Provided is an image processing apparatus for improving efficiency of a clipping process. The image processing unit is an image processing apparatus for a raster image processor (RIP) mounted in an image forming apparatus. An order acquiring unit acquires instructions for image processing. A determination unit, in a case where clipping is set according to the instructions acquired by the order acquiring unit, determines whether that clipping is to be in an inclusive mode or an exclusive mode, and in a case of the exclusive mode, calculates pixels that are to be protected in a frame for which image processing is to be performed, and sets a number of pixels necessary for a clipping process. A clip processing unit, in the inclusive mode, in a case where a shape unit for which clipping is to be performed is a rectangle, performs clipping by evaluating a clipping area that includes the shape unit and a frame for which image processing is to be performed, and setting a different frame; and in a case where the shape unit is a trapezoid or a scan line, performs clipping by evaluating a positional relationship between the frame and a line being processed, and setting a different line; and in the exclusive mode, performs clipping by setting a number of pixels calculated by the determination unit without setting a different line, and performing evaluation of the clipping area and each line.