PURPOSE: To enable to simplify construction and reduce size, by a construction wherein both end parts in the width direction of a paper are pressed against a platen and held there by bail members provided at both end parts in the width direction of a thermal transfer ribbon.

CONSTITUTION: The width WR of the thermal transfer ribbon 52 is set to be smaller than the width WP of the paper P by an amount δ on both sides. The bail members 121, 122 capable of pressing both end parts in the width direction of the paper P against the platen 50 to hold the parts are provided at both end parts in the width direction of the ribbon 52. The members 121, 122 are driven in the direction of arrows by plungers provided at both end parts of a thermal head 51, the plungers being driven by a feed-controlling part 109. Namely, the controlling part 109 performs such a control that the bail members 121, 122 are separated from the platen 50 when the head 51 is pressed against the platen 50, and are pressed against the platen 50 when the head 51 is separated from the platen 50. Accordingly, the construction can be simplified, and the size of the device can be reduced.