Patent ID: 7911490

Claim:
A printer which performs image printing on a print surface of a plate-shaped print medium using a thermal transfer method comprising: a printing unit which transfers a print image having been formed on a sheet material to the print surface to perform the image printing on the print surface, and a print tray on which the print medium is placed with the print surface being exposed, the print tray being moved relative to the printing unit along a predetermined print proceeding direction when the print image is transferred, wherein; the printing unit comprises, the sheet material on which the print image is formed, the sheet material being taken up in synchronism with relative movement of the print tray along the print proceeding direction, a transfer assembly for pressing the sheet material against the print surface to transfer the print image to the print surface, and a retaining member which is installed to push the print medium from above and located, in a printing direction, downstream of a separating position where a forwarding direction of the sheet material is turned to separate the sheet material having been pressed against the print surface from the print surface.