The subject application is directed to a system and method for device-specific image manipulation. First, output device capability data corresponding to capabilities of available document output devices is stored in associated memory. Electronic document data having image data corresponding to a plurality of sub-images is then received. Device selection data is then received corresponding to a selected document output device. Capability data representing the output capabilities of the selected device is then retrieved. Image characteristic data is then determined and tested relative to the device output capability data. Selected sub-images are then merged into a single image and the image is classified in accordance with the image characteristic data. Resolution and colorant reduction are then determined in accordance with the testing output. The determined resolution and colorant reductions are then applied to the single image of the received electronic document data and output by the selected document output device.