Abstract: A stencil printer of the type including a print drum around which a master is to be wrapped is disclosed. A press roller presses a paper sheet or similar recording medium against the master wrapped around the print drum. A press roller displacing device moves the press roller between an operative position where it presses the recording medium against the master and an inoperative position where it is spaced from the print drum. A press roller driving device causes the press roller held at the inoperative position to rotate, at a position where the roller faces the print drum, in the same direction as the direction in which the drum rotates during printing. The press roller driving device causes the press roller to rotate only when the roller is held at the inoperative position. The printer is capable of effecting preliminary rotation of the press roller at a stable, accurate speed with a relatively simple configuration while freeing the master, recording medium and print drum from loads.