Printing head and printer incorporating the same

A printer comprising a printing head and a control circuit board;

• the printing head comprising:
• an elongate head substrate having first and second longitudinal edges;
• a line of printing dots provided on the head substrate along the first longitudinal edge;
• an array of drive ICs provided on the head substrate along the second longitudinal edge and enclosed in a protective resin body;
• a plurality of connection terminals formed on the head substrate adjacent to the second longitudinal edge;
• and
• a pattern of wiring conductor paths formed on the head substrate for electrically connecting between the connection terminals and the drive ICs;
• wherein the drive IC array is rendered shorter than the printing dot line to provide two excess portions at both ends of the head substrate, the connection terminals being locally arranged within the respective excess end portions without overlapping the drive IC array longitudinally of the head substrate while overlapping the protective resin body transversely of the head substrate;
• and
• wherein the control circuit board is arranged adjacent to the head substrate and provided with connection terminals electrically connected to the connection terminals of the head substrate.