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.

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.

A thermal transfer printer includes a label feeding roller driving unit, a ribbon roll-up driving unit, a ribbon feeding roller, a ribbon feeding roller driving unit, and a controller. The ribbon feeding roller has an adhesive layer on its surface and is rotated to feed the ink ribbon while holding the ink ribbon on the adhesive layer.

A thermal transfer printer includes a label feeding roller driving unit, a ribbon roll-up driving unit, a ribbon feeding roller, a ribbon feeding roller driving unit, and a controller. The ribbon feeding roller has an adhesive layer on its surface and is rotated to feed the ink ribbon while holding the ink ribbon on the adhesive layer.

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.

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.

A thermal transfer printer includes a label feeding roller driving unit, a ribbon roll-up driving unit, a ribbon feeding roller, a ribbon feeding roller driving unit, and a controller. The ribbon feeding roller has an adhesive layer on its surface and is rotated to feed the ink ribbon while holding the ink ribbon on the adhesive layer.

A thermal transfer printer includes a label feeding roller driving unit, a ribbon roll-up driving unit, a ribbon feeding roller, a ribbon feeding roller driving unit, and a controller. The ribbon feeding roller has an adhesive layer on its surface and is rotated to feed the ink ribbon while holding the ink ribbon on the adhesive layer.

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.