An image processing apparatus that prints a first color in an image in a second color in a printout includes a first-color setting unit that specifies the first color in an RGB colorimetric system; a second-color setting unit that sets the second color; a color determining unit that determines whether the first color is a chromatic color or an achromatic color; and a color converting unit that, when the color determining unit determines that the first color is a chromatic color, performs color conversion processing of converting the first color into a color that is reproduced with a gradation level having a hue same as the second color and a color saturation lower than the second color.