A printer has a sequential access EEPROM used with storage elements on black and color ink cartridges. Cartridge data such as data concerning inks in the cartridges are stored in the cartridges' storage elements. The addressing format for the cartridges' storage elements differs from that for the EEPROM. The printer's controller converts the storage format of addressing before writing information into the cartridges' storage elements. Data to be written into storage elements are temporarily placed in a RAM on the printer's carriage. The data are then written into storage elements of the black and color cartridges, say, during power-off operation. Signal lines and memory used when writing data into storage elements are identical to signal lines through which print data are transmitted to a print head on the carriage, and the memory where print data are stored. This reduces ink cartridge manufacturing cost and printer size.