PURPOSE: To prevent slipping off of a ribbion in the printing operation after the exchange of a ribbon cassette by starting the printing operation after the indication of restarting by a reoperation support means when detecting the end of the ribbon.

CONSTITUTION: A ribbon 53 has a printable opaque area 53a and a transparent terminal area 53b fastened on a reel 95. An ribbon end sensor 59 comprising a light emitting section 59a and a light receiving section 59b detects the end of the ribbon 53. When the ribbon end sensor 59 detects the ribbon end, a master microcomputer 131 lights and controls an ribbon end display 9 and also an ONL/ OFL display 10 to prompt the exchange of a ribbon cassette 51. At the exchange, an ONL/OFL switch 5 is operated twice to start the printing operation after the indication of restarting.