Proofing method, printing system, and proofing program in a printing system.

Abstract

This makes it easier than before to proofread the positional relationship between the design image and the cutting position when printing packages. [Solution] A preprocessing step is performed to change the color attributes of the cut position data so that the cut position image is included in every color plate image used in the design data included in the submitted data (S20). Based on the submitted data after the preprocessing, proof print data is generated (S30). Based on the multiple color plate data included in the proof print data, the printing device or display device outputs multiple color plate images individually (S40). Based on the output multiple color plate images, it is determined whether or not the submitted data needs to be modified (S50).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, and more particularly to a method for calibrating the positional relationship between a design image and a cutting position when package printing is performed.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in the printing industry, the spread of digital printing devices such as inkjet printers has been progressing. However, regarding package printing, even in recent years, printing devices using printing plates are often adopted. In particular, gravure printing, which has the advantage of high color expressiveness and enables high-quality color printing, is often adopted. In addition, gravure printing also has the advantage of being able to use various types of base materials.

[0003] By the way, in printing operations, generally, before printing is performed by a printing device for main printing, a proofreading operation is performed using an image based on printing data generated by subjecting input data to RIP processing. Regarding package printing, after printing is performed by a printing device for main printing, die-cutting of the printing medium is performed by a cutting device, which is a post-processing device, based on cutting position data (data of a die). Therefore, in addition to calibration regarding the design (characters, patterns, colors, etc.), calibration of the positional relationship between the cutting position represented by the cutting position data and the design image is also performed. In package printing, since multiple spot colors are often used and it is necessary to check for overprinting and knockout, printed materials output in separate plates by a proofreading printing device are often used during the proofreading operation. When deficiencies are corrected by the proofreading operation, the corrected input data is subjected to RIP processing, and printing data is generated again. Then, using the image based on the printing data, the proofreading operation is performed again. In this way, the proofreading operation is repeated until there are no deficiencies. When there are no deficiencies, plate making is performed, and printing is performed by a printing device for main printing using the printing plate obtained by plate making.

[0004] Although the actual shape of the cutting position (die) is as shown in Figure 29, for the sake of clarity in the accompanying drawings of this specification, the shape of the cutting position (die) is represented by a rectangle, as shown in Figure 30.

[0005] In relation to the present invention, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-177798 discloses a technique that enables accurate alignment in a cutting device while suppressing an increase in ink consumption. According to this technique, a temporary print job (print data) for printing a temporary print image for alignment in the cutting device is created such that the amount of ink used to print the temporary print image is less than the amount of ink used to print the main print image. Alignment in the cutting device is performed while the temporary print image is being printed, and once alignment is complete, the process switches from printing the temporary print image to printing the main print image. In this way, alignment is performed using a temporary print image that uses less ink than the main print image, thus suppressing an increase in ink consumption. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-177798 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Regarding package printing, as mentioned above, the proofreading process often uses printed materials that have been separated into different plates. During the proofreading process, images representing the cut positions (die-cuts) are also printed. However, since the color of the cut position data is generally set to a spot color not used in the design data, the plate for the cut positions is different from any of the plates used for the design images. In other words, the printed material with the cut position images and the printed material with the design images are output as different materials. For example, if the imposition is set so that four pages of the same image are included on one print medium, then, as shown in Figure 31, a printed material with the cut position images and a printed material with the design images will be obtained. In Figure 31, the image representing the cut positions is labeled with the symbol 9. Note that the image representing the cut positions is not printed during the actual printing process.

[0008] As mentioned above, printed materials with images representing cut positions and printed materials with design images are output as different materials. Therefore, it is difficult for proofreaders to verify whether the positional relationship between the design image and the cut position is correct. Furthermore, although application software is provided that displays images of multiple specified plates superimposed, displaying images of each plate corresponding to the multiple colors (process colors and spot colors) used in the design data superimposed with the plate for the cut position requires complicated setup work. For example, if three spot colors are used in addition to process colors (i.e., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), it is necessary to repeat the operation of "setting the system to display an image of one color plate superimposed with the plate for the cut position, and then displaying that image on the screen" seven times. Note that the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-177798 is a technology for performing positioning in a cutting device while suppressing an increase in ink consumption, and is not a technology that can be applied to proofreading the positional relationship between the design image and the cut position.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to make it easier than before to proofread the positional relationship between the design image and the cutting position when package printing is performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The first invention relates to a printing system that generates print data including N color plate data corresponding to N colors to be used for printing from input data including design data representing a design image to be printed on a printing medium and cut position data representing the cut position of the printing medium, wherein N is an integer of 2 or more, and the system provides a calibration method for calibrating the positional relationship between the design image and the cut position. A preprocessing step involves performing a preprocessing step to change the color attributes of the cut position data so that all of the N color plate images represented by the N color plate data include the image of the cut position, A print data generation step that generates print data based on the submitted data after the aforementioned preprocessing has been performed, A color plate image output step in which a printing device or display device outputs the N color plate images individually based on the N color plate data included in the print data; It is characterized by including.

[0011] The second invention is, in the first invention, The pre-processing step is characterized in that the color attributes of the cut position data are changed so that the values ​​of all components of the N colors are the same.

[0012] The third invention is, in the second invention, The preprocessing step is characterized in that the color attribute of the cut position data is changed so that the values ​​of all components of the N colors become the maximum allowable values.

[0013] The fourth invention is, in the first invention, The cut position data included in the submitted data before the aforementioned preprocessing is performed is characterized in that, as a color attribute, it contains only one spot color component that is not used in the design data.

[0014] The fifth invention is, in the fourth invention, The cut position data included in the submitted data before the aforementioned preprocessing is performed is characterized in that it contains only one predetermined spot color component as a color attribute.

[0015] The sixth invention is, in the first invention, The aforementioned submission data includes data for multiple image components, The aforementioned submission data has multiple layers set up. Each of the aforementioned plurality of image component data belongs to one of the aforementioned plurality of layers, The image component data constituting the cut position data belongs to a special layer to which none of the image component data constituting the design data belongs. The preprocessing step is characterized in that, by setting a change to modify the color attribute of the image component data belonging to the special layer, the color attribute of the cut position data is changed so that all of the N color plate images include the image of the cut position.

[0016] The seventh invention is, in the first invention, The preprocessing step is characterized by including a color attribute modification step that modifies the color attributes of the cut position data so that all components of the N colors are included.

[0017] The eighth invention is, in the seventh invention, The aforementioned pretreatment step further includes: A color information acquisition step, based on the submitted data, acquires information on multiple colors consisting of the colors used in the design data and the colors used in the cut position data. The display device includes a color list display step in which it displays a list of the plurality of colors, A color selection step of selecting a color used in the cut position data from the plurality of colors displayed in the color list display step It is characterized by including

[0018] A ninth invention is, in the first invention, The calibration method further includes a correction necessity determination step of determining whether correction of the input data is necessary or unnecessary based on the N color separation images output in the color separation image output step, The preprocessing step, the print data generation step, and the color separation image output step are repeated until it is determined in the correction necessity determination step that correction of the input data is unnecessary. It is characterized by this.

[0019] A tenth invention is, in any one of the first to ninth inventions, The printing device is a digital printing device for calibration different from the printing device for main printing, In the color separation image output step, the N color separation images are output to a calibration printing medium by the digital printing device. It is characterized by this.

[0020] An eleventh invention is, in the tenth invention, [[ID=2)4]]In the color separation image output step, a composite image obtained by overlapping the N color separation images is further output to the calibration printing medium by the digital printing device. It is characterized by this.

[0021] A twelfth invention is, in any one of the first to ninth inventions, In the print data generation step, as the print data, a PDF file including N pages on which each of the N color separation images is arranged is generated, In the color separation image output step, the N color separation images are displayed based on the PDF file by the display device. It is characterized by this.

[0022] A thirteenth invention is, in the twelfth invention, The aforementioned PDF file further includes a page on which a composite image obtained by superimposing the N color plate images is placed. The color plate image output step is characterized in that the composite image is further displayed on the display device based on the PDF file.

[0023] The fourteenth invention is a printing system comprising a printing device and a display device, which generates print data including N color plate data corresponding to N colors to be used for printing from input data including design data representing a design image to be printed on a printing medium and cut position data representing the cut position of the printing medium, where N is an integer of 2 or more, A preprocessing unit that performs preprocessing to change the color attributes of the cut position data so that all of the N color plate images represented by the N color plate data include the image of the cut position, A print data generation unit that generates print data based on the submitted data after the aforementioned preprocessing has been performed. Includes, The print data generation unit is characterized by outputting the print data in a file format that enables individual output of the N color plate images from the printing device or the display device.

[0024] The 15th invention relates to a printing system including a printing device and a display device, where N is an integer of 2 or more, and generates print data including N color plate data corresponding to N colors to be used for printing from input data including design data representing a design image to be printed on a printing medium and cut position data representing the cut position of the printing medium, wherein the printing system provides a calibration program for calibrating the positional relationship between the design image and the cut position, The computer included in the aforementioned printing system A preprocessing step involves performing a preprocessing step to change the color attributes of the cut position data so that all of the N color plate images represented by the N color plate data include the image of the cut position, A print data generation step that generates print data based on the submitted data after the aforementioned preprocessing has been performed. Make it run, The print data generation step is characterized in that the print data is output in a file format that allows for the individual output of the N color plate images from the printing device or the display device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the first invention described above, when package printing is performed, before print data is generated based on the submitted data, the color attributes of the cut position data included in the submitted data are modified so that the cut position image is included in the color plate image of any color to be used for printing. Then, print data is generated based on the submitted data with such modifications, and color plate images are output based on the color plate data included in the print data. Therefore, the positional relationship between the design image and the cut position can be easily understood visually based on each color plate image. As a result, proofreading the positional relationship between the design image and the cut position when package printing is performed becomes easier than before. This makes it possible to reduce the number of proofreading cycles and proofreading errors, and reduces the consumption of ink and printing media. In this way, it can contribute to achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

[0026] According to the second invention described above, the operation for changing the color attribute of the cut position data can be simplified.

[0027] According to the third invention described above, the image of the cut position is clearly visible in any color plate image of any color to be used for printing.

[0028] According to the fourth invention described above, it is possible to include an image of the cut position in any of the color plate images to be used for printing, while preventing color plate images of other colors from mixing with a color plate image of one color.

[0029] According to the fifth invention described above, by pre-determining the color used for the cut position data, the operation for changing the color attribute of the cut position data can be made simpler.

[0030] According to the sixth invention described above, regardless of the color used in the cut position data included in the submitted data, the cut position image can be included in the color plate image of any color to be used for printing.

[0031] According to the seventh invention described above, by simply changing the color attribute of the cut position data, the cut position image can be included in any color plate image to be used for printing.

[0032] According to the eighth invention described above, the image of the cut position can be included in the color plate image of any color to be used for printing without requiring complicated operations.

[0033] According to the ninth invention described above, the same effects as those of the first invention described above can be obtained.

[0034] According to the tenth invention described above, even when actual printing is performed using a printing plate, it becomes possible to quickly perform proofreading using a digital printing device.

[0035] According to the 11th invention described above, a composite image is output to the proofing printing medium in addition to the N color plate images, thus improving the efficiency of the proofing work.

[0036] According to the 12th invention described above, proofreading can be performed without printing, making it possible to more effectively reduce the consumption of ink and printing media.

[0037] According to the 13th invention described above, a composite image is displayed in addition to N color plate images, thus improving the efficiency of the proofreading process.

[0038] According to the 14th invention described above, the same effects as those of the first invention described above can be obtained.

[0039] According to the 15th invention described above, the same effects as those of the first invention described above can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0040] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows the hardware configuration of the computers included in the print management device and RIP device that constitute the workflow system in the above embodiment. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows the schematic functional configuration of the workflow system in the above embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the version setting screen in the above embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the screen for adding a version in use in the above embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the version settings screen after a version has been added in the above embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the output settings screen in the above embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the output settings screen when the dropdown list corresponding to the color of the cut position data is clicked in the above embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the output settings screen after registration has been selected from the dropdown list in the above embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure illustrates the conversion of submitted data by the data conversion unit in the above embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure illustrates the conversion of submitted data by the data conversion unit in the above embodiment. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a part of the output file setting screen in the above embodiment. [Figure 13]This figure illustrates the proof print data generated by the print data generation unit in the above embodiment. [Figure 14] This figure illustrates the proof print data generated by the print data generation unit in the above embodiment. [Figure 15] The flowchart above shows the steps for a series of processes related to package printing in the above embodiment. [Figure 16] The flowchart above shows the detailed procedure for the pretreatment in the above embodiment. [Figure 17] This figure shows an example of a composite image in the above embodiment. [Figure 18] This figure shows an example of a C version image in the above embodiment. [Figure 19] This figure shows an example of an M-size image in the above embodiment. [Figure 20] This figure shows an example of a Y-type image in the above embodiment. [Figure 21] This figure shows an example of a K-version image in the above embodiment. [Figure 22] This figure shows an example of a spot color image in the above embodiment. [Figure 23] This figure shows an example of a content display screen in the above embodiment. [Figure 24] This figure illustrates the conversion of submission data by the data conversion unit in the first modified example of the above embodiment. [Figure 25] This figure illustrates the conversion of submission data by the data conversion unit in a second modified example of the above embodiment. [Figure 26] This figure shows an example of the output setting screen in a third modified example of the above embodiment. [Figure 27] In the comparative example, the flowchart shows the steps involved in a series of processes related to package printing. [Figure 28] This figure shows an example of a content display screen in a comparative example. [Figure 29]This figure shows an example of the shape of the actual cutting position (die). [Figure 30] The attached drawing is an illustration to explain that the shape of the cutting position (die) is represented by a rectangle. [Figure 31] This diagram illustrates, in a conventional example, how a printed document containing an image indicating the cut position and a printed document containing a design image are output as different printed documents. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0041] The following describes one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. The data used to create each color plate (printing plate) used in printing is called "color plate data," and the image represented by the color plate data is called a "color plate image." For example, the color plate data for plate C is called "plate C data," and the image represented by the plate C data is called a "plate C image."

[0042] <1. Overall configuration of the printing system> Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. This printing system consists of a print management device 110, a RIP device 120, a data server 130, a proofing print device 140, a gravure engraving device 150, a gravure printing device 160, a cutting device 170, and an editing device 210. The print management device 110 and the RIP device 120 constitute a workflow system 100 for managing the entire printing process and generating print data according to the output means. The print management device 110, RIP device 120, data server 130, proofing print device 140, gravure engraving device 150, gravure printing device 160, and cutting device 170 are installed at the printing company. The editing device 210 is installed at the ordering company. The print management device 110, RIP device 120, data server 130, proofing print device 140, gravure engraving device 150, gravure printing device 160, and cutting device 170 are connected by LAN 6 within the printing company. The editing device 210 can access the data server 130 via the internet 7, and the submitted data sent from the editing device 210 is stored in the data server 130.

[0043] The print management device 110 performs processes related to managing the print workflow based on the operator's operations. In other words, tasks such as creating print jobs and designing layouts by the operator are performed by this print management device 110. In this embodiment, the print management device 110 also performs pre-processing, which will be described later. The RIP device 120 performs RIP processing (rasterization) on the input data (e.g., PDF files), which are vector-format data transmitted from the editing device 210 and stored in the data server 130. The print data generated by the RIP processing is also stored in the data server 130. The data server 130 holds various types of data, such as input data and print data. The proofing print device 140 is an inkjet printer, for example, a digital printing device called a large-format printer, and prints on proofing paper based on the print data. The gravure engraving device 150 engraves a gravure cylinder based on the print data to form cells. The gravure printing device 160 prints on a printing medium such as film using the gravure cylinder on which cells have been formed by the gravure engraving device 150. The cutting device 170 performs die-cutting (cutting) of the printed media printed by the gravure printing device 160 based on the cut position data included in the submitted data.

[0044] <2. Computer Hardware Configuration> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the computer 300 included in the print management device 110 and RIP device 120 that constitute the workflow system 100. The computer 300 shown in Figure 2 includes a main unit 310, auxiliary storage device 321, optical disc drive 322, display unit 323, keyboard 324, and mouse 325. The main unit 310 includes a CPU 311, memory 312, first disk interface unit 313, second disk interface unit 314, display control unit 315, input interface unit 316, and network interface unit 317. The CPU 311, memory 312, first disk interface unit 313, second disk interface unit 314, display control unit 315, input interface unit 316, and network interface unit 317 are connected to each other via a system bus. The auxiliary storage device 321 is connected to the first disk interface unit 313. The auxiliary storage device 321 is a magnetic disk drive or the like. The optical disc drive 322 is connected to the second disk interface unit 314. An optical disc 39, such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, which is a computer-readable recording medium, is inserted into the optical disc drive 322. A display unit (display device) 323 is connected to the display control unit 315. The display unit 323 is a liquid crystal display or the like. The display unit 323 is used to display information desired by the operator. A keyboard 324 and a mouse 325 are connected to the input interface unit 316. The keyboard 324 and mouse 325 are used by the operator to input instructions to this computer 300. The network interface unit 317 is connected to the LAN 6.

[0045] The auxiliary storage device 321 stores a workflow program P for realizing the workflow system 100. The CPU 311 realizes various functions of the workflow system 100 by reading the workflow program P stored in the auxiliary storage device 321 into the memory 312 and executing it. The memory 312 includes RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The memory 312 functions as a work area for the CPU 311 to execute the workflow program P stored in the auxiliary storage device 321. The workflow program P is provided stored on the above-mentioned computer-readable recording medium (non-transient recording medium). That is, for example, the user purchases an optical disc 39 as the recording medium for the workflow program P, inserts it into the optical disc drive 322, reads the workflow program P from the optical disc 39, and installs it into the auxiliary storage device 321. In this embodiment, a part of the workflow program P corresponds to a calibration program.

[0046] In the example shown in Figure 2, the computer 300 is equipped with only one CPU 311 as its processor, but this is not the only option. Configurations using multiple processors, such as a configuration with multiple CPUs, can also be adopted. In addition to the CPU 311, other processors such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and DSP (Digital Signal Processor) can also be used. Furthermore, combinations of multiple types of processors can be used. Additionally, configurations including an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) can also be adopted.

[0047] <3. Outline of Functional Configuration> Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic functional configuration of the workflow system 100. While this workflow system 100 includes various functions related to the entire printing process, Figure 3 only shows the components relevant to the present invention.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3, the workflow system 100 includes a preprocessing unit 40 and a print data generation unit 50. In this embodiment, the functions of the preprocessing unit 40 are implemented by the print management device 110, and the functions of the print data generation unit 50 are implemented by the RIP device 120.

[0049] The preprocessing unit 40 is given the submission data 60. The submission data 60 includes design data representing the design image to be printed on the print medium and cut position data representing the cut position on the print medium. The preprocessing unit 40 modifies the color attributes of the cut position data included in the submission data 60 so that, with N being an integer of 2 or more, all of the N color plate images, which are represented by N color plate data corresponding to the N colors to be used for printing, include the image of the cut position. This process of modifying the color attributes of the cut position data is called "preprocessing".

[0050] The print data generation unit 50 generates print data by applying RIP processing (rasterization processing) to the submitted data 63 after preprocessing. With N being an integer of 2 or more, the print data includes N color plate data corresponding to the N colors to be used for printing. Hereafter, proof print data will be denoted with code 65, and print data for actual printing will be denoted with code 66.

[0051] In the following, we will assume that the color of the cut position data included in the submitted data 60 is set to a spot color named "DieCut". DieCut is a spot color not used in the design data. Thus, the cut position data included in the submitted data 60 contains only one spot color component as a color attribute that is not used in the design data.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, the preprocessing unit 40 includes a version setting unit 41, an output setting unit 42, a data conversion unit 43, and an output file setting unit 44.

[0053] The plate setting unit 41 sets the plates related to the printing process based on each submitted data 60. Based on predetermined operations by the operator, the plate setting unit 41 displays a plate setting screen 700 on the display unit 323, for example, as shown in Figure 4, for setting the plates to be used (the plates to be used for printing). The plate setting screen 700 includes a save button 701, a cancel button 702, an add button 703, a delete button 704, and a plate display area 705. The plate display area 705 displays a list of the plate colors set for the plates to be used. The save button 701 is for saving the contents (addition or deletion of plates) made on this plate setting screen 700, and the cancel button 702 is for canceling the contents without saving. The add button 703 is for the operator to press when adding a plate to be used. The delete button 704 is for the operator to press when deleting a plate to be used. If the delete button 704 is pressed while any of the colors displayed in the used version display area 705 is selected, the selected color is removed from the used version display area 705. In other words, the version of the selected color is no longer treated as a used version.

[0054] When the add button 703 on the plate setting screen 700 is pressed, the plate setting unit 41 displays the plate addition screen 710 on the display unit 323, as shown in Figure 5. The plate addition screen 710 includes an add button 711, a close button 712, and a color list display area 713. The color list display area 713 displays a list of colors used in the design data included in the submitted data 60 and the colors used in the cut position data included in the submitted data 60. The add button 711 is for the operator to press when adding a plate of the selected color as a plate to be used. The close button 712 is for the operator to press when hiding this plate addition screen 710.

[0055] When the add button 711 is pressed while one of the colors displayed in the color list display area 713 of the version addition screen 710 is selected, the version of the selected color is added as a version to be used (the selected color is added to the version display area 705 of the version setting screen 700). For example, when the add button 711 is pressed while DieCut is selected in the color list display area 713 of the version addition screen 710, DieCut is added to the version display area 705 of the version setting screen 700, as shown in the part labeled with reference numeral 709 in Figure 6. Once the version to be used is set using the version setting screen 700 as described above, version setting information 61, which identifies the color of the version set as the version to be used, is output from the version setting unit 41.

[0056] The output setting unit 42 configures the output settings for each of the multiple plates used (output of print data 65, 66 generated by the RIP process). Based on a predetermined operation by the operator, the output setting unit 42 displays an output setting screen 720 on the display unit 323, such as the one shown in Figure 7, for configuring the output settings. The output setting screen 720 includes a save button 721, a cancel button 722, a plate list display area 723, and a setting area 724. The plate list display area 723 displays a list of plate colors set for the plates used in the plate setting screen 700, based on the plate setting information 61. The setting area 724 includes a dropdown list 725 corresponding to each plate. The save button 721 is for saving the settings made on this output setting screen 720, and the cancel button 722 is for canceling the settings made on this output setting screen 720 without saving them.

[0057] In this embodiment, in order to ensure that the cut position image is included in the color plate image based on the print data 65 for all colors (process colors and spot colors) used in the design data, it is possible to change the color of the cut position data (here, DieCut) included in the submission data 60 to a registration color. However, while generally a registration color refers to a color in which all component values ​​(densities) of process colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) are set to 100% (the maximum allowable value), in this embodiment, a registration color refers to a color in which all component values ​​of the colors used in the design data are set to 100%.

[0058] In this embodiment, the initial state (default state) of the color usage setting screen 700 is as shown in Figure 4. That is, in the initial state, the color usage display area 705 of the color usage setting screen 700 displays "Cyan," "Magenta," "Yellow," "Black," and "Other Special Colors." Note that "Other Special Colors" refers to all special colors displayed in the color list display area 713 of the color usage addition screen 710 (see Figure 5), excluding the special colors displayed in the color usage display area 705 of the color usage setting screen 700. For the colors displayed in the color usage display area 705 of the color usage setting screen 700 in the initial state (including "Other Special Colors"), it is possible to select either "Output" or "Do not output" using the drop-down list 725 of the output setting screen 720. In contrast, for colors added to the usage display area 705 of the usage setting screen 700 using the usage version addition screen 710, it is possible to select one of the following options from the drop-down list 725 on the output setting screen 720: "Output", "Do not output", or "Register".

[0059] Among the colors displayed in the version display area 705 of the version setting screen 700 shown in Figure 6, DieCut is a special color added using the version addition screen 710. Therefore, when the state of the output setting screen 720 is as shown in Figure 7, and the drop-down list 725 corresponding to DieCut is clicked with the mouse 325, it becomes possible to select one of the following regarding the processing of DieCut: "output", "do not output", and "register", as shown in the part labeled 729 in Figure 8. When "registration" is selected by the operator, the state of the output setting screen 720 becomes as shown in Figure 9. Once the output settings for each version are made using the output setting screen 720 as described above, output setting information 62 indicating the set content is output from the output setting unit 42.

[0060] The data conversion unit 43 changes the color attributes of the cut position data included in the submitted data 60 based on the output setting information 62. As shown in Figure 9, if the DieCut processing is set to "Registration" in the output setting screen 720, the conversion process of the submitted data 60 by the data conversion unit 43 changes the color attributes of the cut position data from DieCut (see the part labeled 77) to registration color (see the part labeled 78), as shown in Figure 10. More specifically, the color attributes of the cut position data are changed as shown in Figure 11. That is, for the cut position data after the conversion process, the component values ​​of all process colors and all spot colors other than DieCut become 100%.

[0061] The output file setting unit 44 configures the output files that are output from the print data generation unit 50 as print data 65 and 66. Based on predetermined operations by the operator, the output file setting unit 44 displays an output file setting screen 730 on the display unit 323, such as the one shown in Figure 12, for configuring the output files. Note that Figure 12 shows only a part of the entire output file setting screen 730. The output file setting screen 730 includes a text box 731 for setting the output file name, a text box 732 for setting the output destination, and a drop-down list 733 for selecting a file type that specifies the type of data to be included in the output file. As can be seen from Figure 12, it is possible to select either "composite" or "composite + separation" as the file type. Once the output file settings are made using the output file setting screen 730, output file setting information 64 indicating the configured content is output from the output file setting unit 44. Based on this output file setting information 64 and the output setting information 62 described above, the print data generation unit 50 generates the print data 65 and 66.

[0062] When "Composite" is selected as the file type on the output file settings screen 730 and the print data generation unit 50 generates proof print data 65, the generated print data 65 will contain only composite data 651, which represents the composite image obtained by overlaying all the color plate images, as shown in Figure 13. In contrast, when "Composite + Separation" is selected as the file type on the output file settings screen 730 and the print data generation unit 50 generates proof print data 65, the generated print data 65 will contain composite data 651 and a number of color plate data 652 equal to the number of colors used in the design data, as shown in Figure 14 (however, it is assumed that the processing of all colors used in the design data is set to "Output" on the output settings screen 720). For the following explanation, it is assumed that "Composite + Separation" is selected as the file type on this output file settings screen 730.

[0063] <4. Processing Procedure (Proofreading Method in Printing Systems)> Referring to the flowchart shown in Figure 15, the following explains the series of steps involved in package printing. Note that the explanation of the process up to the creation of the submission data 60 in the editing device 210 will be omitted.

[0064] First, the printing company acquires and reads the submission data 60 (step S10). Specifically, the submission data 60 sent from the editing device 210 is stored in the data server 130, and then the print management device 110 reads the submission data 60 stored in the data server 130.

[0065] Next, the pre-processing described above is performed (step S20). This pre-processing changes the color of the cut position data included in the submitted data 60 from the DieCut color set in the editing device 210 to the registration color. A detailed explanation of the pre-processing procedure will follow later.

[0066] After the preprocessing is complete, proofing print data 65 is generated (step S30). Specifically, proofing print data 65 is generated when the RIP device 120 performs RIP processing on the submitted data 63 after the color attributes of the cut position data have been changed by the preprocessing. In step S30, if the number of colors used in the design data included in the submitted data 60 is N (where N is an integer of 2 or more), the print data 65 is output in a file format that allows for the individual output of N color plate images from the display unit 323 included in the print management device 110 and the proofing print device 140. In this regard, although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, a PDF file and a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) file are output as proofing print data 65. The print data 65 contains a number of color plate data equal to the number of colors used in the design data. That is, in step S30, color plate data constituting the print data 65 is generated for each color.

[0067] After generating proofreading print data 65, a print image based on the print data 65 is output (step S40). In this embodiment, both the output of a print image in the form of a printed document and the output (display) of the print image to the display unit are performed. However, only the output of a print image in the form of a printed document may be performed, or only the output (display) of the print image to the display unit may be performed.

[0068] Regarding step S40, the output of the printed image in the form of a printed material will be explained. As shown in Figure 1, the printing company is equipped with a proofing printing device 140. In step S40, based on the TIFF file output as proofing print data 65 in step S30, a printed material is output from the proofing printing device 140. If the processing in step S50 (determining whether or not corrections to the submitted data 60 are necessary) is performed by the ordering company, the printed material output from the proofing printing device 140 is sent to the ordering company. Incidentally, in the pre-processing (step S20), as mentioned above, "Composite + Separation" is selected as the file type on the output file setting screen 730 (see Figure 12). Therefore, if the number of colors used in the design data included in the submitted data 60 is N (N is an integer of 2 or more), then N color plate images and a composite image obtained by overlaying those N color plate images are printed (output) on the printing paper used as the proofing printing medium.

[0069] Regarding step S40, the output of the printed image to the display unit will be explained. As described above, in step S30, a PDF file is output as proofing print data 65. This PDF file is stored in the data server 130. If N is the number of colors used in the design data included in the submission data 60, the PDF file contains N pages, each containing N color plate images. Such a PDF file is read by the print management device 110, and the N pages contained in the PDF file are displayed on the display unit 323 of the print management device 110. That is, N color plate images are individually displayed (output) on the display unit 323 of the print management device 110. The PDF file stored in the data server 130 is also sent to the ordering company via the Internet 7 and read by the editing device 210. The computer included in the editing device 210 has the same configuration as the computer included in the print management device 110 (see Figure 2). After the PDF file is read by the editing device 210, the N pages contained in the PDF file are displayed on the display unit of the editing device 210. In this way, the editing device 210 also displays (outputs) N color plate images individually on the display unit. The function of displaying multiple color plate images individually is called "color separation preview".

[0070] After step S40 is completed, the proofreader determines whether or not the submitted data 60 needs to be modified based on the N color plate images output in step S40 (step S50). If the submitted data 60 needs to be modified, the process proceeds to step S55; if it does not need to be modified, the process proceeds to step S60. In step S55, the editing device 210 modifies the submitted data 60. After the submitted data 60 is modified, the process returns to step S10, and the modified submitted data 60 is sent from the ordering company to the printing company. As described above, steps S10 to S40 are repeated until it is determined in step S50 that the submitted data 60 does not need to be modified. Note that some of the pre-processing steps (step S20) can be omitted from the second time onward.

[0071] In step S60, print data 66 for the actual print job is generated. Specifically, the RIP device 120 performs RIP processing on the data obtained by removing the cut position data from the submitted data 60, thereby generating the print data 66 for the actual print job.

[0072] Next, gravure plate making is performed (step S70). Specifically, the gravure engraving device 150 engraves the gravure cylinder based on the print data 66 for the main print, thereby forming cells on the gravure cylinder. Then, using the gravure cylinder on which cells were formed in step S70, the gravure printing device 160 performs the main print on a printing medium such as film (step S80).

[0073] Subsequently, the cutting device 170 is adjusted (for example, the blade position is adjusted) based on the cut position data included in the submitted data 60 so that the die-cutting (cutting process) of the printed material obtained in step S80 is performed appropriately (step S90). Then, the die-cutting of the printed material obtained in step S80 is performed by the adjusted cutting device 170 (step S100). This completes the series of processes.

[0074] In this embodiment, step S20 is the pre-processing step, step S30 is the print data generation step, step S40 is the color plate image output step, and step S50 is the correction necessity determination step.

[0075] Next, the detailed procedure for preprocessing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 16. In this embodiment, this preprocessing is performed by the print management device 110 based on the operator's actions.

[0076] After the preprocessing begins, first, information on the colors used in the design data and the colors used in the cut position data (i.e., information on multiple colors) is obtained based on the submitted data 60 (step S210).

[0077] Next, based on the information obtained in step S210, a list of multiple colors is displayed on the display unit 323 (step S220). Specifically, after the user version setting screen 700 (see Figure 4) is displayed on the display unit 323 based on the operator's operation, the user version addition screen 710 shown in Figure 5 is displayed on the display unit 323 when the add button 703 on the user version setting screen 700 is pressed. A list of multiple colors is displayed in the color list display area 713 of the user version addition screen 710.

[0078] Next, the operator selects a color (spot color) for the cut position from among the multiple colors displayed in the color list display area 713 of the printing plate addition screen 710 shown in Figure 5 (step S230). In this embodiment, DieCut is selected from among the multiple colors. As a result, when the output setting screen 720 (see Figure 7) is displayed next, DieCut is displayed in the printing plate list display area 723 of the output setting screen 720. That is, with respect to DieCut, it is possible to select one of the following options from the drop-down list 725 of the output setting screen 720: "Output", "Do not output", and "Registration".

[0079] After the cut position color is selected, the operator sets the cut position data color to the registration color (step S240). For details, after the output setting screen 720 is displayed on the display unit 323 based on the operator's operation, the operator selects the registration from the drop-down list 725 corresponding to DieCut (see Figures 8 and 9).

[0080] Subsequently, settings related to the output file are configured (step S250). Specifically, after the output file setting screen 730 is displayed on the display unit 323 based on the operator's operation, the file type is set by the operator using the drop-down list 733 on the output file setting screen 730. As described above, in this embodiment, "Composite + Separation" is selected as the file type (see Figure 12).

[0081] Finally, the submitted data 60 is converted according to the settings in step S240 (step S260). In this embodiment, since the color of the cut position data is set to the registration color in step S240, the color attribute of the cut position data included in the submitted data 60 is changed as shown in Figure 11. After the completion of step S260, the process proceeds to step S30 in Figure 15.

[0082] As described above, in the preprocessing stage, the color attributes of the cut position data included in the submitted data 60 are changed to registration colors. That is, if the number of colors to be used for printing is N, the color attributes of the cut position data included in the submitted data 60 are changed so that the values ​​of all components of the N colors are the same, and the values ​​of all components of the N colors are the maximum allowed values.

[0083] In this embodiment, step S210 is the process for acquiring color information, step S220 is the process for displaying a color list, step S230 is the process for selecting a color, and step S240 is the process for changing color attributes.

[0084] <5. Outputting Print Images> The printed image output in step S40 of Figure 15 will be explained. Here, we assume that the design data uses all process colors and one spot color. Also, as mentioned above, "Composite + Separation" is selected as the file type in the output file settings screen 730. Therefore, the composite image and the five color plate images are output separately.

[0085] When outputting printed images in the form of printed materials, for example, six printed materials are output from the proofing printing device 140, each containing a composite image as shown in Figure 17, a C-plate image as shown in Figure 18, an M-plate image as shown in Figure 19, a Y-plate image as shown in Figure 20, a K-plate image as shown in Figure 21, and a spot color plate image as shown in Figure 22. In Figures 17 to 22, the cut position image (here, a rectangular image) is denoted by the symbol 8. Each of the six printed materials contains the cut position image. That is, the composite image contains the cut position image, and all of the color plate images also contain the cut position image.

[0086] When a print image is output to the display unit (when a color separation preview is performed), a content display screen 80, as shown in Figure 23, is displayed on the display unit using application software that displays PDF files. The content display screen 80 includes a main display area 81, a thumbnail display area 82, and a scroll bar 83. The thumbnail display area 82 displays images of multiple pages contained in the PDF file in thumbnail format. In the example above, the PDF file contains composite data and five color plate data, so the thumbnail display area 82 displays the composite image and the five color plate images. Both the composite image and each color plate image represent one page. The actual appearance of each page image in the thumbnail display area 82 can be changed by operating the scroll bar 83. The main display area 81 displays the image selected by the operator from the images displayed in the thumbnail display area 82 (composite image and five color plate images). In other words, the image of the page selected by the operator is displayed in the main display area 81. Similar to when printed images are output in the form of printed materials, in this content display screen 80, images on every page include images of the cut positions. That is, images of the cut positions are included in the composite image, and images of the cut positions are included in all color plate images.

[0087] <6. Effects> According to this embodiment, when package printing is performed, before generating print data 65 by applying RIP processing to the submitted data 60, the color attribute of the cut position data included in the submitted data 60 is changed to a registration color (a color in which the component values ​​of all colors used in the design data included in the submitted data 60 are set to 100%). Then, by applying RIP processing to the submitted data 63 that has undergone such changes, print data 65 is generated. Therefore, the print image output based on the print data 65 includes the cut position image in the color plate image of any color used in the design data. Thus, the positional relationship between the design image and the cut position can be easily grasped visually. Furthermore, the operator only needs to add the color plate of the cut position to the plates to be used using the plate setting screen 700 and the plate addition screen 710, and set the color of the cut position to the registration color using the output setting screen 720. In this way, the cut position image can be included in the color plate image of each color used in the design data with simple operations. As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily correct the positional relationship between the design image and the cut position when package printing is performed compared to conventional methods. This reduces the number of proofreading cycles and proofreading errors, thereby lowering the consumption of ink and printing media. In this way, it can contribute to achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

[0088] Furthermore, regarding the output of print images based on print data 65, it is also possible to output (display) the print image to the display unit only, without outputting the print image in the form of a printed document. In other words, it is also possible to perform only a color separation preview. In this case, proofreading is performed without outputting a printed document, so the consumption of ink and printing media is further reduced. Moreover, since the image of each page displayed on the display unit includes an image of the cut position, there is no increase in proofreading errors due to not outputting the print image in the form of a printed document.

[0089] <7. Variation> Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below.

[0090] <7.1 First variation> In the above embodiment, the color of the cut position data included in the submitted data 60 was changed to a registration color (a color in which the component values ​​of all colors used in the design data are set to 100%) through preprocessing. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the color of the cut position data may be changed to a color in which the component values ​​of all colors used in the design data are set to the same value other than 100%. For example, as shown in Figure 24, the color of the cut position data may be changed to a color in which the component values ​​of all colors used in the design data are set to 80%.

[0091] <7.2 Second variation> In the above embodiment and the first modified example, the preprocessing changed the color of the cut position data included in the submitted data 60 to a color in which the component values ​​of all colors used in the design data were set to the same value. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and as long as the image of the cut position is visible in each color plate image based on the print data 65, the color of the cut position data may be changed so that the modified component values ​​differ for each of the multiple colors used in the design data, for example, as shown in Figure 25.

[0092] <7.3 Third Variation> In the above embodiment, the operator set the color of the cut position data to the registration color on the output setting screen 720 shown in Figure 7, thereby changing the color attribute of the cut position data included in the submission data 60 so that the cut position image is included in any of the color plate images used in the design data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the color attribute of the cut position data included in the submission data 60 may be changed in the following manner.

[0093] The submitted data 60 contains multiple image component data as design data. In this modified example, the submitted data 60 has multiple layers set up, and each of the multiple image component data belongs to one of the multiple layers. Under these conditions, the image component data that constitutes the cut position data is set up so that it belongs to a special layer (hereinafter referred to as the "die-cutting layer") to which none of the image component data that constitute the design data belong.

[0094] Furthermore, in this modified example, the operator can set the color of the image component data belonging to a specified layer as the registration color using an output settings screen 820, for example, as shown in Figure 26. This output settings screen 820 is displayed on the display unit 323 based on a predetermined operation by the operator. The output settings screen 820 includes a save button 821, a cancel button 822, a layer list display area 823, and a settings area 824. The layer list display area 823 displays a list of layers set in the submitted data 60. The settings area 824 includes a dropdown list 825 corresponding to each layer. The save button 821 is for saving the settings made on this output settings screen 820, and the cancel button 822 is for canceling the settings made on this output settings screen 820 without saving them. The dropdown list 825 corresponding to each layer allows the operator to select either "Output", "Do not output", or "Registration".

[0095] With the configuration described above, in this modified example, instead of setting the color of the cut position to the registration color in the preprocessing (step S240 in Figure 16), the color of the image component data belonging to the die-cut layer is set to the registration color using the output setting screen 820. As a result, in step S260 in Figure 16, the color attribute of the cut position data included in the submission data 60 is changed so that the cut position image is included in the color plate image of any color used in the design data.

[0096] <7.4 Fourth variation> In the above embodiment, in order to display the color used for the cut position data in the plate list display area 723 of the output setting screen 720, the operator had to add the plate of the color used for the cut position data as a plate using the plate setting screen 700 and the plate addition screen 710. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The spot color to be used for the cut position data may be fixed in advance, and the spot color may be displayed in the plate list display area 723 of the output setting screen 720 without requiring the operator to add a plate. This makes it possible to further facilitate the calibration of the positional relationship between the design image and the cut position when package printing is performed.

[0097] <8. Comparative Examples> Regarding a printing system for package printing, it is also conceivable to have a configuration that includes a separation preview function without the pre-processing function described above (a process of changing the color attributes of the cut position data included in the submitted data so that the cut position image is included in the color plate image of any color used in the design data). Therefore, such a configuration is described below as a comparative example.

[0098] Figure 27 is a flowchart showing the steps of a series of processes related to package printing in this comparative example. The processes in steps S310 and S350-S400 in Figure 27 are the same as the processes in steps S10 and S50-S100 in Figure 15 (the above embodiment).

[0099] In step S320, settings related to the output file are configured. Specifically, based on the operator's actions, an output file setting screen 730, as shown in Figure 12, is displayed on the display unit 323, and then the file type is set by the operator using the drop-down list 733 on the output file setting screen 730. Here, we assume that "Composite + Separation" is selected as the file type.

[0100] Next, proof print data 65 is generated (step S330). In this comparative example, no preprocessing is performed as described above, so the RIP device 120 performs RIP processing on the input data 60 acquired in step S310 to generate proof print data 65. Unlike the above embodiment, the proof print data 65 includes a number of color plate data equal to the number of colors used in the design data, as well as color plate data for the colors (spot colors) used in the cut position data. Therefore, for example, if DieCut is used for the color of the cut position data, and three spot colors are used in the design data in addition to process colors (i.e., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), then in step S330, print data 65 containing eight color plate data is generated. The PDF file of this print data 65 is then stored in the data server 130.

[0101] After generating the proofing print data 65, a print image based on the print data 65 is output (step S340). In this comparative example, the separation preview described above is performed. That is, multiple color plate images are individually displayed on the display unit 323 of the print management device 110. Also, the PDF file stored in the data server 130 is sent to the ordering company via the Internet 7, and multiple color plate images are individually displayed on the display unit of the editing device 210. Figure 28 is a diagram showing an example of the content display screen 80 displayed on the display unit 323 of the print management device 110 and the display unit of the editing device 210. Since no preprocessing is performed, the color plate images 86-88, which are represented by the color plate data of the colors used in the design data, do not include images of the cut positions. In addition, the thumbnail display area 82 also displays a color plate image 89 that includes only the images of the cut positions as an image for one page. Note that the composite image also includes images of the cut positions.

[0102] <9. Others> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments (including modifications), and can be implemented in various modified forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above embodiments, the main printing is performed by a gravure printing apparatus 160, but the present invention can also be applied when the main printing is performed by a printing apparatus other than the gravure printing apparatus 160.

[0103] <10. Addendum> Based on the above disclosures, a printing system with the following configuration is also conceivable.

[0104] A printing system comprising a printing device and a display device, wherein, with N being an integer of 2 or more, the system generates print data including N color plate data corresponding to N colors to be used for printing from input data including design data representing a design image to be printed on a printing medium and cut position data representing the cut position of the printing medium, wherein N is an integer of 2 or more, Processor and The memory that stores the program and Equipped with, A printing system characterized in that, when the program stored in the memory is executed by the processor, the program causes the processor to perform the following operations (A) and (B): (A) A preprocessing step is performed to change the color attributes of the cut position data so that all of the N color plate images represented by the N color plate data include the image of the cut position. (B) The printing data is generated based on the submitted data after the preprocessing described above, and the printing data is output in a file format that allows for the individual output of the N color plate images from the printing device or the display device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0105] 40…Pre-treatment section 41… Version setting section 42…Output setting section 43...Data conversion section 44…Output file setting section 60…Submission data (before pre-processing) 63…Submission data (after pre-processing) 65…Print data for proofreading 66…Print data for this print run 80...Content display screen 100…Workflow System 110...Print management device 120…RIP device 130...Data Server 140...Proofreading printing device 150... Gravure engraving device 160... Gravure printing machine 170... Cutting device 210… Editing device 700…Used version setting screen 710…Used version addition screen 720, 820… Output settings screen P...Workflow Program

Claims

1. In a printing system that generates print data including N color plate data corresponding to N colors to be used for printing from input data including design data representing a design image to be printed on a print medium and cut position data representing the cut position of the print medium, where N is an integer of 2 or more, a calibration method for calibrating the positional relationship between the design image and the cut position, A preprocessing step involves performing a preprocessing step to change the color attributes of the cut position data so that all of the N color plate images represented by the N color plate data include the image of the cut position, A print data generation step that generates print data based on the submitted data after the aforementioned preprocessing has been performed, A color plate image output step in which a printing device or display device outputs the N color plate images individually based on the N color plate data included in the print data; A calibration method characterized by including the following.

2. The calibration method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the preprocessing step, the color attributes of the cut position data are changed so that the values ​​of all components of the N colors are the same.

3. The calibration method according to claim 2, characterized in that, in the preprocessing step, the color attribute of the cut position data is changed so that the values ​​of all components of the N colors become the maximum allowable values.

4. The proofreading method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cut position data included in the submitted data before the aforementioned preprocessing is performed includes, as a color attribute, only one spot color component not used in the design data.

5. The proofreading method according to claim 4, characterized in that the cut position data included in the submitted data before the aforementioned preprocessing is performed contains only one predetermined spot color component as a color attribute.

6. The aforementioned submission data includes data for multiple image components, The aforementioned submission data has multiple layers set up. Each of the aforementioned plurality of image component data belongs to one of the aforementioned plurality of layers, The image component data constituting the cut position data belongs to a special layer to which none of the image component data constituting the design data belongs. The calibration method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the preprocessing step, a setting is made to change the color attribute of the image component data belonging to the special layer, thereby changing the color attribute of the cut position data so that the image of the cut position is included in all of the N color plate images.

7. The calibration method according to claim 1, characterized in that the preprocessing step includes a color attribute modification step of changing the color attributes of the cut position data so that all components of the N colors are included.

8. The aforementioned pretreatment step further includes: A color information acquisition step, based on the submitted data, acquires information on multiple colors consisting of the colors used in the design data and the colors used in the cut position data. The display device includes a color list display step in which it displays a list of the plurality of colors, A color selection step in which the color used in the cut position data is selected from the plurality of colors displayed in the color list display step. The calibration method according to claim 7, characterized by including the following:

9. Furthermore, the process includes a correction necessity determination step that determines whether or not correction of the submitted data is necessary based on the N color plate images output in the color plate image output step, The proofreading method according to claim 1, characterized in that the preprocessing step, the print data generation step, and the color plate image output step are repeated until the correction necessity determination step determines that correction of the submitted data is unnecessary.

10. The aforementioned printing apparatus is a digital printing apparatus for proofreading, which is different from the printing apparatus used for actual printing. The proofing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the color plate image output step, the N color plate images are output to a proofing printing medium by the digital printing apparatus.

11. The proofing method according to claim 10, characterized in that in the color plate image output step, a composite image obtained by further superimposing the N color plate images by the digital printing apparatus is output to the proofing printing medium.

12. In the print data generation process, a PDF file is generated as the print data, which includes N pages on which each of the N color plate images is placed. The calibration method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the color plate image output step, the display device displays the N color plate images based on the PDF file.

13. The PDF file further includes a page on which a composite image obtained by superimposing the N color plate images is placed. The calibration method according to claim 12, characterized in that in the color plate image output step, the composite image is further displayed on the display device based on the PDF file.

14. A printing system comprising a printing device and a display device, wherein, with N being an integer of 2 or more, a printing data is generated from input data including design data representing a design image to be printed on a printing medium and cut position data representing the cut position of the printing medium, and the data includes N color plate data corresponding to N colors to be used for printing, wherein N is an integer of 2 or more, A preprocessing unit that performs preprocessing to change the color attributes of the cut position data so that all of the N color plate images represented by the N color plate data include the image of the cut position, A print data generation unit that generates print data based on the submitted data after the aforementioned preprocessing has been performed. Includes, The printing system is characterized in that the print data generation unit outputs the print data in a file format that enables individual output of the N color plate images from the printing device or the display device.

15. A printing system including a printing device and a display device, where N is an integer of 2 or more, which generates print data including N color plate data corresponding to N colors to be used for printing from input data including design data representing a design image to be printed on a printing medium and cut position data representing the cut position of the printing medium, wherein a calibration program for calibrating the positional relationship between the design image and the cut position, The computer included in the aforementioned printing system A preprocessing step involves performing a preprocessing step to change the color attributes of the cut position data so that all of the N color plate images represented by the N color plate data include the image of the cut position, A print data generation step that generates print data based on the submitted data after the aforementioned preprocessing has been performed. Make it run, A proofing program characterized in that, in the print data generation step, the print data is output in a file format that enables individual output of the N color plate images from the printing device or the display device.

Images