To provide an image processing apparatus in which setting for a plurality of dot information items can be stored together in one hot folder by providing a means for recognizing a specified character sequence indicating the dot information preliminarily added to image data.

A data recognition means 32 recognizes a specified character sequence described in image data. A control processing means 33 processes the image data into dots according to the setting content of the dot information for a color plate indicated by the recognized specified character sequence. An output apparatus controlling means 34 sends the image data processed into dots and an output command signal to a DCP (digital color proof) preparing apparatus 4. The DCP preparing apparatus 4 prepares a digital color proof by exposing with laser light based on the image data received from the image processing apparatus 3.