Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide a cutline suitable for a print.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus edits print data including cutline layer data used for die-cut in a printed recording medium, and comprises: acquisition means that acquires print area information including at least the amount of paper feed in inter-page printing from a printer that performs printing on the recording medium, and acquires, from a die-cut device, operation characteristic information of the die-cut device; and determination means that determines cutline layer data on the basis of the print area information and operation characteristic information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to technology for handling data used in die cutting after printing. [Background technology]

[0002] A known configuration is to form an image on a recording medium by a printing device, and then use a die-cutting device to form half cuts (hereinafter referred to as "die-cuts") at the contours of the image in order to cut out the formed image. The cut lines that form the die-cuts by the die-cutting device are generated based on the print data used by the printing device. Patent Document 1 discloses a control method for generating cut lines using the print data used by the printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-012729 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In inter-page printing, the printing device transports the recording medium a predetermined paper feed amount before printing the next page. Therefore, the printed matter may include an area for the paper feed amount between the area corresponding to the print data of the first page and the area corresponding to the print data of the second page. In this case, if a cut line is generated from the print data as in Patent Document 1, the area for the paper feed amount is not taken into account, which results in a difference in the operating characteristics of the post-processing device (die-cutting device). Therefore, there is a possibility that a cut line suitable for the printed matter will not be provided.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a cut line suitable for printed matter in a die-cut forming process after printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device disclosed herein is an information processing device that edits printing data including cut line layer data used for die-cutting a printed recording medium, and is characterized in that it is equipped with an acquisition means that acquires printing area information including at least the paper feed amount for inter-page printing from a printing device that prints on the recording medium, and acquires operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device from the die-cutting device, and a determination means that determines the cut line layer data based on the printing area information and the operating characteristic information. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a cut line suitable for the printed material in the die-cut forming process after printing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a label production system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the die-cutting device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a rotary type die cutting device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a die-cutting device using a flat cutting method. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of the die-cutting device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a software configuration of the label production system. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of label data created by a design application. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a label application. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart showing a print job saving process. [Figure 11]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of print area information of a printing device. [Figure 12] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example of print data size and paper feed amount of a printing device. [Figure 13] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for print area information of a print area. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of print job data. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting ticket. [Figure 16A] 11 is a flowchart showing a cut line layer data separation process. [Figure 16B] 11 is a flowchart showing a cut line layer data separation process. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for inputting the data size, etc. of cut line layer data. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of cut line layer data. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an eye mark setting warning screen. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an eye mark output warning screen. [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of print job data. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an eye mark output confirmation screen. [Figure 23] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of cut line layer data. [Figure 24] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of cut line layer data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. Note that the same configurations will be described with the same reference numerals. Also, each process (step) in the flow chart will be indicated with a reference numeral beginning with "S".

[0010] [First embodiment] <Hardware configuration of label production system> In this embodiment, an example of a label production system used in a printing process, which is a part of a label printing process, and a die-cut process after printing will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the label production system. In FIG. 1, a host computer 101 is an example of an information processing device, and includes an input interface 110, a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an external storage device 114, an output interface 115, and an input / output interface 116. Input devices such as a keyboard 118 and a pointing device 117 are connected to the input interface 110. A display device such as a display unit 119 is connected to the output interface 115.

[0011] An initialization program is stored in the ROM 112. A group of application programs, an operating system (OS), a design application, and various other data are stored in the external storage device 114. The RAM 113 is used as a work memory or the like when various programs stored in the external storage device 114 are executed, and various programs are operable within the host computer 101. In this embodiment, the CPU 111 executes processing according to the procedures of the programs stored in the ROM 112, thereby executing functions of the host computer 101 described below and processing related to flowcharts described below.

[0012] The printing device 121, which is a device, is connected to the host computer 101 via the input / output interface 116. A plurality of host computers 101 may be connected to the printing device 121. Here, the host computer 101 and the printing device 121 are configured separately, but they may be configured as one information processing device. The die-cutting device 131, which is a device, is connected to the host computer 101 via the input / output interface 116. Note that a plurality of host computers 101 may be connected to the die-cutting device 131. Here, the host computer 101 and the die-cutting device 131 are configured separately, but they may be configured as one information processing device. Also, the host computer 101, the printing device 121, and the die-cutting device 131 are configured separately, but they may be configured as one information processing device.

[0013] In this embodiment, the printing device 121 is described as an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting liquid (ink) onto a paper surface, but printing may be performed by other methods such as electrophotography. In this embodiment, the die-cutting device 131 is described as a rotary type or flat-cut type, but the cut portion may be formed by other methods (for example, laser cutting). The host computer 101 may be a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.

[0014] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printing device 121. The printing device 121 includes an input interface 210, a CPU 211, a ROM 212, a RAM 213, a print engine 214, an output interface 215, an input / output interface 216, a key input unit 217, and a display unit 218. The key input unit 217 receives input operations from a user and is composed of numeric input keys, a mode setting key, a decision key, a cancel key, and the like. The key input unit 217 is connected to the input interface 210. The display unit 218 displays details of the received print data and the status of the printing device 121, is composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display), and is connected to the output interface 215. Here, the key input unit 217 and the display unit 218 are separate entities, but the key input unit 217 and the display unit 218 may be integrated by using a touch panel.

[0015] The CPU 211 is a system control unit and controls the entire printing device 121. The ROM 212 stores fixed data such as a control program executed by the CPU 211 and a data table. The RAM 213 is used as a work memory for the CPU 211 and is also used as a buffer for temporarily storing print jobs. The print engine 214 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper using a recording material such as a liquid (ink) based on the data stored in the RAM 213 and the print job received from the host computer 101, and outputs a printout. The host computer 101 and the printing device 121 can communicate with each other by connecting the input / output interface 116 of the host computer 101 and the input / output interface 216 of the printing device 121. Examples of the connection method include, but are not limited to, a network connection or a wireless LAN.

[0016] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the die-cutting device 131. The die-cutting device 131 includes conveying rollers 311a and 311b, an eye mark detection sensor 312 (detection section), a die-cutting section 313 (die-cutting section), and a conveying distance detection sensor 314 (rotary encoder). The conveying rollers 311a and 311b are a conveying mechanism that conveys a recording medium 315 on which an image is printed in a predetermined direction (X direction in FIG. 3). Here, the recording medium 315 is a printed recording medium on which an image is formed by the printing device 121. The conveying rollers 311a and 311b are connected to a conveying motor (not shown), and are driven in accordance with the rotation of the conveying motor to convey the recording medium 315 in a predetermined direction.

[0017] Recording medium 315 is a continuous sheet with a two-layer structure in which an upper label sheet 315a and a lower backing 315b are attached to the upper layer. Label sheet 315a is composed of a recording layer on the front side on which an image is recorded, and an adhesive layer on the backing 315b side for attaching to the label sheet 315a. The surface of backing 315b that is attached to label sheet 315a is treated with a release coating to protect the adhesive layer of label sheet 315a.

[0018] The die-cutting unit 313 is a die-cutting unit that cuts out the recording medium 315 being conveyed by the conveying rollers 311a and 311b. In this embodiment, the die-cutting unit 313 does not cut out the backing 315b of the recording medium 315, but cuts out only the label sheet 315a on the backing, thereby making a slit in the label sheet 315a. The recording medium 315 before processing is set in the die-cutting device 131 with the label sheet wound in a roll. The die-cutting is repeated in the die-cutting unit 313 for the label sheet pulled out from the roll. The label sheet processed in this way is wound up again in a roll. In the processed recording medium, an image is formed and one cut-out piece is peeled off from the backing 315b and attached to another object as a sticker.

[0019] 4 and 5 are perspective views showing two configuration examples of the die-cutting unit 313. FIG. 4 shows an example of a rotary type die-cutting device. The die-cutting unit 313 has a die-cutting roller 401 and an anvil roller 402. The die-cutting roller 401 is a cylindrical roller, and includes a die-cutting blade sheet 401b provided with a die-cutting blade 401a that cuts and punches out the label sheet 315a of the recording medium 315. The anvil roller 402 is a cylindrical roller, and receives the die-cutting blade 401a of the die-cutting roller 401. The die-cutting roller 401 and the anvil roller 402 are arranged vertically in parallel to sandwich the recording medium 315, and rotate in opposite directions to each other by a drive mechanism (not shown). As a result, recording medium 315 is transported in the X direction in FIG. 4, and die-cutting section 313 presses die-cutting blade 401a of die-cut roller 401 against recording medium 315, cutting label sheet 315a of recording medium 315 into the shape of die-cutting blade 401a.

[0020] The die-cut blade 401a is formed with a size and shape such that one or more labels are cut out by one rotation of the die-cut roller 401. The die-cut blade 401a is deep enough to cut only the upper label sheet 315a and not the lower backing sheet 315b. In the die-cut unit 313 shown in FIG. 4, the die-cut blade sheet 401b is detachable, and the shape or size of the die-cut blade 401a can be changed by replacing the die-cut blade sheet 401b. Therefore, the shape to be cut out can be changed as desired by replacing the die-cut blade sheet 401b.

[0021] An example of the procedure for creating the die-cut blade sheet 401b is described below. In label printing, when printing between pages, the recording medium is additionally transported when printing of one page is completed (example of additional transport amount: 2 mm). This additional transport amount is called the paper feed amount. The cut line layer data included in the print data for one page in which the label data is arranged is saved as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file. Usually, the print data does not include the above paper feed amount. The page size of the saved PDF file becomes the width and height of the die-cut blade sheet 401b, and the position of the cut line drawn in the PDF file becomes the position of the die-cut blade 401a. Since the page height of the PDF file becomes the height of the die-cut blade sheet 401b (the operation length of the die-cut roller 401), if the paper feed amount is not reflected in the page height of the PDF file, the following problem occurs. In the case of a rotary type die-cut device, the circumference of the die-cut roller 401 becomes the repeat operation length, and if this repeat operation length does not match the repeat length of the label image recorded continuously on the label sheet 315a, the desired die-cut label cannot be obtained. In this embodiment, the above problem is avoided by setting the height of the die-cutting blade sheet 401b to the page height of the PDF file plus the paper feed amount. In other words, in the die-cutting process after printing, it is possible to align the image position of the printed matter with the cutting position for forming the die cut.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows an example of a die-cutting device of the flat-cutting method. The die-cutting device of the flat-cutting method includes a die-cutting unit 313, an eye mark detection sensor 312, and a conveying distance detection sensor 314. The die-cutting unit 313 includes a flat die 501 and a flat anvil 502. The die 501 includes a die-cutting blade sheet 501b provided with a die-cutting blade 501a that cuts and punches out a label sheet 315a of the recording medium 315. The anvil 502 receives the die-cutting blade 501a of the die 501. The die 501 and the anvil 502 are arranged vertically in parallel to sandwich the recording medium 315. The die 501 is moved by a driving mechanism (not shown) in a direction (Y direction in FIG. 5) that intersects with the X direction in which the recording medium 315 is conveyed. Then, the die 501 presses the die-cut blade 501a against the recording medium 315, thereby cutting the label sheet 315a of the recording medium 305 into the shape of the die-cut blade 501a.

[0023] The conveying distance detection sensor 314 shown in FIG. 3 is a distance detection unit that detects the conveying distance conveyed by the conveying rollers 301a and 301b of the recording medium 315. The conveying distance detection sensor 314 is, for example, an encoder. The eye mark detection sensor 312 is, for example, an image sensor using a camera or a reflective sensor using laser light. The eye mark detection sensor 312 detects an identification mark (eye mark) for identifying the location to be cut out in the die cut section of the recording medium 315. When the eye mark detection sensor 312 detects an eye mark recorded on the label sheet 315a together with a label image, the die cut device equipped with the eye mark detection sensor 312 performs the following operation. Based on the position of the detected eye mark, the die cut device adjusts the label image recording position and the die cutting position according to the conveying amount of the recording medium 315 read from the conveying distance detection sensor 314, and the die cut blade 501a is pressed against the recording medium 315. Die-cut blade 501a is deep enough to cut only upper label sheet 315a and not lower backing paper 305b. In die-cut unit 313 shown in Fig. 5, die-cut blade sheet 501b is removable, and the shape or size of die-cut blade 501a can be changed by replacing die-cut blade sheet 501b. In the flat cutting method, die-cutting is performed based on eye marks, so die-cut blades can be manufactured without considering the paper feed amount.

[0024] In the case of a flat-cutting type die-cutting device equipped with an eye-mark detection sensor and a conveying distance detection sensor, if eye-marks are printed on the label sheet together with the label image, the repeating operation length of the die-cutting device can be controlled based on the eye-mark position. Therefore, if eye-marks are printed on the label sheet together with the label image, the desired die-cut label can be obtained, but if eye-marks are not printed on the label sheet together with the label image, the desired die-cut label cannot be obtained.

[0025] 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of the die-cutting device 131 of the flat punching method. The hardware control unit 601 is connected to the eye mark detection sensor 312, the die-cutting unit 313, the conveying distance detection sensor 314, the conveying mechanism 320, and the input / output interface 602. The conveying mechanism 320 includes conveying motors 320a and 320b, and conveying motors 320a and 320b that drive the conveying rollers 311a and 311b, respectively. The die-cutting unit 313 includes a drive mechanism that drives the die-cutting roller 401, the anvil roller 402, and the die 501. In the case of the control system of the rotary type die-cutting device 131, there is no drive mechanism that drives the eye mark detection sensor 312, the conveying distance detection sensor 314, and the die 501. Instead, a drive mechanism that drives the die-cutting roller 401 and the anvil roller 402 is required.

[0026] The hardware control unit 601 controls the conveying mechanism 320 and the die-cutting unit 313 to realize the die-cutting operation described above. Through this control, a label is produced by die-cutting the recording medium 315. The input / output interface 602 is connected to the input / output interface 116 of the host computer 101. In response to a request from the host computer 101, the die-cutting device 131 can also transmit characteristic information of the die-cutting unit 313 via the input / output interface 602 by the hardware control unit 601. Furthermore, if the die-cutting unit 313 is a laser cutting type, it may be configured to receive cut line layer data used to form the cut portion from the host computer 101.

[0027] <Software configuration of the label creation system> 7 is a diagram showing a schematic software configuration of the label creation system. The software of the label creation system includes a design application 700 and a label printing application 701. The design application 700 is an application that runs on the host computer 101 and creates label data. A user who creates and edits label data creates label data on the design application 700 to be printed by the printing device 121. The design application 700 can create design data with a layer structure.

[0028] A layer is a virtual hierarchy of print data to which each element belongs, and can be identified in the display on the application by the color of the element or a unique layer identifier. The user can select each layer as a layer to be printed or a layer not to be printed. In the label production process, when creating label data, the user can include cut lines that indicate the position to be cut in the post-printing process as cut line layer data on layers not to be printed.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing label data created by the design application 700. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the label data 800 includes a print object 801 and a cut line object 802. A rectangle 803 indicates the finished size of the label. The area between the outer rectangle of the label data 800 and the rectangle 803 indicating the finished size is the bleed area. As shown in FIG. 8(b), a layer 800a is a layer to be printed in the label data 800, and this layer includes a print object 801 to be printed. The layer 800a to be printed is assigned a layer identifier of "print label". Here, the layer identifier is used to identify the layer name in an application that can interpret the label data created by the design application 700. As shown in FIG. 8(c), a layer 800b is a layer to be not printed in the label data 800, and this layer includes a cut line object 802 to be not printed. The layer 800b to be not printed is assigned a layer identifier of "cut line". In this embodiment, the file format of the label data is PDF (Portable Document Format), but the file format is not limited to this. In addition, in the PDF file, the layer identifier is included in the OCProperties (Optional Contents Properties) dictionary of the PDF structure.

[0030] The label printing application 701 runs on the host computer 101, is capable of interpreting label data 800 created by the design application 700, and creates a print job from the label data 800 for printing in the printing device 121. The label printing application 701 includes a main processing unit 711, an information acquisition unit 712, a determination unit 713, a control unit 714, a warning unit 715, an input reception unit 716, a job generation unit 717, a display control unit 718, and a file output unit 719.

[0031] The main processing unit 711 executes the overall processing functions of the label printing application 701, such as various window generation processing and various judgment processing. The information acquisition unit 712 acquires information (printing area information) related to the printing area of ​​the printing device 121 and operation characteristic information of the die-cutting device 131. The determination unit 713 determines the cut line layer data used in the die-cutting device 131 from the printing area information and operation characteristic information acquired by the information acquisition unit 712. The control unit 714 separates the cut line layer data determined by the determination unit 713 from the printing data. In addition, when an eye mark reader (identification mark reader) is present and the print data does not contain eye mark layer data (identification mark layer data), the control unit 714 performs the following operation when a warning issued in such a case is accepted by the user. The control unit 714 adds eye mark layer data (identification mark layer data) to the print data. When a warning is required for the user when the cut line layer data is determined by the determination unit 713, the warning unit 715 instructs the display control unit 718 to display a warning message window or the like. The input accepting unit 716 accepts user input in an input area of ​​a window displayed on the display unit 119. The job generating unit generates a print job. The generated job is sent to the hot folder 220 of the printing device 121 and saved in the designated hot folder 220. The display control unit 718 displays a warning message window, a window generated by the main processing unit 711, and the like on the display unit 119. The file output unit 719 outputs cut line layer data, or layer data including the cut line layer data and eye mark layer data, and the like to a file.

[0032] The printing device 121 provides a hot folder 220 as a means for accepting print jobs, and the label printing application 701 submits the created print job to the hot folder 220 of the printing device 121. When a print job for label data is submitted to the hot folder 220, the printing device 121 issues a print request to the print engine 214 based on preset print setting information, and the label data is printed on a recording medium 315. The recording medium 315 on which the label data has been printed is supplied to a conveying section of the die-cutting device 131, and is die-cut by the die-cutting section 313 to generate a die-cut label.

[0033] <Print job storage process> The following describes the process of generating cut line data required to create a blade used by the die-cutting unit 313 of the die-cutting device 131 when creating a print job in the label printing application 701. In this embodiment, label data 800 is arranged 2 pieces horizontally and 500 pieces vertically on a recording medium with a width of 180 mm. Labels are generated that are die-cut by the die-cutting device so that the gap between adjacent labels is 30 mm and the gap between upper and lower labels is 20 mm.

[0034] 9 is an example of a screen of the label printing application 701. Window 901 is an application window in which label data 800 has been loaded. Window 901 includes a label data selection section 902, a preview section 903, a print job setting section 904, and a save setting section 905. The label data selection section 902 is an area in which the loaded label data is displayed in thumbnail list format and in which the label data to be printed is selected. Here, it is assumed that label data 800 has been selected by a selection frame 941. The preview section 903 is an area that displays the layout in which the label data will be printed on the recording medium 305 in the printing device 121, based on the settings in the print job setting section 904.

[0035] To generate the above-mentioned label, the following settings are made in the print job setting section 904. Since printing is to be performed on a recording medium with a width of 180 mm, the substrate width 911 is set to "180 mm", and 931 in the preview section 903 is displayed accordingly. The layout of the label data is based on the finished size of the above-mentioned label data 800. First, since two pieces of label data 800 are arranged horizontally, "2" is set in the number of layouts horizontal 912, and 932 in the preview section 903 is displayed accordingly. Furthermore, since 500 pieces of label data 800 are arranged vertically, "500" is set in the number of layouts vertical 913, and 933 in the preview section 903 is displayed accordingly. Labels arranged vertically may be displayed using a scroll bar or any other display that allows visual confirmation that the specified number of label data are arranged vertically. Next, since the spacing between adjacent labels will be 30 mm, horizontal label spacing 914 is set to "30 mm", and horizontal label spacing 934 in preview area 903 is displayed accordingly. Furthermore, since the spacing between the top and bottom labels will be 20 mm, vertical label spacing 915 is set to "20 mm", and vertical label spacing 935 in preview area 903 is displayed accordingly. For eyemark setting 916, it is possible to select "Print by label", which prints eyemarks on a label-by-label basis, and "Print by page", which prints eyemarks on a page-by-page basis.

[0036] In order to save the label print job described above, the following settings are made in the save setting section 905. To specify the printing device 121 that will perform printing, "label printer A" is set in the output printer 921. The label printer A is connected to the host computer 101. A list of hot folders 220 provided by the printing device 121 and in which print settings have been registered in advance is displayed in the output hot folder 922, and one of these, "hot folder 1", is set. The cut line output selection 923 is an area for selecting whether or not to output cut lines. When the cut line output selection 923 is selected, the subsequent cut line layer name 924 and die cut format 925 can be selected. When the cut line output selection 923 is not selected, the cut line layer name 924 and die cut format 925 cannot be selected. Furthermore, when the cut line output selection 923 is selected, when the print job is output to the hot folder 1, the cut line layer data included in the label data 800 is output as a separate file. In this embodiment, the print job is output as a PDF file, but any file format that can be interpreted by the printing device 121 may be used. Also, in this embodiment, the cut line layer data is also output as a PDF file, but this is not limited to this. The file of the cut line layer data may be in any file format that is used to create a die-cut blade, such as a file format used in CAD (Computer Aided Design) software.

[0037] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the cut line output selection 923 is in a selected state. The cut line layer name 924 specifies the layer identifier of the cut line object included in the label data 800. In this case, it is assumed that the layer identifier "cut line" of the layer 800b is specified. The die cut format 925 specifies the die cut method of the die cut device 131 that cuts the recording medium on which the label data is printed. In this case, the die cut method of the die cut device 131 connected to the host computer 101 is specified. The specified die cut method can be selected as "rotary cut" or "flat cut". When flat cut is selected in the die cut format 925, the eye mark reader 926 becomes selectable. When the die cut device 131 is equipped with an eye mark reader, the selected state is specified for the eye mark reader 926. When the die cut device 131 is not equipped with an eye mark reader, the non-selected state is specified.

[0038] Button 927 is a save button. When button 927 is pressed, the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 executes the print job save process of the flowchart shown in Figure 10 via the label printing application 701. That is, the process of the flowchart shown in Figure 10 starts when the user saves the print job in which the label data has been arranged. The process of the flowchart shown in Figure 10 is described in detail below.

[0039] In S1001, the CPU 111 acquires print area information of the printing device 121 (output printer) via the information acquisition unit 712. When the print area information of the printing device 121 (output printer) is acquired, the process proceeds to S1002. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of print area information acquired from the label printer A set as the output printer 921. Here, it is assumed that the label printing application 701 acquires information 1101 in an XML format in which the print area information of the label printer A is recorded in advance, but this is not limited to this. The host computer 101 may communicate with the printing device 121 to acquire the print area information. In addition, the data format of the print area information is not limited to the XML format. The data format of the print area information may be any format that the label printing application 701 can interpret, such as a JDF (Job Definition Format) format that is widely used in commercial printing. The Printer element 1102 is an element that includes the print area characteristics of the label printer A. The feed element 1103 is an element contained in the Printer element 1102, and indicates that a value of 2 mm has been set. The feed element 1103 specifies the paper feed amount as one of the print area characteristics of label printer A. In the example of Fig. 11, this indicates that the recording medium 305 is to be fed 2 mm after one page of print data included in the print job has been printed.

[0040] 12 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of print data and the paper feed amount during inter-page printing when printing is performed by label printer A. Area 1201 indicates the recording medium 305. Area 1202 is an area where one page's worth of job data is printed, and is an area where two pieces of label data 800 are arranged horizontally and one piece is arranged vertically. After printing one page's worth of job data, label printer A feeds the recording medium 305 2 mm in the paper ejection direction, as shown in area 1203. Label printer A then prints the next page's worth of job data, and repeats the operation of feeding the recording medium 305 2 mm in the paper ejection direction again.

[0041] In S1002, the CPU 111 determines whether the print area information was acquired in S1001 via the main processing unit 711. If the print area information was acquired, the process proceeds to S1004. For example, if the print area information was not acquired due to a reason such as a state in which the host computer 101 and the printing device 121 cannot communicate with each other, the process proceeds to S1003. In S1003, the CPU 111 displays an input screen 1301 for print area information shown in FIG. 13 via the main processing unit 711 and the input receiving unit 716, and receives input of the print area information from the user. The input screen 1301 for print area information is an example of an input screen for print area information. The input screen 1301 for print area information includes a paper feed amount 1302 and an input confirmation button 1303. The user inputs the amount of conveyance of the recording medium 305 in the paper discharge direction after the output printer outputs one page of print data into the paper feed amount 1302, with reference to a user guide of the printing device 121 or the like. When the user presses the input confirmation button 1303, the process proceeds to S1004.

[0042] In S1004, the CPU 111 generates a print job and a print setting ticket based on the print area information acquired in S1001 via the main processing unit 711 and the job generating unit 717. Here, the print job shown in FIG. 14 and the print setting ticket shown in FIG. 15 are generated. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a print job. Based on the setting of the print job setting unit 904 and the print area information acquired in S1001, the following settings are made as a print job. The paper width 1402 is set to 180 mm, and the paper height 1403 is set to 78 mm. Two label data 800 are arranged horizontally, and the horizontal label spacing 1404 is set to 30 mm. As for the arrangement of the label, the print object 801 of the layer identifier "print label" to be printed is arranged based on the finished size standard. The paper feed amount 1405, which is the print area information, is set to 2 mm. Taking into consideration the paper feed amount 1405, the upper label margin 1406 is set to 9 mm, and the lower label margin 1407 is set to 9 mm. When continuously printed, the spacing between the top and bottom labels is 20 mm, taking into consideration the paper feed amount 1405. That is, the upper margin and the lower margin are determined taking into consideration the paper feed amount of 2 mm, which is the print area information, so that the vertical label spacing is the same as the vertical label spacing 915 (20 mm) specified in the print job setting area 904. The remaining 18 mm, which is obtained by subtracting the paper feed amount of 2 mm from the vertical label spacing of 20 mm, is allocated as the upper and lower margins. Here, the upper margin is set to 9 mm, and the lower margin is also set to 9 mm. As a result, the sum of the margin at the bottom of the label, the paper feed amount, and the upper margin of the label is 20 mm, which is specified in the vertical label spacing 915. The vertical arrangement number is 500, and the vertical arrangement number is the number of copies to be printed continuously. A print setting ticket is generated that specifies the number of copies to be printed based on the number of vertical layouts.

[0043] 15 is a diagram showing a print setting ticket that specifies the number of copies to print. The contents of a print setting ticket 1501 are included in information in XML format. A value of 500 is set in a copies element 1503, which corresponds to the number of copies to print and is included in a PrintSettings element 1502 that indicates the print settings. The format of the print setting ticket is not limited to the XML format, and may be any format that can be interpreted by the printing device 121, such as a JDF format. Once the print job and print setting ticket are generated, processing proceeds to S1005.

[0044] In S1005, the CPU 111 determines via the main processing unit 711 whether or not to output the cutline layer data to a separate file. This determination is made based on whether or not the cutline output selection 923 is checked. That is, if the cutline output selection 923 is checked, the cutline layer data is output to a separate file. If the cutline output selection 923 is not checked, the cutline layer data is not output to a separate file. If it is determined that the cutline layer data is to be output to a separate file, processing proceeds to S1006. If it is determined that the cutline layer data is not to be output to a separate file, processing proceeds to S1007.

[0045] <<Cut line separation processing>> In S1006, CPU 111 executes the cut line layer data separation process shown in the flowcharts of Fig. 16A and Fig. 16B via label printing application 701. The cut line layer data separation process is a process for separating cut line layer data from print data and outputting the data as a file. In S1601, CPU 111 acquires the print job data size included in the print job via information acquisition unit 712 and job generation unit 717. In addition, the paper feed amount included in the print area information was acquired in the process of S1001 or S1002. When the process for acquiring the print job data size is completed, the process proceeds to S1602.

[0046] In S1602, CPU 111 acquires operating characteristic information of die-cutting device 131 via information acquisition unit 712. The operating characteristic information of die-cutting device 131 includes information such as die-cutting type 925 of die-cutting device 131 and the presence or absence of eye mark reading device 926. The operating characteristic information of die-cutting device 131 may be acquired by host computer 101 communicating with die-cutting device 131. If host computer 101 and die-cutting device 131 are in a state where they cannot communicate with each other, processing of S1602 is completed without acquiring the operating characteristic information of die-cutting device 131. When processing of S1602 is completed, processing proceeds to S1603.

[0047] In S1603, CPU 111 determines whether or not the operation characteristic information of die-cutting device 131 has been acquired via main processing unit 711. If the operation characteristic information of die-cutting device 131 has been acquired, processing proceeds to S1604. If the operation characteristic information of die-cutting device 131 has not been acquired, processing proceeds to S1608. If the host computer 101 and die-cutting device 131 are in a state where they cannot communicate with each other, the operation characteristic information of die-cutting device 131 cannot be acquired. In S1604, CPU 111 determines the die-cut type of die-cutting device 131 via main processing unit 711. If the die-cut type is the "rotary type", processing proceeds to S1605. If the die-cut type is the "flat cut type", processing proceeds to S1606.

[0048] In S1605, the CPU 111 sets the cut line layer data output size to a size that reflects the paper feed amount of the print area information in the print job data size via the determination unit 713. As described above, in the rotary cut method, the repeating work size is the blade type sheet size, so the blade type sheet size is a size that takes into account not only the print job data size but also the paper feed amount of the printing device 121. In the above example, the width of the cut line layer data output size is 180 mm, which is the width of the print job size, and the height of the cut line layer data output size is 80 mm, which is the height of the print job data size (paper height) 78 mm plus the paper feed amount of 2 mm. In addition, in the case of the rotary cut method, eye mark output (identification mark output) is not necessary, so the CPU 111 sets the eye mark output flag to OFF via the label print application 701. When the above settings are completed, the process proceeds to S1609.

[0049] In S1606, CPU 111 determines whether die-cutting device 131 has an eyemark reading device via main processing unit 711. If it is determined that die-cutting device 131 has an eyemark reading device, processing proceeds to S1607. If it is determined that die-cutting device 131 does not have an eyemark reading device, processing proceeds to S1608. In S1607, CPU 111 turns on an eyemark output flag via main processing unit 711. The cut line layer data output size is set to the print job data size. If the die-cut format is a flat cut type, die-cutting device 131 aligns the cutting position with the eyemark position read by eyemark detection sensor 312, so there is no need to reflect the print area information in the output size of the cut line layer data. When the above settings are completed, processing proceeds to S1609.

[0050] In S1608, CPU 111 displays the cut line layer data size input screen shown in Fig. 17 via main processing unit 711 and input receiving unit 716, and the user inputs the cut line layer data output size and eye mark output method. If the die cutting format of die cutting device 131 is unknown or if flat cutting type die cutting device 131 does not have an eye mark reading device, the process of S1605 or the process of S1607 is not executed. Therefore, the process of specifying the output size of the cut line layer data and whether or not to output eye marks is not executed. Therefore, the output size of the cut line layer data and the eye mark output method are specified by user input, and cut line layer data is created.

[0051] Screen 1701 is an example of a size input screen for cut line layer data. Screen 1701 includes cut line layer data width 1702, cut line layer data height 1703, eye mark output 1704, and input confirmation button 1705. Cut line layer data is created based on the cut line layer data width 1702 and cut line layer data height 1703 input by the user. If eye mark output 1704 is in a selected state, an eye mark is output to the cut line layer data. If eye mark output 1704 is in a non-selected state, an eye mark is not output to the cut line layer data. When input confirmation button 1705 is pressed, processing proceeds to S1609.

[0052] In S1609, the CPU 111 determines cut line layer data using the determined cut line layer data output size via the determination unit 713 and the control unit 714, and separates the cut line layer data from the print data. FIG. 18 is an example of a diagram that shows the separated cut line layer data. The example shown in FIG. 18 is cut line layer data generated by the rotary type cut line layer data output size determined in S1605. The width 1802 of the output size of the cut line layer data 1801 is 180 mm, which is the paper width 1402 of the print job data. The height 1803 of the output size of the cut line layer data 1801 is 80 mm, which is the height 1403 of the print job data plus the paper feed amount 1405 (2 mm), which is the print area information. Two cut line objects 802 of the layer identifier "cut line" of the label data 800 are arranged horizontally at the same position as the finish size reference position where the print object 801 in the print job data is arranged. If the process proceeds to S1606 after executing S1605, the width 1802 and height 1803 of the output size of the cutline layer data 1801 will be the width 1702 and height 1703 of the cutline layer data, which are the values ​​input in S1608. When the generation and output of the cutline layer data is completed, the process proceeds to S1610.

[0053] In S1610, CPU 111 determines whether the eyemark output flag is ON via main processing unit 711. If the eyemark output flag is ON, the process proceeds to S1611. If the eyemark output flag is OFF, the process proceeds to S1619. In S1611, CPU 111 determines whether eyemark output is set for the print job via main processing unit 711. If "print" is set in eyemark setting 916, the process proceeds to S1615. If "not print" is set in eyemark setting 916, the process proceeds to S1612. In S1612, CPU 111 determines whether the die-cut format is a rotary type or a flat-cut type via main processing unit 711. If the die-cut format is a rotary type, the process proceeds to S1613. If the die-cut format is a flat-cut type, the process proceeds to S1615.

[0054] In S1613, the CPU 111 displays an eyemark setting warning screen 1901 shown in FIG. 19 via the main processing unit 711, the warning unit 715, and the display control unit 718. The eyemark setting warning screen 1901 is an example, and may be displayed in other formats. The eyemark setting warning screen 1901 includes a warning message 1902 and a confirmation button 1903. When the CPU 111 detects via the display control unit 718 that the confirmation button 1903 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S1614. In S1614, the CPU 111 deletes the cut line layer data generated in S1609, and the print job and print setting ticket generated in S1004, via the main processing unit 711. When the above deletion is completed, the process flow of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 ends, and the process proceeds to S1007 shown in FIG. 10.

[0055] In S1615, the CPU 111 displays an eyemark output warning screen 2001 shown in FIG. 20 via the main processing unit 711, the warning unit 715, and the display control unit 718. The eyemark output warning screen 2001 is an example, and other display formats may be used. The eyemark output warning screen 2001 includes a warning message 2002 and a confirmation button 2003. When the CPU 111 detects via the display control unit 718 that the confirmation button 2003 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S2216. In S2216, the CPU 111 adds eyemark layer data to the print data in the print job generated in S1004 via the main processing unit 711, the control unit 714, and the job generating unit 717, and updates the contents of the print job. When the eyemark layer data is added to the print data in the print job, the process proceeds to S2217. This means a process of adding an eyemark object to a print job 1401 in which no eyemark object is output as shown in FIG. 14, and updating the print job to a print job 2101 as shown in FIG.

[0056] In S1617, the CPU 111 displays an eye mark output confirmation screen 2201 shown in FIG. 22 via the main processing unit 711 and the display control unit 718. The eye mark output confirmation screen 2201 is an example, and other display formats may be used. The eye mark output confirmation screen 2201 includes a confirmation message 2202, an "Output" button 2203, and a "Do not output" button 2204. If the "Output" button 2203 is pressed, the process proceeds to S1618. If the "Do not output" button 2204 is pressed, the process proceeds to S1619. If the die cut format is a flat cut type, and the eye mark position is adjusted after the die cut blade is created, the adjustment work can be performed efficiently by outputting the eye mark in accordance with the cut line layer data.

[0057] In S1618, the CPU 111 performs the following process via the main processing unit 711. The CPU 111 performs a process of arranging the eye mark object 2110 of the print job 2101 at the same coordinates as the print job data in the cut line layer data 2301 shown in FIG. 23, and updating the cut line layer data. The cut line layer data 2301 shown in FIG. 23 is an example of a flat cutting method that does not take into account the paper feed amount. FIG. 24 is an example of cut line layer data in which an eye mark has been output. The cut line layer data 2401 has a configuration in which an eye mark object 2410 has been added to the cut line layer data 2301 in which no eye mark object has been output. Once the eye mark object has been added to the cut line layer data, the process proceeds to S1619.

[0058] In S1619, CPU 111 outputs the generated cut line layer data to a file via file output unit 719. The folder to which the file is output may be a folder registered in advance by the user for outputting cut line layer data, or a folder arbitrarily designated by the user when saving. When the cut line layer data is output to a file, the process flow of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 ends, and the process proceeds to S1007 shown in FIG.

[0059] If die-cutting device 131 of the flat cutting method does not have an eye mark reading device (if NO is selected in S1606), die-cutting device 131 cannot read eye marks even if they are printed on the recording medium. In this case, the length obtained by adding the paper feed amount obtained in S1001 or S1002 to the height of the print job data acquired in S1601 is used as the transport unit for die-cutting. Die-cutting device 131 transports the recording medium based on this transport unit for die-cutting and performs die-cutting. This makes it possible to perform die-cutting as desired by the user. Even in die-cutting device 131 of the flat cutting method that does not have an eye mark reading device, the length obtained by adding the paper feed amount to the height of the print job data is used as the transport unit, not the height of the print job data.

[0060] <<Print job and print ticket output processing>> Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 10, in S1007, CPU 111 determines whether or not a print job and a print setting ticket have been generated via main processing unit 711 and job generating unit 717. If it is determined that a print job and a print setting ticket have been generated, the process proceeds to S1008. If it is determined that a print job or a print setting ticket has not been generated, the process flow of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 ends. In S1008, CPU 111 outputs the generated print job and print ticket to "hot folder 1" specified in output hot folder 922 via job generating unit 717. When this process is completed, the process flow of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 ends.

[0061] When a print setting ticket containing information corresponding to the print job and the number of copies to be printed is output to hot folder 1, label printer A adds the print job to the pre-set print settings and prints the number of copies listed on the ticket onto the recording medium. In the above example, one page of data for the print job is printed 500 times in succession onto the recording medium. A blade shape for a rotary die-cut sheet is created from the cut line layer data output in S1613. The recording medium on which the label data has been printed is cut by die-cut device 131 to which the created die-cut sheet is attached, and a die-cut label is generated.

[0062] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a cut line suitable for the printed matter in the die-cut forming process after printing. Furthermore, it is also possible to efficiently obtain a die-cut label without being affected by the post-printing process.

[0063] In this embodiment, the label printing application obtains the presence or absence of an eyemark reader as the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device. If an eyemark reader is available and eyemark layer data is included in the print data, the cut line layer data and eyemark layer data are separated together to create cut line layer data to be used by the die-cutting device. This makes it possible to efficiently adjust the eyemark position after creating the blade mold to be used by the die-cutting device.

[0064] In this embodiment, the label printing application obtains the presence or absence of an eyemark reader as the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device. If an eyemark reader is present and the print data does not contain eyemark layer data, a warning is issued and eyemark layer data is output to the print data. This makes it possible to reduce the occurrence of events where die-cutting cannot be performed at the correct cutting position without printing eyemarks on the print medium.

[0065] [Other embodiments] The above-described embodiment can also be implemented by executing the following process. That is, a recording medium on which program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is recorded is supplied to a system or device. Then, a computer (or a CPU or MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program code stored in the recording medium. This makes it possible to achieve the above-described object. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium on which the program code is stored constitutes the present disclosure.

[0066] Examples of storage media for supplying the program code include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs.

[0067] In addition, the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are not only realized by a computer reading and executing the program code, but also include cases where an Operating System (OS) running on a computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, thereby realizing the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0068] Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written to a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of the program code, a CPU provided on the function expansion board or function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing. This also includes cases where the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by such processing.

[0069] The disclosure of the above-described embodiment includes the following configurations.

[0070] (Configuration 1) An information processing device that edits printing data including cut line layer data used for die-cutting a printed recording medium, characterized in that the information processing device comprises: an acquisition means that acquires printing area information including at least a paper feed amount for inter-page printing from a printing device that prints on the recording medium, and acquires operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device from the die-cutting device; and a determination means that determines the cut line layer data based on the printing area information and the operating characteristic information.

[0071] (Configuration 2) The information processing apparatus according to configuration 1, further comprising a control unit that separates the cut line layer data determined by the determination unit from the print data.

[0072] (Configuration 3) The information processing apparatus according to configuration 2, further comprising output means for outputting the cut line layer data separated by the control means to a file.

[0073] (Configuration 4) The information processing device described in configuration 3, characterized in that the printing area information further includes information indicating the height of one page size set by the print job, and the determination means determines the cut line layer data based on the information indicating the height of one page size, the paper feed amount, and the operating characteristic information.

[0074] (Configuration 5) The information processing device according to Configuration 4, wherein the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device acquired by the acquisition means includes information on an identification mark reader that reads an identification mark indicating the die-cutting format or the position where the die-cutting is performed.

[0075] (Configuration 6) The information processing device described in Configuration 5, characterized in that when the operating characteristic information indicates that the die-cut format is a rotary type, the determination means determines the cut line layer data using information indicating the height of the size of one page acquired by the acquisition means and the paper feed amount.

[0076] (Configuration 7) The information processing device described in Configuration 5, characterized in that when the operating characteristic information indicates that the die-cut format is a flat cut method, the determination means determines the cut line layer data using information indicating the height of the size of one page acquired by the acquisition means.

[0077] (Configuration 8) The information processing device described in Configuration 5, characterized in that when the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device acquired by the acquisition means includes information indicating the presence of the identification mark reader, and when identification mark layer data having the identification mark is included in the printing data, the control means separates layer data that combines the cut line layer data and the identification mark layer data included in the printing data.

[0078] (Configuration 9) The information processing device according to configuration 8, wherein the output means outputs the combined layer data to a file.

[0079] (Configuration 10) An information processing device as described in Configuration 5, further comprising a display control means for displaying a window on a display means, wherein if the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device acquired by the acquisition means includes information indicating the presence of the identification mark reader, and if identification mark layer data having an identification mark indicating the position where die-cutting is to be performed is not included in the printing data, the display control means displays a window on the display means including a warning message to include the identification mark layer data in the printing data and a confirmation button.

[0080] (Configuration 11) The information processing device described in Configuration 10, characterized in that when the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device acquired by the acquisition means includes information indicating the presence of the identification mark reader, and when identification mark layer data having an identification mark indicating the position where die-cutting is to be performed is not included in the printing data, and when the display control means detects pressing of the confirmation button displayed in the window, the control means incorporates the identification mark layer data into the printing data.

[0081] (Configuration 12) An information processing device as described in Configuration 5, further comprising an input accepting means for accepting user input regarding the size of the cut line layer data and whether or not to output an identification mark, and when the acquisition means is unable to acquire the printing area information of the printing device or the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device, the acquisition means acquires the printing area information of the printing device or the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device via the input accepting means.

[0082] (Configuration 13) A control method for an information processing device that edits printing data including cut line layer data used for die-cutting a printed recording medium, comprising the steps of: acquiring printing area information including at least a paper feed amount for inter-page printing from a printing device that prints on the recording medium, and acquiring operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device from the die-cutting device; and determining the cut line layer data based on the printing area information and the operating characteristic information.

[0083] (Configuration 14) A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12.

Claims

1. An information processing device that edits print data including cut line layer data used for die-cutting a printed recording medium, an acquisition unit that acquires print area information including at least a paper feed amount for inter-page printing from a printing device that prints on the recording medium, and acquires operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device from the die-cutting device; a determining means for determining the cut line layer data based on the printing area information and the operation characteristic information; An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that separates the cut line layer data determined by the determination unit from the print data.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an output unit for outputting the cut line layer data separated by the control unit to a file.

4. The printing area information further includes information indicating a height of a size of one page set by a print job, 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determining means determines the cut line layer data based on the information indicating the height of the size of one page, the paper feed amount, and the operation characteristic information.

5. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operational characteristic information of the die-cutting device acquired by the acquiring means includes information on an identification mark reader that reads an identification mark indicating a die-cutting format or a position where die-cutting is performed.

6. An information processing device as described in claim 5, characterized in that when the operating characteristic information indicates that the die-cut format is a rotary type, the determination means determines the cut line layer data using information indicating the height of the size of one page acquired by the acquisition means and the paper feed amount.

7. The information processing device according to claim 5, characterized in that when the operating characteristic information indicates that the die-cut format is a flat cut method, the determination means determines the cut line layer data using information indicating the height of the size of one page acquired by the acquisition means.

8. The information processing device according to claim 5, characterized in that when the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device acquired by the acquisition means includes information indicating the presence of the identification mark reader, and when identification mark layer data having the identification mark is included in the printing data, the control means separates layer data that combines the cut line layer data and the identification mark layer data included in the printing data.

9. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said output means outputs the combined layer data to a file.

10. The display control means further includes a display control means for displaying a window on the display means, The information processing device according to claim 5, characterized in that if the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device acquired by the acquisition means includes information indicating the presence of the identification mark reader, and if the printing data does not include identification mark layer data having an identification mark indicating the position where die-cutting is to be performed, the display control means displays on the display means a window including a warning message to include the identification mark layer data in the printing data and a confirmation button.

11. The information processing device according to claim 10, characterized in that when the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device acquired by the acquisition means includes information indicating the presence of an identification mark reader, when identification mark layer data having an identification mark indicating the position where die-cutting is to be performed is not included in the printing data, and when the display control means detects the pressing of the confirmation button displayed in the window, the control means incorporates the identification mark layer data into the printing data.

12. further comprising an input receiving means for receiving user input regarding a size of the cut line layer data and whether or not to output an identification mark; The information processing device according to claim 5, characterized in that when the acquisition means is unable to acquire the printing area information of the printing device or the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device, the acquisition means acquires the printing area information of the printing device or the operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device via the input accepting means.

13. A method for controlling an information processing device that edits print data including cut line layer data used for die-cutting a printed recording medium, comprising: acquiring print area information including at least a paper feed amount for inter-page printing from a printing device that prints on the recording medium, and acquiring operating characteristic information of the die-cutting device from the die-cutting device; determining the cutline layer data based on the print area information and the operational characteristic information; 13. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising:

14. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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