Image recording device with recording medium tension control, and image recording method with recording medium tension control

An image recording device, comprising:

• a conveyor unit programmed to convey a recording medium;
• a drum rotatable under force of friction against the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyor unit, the recording medium being wound around the drum;
• a recording unit programmed to record an image onto a portion of the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyor unit, with the portion of the recording medium being wound around the drum;
• and
• a controller programmed to control the conveyor unit such that the conveyor unit starts the conveyance of the recording medium in a state where a first tension has been applied to the recording medium, the controller being further programmed to control the conveyor unit such that the conveyor unit executes a modification operation for modifying the tension applied to the recording medium after the conveyance of the recording medium has been started, to a second tension that is lower than the first tension,
• the controller being further programmed to control the conveyor unit such that the conveyor unit accelerates a conveying speed of the recording medium during an acceleration period after the start of conveyance and thereafter maintains the conveying speed at a constant speed while the second tension is applied to the recording medium.