On an operation panel, a preview image based on first preview image data
generated by a first preview image generator is displayed (first stage),
and then, a preview image based on second preview image data generated by
a second preview image generator is displayed (second stage). An image
reducing unit reduces input image data into an image size appropriate for
the preview image to generate third preview image data. When image
synthesis processing is set as user setting, an image processing unit
changes, in accordance with the user setting, a display aspect of at
least a portion of an area on the third preview image data corresponding
to an area on the input image data in which another image data (a fixed
pattern or the like) is to be synthesized.