A color image recording device for use in a color copying machine, a color facsimile, a color printer and the like, which has a function to perform color edit processings including a color conversion processing, a coloring processing and the like.editing with ease and with high accuracy. Data B, G, and R output from an image read unit are converted to data L*, a*, and b* respectively by first color signal conversion unit and further the data a* and b* are then converted to data H and C by third color signal conversion unit. Image data V, H and C are color edited by image edit block and the output thereof H and C are converted to a* and b* respectively by fourth color signal conversion unit. The outputs of the first color signal conversion unit are also input to delay unit, are delayed by a time equal to a processing time in image edit unit by the delay unit, and are then input to selector unit. The selector unit, in accordance with a switching control signal S.sub.cont output from the image edit block, outputs either of the color edited data L*, a* and b* that are output from the image edit unit or the data L*, a* and b* that are output from the delay unit.