| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To print with favorable quality even on a recording medium poor in smoothness, by the construction wherein a thermally transferrable ink is in solid state, and the surface of an intermediate transfer medium to which a transferrable ink image is transferred is constituted of a silicone rubber. CONSTITUTION:When the surface of an intermediate transfer medium is constituted of a silicone rubber, the efficiency of transferring an ink to the intermediate transfer medium is balanced with the efficiency of re-transferring the ink from the intermediate transfer medium to a recording medium, and printing quality is enhanced. A thermal head 3 capable of selectively generating thermal energy is disposed opposite to a solid ink roller 2 coated with an ink comprising a pigment dispersed in a thermoplastic resin matrix, with a loop form belt 1 disposed therebetween as the intermediate transfer medium. The ink roller 2 is rotated in the direction of an arrow at an velocity equal to the velocity at which the belt 1 is moved in the direction of an arrow. A heated roller 4 for smoothening and preheating the surface of the ink on the ink roller 2 is disposed on the periphery of the ink roller 2. |
