Abstract: The object of the current invention is to print characters, for example, on a substantially full area of a recording medium extended up to the leading or trailing edge of the recording medium. A carriage is moved so that a print hole of a ribbon mask is positioned at a medium center as viewed in the direction of feeding of a recording medium. The recording medium is fed to a position so that the print hole is at a print start position. A print operation is carried out toward a first side edge of the recording medium. The recording medium is then fed in the reverse direction to a position where the print hole is away from the recording medium as viewed in the character pitch direction. The carriage is then moved so that the print hole is positioned at a medium center as viewed in the direction of feeding of a recording medium. Thereafter, the medium is fed to a position so that the print hole is at a print start position. A print operation is then carried out toward a second side of the recording medium.