| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance print efficiency drastically by providing a means for applying transfer heat to an ink ribbon, and a means for heating an ink ribbon before ink is transferred thermally to a print medium. SOLUTION: Under print state of a thermal head 23, each heating section 23H1-23HN is heated by means of respective heater 55, 56 from normal thermal transfer temperature in order to thermally transfer various dyes applied to an ink ribbon 33 onto the surface of a card material 13. Since the card material 13 and an ink ribbon 33 have been heated already when print operation of the thermal head 23 is started, each heating section 23H1-23HN of the thermal head 23 requires a smaller heating value as compared with a case where the card material 13 and the ink ribbon 33 are not heated. Consequently, electric power supply to the thermal head 23 can be reduced and heating time can be shortened resulting in drastic enhancement of print efficiency.
|
