Provided is a printing apparatus capable of simplifying clearance adjustment between a printing head and a printing medium by a simple structure and preventing the printing medium from a centralized load. The printing apparatus (1) includes: the printing head (10) for printing characters on the printing medium (100); and a platen (60) placed on an opposite side of the printing head (10), the printing medium (100) being placed between the platen (60) and the printing head (10), characterized in that the printing apparatus (1) further includes: a gap guide (20) moving in a transportation width direction (D2) of the printing medium (100) together with the printing head (10) and including a plane portion (20b, 20c) that holds the printing medium (100) in cooperation with the platen (60), the gap guide (20) being for ensuring a gap (G) between the printing head (10) and the printing medium (100); and a biasing mechanism (70) for biasing at least one of the platen (60) and the gap guide (20) in a direction in which the platen (60) and the gap guide (20) approach each other.