Thermal transfer type color printer

Abstract

In a thermal transfer type color printer, an ink film on which plural color inks are sequentially painted in its longitudinal direction is sequentially transported forward between an ink film supply roll and winding roll, while a printing paper is repeatedly transported forward and backward in order to print out a color image by overlapping plural color inks. In color printing, the printing paper and ink film are partially overlapped and wound around a platen roller, and a thermal head is pressed against the platen roller by sandwiching the ink film and printing paper therebetween so that the thermal head transfers the color inks on the printing paper. In order to prevent wrinkles from being formed on the ink film, tension applying means applies tension force to the ink film by temporarily controlling or stopping revolution of the ink film supply roll. In addition, such tension force is also applied while the printing paper is transported backward, so that printing start position of each color ink is accurately coincided with printing position of the thermal head. Thus, a desirable color image can be printed out without color dislocation and without forming un-transferred portions thereof.