Image producing device, transfer ribbon and image producing method

An image producing device that produces an image by transferring an image pattern from a transfer ribbon to a transfer medium by thermal transfer, comprising:

• take-up means for taking up the transfer ribbon;
• supply means for supplying the transfer ribbon according to the taking up of the transfer ribbon performed by the take-up means;
• thermal transfer means for thermally transferring an image to the transfer medium by bringing the transfer ribbon that is between the supply means and the take-up means into contact with the transfer medium;
• and
• regulating means for regulating the supply of the transfer ribbon performed by the supply means;
• and,
• wherein the transfer ribbon includes an elongated substrate material on which panels having a diffraction grating structure are repeatedly formed in a feeding direction that is a lengthwise direction of the substrate material, and includes a detection mark having a reflective structure;
• and,
• the image producing device further comprising:
• a first detection sensor that detects the detection mark;
• and
• a controller that drives a thermal head included in the thermal transfer means, and causes the transfer head to thermally transfer the panels conforming to an image to be recorded, onto the transfer medium, while causing the transfer head to thermally transfer the detection mark onto the transfer medium;
• the controller causes a ribbon feeding mechanism to feed the transfer ribbon during an initialization process;
• and
• when the detection mark at the head in the feeding direction is detected by the first detection sensor, the controller determines a thermal transfer start position for the panel corresponding to the detected detection mark.