PURPOSE: To identify the condition of a multi-time ink ribbon being used by detecting the light transmitted through the ink layer thereof.

CONSTITUTION: A transfer type printer is provided with a ribbon feed shaft 31 for feeding a multi-time ink ribbon 7, a thermal print head 21 for performing printing via the ink ribbon 7, a ribbon take-up shaft 32 for winding the ink ribbon 7 thereon, a ribbon sensor 40 for detecting the light emitted from a light emitting element 40a, transmitted through the ink ribbon 7 and received by a photodetector 40b, an identifying means for identifying the condition of the ink ribbon 7 being used by an output from the photodetector 40b of the ribbon sensor 40 and an indicating means for displaying the result obtained from the identifying means.