A printhead for a thermal transfer printer comprising a plurality of printing elements, each of the printing elements being configured to transfer ink from an ink carrying ribbon to a substrate, and at least one sensor arranged to sense ink carrying ribbon. The at least one sensor comprises at least one emitter arranged to emit radiation towards the ribbon and a plurality of receivers. Each of the plurality of receivers is arranged to receive a respective reflected signal reflected by the ribbon, each reflected signal is based upon radiation emitted by the at least one emitter.

A printhead for a thermal transfer printer comprising a plurality of printing elements, each of the printing elements being configured to transfer ink from an ink carrying ribbon to a substrate, and at least one sensor arranged to sense ink carrying ribbon. The at least one sensor comprises at least one emitter arranged to emit radiation towards the ribbon and a plurality of receivers. Each of the plurality of receivers is arranged to receive a respective reflected signal reflected by the ribbon, each reflected signal is based upon radiation emitted by the at least one emitter.

A printhead for a thermal transfer printer comprising a plurality of printing elements, each of the printing elements being configured to transfer ink from an ink carrying ribbon to a substrate, and at least one sensor arranged to sense ink carrying ribbon. The at least one sensor comprises at least one emitter arranged to emit radiation towards the ribbon and a plurality of receivers. Each of the plurality of receivers is arranged to receive a respective reflected signal reflected by the ribbon, each reflected signal is based upon radiation emitted by the at least one emitter.

A printhead for a thermal transfer printer comprising a plurality of printing elements, each of the printing elements being configured to transfer ink from an ink carrying ribbon to a substrate, and at least one sensor arranged to sense ink carrying ribbon. The at least one sensor comprises at least one emitter arranged to emit radiation towards the ribbon and a plurality of receivers. Each of the plurality of receivers is arranged to receive a respective reflected signal reflected by the ribbon, each reflected signal is based upon radiation emitted by the at least one emitter.

A re-inking device and a method of re-inking a tape include use of an application mechanism, where at least a part of the tape is wound onto each of first and second spools, and the tape extends between the first and spools along a tape path, the first and second spools being mounted to a cassette of a thermal printing apparatus. The method can include mounting the cassette on the re-inking device, initialising the re-inking device by moving at least one of the tape and the application portion to bring the tape into an ink-application position, and coating at least a portion of the tape with ink by supplying ink to the application portion and rotating at least one of the first and second spools to move the tape relative to the application portion, so that ink coats at least a portion of the tape.

A re-inking device and a method of re-inking a tape include use of an application mechanism, where at least a part of the tape is wound onto each of first and second spools, and the tape extends between the first and spools along a tape path, the first and second spools being mounted to a cassette of a thermal printing apparatus. The method can include mounting the cassette on the re-inking device, initialising the re-inking device by moving at least one of the tape and the application portion to bring the tape into an ink-application position, and coating at least a portion of the tape with ink by supplying ink to the application portion and rotating at least one of the first and second spools to move the tape relative to the application portion, so that ink coats at least a portion of the tape.

Provided herein are devices, systems, methods and various means, including those related to printer systems and, more particularly, relate to methods, apparatuses, systems and other means for monitoring a printer ribbon. Some embodiments use a multi-element detector, which is configured to detect a particular type of light emitted from a light emitter. The multi-state detector can include two sensors, one of which includes a polarizer filter that blocks polarized light. Embodiments can be used to determine, among other things, whether or not a printer ribbon is installed in a printer without the use of a snap plate.

Provided herein are devices, systems, methods and various means, including those related to printer systems and, more particularly, relate to methods, apparatuses, systems and other means for monitoring a printer ribbon. Some embodiments use a multi-element detector, which is configured to detect a particular type of light emitted from a light emitter. The multi-state detector can include two sensors, one of which includes a polarizer filter that blocks polarized light. Embodiments can be used to determine, among other things, whether or not a printer ribbon is installed in a printer without the use of a snap plate.

A thermal transfer printer incorporated into a portable handheld applicator for self-adhesive tape (also known as a tape gun), allowing to print variable data in real-time on the backside of the tape before it is manually applied onto packaging and/or products. Variable logistical and/or traceability information can be printed directly onto any off-the-shelf self-adhesive tape so that an additional adhesive label on the product and/or packaging will no longer be required. It also allows for a reduction in the amount of preprinted tape and/or packaging material. All needed visual differentiations (branding, product information, packaging content or other) can be displayed on the tape while keeping the packaging itself standardized.

A thermal transfer printer incorporated into a portable handheld applicator for self-adhesive tape (also known as a tape gun), allowing to print variable data in real-time on the backside of the tape before it is manually applied onto packaging and/or products. Variable logistical and/or traceability information can be printed directly onto any off-the-shelf self-adhesive tape so that an additional adhesive label on the product and/or packaging will no longer be required. It also allows for a reduction in the amount of preprinted tape and/or packaging material. All needed visual differentiations (branding, product information, packaging content or other) can be displayed on the tape while keeping the packaging itself standardized.