An image processing apparatus including an image processing unit, a memory, a setting information writing unit, a printing information writing unit, an image information reading unit, and an instruction unit. The image processing unit dynamically changes a configuration thereof, and performs image processing in accordance with the changed configuration. The memory stores setting information for setting a change of the configuration of the image processing unit, printing information used for image processing to be performed by the image processing unit, and image information generated through image processing performed by the image processing unit. The setting information writing unit writes the setting information to the memory. The printing information writing unit writes the printing information to the memory. The image information reading unit reads the image information from the memory. The instruction unit instructs the image processing unit to start execution of image processing.