The invention relates to an apparatus for printing textile surfaces, comprising a first printing device (10) which is movable in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus, wherein the printing device has a print head (51, 52) by means of which at least one textile can be printed with at least one printing ink, at least two pallets (21, 24) for receiving and holding the textile to be printed, a first set-up station (20) which is arranged on a first long side for feeding the textile and attaching the textile to the pallet (21, 24), at least one second set-up station (30) which is arranged on a second long side opposite the first long side, a first moving device (23) by which the at least one of the pallets is movable on a first track (41) transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis between a first lateral set-up position (20) on the first set-up station and a first printing position on the printing device, and at least one second moving device (26) by which at least one more of the pallets is movable on an at least second track (43) transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis between at least one second lateral set-up position (32) on the at least second set-up station (30) and at least one second printing position.

A medium support device 7 includes a support base 5 that supports a T-shirt F; a movement mechanism 6 that supports the support base 5 so that the support base 5 is movable in a direction along a Z-axis; a base section 8 configured to support the movement mechanism 6; and a spacer 10 arranged between the movement mechanism 6 and the base section 8 in the direction along the Z-axis, wherein the spacer 10 can be inserted and pulled out in a direction along a Y-axis.

A medium support device 7 includes a support base 5 that supports a T-shirt F; a movement mechanism 6 that supports the support base 5 so that the support base 5 is movable in a direction along a Z-axis; a base section 8 configured to support the movement mechanism 6; and a spacer 10 arranged between the movement mechanism 6 and the base section 8 in the direction along the Z-axis, wherein the spacer 10 can be inserted and pulled out in a direction along a Y-axis.

A thermal printer according to an embodiment includes: a platen that has a rotatable columnar shape and that is configured to convey a print medium having various widths, with a central portion in a direction of a rotary shaft as a reference, in a manner of being in contact with an outer peripheral portion; and a print head that is oppositely disposed along the platen, that is pressed by the outer peripheral portion, and that is configured to perform printing by applying heat to the print medium. The platen includes a shaft constituting the rotary shaft and a rubber including the outer peripheral portion provided on an outer periphery of the shaft, and has a first region centered on the central portion and second regions on both outer sides in the direction of a rotary shaft with respect to the first region. A diameter of the platen in the first region and diameters of the platen in the second regions are the same, and a thickness of the rubber in the first region is smaller than thicknesses of the rubber in the second regions.

A thermal printer according to an embodiment includes: a platen that has a rotatable columnar shape and that is configured to convey a print medium having various widths, with a central portion in a direction of a rotary shaft as a reference, in a manner of being in contact with an outer peripheral portion; and a print head that is oppositely disposed along the platen, that is pressed by the outer peripheral portion, and that is configured to perform printing by applying heat to the print medium. The platen includes a shaft constituting the rotary shaft and a rubber including the outer peripheral portion provided on an outer periphery of the shaft, and has a first region centered on the central portion and second regions on both outer sides in the direction of a rotary shaft with respect to the first region. A diameter of the platen in the first region and diameters of the platen in the second regions are the same, and a thickness of the rubber in the first region is smaller than thicknesses of the rubber in the second regions.

A printing apparatus includes a base unit that can move in a moving direction and a medium support unit that supports a medium on which printing will be performed and moves in the moving direction along with the base unit by being attached to the base unit. When a position of the medium support unit with respect to the base unit during printing is defined as a base position, the medium support unit is slidable with respect to the base unit from the base position in the moving direction. By employing such a configuration, it is possible to suppress deterioration of work efficiency when setting a medium.

A printing apparatus includes a base unit that can move in a moving direction and a medium support unit that supports a medium on which printing will be performed and moves in the moving direction along with the base unit by being attached to the base unit. When a position of the medium support unit with respect to the base unit during printing is defined as a base position, the medium support unit is slidable with respect to the base unit from the base position in the moving direction. By employing such a configuration, it is possible to suppress deterioration of work efficiency when setting a medium.

An image forming apparatus may include a mechanism for forming a corrugated shape in a sheet to be conveyed. The mechanism may include various components include one or more pressing portions, one or more ribs, one or more discharge rollers, a switching mechanism and the like. In one arrangement, ribs and pressing portions configured to create the corrugated shape may be disposed at various locations upstream or downstream of the platen, recording portion and/or nozzles thereof. In one example, pressing portions may be disposed both upstream and downstream of the nozzles of the recording portion to maintain a corrugated shape in the conveyed sheet. Various other configurations may be used.

An image forming apparatus may include a mechanism for forming a corrugated shape in a sheet to be conveyed. The mechanism may include various components include one or more pressing portions, one or more ribs, one or more discharge rollers, a switching mechanism and the like. In one arrangement, ribs and pressing portions configured to create the corrugated shape may be disposed at various locations upstream or downstream of the platen, recording portion and/or nozzles thereof. In one example, pressing portions may be disposed both upstream and downstream of the nozzles of the recording portion to maintain a corrugated shape in the conveyed sheet. Various other configurations may be used.

There is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus including: a transporting roller; a driven roller provided opposite the transporting roller to sandwich the recording medium between the driven roller and the transporting roller, while moving in an approaching-departing direction based on a thickness of the recording medium; a first biasing member biasing the driven roller to the transporting roller; a platen; a recording portion configured to jet ink droplets from nozzles; and a cooperative portion moving along with the movement of the driven roller in the approaching-departing direction to move the platen.