Printing apparatus and printing method

A printing method for printing an image on a printing medium by repeating a printing scan of a printing head having a plurality of printing elements in a main-scan direction and a transport of the printing medium in a sub-scan direction perpendicular to the main-scan direction, comprising the steps of:

• providing a complete image by performing printing scan for M times (M is an integral number:
• M≧1) using N printing elements (N is an integral number:
• N ≧2) on the same printing area in a front side of the printing medium in the direction of transporting the printing medium;
• and
• providing a complete image by performing printing scan for K times (K is an integral number:
• K>M) using L printing elements (L is an integral number:
• L ≦N) on the same printing area in a rear side of the printing medium in the direction of transporting the printing medium.

A printing apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium by repeating a printing scan of a printing head having a plurality of printing elements in a main-scan direction and a transport of the printing medium in a sub-scan direction perpendicular to the main-scan direction, comprising:

• first printing control means for providing a complete image by performing printing scan for M times (M is an integral number:
• M≧1) on the same printing area of the printing medium;
• second printing control means for providing a complete image by performing printing scan for K times (K is an integral number:
• K>M) on the same printing area of the printing medium;
• and
• printing-control switching means for initiating an image printing by the first printing control means in a printing operation on the printing medium and switches from the image printing using the first printing control means to an image printing using the second printing control means depending on a transporting position of the printing medium.