Provided are a method and apparatus for driving printing elements of a printer head in an image forming apparatus. The method includes calculating a number of driving groups among multiple driving groups in which at least a first predetermined number of printing elements are driven for each print line. The method calculates a number of print lines wherein the calculated number of driving groups are not less than a second predetermined number. The number of driving groups are increased if the calculated print lines is not less than a third predetermined number. Thus, it is possible to print with less power without a reduction in print quality or speed by controlling the driving of the printer head. In addition, the overall size of the image forming apparatus can be reduced by using low-power power supply.