Raster Image Conversion Device, Program, and Printing System

Abstract

To provide a device and program for raster image conversion having excellent operability and versatility, and a printing system.SOLUTION: A device for raster image conversion converts print data into raster image data, and outputs it to a printing device 30. A storage unit stores print environment data that defines conditions for converting the print data into the raster image data and including jig layout information for generating a jig for positioning a printed matter in the printing device. An operation unit sets and edits the print environment data. A raster image data conversion processing unit converts the print data into the raster image data based on the print environment data. The operation unit has operation modes for generating or editing the jig layout information. The raster image data conversion processing unit generates and outputs jig image data for printing and outputting the jig based on the jig layout information, and allocates a print position and a print range of the print data in the printing device based on the layout information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a raster image device, a program, and a printing system.

Background Art

[0002] When printing on printed materials of various shapes using a printing device such as an inkjet printer, it is necessary to accurately position the printed material on the table (platen) of the printing device in advance. For this reason, a positioning jig that can be set on the table may be used. As this type of positioning jig, for example, a rigid media cut out according to the outer shape of the printed material by a laser cutter or the like has been used. For this reason, there has been a problem that it takes time to create the jig.

[0003] Therefore, a technique for easily creating a jig for positioning a printed material using a printing device that prints the printed material is also known (Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this prior art, frame data is automatically or manually created based on the data of the contour line of the printed material included in the print data, and a frame for positioning the printed material is produced by multi-layer printing of UV-curable ink in the print mode of this frame data.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the above-described conventional technology, since the frame data is generated based on the contour data extracted from the print data, the jig depends on the print position and range of the print data. For this reason, even if an attempt is made to use a once-generated jig for printing different print data, the print position and range may not match the position of the object to be printed where the jig is fixed. Further, for example, in a case where a plurality of different print data are assigned to a plurality of frames and printed, it is necessary to create one print data in which the plurality of print data are arranged in advance, and generate frame data based on this print data. Further, in the case of frame data created from print data having a special shape, there is a problem that the versatility is extremely low.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a raster image conversion device, a program, and a printing system that are excellent in operability and versatility and can be easily assigned to a jig even for a plurality of different print data.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A raster image conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a raster image conversion device that inputs print data, converts the print data into raster image data, and outputs the raster image data to a printing device, and stores print environment data that defines conditions for converting the print data into the raster image data. A storage unit, an operation unit for setting or editing the print environment data stored in the storage unit, and a conversion processing unit for converting the print data into the raster image data based on the print environment data stored in the storage unit. The print environment data includes jig layout information for generating a jig for positioning an object to be printed by the printing device. The operation unit has an operation mode capable of generating or editing the jig layout information. The conversion processing unit, based on the jig layout information, the jig to the Execute a jig creation process for generating and outputting jig image data for printing output by a printing device, and a printing data assignment process for assigning a printing position and a printing range of the printing data in the printing device based on the jig layout information.

[0008] A printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a raster image conversion device that inputs printing data and converts this printing data into raster image data, and a printing device that performs printing on a printing object based on the raster image data converted by the raster image conversion device. The printing device is an inkjet printer capable of multi-layer printing using UV curable ink. The raster image conversion device includes a storage unit that stores printing environment data defining conditions when converting the printing data into the raster image data, an operation unit for generating or editing the printing environment data stored in the storage unit, and a conversion processing unit for converting the printing data into the raster image data based on the printing environment data stored in the storage unit. The printing environment data includes jig layout information for generating a jig for positioning a printing object in the printing device. The operation unit has an operation mode capable of generating or editing the jig layout information. The conversion processing unit executes a jig creation process for generating and outputting jig image data for printing output of the jig by the printing device based on the jig layout information, and a printing data assignment process for assigning a printing position and a printing range of the printing data in the printing device based on the jig layout information. The printing device prints the jig image data on one or more layers using the UV curable ink on a means for placing the printing object. Here, the "means for placing the printing object" includes, for example, "media" such as paper, mount, film, resin, and plate-like bodies, and "mounting tables" such as a table and a platen of a printing device.

[0009] The raster image conversion program according to an embodiment of the present invention is a printing process program that inputs print data, converts this print data into raster image data, and outputs it to a printing device. The computer is caused to execute a storage step of storing print environment data that defines conditions for converting the print data into the raster image data, an operation step for generating or editing the print environment data stored in the storage step, and a conversion process step of converting the print data into the raster image data based on the print environment data stored in the storage step. The print environment data includes jig layout information for generating a jig for positioning an object to be printed on the printing device. The operation step includes a step of generating or editing the jig layout information. The conversion process step includes a jig creation process step of generating and outputting jig image data for printing and outputting the jig on the printing device based on the jig layout information, and a print data allocation process step of allocating a print position and a print range of the print data in the printing device based on the jig layout information.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to provide a raster image conversion device, a program, and a printing system that are excellent in operability and versatility.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a raster image conversion apparatus, a program, and a printing system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to each claim, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0013] [Embodiment] [Device Configuration] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This printing system includes a print data generation device 20, a raster image conversion device 10, and an inkjet printer 30 as a printing device.

[0014] The print data generation device 20 generates a print job composed of, for example, a vector page description language such as PDF (Portable Document Format) or PS (PostScript: registered trademark), or image data obtained by compressing an image such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), and outputs it to the inkjet printer 30 via the raster image conversion device 10. Here, the “print job” includes “print data” and refers to a print command described for printing the print data. Also, the “print data” refers to data including characters, graphics, images, etc. to be printed according to the print job. Hereinafter, the information output from the print data generation device 20 may be referred to as “print data” or “print job”. Also, in the raster image conversion device 10, print data including print environment data when converting the print data into raster image data and outputting it, and print environment data A series of processes from the execution of the conversion process according to [the relevant content] until the raster image data is output to the inkjet printer 30 may also be respectively referred to as a "print job" and a "print workflow" in a broad sense.

[0015] The raster image conversion device 10 converts the input print data composed of vector data into raster image data and outputs it to the inkjet printer 30. The raster image conversion device 10 can be configured as a RIP (Raster Image Processor) device realized by, for example, causing a CPU (not shown) to execute a RIP program. The inkjet printer 30 can be configured as a printing device capable of multi-layer printing using, for example, UV (Ultra-Violet) curable ink.

[0016] Functionally, the raster image conversion device 10 has one or more hot folders 11, a raster image conversion processing unit 12, a storage unit 13, and an operation unit 14.

[0017] The hot folder 11 is a folder that stores the print data output from the print data generation device 20. This hot folder 11 is associated with print environment data. When print data is stored in the hot folder 11, the print environment data corresponding to that hot folder 11 is referred to, and the print workflow is started.

[0018] The raster image conversion processing unit 12 monitors whether print data is stored in the hot folder 11. When print data is stored in the hot folder 11, it performs rasterization processing, color matching processing, halftone processing, etc. on the print data according to the print environment data corresponding to that hot folder 11, and outputs it to the inkjet printer 30 as raster image data.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 13 stores print environment data that defines a print workflow for executing the conversion process in the raster image conversion processing unit 12. The print environment data stores a color profile and color management information necessary for color matching, layout information of print data, jig layout information for generating a jig if a jig is required for printing, layer printing information in the case of multi-layer printing, and hot folder information corresponding to the print workflow.

[0020] The operation unit 14 includes an input unit 14a such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display unit 14b such as a display device. The operation unit 14 has functions for performing a storage operation of print data with respect to the hot folder 11, various operations with respect to the raster image conversion processing unit 12, and generation and editing of print environment data stored in the storage unit 13, using the input unit 14a and the display unit 14b.

[0021] [Creation of Jig] Next, the jig creation process prior to the print process will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the setting / editing process of the print environment data.

[0022] First, it is determined whether there is an instruction to set the jig layout (step S11). If there is an instruction to set the jig layout, the jig layout setting process is executed (step S12). If there is no instruction to set the jig layout, the setting process of other print environment data is executed (step S13). When the jig layout setting process is selected, the setting of the print template when allocating the print data included in the jig layout information and the information of the frame constituting the jig are set.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing each parameter of the print template. On the display unit 14b, the jig The image of the jig layout and input boxes for each parameter are displayed. The parameters of the printing template in the jig layout include the width (x1), height (y1) of the jig 15, the distances (x2, y2) between the reference position O1 and the printing start position O2, the width (x3) and height (y3) of the printing slots 16 arranged in the jig 15, and the gaps (x4, y4) between the printing slots 16. As shown in the figure, slot numbers may be associated with each printing slot 16.

[0024] On the other hand, the information of the frame of the jig layout includes the type of the frame required for jig creation, the width, length of the frame, the distance from the printing slot 16 of the frame, and the information on the number of printing layers by UV curable ink. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the types of frames. As shown in the figure, the types of frames include "fence" in Fig. (a) thereof, "corner" in Fig. (b) thereof, and "quadrilateral" in Fig. (c) thereof. The "fence" is a linear frame in which the left and right frames 17 are respectively arranged at the vertical center of the left and right sides of the printing slot 16 and the upper and lower frames 17 are arranged at the horizontal center of the upper and lower sides of the printing slot 16 with respect to the object to be printed 31. The "corner" is an L-shaped frame that regulates the positions of the four corners of the object to be printed 31. The "quadrilateral" is a quadrilateral annular frame that continuously surrounds the periphery of the quadrilateral object to be printed 31. When the object to be printed 31 is quadrilateral and thin plate-shaped, since there are parts where the frame 17 does not exist in the "fence" and "corner" in Figs. (a) and (b) thereof, it becomes easy to take out the object to be printed 31 from the jig. As shown in Figs. (d) and (e), the "fence" and "quadrilateral" can also be positioned for a circular object to be printed 31, and as shown in Fig. (f), the "quadrilateral" can also be positioned for a triangular object to be printed 31. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the type of the frame, it becomes possible to commonly use it even if the outer shape of the object to be printed 31 is different.

[0025] When the setting of the jig layout is completed, this jig layout information is stored in the storage unit 13 (step S14). Also, even when other printing environment data is set, it is stored in the storage unit 13 (step S14). Next, it is determined based on the instruction information from the operation unit 14 whether to execute the printing of the jig (step S15). If the creation of the jig is instructed, the printing of the jig is executed (step S16). In the printing process of the jig, based on the jig layout information, the raster image conversion processing unit 12 generates raster image data of the frame of the jig, and outputs this raster image data to the inkjet printer 30 for the number of printing lamination times. Thereby, the jig is printed by the inkjet printer 30.

[0026] FIG. 6 shows an example of the created jig when the type of the frame is "fence". The jig 15 is created by printing and forming the frame 17, for example, by multi-layer printing of UV curable ink on a sheet-like printing medium 18 such as rigid media based on the jig layout information. Since the frame 17 is formed by thick printing, the object to be printed 31 can be stably positioned. Note that the aforementioned "fence" and "corner" are also effective in shortening the required time for printing the frame 17 of the jig 15 and reducing the ink usage amount. Since the optimum values of the side lengths of the "fence" and "corner" depend on the shape (size and thickness) of the object to be printed 31, the input unit 14a has a function of editing each side length. Note that the jig once created can be repeatedly used in other printing jobs. In this case, on the raster image conversion device 10, it is only necessary to search for a plurality of stored printing environment data and select the jig layout to be used.

[0027] In this way, since the jig layout information is created based on the printing template that defines the printing position and range, no matter what printing data is to be printed, by assigning the printing data to the printing template, the position of the object to be printed on the jig and the printing position will match.

[0028] [Conversion Process of Print Data into Raster Image Data] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the raster image conversion process (print workflow) in the raster image conversion unit 12. First, the settings of the print job such as the initial value setting of the print environment data shown in FIG. 3 are performed in advance (step S21). Next, the print data is read from the hot folder 11 (step S22). Here, when it is determined that the print job needs to be edited for the newly read print data (step S23), the print job is edited (step S24). Examples of editing the print job include the nesting process of a plurality of print jobs described later and the editing process of the print environment data. Next, a rasterization process including the assignment of the print data to the print template is executed (step S25). By this process, raster image data (CMYK data) is assigned to each print slot of the print template.

[0029] Next, the raster image conversion unit 12 executes a color matching process on the raster image data assigned to the print template (step S26). In the color matching process, color conversion processing is performed on the raster image data with reference to the color profile information and color management information including the input profile and the output profile of the inkjet printer 30 included in the print environment data stored in the storage unit 13. Specifically, the raster image conversion unit 12 first expands the raster image data (for example, 8-bit_CMYK data) into the color space of the L*a*b* color system by referring to the input profile (ICC profile) such as Japan Color (registered trademark) stored in the storage unit 13 as a color management process, and performs color conversion on the L*a*b* values of the device-independent color.

[0030] Then, the raster image conversion unit 12 refers to the output profile (ICC profile) of the inkjet printer 30 and performs color conversion on the L*a*b* values back to the CMYK values (8-bit_CMYK data) of the device-dependent color.

[0031] In addition, as color calibration processing, the raster image conversion processing unit 12 can execute generation of light ink colors (Lc, Lm, Lk), generation of spot ink colors (W: White / V: Varnish) for undercolor printing and thick ink printing, adjustment of ink amount (tone curve adjustment), and the like. In this way, the raster image conversion processing unit 12 executes general color matching processing including color management processing and color calibration processing.

[0032] Next, the raster image conversion processing unit 12 executes halftone processing using an error diffusion method or the like based on CMYK values (8-bit_CMYKLcLmLkWV data) (step S27). Thereby, for example, 8-bit_CMYK data is converted into CMYK values (2-bit_CMYKLcLmLkWV data) of multi-size dots of device-dependent color.

[0033] Then, raster image data composed of the converted CMYK values (2-bit_CMYKLcLmLkWV data) of multi-size dots is output to the inkjet printer 30 (step S28).

[0034] [Assignment Processing of Print Data] Next, details of the assignment processing of print data to the print template described in step S25 of FIG. 7 will be described. Note that when the jig 15 described above is used, this process is started with the workpiece 31 set in each frame 17 in a state where a table (platen) (not shown) of the inkjet printer 30 is installed with the reference position of the table aligned with the reference position O1 of the jig 15. However, this process does not necessarily require the use of the jig 15 described above, and printing is performed on a printing medium. You may use a jig with the shape of the slot normally printed. Also, this allocation process is applicable even when the outer frame image of the printing slot 16 is directly printed on a table (platen), not shown in the inkjet printer 30, and the object to be printed 31 is set according to each printing slot 16. The key is that the object to be printed 31 should be placed at the correct printing position.

[0035] (1) Multi-page single-layer printing When different pieces of print data are assigned to separate printing slots of a print template and printed, usually, in the print data generation device 20, a plurality of pieces of print data are created as, for example, separate PDF files, and an assignment operation for assigning each separate PDF file to a separate printing slot is required. In contrast, in this embodiment, by inputting these separate PDF files as print data of a multi-page PDF file into the raster image conversion device 10, the raster image conversion processing unit 12 has a function of automatically assigning each page to each printing slot and its print workflow.

[0036] FIG. 8 shows an example of multi-page, single-layer print data to be input. This print data has three pages with different image data. Converting a plurality of PDF data into multi-page PDF data may be performed using the print data generation device 20 or in the print job editing operation (step S24) in the raster image conversion device 10. However, when using the print data generation device 20, in order to automate the process from inputting the print job into the hot folder 11 to the print output of the inkjet printer 30 as a print workflow, a series of such processes must be described in advance in the print environment data. When creating in advance with the print data generation device 20, it is possible to store the layout information of each page of the multi-page PDF as print environment data and automate it as a print workflow.

[0037] The print job also includes the print environment data shown in FIG. 2. Among the layout information, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, it includes information on whether there is a skip (Skip) for each page and the number of printed copies (Print). FIG. 9 shows an example where the number of pages P of the print data is "3" and the number of slots S of the print template is "4". In the example of FIG. 9, the number of printed copies of the first page and the third page is set to "1", the number of printed copies of the second page is set to "2", and there is no skip page set. When the print data consisting of the multi-page PDF shown in FIG. 8 is input into the hot folder 11 under such conditions, as shown in FIG. 10, the first page (Page1) is assigned to the first slot (Slot1) of the print template, the second page (Page2) is assigned to the second slot (Slot2), the second page (Page2) is copied and assigned to the third slot (Slot3), and the third page (Page3) is assigned to the fourth slot (Slot4).

[0038] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing such an allocation process for multi-page single-layer. First, the page number p and the slot number s are set to the initial values "1" (step S31). Next, it is determined whether the p-th page has a skip specified or not (step S32). If not, the print position and print range of the s-th slot are calculated based on the jig layout information (step S33), and the print data of the p-th page is assigned to the s-th slot (step S34). The slot number s is updated (step S35). If the slot number s exceeds the number of slots S, the process ends (step S36). However, if the slot number s does not exceed the number of slots S, it is determined whether the allocation for the number of copies specified by Print for the p-th page has ended (step S37). If the allocation for the specified number of copies has not ended, the process returns to the calculation of the print slot position from step S33. If the allocation for the specified number of copies has ended, the page number p is updated (step S38). The page number p is the number of pages P If it exceeds, the process ends (step S39). If the page number p does not exceed the number of pages P, the process returns to the determination step S32 of whether there is a skip designation for the p-th page. Also, in step S32, if it is determined that there is a skip designation for the p-th page, the process jumps to the update process of the page number p (step S38).

[0039] According to this embodiment, just by multi-paging the print data to be assigned and storing it in the hot folder 11, the assignment process according to the print environment data is executed, so there is no need to assign the print data for each page individually. Also, since the print data is assigned to each print slot based on the jig layout information, the position of the object to be printed and the print position do not deviate.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the presence or absence of page skipping is specified, but the presence or absence of skipping the use of print slots may also be specified. In this case, information on the print slots to be skipped is specified as skip slot information in the layout information in advance. Then, based on the skip slot information, before or after step S32 in FIG. 11, the presence or absence of skipping the s-th slot is determined. If there is a skip, the process proceeds to step S35 to update the slot number s. If there is no skip, the assignment process for the s-th slot may be executed. By performing such a process, for example, when the frame 17 of the print slot 16 with the jig 15 created by the multi-layer printing of the aforementioned UV curable ink becomes unusable due to damage or the like, the corresponding print slot 16 can be specified from the input unit 14a, and the assignment of pages to the print slot 16 can be skipped.

[0041] (2) Multi-page, multi-layer printing For example, in the case of performing thick printing with UV-curable ink on a transparent smartphone case, multi-layer printing may be performed, such as printing white ink over the entire surface as a base layer, printing an image with CMYK ink thereon, and further performing thick printing using varnish ink thereon. Hereinafter, an example of multi-layer printing by a multi-pass printing method in which the inkjet head is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction as many times as the number of printing layers with respect to the table (platen) of the inkjet printer 30 will be described. Needless to say, it is also applicable to a single-pass printing method in which the nozzles for discharging the ink of each layer are slightly shifted in the sub-scanning direction, and the printing of each printing layer is performed in a single head scan operation at a pitch corresponding to the amount of shift while discharging the ink of each layer simultaneously.

[0042] In the present embodiment, printing data for performing multi-layer printing as described above is also input as multi-page data. FIG. 12 shows an example of the input multi-page, multi-layer printing data. This printing data includes image data of three pages corresponding to three layers constituting one image, respectively. The first page is image data for printing white ink, the second page is image data for printing CMYK ink, and the third page is image data for printing varnish ink.

[0043] Figure 13 shows an example of layer printing information in this case. Figure 13 shows an example where the number of pages P of the print data is "3" and the number of slots S of the print template is "4". In the example of Figure 13, the layer of the first page is "1", the color mode is "White", the layer of the second page is "2", the color mode is "CMYK", the layer of the third page is "3", and the color mode is set to "Vernish". Also, there is no skip (Skip) for each page, there is no multiplexing of the layers of the print data, and the number of printed copies (Print) from the first page to the third page is set to "4". In addition, when using the Mirror conversion of image processing, multi-layer printing (for example, in the order of "[CMYK], [White]") can be performed on transparent media such as acrylic, and the same orientation (appearance) as the original image can be maintained when showing the printed image from the back side. Therefore, Mirro r can also be included in the layer printing information.

[0044] When the print data consisting of the multi-page PDF shown in Figure 12 is input into the hot folder 11 under such conditions, as shown in Figure 14, the first page is assigned to the first layer of the first to fourth slots of the print template, the second page is similarly assigned to the second layer, and the third page is assigned to the third layer. The first layer is output to the inkjet printer 30 in the form of raster image data for the first printing, the second layer for the second printing, and the third layer for the third printing.

[0045] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the allocation process of this multi-page and multi-layer. First, set the layer number l and the page number p to the initial value "1" (step S41). Next, set the slot number s to the initial value "1" (step S42). Next, determine whether the p-th page has a skip designation (step S43). If not, calculate the printing position and printing range of the s-th slot based on the jig layout information (step S44), and allocate the printing data of the p-th page to the l-th layer of the s-th slot (step S45). Update the slot number s (step S46). If the slot number s exceeds the number of slots S, end the process (step S47). However, if the slot number s does not exceed the number of slots S, determine whether the allocation for the number of sheets specified by Print for the p-th page has ended (step S48). If the allocation for the specified number of sheets has not ended, return to the calculation of the printing slot position from step S44. However, if the allocation for the specified number of sheets has ended, determine whether the allocation of layers for the number of times of overlapping of the layers specified by Multiplex has ended (step 49). If the allocation of layers for the number of times of overlapping has not ended, add a layer, update the layer number l (step S50), then return to step S42 and initialize the slot number s to "1". In step S49, if the allocation of layers for the number of times of overlapping of the layers has ended, update the page number p (step S51). If the page number p exceeds the number of pages P, end the process (step S52). However, if the page number p does not exceed the number of pages P, return to step S42, initialize the slot number s to "1", and then determine whether there is a skip designation for the p-th page (step S43). Also, in step S43, if it is determined that there is a skip designation for the p-th page, jump to the update process of the page number p (step S51).

[0046] As described above, by inputting print data for multi-layer printing as multi-page print data, the multi-layer print data can be assigned to each print slot of the print template under the conditions specified by the print environment data. Here, as described above, when the frame 17 of the print slot 16 with the jig 15 becomes unusable due to damage or the like, a process of specifying the corresponding print slot 16 from the input unit 14a and skipping the page assignment to the print slot 16 may be added to the process of FIG. 15.

[0047] Note that the multi-page print data for multi-layer printing to be input may be created in advance by the print data generation device 20, or may be created by an editing operation of a print job in the raster image conversion device 10. However, when using the print data generation device 20, in order to automate the process from inputting the print job into the hot folder 11 to the print output of the inkjet printer 30 as a print workflow, a series of such processes must be described in advance in the print environment data. When creating in advance with the print data generation device 20, it is possible to store the layer print information of each page of the multi-page PDF as print environment data and automate it as a print workflow.

[0048] Also, the above multi-page, multi-layer print data can be created from single-layer print data. FIG. 16 shows the multi-page, multi-layer print data from one print data (Job1) This is a diagram showing an example of generating layers. In the raster image conversion device 10, from a single print data, using image processing technology and the like, layers such as an underlayer image, a color image, and a varnish image are automatically or semi-automatically extracted, and one print data in which these are respectively assigned to the first page, the second page, and the third page is generated. When generating the layers automatically, processes such as extracting the entire surface of the image, extracting the parts where color exists, extracting the parts where color does not exist, extracting an image with the entire page set to an arbitrary flat density, and extracting the black-and-white inverted image of the same image can also be performed. Also, when generating the layers automatically, it may have a function of specifying bleeding (enlarging from the original image) and chalking (reducing from the original image). Note that for the specification of layout information, for example, the same as that shown in FIG. 13 can be used.

[0049] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of creating multi-page multi-layer print data by nesting different single-page print data (Job1, Job2) created for layer printing. Such nesting processing may be performed by the print data generation device 20 or may be performed by an editing operation of the print job within the raster image conversion device 10.

[0050] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of other layout information for the multi-page multi-layer print data shown in FIG. 17. In this layout information, the first page is designated as the first layer (color mode = CMYK), the second page is designated as the second layer (color mode = Vernish), the number of printed sheets (Print) is set to "4" respectively, and the number of superposition times (Multiplex) of the second layer is set to "1".

[0051] When storing the print data in the hot folder 11 under such conditions, the assignment process as shown in FIG. 19 is executed. That is, after the assignment of the second layer is completed, since Multiplex is "1", the third layer is added, and the print data of the second layer is copied to the third layer. Thus, the number of printed layers can be arbitrarily changed by specifying the number of layer copies in the layout information.

[0052] FIG. 20 shows an example of nesting a plurality of print data (Job1, Job2), each of which is multi-page and multi-layer, to create one multi-page and multi-layer print data. The nesting process may be performed by the print data generation device 20 or may be performed by an editing operation of the print job in the raster image conversion device 10. This example also includes the case where each page of the multi-page and single-layer print data shown in FIG. 8 is made multi-layer as shown in FIG. 16.

[0053] In this example, as shown in FIG. 20, the first page corresponds to the first page of Job1 and the first layer, the second page corresponds to the second page of Job1 and the second layer, the third page corresponds to the first page of Job2 and the first layer, and the fourth page corresponds to the second page of Job2 and the second layer. FIG. 21 shows an example of layer print information. In this example, the color mode of the first page and the third page is set to "CMYK", the color mode of the second page and the fourth page is set to "Vernish", the number of printed copies of the first page and the second page is set to "3", and the number of printed copies of the third page and the fourth page is set to "1".

[0054] When the print data is stored in the hot folder 1 under such conditions, as shown in FIG. 22, the first page is assigned to the first layer from the first slot to the third slot, the second page is assigned to the second layer from the first slot to the third slot, the third page is assigned to the first layer of the fourth slot, and the fourth page is assigned to the second layer of the fourth slot.

[0055] The above processing can be realized by executing the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 for each print job and changing the initial value of the slot number for each print job.

[0056] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Signs

[0057] 10 Raster Image Conversion Device 11 Hot Folder 12 Raster Image Conversion Processing Unit 13 Storage Unit 14 Operation Unit 20 Printing Data Generation Device 30 Inkjet Printer

Claims

1. A raster image conversion device that receives print data, converts the print data into raster image data, and outputs the data to a printing device, comprising: a storage unit that stores printing environment data that defines conditions for converting the print data into the raster image data; an operation unit for setting or editing the printing environment data stored in the storage unit; a conversion processing unit that converts the print data into the raster image data based on the printing environment data stored in the storage unit; having The printing environment data includes jig layout information for generating a jig for positioning a print substrate in the printing device, The operation unit has an operation mode capable of generating or editing the jig layout information, The conversion processing unit is When an instruction to create the jig is given, a jig creation process is executed to generate and output jig image data for printing out the jig by the printing device based on the jig layout information, and when the print data is to be printed, a print data allocation process is executed by a print workflow to allocate a print position and a print range of the print data in the printing device based on the jig layout information.

1. A raster image conversion device comprising:

2. The jig layout information includes print template information having a plurality of print slots for defining a print position and a print range of the print data.

2. The raster image conversion apparatus of claim 1.

3. The jig layout information includes information on a frame along the outer periphery of the print slot for positioning the print substrate.

3. The raster image conversion apparatus according to claim 2.

4. a raster image conversion device which receives print data and converts the print data into raster image data; a printing device that prints on a printing medium based on the raster image data converted by the raster image conversion device; In a printing system comprising: The printing device is an inkjet printer capable of multi-layer printing using UV-curable ink, The raster image conversion device includes: a storage unit that stores printing environment data that defines conditions for converting the print data into the raster image data; an operation unit for generating or editing the printing environment data stored in the storage unit; a conversion processing unit that converts the print data into the raster image data based on the printing environment data stored in the storage unit; having The printing environment data includes jig layout information for generating a jig for positioning a print substrate in the printing device, The operation unit has an operation mode capable of generating or editing the jig layout information, the conversion processing unit, when receiving an instruction to create the jig, executes a jig creation process that generates and outputs jig image data for printing out the jig by the printing device based on the jig layout information, and when printing the print data, executes a print data allocation process by a print workflow that allocates a print position and a print range of the print data in the printing device based on the jig layout information; The printing device prints the jig image data on the means for placing the printing material in one layer or multiple layers using the UV curable ink. A printing system comprising:

5. A print processing program for inputting print data, converting the print data into raster image data, and outputting the data to a printing device, comprising: On the computer, a storage step of storing printing environment data defining conditions for converting the print data into the raster image data; an operation step for generating or editing the printing environment data stored in the storage step; a conversion processing step of converting the print data into the raster image data based on the printing environment data stored in the storage step; Run the command, The printing environment data includes jig layout information for generating a jig for positioning a print substrate in the printing device, The operating step includes a step of generating or editing the jig layout information, In the conversion process step, when an instruction to create the jig is given, a jig creation process step is executed in which jig image data for printing out the jig by the printing device is generated and output based on the jig layout information, and when the print data is to be printed, a print data allocation process step is executed by a print workflow in which a print position and a print range of the print data in the printing device are allocated based on the jig layout information. A print processing program comprising:

Images