PURPOSE: To enhance the throughput of setting and to perform setting at high speed.

CONSTITUTION: The discrimination means 11, 12 of stop positions, one moving time calculation means 11, 12, other moving time calculation means 11, 12, and forced movement control means 11, 12 of a carrier are provided. A serial printer is constituted so that setting of the present line is finished and thereafter the carrier is forcedly moved to the position described below and the setting direction of the next line can be decided. The position is the position capable of moving the carrier in the shortest time among the positions for starting movement of the carrier for setting of the next line from the completely stopped position of the carrier.