Abstract: A thermal printer has a multiple element print head which is movable relative to a platen in a printing stroke to transfer ink from a ribbon to a substrate film sandwiched between the print head and the platen. The print head is mounted so as to be movable across the platen in the printing stroke and in a return stroke, and towards and away from the platen at the beginning and end of the printing stroke respectively, The print head is driven by a print head drive mechanism including and electric motor. The motor is so coupled to the print head as to cause it to execute each of the above-described print head movements. During the printing stroke, the ribbon is moved in the same direction as the print head.