Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame, a platen roller having a first end and a second end, each of the first and second ends being rotatably supported by the frame, a thermal head that faces the platen roller and that forms an image on a printing medium, the thermal head having a first end and a second end, a gear that is provided on the first end of the platen roller and that is rotated by a motor, the rotation of the gear causing the platen roller to rotate, and a pair of urging units that urges the first end and the second end of the platen roller or the thermal head, wherein an urging force generated by one of the pair of urging units on the first end is smaller than an urging force generated by the other of the pair of urging units on the second end.