A card printing apparatus for sequentially printing a plurality of colors on a card has a card supply unit for supplying a card; a card conveyance path provided linearly from the card supply unit for conveying the card; a conveyance device provided on the card conveyance path for conveying the card; a printing unit provided on the card conveyance path; a card cleaning member disposed between the card supplying unit and the printing unit provided within the returning range of the card while printing the card conveyed in reverse; and a card cleaning member moving device for moving the card cleaning member to a retreated position separated from the card cleaning member and the card conveyance path, and an operating position. The card cleaning member is moved to the retreated position when the card is conveyed in reverse while printing.