A thermal printer that facilitates thermal print head replacement as well as paper setting and removal. One paper guide for the paper to be printed is fixed to the main frame. Another paper guide is attached by a spring link to the frame for the print head, so that they may rotate together. The other paper guide and the head frame together rotate open to provide access between the paper guides. The head frame is rotatable open further beyond the rotation of the other paper guide to provide access to the print head. A stop on the other paper guide engages the main frame to prevent the further opening rotation of the other paper guide.