In a label printer in which either a peeling mode or non-peeling mode can be selected as the label dispensing mode, labels are printed and thus wasted when the operator loads the label paper into a transportation path that does not match the desired dispensing mode. This problem is solved by a label printer enabling selecting as the printing configuration either a peeling configuration for peeling printed labels from the web of label paper 11, or a non-peeling configuration in which the printed labels are not separated from the web of the label paper 11. A printing configuration selection unit 27 enables selecting which printing configuration to use. To operate in the non-peeling mode, the label paper 11 is loaded into a first paper transportation path A. To operate in the peeling mode, the label paper 11 is loaded to a second paper transportation path B. A cover unit 2 can be opened and closed to enable handling the label paper, and takes the label printer off-line when the cover unit 2 is opened. A mode selection switch 19 is accessible only when the cover unit is open and operating the mode selection switch causes the printing configuration selection unit 27 to change the printing configuration.