Patent ID: 6411317
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A thermosensitive color printing method of printing a full-color image on thermosensitive color recording paper having a plurality of coloring layers formed on atop another and a heat resistant protective layer formed on an obverse surface, the coloring layers having decreasing heat-sensitivities from the obverse side to develop different colors from each other, the method comprising the steps of:A. recording different color frames of the full-color image line by line on the respective coloring layers sequentially from the obverse side by pressing an array of heating elements of a thermal head onto the obverse surface of the thermosensitive color recording paper and heating the recording paper by the heating elements while supporting the thermosensitive color recording paper from a reverse side by a platen member and transporting the recording paper through between the thermal head and the platen roller; B. fixing an upper one of the coloring layers optically before recording on the next coloring layer by projecting rays of a specific wavelength range onto the thermosensitive recording paper; C. transporting the thermosensitive color recording paper, after having the full-color image recorded thereon, while pressing the heating elements onto the obverse surface of the recording paper with a higher pressure than during the step A; and D. heating the thermosensitive color recording paper, during the step C, by the heating elements to an extent predetermined for smoothing the protective layer.