PURPOSE: To enable a printing apparatus to switch the print control to a mode suitable for copying paper when such copying paper is set in the apparatus.

CONSTITUTION: A printing apparatus is able to use a single sheet paper 1 and a copying paper laminate 11 having a plurality of sheets, and has a printing head, and is capable of switching the printing control mode according to types of print paper set in the apparatus. Support shafts 5, 15 for supporting cores 4, 14 of the rolls of single sheet paper 1 and the copying paper laminate 11 are designed to have different lengths. A switch 7 is provided for contacting the longer support shaft 15 as detecting means for determining which type of paper, that is, the single sheet paper 1 or the copying paper laminate 11, is set, by utilizing the different lengths of the supportive shafts 5, 15. In the basis of the determination by the detecting means, control means automatically switches the print control of the printing head to a suitable mode.