An output apparatus having a memory for storing data representative of a pattern to be outputted; an instructing unit for instructing output of the pattern corresponding to the data stored in the memory; a generator for generating a pattern of a designated size in response to an instruction from the instructing unit; a unit for outputting the pattern generated by the generator; and a memory controller for controlling to hold the data corresponding to the pattern and stored in the memory in accordance with an instruction from the instructing unit, when the pattern of a first size was outputted and thereafter the pattern of a second size greater than the first size is to be outputted.