Patent ID: 8091881

Claim:
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image processor for outputting input image information in the form of image data for forming images; an image forming portion for forming images on recording paper based on the image data output from the image processor; a folding mechanism for folding the recording paper with images formed by the image forming portion when the input image information is confidential image information; and a stapling mechanism for pouch binding the recording paper by binding the recording paper folded by the folding mechanism, at an end part opposite a side of the fold when the input image information is confidential image information, wherein when the input image information is confidential image information, the image processor outputs pouch-binding image data for a pouch-bound image to be formed on facing pages of the recording paper that is folded by the folding mechanism, by editing the layout of the confidential image, and wherein the pouch-bound image is given by swapping the positions of the left and right halves of the confidential image with respect to the fold.