Abstract: A thermal printer of the type applying ink to an endless film belt, selectively melting the ink by a thermal head in response to an image signal, and transferring the melted ink to a recording medium to print an image on the medium. An idler guides the film belt while applying a predetermined tension thereto. A tension adjusting mechanism moves the end of the idler toward which the belt has skewed in the running direction of the belt. The idler and tension adjusting mechanism effectively reduce the local increase in the tension of the film belt.

Abstract: An inking device for a thermal printer includes a hollow cylindrical inking roller made of a porous material and having a bladed wheel at the bottom of the cylindrical inking roller. The cylindrical inking roller supplies ink to an ink ribbon which contacts the outer periphery of the inking roller. A hollow cylindrical receptacle, for storing thermally fusible ink, is surrounded by the inking roller and has an opening at the top and apertures at the bottom for the egress of ink. A heater is provided for heating the receptacle. The receptacle has an axis deviated from the axis of rotation of the inking roller.