Abstract: A printer includes a recording unit that executes on a recording medium, a recording operation under a sublimation transfer scheme; a conveying unit that using a protrusion roller having protrusions protruding toward an outer periphery and abutting a first surface of the recording medium, conveys the recording medium to a recording position for the recording operation; a pseudo recorded image data producing unit that produces pseudo recorded image data that includes pseudo pixels obtained by correcting a density of each predetermined pixel that is determined corresponding to an arrangement pattern of the protrusions on the protrusion roller and is determined from among pixels to be recorded in a second area that excludes a first area that is in contact with the protrusions, on the first surface of the conveyed recording medium; and a recording control unit that controls the recording unit based on the pseudo recorded image data.

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 method for automatically adjusting the setting of a thermal printer when a new roll of media is inserted in the printer. A maximum and a minimum energy needed to print are determined. This information is used to determine a coarse energy setting. The printer next performs a series of adjustments to find the optimal setting. The optimal setting is used to set the printer automatically.

Abstract: A thermal transfer-type label printer and an optical disc apparatus are integrated to miniaturize a multi-function label printing apparatus. An information recording/reproducing unit that carries out recording or reproduction of information on a recording surface of an optical disc is incorporated within a disc tray unit of a label printing apparatus that presses a thermal transfer film ribbon, on which printing information has been formed, onto a label surface of an optical disc mounted on a disc mounting part of the disc tray unit, and transfers the printing information onto the label surface using a heat roller. The recording or reproduction of information on the recording surface of the optical disc and the transferring of the printing information on the label surface of the optical disc are carried out on the disc tray unit.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing a recording medium includes a recording medium transport device for transporting the recording medium from a supply portion along a transport path; a first printing device arranged on the transport path for forming an image on the recording medium or an intermediate transfer medium through a thermal transfer film; a thermal transfer film transport device for transporting the thermal transfer film; a second printing device arranged on the transport path for transferring the image to the recording medium; and an intermediate transfer medium transport device for moving the intermediate transfer medium back and forth relative to the second printing means. A control device controls the printing apparatus so that the second printing device prints at the same time the thermal transfer film is being transported for the first printing device to print the thermal transfer film.

Abstract: A master making device of the present invention includes a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements arranged in an array in the main scanning direction. A platen roller forms a nip between it and the thermal head for pressing a stencil. The platen roller is rotatable for moving the stencil in the subscanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The position of the array of heating elements in the subscanning direction is deviated, within the nip, from the center of the platen roller to the downstream side in the subscanning direction to thereby reduce the length of the perforated portion of the stencil to be moved in the nip. The device is capable of providing a master with an accurate length without regard to the kind of the stencil and insuring stable conveyance of the stencil.

Abstract: A printing system, a thermal printer, a printer driver, a printing control method, and a data storage medium control the printing process according to the type of thermal paper that is loaded into the printer when the paper is replaced. By appropriately controlling address selector 1103, a print head controller 811 stores black print pixel data and red print pixel data in first data buffer 1104a for storing low energy level print pixel data or second data buffer 1104b for storing high energy level print pixel data according to the type of thermal paper in use. A logic circuit unit 1105 outputs the current pattern data to the print head 152 based on the low level print pixel data and high level print pixel data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the amount of energy from a printer head in a thermo-printer. The appropriate amount of energy for obtaining the best possible print quality with a certain printing material is controlled through calculating the amount of energy required as a function of the printing speed of the printer, over the full range of printer speed, and of the characteristic printing material data. The printing speed is continuously variable within the complete printing speed range of the printer. Characteristic data for the printing material are classified for magnitude and may be given as an offset relative to a reference material, or as absolute values.

Abstract: The printer is adapted to print an image onto a substrate using a web carrying a color material. The printer includes a web supply configured to supply the web and a web take-up configured to receive the web. A print head is configured to material from the web to the substrate. A controller provides a control signal to the web take-up or web supply as a function of heat energy applied to the web.