This invention provides an image processing method which allows easy
re-use of image information that is stored to minimize deterioration of
image quality and the storage capacity. Storage means is searched for
original digital data corresponding to each input image. If no original
digital data is found, the input image is converted into vector data, and
is stored as digital data in the storage means. A sheet including at
least one of information associated with the found original digital data
when the original digital data is found in the search step and
information associated with digital data which is obtained by converting
the image into the vector data in the vectorization step and is stored in
the storage step when no original digital data is found in the search
step is generated, thus providing a sheet that allows easy re-use.