PURPOSE: To enable printing to be started at a desired printing position when a printing head is brought to a desired position, by providing a sensor circuit for detecting a home position, and a counter circuit for measuring the distance of a printing head from a printing-starting position to the home position.

CONSTITUTION: A CPU4, a counter circuit 5, a spacing motor driving circuit and holding circuit 6, a sensor circuit 7 and switches 8, 9 are provided. The counter circuit 5 measures the displacement of a printing head 1 from a printing starting position to a home position on the basis of a driving signal for a spacing motor. The sensor circuit 7 detects the home position for the printing head 1. When the head 1 is manually moved to the printing starting position, this displacement is measured, is stored, and is set as a left margin. When the printing head 1 is brought to a desired printing position, printing can be started at the position, irrespective of the size or the setting position of a printing paper 3.