PURPOSE: To make carrying and handling easier by a method wherein the printer is divided into a printer body having a printing mechanism and a printing medium holder and there is provided a detector for detecting the connection or disconnection between them in the small type printer.

CONSTITUTION: The printer body 1 having a printing mechanism and a printing medium holder 2 loading printing paper are connected by fitting an engaging projection on the holder 2 into an engaged hole in a case 4 of the body 1. When both parts are united, a platen 16 provided in the holder 2 is exactly positioned through the abutment with reference surfaces 26, 26' and elastically supported by an elastic member 17 in such a manner that it becomes to just face a printing type 5 when an impact force is applied thereon from the type 5. There is also provided a switch 22 in the body 1. This switch 22 is in conjunction with a printing switch S for operating mechanism, so that the printing mechanism is operated only when the holder 2 is connected with the body 1.