Abstract: A tension balancer is disclosed for an ink ribbon adapted for a printer for thermally transferring an image onto the printing paper while moving the ink ribbon together with the printing paper, the printer including: a platen for moving a piece of printing paper wound around the platen; and a thermal head for pressingly contacting the ink ribbon, interposed between a supply reel and a take-up reel, against the printing paper on an outer circumference of the platen. The tension balancer contacts at its end face with the ink ribbon over a full width of the ink ribbon for applying tension to the ink ribbon. The tension balancer is substantially in the form of a plate. At least one projection may be provided on the end face of the tension balancer.