This invention simultaneously satisfies both power saving of a printing apparatus in a network system and the convenience of the operator who wants to print from a host computer. A printing control apparatus includes a processor which performs an image process for print data externally received via a network, a first interface including a monitoring unit which monitors, from external, reception of data with one of a plurality of types of patterns including a pattern containing communication information addressed to an unspecified apparatus and an identifier used for power control, and a communication controller which transfers externally transmitted data to the processor, and a power controller which powers on the processor when data with the pattern is received via the first interface.