Thermal transfer printing apparatus

摘要

A process of thermal transfer printing which is accomplished in two printing steps. The process utilizes ribbon including a backing layer and an ink donor layer. The ribbon is drawn from a supply spool through a first printing station at which a first portion of the ink is transferred to the backing layer to form a first image thereon. The ribbon continues to and through a second printing station at which the remainder of the ink is transferred to a workpiece in the form of a second image which contrasts with the first image. All that remains of the ribbon as it leaves the second printing station is the backing layer which continues to and through the first printing station once again for the operation already mentioned. Thereupon, the ribbon is drawn onto a take-up spool for eventual disposal. The ink may be fluorescent.