To provide an image recording device free from deterioration in color registration at multi-color printing and from deterioration in printing position accuracy at single color printing.
A ladder pattern is recorded on a continuous paper P and is detected by a paper position detection mechanism 12 which is provided on the upper stream side in the carrying direction of a photoreceptor drum 18 and is compared with a reference clock to detect the expansion/contraction of the continuous paper P. Correspondingly, a paper path length varying mechanism 14 which is provided on the upper stream side in the carrying direction of the photoreceptor drum 18 adjusts the path length of the paper and corrects the printing position on the continuous paper P to prevent the occurrence of color registration shift. Corresponding to the expansion/contraction amount thus detected or to the shifted amount between the pattern position recorded on the continuous paper P and the reference value, a paper path length varying mechanism 14Y adjusts the paper path length from a drive roller 16 to a photoreceptor drum 18Y to set the printing position in the photoreceptor drum 18Y to a correct position. Whereby, the expansion/contraction of the continuous paper P, immediate before an M image is transferred by a photoreceptor drum 18M in a paper position detection mechanism 12M, is detected.
Kato Kazunori
Katsuichi Nishimoto
Hiroshi Fukuda