A printer (1) having a compact cutting device (20) with a fixed blade (21) and a movable blade (22) inside the paper exit (5) has the fixed blade (21) affixed to the printer chassis (2) substantially horizontally with the cutting edge (21a) facing forward. The movable blade (22) is attached in a substantially vertical orientation to the cover unit (3) below the cutting edge (21a) with the cutting edge (22a) facing up. The fixed blade (21) and movable blade (22) are disposed mutually perpendicularly. This arrangement affords greater freedom in positioning the blades (21, 22) and minimizes an increase in the printer's height compared with a conventional paper cutting device having the fixed blade (21) and movable blade (22) vertically opposed, and thus affords a compact paper cutting device and printer. |