Thermal transfer line printer properly used for forming intermediate transfer type image

An intermediate transfer type thermal transfer line printer in which a primary image is formed by transferring ink of a multi-color ink sheet on an intermediate transfer sheet using a line thermal head, the primary image is retransferred on a transfer medium using a retransfer mechanism comprising a heating roller disposed so as to face to a moving path of the intermediate transfer sheet, a heating roller contact ON/OFF mechanism bringing the heating roller ON/OFF contact with the intermediate transfer sheet, and a heating roller contact ON/OFF motor driving the heating roller contact ON/OFF mechanism to thereby form a full-color image on the transfer medium, wherein

• the thermal transfer line printer is provided with a controller controlling the heating roller contact ON/OFF motor such that the heating roller contact ON/OFF mechanism is selectively operated at least in a weak pressure contact state in which the heating roller is in contact with the intermediate transfer sheet with a weak pressure and in a strong pressure contact state in which the heating roller is in contact with the intermediate transfer sheet with a strong pressure when retransfer is carried out.