A serial type printing apparatus includes: a reception buffer that stores printing data of respective arrays of printing elements subjected to adjustment by a first unit concerning a relative position in a scanning direction among the respective arrays of printing elements and setting data including registration information by a second unit smaller than the first unit concerning the relative position in the scanning direction, the data being transmitted from a host apparatus connected to the printing apparatus; and a print buffer that stores printing data of the respective arrays of printing elements in association with printing positions in the scanning direction. The printing apparatus performs control to adjust storing locations of the printing data of the respective arrays of printing elements by the second unit on the basis of the registration information and store the printing data in the print buffer. Consequently, it is possible to reduce a buffer size of the printing apparatus and improve an actual printing speed from instruction of printing until the printing is actually started.