According to one embodiment, there is provided a label printer in which noise is less likely to be generated when a thermal head comes into contact with a backing sheet between a label and a label. In a label printer that prints, using a thermal head including a linear heating element, on a label sheet in which labels are attached on a strip-shaped backing sheet at a predetermined interval, the thermal head is configured to swing with respect to a platen roller configured to support the label sheet at a printing position, and a guide portion includes an edge portion that is substantially parallel to a surface of the thermal head having the heating element provided thereon and that is inclined with respect to the heating element is integrally provided downstream of the thermal head in a sheet conveying direction.

A head unit is used for production of a media sheet that has a medium region row including a plurality of medium regions, the medium regions being to be separate personal information media. The head unit includes a plurality of thermal heads configured to thermally transfer dots exhibiting a structural color from a ribbon to a target. The plurality of thermal heads are arranged so that each thermal head corresponds to a respective one of the medium regions constituting the medium region row.

A head unit is used for production of a media sheet that has a medium region row including a plurality of medium regions, the medium regions being to be separate personal information media. The head unit includes a plurality of thermal heads configured to thermally transfer dots exhibiting a structural color from a ribbon to a target. The plurality of thermal heads are arranged so that each thermal head corresponds to a respective one of the medium regions constituting the medium region row.

Proposed are a thermal transfer ribbon and a sticker printing method using the same, which can form not only full-color images formed by a color ink part but also points, such as pearl, fluorescent, luminous, sparkling, glass, and metal glitters. The thermal transfer ribbon includes: a color ink part having a yellow ink part (Y), a magenta ink part (M), and a cyan ink part (C); an overlay part forming an overlay layer to protect a printed surface; and at least one point ink part provided between the color ink part and the overlay part.

Proposed are a thermal transfer ribbon and a sticker printing method using the same, which can form not only full-color images formed by a color ink part but also points, such as pearl, fluorescent, luminous, sparkling, glass, and metal glitters. The thermal transfer ribbon includes: a color ink part having a yellow ink part (Y), a magenta ink part (M), and a cyan ink part (C); an overlay part forming an overlay layer to protect a printed surface; and at least one point ink part provided between the color ink part and the overlay part.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include a band of material comprising a polyimide film, the band and a thickness of the band are selected based on heat transfer characteristics through the band; a print roller or platen configured and arranged to support a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer ink from the band of material to the substrate; a combined heating and re-inking system comprising a heated ink roller comprising a textured outer surface, wherein a first portion of the heated ink roller contacts the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print, and a second portion of the heated ink roller receives new ink; and a control system that matches the band and substrate speeds.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include a band of material comprising a polyimide film, the band and a thickness of the band are selected based on heat transfer characteristics through the band; a print roller or platen configured and arranged to support a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer ink from the band of material to the substrate; a combined heating and re-inking system comprising a heated ink roller comprising a textured outer surface, wherein a first portion of the heated ink roller contacts the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print, and a second portion of the heated ink roller receives new ink; and a control system that matches the band and substrate speeds.

A printing device includes a head holding part configured to hold a thermal head, a first roller configured to rotate while nipping the printing medium with the thermal head and thereby convey the printing medium, a second roller arranged on the downstream side with respect to the first roller convey the printing medium toward the downstream side, a first driving part configured to rotate the first roller in the first forward rotational direction, a second driving part configured to rotate the second roller in the second forward rotational direction, and a torque limiter provided to the second driving part. The torque limiter is configured to control transmission of a rotational driving force to the second roller.

A printing device includes a head holding part configured to hold a thermal head, a first roller configured to rotate while nipping the printing medium with the thermal head and thereby convey the printing medium, a second roller arranged on the downstream side with respect to the first roller convey the printing medium toward the downstream side, a first driving part configured to rotate the first roller in the first forward rotational direction, a second driving part configured to rotate the second roller in the second forward rotational direction, and a torque limiter provided to the second driving part. The torque limiter is configured to control transmission of a rotational driving force to the second roller.

A card processing device may include a card reader and a printer. The printer may include an ink ribbon cartridge; a thermal head; and a cover member. The ink ribbon cartridge may include a supply roll and a take-up roll. The thermal head may heat the ink ribbon and transfer ink to the card. The card reader may be on a front side of the thermal head, and a part of the card reader may be on a lower side of the supply roll or the take-up roll. The cover member may pivot between a closed position and open position. A conveyance path may be provided inside the card reader and the printer. A part of the conveyance path inside the card reader may be a first conveyance path. The card reader may include an upper frame. The upper frame may pivot between a closed position and open position.