An image recording apparatus which provides a size detector or size recognition, such that the size of an image to be recorded is determined, and the recorded image can thereby be centered on the recording paper or sheet upon which the image is to be formed. The apparatus and method can automatically determine a longitudinal length and transverse length of an image (e.g., in a copier or printer) and does not require operator input for size recognition. The apparatus can additionally, or alternatively recognize an image direction, with the direction recognition utilized in placing the reproduced image on a sheet of paper.