A method for reducing data with limited distortion of an image formed of the data includes determining whether reduction of the data is feasible and reducing the data if reduction of the data is feasible. Determining whether reduction of the source data is feasible includes determining whether clipping has been performed. Determining whether reduction of the source data is feasible includes determining whether merging has been performed. Determining whether reduction of the source data is feasible includes determining whether a difference between the width of the source data and the height of the source data is big. Determining whether reduction of the source data is feasible includes determining whether the source data is few. Determining whether reduction of the source data is feasible includes determining whether magnification has been performed. Determining whether reduction of the source data is feasible includes determining whether magnification has been performed and a factor thereof is greater than a predetermined value. Reducing the data includes eliminating lines from the data. Reducing the data includes eliminating columns from the data.