An apparatus and method for detecting the amount of an ink ribbon used are provided. In the apparatus, an ink ribbon includes ink layers formed on a transparent sheet, initial position boundary lines indicating initial positions of the ink layers for printing a unit of printing media, and color boundary lines dividing the ink layers depending on colors of the ink layers. A use amount detection unit detects a used amount of the ink ribbon by measuring velocity of the initial position boundary line. Therefore, the amount of the ink ribbon used can be detected even when the ink ribbon is replaced without an additional device such as a memory for storing the amount of the ink ribbon used, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. Since the used and remaining amounts of the ink ribbon can be correctly detected, users can conveniently predict the time for replacing the ink ribbon. |