Abstract: A digital color image printing apparatus is disclosed which adjusts image characteristics of a printed image such as lightness/darkness, midtone contrast, highlight emphasis, shadow emphasis, and color cast. An input station generates an input image in a page description language. A raster-image processor decomposes the input image into a post-processing contone image. A user interface provides input signals to adjust at least one of the image characteristics of the post-processing contone image. An image control detects the input signals and adjusts at least one of the image characteristics of the post-processing contone image. A half-toner converts the adjusted post-processing contone image into a raster image. A printer prints the adjusted post-processing contone image. The invention provides a user with the ability to modify the characteristics of a printed document without having to perform raster image processing again.