An image producing method performed by an image producing device that produces an image by thermally transferring an image pattern onto a transfer medium from a transfer ribbon, wherein: the image producing device comprises take-up means for taking up the transfer ribbon, and supply means for supplying the transfer ribbon according to the taking up of the transfer ribbon performed by the take-up means; and the producing method comprises a thermal transfer step of bringing the transfer ribbon between the supply means and the take-up means into contact with the transfer medium to thermally transfer an image to the transfer medium; and a regulating step of regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means, by using a regulating means for regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means, during a period when the thermal transfer step is not being performed, characterized in that the step of regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the regulating means comprises: a first step in which the regulating means regulates the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means in a state where the transfer ribbon and the transfer medium are in contact, after thermal transfer performed by thermal transfer means is finished; a second step in which the take-up means starts taking up the transfer ribbon in a state where the regulating means is regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means; and a third step in which the thermal transfer means releases contact between the transfer ribbon and the transfer medium caused by the thermal transfer means, after the take-up means starts taking up the transfer ribbon. the image producing device comprises take-up means for taking up the transfer ribbon, and supply means for supplying the transfer ribbon according to the taking up of the transfer ribbon performed by the take-up means; and the producing method comprises a thermal transfer step of bringing the transfer ribbon between the supply means and the take-up means into contact with the transfer medium to thermally transfer an image to the transfer medium; and a regulating step of regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means, by using a regulating means for regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means, during a period when the thermal transfer step is not being performed, characterized in that the step of regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the regulating means comprises: a first step in which the regulating means regulates the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means in a state where the transfer ribbon and the transfer medium are in contact, after thermal transfer performed by thermal transfer means is finished; a second step in which the take-up means starts taking up the transfer ribbon in a state where the regulating means is regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means; and a third step in which the thermal transfer means releases contact between the transfer ribbon and the transfer medium caused by the thermal transfer means, after the take-up means starts taking up the transfer ribbon. a thermal transfer step of bringing the transfer ribbon between the supply means and the take-up means into contact with the transfer medium to thermally transfer an image to the transfer medium; and a regulating step of regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means, by using a regulating means for regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means, during a period when the thermal transfer step is not being performed, characterized in that the step of regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the regulating means comprises: a first step in which the regulating means regulates the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means in a state where the transfer ribbon and the transfer medium are in contact, after thermal transfer performed by thermal transfer means is finished; a second step in which the take-up means starts taking up the transfer ribbon in a state where the regulating means is regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means; and a third step in which the thermal transfer means releases contact between the transfer ribbon and the transfer medium caused by the thermal transfer means, after the take-up means starts taking up the transfer ribbon. a first step in which the regulating means regulates the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means in a state where the transfer ribbon and the transfer medium are in contact, after thermal transfer performed by thermal transfer means is finished; a second step in which the take-up means starts taking up the transfer ribbon in a state where the regulating means is regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means; and a third step in which the thermal transfer means releases contact between the transfer ribbon and the transfer medium caused by the thermal transfer means, after the take-up means starts taking up the transfer ribbon.