Used transfer layer detection in a transfer printing device

A transfer printing device comprising:

• a transfer ribbon comprising a transfer layer attached to a carrier layer, the transfer layer including a series of transfer sections;
• a print unit including a print head and a print ribbon;
• a transfer unit including a transfer roller;
• a mark sensor configured to detect used marks on the transfer ribbon, each used mark indicating that a corresponding transfer section of the transfer layer has been processed;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• use the mark sensor to detect transfer sections of the transfer ribbon that have been processed;
• select an unprocessed transfer section of the transfer ribbon, at least in part, by using the mark sensor to detect an absence of a used mark in a predetermined position on the transfer ribbon corresponding to the unprocessed transfer section;
• use the print unit to print an image to the selected transfer section and a used mark on the transfer ribbon, wherein the used mark is printed at a predetermined position on the transfer ribbon relative to the selected transfer section;
• and
• use the transfer roller to transfer the selected transfer section to a substrate.

A transfer printing device comprising:

• a transfer ribbon comprising a transfer layer attached to a carrier layer, the transfer layer including a series of transfer sections;
• a print unit;
• a transfer unit;
• a registration mark sensor configured to detect registrations marks on the transfer ribbon, each registration mark corresponding to one of the transfer sections;
• a used mark sensor configured to detect used marks on the transfer ribbon, each used mark indicating that a corresponding transfer section has been processed;
• and
• a controller configured to print images to the transfer sections using the print unit, transfer the transfer sections to substrates using the transfer unit, and detect candidate transfer sections for printing using the registration mark sensor and the used mark sensor.