PURPOSE: To attain high quality printing by allowing the printer to apply optimum image processing corresponding to the size of an image and printing out the image.

CONSTITUTION: A transfer printer 10 receives image data and reads a film image to make correction of color and gradation or the like corresponding to the picture. A control unit 19 calculates the size of each image to be printed based on the received image data. When the size of the image is determined, the size of the image at its printing is discriminated as to whether or not it is larger than a prescribed size. When the size of the image is small, the contrast is emphasized and the area of the darker part or the thinner part is made wider to take balance in the case with the larger image. The processing above is applied to all images (frames) to be printed out. When the image processing is finished, after each frame is laid out, the image is printed out while carrying recording paper 18 to print out the color image. The recording paper 18 to be printed out is discharged from the printer 10 onto an ejection tray 17.