Abstract: A recording direction setting section successively sets recording directions of an image. A recording data generating section generates data for recording the image from the recording direction set by the recording direction setting section. A recording data analyzing section analyzes the operation of a line head performed when recording is carried out in accordance with the data generated by the recording data generating section. A recording direction determining section determines a recording direction so as to minimize the discharging frequency of a nozzle with the largest discharging frequency among a plurality of nozzles of the line head.