The reproduction of a copy inhibit image and the abuse of data through a network are to be prevented without sacrificing various page editing functions. An image read unit scans an original placed on an original carrying table and thereby generates RGB color image signals of multi-value. An image processing unit performs various image processing and, upon detection of a copy inhibit original, performs image working for preventing faithful reproduction of the copy inhibit original. An image storing unit temporarily stores page by page original images provided from the image processing unit. If a copy inhibit image is contained in the original images, the image working is performed by the image processing unit to prevent faithful reproduction and the images after the image working are stored in the image storing unit. An image output unit performs a printing operation in accordance with image data outputted from the image processing unit.