A transfer printing device includes a transfer ribbon, a print unit, a mark sensor and a controller. The transfer ribbon includes a transfer layer that is attached to a carrier layer. The transfer layer includes a series of transfer sections. The controller is configured to perform a print operation, in which a transfer section that is available for printing is selected by detecting an absence of a used mark in a predetermined position on the transfer ribbon corresponding to the transfer section using the mark sensor. An image is printed to the selected transfer section and a used mark is printed on the transfer ribbon using the print unit. At least a portion of the used mark is in a predetermined position relative to the selected transfer section and is outside the selected transfer section.