Image copying apparatus and image copying method

An image copying apparatus, comprising:

• a control panel that includes an input unit which receives input operations from a user and a display unit which displays information to the user;
• a scanner that reads an image;
• a memory that stores the image read by the scanner;
• an image rotation processing unit that rotates the image in accordance with the direction in which the image is to be printed;
• a printer that forms an image, transfers the image to and fixes the image on paper, and discharges the paper;
• a printer controller that controls the printer;
• and
• a system controller that controls the image copying apparatus,
• wherein the printer is disposed with a laser unit that forms a latent image on a drum, and the laser unit includes
• a light-emitting element that emits laser light,
• an image printing start position adjusting element that adjusts a start position of a printing position of the image to be printed,
• an image printing area adjusting element that sets a printing area of the image to be printed,
• a polygon mirror that causes the laser light emitted from the light-emitting element to be reflected toward the drum, and
• a polygon motor that drives the polygon mirror,
• wherein the printer controller is configured such that when the printer controller conducts printing in a direction different from a printing direction serving as a reference, the printer controller controls the image printing start position adjusting element and the image printing area adjusting element that adjust the printing start position and the printing area in a sub-scanning direction when the printer controller conducts printing in the direction different from the printing direction serving as a reference.