An ink jet printing apparatus can prevent or suppress the generation, by a reaction liquid and ink, of a reaction product on the face surface of a discharge head, and can remove the ink, the reaction liquid or the reaction product adhering to the face surface so as to constantly maintain a stable printing quality. Immediately before a printing operation is initiated, an anti-coagulation liquid is sprayed on the face surface of a discharge head, and the discharge head performs the discharge operation (printing operation) with the anti-coagulation liquid applied to the face surface. When the printing operation has been completed, or when the printing of a predetermined amount of data has been performed, the face surface of the discharge head is wiped by blades to remove the ink and the reaction liquid. Since the anti-coagulation liquid is applied to the face surface in advance, the generation of the reaction product on the face surface is prevented or suppressed. Furthermore, even when a reaction product is adhered to the face surface, the coagulation of this product on the face surface can be prevented.