Printing apparatus, printing processing method, and storage medium

Abstract

A printing apparatus includes a hard disk, an image compressing device, an image decompressing device, and a printing engine. The printing apparatus divides image data into plural pieces of divided image data, classifies one or more pieces of the divided image data as compressible image data and classifies one or more other pieces of the divided image data as non-compressible image data. In storing the image data in a storage section, the printing apparatus causes the image compressing device to compress the compressible image data and writes the compressible image data thus compressed into the hard disk, and writes the non-compressible image data into the hard disk. Further, in causing the printing engine to perform printing, the printing apparatus reads out the non-compressible image data and the compressible image data thus compressed from the hard disk, transmits the non-compressible image data to the printing engine, causes the image decompressing device to decompress the compressible image data thus read, and transmits the compressible image data thus decompressed to the printing engine. This makes it possible to realize a printing speed higher than in a conventional technique, without increase in the cost and technical difficulties in packaging and controlling.