Recording apparatus with extended fixing unit

A recording apparatus comprising:

• a support member which supports a recording medium;
• a recording head which applies a recording material to one surface of the recording medium supported on the support member, wherein the support member includes a platen that is heated and configured to increase a viscosity of ink adhered to the one surface of the recording medium, the platen having a first end and a second end, the recording medium passing from the first end to the second end in a transport direction for the recording head to apply the recording material;
• and
• a fixing unit which fixes the recording material adhered to the one surface of the recording medium transported from the support member, the fixing unit including a guide member,
• wherein a surface of the recording medium is supported by the guide member while inside the fixing unit,
• wherein the support member and the fixing unit are arranged to be partly overlapped with each other in an up and down direction,
• wherein a length of a drying region and of the guide member in the transport direction of the recording medium in the fixing unit being configured to be equal or larger than a length of a recording region on the support member, and
• wherein the recording medium enters the fixing unit at a location beyond the second end of the platen in the transport direction and exits the fixing unit at another location between the first end and the second end of the platen and beneath the platen in an up and down direction.