PURPOSE: To suppress the heat generation phenomenon of an ink ribbon by sufficiently lowering the contact resistance between the ink ribbon and a return electrode while the danger of the breaking of the ink ribbon is avoided and to make the return electrode compact while enhancing design freedom thereof.

CONSTITUTION: At least one of return electrodes 3 is formed into an almost flat plate shape and an elastic press member 5 bringing an ink ribbon 1 into contact with this flat plate-shaped return electrode 3 under pressure is provided to the region opposed to said return electrode 3 and, further, a forcible cooling means 6 is provided in opposed relation to the flat plate-shaped return electrode 3 or uneven grooves 7 extending in the moving direction of the ink ribbon 1 are provided to the contact part with the ink ribbon 1 of the return electrode 3 or a colorant layer adhesion preventing film 8 is provided to the elastic press member 5.