Printing control program, printing system, and printed matter production method

Abstract

To provide a printing control program that enables printing using an image difference in an environment where printing processing is performed using a general-purpose printer driver.SOLUTION: A printing control program causes a computer to perform acquisition processing, display processing, generation processing, and instruction processing. In the acquisition processing, printing data is acquired from a general-purpose printer driver 16. In the display processing, a user interface image for allowing a user to designate additional data to be added to the printing data and an addition position of the additional data in the printing data is displayed. In the generation processing, a printing job for performing printing in which the additional data is added to the printing data at the addition position is generated. In the instruction processing, a printer is instructed to perform printing based on the printing job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a print control program, a printing system, and a print production method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for making a printer perform booklet printing in an information processing device in which an OS (Operating System) standard printer driver, which is an OS standard printing program, is installed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-56754 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, printing using image differences is not a general-purpose process, and is not supported by generic printer drivers such as those that come standard with operating systems. Therefore, there is a need for the development of technology that enables printing using image differences in environments where printing is performed using generic printer drivers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A print control program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute an acquisition process that acquires print data from a generic printer driver; a display process that displays a user interface image that allows a user to specify additional data to be added to the print data and the addition position of the additional data in the print data; a generation process that generates a print job that prints the print data with the additional data added to the addition position; and an instruction process that causes a printer to perform printing based on the print job.

[0006] A printing system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a printer and a terminal device, and the terminal device includes a generic printer driver, an acquisition processing unit that acquires print data from the generic printer driver, a display processing unit that displays a user interface image that allows a user to specify additional data to be added to the print data and the addition position of the additional data in the print data, a generation processing unit that generates a print job that prints the print data with the additional data added to the addition position, and an instruction processing unit that causes the printer to perform printing based on the print job.

[0007] A print production method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition process that acquires print data from a generic printer driver, a display process that displays a user interface image that allows a user to specify additional data to be added to the print data and the addition position of the additional data in the print data, a generation process that generates a print job, and a print process in which a printer executes printing based on the print job to produce a print with the additional data added at the addition position of the print data. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating a first example of a generation process in the printing system of FIG. [Figure 3] 1. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a second example of the generation process in the printing system of FIG. [Figure 4] 1. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of serial number printing processing in the printing system of FIG. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram continuing from Figure 4. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing an example of a user interface image displayed in the serial number printing process of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. [Figure 7]6A and 6B are diagrams showing other examples of user interface images displayed in the serial number printing process of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. [Figure 8] 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a series of printed materials printed in the serial number printing process of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of variable printing processing in the printing system of FIG. [Figure 10] This is a sequence diagram continuing from FIG. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a character string file referenced in the variable printing process of FIGS. 9 and 10, and an example of a series of printed materials printed in the variable printing process with reference to the character string file. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are merely examples for explaining the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, not all of the components described in the embodiments of the present invention are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0010] (Embodiment) [System Configuration] An example of the configuration of a printing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system according to this embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system 100 according to this embodiment can include a terminal device 10, a printer A (31), a printer B (32), and a printer C (33).

[0012] The terminal device 10 is an information processing device with a communication function, such as a PC (Personal Computer), smartphone, or tablet terminal, and can be used by a user who desires to print. The terminal device 10 may be a portable information processing device or a fixed information processing device. The terminal device 10 is connectable to printer A (31), printer B (32), and printer C (33) via network N1. Although not shown, the printing system 100 may be equipped with multiple terminal devices 10.

[0013] Printer A (31), printer B (32), and printer C (33) are all examples of printers that can print on media when they receive print data. Each printer produces printed materials by performing this type of printing. For convenience, the printing system 100 is described assuming a configuration that includes three printers, but it may include multiple printers. Each printer can also be referred to as a printing device or image forming device. The printing method used by each printer is not important; various printing methods, such as inkjet printing and laser printing, can be applied. The printers included in the printing system 100 may be the same model, or different models may be included.

[0014] Furthermore, each printer may be a device having both a printing function and a communication function, but may also be a multifunction device having other functions such as a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile transmission function.

[0015] The terminal device 10 can issue a print instruction to a printer selected by a user operation from among printers A (31), printer B (32), and printer C (33) that are registered and recognized as printers that will perform printing. The following is an example in which printer A (31), printer B (32), and printer C (33) are all registered and recognized as printers that will perform printing in the terminal device 10.

[0016] Below, a detailed description will be given of an example configuration of the terminal device 10. Note that a description of an example configuration of each printer will be omitted.

[0017] [Configuration of terminal device 10] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 10 may include a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an operation unit 14, and a display unit 15.

[0018] The control unit 11 controls the entire terminal device 10. The control unit 11 can be configured to include, for example, an arithmetic processing unit, a working memory, and a storage device that stores control programs, parameters, etc. The arithmetic processing unit can be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The control unit 11 can also be configured as an SoC (System on a Chip). As can be seen from these examples, the control unit 11 can be configured to store the control program in an executable state. However, the control unit 11 can also be configured to store part of the control program as a circuit configuration such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or can be configured as a dedicated circuit.

[0019] The control program may include a program for the arithmetic processing device to execute printing-related processes in cooperation with the storage unit 12, communication unit 13, operation unit 14, and display unit 15. The control program may include an OS. Since the OS is an OS installed in the terminal device 10, the type of OS will depend on the model of the terminal device 10, etc. The control program may include a web browser within or outside the OS. In the following, an example will be described in which at least a portion of the control program is stored in storage unit 12 provided separately from the control unit 11, but storage unit 12 may be part of a storage device within the control unit 11. In other words, storage unit 12 can also be considered part of the control unit 11.

[0020] The storage unit 12 is, for example, a storage device such as a hard disk drive, solid state drive, or other memory. As part of the control program, the storage unit 12 stores a generic printer driver 16 and a vendor auxiliary application program 17 (described later) in a state executable by the control unit 11. In the following description, the vendor auxiliary application program will be abbreviated as the vendor auxiliary App. The storage unit 12 can also store various data, such as files to be printed.

[0021] The communication unit 13 is a component that communicates wirelessly or wired with external devices such as printers via the network N1 in accordance with predetermined communication standards such as various mobile communication standards and the Wi-Fi (registered trademark; the same applies below). The communication unit 13 can be configured with one or more communication interfaces that enable such communication. The network N1 is typically a local area network (LAN). The communication interface is, for example, an antenna or a cable connector.

[0022] The operation unit 14 is a part that accepts operations by the user of the terminal device 10, and can also be called an operation acceptance unit. The operation unit 14 can be realized by, for example, one or more of physical buttons, a touch panel mounted on the display unit 15, a pointing device, and a keyboard. In a configuration in which the operation unit 14 includes a touch panel, the display unit 15 and the touch panel can be collectively called the operation panel of the terminal device 10.

[0023] The display unit 15 is a component for displaying a user interface (UI) image for operating the terminal device 10, and is configured with a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. The display unit 15 may also be configured to include a display and a drive circuit for driving the display.

[0024] The generic printer driver 16 will now be described. The generic printer driver 16 is an OS-standard printer driver that is included in the OS included in the control program or that is attached to the OS. For example, the generic printer driver 16 is a standard printer driver for the Windows (registered trademark; the same applies below) OS. The generic printer driver 16 can be a program that can control various types of printers to execute printing. The generic printer driver 16 can also be called an OS generic printing program or a generic printing program.

[0025] The generic printer driver 16 is a driver that uses a generic protocol for searching for printers and printing. The generic printer driver 16 uses, for example, mDNS / DNS-SD for searching for printers and IPP for printing on the printer. Here, DNS stands for Domain Name System. mDNS stands for multicast DNS. DNS-SD stands for DNS Service Discovery. IPP stands for Internet Printing Protocol.

[0026] As can be seen from this example, the generic printer driver 16 can be, for example, an IPP Class driver. IPP is an example of a standard protocol for managing printers and controlling printing. IPP obtains and controls printer information using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) POST requests and responses. IPP can be used to configure the printer and obtain its status. Here, secure communication can be achieved by using HTTPS (HTTP Secure) instead of HTTP.

[0027] The vendor auxiliary app 17 will now be described. The vendor auxiliary app 17 is an application program that assists the generic printer driver 16 and is used to extend the functionality of the generic printer driver 16. Therefore, the generic printer driver 16 can have the function of launching the vendor auxiliary app 17 and sending print jobs to the vendor auxiliary app 17. The vendor auxiliary app 17 can be, for example, a Print Support Application (PSA). Note that one print job refers to instructions for a series of operations for printing one or more printed materials, and includes print data and print settings. When printing multiple printed materials, one print job can refer to instructions for a series of operations for printing printed materials with the same print content.

[0028] The vendor assistance app 17 can be a program that assists the generic printer driver 16 and causes a computer to execute print control suited to the capabilities of the target printer, i.e., print control that supports the printer's unique functions. The computer here refers to the terminal device 10 or the control unit 11. In this embodiment, the printer's unique functions include a printing function that uses image differences. When the vendor assistance app 17 receives a print job from the generic printer driver 16, it can convert the print job so that printing using the specified printer's unique functions can be executed on that printer. Note that conversion of the print job can include conversion of the print data.

[0029] The vendor-auxiliary app 17 is an application program provided by a printer vendor or the like. The vendor-auxiliary app 17 can be provided to the user of the terminal device 10 by being published, for example, in an application store provided by the OS provider. Alternatively, the vendor-auxiliary app 17 can be provided to the user as being included in or attached to the OS.

[0030] The vendor assistance app 17 includes a print control program, which will be described next. This print control program can also be implemented as a PSA, for example. This print control program causes a computer to execute the acquisition process, display process, generation process, and instruction process, which will be described next. The term "computer" here also refers to the terminal device 10 or the control unit 11.

[0031] The acquisition process acquires print data from the generic printer driver 16. The vendor assistance app 17 can acquire print data from the generic printer driver 16 through inter-process communication. The print data can be, for example, data that the generic printer driver 16 converts for printing a file to be printed that is specified by the user.

[0032] The display process displays a UI image that allows the user to specify additional data to be added to the print data and the location in the print data where the additional data will be added. The additional data can be character string data or image data. The display destination can be the display unit 15. An example of such a UI image will be described later with reference to FIG. 7. The UI image includes an image indicated by the print data as a preview image, allowing the user to confirm the specification of the additional data and the location where it will be added.

[0033] The display process can be performed on the print data acquired in the acquisition process. However, if the size of the image indicated by the print data is set in advance, the display process may be performed before the acquisition process. In this case, if a preview image is to be included in the UI image, the preview image may be, for example, a blank preview image. Furthermore, even if the image size is not set in advance, the display process can be performed if an additional position can be specified regardless of the image size, such as the center position, upper left position, upper right position, lower left position, lower right position, upper center position, or lower center position. The top and bottom of the image can also be specified as the header area and footer area, respectively.

[0034] The generation process generates a print job that causes printing to be performed with additional data added to the additional position of the print data. The instruction process causes the printer to execute printing based on the print job. The instruction related to this instruction process may be sent directly to the printer, or may be sent to the printer via the generic printer driver 16. A printer such as printer A (31) that receives this instruction executes the print job, thereby printing an image indicated by the data with the additional data added to the additional position in the print data acquired in the acquisition process. This printing results in the production of a printed product with the additional data added to the additional position in the print data.

[0035] The print job generated in the generation process can include, for example, the print data, additional data, and additional location acquired in the acquisition process. The additional data and additional location can be included in the print job as print settings that embed the additional data at the additional location for the print data included in the print job. Alternatively, the generated print job can include print data that has been modified so that the additional data is embedded at the additional location for the print data acquired in the acquisition process. In this case, the vendor-assisted app 17 generates a print job including the modified print data and sends the print job to the printer in the instruction process. The printer simply prints based on the print job without performing any additional processing.

[0036] The above mainly describes the print control program according to this embodiment. In other words, this embodiment can provide a print production method for producing printed materials that includes the acquisition process, display process, generation process, and instruction process described above. In other words, this print production method includes an acquisition process that acquires print data from a generic printer driver, and a display process that displays a UI image that allows the user to specify additional data to be added to the print data and the location where the additional data should be added in the print data. Furthermore, this print production method includes a generation process that generates a print job, and a printing process in which a printer executes printing based on the print job to produce printed materials with the additional data added at the location where the print data should be added.

[0037] In other words, the printing system 100 includes a terminal device exemplified by terminal device 10 and a printer exemplified by printer A (31) connected to the terminal device. The terminal device includes a generic printer driver 16 and the following acquisition processing unit, display processing unit, generation processing unit, and instruction processing unit.

[0038] The acquisition processing unit acquires print data from the generic printer driver 16. The display processing unit displays a UI image that allows the user to specify the additional data to be added to the print data and the location in the print data where the additional data should be added. The generation processing unit generates a print job that causes printing to be performed with the additional data added to the location in the print data where the additional data should be added. The instruction processing unit causes the printer to execute printing based on the print job.

[0039] [Advantages of this embodiment] Before describing a more specific example of the printing process in this embodiment, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0040] As described above, in the printing system 100, the print control program exemplified by the vendor-assisted App 17 can send print instructions to the printer based on a print job that causes additional data to be added to the print data. Therefore, according to this embodiment, in a printing process using the generic printer driver 16, it is possible to perform printing that utilizes image differences, which cannot be handled by the generic printer driver 16 alone. In other words, according to this embodiment, printing that utilizes image differences becomes possible in an environment where printing processes are performed using a generic printer driver. For example, according to this embodiment, the function of printing that utilizes image differences can be realized by a print control program that assists the generic printer driver 16, such as a PSA.

[0041] [Specific example of printing process according to this embodiment] The following example shows a case where printing is performed by printer A (31) among the printers provided in the printing system 100, but the same applies when printing is performed by printer B (32) or printer C (33). Also, the following example shows a case where the vendor assistance app 17 implements a print control program that performs the above-mentioned acquisition process, display process, generation process, and instruction process.

[0042] As described above, the printing process according to this embodiment includes a generation process for generating a print job that adds additional data to the print data at the additional location in order to execute printing using image differences. To execute this generation process and the display process, which can be considered its preprocessing, the generic printer driver 16 and vendor support app 17 can have the following functions, for example.

[0043] The generic printer driver 16 has the function of sending data other than print data to the vendor auxiliary app 17. Specifically, the generic printer driver 16 can also send additional data specified and input by user operation, such as background image data, a specified addition position, or specified character string or image data, to the vendor auxiliary app 17. Here, background image data can refer to image data indicating an image to which the character string or image indicated by the additional data will be added, or print data for causing the printer to print that image.

[0044] The vendor support app 17 also has the function of sending background image data, additional position, and additional data as print instructions to the generic printer driver 16 or directly to printer A (31). This function sends data in different ways depending on whether printer A (31) can save graphics or not.

[0045] If printer A (31) does not have the function to save graphics, vendor assistant app 17 may generate print data by embedding the character string or image indicated by the additional data at an additional position in the background image indicated by the background image data. Then, vendor assistant app 17 may send a print job including the generated print data as a print instruction to the generic printer driver 16 or directly to printer A (31).

[0046] On the other hand, if printer A (31) has the ability to save graphics, vendor-assistant app 17 may transmit, as part of the print instruction, settings for saving background image data in printer A (31). Furthermore, vendor-assistant app 17 may transmit, as part of the print instruction, instructions for saving or printing an input character string or image, which is additional data, at an additional position, superimposed on the background image indicated by the background image data saved in printer A (31). These settings and instructions may be included in, for example, a single print job and transmitted by vendor-assistant app 17 to the generic printer driver 16 or directly to printer A (31).

[0047] Furthermore, information indicating whether or not printer A (31) has a graphics storage function can be stored in advance in the vendor assistant app 17. Alternatively, the vendor assistant app 17 has the function of acquiring device information for printer A (31) and determining whether or not printer A (31) has a graphics storage function based on that device information. For example, the vendor assistant app 17 can acquire an IPP attribute from the generic printer driver 16 and make this determination by referencing that IPP attribute. More specifically, the vendor assistant app 17 can acquire, for example, a printer description attribute, which is a description value of printer A (31), as this IPP attribute and use it for the determination.

[0048] [First example of generation process] Next, as a first example of the generation process included in the printing process according to the present embodiment, a more specific example of the generation process when printer A (31) does not have a graphic storage function will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram for describing the first example of the generation process in the printing system 100 of Fig. 1.

[0049] First, the user launches the vendor-assistant app 17 directly or via the generic printer driver 16 and issues a command to start printing using image differences. Upon receiving this command, the vendor-assistant app 17 requests the generic printer driver 16 to add setting items for inputting background image data, an addition position, and additional data, which may be text or image data (step S1). It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the generic printer driver 16 originally displays an item for specifying background image data, for example. In this case, the vendor-assistant app 17 simply requests the generic printer driver 16 to add setting items for inputting the addition position and additional data.

[0050] Upon receiving this addition request, the generic printer driver 16 displays setting items for inputting background image data, the addition position, and the additional data on the UI image, and accepts user operations to specify these from the operation unit 14. As the addition position, the user can specify, for example, the top left and bottom right coordinates of a rectangular area to be input relative to the background image; the following describes an example using this method of specification. The generic printer driver 16 then sends the input background image, addition position, and character string or image data input by user operations to the vendor assistance app 17 (step S2).

[0051] Next, the vendor assistant app 17 executes error processing on the received data (step S3). In step S3, the vendor assistant app 17 first calculates the horizontal length of the addition position indicated by the upper left and lower right coordinates of the rectangular area to be input to the input background image and the horizontal length of the character string or image, and compares the two (step S4). In step S4, the vendor assistant app 17 executes the following error processing. That is, if the horizontal length of the rectangular area to be input to the input background image is shorter than the horizontal length of the character string or image, the vendor assistant app 17 displays an error notification on the display unit 15. On the other hand, if the horizontal length of the rectangular area to be input to the input background image is longer than the horizontal length of the character string or image, the vendor assistant app 17 proceeds to step S5, which is the next step in the error processing.

[0052] In step S5, the vendor assistant app 17 calculates the vertical length of the addition position, indicated by the upper left and lower right coordinates of the rectangular area to be input to the input background image, and the vertical length of the text string or image, and compares the two. In step S5, the vendor assistant app 17 also performs the following error processing. That is, if the vertical length of the rectangular area to be input to the input background image is shorter than the vertical length of the text string or image, the vendor assistant app 17 displays an error notification on the display unit 15. On the other hand, if the vertical length of the rectangular area to be input to the input background image is longer than the vertical length of the text string or image, the vendor assistant app 17 proceeds to the next processing step, step S6. Of course, the order of steps S4 and S5 does not matter.

[0053] If no errors are found after the error processing in step S3, or if the errors are eliminated by correcting at least one of the addition position and the addition data, the vendor assistant app 17 replaces the image (step S6). Specifically, the vendor assistant app 17 replaces the image at the addition position in the input background image, with the upper left corner of the input background image as the origin coordinate, with a raster image of the character string or image specified from the upper left coordinate indicated by the addition position. The vendor assistant app 17 then generates print data to print the replaced image on printer A (31), and may send a print job including the generated print data to printer A (31) via the generic printer driver 16 or directly to printer A (31).

[0054] As described as the first example of the generation process, the generation process may be a process of generating a modified image by adding the image indicated by the additional data to the addition position of the image indicated by the print data, and generating a print job that prints the modified image as a print job.

[0055] [Second example of generation process] Next, as a second example of the generation process included in the printing process according to the present embodiment, a more specific example of the generation process when printer A (31) has a graphic storage function will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram for describing the second example of the generation process in the printing system 100 of Fig. 1.

[0056] First, the same processes as steps S1 and S2 in Fig. 2 are executed (steps S11 and S12), whereby the vendor support App 17 is placed in a state where the input background image, the addition position, and the character string or image data are input.

[0057] Next, the vendor assistant app 17 generates a setting command to save the input background image data in printer A (31) (step S13). Next, the vendor assistant app 17 generates a command to save a character string or image in the additional position of the image saved in the printer, and adds it after the command generated in step S13 (step S14).

[0058] Then, the vendor assistant app 17 generates a command to print the image stored in printer A (31) and adds it to the command generated in step S14 (step S15). The vendor assistant app 17 may send the print job consisting of the command generated in step S15 to printer A (31) via the generic printer driver 16 or directly.

[0059] As explained as the second example of the generation process, the generation process may be a process of generating a print job including an image indicated by the print data, an additional position, and additional data.

[0060] [Printing process example 1: Example of sequential number printing process] As a first example of the printing process according to the present embodiment, an example of serial number printing process will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 8. In the serial number printing process described below, the generation process described with reference to Figure 2 or Figure 3 will also be executed.

[0061] Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of serial number printing processing in the printing system 100 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram following Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a UI image displayed in the serial number printing processing of Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a UI image displayed in the serial number printing processing of Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a series of printed materials printed in the serial number printing processing of Figs. 4 and 5.

[0062] First, user U launches an application program that launches and edits a file to be printed, such as a document file. Then, user U selects printer A (31) in the print settings for the file to be printed and performs operations such as selecting properties on operation unit 14. This operation causes generic printer driver 16 to accept a print request (step S21). Alternatively, user U may select a file to be printed and perform an operation to print on operation unit 14, causing generic printer driver 16 to accept a print request to print on a predetermined printer A (31).

[0063] Upon receiving such a print request from user U, the generic printer driver 16 displays, for example, a basic print setting image as a UI image (step S22). The basic print setting image is a UI image that accepts user operations for setting basic settings, which are basic printing settings. For example, the basic print setting image may be the image of the UI image 60 shown in FIG. 6 excluding the applied print setting image 66, or the image of the applied print setting image 66 and the application function selection image 61. In the following, the basic print setting image will be described as the basic print setting image 62. For example, the basic print setting image 62 may include a print button 63 for starting printing, a pull-down menu 64 for selecting a printer, and a basic setting item group 65 for configuring various basic settings. The basic print setting image 62 also allows the number of copies to be set. The application function selection image 61 includes a print button, and it is recommended that the basic print setting image 62 be displayed in step S22 when the print button is displayed. The application function selection image 61 may also include buttons for selecting basic functions such as a file open button and a save overwrite button.

[0064] The basic setting items 65 may include, for example, a selection of pages to print, a selection of single-sided or double-sided printing, a selection of whether to print in collated or page-by-page, and a selection of portrait or landscape printing. The basic setting items 65 may also include a selection of paper, a selection of margin size, and a selection of the number of pages to be printed on one sheet.

[0065] The basic print settings image 62 can also include a properties button 64a for setting properties for the printer selected in the pull-down menu 64, in this example printer A (31), and a page settings button 65a for setting page details. When the properties button 64a is selected, an applied print settings image 66 is displayed. When the page settings button 65a is selected, a print settings image specific to the application program running the file to be printed can be displayed, although this is not shown.

[0066] The following describes the case where the properties button 64a is selected on the basic print setting screen 62 with the printer A (31) selected.

[0067] When the user U selects the properties button 64a on the operation unit 14, the user U requests the generic printer driver 16 to display an applied print setting image (step S23). Upon receiving this request, the generic printer driver 16 requests the vendor assistance app 17 for applied print setting items that can be set as vendor functions (step S24). The vendor assistance app 17 sends predetermined applied print setting items to the generic printer driver 16 as a response to this request (step S25). Upon receiving this response, the generic printer driver 16 displays on the display unit 15 a UI image 60 in which the applied print setting items that can be set as vendor functions are embedded in a predetermined UI image (step S26).

[0068] As a result, the UI image 60 includes an applied print setting image 66 that includes an applied print setting item 67. However, it is also possible to display the applied print setting image 66 as an independent UI image separate from the basic print setting image 62. Note that the vendor support app 17 itself, rather than the generic printer driver 16, may display the UI image 60 on the display unit 15.

[0069] The applied print setting image 66 may include, as applied print setting items 67, items that can be set in the basic print setting image 62. In the first example described here, the applied print setting items 67 include a pull-down menu 67a for switching serial number printing on and off. The applied print setting items 67 may also include a pull-down menu 67b for switching variable printing on and off. As shown in FIG. 6 , when the serial number printing pull-down menu 67a is turned on, the corresponding pull-down menu of an item that becomes unselectable, such as pull-down menu 67b, may be grayed out. When a pull-down menu for an item, other than pull-down menu 67a, is turned on, the corresponding pull-down menu of an item that becomes unselectable may be grayed out. The applied print setting image 66 may also include a close button 68 for closing the UI image itself. Note that for each item, other menus, such as radio buttons, may be used instead of pull-down menus.

[0070] Next, in a state in which the UI image 60 is displayed by the processing of step S26, the user U inputs print settings other than the sequential print settings, such as settings for the paper tray, paper size, and paper type, from the operation unit 14 (step S27). Note that step S27 may be executed at any timing, for example, after the processing of step S28 described below and before the processing of step S33.

[0071] Following step S27, when the user U selects the close button 68 while the serial number printing pull-down menu 67a is on, the generic printer driver 16, which has received this selection, accepts input of the serial number printing settings (step S28). Having accepted this input, the generic printer driver 16 displays a UI image for the serial number printing settings (not shown) as part of its vendor functions. By displaying this UI image for the serial number printing settings, the generic printer driver 16 requests input about the serial number printing setting items from the user U (step S29).

[0072] Serial number printing involves printing sequentially assigned numbers on a medium in order using a common background image. Therefore, the UI image for serial number printing settings should include, as serial number printing setting items, an input field for serial number printing, the first number to be entered, and the number of copies to be printed. The final number can be calculated using the number of copies to be printed and the first number, but the final number can also be entered directly instead of the number of copies to be printed. The serial number printing setting items can also include an item for setting the font for the numbers.

[0073] Of course, even if such a UI image for the serial number printing settings is not displayed separately, such serial number printing setting items may be included in the applied print setting image 66 itself. In this case, it is preferable that the setting items for serial number printing, such as the first and last numbers, in the applied print setting image 66 be grayed out and made inputtable when the serial number printing pull-down menu 67a is switched from off to on. Note that if the serial number printing is designed to be limited to printing one copy for each number, the number of copies can be read out, for example, as one of the applied print setting items 67, and that value used.

[0074] Then, the generic printer driver 16 receives input of the first number and the last number or number of copies in the UI image for the serial number printing setting from the operation unit 14 (step S30). Having received this input, the generic printer driver 16 notifies the vendor assistance app 17 of the first number and the last number or number of copies (step S31).

[0075] Upon receiving this notification, the vendor assistance app 17 checks whether the input first and last numbers for serial printing or the number of copies to be printed are numbers (step S32). If the input is not a number in step S32, the app notifies the user U and prompts them to re-enter the number; if the input is a number, the app proceeds to the next step. Note that in a configuration where the input of the number of copies to be printed is accepted in step S30, the app may calculate the last number by subtracting the first number from the value of the number of copies to be printed and adding 1 when checking in step S32 or before the notification in step S31.

[0076] Next, when the user U selects the print button 63, for example, the generic printer driver 16 accepts a request to start printing (step S33). Having accepted the request to start printing, the generic printer driver 16 presents the preview image to the user U by displaying a UI image including a print preview image on the display unit 15 (step S34). This UI image is a print preview image that corresponds to serial number printing, which is one of the vendor functions.

[0077] The UI image displayed in step S34 may be, for example, a UI image including a preview image 80 including a background image 83 and setting items, such as UI image 70 shown in FIG. 7 . The UI image 70 may include, as setting items, a check box 71 for setting whether to print all the numbers consecutively, an input field 72 for the first number, and an input field 73 for the last number. The UI image 70 may also include, as setting items, a watermark input field 74, an input field 75 for inputting the character size of the watermark and the numbers, and a button 76 for transitioning to a UI image that enables changing the position of the watermark. The watermark may refer to a character string that is added to a predetermined position relative to the numbers. This position can be changed by selecting button 76. The UI image 70 may also include, as setting items, other items, such as a check box 77 for setting whether to add a logo mark to the upper left corner.

[0078] The UI image 70 also includes a cancel button 79 for canceling the settings and returning to the previous UI image, and a print button 78 for saving the settings and executing printing. The print button 78 may be a button for returning to the previous UI image in order to save the settings and execute printing. The UI image 70 may also include buttons 81 and 82 above or below the preview image 80 for moving the page displayed as the preview image 80 forward or backward.

[0079] A rectangular input area 85 of a predetermined size is additionally displayed on the background image 83 in the preview image 80. The input area 85 is an area where the serial number printing numbers, or the serial number printing numbers and watermark, are input. The input area 85 is displayed so that it can accept user operations to move, enlarge, or reduce the rectangle, and the serial number printing numbers, or the serial number printing numbers and watermark, are printed at the size and position determined by this user operation. The rectangle can be moved, for example, by selecting and dragging the input area 85, or by selecting and dragging a vertex of the rectangle.

[0080] The preview image 80 reflects the settings made in the setting items, including the reflection of numbers and other characters in the input area 85. Even if numbers and other characters are not reflected in the input area 85, a standard string of characters such as "xx" can be used instead of numbers. Furthermore, when the check box 77 is selected, a predetermined logo mark 84 is included in the preview image 80.

[0081] With the UI image 70 displayed, the user U inputs the setting items for serial number printing into the generic printer driver 16 (step S35). The setting items accepted in step S35 include input for operations to move, enlarge, or reduce the input area 85 displayed as a rectangle on the print preview image 80. Note that the input processing in step S35 may be performed in the reverse order of the processing in step S37 described below.

[0082] Then, based on the position and size of the input area 85 relative to the background image 83 received in step S35, the generic printer driver 16 acquires the upper left and lower right coordinates of the input area 85 as the coordinates of the additional position (step S36).

[0083] Next, the user U inputs setting items other than serial number printing to the generic printer driver 16 (step S37). Setting items other than serial number printing are not shown in the UI image 70, but such input is possible if setting items such as those included in the applied print setting image 66 are included. Alternatively, the UI image 70 may be displayed so as to include the applied print setting image 66.

[0084] Next, when the user U selects the print button 78, the generic printer driver 16 receives a request to start printing (step S38). Having received this request, the generic printer driver 16 notifies the vendor assistance app 17 of the print settings entered by the user U (step S39).

[0085] Upon receiving this notification, the vendor assistance app 17 calculates the number of consecutive prints by subtracting the "first number" from the "last number + 1" entered by the user U, and changes the number of print pages in the print command to the calculated number of consecutive prints (step S40).

[0086] Next, the vendor assistance app 17 generates the first image by substituting 0 for n based on the background image, which is the print image input from the generic printer driver 16, the specified position calculated from the specified input area 85, and "first number + n" (step S41). In step S41, the vendor assistance app 17 also generates the next image by incrementing n by 1 based on the background image input from the generic printer driver 16, the specified position, and "first number + n"; this process is repeated until n becomes the "last number." In this way, in step S41, images for continuous printing are generated. In step S41, the generation process described with reference to FIG. 2 or 3 is performed. Prior to this generation process, it is recommended to determine whether printer A (31) supports saving graphics using the IPP Attribute.

[0087] Next, the vendor support app 17 sends the generated print command to printer A (31) as a print job (step S42). Communication between the vendor support app 17 and printer A (31) may be performed in accordance with a vendor-extended IPP protocol, or other SNMP or vendor-specific protocols. SNMP stands for Simple Network Management Protocol.

[0088] Printer A (31) receives the print command as this print job and executes printing (step S43). This printing results in the production of a number of printed sheets, each of which has an image like that displayed in preview image 80, with consecutive numbers from the first to the last number written on each medium, where the number is calculated by subtracting the first number from the last number and then adding one. For example, for preview image 80 in FIG. 7, printed sheets like those shown as printed sheets 91s to 91e in FIG. 8 will be produced. Here, printed sheet 91s is the first printed sheet, and printed sheet 91e is the last printed sheet.

[0089] In the above example, in step S31, the print command is sent directly to printer A (31) without going through the generic printer driver 16, but the vendor assistance app 17 may also send the print command to the generic printer driver 16. In this case, the generic printer driver 16 that receives this print command simply sends the print command to printer A (31).

[0090] As illustrated in UI image 70 of Figure 7, the UI image that allows user U to specify the additional data and the addition location can include a print preview image of the print data acquired in the acquisition process, and can be a UI image that allows the user to specify the addition location on the print preview image.

[0091] As exemplified in step S34, the display process can be a process of causing the generic printer driver 16 to display a UI image. Of course, the display process can also be a process of causing the vendor support app 17 to display such a UI image.

[0092] As shown in the example of the serial printing process, the printing system 100 can perform serial printing, an example of printing that utilizes image differences, by introducing the vendor assistance app 17 that utilizes image differences. Therefore, in the printing system 100, the user U can perform serial printing by specifying the background image and text input fields and entering the number of copies to print, without having to prepare multiple images.

[0093] [Printing process example 2: Example of variable printing process] As a second example of the printing process according to the present embodiment, an example of variable printing process will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. In the variable printing process below, the generation process described with reference to Figure 2 or 3 will also be executed.

[0094] Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of variable printing processing in the printing system 100 of Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram following Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a character string file referenced in the variable printing processing of Figs. 9 and 10, and an example of a series of printed materials printed in the variable printing processing by referencing the character string file. Below, as a second example, changes from the first example will be mainly explained, but other points are the same, including the application of various application examples.

[0095] In the second example of variable printing processing, similar to the first example, the display process displays a UI image on the display unit 15 that allows the user to specify additional data to be added to the print data and the location in the print data where the additional data will be added. However, unlike the first example, which uses sequential printing and where the additional data includes consecutive numbers, the second example requires the additional data to be specified individually. Therefore, the display process in the second example displays a UI image that allows the user to specify a file containing text indicating the additional data, either as part of the UI image that allows the user U to specify the additional data and its location, or as a UI image separate from the UI image. This file contains the text to be additionally printed on each printed item, allowing different additional data to be specified individually for each printed item.

[0096] Therefore, in the second example, the processes of steps S21 to S26 in the first example are also applied (steps S51 to S56). As a result, the UI image 60 shown in Fig. 6 includes an applied print setting image 66 that includes an applied print setting item 67. However, it is also possible to display the applied print setting image 66 as a UI image separate from the basic print setting image 62.

[0097] As described above, the applied print setting image 66 can also include a pull-down menu 67b for switching variable printing on and off as an applied print setting item 67. When the variable printing pull-down menu 67b is turned on, the corresponding pull-down menus of items that cannot be selected, such as the pull-down menu 67a, can be grayed out.

[0098] Next, with the UI image 60 displayed by the processing of step S56, the user U inputs print settings other than the variable print settings, such as settings for the paper tray, paper size, and paper type, from the operation unit 14 (step S57). Note that step S57 may be executed at any timing, for example, after the processing of step S58 described below and before the processing of step S64.

[0099] Following step S57, when the user U selects the close button 68 while the variable printing pull-down menu 67b is on, the generic printer driver 16, which has received this selection, accepts input of the variable printing settings (step S58). Having accepted this input, the generic printer driver 16 displays a UI image for the variable printing settings (not shown) as part of its vendor functions. By displaying this UI image for the variable printing settings, the generic printer driver 16 requests input for the variable printing setting items from the user U (step S59).

[0100] Variable printing involves printing individually specified character strings on a medium in sequence using a common background image. Images can also be used instead of character strings. Therefore, the UI image for variable print settings may include, for example, variable print setting items, such as input fields for variable printing and individual character strings to be entered. Individual character strings can be specified, for example, in a character string file stored in advance in the storage unit 12. The variable print setting items may also include an item for setting the font of the character string to be entered. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a character string can be divided into multiple character strings for processing, and an item for setting the font for each character string may be provided.

[0101] Of course, instead of displaying a separate UI image for such variable print settings, the variable print setting items may be included in the applied print setting image 66. In this case, the input file setting items in the applied print setting image 66 may be grayed out and made available for file specification when the variable print pull-down menu 67b is switched from off to on.

[0102] Then, the generic printer driver 16 receives, from the operation unit 14, a designated input of a string file in which individual strings are written in the UI image of the variable print settings (step S60). Having received this input, the generic printer driver 16 notifies the vendor support app 17 of the string file (step S61). This notification may be the storage address of the string file.

[0103] Upon receiving this notification, the vendor assistance app 17 checks whether the extension of the string file is a specific extension that it can support (step S62). For example, the vendor assistance app 17 may be designed to support a general-purpose extension such as CSV as the specific extension. If the extension is not a supported extension in step S32, the app notifies the user U and prompts them to re-enter the string file. If the extension is a supported extension, the app proceeds to the next step.

[0104] Next, the vendor support application 17 reads the character string file for variable printing, separates the input data, for example, at each comma (,), and acquires the character string as the input character string (step S63).

[0105] 5, the user U selects, for example, the print button 63, and the generic printer driver 16 then accepts a request to start printing (step S64). Having accepted the request to start printing, the generic printer driver 16 presents the preview image to the user U by displaying a UI image including a print preview image on the display unit 15, similar to step S34 in FIG. 5 (step S65).

[0106] This UI image is a print preview image that supports variable printing as one of the vendor functions. Although not shown, the UI image displayed in step S65 may include a preview image 80 including a background image 83 and setting items, similar to UI image 70 shown in FIG. 7 , which is an example of the UI image displayed in step S34. These setting items differ from those in the first example of serial number printing processing. The UI image displayed in step S65 may include, as setting items, a checkbox for setting whether to print all the items consecutively, a button for transitioning to a UI image for specifying a text file, and the like. Of course, this UI image may also include, as setting items, a watermark input field, a watermark font size input field, and a button for transitioning to a UI image that allows the watermark position to be changed. This UI image may also include other setting items, such as a checkbox for setting whether to add a logo mark to the upper left corner.

[0107] Like UI image 70, this UI image also includes a cancel button 79 and a print button 78, and may also include buttons 81 and 82 above or below the preview image 80 for moving the page displayed as the preview image 80 forward or backward.

[0108] Also in the example of variable printing processing, a rectangular input area 85 of a predetermined size is additionally displayed on the background image 83 in the preview image 80. However, in this example, the input area 85 refers to the area where the character string specified in the character string file is entered.

[0109] The preview image 80 is an image that reflects the settings made in the setting items, including the reflection of text and the like in the input area 85. Even if text and the like is not reflected in the input area 85, a fixed text string such as a fixed "xx" can be used instead. Also, when the check box 77 is selected, a specified logo mark 84 is included in the preview image 80.

[0110] In step S65, while a UI image including the preview image 80 is displayed, the user U inputs setting items for variable printing, thereby inputting the setting items for variable printing into the generic printer driver 16 (step S66). The items accepted in step S66, like the setting items accepted in step S35, also include input for operations to move, enlarge, or reduce the input area 85 displayed as a rectangle on the print preview image 80. Note that the input processing in step S66 may be executed in the reverse order of the processing in step S68, which will be described later. In this way, in the example of variable printing processing, input items for setting input locations for variable printing and input strings by specifying a string file, etc., are added to the print setting items displayed by the generic printer driver 16.

[0111] Then, based on the position and size of the input area 85 relative to the background image 83 received in step S66, the generic printer driver 16 acquires the upper left and lower right coordinates of the input area 85 as the coordinates of the additional position, similar to step S36 (step S67).

[0112] Next, the user U inputs setting items other than variable printing to the generic printer driver 16 (step S68). The setting items other than variable printing are the same as the setting items other than sequential number printing.

[0113] Next, similar to step S38, when user U selects print button 78, the generic printer driver 16 accepts a request to start printing (step S69). Having accepted this request, the generic printer driver 16 notifies the vendor assistance app 17 of the print settings entered by user U, similar to step S39 (step S70).

[0114] Upon receiving this notification, the vendor support application 17 calculates the number of pages to be printed based on the number of character strings included in the character string file input by the user U, and changes the number of pages to be printed in the print command to the calculated number of pages to be printed (step S71).

[0115] Next, the vendor assistance app 17 generates the first image based on the background image, which is the print image input from the generic printer driver 16, the specified position calculated from the specified input area 85, and the nth character string described in the character string file (step S72). One image is generated by substituting 0 for n. In step S72, the vendor assistance app 17 also increments n by 1 to generate the next image based on the background image input from the generic printer driver 16, the specified position, and the nth character string described in the character string file, and repeats this process until n becomes the number of input character strings. Repeating the process until n becomes the number of input character strings means repeating the process until the last character string described in the character string file.

[0116] In this way, the variable print image is generated in step S72. In step S72, the generation process described using Figure 2 or 3 is performed. Prior to this generation process, it is advisable to use the IPP Attribute to determine whether or not Printer A (31) supports saving graphics.

[0117] Next, similar to step S42, the vendor assistant app 17 sends the generated print command to printer A (31) as a print job (step S73). In this example, the vendor assistant app 17 may also send the print command to printer A (31) via the generic printer driver 16.

[0118] Printer A (31) receives the print command as this print job and executes printing (step S74), similar to step S43. This printing produces the number of prints calculated in step S71, each with an image like the preview image 80, with different character strings printed on each medium.

[0119] For example, if the image shown in preview image 80 in Fig. 7 has a character string file 110 like that shown in Fig. 11 input and no logo mark is specified, printed matter like those illustrated by printed matter 111s to 111e in Fig. 11 will be produced. Here, printed matter 111s is the first printed matter, and printed matter 111e is the last printed matter. Note that in Fig. 11, arrows indicate the correspondence between the 1st to kth character strings in character string file 110 and the character strings on the printed matter.

[0120] 11 shows an example of a string file in which each string is assigned a consecutive number from 1 to k and a string is specified for each number, but this consecutive numbering is not necessary. If an image is used instead of each string, the image itself can be pasted into this file, or a link to the image can be written.

[0121] As shown in the example of variable printing processing, the printing system 100 can perform variable printing, an example of printing that uses image differences, by introducing the vendor-assisted App 17 that uses image differences. Therefore, the printing system 100 can perform variable printing by inputting a background image and each character string or character string file, without the user U having to prepare multiple images.

[0122] (Other variations) The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the system configuration of the printing system, the configuration of each device that makes up the system, the configuration of each program included in each device, and the processing procedures of each device are not limited to those exemplified. The printing system can also adopt a network configuration in which a terminal device connects to a printer via a print server. Furthermore, although the above-described embodiments illustrate an example in which the printing system performs both sequential number printing processing and variable printing processing, the printing system can also be configured to perform only one of sequential number printing processing and variable printing processing.

[0123] Each of the devices provided in the printing system according to the above-described embodiment may have, for example, the following hardware configuration. Here, in the example of FIG. 1, each device includes a terminal device and each printer. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device.

[0124] 12 may include a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and an interface 1003. The interface 1003 may include, for example, a communication interface or an interface with an input / output device, as required depending on the device.

[0125] The processor 1001 may be, for example, a CPU, a GPU, or an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), also known as a microprocessor. The processor 1001 may include multiple processors. The memory 1002 is configured, for example, by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The functions of each device are realized by the processor 1001 reading a program stored in the memory 1002 and executing it while exchanging necessary information via the interface 1003.

[0126] The above-described program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. Examples of computer-readable media or tangible storage media include, but are not limited to, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD), or other memory technologies. Examples of computer-readable media or tangible storage media include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), Blu-ray discs, or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. Examples of transitory computer-readable media or communication media include, but are not limited to, electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals. The program may also be included in a program product.

[0127] While the present invention has been described above in accordance with the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and naturally includes various modifications, alterations, and combinations that can be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the invention of the claims of this application. For example, an invention of a method for producing printed matter can also be considered an invention of a printing method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 10...terminal device, 11...control unit, 12...storage unit, 13...communication unit, 14...operation unit, 15...display unit, 16...generic printer driver, 17...vendor support app, 31...printer A, 32...printer B, 33...printer C, 60...UI image, 61...application function selection image, 62...basic print setting image, 63...print button, 64...pull-down menu, 64a...properties button, 65...basic setting item group, 65a...page setup button, 66...advanced print setting image, 67...advanced print setting item, 67a...pull-down menu, 67b...pull-down menu, 68...close button , 70...UI image, 71...check box, 72...input field, 73...input field, 74...input field, 75...input field, 76...button, 76, 77...check box, 78...print button, 79...cancel button, 80...preview image, 81...button, 82...button, 83...background image, 84...logo mark, 85...input area, 91s...printed material, 91e...printed material, 110...string file, 111s...printed material, 111e...printed material, 100...printing system, 1000...device, 1001...processor, 1002...memory, 1003...interface, N1...network, U...user.

Claims

1. An acquisition process for acquiring print data from a generic printer driver; a display process for displaying a user interface image that allows a user to specify additional data to be added to the print data and an addition position of the additional data in the print data; a generation process for generating a print job for printing the print data with the additional data added to the additional position; an instruction process for causing a printer to execute printing based on the print job; A printing control program that causes a computer to execute the above.

2. the print control program is a Print Support Application; The print control program according to claim 1 .

3. the generation process generates a corrected image by adding the image indicated by the additional data to the addition position of the image indicated by the print data, and generates a print job for printing the corrected image as the print job.

3. The print control program according to claim 1.

4. the generation process generates a print job including an image indicated by the print data, the addition position, and the additional data as the print job.

3. The print control program according to claim 1.

5. the user interface image includes a print preview image of the print data acquired in the acquisition process, and allows the user to specify the addition position on the print preview image.

3. The print control program according to claim 1.

6. the display process displays a user interface image that allows the user to specify a file in which a character string indicating the additional data is written, as a part of the user interface image or as a user interface image separate from the user interface image; 3. The print control program according to claim 1.

7. the display process is a process of causing the generic printer driver to display the user interface image; 3. The print control program according to claim 1.

8. A printer and a terminal device are provided, The terminal device Generic printer driver an acquisition processing unit that acquires print data from the generic printer driver; a display processing unit that displays a user interface image that allows a user to specify additional data to be added to the print data and an addition position of the additional data in the print data; a generation processing unit that generates a print job that performs printing by adding the additional data to the addition position of the print data; an instruction processing unit that causes the printer to execute printing based on the print job; Equipped with Printing system.

9. An acquisition process for acquiring print data from a generic printer driver; a display process for displaying a user interface image that allows a user to specify additional data to be added to the print data and an addition position of the additional data in the print data; a generation process for generating a print job; a printing process in which a printer executes printing based on the print job to produce a printed product in which the additional data has been added to the additional position of the print data; A method for producing print material, including:

Images