PURPOSE: To enhance the fundamental capacity of a recording apparatus by performing control so that the stop and reopening of the driving of the recording apparatus is performed at slightly lower temp. when the temp. rising rate of a unit is high whereas performed at slightly higher temp. when the temp. rising rate is low.

CONSTITUTION: When the recording of an image whose black part is relatively scarce is continued, the temp. of a unit 2 rises gently. Since the difference outputted from a difference circuit 12 does not exceed T3 in this temp. rising rate, a signal SW is in an OFF-state. When the temp. value TEMP detected by a temp. detector 3 becomes higher than a set temp. value T1a, a comparing circuit 7 turns an output signal ON and a recording pulse generation circuit 6 generates no recording pulse and the driving of a heating resistor element 1 is stopped. When the recording of an image rich in a black part is continued and the temp. value TEMP exceeds a set temp. value T1b, a comparing circuit 8 turns on output signal, that is, a signal STOP ON to suppress the generation of a recording pulse and stops the driving of the heating resistor element 1.