At an initializing operation, if it is determined that an indirect transfer film has not been replaced before power-on if transferred sensor marks are detected while being conveyed from a supply spool to a winding spool, then the unused amount of the indirect transfer film is estimated on the ratio between the rotation angle of the supply spool and the rotation angle of the winding spool, if the unused amount is estimated to be 2% remaining amount alert threshold or more, positioning of the primary transfer is performed based on the last sensor mark among the sensor marks, and if estimated to be less than 2% it is determined that the unused amount is greater than an amount necessary for recording on the next recording medium unless an end mark is detected while the indirect transfer film is conveyed by predetermined image areas from the last sensor mark.

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.

At an initializing operation, if it is determined that an indirect transfer film has not been replaced before power-on if transferred sensor marks are detected while being conveyed from a supply spool to a winding spool, then the unused amount of the indirect transfer film is estimated on the ratio between the rotation angle of the supply spool and the rotation angle of the winding spool, if the unused amount is estimated to be 2% remaining amount alert threshold or more, positioning of the primary transfer is performed based on the last sensor mark among the sensor marks, and if estimated to be less than 2% it is determined that the unused amount is greater than an amount necessary for recording on the next recording medium unless an end mark is detected while the indirect transfer film is conveyed by predetermined image areas from the last sensor mark.

At an initializing operation, if it is determined that an indirect transfer film has not been replaced before power-on if transferred sensor marks are detected while being conveyed from a supply spool to a winding spool, then the unused amount of the indirect transfer film is estimated on the ratio between the rotation angle of the supply spool and the rotation angle of the winding spool, if the unused amount is estimated to be 2% remaining amount alert threshold or more, positioning of the primary transfer is performed based on the last sensor mark among the sensor marks, and if estimated to be less than 2% it is determined that the unused amount is greater than an amount necessary for recording on the next recording medium unless an end mark is detected while the indirect transfer film is conveyed by predetermined image areas from the last sensor mark.

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.

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.

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.