A printer includes a head for performing printing, a roll element on which a print medium is wound, a first conveying mechanism for rotating the roll element, an auxiliary roller positioned between the head and the roll, a second conveying mechanism for driving the auxiliary roller, a nip roller constituting a pair with the auxiliary roller to hold the medium on both sides, a nip roller drive mechanism for driving the nip roller and creating a state in which the medium is held on both sides and a state in which the medium is not held on both sides, and a controller for setting the nip roller to a first state in which the roll element is rotated in a forward direction to convey the print medium, and a second state in which the roll element is rotated in a reverse direction to convey the print medium.