A printing apparatus is provided. The printing apparatus includes at least two print heads, at least two print head drive units, and a cooperation controlling system to control printing operations in the printing apparatus. When a first printing operation and a second printing operation are conducted successively, the cooperation controlling system controls at least one of a second print head and the second print head drive unit so that a second pre-print operation is conducted at least partially simultaneously with the first printing operation and a first after-print operation is conducted at least partially simultaneously with the second printing operation, and the first print head and the first print head drive unit so that a first pre-print operation is conducted at least partially simultaneously with the second printing operation and a second after-print operation is conducted at least partially simultaneously with the first printing operation.