Patent ID: 8503026
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit configured to print an image on a print medium using at least one set of color inks, wherein a set of color inks includes a plurality of color inks and the set of color inks is repeatedly arranged on an ink ribbon; a determination unit configured to, in a case where one print image is printed by using a plurality of sets of color inks, determine an area in the print image, which is printed by one set of color inks, by dividing the print image to a size not larger than the printable size of one set of color inks; a control unit configured to control the printing unit to print the print image by using the plurality of sets of color inks based on the area determined by the determination unit; and a calculation unit which calculates a minimum number of set of color inks, which are required for printing the print image, wherein the determination unit divides the print image into areas corresponding to the minimum number of sets of color inks which are required for printing the print image.