To use a printing apparatus as one of the type, which is integral with a process unit to be suitable for printing of a multiplicity of sheets, and as an image forming apparatus, which is suitable for printing of a small number of sheets.

Provided in a casing 16 are an image data taking-in unit 3 for taking in image data, a process unit 5 for forming a machine plate 4 on the basis of image data taken in, a printing unit 7 for performing printing on a recording sheet 6 using the machine plate 4 formed in the process unit 5, a laser printer 19 for performing printing on a recording sheet 6 on the basis of image data taken in, and an input unit 17 for inputting of a number of recording sheets to be printed. Comparing a number of recording sheets to be printed, inputted with a preset standard value, printing is performed in the printing unit 7 when a number of recording sheets to be printed, inputted exceeds the standard value, and printing is performed in the laser printer 19 when a number of recording sheets to be printed, inputted is less than the standard value.