Abstract: The invention provides a drive device for a thermal transfer printer of the type which includes a thermal head for printing data on a label on a mount by way of an ink ribbon. A platen roller contacts the mount having a label thereon. The mount is also contacted by the thermal head so that the mount may be fed by a rotational frictional force of the platen roller. Sprockets are mounted for free rotation and for engagement in sprocket holes formed in the mount. Thus, a mount having a label thereon is fed by a rotational frictional force of the platen roller which is contacted under pressure by the thermal head. As the mount is fed, the movement thereof is guided and hence corrected by the freely rotating sprockets. As a result, the mount can be transported assuredly without causing meandering or slipping thereof, thereby allowing high quality printing to be attained without dislocation of printed symbols.

Abstract: A wide-type thermal-transfer printer comprises a fixed mechanism section including a record medium holder mounted on one end portion of a fixed frame so as to rotatably hold a record medium rolled, and a platen mounted on the other end portion of the frame so as to carry thereon the medium from the holder, and a printer unit including a moving frame coupled to the fixed frame so as to be movable between a first position adjacent to the fixed frame and a second position remote from the fixed frame, the moving frame being fixed with a thermal head so that the head, in cooperation with the platen, holds the medium when the moving frame is located in the first position, and so that the head separates from the medium on the platen when the moving frame is moved to the second position, wherein the moving frame is detachably fitted with an ink ribbon supply shaft and an ink ribbon take-up shaft, so that the ribbon is held between the platen and the head in a manner such that the longitudinal direction of the ribbon