An image forming apparatus includes: a print engine to perform printing; a memory that stores a plurality of print conditions set for each of a plurality of direct printing methods; and circuitry to: receive print information on printing to be performed, the print information at least indicating image data to be printed; identify a direct printing method from the print information; acquire from the memory at least one print condition corresponding to the identified direct printing method; and control the print engine to perform printing based on image data according to the acquired print condition.