Methods, apparatuses, systems, computing devices, and/or the like are provided. An example method may include a printer assembly. An example printer assembly may include a printer ribbon drive mechanism. An example printer drive mechanism may include a drive wheel, a connector, a spring, and an actuator. An example actuator may be configured to translate from a first axial position to a second axial position. An example spring may be configured to apply a greater force when an actuator is disposed in the first axial position than when the actuator is disposed in the second axial position. The example method may also include a motor to apply a torque to a drive wheel.

There is provided a printing apparatus, including: a base; a thermal head including heating elements arranged in a first direction; a first engagement member; a second engagement member configured to engage with the first engagement member such that the thermal head pivotally moves, relative to the base, around a first axis extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction; a head holding member being slidable with respect to the base in a third direction intersecting with the first direction and the second direction and holding the thermal head such that the heating elements face the third direction; a first magnetic member positioned on a first side in the first direction relative to the first engagement member; a second magnetic member positioned on the first side in the first direction relative to the second engagement member; and a head pressing member facing the head holding member from a first side in the third direction.

There is provided a printing apparatus, including: a base; a thermal head including heating elements arranged in a first direction; a first engagement member; a second engagement member configured to engage with the first engagement member such that the thermal head pivotally moves, relative to the base, around a first axis extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction; a head holding member being slidable with respect to the base in a third direction intersecting with the first direction and the second direction and holding the thermal head such that the heating elements face the third direction; a first magnetic member positioned on a first side in the first direction relative to the first engagement member; a second magnetic member positioned on the first side in the first direction relative to the second engagement member; and a head pressing member facing the head holding member from a first side in the third direction.

According to an embodiment, a printer includes: a pair of support shafts that are supported by the casing, inserted into an inner periphery of an ink ribbon wound into a cylinder, and support the ink ribbon hung around a printing device. The printer further includes a driven shaft that is connected to one end of each of the support shafts so as to be movable along a longitudinal direction of the corresponding support shaft. The printer further includes a transmitter that is driven to rotate to transmits rotation to the driven shaft pressed by biasing of the biasing member.

According to an embodiment, a printer includes: a pair of support shafts that are supported by the casing, inserted into an inner periphery of an ink ribbon wound into a cylinder, and support the ink ribbon hung around a printing device. The printer further includes a driven shaft that is connected to one end of each of the support shafts so as to be movable along a longitudinal direction of the corresponding support shaft. The printer further includes a transmitter that is driven to rotate to transmits rotation to the driven shaft pressed by biasing of the biasing member.

A tape cassette that includes a tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a rear wall, a front wall, and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape included at least partially within the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, and a first indicator aperture positioned on the front wall and a second indicator aperture position on a rear portion of the bottom surface. A position of the first indicator aperture on the front wall indicates a type of the tape included within the housing. A position of the second indicator aperture indicates a color of characters.

A tape cassette that includes a tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a rear wall, a front wall, and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape included at least partially within the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, and a first indicator aperture positioned on the front wall and a second indicator aperture position on a rear portion of the bottom surface. A position of the first indicator aperture on the front wall indicates a type of the tape included within the housing. A position of the second indicator aperture indicates a color of characters.

A method of operating a transfer printer (1), the transfer printer comprising first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool (3,4) of ribbon (2), a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon (2) from the first spool support to the second spool support along a predetermined ribbon path, and a printhead (7), the printhead being configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate as the substrate is moved relative to the printhead in a direction of substrate movement. The method comprises driving the ribbon in a direction parallel to the direction of substrate movement, printing a first plurality of images onto a first respective plurality of substrates, driving the ribbon in a direction opposite to the direction of substrate movement, driving the ribbon in the direction parallel to the direction of substrate movement, and printing a second plurality of images onto a second respective plurality of substrates. Printing each image of the first and second pluralities of images results in corresponding pluralities of first (15 a, b, c) and second (16 a, b, c) negative images being formed on the ribbon, wherein each negative image of the first plurality of negative images (15 a, b, c) is located adjacent a negative image of the second plurality of negative images (16 a, b, c) on the ribbon.

According to one embodiment, a thermal heat transfer printer (printer device) includes a printing data look-ahead unit configured to look ahead a data printing position if printing is performed; a head position control unit configured to cause a thermal head, an ink ribbon, and printing paper to be in a contact state or a non-contact state based on a look-ahead result of the printing data look-ahead unit; an ink ribbon saved amount calculation unit configured to calculate a saved amount of the ink ribbon based on a conveyed amount of the printing paper in the non-contact state; and an ink ribbon saved amount display unit configured to display the saved amount calculated by the ink ribbon saved amount calculation unit.

According to one embodiment, a thermal heat transfer printer (printer device) includes a printing data look-ahead unit configured to look ahead a data printing position if printing is performed; a head position control unit configured to cause a thermal head, an ink ribbon, and printing paper to be in a contact state or a non-contact state based on a look-ahead result of the printing data look-ahead unit; an ink ribbon saved amount calculation unit configured to calculate a saved amount of the ink ribbon based on a conveyed amount of the printing paper in the non-contact state; and an ink ribbon saved amount display unit configured to display the saved amount calculated by the ink ribbon saved amount calculation unit.