Program, printing condition specification method, and printing condition specification device

Abstract

To easily and appropriately specify print conditions that can be executed by a printing device. [Solution] A program that causes a control device 14, which is a computer, to specify printing conditions for printing to be performed by a printing device 12, causes the control device 14 to perform a model identification process to identify the model of the printing device 12, a condition specification information generation process to generate condition specification information that specifies at least part of the printing conditions, and a printing condition specification process to read an image to be printed and specify the printing conditions to be used when printing the image, in the condition specification information generation process, condition specification information that specifies conditions that can be executed by the identified model is generated based on the identified model, which is the model of the printing device 12 identified in the model identification process, and in the printing condition specification process, printing conditions that can be executed by the printing device 12 that performs the printing are specified based on the condition specification information generated in the condition specification information generation process.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a printing condition specification method, and a printing condition specification device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, printing devices such as inkjet printers have been widely used. When a printing device is made to print, for example, the operation of the printing device is controlled by supplying data generated by RIP processing to the printing device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-10862 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When printing on a printing device, it is usually necessary to perform processes such as RIP processing according to the printing conditions. In this case, for example, to specify the printing conditions, it is necessary to set various parameter values ​​according to the configuration of the printing device. However, when using a printing device with diverse functions, such as an industrial inkjet printer, the number of parameters to be set and the types of setting values ​​specified by the parameters increase, which can make it difficult to specify the printing conditions. As a result, for example, when a user who is unfamiliar with printing devices uses a newly installed printing device, it can be difficult to properly execute printing. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a program, a printing condition specification method, and a printing condition specification device that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The inventors of the present application have conducted extensive research into a method for more easily and appropriately specifying printing conditions that can actually be executed on a printing device. They have conceived a method for identifying the model of a printing device by, for example, registering the printing device to be used for printing in a computer that runs a RIP processing program, and then automatically generating information that specifies at least some of the printing conditions that can actually be executed on that printing device. Furthermore, they have conceived a method for specifying the printing conditions that can actually be executed on the printing device based on that information. This configuration allows for easy and appropriate specification of the printing conditions that can actually be executed, even when using a printing device with a variety of functions, for example.

[0006]

[0010] Furthermore, through further research, the inventors of the present application discovered the features necessary to achieve such effects and arrived at the present invention. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a program for causing a computer to specify printing conditions for printing to be performed by a printing device, the program causing the computer to perform a model identification process to identify the model of the printing device that will perform printing, a condition specification information generation process to generate condition specification information that specifies at least a portion of the printing conditions, and a printing condition specification process to read an image to be printed and specify the printing conditions to be used when printing the image, the condition specification information generation process generating the condition specification information that specifies conditions that can be executed by the identified model based on an identified model that is the model of the printing device identified in the model identification process, and the printing condition specification process specifying the printing conditions that can be executed by the printing device that will perform printing based on the condition specification information generated in the condition specification information generation process.

[0007] With this configuration, for example, in the model identification process, the model of the printing device that will perform printing can be appropriately identified. Furthermore, in the condition specification information generation process, for example, based on the identified model identified in the model identification process, condition specification information that specifies conditions that can be executed on the identified model can be appropriately generated. Furthermore, in the printing condition specification process, for example, based on the condition specification information, printing conditions that can be executed on the printing device that will perform printing can be appropriately specified. Therefore, with this configuration, for example, even when using a printing device with a variety of functions, printing conditions that can actually be executed on that printing device can be easily and appropriately specified.

[0008] In this configuration, the model identification process identifies the model of the printing device by, for example, accepting registration of the printing device. In this case, the identified model can be thought of as, for example, the model of the printing device registered in the program. In this case, the model identification process registers the printing device by, for example, recognizing the printing device connected to the computer running the program via a local area network or the like. The model identification process may also register the printing device by, for example, accepting a user specification. Furthermore, the condition specification information generation process automatically generates condition specification information corresponding to the identified model when the printing device is identified in the model identification process. This configuration allows the condition specification information to be easily and appropriately generated without burdening the user, even if the user is unfamiliar with operating the printing device or specifying printing conditions.

[0009] In this configuration, the program may further cause the computer to perform, for example, a model-related information acquisition process and a condition-specifying information selection process. The model-related information acquisition process can be considered, for example, as a process for acquiring model-related information related to the identified printing device model. The condition-specifying information selection process can be considered, for example, as a process for selecting condition-specifying information. In this case, for example, a condition storage unit that stores model-related information for each model of printing device is used for multiple types of printing device models. In the model-related information acquisition process, model-related information corresponding to the identified model is acquired from the condition storage unit based on the identified model identified in the model identification process. The condition storage unit can be, for example, a database that stores information using a known method. In this case, in the condition-specifying information generation process, for example, multiple condition-specifying information corresponding to different printing conditions is generated based on the model-related information acquired in the model-related information acquisition process. Then, in the condition-specifying information selection process, for example, at least one of the multiple condition-specifying information generated in the condition-specifying information generation process is selected based on a user instruction. In the printing condition specification process, for example, printing conditions are specified based on the condition-specifying information selected in the condition-specifying information selection process. With this configuration, for example, in the condition specification information generation process, the performance of the identified printing device model can be appropriately determined based on the model-related information. This also makes it possible to easily and appropriately generate, for example, multiple pieces of condition specification information corresponding to various printing conditions in the condition specification information generation process. Therefore, with this configuration, for example, a variety of printing conditions can be more appropriately specified in the printing condition specification process.

[0010] In this configuration, the program may further cause the computer to perform, for example, an ink information acquisition process. The ink information acquisition process may be considered, for example, as a process for acquiring ink information indicating the ink to be used in the printing device that will execute printing. The ink information may also be considered, for example, as indicating the ink to be used in the printing device identified in the model identification process. In this case, the condition specification information generation process generates, for example, condition specification information indicating at least some of the printing conditions that can be executed using the ink indicated by the ink information in the printing device of the identified model identified in the model identification process. When the printing device that will execute printing uses spot color ink, which is an ink of a color other than the process colors that are the basic colors of the preset color expression, the condition specification information generation process generates, for example, spot color condition information, which is condition specification information indicating at least some of the conditions for forming a spot color layer, which is an ink layer formed with spot color ink. Furthermore, the printing condition specification process specifies, for example, the printing conditions to be used when forming the spot color layer based on the spot color condition information. This configuration makes it possible to easily and appropriately specify printing conditions, for example, when using spot color ink. This also allows, for example, easier and more appropriate use of spot inks of various colors in a printing device.

[0011] More specifically, the ink information, regarding spot color inks, indicates, for example, at least the presence or absence of white ink and the presence or absence of primer ink. If the ink information indicates the presence of white ink, the condition specification information generation process generates spot color condition information indicating, for example, at least some of the conditions related to the formation of an ink layer formed with white ink. If the ink information indicates the presence of primer ink, the condition specification information generation process generates spot color condition information indicating, for example, at least some of the conditions related to the formation of an ink layer formed with primer ink. This configuration makes it possible to easily and appropriately specify printing conditions to be used when forming an ink layer formed with white ink or primer ink, for example. The ink information may also indicate, for example, the presence or absence of clear ink, which is a colorless and transparent ink. If the ink information indicates the presence of clear ink, the condition specification information generation process may generate spot color condition information indicating, for example, at least some of the conditions related to the formation of an ink layer formed with clear ink. This configuration makes it possible to easily and appropriately specify printing conditions to be used when forming an ink layer formed with clear ink, for example.

[0012] Printing devices may also use, for example, ultraviolet-curable ink. For example, ultraviolet-curable clear ink may need to be cured by various methods depending on the printing quality required. Therefore, ink information may include, for example, information indicating the presence or absence of ultraviolet-curable clear ink for a spot color ink. If the ink information indicates the presence of ultraviolet-curable clear ink, the condition specification information generation process generates clear ink curing method information, which is spot color condition information that indicates at least the method of ultraviolet irradiation when forming a clear layer, which is a spot color layer formed with the clear ink. In this case, the condition specification information generation process may generate, for example, multiple pieces of clear ink curing method information that indicate different methods of ultraviolet irradiation. In this case, the condition specification information generation process may generate, for example, at least clear ink curing method information indicating the curing conditions for a matte finish to cure ink, clear ink curing method information indicating the curing conditions for a gloss finish to cure ink, and clear ink curing method information indicating the curing conditions for a thickly-laid ink layer. In this case, it is conceivable that the thickly raised ink layer is formed, for example, by overlapping multiple ink layers. In this case, the condition specification information selection process selects, for example, clear ink curing method information corresponding to either a matte finish, a gloss finish, or a thick finish, in association with the clear layer. In addition, the printing condition specification process specifies the printing conditions to be used when forming the clear layer, for example, based on the clear ink curing method information selected in the condition specification information selection process. This configuration makes it possible, for example, to easily and appropriately specify printing conditions for curing the clear layer using various methods. This also makes it possible, for example, to appropriately form clear layers cured using various methods in a printing device.

[0013] Furthermore, when a printing device uses process color inks, the condition specification information generation process generates color condition information, which is condition specification information indicating at least a portion of the conditions for forming a color layer, which is a layer of ink colored using process color inks. When a printing device uses process color inks and spot color inks, the printing condition specification process specifies printing conditions for multilayer printing, in which a color layer and a spot color layer are overlaid. In this case, the printing condition specification process specifies printing conditions to be used when forming the spot color layer in multilayer printing based on the spot color condition information. Then, the printing conditions to be used when forming the color layer in multilayer printing based on the color condition information. This configuration allows, for example, easy and appropriate specification of printing conditions for multilayer printing. Furthermore, the present invention can also be configured, for example, with a printing condition specification method or printing condition specification device having similar features. In these cases, the same effects as those described above can also be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, for example, print conditions that can be executed by a printing device can be easily and appropriately specified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a printing system 10 that uses a program according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows an example of the configuration of the printing system 10. FIG. 1B shows an example of the configuration of a printing device 12 in the printing system 10. FIG. 1C shows an example of the configuration of a head unit 102 in the printing device 12. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a printed matter produced by printing in the printing system 10. FIG. 2A shows an example of the configuration of a printed matter. FIG. 2B shows a modified example of how the special color layer 54 is formed. FIGS. 2C and 2D show modified examples of the position where the special color layer 54 is formed. [Figure 3]10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for specifying printing conditions in the control device 14. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the control device 14 when RIP generation data is generated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a printing system 10 using a program according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) shows an example of the configuration of the printing system 10. FIG. 1(b) shows an example of the configuration of a printing device 12 in the printing system 10. FIG. 1(c) shows an example of the configuration of a head unit 102 in the printing device 12. Except as described below, the printing system 10 and each component of the printing system 10 may have the same or similar features as known printing systems and their components. In this example, the printing system 10 includes a printing device 12, a control device 14, and a database 16. The printing system 10 may further include other components. For example, the printing system 10 may further include a device that performs processing other than printing on the medium to be printed in the printing device 12. Such a device could include, for example, a cutting device that cuts the medium. In the printing system 10, the printing device 12 is a device that executes printing under the control of the control device 14 in the printing system 10. For example, a known industrial inkjet printer or the like can be suitably used as the printing device 12. In this example, the printing device 12 is a color printer that performs color printing by an inkjet method using inks of multiple colors, and has a head unit 102, a base unit 104, a scan driver 106, and a controller 110, as shown in FIG.

[0017] The head unit 102 is configured to eject ink onto the medium 50 and includes multiple inkjet heads 202, as shown in FIG. 1C. In this example, the head unit 102 includes inkjet heads 202 for each process color and an inkjet head 202 for a specific spot color. With this configuration, the printing device 12 performs printing using the process color inks and the spot color inks. More specifically, in this example, the head unit 102 includes inkjet heads 202 for each process color: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The head unit 102 also includes inkjet heads 202 for white (W) ink, clear ink (CL), and primer ink (PR) as spot color inkjet heads 202. Process colors can be considered, for example, as basic colors for color expression. Furthermore, process colors can be considered to be, for example, colors used as base colors for color expression using a subtractive color mixture method in color printing performed by the printing device 12. Spot colors can be considered to be, for example, inks that are different from process color inks. Spot colors can be considered to be, for example, colors other than the base colors for color expression using a subtractive color mixture method. Spot colors can be considered to be, for example, colors that are treated as spot colors in the specifications of the printing device 12. Spot colors can be considered to be, for example, colors other than YMCK (CMYK). In this example, white ink, clear ink, and primer ink are examples of spot color inks. White ink is an example of a light-reflective ink. Clear ink is colorless and transparent ink. With regard to clear ink, being colorless and transparent can be considered to be, for example, substantially colorless and transparent in terms of the quality required for printing. Being colorless and transparent for clear ink can also be considered to be, for example, that no coloring materials such as pigments or dyes are intentionally added. The primer ink is used to form a base ink layer (primer layer) on the medium 50.As the ink of each color, for example, known inks for inkjet printers can be suitably used.

[0018] In this example, each inkjet head 202 has a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles are aligned at different positions in the sub-scanning direction. Of the multiple inkjet heads 202 in the head unit 102, the inkjet heads 202 for each process color are aligned in a predetermined sub-scanning direction (X direction in the figure) preset in the printing device 12, and are aligned in a main scanning direction (Y direction in the figure) perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction, as shown in the figure, for example. The inkjet heads 202 for spot colors are aligned in the sub-scanning direction relative to the inkjet heads 202 for process colors. In this case, the inkjet heads 202 for each spot color are aligned in the sub-scanning direction and are aligned in the main scanning direction. In this example, the printing device 12 is capable of changing the ink used. In this case, it can be considered that the ink set used in the printing device 12 is changeable. In this case, the head unit 102 may have inkjet heads 202 for colors different from those described above. For example, the head unit 102 may have inkjet heads 202 for spot colors different from those described above. In this case, for example, colored inks different from the process colors may be used as the spot color ink. Furthermore, in the head unit 102, the multiple inkjet heads 202 may be arranged in a different arrangement from that described above.

[0019] The base unit 104 is a platform-like member that supports the medium 50 at a position facing the head unit 102. The scan driver 106 is a driver that causes the head unit 102 to perform a scanning operation, moving relative to the medium 50. In this case, causing the head unit 102 to perform a scanning operation can also be considered, for example, as causing the inkjet head 202 in the head unit 102 to perform a scanning operation. In this example, the scan driver 106 causes the head unit 102 to perform a main scanning operation and a sub-scanning operation as the scanning operation. The main scanning operation can be considered, for example, as an operation of ejecting ink while moving in the main scanning direction relative to the medium 50 (scanning operation). The sub-scanning operation can be considered, for example, as an operation of moving in the sub-scanning direction relative to the medium 50. The scan driver 106 causes the head unit 102 to perform a sub-scanning operation between main scanning operations, thereby changing the portion of the medium 50 that faces the head unit 102 with each main scanning operation. The sub-scanning operation can also be considered as, for example, a feeding operation that feeds the medium 50 relative to the head unit 102.

[0020] The control unit 110 is, for example, the CPU of the printing device 12 and controls the operation of each unit of the printing device 12. In this example, the control unit 110 receives RIP-generated data, which is data generated by RIP processing (Raster Image Processing), from the control device 14 and controls the operation of each unit of the printing device 12 based on this RIP-generated data. According to this example, for example, the printing device 12 can appropriately print on the medium 50. In this case, for example, by using inks of each process color, color printing that draws a color image on the medium 50 can be appropriately performed. Furthermore, by using inks of special colors as needed, it is possible to perform, for example, a variety of printing. In addition to the above configuration, the printing device 12 may further have configurations that are the same as or similar to those of known printing devices. For example, the printing device 12 may further have a fixing unit that fixes ink to the medium 50.

[0021] The control device 14 controls the operation of the printing device 12 by supplying RIP-generated data generated by RIP processing to the printing device 12. In this example, the control device 14 is a computer such as a PC that executes a program for RIP processing (hereinafter referred to as a RIP program). The control device 14 generates RIP-generated data for causing the printing device 12 to print using, for example, spot color ink, and supplies the RIP-generated data to the printing device 12. The control device 14 also generates setting information (hereinafter referred to as "favorite settings") that specifies at least some of the printing conditions executable by the printing device 12, for example, based on information acquired from the database 16. In this case, the favorite settings are an example of condition specification information. The control device 14 further specifies printing conditions based on the favorite settings and performs RIP processing based on the printing conditions to generate RIP-generated data. In this case, the control device 14 can also be considered to function as a printing condition specification device that executes a printing condition specification method in accordance with the RIP program. The operations of the control device 14 for generating favorite settings and specifying printing conditions will be described in more detail below.

[0022] The database 16 is an example of a condition storage unit and stores printer information, which is information related to the printing device 12. In this case, the printer information is an example of model-related information. The model-related information can be considered, for example, as information associated with the model of the printing device 12. In this example, the database 16 stores printer information for each model of the printing device 12 for multiple models of printing devices 12. In this case, the control device 14, for example, identifies the model of the printing device 12 used in the printing system 10 and obtains printer information corresponding to that model from the database 16. The printer information may include, for example, information indicating the performance (specifications) of the corresponding model of printing device 12 and printing conditions executable by that printing device 12. In this case, the printer information indicating the performance and printing conditions of the printing device 12 can be considered to indicate, for example, at least a portion of the performance and printing conditions. More specifically, the printer information may include, for example, information regarding the printing width (printable width), printing speed, usable media 50 (media that can be output), etc. The printer information may also include information identical or similar to the ink information described below. In this case, the printer information may be considered to indicate, for example, the ink installed in the printing device 12. The printer information may also be considered to indicate, for example, the basic performance (basic specifications) corresponding to the model of the printing device 12 and various registration items that can be added later as needed. In this case, the various registration items may include, for example, information related to the ink and media used in the printing device 12. Other information may also be used as the registration items. The operation of the control device 14 to acquire printer information from the database 16 will be described in more detail later in connection with the explanation of the operation of specifying printing conditions. In this example, the database 16 is configured, for example, by a computer separate from the control device 14. For example, a database that stores information using a known method can be suitably used as the database 16. In a modified configuration of the printing system 10, the control device 14 may also perform the functions of the database 16.In this case, a storage device (information storage unit) such as an SSD or HDD in the control device 14 can be considered to be the condition storage unit. It is also possible to use an external data group such as a cloud server as the database 16. In this case, the database 16 can be considered to be, for example, a configuration outside the printing system 10.

[0023] Next, a printed matter produced by the printing device 12 in the printing system 10 of this example will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a printed matter produced by printing in the printing system 10. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the configuration of a printed matter. In the printing system 10 of this example, the printing device 12 creates a printed matter, for example, in which multiple ink layers are formed on a medium 50, by a printing operation based on RIP-generated data received from the control device 14. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 2(a), the printing device 12 forms multiple ink layers, including a color layer 52 and a spot color layer 54, on the medium 50. In this case, the printing device 12 forms the color layer 52 and the spot color layer 54 on the medium 50 so that, for example, at least a portion of the color layer 52 and at least a portion of the spot color layer 54 overlap each other. In this example, the color layer 52 is an ink layer formed using process color inks. The color layer 52 can also be considered, for example, as a layer of ink on which a color image is drawn. The special color layer 54 is an ink layer formed with special color ink. The special color layer 54 can also be considered, for example, as an ink layer formed with only one color of special color ink. As described above, the printing device 12 of this example uses white ink, clear ink, and primer ink as the special color inks. In this case, the special color layer 54 can be considered, for example, as an ink layer formed with any one of these colors of ink. When the special color layer 54 is formed on the color layer 52 as shown in FIG. 2(a), it is possible to form the special color layer 54 with a special color ink other than the primer ink.

[0024] The printing device 12 may also use ultraviolet-curable ink (UV ink) that is cured by ultraviolet light irradiation as each color of ink. In this case, the printing device 12 may include, for example, an ultraviolet light source as ink fixing means. In this case, the printing conditions may specify, for example, a method for curing the ink. In this case, specifying the ink curing method may involve, for example, changing the method of ultraviolet irradiation by the ultraviolet light source used as fixing means. The printing conditions may also specify, for example, curing conditions for curing the ink to a matte finish or a gloss finish. In this case, curing the ink to a matte finish may be considered, for example, to harden the ink dots formed by ink that has landed at the ejection position without flattening them. Not flattening the ink dots may be considered, for example, to harden the ink dots before they are sufficiently flattened over time. Sufficiently flattening the ink dots may be considered, for example, to reach a state where the ink dots can be considered flattened at the required print quality. Furthermore, glossy curing of ink can be considered to mean, for example, curing the ink after the ink dots formed by the ink that landed at the ejection positions have been sufficiently flattened. Glossy curing of ink can also be considered to mean, for example, curing the ink after a predetermined time has passed since the ink landed, allowing the ink dots to be flattened.

[0025] Furthermore, when forming the special color layer 54 using UV-curable clear ink, the printing device 12 may form a thickly raised ink layer, as shown in FIG. 2(b), for example. FIG. 2(b) illustrates a modified example of how the special color layer 54 is formed. More specifically, in this example, the printing device 12 forms a thickly raised ink layer by, for example, stacking multiple ink layers (special color layers 54) using clear ink. Regarding the thickly raised ink layer, the formation of multiple ink layers by stacking multiple ink layers can be considered, for example, as forming multiple ink layers associated with each other and specified in the printing conditions for forming the thickly raised ink layer. In this case, the printing device 12 hardens the special color layer 54 under thickly raised curing conditions that harden the thickly raised ink layer. The thickly raised curing conditions can also be considered, for example, as curing conditions that are tailored to the thickly raised ink layer. In this case, the printing conditions specify the method of curing the ink in the special color layer 54, for example, thick-layer curing conditions. Suitable thick-layer curing conditions include, for example, conditions for additional ultraviolet irradiation (additional irradiation) after forming multiple ink layers. In this case, the additional irradiation can be performed, for example, by irradiating ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source while moving the head unit 102 in the same manner as during main scanning without causing the inkjet head to eject ink. Furthermore, the position at which the special color layer 54 is formed may be different from the configuration shown in FIG. 2(a), as shown in, for example, FIGS. 2(c) and 2(d). FIGS. 2(c) and 2(d) show modified examples of the position at which the special color layer 54 is formed. The printing device 12 may form the special color layer 54 below the color layer 52, as shown in, for example, FIG. 2(c). In this case, the printing device 12 forms the special color layer 54 using, for example, a primer ink. Furthermore, depending on the design or the like to be expressed in the printed matter, the printing device 12 may use a spot color ink other than the primer ink to form a spot color layer 54 below the color layer 52. Furthermore, the printing device 12 may form multiple spot color layers 54 in one printed matter, as shown in Fig. 2(d), for example. In this case, the printing device 12 forms the spot color layers 54 above and below the color layer 52, for example.In this case, the printing device 12 may form a plurality of spot color layers 54 using inks of different spot colors. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately create printed matter that expresses a variety of designs.

[0026] Next, the operation of specifying printing conditions in the control device 14 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of specifying printing conditions in the control device 14. In this example, the control device 14 executes the operation shown in the flowchart in FIG. 3 in accordance with a RIP program. During this operation, the control device 14 specifies the printing conditions for printing to be performed by the printing device 12. In this case, the RIP program can also be considered, for example, as a program that causes a computer to specify printing conditions. In the operation shown in FIG. 3, the control device 14 first accepts registration of the printing device 12 used in the printing system 10, thereby identifying the model of the printing device 12 that will perform printing in the printing system 10 (S102). In this example, the operation of step S102 is an example of the operation of a model identification process and a model identification stage. In step S102, the control device 14 registers the printing device 12 by recognizing the printing device 12 connected to the control device 14 via a network within a predetermined range, such as a local area network, via a wired connection or a wireless connection (WiFi), for example. With this configuration, for example, the printer 12 can be registered easily and appropriately. The operation of registering the printer 12 in this manner can also be considered, for example, as an operation of automatically registering the printer 12. The control device 14 can also register the printer 12 by, for example, accepting a designation from a user. In this case, the printer 12 can be considered to be registered by a manual operation by the user, for example.

[0027] Following the operation of step S102, the control device 14 acquires printer information from the database 16 (S104). In this example, the operation of step S104 is an example of the operation of the model-related information acquisition process and the model-related information acquisition stage. As described above, in this example, the database 16 stores printer information for each model of the printing device 12 for each of the multiple models of printing devices 12. Therefore, in step S104, the control device 14 acquires printer information corresponding to the identified model based on the model of the printing device 12 identified in step S102 (hereinafter referred to as the identified model). The identified model can also be considered, for example, as the model of the printing device 12 registered in the RIP program. As described above, in this example, the printing device 12 is capable of changing the ink used. Therefore, in step S104 of this example, the control device 14 further acquires ink information indicating the ink used by the printing device 12 that will perform printing in the printing system 10. In this case, the control device 14 acquires the ink information from the printing device 12, for example, by communicating with the printing device 12 via a network. The control device 14 may acquire the ink information from, for example, the database 16. Furthermore, in this example, the operation of the control device 14 acquiring the ink information in step S104 is an example of the operation of the ink information acquisition process and the ink information acquisition stage. The ink information can be considered to indicate, for example, the ink used in the printing device 12 identified by registration in step S102. The ink information can also be considered to be, for example, information indicating the ink that can be ejected by the inkjet head 202 of the printing device 12. Such ink information can be, for example, information indicating the type and color of the ink used in the printing device 12. In this case, the ink information can be considered to be, for example, information indicating the type of ink installed in the printing device 12. The ink type can be considered to be, for example, information corresponding to the ink model number. The ink color can be considered, for example, the color of multiple inks used in the printing device 12. In this case, it is preferable to use ink information indicating at least the color of the spot ink used in the printing device 12.More specifically, in this example, the ink information indicates, for example, the presence or absence of at least white ink, primer ink, and clear ink, with respect to spot color ink. Furthermore, as explained above, when UV-curable ink is used in the printing device 12, it is conceivable that the printing conditions will specify, for example, how the ink is cured. Therefore, it is preferable that the ink information further indicates the presence or absence of UV-curable ink. In this case, it is particularly preferable to use, as the ink information, information indicating the presence or absence of at least UV-curable clear ink.

[0028] As described above, in this example, the printer information is information related to the model of the printing device 12. In this case, it is possible to use common information as the printer information for printing devices 12 of the same model. However, the ink used by the printing device 12 may vary depending on the individual printing device 12, even if the printing device 12 is of the same model. In this case, differences may occur in the actual print conditions that can be executed for printing devices 12 of the same model. In contrast, in this example, by using ink information separately from the printer information, it is possible to more appropriately grasp the print conditions that can be executed for each printing device 12, even when various types of ink are used in the printing device 12. It is also possible to use information that further includes information related to each printing device 12. In this case, as described above, it is also possible to use printer information that includes ink information. In this case, the printer information can be considered to double as ink information, for example. Furthermore, the operation of the control device 14 to acquire printer information from the database 16 can be considered to double as the operation to acquire ink information, for example.

[0029] Further, following the operation of step S104, the control device 14 generates a plurality of favorite settings, at least some of which are different from each other, based on the printer information and ink information acquired in step S104 (S106). In this case, the plurality of favorite settings can be considered to correspond, for example, to different printing conditions. Furthermore, in this example, the operation of step S106 is an example of the condition specification information generation process and the operation of the condition specification information generation stage. The favorite settings indicate, for example, specific values ​​(setting values) for at least some of all items specified as printing conditions. More specifically, the favorite settings specify at least one of the printing resolution, the number of passes, and the color adjustment method, for example, regarding the printing conditions. In this case, the favorite settings specify, for example, the profile (color profile) used for color adjustment, for example, regarding the color adjustment method. The favorite settings may also specify, for example, the curing method for ultraviolet-curable ink. The favorite settings may also specify, for example, the generation of a plate for a spot color or conditions regarding the use of a jig during printing. By using such favorite settings, for example, when specifying printing conditions later, at least some of the printing conditions can be automatically specified according to the favorite settings.

[0030] Furthermore, in step S106 of this example, the control device 14 grasps, for example, the performance of the identified model of the printing device 12 based on the printer information corresponding to the identified model identified in step S102. This also allows the control device 14 to generate, for example, favorite settings that specify conditions executable by the identified model based on the printer information. In this case, the control device 14 can also be considered to generate, for example, favorite settings that specify conditions executable by the identified model based on the identified model. In this example, the control device 14 also generates favorite settings that indicate at least some of the printing conditions executable by the identified model of the printing device 12 using the ink indicated by the ink information based on the ink information. In this case, the control device 14 generates, for example, multiple favorite settings according to the ink colors used by the printing device 12. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately generate, for example, multiple favorite settings corresponding to various printing conditions in step S106. In this regard, when a printing device 12 that performs printing uses process color inks, such as the printing device 12 described above, the control device 14 generates favorite settings that indicate, for example, at least some of the conditions for forming a color layer, which is an ink layer colored using process color inks. When a printing device 12 that performs printing uses spot color inks, the control device 14 generates favorite settings that indicate, for example, at least some of the conditions for forming a spot color layer, which is an ink layer formed with spot color inks. In this case, the favorite settings corresponding to the color layer are an example of color condition information. Furthermore, when the ink information indicates the presence of white ink, the control device 14 generates favorite settings that indicate, for example, at least some of the conditions for forming a white layer, which is an ink layer (spot color layer) formed with white ink. Furthermore, when the ink information indicates that primer ink is present, the control device 14 generates a favorite setting that indicates, for example, at least a part of the conditions for forming a primer layer, which is an ink layer (special color layer) formed with primer ink.If the ink information indicates the presence of clear ink, the control device 14 generates a favorite setting that indicates at least some of the conditions for forming a clear layer, which is an ink layer (spot color layer) formed with clear ink. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately generate favorite settings that correspond to spot color layers of various colors, for example.

[0031] Furthermore, when UV-curable ink is used in the printing device 12, the control device 14 generates a favorite setting that indicates at least the method of curing the ink. In this case, the ink curing method can be considered to correspond to, for example, the method of UV irradiation. Therefore, such a favorite setting can be considered to specify, for example, the method of UV irradiation. More specifically, for example, when the ink information indicates that UV-curable clear ink is available, the control device 14 generates, for example, a favorite setting corresponding to the clear layer that indicates at least the method of UV irradiation when forming the clear layer. In this case, the favorite setting corresponding to the clear layer is an example of clear ink curing method information. In this case, the control device 14 also generates, for example, multiple favorite settings corresponding to the clear layer that indicate different methods of UV irradiation. More specifically, in this example, if the ink information indicates that ultraviolet-curable clear ink is available, the control device 14 generates, as favorite settings corresponding to the clear layer, at least a favorite setting indicating the curing conditions for a matte finish to cure the ink, a favorite setting indicating the curing conditions for a gloss finish to cure the ink, and a favorite setting indicating the curing conditions for a thick finish. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately generate favorite settings corresponding to clear layers formed using various curing methods, for example.

[0032] Furthermore, in this example, by generating favorite settings as described above, favorite settings corresponding to the identified model can be automatically generated in response to the identification of the printing device 12, for example, by registering the printing device 12 in step S102. Therefore, according to this example, favorite settings can be easily and appropriately generated without burdening the user, even if the user is unfamiliar with operating the printing device 12 or specifying printing conditions. Furthermore, in step S106, the control device 14 generates favorite settings for specifying standard printing conditions tailored to the identified model as at least some of the favorite settings. This configuration allows, for example, the user to easily and appropriately specify standard printing conditions tailored to the identified model without burdening the user when specifying printing conditions thereafter. Furthermore, such favorite settings can also be considered, for example, as sample settings for printing conditions. Furthermore, the control device 14 stores the generated favorite settings in a storage device, such as an SSD or HDD, within the control device 14. This configuration allows, for example, the generated favorite settings to be used appropriately as needed. The controller 14 may transfer the created favorite settings to the printing device 12 and store them therein.

[0033] Following the operation of step S106, the control device 14 selects at least some of the favorite settings generated in step S106, for example, based on a user instruction, and specifies printing conditions for printing to be performed by the printing device 12 based on the selected favorite settings (S108). In this case, the operation of the control device 14 selecting the favorite settings in step S108 is an example of a condition specification information selection process and a condition specification information selection stage. Furthermore, the operation of the control device 14 specifying printing conditions based on the selected favorite settings is an example of a printing condition specification process and a printing condition specification stage. More specifically, in step S108, the control device 14 reads, for example, an image to be printed and selects at least one favorite setting associated with the image. The control device 14 then specifies the printing conditions to be used when printing the image based on the selected favorite information. This configuration allows, for example, printing conditions to be easily and appropriately specified without placing a significant burden on the user. Furthermore, in this case, for example, by automatically specifying at least some of the printing conditions according to the favorite settings generated in step S106, a variety of printing conditions tailored to the identified model can be easily and appropriately specified. Furthermore, in this example, the control device 14 specifies printing conditions that can actually be performed on the printing device 12 that will perform printing, based on the favorite settings created in step S106. Therefore, according to this example, even when using a printing device 12 with a variety of functions, it is possible to easily and appropriately specify printing conditions that can actually be performed on that printing device 12.

[0034] Furthermore, in step S108 of this example, the control device 14 selects a favorite setting from the multiple favorite settings generated in step S106, based on, for example, a user instruction, that matches the ink layer to be formed during printing. The control device 14 then specifies the printing conditions to be used when forming the ink layer based on the selected favorite setting. More specifically, when specifying printing conditions corresponding to printing that forms a color layer, the control device 14 specifies the printing conditions based on, for example, the favorite setting corresponding to the color layer. This configuration allows, for example, easy and appropriate specification of printing conditions for forming the color layer. When specifying printing conditions corresponding to printing that forms a spot color layer, the control device 14 specifies the printing conditions based on, for example, the favorite setting corresponding to the spot color layer. In this case, the control device 14 specifies the printing conditions based on, for example, the favorite setting corresponding to the spot color layer, based on, for example, the color of the spot ink used to form the spot color layer. This configuration allows, for example, easy and appropriate specification of printing conditions when using spot color ink. This also allows, for example, a printing device to more easily and appropriately use various colors of spot ink. Furthermore, in step S108, when specifying printing conditions for a clear layer formed with, for example, UV-curable clear ink, the control device 14 selects a favorite setting corresponding to, for example, a matte finish, a gloss finish, or a thick finish corresponding to the clear layer, and specifies the printing conditions to be used when forming the clear layer based on the favorite setting. This configuration, for example, makes it possible to easily and appropriately specify printing conditions for curing the clear layer using various methods. This also allows, for example, the printing device 12 to appropriately form clear layers cured using various methods. Furthermore, when the printing device 12 uses process color inks and spot color inks, in step S108, the control device 14 may specify printing conditions for multilayer printing in which a color layer and a spot color layer are overlapped. In this case, the control device 14 specifies the printing conditions to be used when forming the spot color layer in multilayer printing based on, for example, a favorite setting corresponding to the spot color layer.Furthermore, the control device 14 specifies the printing conditions used when forming the color layers in multi-layer printing, for example, based on the settings in the favorites corresponding to the color layers. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to easily and appropriately specify the printing conditions for multi-layer printing.

[0035] Furthermore, in the operation of specifying printing conditions for generating RIP generation data, the control device 14, for example, displays the screen shown in FIG. 4 on a display device such as a monitor, and selects favorite settings based on user instructions received in response to user operations. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the control device 14 when generating RIP generation data. It also shows an example of a display screen displayed by the control device 14 on a display device such as a monitor of the control device 14 when specifying printing conditions for multi-layer printing. The display screen shown in FIG. 4 can also be considered, for example, as an example of a display screen shown to the user in step S108 of the operation shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the control device 14 displays a display screen having an input image display unit 302, a favorite selection button 304, a processing condition display unit 306, a numerical input unit 308, and an execute button 310, for example, in accordance with a RIP program. The control device 14 then specifies printing conditions for multi-layer printing based on user instructions received via this display screen. Among the components of this display screen, the input image display unit 302 is a display unit that displays an input image, which is an image input to the RIP program. The control device 14 reads, for example, an image specified by a user as an input image and displays it on the input image display unit 302. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a color image representing an image drawn with process color inks and a spot color image representing an image drawn with spot color inks are used as the input images. The color image can be considered to represent, for example, an image drawn by color layers. The color image can also be considered to represent, for example, a design to be expressed by printing. The color image can also be considered to represent, for example, an image corresponding to a plate for color printing. The spot color image can be considered to represent, for example, an image indicating a position where spot color ink is ejected in a spot color layer. The spot color image can also be considered to represent, for example, an image corresponding to a spot color plate (spot color plate). The control device 14 may generate the spot color image based on the color image.

[0036] The favorite selection button 304 is a button for receiving an instruction from the user to select a favorite setting. When the favorite selection button 304 is pressed by the user, the control device 14, for example, displays a display screen for allowing the user to select a favorite setting and receives an instruction to select one of the favorite settings from the user. In this case, the control device 14 receives an instruction to select a favorite setting from the user by, for example, displaying a list of multiple favorite settings managed in a RIP program to the user and allowing the user to select one of the favorite settings from the list. In this case, the control device 14 also displays a list of multiple favorite settings to the user, including the favorite setting generated in step S106 of the operation shown in FIG. 3. In addition, when specifying printing conditions for multi-layer printing, the control device 14 also receives an instruction from the user to select a favorite setting for each ink layer in multi-layer printing, for example. In this case, based on the user's instruction, the control device 14, for example, associates a favorite setting corresponding to a color layer and receives a selection of a favorite setting corresponding to the color layer. In addition, the control device 14, for example, associates a favorite setting corresponding to a spot color layer and receives a selection of a favorite setting corresponding to the spot color layer. Furthermore, when specifying printing conditions for multi-layer printing including multiple spot color layers, the control device 14 accepts selection of favorite settings corresponding to each spot color layer, for example, according to the color of the spot color layer.

[0037] The processing condition display unit 306 is a display unit that displays at least a portion of the printing conditions to be specified. In this example, the processing condition display unit 306 displays at least a portion of the printing conditions for each ink layer formed in multilayer printing, in association with the image read as the input image. In this case, the processing condition display unit 306 displays, for example, items related to multiple items for each ink layer. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the processing condition display unit 306 uses items related to output, feed information, plate information, read image, favorites, and favorite information as these multiple items. In this case, the output item indicates a data layer, which is a layer in the data to which the ink layer is associated, and indicates the order of the data layers in accordance with the order in which the ink layers are formed on the medium. In this case, it is possible to associate ink layers formed simultaneously in the main scanning operation together as a single data layer, such as the data layer designated as the third layer in the output item. The ink layers formed simultaneously in a main scanning operation can be considered to be, for example, multiple ink layers, each partially formed in a single main scanning operation, by forming one ink layer using nozzles within a predetermined range in the sub-scanning direction and forming another ink layer using only nozzles located in a position that does not overlap this range in the sub-scanning direction. In this example, the processing condition display unit 306 displays the correspondence between ink layers and data layers in the "feed information" field. The "feed information" field is related to the feed division performed to simultaneously form multiple ink layers in a single main scanning operation. The feed division can also be considered, for example, as a setting for forming ink layers simultaneously in a main scanning operation. In the illustrated example, the "feed information" field indicates that one white layer, which is a spot color layer formed with white ink, and a color layer are partially formed in a single main scanning operation.

[0038] The plate information item indicates the purpose of the ink layer, etc. When multilayer printing is performed as in this example, the plate information item can also be considered, for example, as a layer setting item indicating the purpose of each layer in multilayer printing. In the example shown in FIG. 4, in the plate information item, the processing condition display unit 306 displays the symbol P for the primer layer, indicating that it is a primer layer. The processing condition display unit 306 also displays the symbol W for the white layer, indicating that it is a white layer. The processing condition display unit 306 also displays the symbol Color for the color layers, indicating that it is a color layer. The read image item indicates the input image associated with each ink layer. In this example, the processing condition display unit 306 displays thumbnail images of the input image corresponding to each ink layer for each ink layer. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the processing condition display unit 306 displays thumbnail images of the spot color images of the input image for the primer layer and the white layer in the read image item. Furthermore, the processing condition display unit 306 displays, for the color layer, a thumbnail image of the color image of the input image.

[0039] The favorite items indicate favorite settings corresponding to each ink layer. As described above, in this example, when specifying printing conditions for multi-layer printing, the control device 14 receives, for example, an instruction from the user to select favorite settings for each ink layer in multi-layer printing. In this case, the control device 14 indicates the favorite settings selected for each ink layer in the favorite items of the processing condition display unit 306, as shown, for example, as fav4-1 in the figure. In this case, the control device 14 displays, for example, the names of these favorite settings for each ink layer in the favorite items. These favorite settings specify, for example, at least the print resolution, the number of passes, and the color adjustment method as printing conditions to be used when forming the corresponding ink layer. In this case, the favorite settings specify, for example, the color profile used for color adjustment, related to the color adjustment method. The favorite information items indicate at least some of the printing conditions specified in the favorite settings. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the control device 14 displays the print resolution, number of passes, and color adjustment method for each ink layer in the favorite information items of the processing condition display section 306.

[0040] The numerical input unit 308 is an input unit that accepts user input of numerical values ​​related to at least some of the printing conditions. The numerical input unit 308 can also be considered, for example, as an input unit that accepts user input specifying at least some of the printing conditions not specified in the favorite settings. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the numerical input unit 308 accepts user input of numerical values ​​related to the number of copies, margins to be set during printing, and rearrangement. This allows the control device 14 to accept user instructions related to printing conditions not specified in the favorite settings. The numerical input unit 308 may also accept user instructions to change values ​​related to printing conditions specified in the favorite settings. The execute button 310 is a button that accepts user instructions to execute RIP processing. In this example, when the user presses the execute button 310, the control device 14 executes RIP processing based on the items displayed in the input image display unit 302, the processing condition display unit 306, and the numerical input unit 308 in accordance with the RIP program. This also allows the control device 14 to perform RIP processing according to the printing conditions specified using, for example, the favorite settings, and generate RIP-generated data. According to this example, for example, with respect to multiple ink layers formed in multi-layer printing, printing conditions for each layer can be easily and appropriately specified. In this case, for example, by individually specifying favorite settings for each ink layer, individual conditions for each ink layer can be easily and appropriately specified as needed.

[0041] Next, supplementary explanations and explanations of variations will be provided regarding the matters described above. As described above, in this example, the control device 14 acquires printer information from the database 16 and generates favorite settings based on the printer information, etc. Furthermore, the database 16 stores printer information for each model of printing device 12 for multiple models of printing devices 12. The control device 14 then acquires printer information corresponding to that model from the database 16, for example, by identifying the model of the printing device 12 used in the printing system 10. Therefore, according to this example, for example, the control device 14 can appropriately generate favorite settings corresponding to various models of printing device 12. Furthermore, this also allows, for example, when building a printing system 10 with a new configuration, or when using a new model of printing device 12 in the printing system 10 due to the addition or replacement of a printing device 12, to easily and appropriately generate favorite settings corresponding to the printing device 12 without imposing a burden on the user. In this case, it can also be considered that, by generating favorite settings compatible with various models of printing device 12, it is possible to easily and appropriately specify printing conditions compatible with multiple models of printing device 12 for the control device 14. Also, in this example, by automatically generating favorites in the control device 14, it is possible to easily and appropriately specify printing conditions that can actually be used for printing, even immediately after installing a RIP program on a computer used as the control device 14. Furthermore, for example, if the control device 14 in the printing system 10 breaks down, it is possible to more easily and appropriately reinstall the RIP program.

[0042] In this example, the control device 14 generates favorite settings internally based on printer information and the like. In this case, the operation of the control device 14 can be considered, for example, to be an operation of generating favorite settings internally within the control device 14. The generation of favorite settings internally within the control device 14 can be considered, for example, to be an operation of generating new favorite settings through processing executed by the control device 14, rather than acquiring existing favorite settings from another computer or the like. In contrast, a modified operation of the control device 14 can be considered to be an operation of acquiring existing favorite settings externally based on printer information, ink information, and the like. In this case, the operation of acquiring favorite settings acquired externally and placing them under the control of the control device 14 can be considered, for example, to be an operation of the control device 14 generating favorite settings. Furthermore, in this case, the control device 14 generates favorite settings for the printing device 12 by acquiring, for example, favorite settings previously created in association with various printer information and ink information from another computer, such as a cloud server. This configuration also allows for the appropriate generation of favorite settings corresponding to printing conditions executable by the printing device 12. The control device 14 can also acquire favorites from, for example, the database 16. Furthermore, when favorite settings are not generated internally by the control device 14 but existing favorite settings are acquired externally, the control device 14 may acquire the favorite settings based on the model of the printing device 12, for example, without acquiring printer information. In this case, the control device 14 acquires the favorite settings based on the model of the printing device 12 and ink information, for example. As described above, the favorite settings generated by the control device 14 in this example can be considered, for example, as setting information that specifies at least some of the printing conditions that can be executed by the printing device 12. By registering favorite settings in the control device 14, it becomes possible to easily use, for example, frequently used functions or functions that require time-consuming setting.More specifically, in this case, by using the favorite settings, it is possible to, for example, enable the user to specify appropriate printing conditions without omission, reduce the amount of work required to specify printing conditions, and reduce printing errors. This also makes it possible, for example, to lower the technical level required of the user who will be the operator who causes printing device 12 to perform printing. In this example, the favorite settings can also be thought of as, for example, a template of printing conditions to be specified when generating print job data (job data).

[0043] Furthermore, in this example, by using the favorite settings, it is possible to easily and appropriately specify the same printing conditions for multiple images and print them, for example. In this case, the control device 14 reads the data of multiple images to be printed, for example, based on a user's instruction, and selects the favorite settings to use for each image. In this case, if the same printing conditions are used, it is possible to select the same favorite settings for multiple images. Furthermore, the control device 14 specifies printing conditions for each image based on the favorite settings, for example, and generates RIP-generated data. The control device 14 then supplies the RIP-generated data to the printing device 12, causing the printing device 12 to print multiple images. With this configuration, it is possible, for example, to cause the printing device 12 to appropriately print multiple images. In this case, it is also possible to appropriately specify the same printing conditions for multiple images by using the same favorite settings for multiple images.

[0044] Here, it is possible to generate favorite settings using methods other than those described above. However, in this case, it may be difficult to properly generate favorite settings. More specifically, in this case, it is possible to generate favorite settings based on job data used in previous printing, or to generate favorite settings by editing various specific parameters related to printing conditions by the user. However, when generating favorite settings based on job data, it is necessary to prepare job data that can achieve the desired settings. This can be difficult when, for example, job data corresponding to previous printing does not exist, such as when a new printing device 12 is installed, or when the user's environment is not yet ready. Furthermore, when generating favorite settings based on job data, it may be necessary, for example, to confirm whether the various parameters used in the job data are identical to the desired settings, or to adjust the parameters themselves. In this case, for example, conflicts between settings related to many parameters and the need to understand the contents of the setting items may require a high level of skill from the user. In particular, when attempting to generate favorite settings for use in multi-layer printing, it may be difficult to understand the various parameters used in the favorite settings for each ink layer. Furthermore, even if a user has a sufficiently high level of technical skill, the task of generating favorite settings can be time-consuming and laborious. Furthermore, when a user edits various specific parameters related to printing conditions, the user must, for example, edit the parameters while predicting the print results, and must adequately and thoroughly understand the results of the RIP program's operation. Therefore, in this case, too, the user's required technical skill level may be high, and the task of generating favorite settings may be time-consuming and laborious.

[0045] In contrast, in this example, when a printing device 12 is registered with the control device 14, favorite settings corresponding to printing conditions executable by the printing device 12 can be easily and appropriately generated. In this case, by generating favorite settings based on, for example, printer information, the favorite settings can be appropriately generated with minimal effort and without requiring significant user effort. By using the favorite settings generated when registering the printing device 12, printing conditions executable by the printing device 12 can be easily and appropriately specified, for example, when the first image to be printed by the printing device 12 is loaded into the RIP program. This also appropriately prevents, for example, the generation of RIP-generated data that cannot be printed by the printing device 12. Therefore, according to this example, even when a new printing device 12 is introduced to the printing system 10, the new printing device 12 can be used to quickly and appropriately print. This also allows, for example, the printing device 12 to actually print and quickly check the resolution, the state of formation (composition) of multiple ink layers in multi-layer printing, print quality, and the like.

[0046] As described above, in this example, the control device 14 generates favorite settings corresponding to a new printing device 12, for example, when the new printing device 12 is registered in the RIP program. The control device 14 may also generate favorite settings at a time other than when the new printing device 12 is registered. For example, if new printing conditions applicable to the printing device 12 are added due to an update of the RIP program, the control device 14 may generate new favorite settings at that time. This configuration allows easy and appropriate testing of new printing conditions, for example, when new printing conditions executable by an existing printing device 12 previously used in the printing system 10 are added. As described above, when causing the printing device 12 to perform multilayer printing, the control device 14 specifies printing conditions for each ink layer in multilayer printing, such as resolution, number of passes, and color adjustment method, based on favorite settings. In this case, it is conceivable that the favorite settings specify parameters related to these conditions. The favorite settings may also specify parameters related to other items. For example, as described above in relation to UV-curable clear ink, the favorite settings may include settings indicating how UV-curable ink is irradiated with UV light (irradiation conditions). The favorite settings may also include settings indicating the order in which layers are formed in multilayer printing. In this case, the favorite settings may indicate, for example, the position in the multilayer printing in which a corresponding ink layer should be formed. Such favorite settings may also be considered to be settings that register settings related to combinations of setting values ​​and layer formation methods required for multilayer printing. Furthermore, with regard to the specification of printing conditions for multilayer printing, the control device 14 may specify at least some of the settings, such as the resolution, number of passes, and color adjustment method, without relying on the favorite settings.

[0047] As described above, in a modified example of the operation of the control device 14, the control device 14 may externally acquire existing favorite settings. In contrast, in a further modified example of the operation of the control device 14, the control device 14 may acquire existing favorite settings from the printing device 12. In this case, for example, all printing conditions executable by the model of the printing device 12 are stored within the printing device 12. When the printing device 12 and the control device 14 are connected, the control device 14 acquires favorite settings from the printing device 12 that correspond to the ink actually installed in the printing device 12 and the specific specifications of the printing device 12, thereby generating favorite settings for the printing device 12 in the control device 14. In this case, the printing device 12 can be considered to have, for example, a storage unit that stores existing favorite settings. One possible method for having the control device 14 acquire existing favorite settings is to output a two-dimensional code or the like indicating the favorite settings and have the control device 14 read it. Furthermore, when acquiring existing favorite settings from a cloud server or the like, the control device 14 may acquire the favorites from the cloud server or the like, for example, at the timing when the favorite settings are actually used. In this case, the control device 14 accesses the cloud server or the like in response to a user instruction on a screen for specifying printing conditions (such as a job creation screen) to acquire the favorite settings. In this case, the control device 14 makes it possible to acquire only favorite settings corresponding to printing conditions that can be executed on the printing device 12, for example, based on printer information or the like. In this case, the operation of making it possible to acquire only favorite settings corresponding to printing conditions that can be executed on the printing device 12 can also be considered to correspond to the operation of generating condition designation information.

[0048] As described above, the control device 14 grasps the performance of the printing device 12, for example, based on printer information acquired from the database 16. In this case, the printer information is an example of model-related information. However, the control device 14 may use information other than the printer information acquired from the database 16 as model-related information. In this case, for example, information acquired from profile information set for the printing device 12 is used as the model-related information. The profile information can be considered, for example, as information specifying various parameters for specifying the operation of the printing device 12. In this case, the control device 14 generates favorite settings based on, for example, waveform information, ink curves, or various default values ​​set in the profile information. Even with this configuration, favorite settings corresponding to printing conditions executable by the printing device 12 can be appropriately generated.

[0049] As described above, in a modified configuration of the printing system 10, the printing system 10 may further include, for example, a cutting device. In this case, the control device 14 further identifies the model of the cutting device based on, for example, a RIP program and generates favorite settings for the cutting device. The control device 14 then specifies cutting conditions based on, for example, the generated favorite settings. In this case, the favorite settings for the cutting device can be considered, for example, as condition specification information that specifies at least some of the cutting conditions used by the cutting device. In this case, the control device 14 acquires cutting device information indicating the performance of the cutting device from the database 16 and generates favorite settings corresponding to the cutting conditions that can be executed by the cutting device based on the cutting device information. The cutting device information can be considered, for example, as an example of model-related information corresponding to the cutting device. With this configuration, for example, cutting conditions related to the cutting process to be executed by the cutting device can be easily and appropriately specified. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] The present invention can be suitably used, for example, in a program that causes a computer to specify printing conditions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10...printing system, 102...head unit, 104...base unit, 106...scanning drive unit, 110...control unit, 12...printing device, 14...control unit, 16...database, 202...inkjet head, 302...input image display unit, 304...favorite selection button, 306...processing condition display unit, 308...numerical value input unit, 310...execute button, 50...medium, 52...color layer, 54...special color layer

Claims

1. A program that causes a computer to specify printing conditions for printing to be performed by a printing device, a model identification process for identifying the model of the printing device that will perform printing; a condition designation information generation process for generating condition designation information that is information that designates at least a part of the printing conditions; a printing condition specification process for reading an image to be printed and specifying the printing conditions to be used when printing the image; causing the computer to perform In the condition designation information generation process, the condition designation information that specifies conditions that can be executed by the identified model is generated based on an identified model that is the model of the printing device identified in the model identification process; a program for specifying, in the printing condition specification process, the printing conditions executable by the printing device that executes printing based on the condition specification information generated in the condition specification information generation process;

2. a model-related information acquisition process for acquiring model-related information that is information related to the printing device of the identified model; a condition designation information selection process for selecting the condition designation information; and further causing the computer to perform In the model-related information acquisition process, for a plurality of types of printing device models, the model-related information corresponding to the identified model is acquired from a condition storage unit that stores the model-related information for each model, based on the identified model identified in the model identification process; In the condition designation information generation process, a plurality of pieces of condition designation information corresponding to the different printing conditions are generated based on the model-related information acquired in the model-related information acquisition process; In the condition designation information selection process, at least one piece of condition designation information is selected from the plurality of pieces of condition designation information generated in the condition designation information generation process based on an instruction from a user; 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the printing conditions are specified in the printing condition specification process based on the condition specification information selected in the condition specification information selection process.

3. further causing the computer to perform an ink information acquisition process to acquire ink information indicating inks to be used in the printing device for performing printing; In the condition designation information generation process, the condition designation information indicating at least a part of the printing conditions that can be executed using the ink indicated by the ink information in the printing device of the identified model identified in the model identification process is generated, In the printing device that performs printing, when a special color ink is used that is an ink of a color other than a process color that is a basic color of a preset color expression, In the condition designation information generation process, spot color condition information is generated as the condition designation information indicating at least a part of conditions related to the formation of a spot color layer, which is an ink layer formed with the spot color ink; 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the printing condition specification process specifies the printing conditions used when forming the special color layer based on the special color condition information.

4. the ink information indicates, with respect to the spot color ink, at least the presence or absence of white ink and the presence or absence of primer ink; When the ink information indicates that the white ink is present, the condition designation information generation process generates the spot color condition information indicating at least a part of the conditions related to the formation of an ink layer formed with the white ink; The program described in claim 3, characterized in that when the ink information indicates that the primer ink is present, the condition specification information generation process generates the special color condition information indicating at least part of the conditions related to the formation of an ink layer formed with the primer ink.

5. The ink information indicates, with respect to the ink of the particular color, at least whether or not ultraviolet curable clear ink is present; If the ink information indicates that an ultraviolet-curable clear ink is present, in the condition designation information generation process, clear ink curing method information is generated as the spot color condition information that indicates at least a method of irradiating ultraviolet light when forming a clear layer that is the spot color layer formed with the clear ink, and at least the clear ink curing method information that indicates matte tone curing conditions for curing the ink to a matte tone, the clear ink curing method information that indicates gloss tone curing conditions for curing the ink to a gloss tone, and the clear ink curing method information that indicates thick tone curing conditions for curing a thickly raised ink layer are generated, In the condition designation information selection process, the clear ink curing method information corresponding to one of the matte tone, the gloss tone, and the thick tone is selected in association with the clear layer; The program according to claim 3, wherein the printing condition specification process specifies the printing conditions to be used when forming the clear layer based on the clear ink curing method information selected in the condition specification information selection process.

6. In the printing device that performs printing, when the process color inks are used, the condition designation information generation process generates color condition information that is the condition designation information that indicates at least a part of the conditions related to the formation of a color layer that is an ink layer that is colored using the process color inks, When the process color ink and the spot color ink are used in the printing device that performs printing, The program described in claim 3, characterized in that in the printing condition specification process, the printing conditions related to multi-layer printing in which the color layer and the special color layer are overlapped are specified, and the printing conditions to be used when forming the special color layer in the multi-layer printing are specified based on the special color condition information, and the printing conditions to be used when forming the color layer in the multi-layer printing are specified based on the color condition information.

7. A printing condition specification method for specifying printing conditions for printing performed by a printing device, comprising: a model identification step of identifying the model of the printing device that will perform printing; a condition designation information generating step of generating condition designation information that is information that designates at least a part of the printing conditions; a printing condition designation step of reading an image to be printed and designating the printing conditions to be used when printing the image; Equipped with In the condition specification information generation step, the condition specification information is generated based on an identified model, which is the model of the printing device identified in the model identification step, and the condition specification information specifies conditions that can be executed by the identified model; A printing condition specification method characterized in that, in the printing condition specification step, the printing conditions that can be executed by the printing device that performs printing are specified based on the condition specification information generated in the condition specification information generation step.

8. A printing condition designation device that designates printing conditions for printing to be performed by a printing device, a model identification process for identifying the model of the printing device that will perform printing; a condition designation information generation process for generating condition designation information that is information that designates at least a part of the printing conditions; a printing condition specification process for reading an image to be printed and specifying the printing conditions to be used when printing the image; and In the condition designation information generation process, the condition designation information that specifies conditions that can be executed by the identified model is generated based on an identified model that is the model of the printing device identified in the model identification process; A printing condition specification device characterized in that, in the printing condition specification process, the printing conditions that can be executed by the printing device that performs printing are specified based on the condition specification information generated in the condition specification information generation process.

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