Thermal transfer method and thermal transfer apparatus

A thermal transfer apparatus comprising:

• a thermal head and a platen roller which leave and contact relatively each other by operations of a driver;
• a first motor and a second motor for winding up respectively a transfer target film and an ink ribbon, the transfer target film and the ink ribbon being hung over to be directly opposed to each other between the thermal head and the platen roller;
• and
• a controller for controlling operations of the driver and the first and second motors, and executing a thermal transfer operation of thermally transferring ink of the ink ribbon to a transfer layer of the transfer target film by heat of the thermal head, wherein
• the controller performs control:
• while operating the driver and sandwiching the transfer target film and the ink ribbon between the thermal head and the platen roller, to drive the first motor, to wind up the transfer target film while causing the ink ribbon to follow the transfer target film in a state of being provided with a sticking portion in which the ink ribbon sticks by heat,
• after the thermal transfer, to operate the second motor, to cause a downstream portion of the ink ribbon from the thermal head to follow the transfer target film sticking to the ink ribbon at the sticking portion, and to stretch the downstream portion of the ink ribbon;
• and
• thereafter, while leaving the ink ribbon stretched, to drive the first motor to wind up a downstream portion of the transfer target film from the thermal head, and to peel the sticking portion.