PURPOSE: To perform desired pagination printing, by a method wherein the number of pages are set at a printing page unit by the pagination indication from an external apparatus and one of a plurality of pagination formats is selected and, further, a pagination position is selected according to the size and direction of paper.

CONSTITUTION: In a page printer wherein printing data is formed on a memory at a page unit on the basis of the printing data from an external apparatus to perform printing, the number of pages are set at a printing page unit on the basis of the indication of the pagination order from the external apparatus by a number-of-page setting means A. Either one of a plurality of pagination formats is selected by a pagination format selection means 13 and, further, the pagination position corresponding to a condition such as the size and direction of paper to be printed is selected by a pagination position selection means C to control a printer engine. By this method, the order of each printed order can be easily confirmed and it becomes unnecessary to enter the number of pages by handwriting.