Disclosed is a tape printing device that is capable of having set therein any one of a plurality of kinds of tape of different widths for performing printing on the set tape (T). The device comprises printing means (11) having a plurality of heat elements arranged in an array along the width of said set tape (T) wherein the plurality corresponds to the largest one among said different widths. Advancing means (41) are provided for advancing said set tape (T) relative to said printing means (11). Control means (21, 42, 43) are provided for selectively driving said heat elements (11a) and for controlling said advancing means (41) so as to print dots on said set tape (T). The control means (21, 42, 43) is adapted to select, according to the width of said set tape (T), whether the heat elements (11a) used for printing a column of dots along the width of said set tape are to be driven all at once or are to be grouped into a plurality of groups and the groups driven sequentially. Such grouping allows printing on a wide tape even if the power supply to the printing device has a limited capacity as is the case with a battery.