Thermal printing method

A thermal printing method, in which, while a printing paper is supplied to a rotating drum so as to be transferred, printing is performed by sublimating an ink film using heat generated by a thermal print head, said thermal printing method comprising the steps of:

• first sensing a leading edge of said printing paper using at least one sensor which generates a signal indicating the presence of the transferred printing paper;
• and
• initially controlling said thermal print head in accordance with said signal indication, such that printing begins when the leading edge of said printing paper is transferred to an initial printing position, wherein in said first sensing step, said at least one sensor is placed at a position slightly before said initial printing position so as to sense the leading edge of said printing paper,
• said method further comprising a second sensing step for sensing a trailing edge of said printing paper by providing a second sensor for sensing the presence of said printing paper, at a position slightly beyond said initial printing position;
• and a second controlling step in which, when the trailing edge of said printing paper is sensed in said second sensing step, the trailing edge is reversely transferred to said initial printing position and said thermal print head is controlled such that printing is performed from the trailing edge of said printing paper to the leading edge thereof, wherein, after performing said second controlling step, said first sensing, initial controlling, second sensing and second controlling steps are repeatedly performed.