Thermal printhead load adjustment mechanism

The present invention relates to a loading device for a thermal printhead so that the load on the printhead and thus the center of force urging the printhead against a thermal transfer ribbon and a substrate on which printing is to occur is controllable and adjustable. A mounting slider bracket for a card printer thermal printhead is supported between a spring and the printhead, and can be adjusted laterally relative to the printhead to shift the center of force that loads the printhead against the ribbon and a card that is being printed. The ability to change the location of the application of force on the printhead permits centering the force when a card of different width is fed from a supply through the printhead. Uniform printing will occur on cards regardless of the width, when properly adjusted by the operator.