There is provided a tape printing apparatus and method that enables reliable discharge of a cut-off tape strip from the apparatus. Print data to be printed is input, and a tape length tp (tp>0) is calculated based on the input print data. Then, a tape length t is set based on the calculation tape length tp, and a tape is cut to the set tape length t. In the step of setting the tape length, it is determined whether or not the calculation tape length tp is smaller than a length (a+x) obtained by adding a predetermined length x (x≧0) to a length a (a≧0) between a cutting position at which the tape is cut through and a position of an exit via which a cut-off strip of the tape is discharged out of an apparatus. Then, when it is determined that tp