Patent ID: 7296872

Claim:
A printing apparatus for forming an image by moving a plurality of printing element rows relatively to a printing medium, each of the printing element rows being formed by arranging a plurality of printing elements applying color agents onto the printing medium, comprising: first printing means for printing a plurality of first check patterns using a predetermined one of the plurality of printing element rows, each of the first check patterns being printed with a plurality of printing element groups which make up the predetermined printing element row at applying timings shifted by specified times, the specified times for printing each of the plurality of first check patterns being different from one another; first adjusting means for obtaining a first adjustment value for adjusting printing positions among a plurality of printing elements included in the predetermined printing element row, the first adjustment value being obtained correspondingly to one of the first check patterns; second printing means for printing a plurality of second check patterns using at least two predetermined printing element rows, each of the second check patterns being printed at applying timings shifted by specified times among the at least two predetermined printing element rows, the specified times for printing each of the second check patterns being different from one another; and second adjusting means for obtaining a second adjustment value for adjusting printing positions among the at least two predetermined printing element rows, the second adjustment value being obtained correspondingly to one of the second check patterns, wherein said second printing means prints the second check patterns using the first adjustment value obtained by said first adjusting means.