Image forming apparatus for controlling the preparatory operations

An image forming apparatus configured to receive input data including device data and settings data from an external device and form an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus comprising:

• a processing device configured to perform a print operation including conveying the recording medium and forming an image on the recording medium;
• and
• a control unit configured to control the processing device so that (i) a first preparatory operation of the processing device is executed after analysis of the input data starts and before analysis of the settings data ends, (ii) a second preparatory operation of the processing device is executed after the analysis of the settings data ends, and (iii) the print operation is executed after the second preparatory operation ends,
• wherein the control unit is configured to determine a timing at which the first preparatory operation is to be executed based on the device data.