An image processing apparatus which includes an image signal input device for outputting a first image signal including at least three signals corresponding to cyan, magenta and yellow, respectively, an image signal converter for converting at least one of the signals included in the first image signal into N (N is an integer greater than one) second image signals corresponding to N inks of different concentrations of a same color family, a black abstraction device for performing black abstraction on each of N second image signals individually to produce a third signal, and a signal processor for performing a UCR processing and black inking processing on the second and third signals to produce fourth signals.