PURPOSE: To form an equipment with limited standby time after the start of printing by keeping the process system in action within a fixed time even after printing is done.

CONSTITUTION: In printing mode 11, a process system and a paper delivery system are both set in action, in standby mode 12, only the process system in action and in stop mode 13, the process system and the paper delivery system both out of action. Upon the end of printing for printing data from a host computer, the standby mode 12 is automatically entered and it shifts automatically to the stop mode 13 after the passage of a certain time (for example, about 2W3min). When the printing demand is given during the standby mode 12, the process system is always ready for operation as it is set in action. Thus, upon the transmission of a printing signal, the printing starts.