Printer with variable platen pressure

摘要

A thermal transfer printer wherein labeling media (40) and thermal transfer ink ribbon (76) advances past a print head (74) and a platen (72). The platen urges the ribbon and the labeling media in close cooperation with the print head. The print head exerts a pressure on the platen to provide a platen pressure when the print head thermally transfers ink from the ink ribbon to the labeling media. The print head (74) is pivotally mounted, such that pivoting the print head applies a continuously variable pressure against the platen. <IMAGE>