JPH11320937A - Thermal transfer color printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermal transfer color printer capable of performing full-color printing in a short time. SOLUTION: This thermal transfer color printer comprises first and second platen rollers 12a, 12b wherein a rotational shaft is inserted into the platen rollers, respectively to be fitted thereto and a thermal head 10 having first and second heating sections 2a, 2b each consisting of a plurality of small heating elements arranged in a line. A recording paper 90 and an ink ribbon 40 are nipped between the platen rollers 12a, 12b and thermal head 10. The desired printing is sequentially performed on the recording paper 90 one line by one line by energizing the heating sections 2a, 2b. In the thermal head 10, the first and second heating sections 2a, 2b are provided at a predetermined distance and the first and second platen rollers 12a, 12b are attached to positions corresponding to the first and second heating sections 2a, 2b, respectively. Desired printing with a predetermined color ink is executed by each first and second heating sections 2a, 2b, respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal transfer color printer such as a thermal transfer fusing color printer and a thermal transfer sublimation color printer, and more particularly to a thermal transfer color printer with a reduced printing time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a thermal transfer color printer, a thermal transfer fusion color printer and a thermal transfer sublimation color printer are practically used. Hereinafter, a thermal transfer sublimation color printer will be described as an example of the thermal transfer color printer. First, an ink ribbon used in this conventional thermal transfer sublimation color printer (hereinafter, simply referred to as "thermal transfer color printer") will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the structure of a one-time use type ink ribbon, while FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining the structure of a multi-time use type ink ribbon. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the one-time use type ink ribbon 100 and the multi-time use type ink ribbon 200 are both yellow ink coating layers (hereinafter simply referred to as “ink layers”) 102 and 20.
2. Magenta ink layers 104 and 204, cyan ink layers 106 and 206, and transparent layers 110 and 210 (or overprint layers 112 and 212) are sequentially and repeatedly arranged. 7 and 8, reference numeral 90 denotes a recording sheet, 92 denotes a printing area of the recording sheet 90,
92a is the start position of the print area 92, 92b is the print area 9
At the end position of No. 2, L0 is the length of the print area. Also,
L3 in FIG. 7 and L2 in FIG. 8 represent the length of each ink layer and the transparent layer (or overprint layer) of each of the ink ribbons 100 and 200.

By the way, in a one-time use type ink ribbon 100, as shown in FIG.
2, 104, 106 and the length L3 of the transparent layer 110 (or the overprint layer 112)
2 is set to be longer than the length L0. On the other hand, in the multi-time use type ink ribbon 200,
The length L2 of each of the ink layers 202, 204, 206 and the transparent layer 210 (or the overprint layer 212) is
It is set to about 1 / N of the length L0 of the print area 92 of 0. Here, N is: N = (moving speed of recording paper) / (moving speed of ink ribbon) during printing by the thermal transfer color printer (1). Therefore, in the printer using the multi-time use type ink ribbon 200, since the moving speeds of the recording paper 90 and the ink ribbon 200 are relatively different, printing is performed while sliding the ribbon 200 and the recording paper 90 during printing. Will be.

Hereinafter, a printer using a multi-time use type ink ribbon 200 will be described. For a printer using a one-time use type ink ribbon 100, the printing principle is that the moving speed of the ink ribbon 100 is limited to the recording paper. The only difference is that the moving speed is the same as the moving speed of 90, and the description is omitted. First, a supplementary description of the multi-time use type ink ribbon 200 will be given with reference to FIG.

As described above, the ink ribbon 200 includes the ink layers 202, 204, and 206 coated with the three primary colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan, and the transparent layer 210 (or the overprint layer 212). It is repeatedly applied in order. As will be described later, in the conventional thermal transfer color printer, printing is performed in the order of yellow, magenta, and cyan, and blank printing is performed using the transparent layer 210 to apply only heat without transferring ink. Or,
In the ink ribbon 200 of the type having the transparent overprint layer 212, the overprint layer 212 is transferred and overprint printing is performed to protect the image. As described above, by performing blank printing or overprint printing, the fixing property of the ink is improved, and the light resistance and the fingerprint resistance are improved.

Next, a printing method of a thermal transfer color printer using the conventional multi-time use type ink ribbon 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. FIG.
Is a conventional multi-time use type ink ribbon 200.
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a main configuration of a thermal transfer color printer using the present invention. FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a thermal head used in the color printer.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 60 denotes a thermal head;
2 is a platen roller, 90 is a recording paper, and 200 is the above-described multi-time use type ink ribbon. Also, 7
4a and 74b are a pair of transport rollers, 76 is an ink ribbon transport roller, 78 is an ink ribbon take-up roll, 80
Is an ink ribbon supply roll, 82 is a guide roller, 84
Reference numeral denotes a pinch roller for holding the ink ribbon 200 between the ink ribbon transport rollers 76. In the figure, reference numeral 52 denotes a pressing spring of the thermal head 60;
Reference numeral 4 denotes a compression spring for the transport rollers 74a and 74b.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 62 denotes a ceramic substrate, 64 denotes an IC for controlling heat generation, and 66 denotes an IC for controlling heat generation.
Reference numeral 64 denotes an IC cover, reference numeral 68 denotes a head support component, reference numeral 69 denotes a peeling plate for changing the traveling direction of the ink ribbon 200 for separating the ink ribbon 200 from the recording paper 90, and reference numeral 50 denotes heat transfer for thermal transfer to the ink ribbon 200. This is a linear protrusion-shaped heat generating portion provided with a plurality of minute heat generating elements (not shown) for applying energy. The same thermal head 60 can be used for a thermal transfer color printer using a one-time use type ink ribbon.

A printing method using the above-mentioned conventional multi-time use type ink ribbon by a thermal transfer color printer using the ink ribbon will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIGS. 8 and 10. First, the recording paper 90 is transferred to a pair of transport rollers 74.
The recording paper 90 is conveyed by rotating the conveyance rollers 74a and 74b with a stepping motor (not shown) as a driving source, and the starting position 92a of a desired printing area 92 of the recording paper 90 shown in FIG. The recording paper 90 is set at a position where the heat generating portion 50 is in contact with a position formed on the thermal head 60 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “position of the heat generating portion”), that is, a printing start position.

Next, the head position of the ink layer 202 on which the yellow ink color is applied as shown in FIG. 8 of the ink ribbon 200 supplied from the ink ribbon supply roll 80 is positioned at the heating section 50 provided on the thermal head 60. The position of the ink ribbon 200 is adjusted so that the position of the ink ribbon 200 is reached, and the ink ribbon 200 is also set at the printing start position.

After the recording paper 90 and the ink ribbon 200 are set at the desired printing start positions, the thermal head 60 is pressed in the direction of the platen roller 72 as shown by the arrow A3 in FIG. The ink ribbon 200 is pressed and brought into close contact. In this state, the heating control I
In C64, the heating section 50 having a linear projection shape is controlled to generate heat as shown in FIG. 10, the ink applied to the ink ribbon 200 is sublimated and transferred to the recording paper 90, and a desired one line of the yellow ink color is formed. Print the minute.

Next, the recording paper 90 is advanced by the conveying rollers 74a and 74b by the width of one line, and the ink ribbon 20 is moved.
0 is also advanced by a predetermined amount, in this case, by 1 / N line. By sequentially performing the printing process for one line,
When printing at the end position 92a of the desired print area 92 of the recording paper 90 ends, printing of all the lines of the yellow ink has ended. Note that the recording paper 90 and the ink ribbon 200 are kept in close contact with each other until the recording of all the lines is completed, but after the recording of all the lines is completed, the thermal head 60 is moved to the platen position as indicated by an arrow A4 in FIG. The state in which the recording paper 90 and the ink ribbon 200 are brought into close contact with each other by moving the roller 72 in the opposite direction is released.

As described above, when the printing of the yellow ink color is completed, the conveying rollers 74a and 74b are rotated in the reverse direction, and the recording paper 90 is set again at the printing start position. If necessary, the leading position of the ink layer 204 of the ink ribbon 200 on which the magenta ink color shown in FIG.
The position of the ink ribbon 200 is adjusted so as to be in the position of, and printing in the same process as the above-described yellow printing is performed.

The printing of the cyan ink layer 206 and, if necessary, the printing of the transparent layer 210 (or the overprint layer 212) are performed in the same manner as described above. 212)
Is completed, the printing of the desired color image is completed. Note that blank printing (or overprint printing) may not be performed depending on the type of ink ribbon used by the thermal transfer color printer.

As described above, the moving speed of the multi-time use type ink ribbon 200 during printing is 1 / N of the recording paper 90 as described above. The rotation speed of 80 is adjusted by controlling a driving source such as a stepping motor (not shown). Further, the ink ribbon 200 wound around the ink ribbon transport roller 76 is
The ink ribbon is supplied toward the thermal head 60 in accordance with the transport speed of the transport roller 76. On the other hand, the used ink ribbon 200 is transferred to the ink ribbon take-up roll 78.
It is wound up at a constant winding tension.

[0017]

As described above, in the conventional thermal transfer color printer, the entire printing process is performed for each ink color or, if necessary, for the transparent layer (or overprint layer). The process of setting the recording paper at the printing start position and performing printing in the entire desired printing area has been repeated. However, in this printing process, it is necessary to repeat the same printing process a plurality of times to perform full-color printing, and there is a problem that it takes a long time for full-color printing. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems (problems).
It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer color printer capable of performing full-color printing in a short time.

[0018]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a thermal transfer color printer according to the present invention is arranged such that a platen roller externally fitted on a rotary shaft and a platen roller are linearly arranged. A thermal head provided with a heat generating portion composed of a plurality of minute heat generating members, wherein a recording paper and an ink ribbon are sandwiched between the platen roller and the thermal head, and the recording paper generates heat by causing the heat generating portion to generate heat. A thermal head provided with n (where n is a natural number of 2 or more) heat generating units disposed at a predetermined interval in a thermal transfer color printer in which printing is sequentially performed line by line. The apparatus is provided with n platen rollers attached to positions corresponding to the n heat generating sections, respectively, and is configured to perform desired printing of a predetermined ink color at each heat generating section at a predetermined position. With such a configuration, it is possible to print the inks of the predetermined colors respectively by the n heat generating portions almost simultaneously, so that the printing time of each ink color overlaps and the thermal transfer color printing time is reduced. It can be a printer.

A thermal transfer color printer according to a second aspect of the present invention includes: a platen roller externally fitted to a rotating shaft; and a thermal head provided with a heating unit including a plurality of minute heating elements arranged linearly. In a thermal transfer color printer, a recording paper and an ink ribbon are sandwiched between a platen roller and the thermal head, and the recording paper is heated by the heat generating portion to perform desired printing sequentially line by line. A thermal head provided with first and second heat generating parts disposed therein, and first and second platen rollers respectively attached at positions corresponding to the first and second heat generating parts, The first and second heat generating sections are each configured to perform desired printing of a predetermined ink color.
With this configuration, the first and second heat generating units can print the inks of the predetermined colors, respectively, almost simultaneously, so that a thermal transfer color printer with a reduced printing time can be provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the thermal transfer color printer, an ink layer coated with a cyan ink color, an ink layer coated with a magenta ink color, and a yellow ink color are used as an ink ribbon for the thermal transfer color printer. Using the applied ink layer, and an ink ribbon in which a transparent layer or an overprint layer is sequentially and repeatedly arranged, the first heat generating portion performs a desired printing of the magenta ink color and the transparent layer or the overprint layer, and The second heat generating portion is configured to perform desired printing of yellow and cyan ink colors. With this configuration, printing of the magenta ink color by the first heating portion, printing of the yellow ink color by the second heating portion, printing of the transparent layer or the overprint layer by the first heating portion, Since the printing of the cyan ink color can be performed almost simultaneously by the heat generating portion, a thermal transfer color printer with a reduced printing time can be provided. In addition, by arranging the ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer of the ink ribbon in this manner, blank printing or overprinting can be performed after the printing of the ink color is completed, and a suitable ink ribbon can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the thermal transfer color printer, the recording paper is set at a printing start position in which a start position of a printing area of the recording paper is the position of the second heat generating portion. The printing of the yellow ink color by the heating unit is started, and the printing of the magenta ink color by the first heating unit is started when the start position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the first heating unit. And when the end position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the second heat generating portion, the printing of the yellow ink color by the second heat generating portion is completed,
When the end position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the first heating section, the printing of the magenta ink color by the first heating section is finished, and then the starting position of the printing area of the recording paper is The recording paper is set again at the printing start position which is the position of the second heat generating portion, and then the printing of the cyan ink color by the second heat generating portion is started. When the position of the first heat generating portion is reached, printing of the transparent layer or the overprint layer by the first heat generating portion is started, and the end position of the print area of the recording paper is the second position.
When the position of the heat generating portion is reached, the printing of the cyan ink color by the second heat generating portion is terminated, and when the end position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the first heat generating portion,
The printing of the transparent layer or the overprint layer by the first heating section is completed. That is, the first and second
The printing process of a thermal transfer color printer with a heating section of
Specifically, it may be performed as in claim 4.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the thermal transfer color printer, the length of the printing area of the recording paper is L0, and the ratio N between the moving speed of the recording paper and the ink ribbon during printing by the thermal transfer color printer is represented by N = (Moving speed of recording paper) /
(Moving speed of the ink ribbon), and when the length margin of the ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer is α1, the length L2 of each ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer is L2 = (L0 + α1) / (N−1), and the interval L1 between the first and second heat generating portions provided on the thermal head is configured to be L1 = L2 + α1. As the ink ribbon used in the thermal transfer color printer having the first and second heat generating portions, specifically, the one configured as described in claim 5 is used, and the first and second ink ribbons provided on the thermal head are used. Specifically, the interval between the heat generating portions may be set to L1.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal transfer color printer, comprising: a platen roller externally fitted to a rotary shaft; and a thermal head having a heating portion including a plurality of minute heating elements arranged linearly. In a thermal transfer color printer, a recording paper and an ink ribbon are sandwiched between a platen roller and the thermal head, and the recording paper is heated by the heat generating portion to perform desired printing sequentially line by line. A thermal head provided with first to fourth heat generating parts disposed therein, and first to fourth platen rollers respectively attached at positions corresponding to the first to fourth heat generating parts, The first to fourth heat generating units are each configured to perform desired printing of a predetermined ink color.
With such a configuration, the first to fourth heat generating units provide:
Since the printing of the inks of the respective predetermined colors can be performed with the printing time overlapping, a thermal transfer color printer with a reduced printing time can be obtained.

In the thermal transfer color printer according to the present invention, the ink ribbon used for the thermal transfer color printer includes an ink layer coated with a cyan ink color, an ink layer coated with a magenta ink color, and a yellow ink color. Using an ink ribbon in which an applied ink layer and a transparent layer or an overprint layer are sequentially and repeatedly arranged, the first heating unit performs desired printing of the transparent layer or the overprint layer, and the second heating unit Then, the desired printing of the cyan ink color is performed, the desired printing of the magenta ink color is performed in the third heating section, and the desired printing of the yellow ink color is performed in the fourth heating section. It was configured as follows. With this configuration, printing of the transparent layer or the overprint layer is performed by the first heating section, printing of the cyan ink color is performed by the second heating section, and printing of the magenta ink color is performed by the third heating section. Since the printing of the cyan ink color can be performed with the overlapping of the printing times by the four heat generating units, a thermal transfer color printer with a reduced printing time can be provided. In addition, by arranging the ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer of the ink ribbon in this manner, blank printing or overprinting can be performed after the printing of the ink color is completed, and a suitable ink ribbon can be obtained.

In the thermal transfer color printer according to the present invention, the recording paper is set at a predetermined printing start position of the thermal transfer color printer, the recording paper is retracted to perform a desired printing, and then the recording paper is removed from the recording paper. The recording paper is set again at a predetermined printing start position, and the recording paper is advanced to perform desired printing. As described above, if the recording paper is temporarily retracted and printed, the invalid print area where full-color printing cannot be performed can be reduced.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the thermal transfer color printer, the recording paper is set at a printing start position in which the start position of the printing area of the recording paper is the position of the first heat generating portion. The printing of the cyan ink color by the heating unit, the printing of the magenta ink color by the third heating unit, and the printing of the yellow ink color by the fourth heating unit are started, and then the recording paper is retracted. While the second through fourth
The printing by each heating section is performed simultaneously, and then
When the start position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the second heating part, the printing of the cyan ink color by the second heating part is interrupted, and the starting position of the printing area of the recording paper becomes the third heating part. The printing of the magenta ink color by the third heating unit is interrupted when the position of the heating unit is reached, and the fourth heating is started when the start position of the print area of the recording paper reaches the position of the fourth heating unit. The printing of the yellow ink color by the unit is interrupted, and then the recording paper is advanced, and the start position of the printing area of the recording paper is set again at the printing start position which is the position of the first heat generating unit. The printing of the transparent layer or the overprint layer by the first heating unit is started, the printing of the cyan ink color by the second heating unit, the printing of the magenta ink color by the third heating unit, and the fourth printing. The printing of yellow ink color by the heat generating part Then, while the recording paper is advanced, printing by the first to fourth heating units is performed simultaneously, and the end position of the printing area of the recording paper is set to the position of the fourth heating unit. When the third heating portion is reached, the printing of the yellow ink color by the fourth heating portion is terminated, and when the end position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the third heating portion, The printing of the magenta ink color is completed, and the end position of the printing area of the recording paper is the second position.
When the position of the heat generating portion is reached, the printing of the cyan ink color by the second heat generating portion is terminated, and when the end position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the first heat generating portion,
The printing of the transparent layer or the overprint layer by the first heating section is completed. That is, the first to fourth
The printing process of a thermal transfer color printer with a heating section of
Specifically, it may be performed as in claim 9.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the thermal transfer color printer, the length of the printing area of the recording paper is set to L0, and during printing by the thermal transfer color printer, the ratio N between the moving speed of the recording paper and the ink ribbon is expressed as N = (Moving speed of recording paper) /
(Moving speed of the ink ribbon), and when the length margin of the ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer is α1, the length L2 of each ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer is L2 = (L0 + α1) / (N−1), and the interval L1 between the first to fourth heat generating portions provided on the thermal head is configured to be L1 = L2 + α1. As the ink ribbon used in the thermal transfer color printer having the first to fourth heat generating portions, specifically, the one configured as described in claim 10 is used, and the first to fourth heat generating portions are used. It is good to specifically set each interval as L1.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment: A first embodiment of a thermal transfer color printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the same components as those of the conventional thermal transfer color printer shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 7 to 10, and description thereof is omitted.

First, the main configuration of the printing unit of the thermal transfer color printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a main configuration of a printing unit of the thermal transfer color printer according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, 10 is a thermal head, 12a and 12b are first and second platen rollers,
Reference numeral 0 denotes a multi-time use type ink ribbon used in the thermal transfer color printer of the present embodiment, and its structure will be described later. Further, 14a and 14b are a pair of transport rollers for transporting the recording paper 90, 16 is an ink ribbon transport roller, 18 is an ink ribbon take-up roll, 20
Is an ink ribbon supply roll, 22 is an ink ribbon guide roller, and 24 is an ink ribbon pinch roller. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes a pressing spring of the thermal head 10, and 16 denotes a pressing spring of the transport rollers 14a and 14b.

Next, the thermal head 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the thermal head 10. On the other hand, FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the outline of the wiring printed on the metal substrate 30 of the thermal head 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the thermal head 10 used in the thermal transfer color printer according to the present embodiment includes platen rollers 12a and 12b shown in FIG.
A plurality of minute heating resistors 3a shown in FIG.
The first heat-generating portion 2a and the second heat-generating portion 2b (hereinafter, may be referred to as “first and second heat-generating portions 2a and 2b”) having a linear projection shape including 1 to 3an and 3b1 to 3bn. .) Is formed.

Further, since the first and second heat generating portions 2a and 2b are provided on the surface of the thermal head 10 facing the platen rollers 12a and 12b, the thermal head 60 of the conventional thermal transfer color printer shown in FIG. Unlike the first
The heat generation control IC 4a of the heat generation unit 2a, the second heat generation unit 2b
The heat generation control ICs 4b are mounted on both sides of the thermal head 10. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 6 denotes an IC cover of the heat control IC 4b, reference numeral 30 denotes a metal substrate made of stainless steel or the like, reference numeral 26 denotes a peeling plate, and reference numeral 28 denotes a head support component.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the first and second heat generating portions 2 will be described.
A supplementary description of a and 2b will be given. As shown in FIG.
The second heat generating units 2a and 2b include a plurality of minute heat generating elements 3a1 to 3a1.
3an, 3b1 to 3bn, and each minute heating element 3a1
3an, 3b1 to 3bn are electrically coupled to the common electrode 32 and the heat control ICs 4a and 4b (however, the heat control IC 4b is not shown in FIG. 4). As a result, the heat generation control ICs 4a and 4b allow the respective minute heat generation elements 3a1 to 3an and 3b1 to 3b3 based on the print data.
bn, the amount of power to bn is controlled, and the first and second
Printing of a desired density is performed by the heat generating units 2a and 2b.

Next, the ink ribbon 40 used in the thermal transfer color printer of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the ink ribbon 40 cut away. As shown in the drawing, the ink ribbon 40 used in the printer of the present embodiment is different from the ink ribbon 200 used in the conventional printer shown in FIG. 8 in that the winding ribbon 18 shown in FIG. Ink layer 4 coated with yellow ink color
2, a transparent layer (or overprint layer) 44, an ink layer 48 coated with a cyan ink color, and an ink layer 46 coated with a magenta ink color are repeated in this order. By arranging the ink layers 42, 46, 48 and the transparent layer (or overprint layer) 44 in this order, as described later, blank printing (or overprint) is performed last, thereby protecting the printed image. Therefore, the ink ribbon 40 is suitable.

The length of each ink layer 42, 46, 48 or the transparent layer 44 is the same L2, and the length of the print area of the recording paper 90 is L0. The ratio N of the moving speeds of the paper and the ink ribbon is calculated as in the case of the equation (1).
L2 = (L0 + α1) / (N−1) (2) where (the moving speed of the ink ribbon) and the length margin of the ink layer is α1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the distance L1 between the first and second heat generating portions 2a and 2b is determined by the distance between the ink layers 42 and 46,
48, or L1 = L2 + α1 (3), corresponding to the length L2 of the transparent layer 44.

With the above configuration, a printing method using the thermal transfer color printer of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5F and FIGS. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a printing process by the thermal transfer color printer according to the present embodiment. First, similarly to the above-described conventional thermal transfer color printer, the recording paper 90 is sandwiched between a pair of transport rollers 14a and 14b as shown in FIG.
The recording paper 90 is conveyed by rotating the conveying rollers 14a and 14b, and the start position 92a of the print area (length L0) 92 of the recording paper 90 is set to the position S2 of the second heat generating portion 2b formed on the thermal head 10. The recording paper 90 is set at the printing start position such that

Next, the head position of the ink layer 46 coated with the magenta ink color shown in FIG. 2 of the ink ribbon 40 supplied from the ink ribbon supply roll 20 is set to the first position provided on the thermal head 10. Position S1 of heat generating portion 2a
The alignment of the ink ribbon 40 is performed so that
At this time, since the length L2 of the ink layer of the ink ribbon 40 and the interval L1 between the first and second heat generating portions were set as described above, the yellow ink color was applied as shown in FIG. The portion of the ink layer 42 separated from the head position by the margin α1 is the position S2 of the second heat generating portion 2b.
It is set automatically so that

After setting the recording paper 90 and the ink ribbon 40 at the printing start position, the arrow A1 in FIG.
As shown by the first and second platen rollers 12a, 12a,
Press the thermal head 10 in the direction 2b,
And the ink ribbon 40 are pressed and brought into close contact. In this state, first, as shown in FIG.
Only the printing of the yellow ink color is started. That is, the heat generation control IC 4b controls the heat generation of the second heat generation section 2b, transfers the ink of the yellow ink layer 42 of the ink ribbon 40 to the recording paper 90, and performs printing for a desired one line. Since the first heat generating portion 2a is in contact with the outside of the print area 92, printing is not performed in this state.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the moving speed of the recording paper 90 is Vp, the moving speed of the ink ribbon 40 is Vp / N. The ink ribbon 40 is advanced in the direction of the arrow by the transport rollers 14a and 14b, and the ink ribbon 40 is also advanced by 1 / N line in the direction of the arrow.

By successively performing the printing process for one line, as shown in FIG.
The start position 92a of the print area 92 of the thermal head 1
It reaches the position S1 of the first heat generating portion 2a provided at 0. At this time, the ink layer 46 coated with the magenta ink color
Is that the part away from the head position by L1 / N is the first
Is set to be the position S1 of the heat generating portion 2a.
In this state, as shown in FIG. 5B, the magenta ink layer 46 of the ink ribbon 40 shown in FIG.
Heat generation is controlled by 4a, and printing of the magenta ink color by the first heat generation unit 2a is started.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5C, after the printing of the magenta ink color by the first heating section 2a is started, the printing of the magenta ink color by the first heating section 2a is performed. The printing of the yellow ink color by the second heat generating portion 2b is performed in parallel. FIG.
In (B) to (F), BL of each ink layer 42, 46, 48 of the ink ribbon 40 indicates a used portion of the ink ribbon 40. Reference numerals 42P and 46P denote yellow and yellow printed on the print area 92 of the recording paper 90, respectively.
It is assumed that a magenta ink layer is shown.

Next, as shown in FIG.
0 of the second heat generating unit 2
When it reaches the position S2 of b, the printing of the yellow ink color by the second heat generating portion 2b is terminated. At this point, as indicated by reference numeral 42P in the drawing, a state in which the yellow ink color is printed on the entire printing area of the recording paper 90 is obtained.
After this point, as shown in FIG. 5E, only the printing of the magenta ink color by the first heat generating portion 2a is performed.

Next, as shown in FIG.
0 of the first heating section 2
When reaching the position S1 in contact with a, the printing of the magenta ink color by the first heat generating portion 2a ends. At this point, the magenta and yellow ink colors have been printed on the entire surface of the print area 92 of the recording paper 90 as indicated by 42P and 46P in FIG. The printing of the magenta and yellow ink colors by the two heat generating units 2a and 2b is completed. As shown in FIG. 5 (F), when the length margin to the end point of the ink layer 42 at the time when the yellow printing is completed is α2, α2
Is given by α2 = L1 / N, and the magenta ink layer 46
Is given by L1−α1−α2.

Next, the printing and the transparent layer (or overprint layer) of the ink layer 48 of the cyan ink color shown in FIG.
The process of blank printing (or overprinting) by 44 will be described. Since the printing process is the same, the description by illustration is omitted, but when the printing of the yellow and magenta ink colors is completed, the printing of the ink layer 48 of the cyan ink color and the blank printing (or the overprint layer) 44 by the transparent layer (or overprint layer) 44 are performed. In order to execute overprinting, the thermal head 10 is moved in a direction opposite to the first and second platen rollers 12a and 12b with respect to the surface of the recording paper 90 and the surface of the ink ribbon 40 as shown by an arrow A2 in FIG. To release the state in which the recording paper 90 and the ink ribbon 40 are in close contact with each other. Then, the transport rollers 14a and 14b shown in FIG. 1 are rotated in the reverse direction, and the recording paper 90 is set again at the printing start position.

Thereafter, as in the case of printing the ink colors of yellow and magenta, the transparent layer 44 of the ink ribbon 40 is formed.
The ink ribbon 40 is positioned so that the leading position of the ink ribbon 40 is located at the position S1 of the first heat generating portion 2a. At this time,
The ink layer 48 to which the cyan ink color is applied is automatically set such that a portion separated from the head position by the margin α1 is located at the position S2 of the second heat generating portion 2b.

The printing of the cyan ink color and the blank printing (or overprinting) using the transparent layer (or overprinting layer) 44 are also described in the paragraph number [0039].
Through the same process as the printing process of the yellow and magenta ink colors described in [0044],
The desired printing in the printing area 92 of the recording paper 90 is completed.

Accordingly, as described above, the thermal transfer color printer of the present embodiment prints the ink layers 42 and 46 coated with yellow and magenta inks, prints the ink layers 48 coated with cyan ink, and transmits Since the blank printing of the layer 44 is performed almost simultaneously by the first and second heating portions 2a and 2b, the printing time can be reduced to about half as compared with the conventional thermal transfer color printer.

Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the thermal transfer color printer of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The main configuration of the printing unit of the thermal transfer color printer of the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and the configuration of the thermal transfer color printer of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Is omitted. However, as shown in FIG. 6A, the first to fourth heat generating portions are sequentially arranged on the thermal head at the following predetermined distance L1.
Are formed so as to be separated from each other.
On the other hand, the same ink ribbon as that used in the first embodiment is used as the ink ribbon used in the thermal transfer color printer of the present embodiment. Therefore, as will be described later, blank printing (or overprinting) is performed last, so that a printed image can be protected, and the ink ribbon 40 is suitable. Further, the length of each of the ink layers 42, 46, 48 or the transparent layer (or overprint layer) 44 is the same L2, and the intervals between the first to fourth heat generating portions are as shown in FIG. As shown in the first
L1 is equal to the interval between the first and second heat generating portions 2a and 2b formed on the thermal head 10 used in the embodiment.

With the above configuration, the printing process of the thermal transfer color printer of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6F are conceptual diagrams for explaining a printing process of the thermal transfer color printer according to the present embodiment.

First, when printing with the thermal transfer color printer of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
As in the case of the thermal transfer color printer according to the first embodiment, the recording paper 90 is sandwiched between a pair of transport rollers (not shown), and the transport rollers are rotated to transport the recording paper 90. The recording paper 90 is set at a print start position where the start position 92a of the first heat generating portion becomes the position T1 of the first heat generating portion.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4A, the ink layer 48 of the ink ribbon 40 to which the cyan ink color is applied.
Is α more than the position where the second heat generating portion is formed.
Ink ribbon 4 so that it is on the left side by 1 + 3L1 / N
Zero alignment is performed. At this time, since the ink ribbon 40 is configured as described above, the transparent layer 44 is located at the position T1 of the first heating portion, and the transparent layer 44 is located at the position T3 of the third heating portion, as shown in FIG. The magenta ink layer 46 and the yellow ink layer 42 are automatically set at the position T4 of the fourth heat generating portion.

As described above, after the recording paper 90 and the ink ribbon 40 are set at the desired printing start positions, printing of the cyan ink color by the second heating unit and printing of the magenta ink color by the third heating unit are performed. Then, the printing of the yellow ink color by the fourth heating unit is started, respectively. That is, the heat generation control IC controls the heat generation of the second, third, and fourth heat generation units,
Printing of the cyan, magenta, and yellow ink colors of the ink ribbon 40 is simultaneously started.

After the start of printing, as shown in FIG.
Printing is performed while the recording paper 90 is retracted in the direction of the arrow. In this state, printing of the cyan, magenta, and yellow ink colors is performed simultaneously. First, when the start position 92a of the print area 92 of the recording paper 90 reaches the position T2 of the second heat generating portion, the printing of the cyan ink color by the second heat generating portion is interrupted. Next, the start position 92a of the print area 92 of the recording paper 90 is set to the position T3 of the third heat generating unit.
Is reached, the printing of the magenta ink color by the third heating section is interrupted. Further, the printing area 9 of the recording paper 90
When the second start position 92a reaches the position T4 of the fourth heat generating portion, the printing of the yellow ink color by the fourth heat generating portion is interrupted. FIG. 6B shows a state immediately after the printing of the yellow ink color by the fourth heating unit is interrupted. As shown in FIG. 6A, the moving speed of the recording paper 90 is Vp, and the moving speed of the ink ribbon 40 is Vp / Vp.
N. As in the first embodiment, the used portion of the ink ribbon 40 is BL, and the ink layers printed on the recording paper 90 are the ink layers 44, 46, 48 to which the ink color of the ink ribbon 40 is applied. Corresponding to the transparent layer (or overprint layer) 44, 42P, 46P,
Shown at 8P and 44P.

Thereafter, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 6B, the recording paper 90 is advanced, and the start position 92a of the print area 92 of the recording paper 90 is set to the print start position where the first heat generating portion is located T1. The recording paper 90 is set again. On the other hand, the ink ribbon 40 is also advanced by the length of 3L1 / N. This state is shown in FIG. In this state, as shown in FIG. 6D, while the recording paper 90 is advanced, the printing of the transparent layer (or overprint layer) 44 by the first heating section is started, and the second heating section is started. The printing of the cyan ink color by the printing unit, the printing of the magenta ink color by the third heating unit, and the printing of the yellow ink color by the fourth heating unit are restarted. Thereafter, printing of each ink color of yellow, magenta, and cyan and blank printing (or overprinting) of the transparent layer (or overprinting layer) 44 are performed simultaneously, and the printing process is overlapped, and total printing is performed. Time will be reduced.

Next, as shown in FIG.
After the end position 92b of the 0 printing area 92 reaches the position T4 of the fourth heat generating portion, the printing of the yellow ink color by the fourth heat generating portion is ended. Similarly, the recording paper 90
After the end position 92b of the print area 92 has reached the position T3 of the third heat generating portion, the printing of the magenta ink color by the third heat generating portion ends. Further, when the end position of the print area 92 of the recording paper 90 reaches the position T2 of the second heat generating unit, the printing of the cyan ink color by the second heat generating unit is ended. Further, when the end position of the printing area of the recording paper 90 reaches the position T1 in contact with the first heating unit, the first heating unit performs blank printing (or overprinting) of the transparent layer (or overprint layer) 44. finish. Completion of blank printing of the transparent layer 44 by the first heat generating unit completes printing by the thermal transfer color printer of the present embodiment.

Accordingly, as described above, the thermal transfer color printer according to the present embodiment prints the yellow, magenta, and cyan ink layers 42, 46, and 48, and prints the transparent layer (or overprint layer) 44 in the blank (or overprint layer). Overprinting) is performed almost simultaneously by the first to fourth heat generating parts, so that the printing process is performed in duplicate, so that the printing time is reduced to about ４ compared with the conventional thermal transfer color printer.
Can be

Incidentally, in order to perform full-color printing on the print area 92 of the recording paper 90, it is necessary to pass through all of the first to fourth heating portions formed on the thermal head during printing. Accordingly, in the conventional printing method in which the recording paper 90 is set at the printing start position and then printing is performed while the recording paper 90 is advanced, a gripping margin for transporting the recording paper 90 to the left end of the recording paper 90 is required. Yes, as a result, the first
The portion of the recording paper 90 between the first heating unit and the fourth heating unit cannot be printed in full color. Therefore, this region becomes an invalid printing region. In particular, the invalid printing region is enlarged in a thermal head having a large number of heating units. There is a problem.

Therefore, like the thermal transfer color printer of the present embodiment, after the recording paper 90 is set at a predetermined position of the thermal transfer color printer, the recording paper 90 is retracted and desired printing is performed up to the start position 92a of the print area 92. Do
Thereafter, the recording paper 90 is advanced to perform desired printing up to the end position 92b of the printing area 92.
An invalid print area where full-color printing cannot be performed can be reduced.

The thermal transfer color printer of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments but can be variously modified. For example, in each of the above embodiments, an example of a thermal transfer sublimation color printer has been described, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a thermal transfer fusing color printer. Also, although the example using the multi-time use type ink ribbon has been described, if the moving speed of the ink ribbon is made to match the moving speed of the recording paper, the thermal transfer color printer using the one-time use type ink ribbon can be used. Obviously, it will be applicable and thus fall within the scope of the thermal transfer color printer of the present invention.

[0061]

As described above, the thermal transfer color printer of the present invention has the following excellent effects. (1) As described in (1), a thermal head provided with n heat generating portions arranged at predetermined intervals, and n platen rollers attached to positions corresponding to the n heat generating portions, respectively. When the configuration is such that the desired printing of the predetermined ink color is respectively performed by the heating portions at the predetermined positions, the printing of the ink of the predetermined color can be performed by the respective n heating portions substantially simultaneously. Since the printing time of each ink color overlaps, the thermal transfer color printer can shorten the printing time.

(2) As described in claim 2, the thermal head provided with the first and second heat generating portions arranged at a predetermined interval, and the position corresponding to the first and second heat generating portions. And first and second platen rollers respectively attached to the first and second heat generating portions so that desired printing of a predetermined ink color is performed by the first and second heat generating portions, respectively. The printing of ink of a predetermined color can be performed by each unit, so that a thermal transfer color printer with a reduced printing time can be provided.

(3) As described in claim 3, an ink layer coated with a cyan ink color, an ink layer coated with a magenta ink color, an ink layer coated with a yellow ink color, and a transparent layer or Using an ink ribbon in which an overprint layer is sequentially and repeatedly arranged, a first heat generating portion includes
When the desired printing of the magenta ink color and the transparent layer or the overprint layer is performed, and the second heating unit is configured to perform the desired printing of the yellow and cyan ink colors,
The first heating section prints a magenta ink color and the second heating section prints a yellow ink color. The first heating section prints a transparent layer or an overprint layer.
Since the printing of the cyan ink color can be performed almost simultaneously by the heat generating portion, a thermal transfer color printer with a reduced printing time can be provided. (4) By arranging the ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer of the ink ribbon in this way, blank printing or overprinting can be performed after the completion of printing of the ink color, and a suitable ink ribbon is obtained. Can be.

(5) According to the technical idea of the third aspect, if it is carried out in a printing step as described in the fourth aspect, a suitable thermal transfer color printer can be obtained.

(6) When the length of each ink layer of the ink ribbon and the distance between the first and second heat generating portions are set as described in claim 5, the thermal transfer color provided with the first and second heat generating portions. It is suitable for an ink ribbon and a thermal head used in a printer.

(7) As described in claim 6, a thermal head provided with first to fourth heat generating portions arranged at a predetermined interval, and a position corresponding to the first to fourth heat generating portions. And first to fourth platen rollers respectively attached to the first and fourth heating units, and the first to fourth heating units are configured to perform desired printing of a predetermined ink color, respectively. Since the printing of the ink of a predetermined color can be performed with the printing time overlapping, a thermal transfer color printer with a reduced printing time can be obtained.

(8) As described in claim 7, as the ink ribbon used in the thermal transfer color printer, an ink layer coated with a cyan ink color, an ink layer coated with a magenta ink color, and a yellow ink color are used. Using an ink ribbon in which the applied ink layer, and a transparent layer or an overprint layer are sequentially and repeatedly arranged,
The desired printing of the transparent layer or the overprint layer is performed, the desired printing of the cyan ink color is performed in the second heating section, the desired printing of the magenta ink color is performed in the third heating section, In the heating section of No. 4, if the desired printing of the yellow ink color is performed, printing of the transparent layer or the overprint layer by the first heating section, printing of the cyan ink color by the second heating section, and Since the printing of the magenta ink color can be performed by the third heating section and the printing of the cyan ink color by the fourth heating section can be performed with overlapping printing times, a thermal transfer color printer having a reduced printing time can be used. can do. (9) In addition, by arranging the ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer of the ink ribbon in this way, blank printing or overprinting can be performed after printing of the ink color is completed, and a suitable ink ribbon is obtained. Can be.

(10) As described in claim 8, the recording paper is set at a predetermined printing start position of the thermal transfer color printer, and the recording paper is retracted to perform desired printing.
If the recording paper is set again at a predetermined printing start position and the recording paper is advanced to perform desired printing, an invalid print area where full-color printing cannot be performed can be reduced.

(11) When the technical idea described in claim 7 is carried out in a printing process as specifically described in claim 9, a thermal transfer color suitable for a thermal head provided with first to fourth heat generating portions is provided. It can be a printer.

(12) When the length of each ink layer of the ink ribbon and the distance between the first to fourth heat generating portions are set as described in claim 10, the first to fourth heat generating portions are provided. It is suitable as an ink ribbon and a thermal head for a thermal transfer color printer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a main configuration of a printing unit according to a first embodiment of a thermal transfer color printer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a configuration of an ink ribbon used in the thermal transfer color printer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially cut away, showing a schematic configuration of a thermal head used in the first embodiment of the thermal transfer color printer of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a schematic configuration of wiring formed on a metal substrate of a thermal head used in the first embodiment of the thermal transfer color printer of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a printing process of the thermal transfer color printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a printing process of the thermal transfer color printer according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the structure of an ink ribbon used in a conventional one-time use type thermal transfer color printer.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the structure of an ink ribbon used in a conventional multi-time use type thermal transfer color printer.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a main configuration of a printing unit of a conventional thermal transfer color printer.

FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a thermal head used in a conventional thermal transfer color printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

2a, 2b: first and second heat generating portions 10: thermal head 12a, 12b: first and second platen rollers 40: ink ribbon 42: yellow ink layer 44: transparent layer (or overprint layer) 46: Magenta ink layer 48: Cyan ink layer 90: Recording paper 92: Printing area of recording paper 92a: Start position of printing area 92b: End position of printing area S1, S2: Position of first and second heat generating parts T1 T4: Positions of first to fourth heat generating parts L0: Length of print area L1: Interval between first and second heat generating parts, Interval between first to fourth heat generating parts L2: Length of ink layer α1, α2: length margin N: ratio of moving speed between recording paper and ink ribbon

Claims (10)

[Claims] A platen roller externally fitted to the rotating shaft;
A thermal head provided with a heating section comprising a plurality of minute heating elements arranged in a straight line, wherein a recording paper and an ink ribbon are sandwiched between the platen roller and the thermal head; In a thermal transfer color printer in which desired printing is sequentially performed line by line, and n (where n is a natural number of 2 or more) heating units are provided at predetermined intervals. A thermal head, and n platen rollers respectively attached at positions corresponding to the n heat generating portions, and each of the heat generating portions at predetermined positions performs desired printing of a predetermined ink color. A thermal transfer color printer. 2. A platen roller externally fitted to a rotating shaft,
A thermal head provided with a heating section comprising a plurality of minute heating elements arranged in a straight line, wherein a recording paper and an ink ribbon are sandwiched between the platen roller and the thermal head; A thermal head provided with first and second heat generating portions arranged at predetermined intervals, wherein the first and second heat generating portions are arranged so that desired printing is sequentially performed for each line. A first and a second platen roller respectively attached to a position corresponding to the second heat generating portion, wherein the first and second heat generating portions perform desired printing of a predetermined ink color, respectively. Characteristic thermal transfer color printer. 3. An ink ribbon used for the thermal transfer color printer, an ink layer coated with a cyan ink color, an ink layer coated with a magenta ink color, an ink layer coated with a yellow ink color, and a transparent layer. Or, using an ink ribbon in which an overprint layer is sequentially and repeatedly arranged, the first heating section performs desired printing of a magenta ink color and a transparent layer or an overprint layer, and the second heating section includes yellow, 3. A desired printing of a cyan ink color is performed.
2. The thermal transfer color printer according to 1. 4. A recording paper is set at a printing start position where a start position of a printing area of the recording paper is a position of the second heat generating portion. Then, printing of a yellow ink color by the second heat generating portion is performed. When the start position of the print area of the recording paper reaches the position of the first heat generating portion, printing of the magenta ink color by the first heat generating portion is started, When the end position reaches the position of the second heat generating unit, the printing of the yellow ink color by the second heat generating unit ends, and the end position of the printing area of the recording paper is the position of the first heat generating unit. Is reached, the printing of the magenta ink color by the first heating unit is terminated, and then the recording paper is again moved to the printing start position where the start position of the printing area of the recording paper is the position of the second heating unit. Then, the cyan heat generated by the second heat generating portion is set. Starting printing of ink color, and when the start position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the first heating section, printing of the transparent layer or the overprint layer by the first heating section is started. When the end position of the print area of the recording paper reaches the position of the second heat generating unit, the printing of the cyan ink color by the second heat generating unit is ended, and the end position of the print area of the recording paper is the second position. 4. The thermal transfer color printer according to claim 3, wherein the printing of the transparent layer or the overprint layer by the first heating section is terminated when the first heating section is reached. 5. The printing paper according to claim 1, wherein a length of the printing area of the recording paper is L0, and a ratio N of a moving speed of the recording paper to an ink ribbon during printing by the thermal transfer color printer is N = (moving speed of the recording paper) / ( When the length margin of the ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer is α1, the length L2 of each of the ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer is represented by L2 = (L0 + α1) / The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein (N-1), and a distance L1 between the first and second heat generating portions provided in the thermal head is set to L1 = L2 + α1. Thermal transfer color printer. 6. A platen roller externally fitted to a rotating shaft,
A thermal head provided with a heating section comprising a plurality of minute heating elements arranged in a straight line, wherein a recording paper and an ink ribbon are sandwiched between the platen roller and the thermal head; A thermal head provided with first to fourth heat generating portions arranged at a predetermined interval in a thermal transfer color printer in which desired printing is sequentially performed line by line by causing heat to be generated. A first to a fourth platen roller attached to a position corresponding to the fourth heat generating portion, respectively, so that the first to fourth heat generating portions perform desired printing of a predetermined ink color, respectively. Characteristic thermal transfer color printer. 7. An ink ribbon used for the thermal transfer color printer, an ink layer coated with a cyan ink color, an ink layer coated with a magenta ink color, an ink layer coated with a yellow ink color, and a transparent layer Or, using an ink ribbon in which an overprint layer is sequentially and repeatedly arranged, the first heating section performs desired printing of a transparent layer or an overprint layer, and the second heating section performs desired printing of a cyan ink color. The printing is performed, a desired printing of the magenta ink color is performed in the third heating unit, and a desired printing of the yellow ink color is performed in the fourth heating unit. Item 7. A thermal transfer color printer according to Item 6. 8. The recording paper is set at a predetermined printing start position of a thermal transfer color printer, the recording paper is retracted to perform desired printing, and then the recording paper is set again at the predetermined printing start position. 8. The thermal transfer color printer according to claim 1, wherein the recording paper is advanced to perform desired printing. 9. A recording paper is set at a printing start position where a start position of a printing area of the recording paper is the position of the first heat generating portion. Then, printing of a cyan ink color by a second heat generating portion is performed. When,
Printing of the magenta ink color by the third heating portion;
The printing by the second to fourth heating units is simultaneously performed while the recording paper is retracted, and thereafter, the printing of the yellow ink color is started by the heating unit. When the start position of the printing area reaches the position of the second heating section, the printing of the cyan ink color by the second heating section is interrupted, and the starting position of the printing area of the recording paper is set to the third heating section. When the position reaches the position, the printing of the magenta ink color by the third heat generating unit is interrupted, and when the start position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the fourth heat generating unit, the yellow by the fourth heat generating unit is stopped. Then, the recording paper is advanced, and the start position of the printing area of the recording paper is set again at the printing start position which is the position of the first heating unit. 1 Transparent layer or overprint layer by heating part Printing is started, and the printing of the cyan ink color by the second heating unit, the printing of the magenta ink color by the third heating unit, and the printing of the yellow ink color by the fourth heating unit are each resumed. Next, while the recording paper is advanced, printing by the first to fourth heating units is performed simultaneously, and the end position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the fourth heating unit. Then, the printing of the yellow ink color by the fourth heating unit is completed, and when the end position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the third heating unit, the magenta printing by the third heating unit is performed. When the printing of the ink color is completed, and when the end position of the printing area of the recording paper reaches the position of the second heating unit, the printing of the cyan ink color by the second heating unit is completed, The end position of the print area is the first heat generation. Thermal transfer color printer according to claim 7 of when it reaches the position, characterized in that so as to end the printing of the first transparent layer or overprint layer due to heat generation of the. 10. The length of the printing area of the recording paper is L0, and the ratio N of the moving speed of the recording paper and the ink ribbon during printing by the thermal transfer color printer is N = (moving speed of the recording paper) / ( When the length margin of the ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer is α1, the length L2 of each of the ink layer and the transparent layer or the overprint layer is represented by L2 = (L0 + α1) / 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the distance L1 between the first to fourth heating portions provided on the thermal head is L1 = L2 + α1. A thermal transfer color printer as described.