To print out an accurate and easily viewable image onto a recording medium, even on the basis of first image data and second image data, different in a plurality of image characteristics.

Smoothing processing is applied to the first image data by a first printed image processing part 131, so that first printing data are outputted, and edge enhancement processing is performed by a second printed image processing part 132, so that second printing data can be outputted. The first printing data and the second printing data are merged together by a printing merging part 133, so that printing merged data can be generated; and the image is printed out onto the recording medium according to the printing merged data by a print output part 141.