To enable a step, in which an image is recorded on a recording medium by a recording head in a serial-type recording apparatus with an inexpensively realizable constitution, to be easily and visually recognized from the outside during recording operations in a cover-closed state.

During the recording operations in a state in which an upper cover 5 is closed, LEDs 151 and 152 of a registration detecting sensor 15, which is mounted on a carriage 12, are lit in synchronization with the timing of ejection of ink from a nozzle of the recording head on the carriage 12. The emission of the light from the LEDs brings about the illumination of a printing area in which printing is performed on the recording medium 11 by the recording head in the recording apparatus 1. The illumination enables a user to visually observe the printing area from the outside via a translucent window 6 formed on the upper cover 5, and to visually recognize the printing step with ease, even if the inside of the recording apparatus 1 is dim. Since the registration detecting sensor is used for the illumination of the printing area, a special cost is not required.