A method of operating a thermal transfer printer, the thermal transfer printer comprising first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool of ribbon; a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first spool support to the second spool support along a predetermined ribbon path; and a printhead. The printhead is moveable towards and away from a printing surface, and, during printing, is configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate as the substrate and printhead are moved relative to one another at a print speed. The method comprising causing relative movement between the ribbon and the printhead at a ribbon speed. A relative speed of movement between the ribbon and the substrate during printing is controlled based upon a force exerted upon the ribbon by the printhead during a printing operation, and/or a parameter indicative of an area of contact between a portion of the printhead and a portion of the printing surface.

A method of operating a thermal transfer printer, the thermal transfer printer comprising first and second spool supports (3a, 4a) each being configured to support a spool of ribbon (3,4); a ribbon drive (3b, 4b) configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first spool support to the second spool support along a predetermined ribbon path; and a printhead (7). The printhead (7) is moveable towards and away from a printing surface, and, during printing, is configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate as the substrate and printhead are moved relative to one another at a print speed (V-substrate). The method comprising causing relative movement between the ribbon and the printhead at a ribbon speed (V-ribbon). A relative speed of movement between the ribbon and the substrate during printing is controlled based upon a force exerted upon the ribbon by the printhead (F-printhead) during a printing operation, and/or a parameter indicative of an area of contact between a portion of the printhead and a portion of the printing surface.

A method of operating a thermal transfer printer, the thermal transfer printer comprising first and second spool supports (3a, 4a) each being configured to support a spool of ribbon (3,4); a ribbon drive (3b, 4b) configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first spool support to the second spool support along a predetermined ribbon path; and a printhead (7). The printhead (7) is moveable towards and away from a printing surface, and, during printing, is configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate as the substrate and printhead are moved relative to one another at a print speed (V-substrate). The method comprising causing relative movement between the ribbon and the printhead at a ribbon speed (V-ribbon). A relative speed of movement between the ribbon and the substrate during printing is controlled based upon a force exerted upon the ribbon by the printhead (F-printhead) during a printing operation, and/or a parameter indicative of an area of contact between a portion of the printhead and a portion of the printing surface.

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.

There is provided a printing apparatus which includes a base, a movable member which is movably held by the base, to be movable along a first direction which is parallel to the base, a spring which applies a bias to the movable member, at one side in the first direction, a bearing which is supported by the movable member, a roller which is rotatably supported by the bearing, and is extended in a second direction orthogonal to the base, and which guides the ink ribbon, a first detection target member which is provided to the roller, to be rotatable integrally with the roller, and a first sensor which is provided to the movable member, and is facing the first detection target member, and which detects rotation of the first detection target member.

There is provided a printing apparatus which includes a base, a movable member which is movably held by the base, to be movable along a first direction which is parallel to the base, a spring which applies a bias to the movable member, at one side in the first direction, a bearing which is supported by the movable member, a roller which is rotatably supported by the bearing, and is extended in a second direction orthogonal to the base, and which guides the ink ribbon, a first detection target member which is provided to the roller, to be rotatable integrally with the roller, and a first sensor which is provided to the movable member, and is facing the first detection target member, and which detects rotation of the first detection target member.

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 for operating a thermal transfer printer includes providing a ribbon, providing at least one spool configured to take up the ribbon, and providing a printhead. The substrate is moved relative to the printhead at a speed. The ribbon is moved relative to the printhead at a speed that is less than the speed of the substrate while using the printhead to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to the substrate to print an image on the substrate. Data is captured from the ribbon after ink has been transferred to the substrate. The data is processed to control at least one property of the printer.