printer, a donor web having successive dye transfer areas and opposite longitudinal edge areas alongside each one of the dye transfer areas is subjected to a longitudinal tension when the donor web is advanced in the printer. The longitudinal tension can stretch the dye transfer areas more than the edge areas because the dye transfer areas, but not the edge areas, are heated at a print head. According to the invention, the resistance of the edge areas relative to the dye transfer areas, to being stretched, is weakened so that the edge areas can be stretched substantially the same as the dye transfer areas. If the edge areas alongside a dye transfer area being used are stretched substantially the same as the dye transfer area, the likelihood of any creases being created in the next unused transfer area is substantially reduced. Thus, no line artifacts will be printed on a dye receiver during dye transfer in the printer.

Abstract: A dye transfer printer uses a dye donor web that is capable of developing a crease-causing wave-like or ripple distortion across the donor web when the donor web is subjected to a longitudinal tension as it is advanced from a print head, over a web guide, and onto a web take-up spool in the printer. The web guide is positioned to extend across the donor web and is adapted to be bowed to effect a curvature across the donor web in proportion to the longitudinal web tension in order to urge the donor web to spread substantially widthwise to reduce the likelihood of the wave-like or ripple distortion developing across the donor web. If the wave-like or ripple distortion is prevented from developing in a dye transfer area being used, it is unlikely that any creases will be created in the next unused transfer area. Thus, no line artifacts will be printed on a dye receiver during dye transfer in the printer.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring organic material from a donor web onto a substrate to form a layer of organic material on one or more OLED devices including a web of donor material; first and second fixtures and a structure for applying fluid to a chamber to containing the fixtures to apply pressure to the non-transfer surface of the donor web so as to ensure the position of the donor web relative to the substrate; the first fixture including a transparent portion located in relationship to the non-transfer surface of the donor web to permit transmission of radiation through such transparent portion to the non-transfer surface of the donor web so that heat will be produced and the organic material will transfer from the donor web to the substrate.

Abstract: A thermal printer is adapted to prevent crease formation in a dye transfer area of a dye donor web that can cause line artifacts to be printed on a dye receiver during a dye transfer from the dye transfer area to the dye receiver in a dye transfer printer.

Abstract: A method for transferring organic material from a flexible donor element onto a substrate to form a layer of organic material in making one or more OLED devices, includes providing the flexible donor element and the substrate in a spaced relationship within a chamber under atmospheric pressure defined by a transfer station so that the flexible donor element partitions the chamber into first and second cavities; varying the pressure differential between the first and second cavities to cause the flexible donor element to move into a contact relationship with the substrate; providing a transparent window which defines the top surface of the second cavity; and providing radiation energy through the transparent window onto the flexible donor element in contact with the substrate to cause the flexible donor element to absorb heat and transfer organic material onto the substrate.

Abstract: A printer and method for monitoring consumption of a print ribbon of a thermal printer is provided. The method includes pressing the print ribbon against a medium located on a drawer of the thermal printer using a thermal print head of the thermal printer. The method includes moving the drawer and the print ribbon simultaneously and at substantially the same rate past the thermal print head so as to deposit a transferable coating of the print ribbon on the medium whereby printing an image on the medium. Measuring a distance moved by the drawer while pressing the print ribbon against the medium and equating the distance moved by the drawer to an amount of print ribbon consumed are also included in the method.

Abstract: A braking mechanism which applies tension to an ink ribbon is provided. The braking mechanism comprises: a first friction member which is fitted to a supply shaft to rotate and support the ink ribbon and is rotated as one body together with the supply shaft; a second friction member which is fitted to the supply shaft in such a way that relative rotation can be realized and for which absolute rotation at least in one direction is restricted and relative axial movement to the supply shaft can be realized; an operation member which is screwed into a screwed section formed on the supply shaft; and an energizing member which is arranged between the operation member and the second friction member and which presses the second friction member for energizing the second friction member.

Abstract: A traction device has an origin cylinder (1) of heat-sensitive ink ribbon (2), a rewinding cylinder (5), traction means and a marking header. The device prevents unused segments of ribbon being left between markings. The device has a moving support (6) guiding the ribbon (2) along an additional path (16), braking means (10, 11, 12, 14) for the origin cylinder (1). When the ribbon (2) is tractioned and the origin cylinder is braked, the support (6) is forced to move against the action of an elastic element (13), reducing the additional path (16). Thus, after a marking (a-b) the ribbon and the support (6) move back so that the next marking (b-d) is made immediately after the first marking (a-b). The braking means, after one or more markings, are released, unrolling a length of ribbon (2) from the origin cylinder, then braking again, with the process repeated.

Abstract: A printer includes a supply shaft wound with unused film including contrast agent, a winding shaft wound with used film including used contrast agent, rotation-speed detector for detecting a rotation speed of the supply shaft, and remaining-amount detector for determining an amount of unused film from the detected rotation speed detected. In the printer, the remaining amount of unused film such as ink film, roll paper or the like can be determined accurately.

Abstract: A wide format thermal printer for printing a multicolor graphic product on a printing sheet; a vacuum workbed for supporting a sheet material for performing work operations, such as cutting, printing or plotting, thereon; a replaceable donor sheet assembly, which includes a memory, for use with a thermal printer; methods and apparatus for improved thermal printing, including methods and apparatus for conserving donor sheet and reducing the amount of time required to print a multicolor graphic product; a thermal printhead including a memory; methods and apparatus for the alignment of a sheet material for printing or performing other work operations on the sheet material; and methods and apparatus for controlling the tension of the donor sheet during printing with a wide format thermal printer. The wide format thermal printer can include provision for the automatic loading of cassettes of donor sheet from a cassette storage rack.

Abstract: A gradation correction data used in correcting the gradation of the printed image is recorded on the leader film of the ink ribbon in a form of optically readable marks. Then the ink ribbon is set in a thermal printer, the marks are read out by an optical sensor to obtain the gradation correction data. Then, the gradation correction of the image data to be printed is carried out by referring to the correction data thus obtained prior to the actual printing of the image data.

Abstract: There are provided a thermal transfer film which can yield a thermally transferred print possessing excellent fastness or resistance properties such as excellent abrasion resistance, lightfastness, and alteration preventive property, is less likely to cause damage to an object, is free from a deterioration in quality of the print, and does not incur an increase in production cost, a method for image formation using the thermal transfer film, and an image formed object. The thermal transfer film according to the present invention comprises a substrate and one or a plurality of layers including a thermal transfer layer provided on one side of the substrate, the thermal transfer layer being located on the uppermost surface of the thermal transfer film, a convex being provided on a part of the thermal transfer layer.

Abstract: A printer system, a printer apparatus, a printing method, an ink ribbon and a printing medium that certainly and effectively prevent a quality of printed image from being degraded without causing trouble to a user. More concretely, the printing medium is provided with memory mechanisms and the memory mechanisms stores predetermined control data, the printer apparatus reads out the control data stored in the memory mechanisms by contactless communication and controls the photographic printing operation on the basis of the control data which is read out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a card recording apparatus capable of printing in high speed as well as reducing overall dimensions of the apparatus. After a card is transported to an information recording section 200 in a lateral (short length) direction of the card, an information signal is recorded on the card thereby. Then, the card is transported to a second heating section 300. An ink image formed on an intermediate recording medium 7 by a first heating section 500 is re-transferred to the card by the second heating section 300. A warp developed on the card by the second heating section 300 is corrected by a card warp correcting section 400.

Abstract: A printer includes a supply shaft wound with unused film including contrast agent, a winding shaft wound with used film including used contrast agent, rotation-speed detector for detecting a rotation speed of the supply shaft, and remaining-amount detector for determining an amount of unused film from the detected rotation speed detected. In the printer, the remaining amount of unused film such as ink film, roll paper or the like can be determined accurately.

Abstract: Ink on a ink film 1 wound around a first supply reel 5, which is driven by a first DC motor 21, is transferred to an intermediate recording medium 7 wound around a second supply reel 8, which is driven by a first stepping motor 31, in a first heating section 500. While transferring the ink on the ink film 1 to the intermediate recording medium 7 in the first heating section 500, the ink is transferred with rewinding the ink film 1 and the intermediate recording medium 7 by the first supply reel 5 and the second supply reel 8 respectively.

Abstract: A printer device is equipped with a supply shaft and a take-up shaft for conveying an intermediate transfer medium having a transferring layer in a prescribed pattern, a printer portion for printing prescribed information on the transferring layer of the conveyed intermediate transfer medium, a transferring portion for transferring prescribed printed information together with the transferring layer on an image receiving medium, and a pressurization mechanism for press fitting an image receiving medium and the intermediate transfer medium by applying a fixed pressure irrespective of a thickness of an image forming medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are the following: a wide format thermal printer for printing a multicolor graphic product on a printing sheet; a vacuum workbed for supporting a sheet material for performing work operations, such as cutting, printing or plotting, thereon; a replaceable donor sheet assembly, which includes a memory, for use with a thermal printer; methods and apparatus for improved thermal printing, including methods and apparatus for conserving donor sheet and reducing the amount of time required to print a multicolor graphic product; a thermal printhead including a memory; and methods and apparatus for the alignment of a sheet material for printing or performing other work operations on the sheet material. The wide format thermal printer can include provision for the automatic loading of cassettes of donor sheet from a cassette storage rack.

Abstract: Improvements in thermal printing are described. Print energy absorbers are arranged so as not to alter printed characteristics of colorant. Pre-heaters lessen the amount of print energy necessary to effect printing. D2T2 printing with a laser print energy source is disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet of the present invention comprises a substrate, a peeling layer and a colorant layer, the peeling layer and the colorant layer being disposed on one side of the substrate in this order when viewing from the substrate, wherein an applied amount of the peeling layer is in a range of 1.5 to 5.0 g/m2, an applied amount of the colorant layer is not more than half the applied amount of the peeling layer, the peeling layer has a melt viscosity in a range of 10 to 300 cP at 100° C., and the colorant layer contains at least one thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers(EAA), ionomer, styrene-butadiene rubbers(SBR), and nitrile-butadiene rubbers(NBR) at a proportion in a range of 10 to 60% by weight. The thermal transfer sheet can print an image having a quality appearance with no void and nick and an excellent wear resistance on a receiving sheet having a low smoothness, in particular a rough paper.

Abstract: Using a thermal transfer recording medium formed with thermal transfer recording material on a surface of a supporting material, of which dynamic shear modulus of elasticity is within a range of 1×103 Pa to 8×105 Pa, and loss tangent tan &dgr; is within a range of 0.6 to 2.5 measured in dynamic viscoelasticity measurement in a temperature range of the melting point thereof to 50° C. over the melting point at a frequency of 0.5 Hz, pressurizing the heat generating elements against the thermal transfer recording medium to bring the same into contact therewith with a load of 0.3 to 1.0 N/mm, which is a load per unit length in the main direction of the arrangement of the heat generating elements, transferring the thermal transfer recording material to the printing medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal transfer sheet, a thermal transfer method and a thermal transfer system using said thermal transfer sheet. The thermal transfer sheet provided with a coloring layer disposed on the substrate, wherein the coloring layer is formed of a mixture comprising a copolymerization product (A) obtainable by polymerizing an &agr;-olefin/a maleic acid anhydride copolymer with a maleic acid anhydride monoester and an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (B). The thermal transfer sheet is superior in storage stability in a coiled state, anti-background soiling property and the adaptability to high-speed printing, and also capable of forming a print products having excellent functions as to durability such as wear resistance and heat resistance.

Abstract: Roll-like ink sheet is divided in a virtual manner into a plural number q of groups in the sub-scanning direction of ink sheet. In each of the groups, a plural number p of printing areas displaced in the sub-scanning direction are formed in a virtual manner. Print areas are partitioned in a virtual manner into a plurality of blocks in both main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction. Second accumulated printing ratio &eegr;2 for each of the blocks according to an image to be printed is calculated using first accumulated printing ratio &eegr;1 for each of the blocks. In a plurality of printing areas consisting of only blocks having second accumulated printing ratio &eegr;2 equal to or less than predetermined value &eegr;0, evaluation value for each of the print areas, dependent upon second accumulated printing ratio &eegr;2, is calculated. Any print area having a small consumption amount of ink is used for printing according to the evaluation value.

Abstract: A thermal image transfer recording method includes the steps of holding a thermal image transfer recording medium having a support and a thermal transfer layer formed thereon and an image receiving member between an edge thermal head for use in a line printer and a platen roller in such a fashion that the thermal transfer layer of the recording medium comes in contact with the image receiving member with the application of a tension to the thermal image transfer recording medium, and transferring an image from the thermal transfer layer of the recording medium to the image receiving member by the application of heat to the recording medium using the thermal head, the thermal image transfer recording medium having a dynamic elasticity modulus in a range of 1×106 to 1×1010 at 70° C.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for making visible recordings on a record carrier (10) with the aid of a thermal transfer foil has foil path influencing means (41) which are arranged to cooperate with the thermal transfer foil and with the aid of which a perfect path of the thermal transfer foil can be obtained in the area of a thermal print head (13), in which the foil path influencing means (41) include a foil element (42) which extends across the full width of the thermal transfer foil and which has a mounting portion (43) and a portion (44) which projects from the mounting portion (43) and is pivotable with respect to the mounting portion (43), which portion (44) is always held in contact with the thermal transfer foil under the influence of the elasticity of the foil element (42).

Abstract: Roll-like ink sheet is divided in a virtual manner into a plural number q of groups in the sub-scanning direction of ink sheet. In each of the groups, a plural number p of printing areas displaced in the sub-scanning direction are formed in a virtual manner. Print areas are partitioned in a virtual manner into a plurality of blocks in both main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction. Second accumulated printing ratio &eegr;2 for each of the blocks according to an image to be printed is calculated using first accumulated printing ratio &eegr;1 for each of the blocks. In a plurality of printing areas consisting of only blocks having second accumulated printing ratio &eegr;2 equal to or less than predetermined value &eegr;0, evaluation value for each of the print areas, dependent upon second accumulated printing ratio &eegr;2, is calculated. Any print area having a small consumption amount of ink is used for printing according to the evaluation value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermal transfer recording apparatus, and an object is to prevent causes of print failure, such as wrinkling and transport failure of an ink sheet, resulting from the partial shrinking of the ink sheet due to the heating of the thermal head during printing. The thermal transfer recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a thermal head and a platen roller opposed to the thermal head, and prints on a sheet by causing a wax, a sublimation dye, or the like applied on the ink sheet to melt or sublime by the heat of the thermal head. The thermal transfer recording apparatus is constructed so that the take-up tensile force applied to the ink sheet is made greater at both edges of the ink sheet than at the center thereof.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer containing a means for feeding a plurality of thermal transfer sheets and a plurality of image receiving sheets, a platen roller placed in the feeding path of the thermal transfer and image receiving sheets, and a recording section with a thermal head with a plurality of heating resistors for selective activation based upon image data to record the image on the image receiving sheets when they and the thermal transfer sheets are forced together by the platen roller so each image receiving sheet is pressed on the thermal head surface by the platen roller. The recording section also has a means to detect when at least one of the thermal transfer and image receiving sheets being recorded are out and a means automatically to exchange the thermal transfer or image receiving sheets with new sheets based upon the detected result.

Abstract: A gradation correction data used in correcting the gradation of the printed image is recorded on the leader film of the ink ribbon in a form of optically readable marks. Then the ink ribbon is set in a thermal printer, the marks are read out by an optical sensor to obtain the gradation correction data. Then, the gradation correction of the image data to be printed is carried out by referring to the correction data thus obtained prior to the actual printing of the image data.

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: Ink on a ink film 1 wound around a first supply reel 5, which is driven by a first DC motor 21, is transferred to an intermediate recording medium 7 wound around a second supply reel 8, which is driven by a first stepping motor 31, in a first heating section 500. While transferring the ink on the ink film 1 to the intermediate recording medium 7 in the first heating section 500, the ink is transferred with rewinding the ink film 1 and the intermediate recording medium 7 by the first supply reel 5 and the second supply reel 8 respectively.

Abstract: The invention described a thermal printer. The thermal printer has a supply reel, a take-up and a pair of motors. Each motor connects with the supply reel and the take-up reel, respectively. A detecting apparatus detects ribbon and the reel parameters while initializing the thermal printer. A memory stores a transforming table which can obtain the driving pulse width of each motor from a radius of the supply reel, a radius of the take-up reel and the ribbon tension. A control apparatus drive each motor with different pulse width according to parameters detected by the detecting apparatus and the transforming table. A thermal print head performs a printing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal transfer sheet including a thermally transferable ink layer on one surface of a substrate film, wherein said ink layer contains a coloring agent, and a decoloring agent that prevents thermal color-developing paper from color development or makes the color, once developed thereby, invisible; a thermal transfer sheet including on one surface of a substrate film a first thermally transferable ink layer containing a decoloring agent that prevents thermal color-developing paper from color development or makes the color, once developed thereby, invisible, wherein at least one second thermal transfer ink layer is interposed between said ink layer and said substrate film; and a thermal transfer recording method that uses these thermal transfer sheets.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus (10) for sheet thermal print media includes an imaging drum (300) for holding thermal print media (32) and donor material (36) in registration on the vacuum imaging drum. In order to decrease the incidence of visible defects in images produced by the apparatus, the imaging drum (300) has its axis in parallel with the feed direction of the media. A method for improving the quality of images produced by an image processing apparatus (10) having a horizontally disposed imaging drum (300), which includes loading pre-cut, thermal print media into the image processing apparatus in a direction which is parallel to the axis of the imaging drum is also included.

Abstract: Letter printing method using line thermal head relates to using ribbon tape effectively so as to cause no unused portion thereof. After one letter print (14) is done at letter printing position (12) of packaging material film (10) with the ribbon tape (30) being unwound, the ribbon tape (30) is rewound by length of the letter print (14). Simultaneously, the ribbon tape (30) is displaced in ribbon tape widthwise direction and next letter print (14) is done. Thereby, the letter print (14) may be done using entire width of the ribbon tape (30) with no unused portion being wasted.

Abstract: A thermal printer that transfers print from a ribbon onto a moving web, and methods therefor, by dispensing ribbon from a supply spindle with one or more feed rollers rotating in a first direction, and winding the ribbon on a rewind spindle when dispensing ribbon from the supply spindle when printing. The dispensing direction of the ribbon is reversible before or after printing by rotating the one or more feed rollers in a second direction opposite the first direction to utilize ribbon more efficiently. The reversed ribbon is either rewound on the supply spindle or tensioned with a dancer arm.

Abstract: To optimize the provision of thermal transfer material and to correctly provide different thermal transfer materials for the respective purpose at the correct time, a plurality of thermal transfer ribbons are made available, each in its own cassette. A control device provides management and controlling mechanism for managing the plurality of cassettes that are stored in a storage device.