Thermoelectric printing apparatus

A printing apparatus for use with an electrothermal transfer film having a resistive layer and an ink layer which responds to heat produced by the passage of electric current through the resistive layer to transfer fusible ink to a recording body, the printing apparatus comprising:

• print head means comprising a substrate carrying a plurality of recording electrodes;
• means for pressing the ends of the recording electrodes into contact with the resistive layer of an eletrothermal transfer film at an acute angle;
• and
• abrasive means positionable next to the print head means for grinding the end surface of the substrate and the ends of the electrodes after the film has been displaced past the print head means for a predetermined distance.

The method of printing on a recording body by means of an electrothermal transfer film having a resistive layer and an ink layer which responds to heat produced by the passage of current through the resistive layer to fuse ink to a recording body, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a print head by placing a plurality of recording electrodes on a surface of a substrate;
• pressing the ends of the recording electrodes into contact with the resistive layer of an electrothermal transfer film at an acute angle;
• sliding the print head and the resistive layer relative to one another to replace the film used in printing with unused film;
• and
• after a predetermined interval of sliding wear of the electrothermal transfer film on the print head, grinding the electrodes and the substrate so as to maintain effective contact of the electrodes with the resistive layer.