To provide a melting heat transfer ribbon for a metallic print having a metal vapor deposition layer which can be used while the setting thereof as having no metallic luster is left as it is, in a melting heat transfer printer wherein a reflection type photosensor is used for detecting a ribbon end.

In regard to the melting heat transfer ribbon for the metallic print, a metallic melting heat transfer ribbon is constituted at least of a vapor deposition heat-resistant layer, the metal vapor deposition layer and an adhesion layer in this sequence from a base, and the adhesion layer has a coloring agent. In another embodiment, the metallic melting heat transfer ribbon is constituted at least of the vapor deposition heat-resistant layer, the metal vapor deposition layer and the adhesion layer in this sequence from the base, and the ribbon has an intermediate layer containing the coloring agent between the metal vapor deposition layer and the adhesion layer. The coloring agent is carbon black.