apparatus and method are described for copying with high productivity a mixed batch of originals containing for example process color originals accent color originals and / or single color originals such as black . a scanner scans the originals for color content and ascertains the number of image frames required to reproduce the original . imaging is then only made on the number of image frames required for reproduction of that original . scanning is performed with a relatively low resolution scanner . thus , a &# 34 ; process &# 34 ; black original , made by the combination of three color toners , may be identified as black only even if the colors thereon are not perfectly registered . such a black only original is reproduced using only one image frame and developed with black only toner thereby providing high productivity and improved quality over the original . the apparatus and method of the invention are preferably achieved using electrophotographic reproduction techniques .