An image processing apparatus includes a storage unit, an input unit, a reading unit, a controller, and an output unit. The storage unit stores article images embedded with mark data. The input unit is used to input a search information element for searching an article image. The reading unit reads mark data of each article image stored in the storage unit. The controller controls an analysis function, a determination function, and a selection function. In the analysis function, the mark data read by the reading unit is analyzed. In the judgment function, the read mark data is compared with the search information element and checked whether the read mark data includes an information element matching the search information element. In the selection function, an article image having the read mark data matched to the search information element is selected. The output unit outputs the selected article image.