An apparatus includes an obtaining part for obtaining image data of a
document and a processing part for performing a color material saving
process on the image data. The image data includes an edge part and a
non-edge part. The apparatus includes a determining part configured to
determine whether the document includes a low line-screen ruling area.
When the document is determined not to include the low line-screen ruling
area, the processing part is configured to perform a first process so
that an amount of color material reduced for forming the non-edge part is
greater than an amount of color material reduced for forming the edge
part. When the document is determined to include the low line-screen
ruling area, the processing part is configured to perform a second
process so that the amounts of color material reduced for forming the
edge part and the non-edge parts are uniform.