JP2017030306A - Thermal transfer printing method and thermal transfer printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermal transfer printing method and a thermal transfer printing device that increase the number of images printable using one ink ribbon, decrease a frequency of replacement of the ink ribbon, and reduce the cost for thermal transfer printing.SOLUTION: A thermal transfer printing method comprises the processes of: paying off photographic paper 7 from a photographic paper roll 6; forming a first image by transferring yellow, magenta and cyan onto the photographic paper 7 by heating means 1 using one set of dye layers of the ink ribbon 5 provided with a plurality of sets of dye layers, each including a yellow layer, a magenta layer and a cyan layer provided in plane sequence, successively; sending out the ink ribbon 5 including one set of dye layers having been used after the formation of the first image; and rewinding the ink ribbon 5, and forming a second image by transferring yellow, magenta and cyan onto the photographic paper 7 by the heating means 1 using the dye layer having been used.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer printing method and a thermal transfer printing apparatus.

  There is known a thermal transfer printer in which an ink ribbon and photographic paper are sandwiched between a thermal head and a platen roll, heat is applied from the thermal head to the ink ribbon, and the dye of the ink ribbon is transferred to the photographic paper.

  The ink ribbon is provided with a plurality of sets of dye layers in which a yellow layer, a magenta layer, and a cyan layer are sequentially provided in a plane order. The ink ribbon fed out from the ink ribbon supply roll formed by winding the ink ribbon passes through the thermal head and is collected by the ink ribbon collection roll.

  Conventional thermal transfer printers use a set of dye layers for printing one image, and the used dye layers are collected on an ink ribbon collecting roll. Therefore, when the same number of images as the number of dye layers provided on the ink ribbon are printed, it is necessary to replace the ink ribbon.

JP 2008-529863A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional situation, and increases the number of images that can be printed using a single ink ribbon, reduces the frequency of ink ribbon replacement, and reduces the cost of thermal transfer printing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer printing method and a thermal transfer printing apparatus.

  A thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a step of feeding a photographic paper from a photographic paper roll, and a plurality of sets of dye layers including a yellow layer, a magenta layer, and a cyan layer that are sequentially provided in a plane. A step of forming a first image by transferring yellow, magenta, and cyan onto a photographic paper by a heating means using a set of dye layers of the obtained ink ribbon, and using the first image after forming the first image A step of feeding an ink ribbon including a set of used dye layers, rewinding the ink ribbon, and transferring yellow, magenta, and cyan onto photographic paper by heating means using the used dye layer; A step of forming two images.

  In the thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention, the heating unit reheats the dye layer heating region at the time of forming the first image, transfers the dye, and forms the second image. .

  In the thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention, the use states of the plurality of used dye layers are stored in a memory, and the print data of the second image and the plurality of sets of dye layers stored in the memory are stored. The used dye layer used for forming the second image is selected based on the use state.

  In the thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention, the use states of the yellow layer, the magenta layer, and the cyan layer are stored in the memory for the plurality of used dye layers, and the plurality of used dye layers are stored in the memory. And forming the second image.

  The thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, when forming the second image, one of the yellow layer, the magenta layer, and the cyan layer uses a different dye layer from the other two. .

  The thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a use state of a dye layer is obtained based on print data of an image transferred to the printing paper.

  The thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a use state of a dye layer is detected by a sensor that images the dye layer used for image formation.

  In the thermal transfer printing method according to one aspect of the present invention, the printing data of the second image is corrected based on a used state of the used dye layer, and the heating unit is configured to use the used data based on the corrected printing data. The dye layer is heated to form the second image on the photographic paper.

  The thermal transfer printing method according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the ink ribbon is rewound based on a used state of a used dye layer in a resting state.

  A thermal transfer printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a thermal head and a platen roll, and a plurality of sets of dye layers including a yellow layer, a magenta layer, and a cyan layer, which are sequentially provided, are provided. The ink ribbon is overlapped with the photographic paper and conveyed between the thermal head and the platen roll, and the thermal head heats the ink ribbon to transfer ink to form an image on the photographic paper. A thermal transfer printing apparatus that forms a first image on a photographic paper, then rewinds the ink ribbon, heats the used dye layer by the thermal head, and transfers yellow, magenta, and cyan onto the photographic paper. Thus, the second image is formed.

  A thermal transfer printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a detection unit that detects a use state of a dye layer used for image formation on a photographic paper, and a plurality of sets of used dye layers detected by the detection unit. Control for selecting a used dye layer to be reused on the basis of a memory for storing a state, print data of an image formed on photographic paper, and use states of a plurality of dye layers stored in the memory And a section.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the number of images that can be printed using one ink ribbon, reduce the frequency of ink ribbon replacement, and reduce the cost of thermal transfer printing.

It is a schematic block diagram of the thermal transfer printing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a top view of an ink ribbon. It is sectional drawing of an ink ribbon. It is a flowchart explaining the thermal transfer printing method which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a thermal transfer printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a top view of an ink ribbon used in the thermal transfer printing apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ink ribbon. The thermal transfer printing apparatus transfers yellow, magenta, and cyan dyes of an ink ribbon to printing paper (image receiving paper) to form an image on the printing paper.

  The thermal transfer printing apparatus controls the operations of the image forming unit PA that forms an image on photographic paper, the protective layer forming unit PB that forms a protective layer on the image, and the image forming unit PA and the protective layer forming unit PB. A control unit 30 and a memory 32 are provided.

  The image forming unit PA is provided on the downstream side of the photographic paper roll 6 around which the photographic paper 7 is wound, and the yellow (Y) layer 51, the magenta (M) layer 52, and the cyan (C) layer. A thermal head (heating means) 1 is provided that heats the ink ribbon 5 having 53 and transfers Y, M, and C onto the photographic paper 7 to form an image.

  A rotatable platen roll 2 is provided below the thermal head 1. Between the thermal head 1 and the photographic paper roll 6, a rotationally movable capstan roller 13 for conveying the photographic paper 7, and a pinch roller 14 for pressing the photographic paper 7 against the capstan roller 13, Is provided. The thermal head 1 is connected to lifting means (not shown) that allows the thermal head 1 to move up and down with respect to the platen roll 2.

  An ink ribbon supply roll 3 formed by winding an ink ribbon 5 is provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 1, and an ink ribbon collection roll 4 is provided on the upstream side of the thermal head 1, and is fed out from the ink ribbon supply roll 3. The obtained ink ribbon 5 passes through the thermal head 1 and is collected by the ink ribbon collection roll 4.

  The ink ribbon 5 is provided with a plurality of sets of dye layers 50 each having a Y layer 51, an M layer 52, and a C layer 53 formed in a surface order from the ink ribbon collecting roll 4 side. Each of the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 has a size corresponding to an image for one screen formed on the photographic paper 7.

  Between the thermal head 1 and the ink ribbon collection roll 4, a sensor 9 that detects the usage state of the dye layer 50 of the ink ribbon 5 is provided. The sensor 9 has an image pickup means such as a digital camera, picks up an image of the dye layer 50 of the ink ribbon 5 fed out from the thermal head 1 after image formation, and how much the color material (dye) of the dye layer 50 is used. The amount of color material remaining in the dye layer 50 is obtained and the use state is detected.

  The control unit 30 stores the usage state of each dye layer 50 detected by the sensor 9 in the memory 32. The memory 32 stores use states of a plurality of sets (used) of dye layers 50 used for image formation.

  On the downstream side of the thermal head 1, a cutter 8 is provided that cuts the photographic paper 7 on which an image is formed by the thermal head 1 as a printed sheet 11.

  The protective layer forming portion PB is provided on the downstream side of the cutter 8 and is formed by thermally transferring the protective layer to the entire surface of the image formed on the printed sheet 11 using the screen protective ribbon 24 having the surface protective layer. A head 20 is provided.

  A screen protection ribbon supply roll 21 around which the screen protection ribbon 24 is wound is provided on the upstream side of the thermal head 20, and a screen protection ribbon collection roll 22 is provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 20. The screen protection ribbon 24 fed out from the screen protection ribbon supply roll 21 passes through the thermal head 20 and is collected by the screen protection ribbon collection roll 22.

  Between the cutter 8 and the thermal head 20, a transfer means 26 for transferring the printed sheet 11 is provided. The transfer means 26 includes a transfer conveyor 26a on which the printed sheets 11 are placed, and a drive unit 26b that drives the transfer conveyor 26a.

  Next, the material of each component will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ink ribbon 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink ribbon 5 has a configuration in which a color material layer 5b is provided on one surface of a substrate 5a and a back layer 5c is provided on the other surface of the substrate 5a. A dye primer layer 5d is provided between the base material 5a and the color material layer 5b. This dye primer layer 5d may be omitted.

  The material of the substrate 5a is not particularly limited, but it is desirable to have mechanical characteristics that can withstand the heat applied by the thermal head when the color material layer 5b is transferred onto the photographic paper 7 and does not hinder handling. Examples of such base materials include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyarylate, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyimide, polyetherimide, cellulose derivatives, polyethylene, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylic, and polyvinyl chloride. , Polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, nylon, polyether ether ketone, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether, polyvinyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene / ethylene, tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoro Various plastic fills such as propylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and polyvinylidene fluoride Or it can be given a seat. Moreover, the thickness of the base material 5a can be appropriately set according to the material so that the strength and heat resistance are appropriate, and is generally about 2 μm to 100 μm, preferably 1 μm to 10 μm.

  The color material layer 5b contains a sublimable dye, a binder resin, and a release agent as a color material. In the color material layer 5b, a plurality of regions (Y layer 51, M layer 52, and C layer 53) containing sublimation dyes having different hues of a yellow dye, a magenta dye, and a cyan dye are repeatedly formed in the surface order. The

  The sublimable dye is not particularly limited, but a dye having a sufficient color density and not discolored by light, heat, temperature or the like is preferable. Examples of such sublimable dyes include diarylmethane dyes, triarylmethane dyes, thiazole dyes, merocyanine dyes, pyrazolone dyes, methine dyes, indoaniline dyes, acetophenone azomethine, pyrazoloazomethine, imidazole Azomethine dyes such as azomethine, imidazoazomethine and pyridone azomethine, xanthene dyes, oxazine dyes, cyanostyrene dyes such as dicyanostyrene and tricyanostyrene, thiazine dyes, azine dyes, acridine dyes, benzeneazo dyes, Pyridoneazo, thiophenazo, isothiazole azo, pyrrole azo, pyrazole azo, imidazole azo, thiadiazole azo, triazole azo, disazo azo dyes, spiropyran dyes, indolinospiro Run dyes, fluoran dyes, rhodamine lactam dyes, naphthoquinone dyes, anthraquinone dyes, quinophthalone dyes.

  Content of a sublimable dye is 50 mass%-350 mass% with respect to solid content total amount of binder resin, for example.

  The binder resin for supporting the sublimable dye is not particularly limited, and a resin having a certain degree of heat resistance and appropriate affinity with the sublimable dye can be used. Examples of such a binder resin include cellulose resins such as nitrocellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, ethylhydroxycellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, cellulose acetate, and butyrate; polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl Examples thereof include vinyl resins such as acetoacetal and polyvinylpyrrolidone; acrylic resins such as poly (meth) acrylate and poly (meth) acrylamide; polyurethane resins; polyamide resins; polyester resins;

  The release agent contained in the color material layer 5b is not particularly limited, and for example, silicone oil, phosphate ester, pentaerythritol fatty acid ester, polyglycerin condensed ricinoleate, and the like can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the color material layer 5b includes an amount of color material that can be printed a plurality of times (a plurality of screens) with one set of dye layers 50. Therefore, a set of dye layers 50 used for image formation for one screen can be reused for image formation for another screen.

  The back layer 5c is made of a binder resin. There is no limitation in particular about binder resin which comprises the back layer 5c, A conventionally well-known thermoplastic resin etc. can be selected suitably and can be formed. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polyester resins, polyacrylate resins, polyvinyl acetate resins, styrene acrylate resins, polyurethane resins, polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, and other polyolefin resins, polystyrene resins. Polyvinyl acetal resins such as polyvinyl chloride resins, polyether resins, polyamide resins, polyimide resins, polyamide imide resins, polycarbonate resins, polyacrylamide resins, polyvinyl chloride resins, polyvinyl butyral resins, polyvinyl acetoacetal resins And the like, and these silicone-modified products.

  As the resin constituting the dye primer layer 5d, polyester resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyacrylate resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polyurethane resin, styrene acrylate resin, polyacrylamide Resins, polyamide resins, polyether resins, polystyrene resins, polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, polyvinyl chloride resins, polyvinyl acetal resins such as polyvinyl acetoacetal and polyvinyl butyral, and the like.

As the photographic paper 7, known ones can be used. For example, a paper in which a resin coat layer, paper, an adhesive layer, a void-containing film, and a receiving layer are laminated in this order can be used. As the void-containing film, various films can be used as long as voids are formed in the film. For example, it is possible to use a film in which a void is formed in a film by adding a void developing agent to PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and peeling PET and the void developing agent in the process of film formation and stretching. As the base material, in addition to PET, polyolefin resins such as PP (polypropylene) and PE (polyethylene) can be used.

  The material used for the surface protective layer of the screen protection ribbon 24 is preferably a transparent material having adhesiveness, light resistance and the like.

  Next, a method for printing an image for one screen using the thermal transfer printing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The thermal transfer printing apparatus receives print data (image data) of an image to be formed on the printing paper 7 (step S102). For example, the print data is transferred by wired or wireless communication from a portable storage medium such as a USB memory or a communication terminal such as a smartphone.

  The control unit 30 confirms the usage state of the plurality of used dye layers 50 stored in the memory 32, and determines the presence or absence of the dye layers 50 that can be used for image formation (step S104). For example, the control unit 30 estimates the amount of color material necessary for image formation from the print data received in step S102. Then, from the use state of the plurality of used dye layers 50 stored in the memory 32, the presence or absence of the reusable dye layer 50 in which the estimated amount of the color material remains is determined.

  If there is a reusable dye layer 50 (step S106_Yes), the ink ribbon 50 is rewound to the location of the reusable dye layer 50 (step S108). If there is no reusable dye layer 50 (step S106_No), it is determined that the unused dye layer 50 is used (step S110), and the ink ribbon 50 is fed to the unused dye layer 50.

  Then, printing is performed using one set of used or unused dye layers 50 (step S112). When performing printing, first, the printing paper 7 and the Y layer 51 are aligned, and the thermal head 1 contacts the platen roll 2 via the printing paper 7 and the ink ribbon 5. For example, alignment between the leading end of the photographic paper 7 and the side edge of the Y layer 51 on the M layer 52 side is performed.

  Next, the capstan roller 13 and the ink ribbon supply roll 3 are driven to rotate, and the photographic paper 7 and the ink ribbon 5 are fed forward. During this time, the area of the Y layer 51 is selectively and sequentially heated by the thermal head 1 based on the printing data of the image to be formed, and Y is transferred from the ink ribbon 5 onto the printing paper 7.

  After the transfer of Y, the thermal head 1 rises and leaves the platen roll 2. Next, the photographic paper 7 and the M layer 52 are aligned. In this case, the photographic paper 7 is fed rearward by a distance corresponding to the print size (size of one screen), and the ink ribbon 5 is fed from the edge of the Y layer 51 on the C layer 53 side to the C layer of the M layer 52. It is sent to the rear side by a distance up to the 53 side edge.

  Similarly to the method of transferring Y, M and C are sequentially transferred onto the photographic paper 7 and an image is formed on the photographic paper 7. In the case where the used dye layer 50 is used, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 are heated again in the region heated at the previous image formation.

  The photographic paper 7 on which an image is formed is cut out as a printed sheet 11 by a cutter 8 on the downstream side.

  The printed sheet 11 is transferred below the thermal head 20 by the transfer means 26. The protective layer is formed on the entire surface of the printed sheet 11 by thermally transferring the surface protective layer by the thermal head 20 using the screen protective ribbon 24.

  The sensor 9 detects the usage state of the dye layer 50 of the ink ribbon 5 fed out from the thermal head 1 after image formation (step S114). The control unit 30 stores the detected usage state in the memory 32. If the dye layer 50 used in the printing in step S112 has been used, the use state of the dye layer 50 stored in the memory 32 is updated. If the dye layer 50 used in the printing in step S112 is unused, the use state of the dye layer 50 is newly stored in the memory 32.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, since the used dye layer 50 is reused, an image can be formed more than the number of sets of the dye layers 50 provided on the ink ribbon 5. Therefore, the replacement frequency of the ink ribbon can be reduced, and the cost of thermal transfer printing can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the rewinding amount of the ink ribbon 5 for reusing the used dye layer 50 during the printing process may be limited. For example, the upper limit of the rewinding amount of the ink ribbon 5 is set to five sets of dye layers 50 so that the latest five sets of dye layers 50 can be reused. In this case, the memory 32 only needs to store the usage states of the five most recent dye layers 50.

  By limiting the amount of rewinding of the ink ribbon 5 and suppressing the time required for rewinding the ink ribbon 5, the time required for creating the printed matter (printed sheet 11) can be suppressed.

  The thermal transfer printing apparatus enters a sleep state when the print data is not received for a predetermined time or longer after the print product is created, and rewinds the ink ribbon 5 in preparation for the next print. It may be left. For example, when the resting state is entered, the amount of the remaining color material is large, and it is rewound to the position of the dye layer 50 that is likely to be reused at the next printing. Thus, by rewinding the ink ribbon 5 in advance, the time required for the rewinding process in step S108 in FIG. 4 can be shortened, and the efficiency of the thermal transfer printing process can be improved. Further, as described above, when the rewinding amount of the ink ribbon 5 at the time of the printing process is limited, by rewinding the ink ribbon 5 in the resting state, the used dye that can be reused. The number of layers 50 can be increased.

  The control unit 30 corrects the print data based on the usage state of the reused dye layer 50, and selects the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 by the thermal head 1 based on the corrected print data. Alternatively, the dye may be transferred to the photographic paper 7 by heating sequentially. For example, when the amount of color material remaining in the M layer 52 of the reused dye layer 50 is small, the print data is corrected so that M becomes darker. Further, for example, for the dye layer 50 to be reused, in an area where C is printed dark during the previous image formation, the print data is partially corrected so that C is printed dark during the current image formation. By correcting the print data in this way, even when the used dye layer 50 is used, an image having the same color as that when the unused dye layer 50 is used can be formed.

  The sensor 9 may detect the use state for each color of the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53, and the use state may be stored in the memory 32 for each set of the dye layer 50 and for each color. In this case, the control unit 30 may select the dye layer 50 to be reused so as to be a different set for each color. For example, the dye layer 50 that reuses the Y layer 51 and the M layer 52 may be different from the dye layer 50 that reuses the C layer 53. Further, the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 included in different sets of dye layers 50 may be reused. Thus, by reusing different sets of dye layers 50 for each color, the ink ribbon 5 can be reused more efficiently.

  In the above embodiment, the use state of the dye layer 50 is detected by the sensor 9, but the use state of the dye layer 50 may be obtained from the print data. The control unit 30 calculates the density of each of Y, M, and C from the print data, calculates how much color material of the dye layer 50 is used, or how much color material remains in the dye layer 50, Find usage status.

  When there are a plurality of reusable dye layers 50 in steps S104 and S106 in FIG. 4, the reusable dye layer 50 may be selected based on the rewind amount. For example, by selecting the set with the smallest amount of rewinding from among a plurality of reusable dye layers 50, the time required for rewinding can be suppressed, and the time required for the printing process can be suppressed.

  On the contrary, you may select the group with the largest rewinding amount. As described above, when the rewinding amount of the ink ribbon 5 is limited, if the unused dye layer 50 continues to be used in the subsequent printing, the set of the dye layer 50 is removed from the rewindable range, It becomes unavailable. By selecting a group with a large amount of rewinding, the time required for rewinding becomes longer, but the use efficiency of the ink ribbon 5 can be improved.

  Alternatively, among the plurality of reusable dye layers 50, the one with the least amount of the remaining color material may be selected. By leaving the dye layer 50 with a large amount of the remaining color material, the number of dye layers 50 that can be reused when printing a dark image is increased. That is, the choice of the dye layer 50 to be reused increases, and the frequency with which the unused dye layer 50 is used (selected) decreases, so that the use efficiency of the ink ribbon 5 can be improved.

  In the thermal transfer printing apparatus in the above embodiment, the cutter 8 may be provided on the downstream side of the thermal head 20. In this case, after a protective layer is formed on the entire surface of the image forming area of the photographic paper 7, the printed sheet 11 is cut out by the cutter 8.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming portion PA and the protective layer forming portion PB are separated, but a surface protective layer is formed following the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 of the ink ribbon 5, Image formation and protective layer formation may be performed by the thermal head 1. Each of the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 has a size corresponding to an image for one screen formed on the photographic paper 7, but can be printed a plurality of times (a plurality of screens). A large amount of coloring material is included. Therefore, it is preferable that the surface protective layer formed subsequent to the Y layer 51, the M layer 52, and the C layer 53 has a size corresponding to an image for a plurality of screens.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal head 2 Platen roll 3 Ink ribbon supply roll 4 Ink ribbon collection roll 5 Ink ribbon 6 Printing paper roll 7 Printing paper 8 Cutter 9 Sensor 11 Print sheet 20 Thermal head 21 Screen protection ribbon supply roll 22 Screen protection ribbon collection roll 24 Screen protection ribbon 26 Transfer means

Claims (11)

A process of feeding photographic paper from a photographic paper roll;
Yellow, magenta by heating means using one dye layer of an ink ribbon in which a plurality of sets of dye layers including a yellow layer, a magenta layer, and a cyan layer provided sequentially are provided. And transferring cyan onto photographic paper to form a first image;
After the formation of the first image, feeding out an ink ribbon including a set of used dye layers;
Rewinding the ink ribbon and using the used dye layer to transfer yellow, magenta, and cyan onto a photographic paper by a heating means to form a second image;
A thermal transfer printing method comprising:   2. The thermal transfer printing method according to claim 1, wherein the heating unit reheats the dye layer heating region at the time of forming the first image, transfers the dye, and forms the second image. Save the usage status of multiple sets of used dye layers in memory,
Selecting a used dye layer used for forming the second image based on print data of the second image and use states of a plurality of dye layers stored in the memory; The thermal transfer printing method according to claim 1 or 2. For the plurality of used dye layers, the usage status of each of the yellow, magenta and cyan layers is stored in the memory,
The thermal transfer printing method according to claim 3, wherein the second image is formed using a plurality of sets of used dye layers.   5. The thermal transfer printing method according to claim 4, wherein when forming the second image, one of the yellow layer, the magenta layer, and the cyan layer uses a different dye layer from the other two.   6. The thermal transfer printing method according to claim 3, wherein the use state of the dye layer is obtained based on print data of an image transferred to the printing paper.   6. The thermal transfer printing method according to claim 3, wherein the use state of the dye layer is detected by a sensor that images the dye layer used for image formation. Based on the used state of the used dye layer, the print data of the second image is corrected,
8. The thermal transfer according to claim 3, wherein the heating unit heats the used dye layer based on the corrected printing data to form the second image on the printing paper. 9. Printing method.   9. The thermal transfer printing method according to claim 3, wherein the ink ribbon is rewound based on a used state of the used dye layer in a resting state. An ink ribbon having a thermal head and a platen roll, and a plurality of sets of dye layers including a yellow layer, a magenta layer, and a cyan layer, which are provided in a surface sequential manner, are overlapped with a photographic paper, A thermal transfer printing apparatus that transports between the thermal head and the platen roll, heats the ink ribbon to transfer the ink, and forms an image on the photographic paper;
After the first image is formed on the photographic paper, the ink ribbon is rewound, the used dye layer is heated by the thermal head, and yellow, magenta, and cyan are transferred onto the photographic paper to form the second image. A thermal transfer printing apparatus characterized by: Detection means for detecting the use state of the dye layer used for image formation on photographic paper;
A memory for storing a used state of a plurality of used dye layers detected by the detecting means;
A control unit for selecting a used dye layer to be reused based on print data of an image to be formed on the photographic paper and a use state of a plurality of dye layers stored in the memory;
The thermal transfer printing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

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