Abstract: A thermal printer using a thermal transfer-printing ribbon including a thermal head movable between an operative position in which it is held in pressing engagement with a printing sheet and an inoperative position in which it is released from pressing engagement with the printing sheet. After lapse of a predetermined time following completion of a printing operation or interruption thereof, the thermal head is automatically moved from the operative position in which it has performed a printing operation to the inoperative position in which it is away from the printing sheet and performs no printing operation.

Abstract: A thermal printer including a thermal head automatically moved between an operative position in which it is held in pressing engagement with a printing sheet and an inoperative position in which it is released from pressing engagement with the printing sheet. The thermal printer also includes a capacitor serving as a battery device for storing an electric charge when a power source is turned on and releases the stored electric charge when the power source is turned off, to thereby move the thermal head to the inoperative position in which it is released from pressing engagement with the printing sheet.