A portable printer includes a housing having a cavity defined therein which supports a stock material for printing indicia thereon. The housing includes a power terminal which connects to a drive motor assembly configured to move the stock material through a paper path defined in the housing. A battery is loadable within the cavity and is movable from a first position spaced from the terminal to a second position in positive engagement with the terminal. A cover assembly is included which is pivotably supported on the housing and which is moveable from an open configuration for loading the stock material to a closed configuration to enable printing. The cover assembly includes a flexible print head mounted therein and a battery compartment having a ledge configured to operably engage the battery when the cover assembly is moved to the closed configuration to force the battery to the second position in positive engagement with the terminal.