A printer includes a printhead, a driven platen to advance the paper, which simultaneously provides counter-pressure to the printhead, and a paper-cutting bar which includes a cutting edge on which the paper can be cut. A paper compartment holds a paper supply, through which the platen is accessible for paper insertion. A cover plate or lid covers the paper compartment. In order to assure safe operation, the cutting edge of the paper-cutting bar is mounted outside of the most constricted space between the platen axle and the paper-cutting bar. The end of the paper-cutting bar includes the cutting edge thus covering the platen so that the end of the cover plate penetrates beneath or overlaps the specified end of the paper-cutting bar in the closed position. When moving from the closed position to the open position, a motion device causes the cover plate to be initially moved in a linear direction to clear the cutting bar and thereafter rotate around a rotary axle which is substantially parallel to the platen axle.