in the processing and transmission of an image , there is generated additional information relative to the transmitting apparatus or to the image signal to be transmitted , then an image signal representing an input binary image and an iamge relative to the additional information is binary encoded , or an input multi - value image signal is multi - value encoded , and the binary encoded image signal and the multi - value encoded image signal added with data relative to the additional information are selectively released . also in the processing of a received image , a binary encoded image signal or a multi - value encoded image signal contained in the received image signal is decoded , also additional information relative to the received image signal is extracted from the multi - value encoded image signal , and there is selectively released a binary image containing an image according to the image signal obtained by decoding the binary encoded image signal and relating to the additional information relative to the received image signal , and an image containing a multi - value image according to the image signal obtained by decoding the multi - value encoded image signal and an image according to the extracted additional information . such configuration provides an image communication apparatus capable of maintaining compatibility with a conventional monochromatic image communication apparatus and also adaptable to a color image without image quality deterioration in the associated character information .