Systems and methods provide an image formation apparatus in which an image formation apparatus main body, an image reading portion, and an operation panel portion can be efficiently assembled by mounting a joint cover to a printer main body, an operation panel unit and a scanner unit are mounted to the joint cover. By so doing, the operation panel unit and the scanner unit can be reliably assembled to the printer main body via the joint cover, the joint cover is held, and a combined machine can be lifted and carried.