PURPOSE: To delay the timing for releasing of an ink ribbon part just heated from a recording material, thereby prolonging the period of time from heating to releasing and completely transfer a desired part of an ink layer, by providing a pressing member for pressing the ribbon part just heated against the recording material so that the position thereof can be adjusted in the moving direction of the ribbon.

CONSTITUTION: In printing, a printing head 15 presses an ink ribbon 2 against a recording material 16, and while being moved in a printing direction of an arrow P together with a cassette 1 by driving a carriage, it is driven to generate heat according to printing data. The ink ribbon 2 is fed in a direction reverse to the printing direction, and is heated by the head 15, whereby an ink at the heated part is melted, and is transferred onto the recording material 16, whereby printing is performed. A roller 3 can be pressed against the part of the ink ribbon 2 just heated, thereby delaying the timing for releasing of the ink ribbon 2, so that the cohesive force of the transferred ink can be enhanced, and satisfactory transfer of the ink can be achieved.