Measurement of thermal transients in a thermal print head used for dye diffusion colour printing

An examination of a thermal print head used for dye diffusion thermal transfer printing (D2T2) is presented and the results related to the various problems that can arise when this printing technique is used. Transient measurements are described that show how the temperature distribution over the surface of the thermal print head changes with time. Irregularities in these thermal distributions can give rise to imperfections in the colour printing process.