The present invention provides an image processing apparatus that supplies image signals to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using recording material. The apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a limiting value of a sum of signal levels of image signals output to the image forming apparatus, an input unit that inputs C, M, Y and K signals as image signals, a first comparison unit that compares the limiting value and the sum of the signal levels of the input C, M, Y and K signals, an under color removal unit that replaces a predetermined level of C, M and Y signals with a K signal in an under color removal process When the sum of the signal levels of the input C, M, Y and K signals exceeds the limiting value, a second comparison unit that compares the limiting value and the sum of the signal levels of the C, M, Y and K signals after undergoing the under color removal process, and where the sum after the under color removal process exceeds the limiting value, an adjustment unit that reduces the C, M and Y signals after undergoing the under color removal process at an identical rate so as to reduce the sum after the under color removal process to less than the limiting value.