An image processing apparatus includes a calculation unit configured to calculate an amount of a first coloring material (at least one of cyan, magenta, yellow and black) in an area including a plurality of pixels; a determination unit configured to determine an allowable amount of a second coloring material, being substantially colorless and transparent, in the area on the basis of the amount of the first coloring material, calculated by the calculation unit, and a limit of the amount of the coloring material; and a control unit configured to control an amount of the second coloring material in the area so as not to exceed the allowable amount of the second coloring material.