An output instruction including output conditions that differ by page is instructed by the output instruction unit, the instruction data is analyzed by a data analysis unit, instruction data including instructed output conditions that differ by page is stored, the image data is image-processed by an image processing unit in accordance with the instruction data stored in the data analysis unit, to thereby create an output image, the output conditions of the printing mechanism are switched by an output control unit in accordance with the instruction data, and the output image generated at the image processing unit is printed by a printing mechanism. It is determined whether or not there are contradictions in the instruction data of the image data, resetting is prompted with respect to contradictions, and an appearance when image recording is actually effected in accordance with the instruction data is displayed.