A recording apparatus including a recording head detachably attached on a carriage and a preliminary-discharge receiving unit. The recording head is movable such that an ink discharge surface is movable by a detachable/attachable moving distance in the direction of ink discharge when the recording head is detached from and attached to the carriage. The preliminary-discharge receiving unit is formed such that the distance to the ink discharge surface of the recording head attached on the carriage is set to be a predetermined preliminary discharge distance. The detachable/attachable moving distance is larger than the preliminary discharge distance.