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 control information generating method includes generating thermal transfer control information based on an amount of ink to be used for printing of a printing medium, in a case where thermal transfer control information for heating a printing medium printed on a first medium based on image data and thermally transferring the printing medium to a second medium is generated.

A control information generating method includes generating thermal transfer control information based on an amount of ink to be used for printing of a printing medium, in a case where thermal transfer control information for heating a printing medium printed on a first medium based on image data and thermally transferring the printing medium to a second medium is generated.

A tape coating apparatus (155) including a slot die (163) to apply ink to a printer tape (105), a printing apparatus (100) including such a tape coating apparatus (155) and a method of applying ink to a tape (105) using a slot die (163).

A tape coating apparatus (155) including a slot die (163) to apply ink to a printer tape (105), a printing apparatus (100) including such a tape coating apparatus (155) and a method of applying ink to a tape (105) using a slot die (163).

Provided herein is a printer comprising a printing assembly. The printing assembly comprises a printhead bracket fixedly attached to the printer, a printhead that defines a groove, the printhead aligned at a first alignment, an alignment adjuster fastened between the printhead bracket and the printhead, and a plurality of fasteners operatively engaged with the alignment adjuster. The alignment adjuster comprises a gear rack that is adjacent to the printhead bracket, and a protrusion that is received by the groove of the printhead. The plurality of fasteners comprises at least one selected from a group of a lateral adjustment fastener operatively engaged with the gear rack, and a rotational adjustment fastener operatively engaged with a transverse edge of the printhead. The lateral adjustment fastener is configured to provide lateral movement to the alignment adjuster and the printhead. The rotational adjustment fastener is configured to provide rotational movement to the printhead.

Provided herein is a printer comprising a printing assembly. The printing assembly comprises a printhead bracket fixedly attached to the printer, a printhead that defines a groove, the printhead aligned at a first alignment, an alignment adjuster fastened between the printhead bracket and the printhead, and a plurality of fasteners operatively engaged with the alignment adjuster. The alignment adjuster comprises a gear rack that is adjacent to the printhead bracket, and a protrusion that is received by the groove of the printhead. The plurality of fasteners comprises at least one selected from a group of a lateral adjustment fastener operatively engaged with the gear rack, and a rotational adjustment fastener operatively engaged with a transverse edge of the printhead. The lateral adjustment fastener is configured to provide lateral movement to the alignment adjuster and the printhead. The rotational adjustment fastener is configured to provide rotational movement to the printhead.

A second-side end portion of one second portion and a first-side end portion of another second portion are respectively connected to a first-side end portion and a second-side end portion of one first portion. The largest dimension of the one and another second portions is greater than a first length of the one first portion in a tape widthwise direction. A first connecting portion connects between the first-side end portion of the one first portion and a second-side end portion of the another second portion. The first connecting portion has a first connecting length in the tape widthwise direction at a first position. A second connecting length of the first connecting portion in the tape widthwise direction at a position nearer to a center of the one second portion than the first position is greater than the first connecting length and less than the second length.

A second-side end portion of one second portion and a first-side end portion of another second portion are respectively connected to a first-side end portion and a second-side end portion of one first portion. The largest dimension of the one and another second portions is greater than a first length of the one first portion in a tape widthwise direction. A first connecting portion connects between the first-side end portion of the one first portion and a second-side end portion of the another second portion. The first connecting portion has a first connecting length in the tape widthwise direction at a first position. A second connecting length of the first connecting portion in the tape widthwise direction at a position nearer to a center of the one second portion than the first position is greater than the first connecting length and less than the second length.