Method of preparing print job for printing operation

Abstract

SOLUTION: A method according to the present invention prepares a print job for a printing operation (15), and includes providing at least one first data set (1a) assigned to the print job (1) and multiple reference data sets (2a) assigned to individual reference jobs (2), the method including the steps of: providing multiple mutually complementary data sets (2a, 3) for each one of a plurality of reference jobs (2); executing automatic filtering step (4), therein, providing at least one second data set (2a) out of the reference data sets of the plurality of reference jobs; and using the second data set for the printing operation as a replacement of or an addition to the at least one first data set (1a).EFFECT: The method enables manufacturing high-quality printed products while saving time, for instance makeready time for the printing operation, as well as, costs resulting from, for instance, unusable prints or quality defects in printing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for preparing a print job for printing, which has the features of the superordinate concept of claim 1.

[0002] The present invention is in the technical field of the graphic industry, and in particular in this technical field, in the field of print preparation, particularly in the field of preparing a print job, or in the field of preparing digital data for a print job, for example for offset printing or ink printing.

[0003] Background Art It is known to prepare digital data for a print job.

[0004] German Patent Application Publication No. 10339571 discloses a method for determining an optimal method when changing jobs in a printing material processing machine having at least one control computer. This method is characterized in that data of a first machine job is compared with data of a subsequent machine job by the control computer, and an order of operations to be performed at the time of job switching is created by this comparison. Such a method is known under the name "Intelistart" for printing machines of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG.

[0005] German Patent Application Publication No. 102007009968 discloses an automated production control method, i.e., a method for operating, for example, a printing press by computer, in which at least one job for producing printed products to be processed in at least one machine can be stored in the computer. The parameters for setting up this machine are stored as a parameter set, a so-called template, and these parameters are associated with one or more production steps. For job-specific compatibility, the settings in the template must be changed. Quality loss may occur due to settings that are not demonstrated and not guaranteed, and these settings can only be performed by expert staff. To improve quality and, consequently, to enable staff with less expertise to operate the machine, it is proposed that a parameter set based on rough input data is compared with a template, and the template that is most similar is used to set up one or more production steps. Possible subjects to consider in the template are, for example, printing plates, printing paper, or printing inks. To enable the processing of print jobs for which no suitable template, or similar template, can be found, it is preferable that, according to one developmental form, a notification is generated when no template can be found for a given process step.

[0006] Many printing companies, for example those in the packaging printing sector, always have multiple recurring jobs—that is, print jobs that are printed again with little or no changes. A specific example of a modified print job might be the addition of another ink, such as light blue stars for a winter edition. In this case, all other settings for the print job remain the same.

[0007] In the packaging printing sector, recurring jobs often account for well over 70% of the total. Despite this, printing companies repeatedly restart and adjust these jobs, using "raw data" for the process. Much of this is due to the considerable effort required to manually link existing data to new job information (new job numbers for accounting purposes). Often, only a portion of the job is needed, as changes to preceding jobs are minimal.

[0008] Moreover, because printing companies often lack the know-how to find the fastest possible solution for obtaining the same settings in the case of recurring jobs, operators usually have to start over, often having to accept a relatively high rate of printing errors and relatively long adjustment times.

[0009] For gangrun printing jobs, where the layout is rearranged each time the print run is completed, meaning the content is changed and therefore cannot be reprinted as is, it is usually not possible to automatically reproduce them based on existing information. In this production method, the job must be readjusted each time, which wastes valuable time and results in many printing errors.

[0010] Technical challenges The object of the present invention is to achieve improvements over the prior art, thereby enabling the production of high-quality printed products, and in doing so, to save time, such as preparation time for printing, and costs associated with printing errors or quality defects during printing.

[0011] Solution to the problem according to the present invention According to the present invention, this problem is solved by the method described in claim 1.

[0012] The dependent claims, specification, and drawings reveal advantageous and therefore preferred developments of the present invention.

[0013] A method according to the present invention for preparing a print job for printing, wherein at least one first dataset assigned to the print job and a plurality of reference datasets assigned to individual reference jobs are provided, characterized in that a plurality of complementary reference datasets are provided for each of the plurality of reference jobs, an automatic filtering step is performed, in which at least one second dataset is provided from the reference datasets of the plurality of reference jobs, and this second dataset is used for printing in place of or in addition to at least one first dataset.

[0014] Advantageous configuration and effects of the present invention The advantage of the present invention is that high-quality printed products can be manufactured, saving time, such as preparation time for printing, and costs associated with printing errors or quality defects.

[0015] According to the present invention, for example, automated support for so-called repetitive jobs, and consequently, optimal reproducibility of repetitive jobs, can be achieved.

[0016] The present invention further allows for the (automatic) storage of print jobs, preferably not as a whole, but by dividing the job into various elements and storing those elements individually. Thus, the stored elements can be added to a new print job at a later point in time. Furthermore, additional parameters and information can be added to the stored print job or its elements, thereby enabling a detailed comparison with a new print job / new production at a later point in time, and determining whether the previous production can be achieved again with its previous quality. Moreover, when repeatedly storing, it is preferable to overwrite only a portion of the already stored data for a particular job's ID or name, for example, overwriting only the paper feed related to the paper feed device, rather than overwriting the entire paper feed for a particular substrate. Examples of adding information will be given later.

[0017] The essential difference from conventional technology can be summarized as follows: the operator does not need to search for a stored job that is "suitable" as a reference job for a new print job based on criteria; instead, this method takes over this task through a filtering step, and the operator only needs to, for example, select to delete or add individual job parts.

[0018] Print jobs are prepared digitally, preferably on a printing press or a digital computer at the printing plant, or on a cloud computer.

[0019] The first dataset preferably includes an ID, such as a job ID. The first dataset includes at least one job description, for example, data to be printed and data relating to the printing plate, blanket, printing ink (and / or lacquer), substrate and / or dampening medium.

[0020] A so-called fingerprint can be automatically generated for a first dataset, and this fingerprint can be used for subsequent filtering or comparison. The fingerprint is digital and is generated digitally or by a digital computer. The fingerprint is unique to the first dataset. Preferably, the fingerprint is stored together with or in relation to the first dataset. Digital methods for generating and storing fingerprints are known in the prior art, and such methods can be used here.

[0021] A reference job may originate from a previous, preferably already printed, print job. Such a print job may have been printed on a printing press or on another printing press in the complex. The printing press complex may include multiple printing presses of one printing company and / or multiple printing presses of one manufacturer, and these printing presses transmit data to the manufacturer via the cloud. The reference job or the data of these reference jobs is preferably stored digitally, for example, in the memory of a digital computer in the printing press or printing company, or in cloud storage.

[0022] Each reference job preferably includes an ID, such as a job ID. These reference jobs include at least one job description, for example, data to be printed and data relating to the printing plate, blanket, printing ink (and / or lacquer), substrate and / or dampening medium.

[0023] According to the present invention, for each of the multiple reference jobs, a plurality of complementary reference datasets are provided. Each of the complementary reference datasets preferably includes an ID, such as a job ID. Each of the complementary reference datasets includes at least one job content, such as data to be printed and data relating to the printing plate, blanket, printing ink (and / or lacquer), substrate and / or dampening medium. For example, one reference dataset for each individual reference job includes data relating to the printing plate, and other reference datasets for each individual reference job include data relating to the printing ink.

[0024] "Complementary" means that the reference datasets of individual reference jobs combine to form a single, virtually complete dataset for printing the reference job, or that the reference datasets of individual reference jobs are supplemented to form a dataset that is usable for printing.

[0025] For each reference dataset, a so-called fingerprint can be generated, as in the case of the first dataset, and this fingerprint can be used in subsequent filtering or comparisons. The fingerprint is unique to the reference dataset. Preferably, the fingerprint is stored with or against the reference dataset.

[0026] The advantage of an automated filtering step, where at least one second dataset is prepared from the reference datasets of multiple reference jobs, is that instead of having to manually and time-consumingly discover the data, such data is automatically made available and usable at any time.

[0027] The advantage of using a second dataset in place of, or supplementing, at least one of the first datasets for printing is that available data can be used, saving time.

[0028] Special Example Regarding Information Addition The addition of information in the memory process preferably includes factors that affect the job, such as affecting the printed image, for example, as follows. That is, · Ink and measurement system · Ink name · Target value · Tone value increase · Ink trapping · Feed and / or doubling · Loading · Ink amount, such as ink transfer roller settings and ink zone openings compared to dot area percentage · Film state of the ink pot · Age of the ink roller · Paper · Paper type · Whiteness of the paper · Loading · Dampening medium · Amount of dampening medium · Dampening medium value · Conductivity · pH value · Alcohol, amount of alcohol · Blanket · Age · Type · Printing plate · Loading · Type · Quality information from the prepress system · Varnish · Varnish type · Roller type · Gloss by varnish job · Dryer settings · Other quality factors and machine settings that occur throughout the production chain, which may affect the quality and appearance of the printed sheet.

[0029] The above values can be detected as follows. That is, · Sensor mechanism · Measurement system • Central data interface, or central data / job management system • Manual input on printing presses • Terminals in a workflow system, such as a printing press or a separate computer in a warehouse. • Scanners, such as optical scanners with 1D or 2D codes. • Wireless scanning device (RFID)

[0030] Each value can be stored for one or more of the following IDs: Job ID • Work process ID (work process key) ·Product ID Job name ID ·Customer ID ·Product ID

[0031] Advanced Forms of the Invention The following describes preferred advanced forms (abbreviated as advanced forms) of the present invention.

[0032] One evolutionary form may be characterized as follows: a plurality of complementary first datasets are provided, assigned to a print job, and a second dataset is used for printing, either in place of or supplementing one of the first datasets. Each of the complementary first datasets preferably includes an ID, such as a job ID. Each of the complementary first datasets includes at least one job content, such as data to be printed and data relating to the printing plate, blanket, printing ink (and / or lacquer), substrate and / or dampening medium. For example, the first dataset for a print job includes data relating to the printing plate, and other first datasets for the print job include data relating to the printing ink.

[0033] One advanced form can be characterized as follows: During filtering, an ID match is checked, and the ID of the print job is compared with the individual IDs of multiple reference jobs, and / or the ID of at least one first dataset is compared with the individual IDs of multiple reference datasets. The ID being compared can be the job ID.

[0034] One evolutionary form may be characterized as follows: During filtering, a check is performed for matching job content, in which case the job content of a print job is compared with the individual job content of multiple reference jobs, and / or the job content of at least one first dataset is compared with the individual job content of multiple reference datasets. The job content being compared may be the data to be printed and data relating to the printing plate, blanket, printing ink (and / or lacquer), printing material and / or dampening medium. Job content can be directly compared with each other. Alternatively, and preferably, fingerprints of job content can be compared with each other. This comparison can be performed in such a way that the identity of the job content is confirmed. This comparison can be performed alternatively to confirm a basic match of the job content, for example, that the basic content (content defined as basic) matches, or that all content matches by more than 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%. For example, filtering for matching job content can be performed when filtering for matching IDs yields no results. In this way, we can first attempt to quickly find a suitable job via ID, and only if that fails can we attempt to analyze the content.

[0035] One developmental form may be characterized as follows: the print job is supplemented by a third dataset, which includes job details relating to additional printing inks or job changes. Supplementation of additional printing inks may be necessary when the reference job should be supplemented with only one special ink, preferably without changing anything else. Job changes are further changes, such as modified printing materials.

[0036] One advanced form may be characterized as follows: At least one second dataset provided in the automatic filtering is selected automatically or selected by an operator using selection means for the operator. This automatic selection may preferably be based on the fingerprint match between the first dataset and the reference dataset confirmed during the comparison.

[0037] One developmental form can be characterized as follows: A print job is prepared for printing on a printing press, during which measurement data is generated and prepared on the press using sensor technology. This measurement data is then used by computational technology to perform reproduction control and / or quality control for the print job. The sensor may be configured to monitor, for example, the dampening medium or its quality, and based on the measurement data, the achievable print quality is calculated or estimated by computational technology. This result can be displayed to the operator, or a warning can be issued to the operator if the predetermined print quality cannot be achieved. The operator can change the first, second, and / or third data sets as needed. The operator can also make changes on the printing press; in the case of the "dampening medium" example, the operator can change the dampening medium.

[0038] One evolutionary form may be characterized as follows: an operator makes at least one change to the first dataset and / or the second dataset and / or the third dataset using a modification means for the operator, and this change is stored as a modified or new reference dataset.

[0039] The features and combinations of features disclosed in the preceding sections, i.e., the technical fields, the present invention, and the advanced forms, and further disclosed in the following sections, i.e., the examples, can be arbitrarily combined to form further advantageous advanced forms of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0040] [Figure 1] This figure shows preferred embodiments of the present invention and its developments or details thereof. [Figure 2] This figure shows preferred embodiments of the present invention and its developments or details thereof.

[0041] Examples and drawings relating to the present invention Figures 1 and 2 illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and its developments or details thereof. Corresponding features are denoted by the same reference numerals in these figures. Repeated reference numerals in the drawings have been partially omitted for clarity.

[0042] Figure 1 shows one preferred embodiment of a method according to the present invention for preparing a print job for printing. To carry out this method, at least one digital computer preferably equipped with a display (steps 1 to 14 and 16), and a printing press (step 15), preferably an offset printing press or an ink printing press, may be provided. For printing, a sheet or web-like substrate, preferably paper, cardboard, or plastic film, may be provided.

[0043] The illustrated method preferably includes the following method steps.

[0044] Step 1: A step to prepare at least one first dataset assigned to a print job. The first dataset preferably includes ID 1aa, for example, a job ID. The first dataset includes at least one job content 1ab, for example, data to be printed and data relating to the printing plate, blanket, printing ink (and / or lacquer), substrate and / or dampening medium. Multiple complementary first datasets may be prepared that are assigned to this print job. Preferably, a fingerprint can be generated (see optional substep 4a).

[0045] Step 2: A step to prepare multiple reference jobs. Each reference job preferably includes ID 2aa, for example, a job ID. These reference jobs include at least one job content 2ab, for example, data to be printed and data relating to the printing plate, blanket, printing ink (and / or lacquer), substrate and / or dampening medium.

[0046] Step 3: A step of preparing (storing and) multiple reference datasets assigned to individual reference jobs. According to the present invention, for each of the multiple reference jobs, a plurality of complementary reference datasets are prepared. Each of the complementary reference datasets preferably includes ID 2a, for example, a job ID. Each of the complementary reference datasets includes at least one job content 2ab, for example, data to be printed and data relating to the printing plate, blanket, printing ink (and / or lacquer), material to be printed and / or dampening medium. For example, one reference dataset for an individual reference job includes data relating to the printing plate, and other reference datasets for an individual reference job include data relating to the printing ink. In an optional substep 3a, a fingerprint can preferably be generated.

[0047] Step 4: A step in which automatic filtering is performed. In this step, at least one second dataset is prepared from the reference datasets of multiple reference jobs, and the second dataset is used for printing in place of or in addition to at least one first dataset (see Step 7) (see Step 15). Preferably, ID matching can be checked during filtering, in which case the ID of the print job is compared with the individual IDs of the multiple reference jobs, and / or the ID of at least one first dataset is compared with the individual IDs of the multiple reference datasets. Preferably, job content matching can be checked during filtering, in which case the job content of the print job is compared with the individual job content of the multiple reference jobs, and / or the job content of at least one first dataset is compared with the individual job content of the multiple reference datasets. Alternatively and preferably, fingerprints generated in optional substeps 3a and 4a can be compared with each other. The at least one second dataset prepared in automatic filtering can be configured to be selected automatically or selected by an operator using operator selection means (see Steps 5 and 6).

[0048] Step 5 (optional, as preparation for Step 6): A step to display the automatically filtered / prepared second dataset (whole or operator-friendly reduced) and / or its ID.

[0049] Step 6 (Optional): A step in which the operator selects and / or modifies an automatically filtered / prepared second dataset. The operator may select or modify the dataset so, for example, that the print job is supplemented by a third dataset, which may include job details such as additional print inks or job modifications.

[0050] Step 7: Replace or supplement the first dataset and / or the second dataset and / or the third dataset (see Step 6).

[0051] Step 8 (Optional): A step to store the replaced or supplemented first, second and / or third datasets. This storage is preferably done as a reference dataset for a reference print job, so that it can be made available again for subsequent print jobs. This is how "learning" is performed (see Step 16). The system can be configured such that the operator makes at least one change to the first dataset and / or the second dataset and / or the third dataset using operator-accessible modification means (see Steps 6 and 7), and this change is stored as a modified or new reference dataset.

[0052] Steps 9 and 10: Steps to prepare measurement data. At this time, measurement data is generated and prepared by sensor technology in the printing press, and this measurement data is used by computational technology to perform reproduction control and / or quality control for the print job. Step 9 (in relation to Step 10 and optional Steps 11-14) is preferably not optional because it results in further advantages in print quality. Alternatively, but less preferably, if this method is implemented in a printing press that does not have a suitable sensor mechanism, for example, Step 9 (and Steps 10-14) may be omitted.

[0053] Steps 11-14 (optional): You can display, especially warnings, the data set according to steps 5-8, modify it, align it, and even save it.

[0054] Step 15: The step of printing the print job on the printing press. A second dataset is used in this step, and this second dataset may be identical to the first dataset (if no changes are made), or it may be different from the first dataset (if changes are made), and / or it may be supplemented by a third dataset.

[0055] Step 16 (Optional): A learning step in which replacements or changes made in the first dataset and / or the second dataset and / or the third dataset are stored as a modified or new reference dataset. Such reference datasets can then be reused by the press in subsequent print jobs. Similarly, such reference jobs can then be used by other presses in the complex in subsequent print jobs. A press complex can include multiple presses from one printing company and / or multiple presses from one manufacturer, with these presses passing data to the manufacturer via the cloud. Thus, learning can be performed at various levels: at the level of a single press, and / or at the level of multiple presses from one printing company, and / or at the level of multiple cloud-connected presses from one press manufacturer.

[0056] The upper region of Figure 2 illustrates three different print jobs 17, in which each print job includes multiple cutout sheets or rows of cutout sheets 18, for example, "AAAA", "BBBB", and "CCCC". Cutout sheets A, B, and C can be various labels.

[0057] The lower region of Figure 2 illustrates two different gangran print jobs 19, in which case each gangran print job includes multiple cutout sheets or rows of cutout sheets 20, for example, "BBAA" and "CBAA". These cutout sheets can also be various labels.

[0058] The example in Figure 2 clearly demonstrates that it may be more practical to store individual clipped sheet columns A and B rather than the entire job, for example, AAAA and BBBB. In this way, a new gangrun print job, for example BBAA, can be quickly constructed from the stored clipped sheets. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1. Steps to prepare the print job / first dataset. 1a One or more first datasets 1aa ID of the first dataset 1ab Job details for the first dataset 2. Steps to prepare a reference job / reference dataset, especially for the second dataset. 2a Reference datasets, in particular one or more second datasets ID of 2aa reference dataset, specifically the second dataset. Job details for the 2ab reference dataset, specifically the second dataset. 3. Steps to store / prepare the reference dataset. 3a Step to generate a fingerprint (optional) 4. Filtering / Selection Steps 4a Step to generate a fingerprint (optional) 5 Display Steps (Optional) 6. Selection / Modification Steps (Optional), particularly steps supplemented by a third dataset. 7 Replacement / Supplementary Steps 8. Memory Steps (Optional) 9. Steps to prepare sensor data and / or other data. 10. Reproduction Control / Quality Control Steps 11. Display and / or warning steps (optional) 12 Change Steps (Optional) 13. Print job alignment steps (optional) 14. Memory Step (Optional) 15 Printing steps for a print job 16 Learning Steps 17 Print Jobs 18. Cutout sheet or cutout sheet column 19 Gangran Print Jobs 20 cutout sheets or rows of cutout sheets 100 Steps to use a stored reference dataset 200 Steps to improve stored reference datasets 300 Steps using sensor data and / or other data

Claims

1. In a method for preparing a print job for printing, wherein at least one first dataset (1a) assigned to a print job (1) and a plurality of reference datasets (2a) assigned to individual reference jobs (2) are provided, a plurality of reference datasets (2a) that are complementary to each other are provided (3) for the plurality of reference jobs (2), an automatic filtering step (4) is performed, in which at least one second dataset (2a) is provided from the reference datasets of the plurality of reference jobs, the second dataset is used for printing (15) instead of or supplementing the at least one first dataset (1a). A method for preparing a print job for printing, characterized in that.

2. A plurality of first datasets (1a) that are complementary to each other and assigned to the print job (1) are provided, and the second dataset (2a) is used for printing instead of or supplementing one of the first datasets. The method according to claim 1.

3. In the filtering (4), a check is made for ID (1aa, 2aa) matching, the ID (1aa) of the print job (1) is compared with the individual IDs (2aa) of the plurality of reference jobs (2), and / or the ID (1aa) of the at least one first dataset (1) is compared with the individual IDs (2aa) of the plurality of reference datasets (2). The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In the filtering (4), a check is made for job content (1ab, 2ab) matching, the job content (1ab) of the print job (1) is compared with the individual job contents (2ab) of the plurality of reference jobs (2), and / or the job content (1ab) of the at least one first dataset (1) is compared with the individual job contents (2ab) of the plurality of reference datasets (2a). The method according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The print job (1) is supplemented by a third dataset (6), which contains job content regarding additional printing ink or job changes. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The at least one second data set (2) provided in the automatic filtering (4) is automatically selected or selected by an operator using selection means for the operator. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The print job (1) is prepared for printing in a printing press, and in this case, measurement data (9) is generated and prepared by sensor technology in the printing press, and using the measurement data, reproduction control (10) and / or quality control (10) regarding the print job are performed by computational technology. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

8. At least one change (6) is made by an operator using change means for the operator in the first data set (1) and / or the second data set (2) and / or the third data set (6), and the change is stored as a changed or new reference data set (8, 14, 16). The method according to claim 1 or 2.

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