To provide an image processing technique capable of improving performance for an ROP (Raster Operation) operation, without increasing memory resources.

An interpreter portion 40 interprets printing control data received from a host PC 60, and generates intermediate data. A painting command contains an ROP code. If the ROP code is '0xFC' or '0xB8', an intermediate data format determination portion 41 determines that the ROP operation should be performed in an RGB color space. Otherwise, it is determined that the ROP operation should be performed in a KCMY color space. When it is determined that the ROP operation should be performed in the RGB color space, an ROP operation process portion 42 for the RGB color space performs the ROP operation in the RGB color space. When it is determined that the ROP operation should be performed in the KCMY color space, an ROP operation process portion 44 for the KCMY color space performs the ROP operation in the KCMY color space during a process in which a soft figure painting processing portion 43 performs painting processing, and stores drawing data after the operation in a page memory 48.

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