To provide a tape printer which can perform the sufficient cleaning of a thermal head timely if needed without using a cassette only for cleaning and performing a type impression.

When an ink ribbon 23 is rewound by the second predetermined quantity along with the direction opposite to the printing line by revolving an ink ribbon spool and rewinding the ink ribbon 23 to the ink ribbon spool in the direction opposite to the printing line, an abrasive layer 23A in the ink ribbon 23 is moved into the state of contact with the thermal head 13, and then the thermal head 13 is cleaned.