A printer has a roll paper compartment that stores roll paper so that it can roll on a horizontal axis of rotation, a roll paper cover that pivots to open and close the roll paper compartment, and a tension roller that is displaced when the roll paper cover pivots open and closed. The roll paper compartment is supported to pivot in the direction in which the roll paper cover rotates when the roll paper cover pivots open or closed. The tension roller is disposed to a position where it urges the roll paper opposite the direction in which the roll paper compartment moves circularly when the roll paper cover pivots in the opening direction.