An image processing apparatus includes a first storage unit, a second storage unit, a selecting unit, a first converting unit, a second converting unit, and a compressing unit. The second storage unit stores therein data on a color reproduction area of an output device. The first storage unit stores therein data on virtual color reproduction areas. The selecting unit selects one of the virtual color reproduction areas similar to the color reproduction area of the output device. The first converting unit compresses and maps image data to a virtual color reproduction range based on the selected one of the virtual color reproduction areas. The compressing unit compresses and maps the image data to a color reproduction range of an output device. The second converting unit converts the image data to a control signal.