THERMAL HEAD PRINTER AND METHOD OF USING SAME TO PRINT ON A THERMOPLASTIC MEDIUM

摘要

The present invention is directed to a thermal printer (20) for printing on thermoplastic foam (26) to form a relief image which is comprised of open cells in the area that is the transfer ink enclosed or sealed cells which is to be impermeable to ink or other print medium. The present invention also includes the method of using the thermal head printer (20) which preferably includes cooling the thermoplastic foam (26) prior to forming the image thereon and using a lubricant to pass the thermoplastic foam (26) across the thermal printhead (24).