PURPOSE: To prevent a printing position from being shifted in overlap-printing and enable to enlarge a printing range with a simple construction, by a method wherein a platen roller is driven following up to the feed of a paper when a thermal head is pressed against the roller, and is driven in synchronism with a pair of roller for feeding the paper when the thermal head is separated from the platen roller.

CONSTITUTION: When the thermal head 10 is pressed against the platen 21 and printing on a paper P is conducted through a thermal transfer paper R, the platen 21 is driven following up to the paper P fed by a pair of paper-feeding rollers 22a, 22b provided on the taking-up side of the platen 21. On the other hand, when the head 10 is separated from the platen 21, the platen 21 is driven in synchronism with the rollers 22a, 22b. Accordingly, the feed of the paper P is appropriately assisted by the platen 21, and it is possible to prevent the printing position from being shifted and to enlarge the printing range of the paper with the simple construction.