Method of thermal printing and a thermal printer

摘要

A method of producing a printing on a surface of a foil by an energizable printing head and a thermal transfer ribbon including an ink which is transferable in an ink transfer operation at specific locations of the thermal transfer ribbon by heating the specific locations to an elevated temperature by the energizable printing head causing the ink to be fluid. The thermal transfer ribbon is arranged in facial contact with the surface of the foil. The energizable printing head is arranged in contact with the thermal transfer ribbon opposite to the foil. The foil and the energizable printing head are moved relative to one another at a specific speed while pressing the energizable printing head and the foil together so as to sandwich the thermal transfer ribbon therebetween in a constrained state, and while energizing the energizable printing head. The thermal transfer ribbon is moved relative to the energizable printing head at a reduced speed as compared to the specific speed of the foil relative to the energizable printing head. Consequently the thermal transfer ribbon is moved relative to the foil for causing the ink of the thermal transfer ribbon to be transferred at the specific locations to the foil at specific areas thereof constituting the printing so as to smear the ink of the thermal transfer ribbon at the specific locations onto the foil through the motion of the thermal transfer ribbon relative to the foil.