PURPOSE: To print an outline picture.

CONSTITUTION: When composition and the state of a picture are recognized, simplified printing is selected. In the simplified printing, an outline extraction arithmetic unit extracts the outline of a color picture 20. The obtained outline picture 21 is thermally recorded on monochromatic thermal recording paper. At the time of normal printing, the color picture is sequentially and thermally recorded on color thermal recording paper in three colors. Since monochromatic recording is executed at the time of simplified printing, recording time is shortened to 1/3 and a material cost is reduced.