Bar code printing method and printer

A bar code printer is used for the printing of symbol guards (25) to be printed on both sides of a bar code pattern (23) leaving fixed margins (24), simultaneously with printing of the bar code pattern (23) formed with the combination of wide lines and narrow lines having been standardized previously. Even if wrinkles on a thermal transcription ink ribbon occur in the vicinity of symbol guards (25) provided on both sides of the bar code pattern (23), the wrinkles do not occur in the bar code printing region; it is therefore possible to perform high quality bar code printing with the bar code printer.