Printing apparatus and printing method

摘要

An printing apparatus is equipped with a recording medium transport device for transporting a recording medium from a supply portion along a transport path; at least one printing device arranged on the transport path for selectively forming an image on the recording medium or an intermediate transfer medium for temporarily holding the image at a predetermined image forming position; and a transfer device arranged on the transport path for transferring the image formed on the intermediate transfer medium to the recording medium. A mode setting device selects a mode between the first mode in which the printing device forms the image on the recording medium and the second mode in which the printing device forms the image on the intermediate transfer medium. An intermediate transfer medium moving device advances and retracts the intermediate transfer medium between the image forming position and a retracted position.