Abstract: When format information is changed, print area check data is generated as per the changed format information (S25). If the check data is found not to be printable within the print area of the tape defined by the printable width and set tape length ("YES" in S27), the changed format information is invalidated (S28), and a message indicating what has taken place appears on the display (S29). Whenever a character or the like is input, the corresponding print check data is generated (S33). If the data is found to be printable within the print area ("NO" in S35), a print-like image of that character is displayed; if the data is found not printable ("YES" in S35), a message indicating the unavailability of printing is displayed (S38), and the corresponding text appears on the display unit (S40).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of printing characters and symbols either vertically or horizontally on an elongated recording medium adjusts the position of vertically printed characters and symbols so that the vertically printed characters and symbols are evenly spaced on the recording medium. When a vertical printing is to be accomplished, dot pattern data in a data development buffer is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and transferred to a vertical data development buffer. The rotated dot pattern data for each character is then moved in the longitudinal direction of the recording medium, as necessary, to ensure that each character will be positioned in the middle of its character pitch. The longitudinal adjustment ensures that the upper and the lower margin of each character are equal.