To provide an image forming/linking system which independently transfers read original image data and a user stamp image, forms a composite image by an image forming unit at a transferred side, and then prints it to obtain the same output as that of a master unit.

Job information set up at application layers 120a, 120b are transferred to the trigger of a start key, etc. on control service layers 122a, 122b, and interpreted to request a handler manager 130 to give process information for operating handler layers 124a, 124b. The handler layers 124a, 124b have scanner handlers 131a, 131b for controlling reading units, image memory handlers 132a, 132b for controlling the input/output of image data to an image memory, and plotter handlers 133a, 133b for controlling writing units and paper feed and post-processing peripheral units. These software modules are cooperated to execute processes for read and accumulation in the image memory, and the image forming.