Printing device, printing method, and printing program

Abstract

To prevent deterioration in color reproducibility due to an individual difference in color reproducibility between heads.SOLUTION: A printing device comprises: a first head having a nozzle that discharges ink; a second head having a nozzle that discharges ink of the same color as the first head; a carriage that can support the first head and the second head and reciprocate; a memorizing device; and a control device 71. The control device sets a first operation mode of a plurality of operation modes including a first mode and a second mode for executing image printing having higher color reproducibility in comparison with in the first mode; selects, as a usable head that is used in the second mode, either head of the first head and the second head; executes printing by making the first head and the second head discharge ink, when the operation mode is set to the first mode; and executes printing by making the usable head discharge ink without making the heads other than the usable head discharge ink, when the operation mode is set to the second mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a printing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a liquid ejection device such as an inkjet printer that performs printing on a medium has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] This liquid ejection device is provided with a first ejection head and a second ejection head, and has a carriage that can reciprocate in the operation direction and a paper feed mechanism that moves the medium in the conveyance direction. Then, at the time of printing execution, while intermittently conveying the medium in the conveyance direction, the carriage is reciprocated in the scanning direction while ejecting ink from the ejection head toward the medium.

[0004] The first ejection head and the second ejection head are arranged at different positions in the conveyance direction of the medium, and the range in which ink can be ejected in the conveyance direction can be widened by one movement.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, there are variations in color reproduction in the ejection head due to manufacturing variations and the like. Therefore, the liquid ejection device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to make the color reproducibility of a plurality of ejection heads uniform, and it is not suitable for image printing that requires high color reproducibility.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first head having nozzles for discharging ink, a second head having nozzles for discharging ink of the same color as the first head, a carriage that supports the first head and the second head and is reciprocally movable, a storage device, and a control device. The control device sets an operation mode to one of a plurality of operation modes including a first mode and a second mode for executing image printing having higher color reproducibility than the first mode, and selects one of the first head and the second head as a use head to be used in the second mode. In the state where the first mode is set, the ink is discharged from the first head and the second head to execute printing. In the state where the second mode is set, the ink is discharged from the use head and printing is executed without discharging the ink from the heads other than the use head.

[0008] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent a decrease in color reproducibility due to individual differences in color reproduction of the heads.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present invention has an effect of being able to prevent a decrease in color reproducibility due to individual differences in color reproduction of the heads.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments. Also, hereinafter, throughout all the figures, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the overlapping descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0012] The functions of the elements disclosed in this specification can be executed using a circuit or a processing circuit including a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, an integrated circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a conventional circuit, and / or a combination thereof, which is configured or programmed to execute the disclosed functions. Since a processor includes transistors and other circuits, it is regarded as a processing circuit or a circuit. In the present disclosure, a circuit, a unit, or a means is hardware that executes the listed functions, or hardware programmed to execute the listed functions. The hardware may be the hardware disclosed in this specification, or other known hardware that is programmed or configured to execute the listed functions. When the hardware is a processor considered to be a type of circuit, the circuit, the means, or the unit is a combination of hardware and software, and the software is used for the configuration of the hardware and / or the processor.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printing apparatus 1 including a liquid ejection apparatus 20 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, directions orthogonal to each other are defined as an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a front-back direction. Note that the left-right direction is the main scanning direction Ds, and the front-back direction is the sub-scanning direction (corresponding to the conveyance direction) Df that is orthogonal to the main scanning direction Ds. The sub-scanning direction Df may be a direction that intersects the main scanning direction Ds. This printing apparatus 1 may be capable of performing printing not only on a recording medium W such as printing paper but also on a non-permeable recording medium W such as resin or metal.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a housing 2, operation keys 4, a display input unit 5, a tray 7, an upper cover 8, and a liquid ejection apparatus 20. In the present embodiment, the liquid ejection apparatus 20 has a carriage 3, a medium conveyance mechanism 9 (FIG. 3) including a stage 6, two ejection heads 10 (first head 10A, second head 10B), and a control device 71 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a discharge head 10 mounted on a carriage 3 of a printing apparatus 1 and a mechanism for supplying ink to the discharge head 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first head 10A is provided with a plurality of nozzle arrays corresponding to inks of respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), which may be collectively referred to as color inks, for example. The plurality of nozzle arrays are arranged side by side at regular intervals in the main scanning direction Ds. Each nozzle array includes a plurality of nozzles 11 arranged side by side at regular intervals along the sub-scanning direction Df, and the nozzles 11 discharge the ink of the corresponding color. The second head 10B is configured in the same manner as the first head 10A and has a plurality of nozzles 11 that discharge the same color ink as the first head 10A. The first head 10A and the second head 10B are arranged at different positions in the sub-scanning direction Df. For example, the first head 10A is arranged upstream of the second head 10B in the sub-scanning direction Df. The downstream end of the nozzle array of the first head 10A and the upstream end of the nozzle array of the second head 10B are arranged so as to overlap in the sub-scanning direction Df.

[0016] Then, so that the dimension in the sub-scanning direction Df of the area printed by the first head 10A in one movement of the carriage 3 is the same as the dimension in the sub-scanning direction Df of the area printed by the second head 10B, some nozzles 11 of the first head 10A and the second head 10B are controlled not to eject ink during printing. Specifically, among the nozzles 11 constituting the nozzle row of the first head 10A, the nozzles 11 further downstream than the nozzles 11 corresponding to the downstream end of the area printed by the first head 10A, and among the nozzles 11 constituting the nozzle row of the second head 10B, the nozzles 11 further upstream than the nozzles 11 corresponding to the upstream end of the area printed by the second head 10B are controlled not to eject ink during printing. Thereby, it is possible to easily make the dimension in the sub-scanning direction Df of the area printed by the first head 10A coincide with the dimension in the sub-scanning direction Df of the area printed by the second head 10B. Also, it is possible to prevent a gap from occurring between the area printed by the first head 10A and the area printed by the second head 10B. Further, the first head 10A and the second head 10B are detachably provided on the carriage 3 and are exchangeable.

[0017] The housing 2 is formed, for example, in a box shape. The housing 2 has an opening 2a on the front surface and an opening (not shown) on the back surface. An operation key 4 is provided at a position in the front right of the housing 2. Also, a display input unit 5 is provided at a position behind the operation key 4. The operation key 4 receives operation inputs from the user. The display input unit 5 is, for example, a touch panel type display and displays predetermined information. Also, the display input unit 5 functions as an operation key at a predetermined timing. The control device 71 realizes a printing function based on inputs from the operation key 4 and the display input unit 5 or external inputs via a network interface 70 described later, and controls the display of the display input unit 5.

[0018] The carriage 3 is configured to be reciprocally movable along the main scanning direction Ds. The head 10 is supported and mounted on the carriage 3. Thereby, the head 10 is reciprocally movable along the main scanning direction Ds.

[0019] Further, the liquid ejection device 20 has an ink tank 51. The ink tank 51 is provided, for example, outside the carriage 3. The ink tank 51 has ink tanks for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). And a first ink tube 52, which is an ink flow path, connects each color ink tank and the nozzle 11 that ejects the corresponding color ink of the first head 10A. Also, a second ink tube 53, which is an ink flow path, connects each color ink tank and the nozzle 11 that ejects the corresponding color ink of the second head 10B. The first ink tube 52 and the second ink tube 53 have flexibility, and the ink in the ink tank 51 is supplied to each nozzle and ejected.

[0020] The medium conveyance mechanism 9 has a stage 6 on which the recording medium W can be placed. The stage 6 has a predetermined thickness and is made of, for example, a rectangular plate material with the sub-scanning direction Df as the longitudinal direction. The stage 6 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Df by the medium conveyance mechanism 9 and is configured to be movable between a printing position where printing is performed on the recording medium W and a loading / unloading position where the recording medium W is taken out from the stage 6. The printing position is the position where the stage 6 faces the head 10, and the loading / unloading position is the position where the stage 6 is arranged outside the housing 2 and the recording medium W can be placed on the stage 6. During printing, since the medium conveyance mechanism 9 moves the stage 6 in the sub-scanning direction Df (i.e., the conveyance direction), the recording medium W placed on the stage 6 is also conveyed in the conveyance direction. And when printing is completed, the medium conveyance mechanism 9 moves the stage 6 and discharges the recording medium W from the discharge port 12.

[0021] The tray 7 is provided below the stage 6. The tray 7 has a predetermined thickness and is made of, for example, a rectangular plate material with the sub-scanning direction Df as the longitudinal direction. Also, when the front part of the upper cover 8 is lifted, it is configured to rotate upward with the base end, which is configured to be rotatable, as a fulcrum. As a result, the inside of the housing 2 is exposed.

[0022] Next, other configurations of the printing apparatus 1 including the liquid ejection apparatus 20 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a block diagram.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the printing apparatus 1. In FIGS. 3 and 15, the directions of the arrows in the main scanning direction Ds and the sub-scanning direction Df are from the upstream side to the downstream side. In addition to the above-described components, the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. 3, a network interface (I / F) 70, a control device 71 composed of a CPU or the like, a storage device 75 having memories such as a RAM and a ROM, a head driver IC 74, a recording medium reading device 77, motor driver ICs 30 and 32, a conveyance motor 31, and a carriage motor 33. The conveyance motor 31 operates the stage 6 corresponding to the conveyance device to convey the recording medium W in the conveyance direction (that is, the sub-scanning direction Df), which is a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the carriage 3 (that is, the main scanning direction Ds). Note that the control device 71 corresponds to a computer.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the control device 71. As a functional configuration, the control device 71 includes an operation mode setting execution unit 81, a used head selection execution unit 82, a printing execution unit 83, a control history storage execution unit 84, a cleaning execution unit 85, a color calibration execution unit 86, and a main printing data generation execution unit 87. By the control device 71 executing a predetermined program, the operation mode setting execution unit 81, the used head selection execution unit 82, the printing execution unit 83, the control history storage execution unit 84, the cleaning execution unit 85, the color calibration execution unit 86, and the main printing data generation execution unit 87 are functionally realized.

[0025] Then, the operation mode setting execution unit 81 executes an operation mode setting process for setting one operation mode among a plurality of operation modes including the first mode and the second mode. The second mode is an operation mode for executing image printing with higher color reproducibility than the first mode. Specifically, for example, the operation mode setting execution unit 81 stores the current operation mode in the storage device 75. The operation mode setting execution unit 81 sets to one operation mode according to the result of color calibration (details will be described later). However, it is not limited to this, and the operation mode setting execution unit 81 may set to one operation mode instructed in the operation mode selection instruction input by the user to the display input unit 5 or the computer 200.

[0026] The use head selection execution unit 82 executes a use head selection process for selecting one of the first head 10A and the second head 10B as the use head to be used in the second mode. The use head selection execution unit 82 includes a first selection execution unit 82a that executes the first selection process, a second selection execution unit 82b that executes the second selection process, a third selection execution unit 82c that executes the third selection process, and a fourth selection execution unit 82d that executes the fourth selection process.

[0027] The printing execution unit 83 executes a printing process and includes an ink ejection execution unit 83a, a conveyance execution unit 83c, and a carriage movement execution unit 83d.

[0028] The ink ejection execution unit 83a executes an ejection process for ejecting the above-described color ink onto the head 10. Specifically, the ink ejection execution unit 83a controls the operation of the actuator of the head 10 via the head driver IC 74 based on raster data for ejecting ink droplets corresponding to an image formed on the recording medium W. As a result, color ink is ejected by the head 10. When the operation mode is set to the first mode, the ink ejection execution unit 83a ejects ink onto the first head 10A and the second head 10B to execute printing. When the operation mode is set to the second mode, the ink ejection execution unit 83a ejects ink onto the head in use and executes printing without ejecting ink from the heads 10 other than the head in use.

[0029] Also, the conveyance execution unit 83c executes a conveyance process for conveying the stage 6 and the recording medium W to the medium conveyance mechanism 9 by driving the conveyance motor 31. The recording medium W is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction Df when the conveyance motor 31 is driven. During the execution of the printing process, the conveyance of the recording medium W and the movement of the carriage 3 are alternately executed. When set to the first mode, the conveyance execution unit 83c conveys the recording medium W by a distance corresponding to the dimension in the sub-scanning direction Df of the area printed by the two heads 10, i.e., the first head 10A and the second head 10B, in one movement of the carriage 3 (the distance for two heads). When set to the second mode, the conveyance execution unit 83c conveys the recording medium W by a distance corresponding to the dimension in the sub-scanning direction Df of the area printed by either one of the first head 10A and the second head 10B in one movement of the carriage 3 (the distance for a single head).

[0030] Furthermore, the carriage movement execution unit 83d executes a carriage movement process for moving the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction Ds. The carriage 3 is moved in the main scanning direction Ds when the above-described ejection process is performed. As a result, the head 10 mounted on the carriage 3 is moved in the main scanning direction Ds during the above-described ejection process.

[0031] The control history storage execution unit 84 executes control history storage processing for storing the control histories of the first head 10A and the second head 10B in the storage device 75. The cleaning execution unit 85 executes cleaning processing for discharging the ink from the nozzles 11. Specifically, in the cleaning processing, the cleaning execution unit 85 executes suction processing or flushing processing. In the suction processing, first, the control device 71 covers the nozzles 11 with caps. When the control device 71 covers the nozzles 11 with caps, for example, the carriage 3 is moved so that the head 10 is positioned above the caps, and the caps are lifted by the cap lifting and lowering mechanism. Then, the control device 71 applies negative pressure to the inside of the caps by a pump provided in the tube connecting the caps and the waste liquid tank. Thereby, the ink is sucked from the nozzles 11 toward the caps, the ink is discharged from the nozzles 11, and the clogging of the nozzles 11 can be removed. Also, in the flushing processing, the cleaning execution unit 85 moves the carriage 3 so that the head 10 is positioned above the flushing receiver, and discharges the ink toward the flushing receiver. The discharged ink is sent from the flushing receiver to the waste liquid tank.

[0032] The color calibration execution unit 86 executes color calibration processing for generating a calibration LUT (Look Up Table). The main print data generation execution unit 87 determines a calibration LUT corresponding to the print medium based on the setting information included in the print job. Then, the main print data generation execution unit 87 creates dot data for each pixel for each ink color from the gradation values of the print image data included in the print job. The dot data has dot position information and dot size information and is, for example, halftone.

[0033] The storage device 75 stores the programs of this embodiment and control programs for performing various data processes. Also, the storage device 75 temporarily stores print jobs received from a computer 200 such as an external personal computer via the network interface 70. Further, the storage device 75 temporarily stores print data for each pass. Note that a pass is an operation in which the carriage 3 moves in the main scanning direction Ds and ink is ejected from the head 10 during this movement. Furthermore, the storage device 75 stores various data used for determining the selection of the head to be used in the head selection process.

[0034] The head driver IC 74 causes the head 10 to eject ink in response to an instruction from the control device 71. Similarly, the motor driver IC 30 performs drive control of the conveyance motor 31 in response to an instruction from the control device 71, and the motor driver IC 32 performs drive control of the carriage motor 33 in response to an instruction from the control device 71.

[0035] The recording medium reading device 77 is a device that reads a liquid ejection program from a computer-readable recording medium KB such as a flexible disk, CD (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, etc.), DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.), Blu-ray disk, magnetic disk, optical disk, and magneto-optical disk. The recording medium reading device 77 may be a device that reads a liquid ejection program from a recording medium such as a USB flash memory. The read liquid ejection program is stored in the storage device 75 and executed by the control device 71. Note that the liquid ejection program of this embodiment may be stored in the storage device 75 from an external computer 200 via the network interface 70, or may be downloaded from the Internet and stored in the storage device 75.

[0036] Hereinafter, the flow of the printing process by the printing device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. The following printing process is a printing process that performs this printing after color calibration in order to execute image printing having high color reproducibility.

[0037] First, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 71 first executes printing of the patch image data (step S1). As shown in FIG. 6, in the printing process of the patch image data, the control device 71 first receives and acquires the target color to be calibrated (step S11). Then, the control device 71 generates patch image data including a sample of the acquired target color and samples of a plurality of colors close to the target color with slightly changed parameters of the target color (step S12). In addition, corresponding patch numbers are represented for the samples of the plurality of colors close to the target color. The patch number is used to identify the sample color.

[0038] Next, the control device 71 executes operation mode setting processing and sets the printing mode to the second mode (step S13). Next, the control device 71 executes use head selection processing and selects one of the first head 10A and the second head 10B as the use head to be used in the second mode (step S14). At this time, the control device 71 performs use head selection processing so as to select the head 10 with good ejection characteristics, which is more suitable for executing image printing with higher color reproducibility, from the first head 10A and the second head 10B. At this time, the control device 71 executes at least any one of the first to fourth selection processes as shown in FIG. 7. Hereinafter, each content of the first to fourth selection processes will be described first.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, in the first selection process, the control device 71 first reads and acquires the control history of the head 10 from the storage device 75 (step S211). This control history is the control history by the control device 71 stored in the storage device 75 by the control history storage execution unit 84. Specifically, the control history is, for example, the execution history of the cleaning process, the head replacement time specific information for calculating the elapsed time after the replacement of the first head 10A and the second head 10B, and the ink total discharge amount specific information for calculating the total discharge amount of ink.

[0040] Next, the control device 71 selects one of the first head 10A and the second head 10B as the head to be used based on the control history of the first head 10A and the second head 10B. Specifically, the control device 71 preferentially selects one of the first head 10A and the second head 10B as the head to be used in the order of the head 10 with fewer cleaning process execution times, the head 10 with less elapsed time after replacement, and the head 10 with less total ink discharge volume.

[0041] More specifically, the control device 71 first determines whether the difference in the number of executions of the cleaning process is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S212). Then, when the difference in the number of executions of the cleaning process between the first head 10A and the second head 10B is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (Yes in step S212), the control device 71 selects the head 10 with the smaller number of executions of the cleaning process as the head to be used (step S213). Also, when the difference in the number of executions of the cleaning process between the first head 10A and the second head 10B is less than a predetermined threshold (No in step S212), the control device 71 determines whether the difference in the elapsed time after the replacement of the head 10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S214). Then, when the difference in the elapsed time after the replacement of the head 10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (Yes in step S214), the control device 71 selects the head 10 with the smaller elapsed time after the replacement of the head 10 as the head to be used (step S215). Also, when the difference in the elapsed time after the replacement of the head 10 is less than a predetermined threshold (No in step S214), the control device 71 determines whether the difference in the total ink discharge amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S216). Then, when the difference in the total ink discharge amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (Yes in step S216), the control device 71 selects the head 10 with the smaller total ink discharge amount as the head to be used (step S217). Also, when the difference in the total ink discharge amount is less than a predetermined threshold (No in step S216), the control device 71 ends the first selection process without selecting the head to be used in the first selection process. Note that the head to be used may be selected based on at least any one of the control histories of the cleaning process execution history, the head replacement time-specific information, and the total ink discharge amount-specific information.

[0042] Incidentally, the cleaning is executed upon receiving a cleaning execution command from the user mainly when clogging occurs in the nozzle 11. Therefore, it can be defined that the head with better ejection characteristics is the one with fewer cleaning executions. Further, since the ejection characteristics of the head deteriorate with use, it can be defined that the head with less elapsed time after replacement or the head with less total ejection amount of ink has better ejection characteristics. Thus, by selecting the used head based on the control history that can affect the ejection characteristics, a head with good ejection characteristics can be selected.

[0043] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, in the second selection process, the control device 71 reads and acquires ejection characteristic information indicating the ejection characteristics of the ink in the nozzle 11 from the storage device 75 (step S231). The ejection characteristic information is, for example, information indicating the variation in the diameter of the nozzle 11. The ejection characteristics of the ink in the nozzle 11 are measured during the manufacture of the printing apparatus 1 and stored in the storage device 75 as ejection characteristic information.

[0044] Next, based on the discharge characteristic information, the control device 71 selects one of the first head 10A and the second head 10B as the head to be used. Specifically, the control device 71 determines whether the difference in the variation of the diameters of the nozzles 11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S232). And when the difference in the variation of the diameters of the nozzles 11 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (Yes in step S232), for example, the control device 71 selects, as the head to be used, the head 10 with less variation in the diameter of the nozzles 11 among the first head 10A and the second head 10B (step S233). Also, when the difference in the variation of the diameters of the nozzles 11 is less than the predetermined threshold (No in step S232), the control device 71 ends the second selection process without selecting the head to be used in the second selection process. Instead of the above, in step S231, the second selection execution unit 82b may acquire the minimum droplet amount discharged from the nozzle 11 as the discharge characteristic information, in step S232, determine whether the difference in the minimum droplet amount discharged from the nozzle 11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and in step S233, select, as the head to be used, the head 10 with a larger minimum droplet amount discharged from the nozzle 11.

[0045] Incidentally, there may be a case where the drive waveform applied to the actuator of each nozzle is adjusted to eliminate the variation in the droplet size discharged from the nozzle 11 of the head 10. However, if the variation in the diameter of the nozzle 11 of the head 10 is large or the minimum droplet amount is small, the adjustment range becomes small, and it can be defined as a head 10 with poor discharge characteristics. Therefore, as described above, by selecting the head to be used based on the discharge characteristic information indicating the ink discharge characteristics of the nozzle 11, a head 10 with good discharge characteristics can be selected.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, in the third selection process, the control device 71 reads and acquires from the storage device 75 the first representative value of a predetermined first feature amount in the first head 10A, the second representative value of a predetermined second feature amount in the second head 10B, the first individual value of the first feature amount of the first head 10A, and the second individual value of the second feature amount of the second head 10B (step S251). The first feature amount and the second feature amount may be feature amounts of the same type. In this case, the first representative value and the second representative value may be the same value. Specifically, the first feature amount and the second feature amount are, for example, the shape of the ink flow path. More specifically, they are the diameter of the nozzle 11, the width of the ink flow path that supplies ink to the nozzle 11, or the path length of the ink flow path. The individual values of these feature amounts are measured during the manufacture of the printing apparatus 1 and stored in the storage device 75. Also, the representative values of these feature amounts are values derived from statistical data, such as average values, median values, mode values, design values, etc. The ink flow path includes a supply manifold, a return manifold, and a plurality of individual channels (channels) connected to the supply manifold and the return manifold.

[0047] Next, the control device 71 selects a head to be used based on the acquired feature amounts of the heads. Specifically, the control device 71 determines whether at least one of the degree of deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value and the degree of deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S252). Then, when at least one of the degree of deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value and the degree of deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (Yes in step S252), the control device 71 selects, as the head to be used, the head with a smaller deviation from the representative value of the individual value. That is, when the deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value is smaller than the deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value, the first head 10A is selected as the head to be used. Conversely, when the deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value is smaller than the deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value, the second head 10B is selected as the head to be used (step S253). Thereby, it is possible to select the head 10 having good discharge characteristics close to the design value or the like. On the other hand, when both the degree of deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value and the degree of deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value are less than the predetermined threshold (No in step S252), in the third selection process, the control device 71 ends the third selection process without selecting a head to be used.

[0048] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, in the fourth selection process, the control device 71 reads and acquires from the storage device 75 the priority based on the arrangements of the first head 10A and the second head 10B in the printing device 1 (step S271). The priority is information indicating which head 10 is prioritized over the other heads 10. The priority is, for example, predetermined by the manufacturer of the control device 71 and stored in the storage device 75. And the priority may be determined based on, for example, the length of the ink tube. Specifically, when the length of the first ink tube 52 is shorter than that of the second ink tube 53, the first head 10A may be determined to have a higher priority than the second head 10B. Conversely, when the length of the second ink tube 53 is shorter than that of the first ink tube 52, the second head 10B may be determined to have a higher priority than the first head 10A. Also, alternatively, the priority may be determined based on the arrangement of the heads 10 in the conveyance direction of the recording medium W. Specifically, the head 10 located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium W among the first head 10A and the second head 10B may be determined as the head having a higher priority than the other heads 10. Further, alternatively, the priority may be determined such that the head 10 located farther from the discharge port 12 is the head having a higher priority than the other heads 10. In the present embodiment, the second head 10B is determined as the head having a higher priority.

[0049] Next, the control device 71 selects one of the first head 10A and the second head 10B as the head to be used based on the priority level (step S272). Incidentally, it can be defined that the shorter the ink tube from the ink tank 51 to the head 10, the smoother the ink supply and the better the ejection characteristics. Also, it can be defined that the head located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium W is less likely to be used for printing, and is a head 10 with less sagging of the head and good ejection characteristics. Further, since the head located farther from the discharge port 12 has less chance of contact between the recording medium W and the head 10, it can be defined as a head 10 with good ejection characteristics. Therefore, by selecting the head to be used based on the priority level based on the arrangement of the first head 10A and the second head 10B in the printing apparatus 1, a head 10 with good ejection characteristics can be selected.

[0050] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, in the head selection process, the control device 71 preferentially uses the first selection process, the second selection process, the third selection process, and the fourth selection process in this order for the selection of the head to be used. In other words, in the head selection process, the control device 71 preferentially uses the first selection process over the second selection process for the selection of the head to be used, preferentially uses the first selection process over the third selection process for the selection of the head to be used, and preferentially uses the first selection process over the fourth selection process for the selection of the head to be used. Also, in the head selection process, the control device 71 preferentially uses the second selection process over the third selection process for the selection of the head to be used, preferentially uses the second selection process over the fourth selection process for the selection of the head to be used, and preferentially uses the third selection process over the fourth selection process for the selection of the head to be used.

[0051] That is, the control device 71 first executes the first selection process (step S21) and selects the head 10 to be used as the use head based on the control history. Then, when the selection of the head 10 to be used as the use head is completed in the first selection process (Yes in step S22), the control device 71 ends the use head selection process. On the other hand, when the selection of the head 10 to be used as the use head is not completed in the first selection process (No in step S22), the control device 71 executes the second selection process (step S23) and selects the head 10 to be used as the use head based on the discharge characteristic information. Then, when the selection of the head 10 to be used as the use head is completed in the second selection process (Yes in step S24), the control device 71 ends the use head selection process. On the other hand, when the selection of the head 10 to be used as the use head is not completed in the second selection process (No in step S24), the control device 71 executes the third selection process (step S25) and selects the head 10 to be used as the use head based on the characteristic amount of the head. Then, when the selection of the head 10 to be used as the use head is completed in the third selection process (Yes in step S26), the control device 71 ends the use head selection process. On the other hand, when the selection of the head 10 to be used as the use head is not completed in the third selection process (No in step S26), the control device 71 executes the fourth selection process (step S25) based on the priority and selects the head 10 to be used as the use head.

[0052] In this way, since the control device 71 preferentially uses the first selection process, the second selection process, the third selection process, and the fourth selection process in this order for selecting the use head, the head 10 suitable for executing image printing having higher color reproducibility can be appropriately selected. Note that the control device 71 may select the use head by using only one of the first selection process, the second selection process, the third selection process, and the fourth selection process for selecting the use head. Further, the control device 71 may select the use head by using any plurality of processes among the first selection process, the second selection process, the third selection process, and the fourth selection process for selecting the use head. At this time, if the first selection process is preferentially used for selecting the use head over the second selection process, the third selection process, and the fourth selection process, the head 10 suitable for executing image printing having higher color reproducibility can be appropriately selected. Also, if the second selection process is preferentially used for selecting the use head over the third selection process and the fourth selection process, the head 10 suitable for executing image printing having higher color reproducibility can be appropriately selected. Furthermore, if the third selection process is preferentially used for selecting the use head over the fourth selection process, the head 10 suitable for executing image printing having higher color reproducibility can be appropriately selected.

[0053] When the use head selection process is completed in this way, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 71 executes the printing process of the image data for the patch (step S15). As described above, since the operation mode is set to the second mode, the control device 71 executes a printing process in which the use head discharges ink and printing is executed without discharging ink from the heads 10 other than the use head. Then, the control device 71 ends the printing process of the patch image data.

[0054] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 71 executes color correction processing (step S2). As shown in FIG. 12, in the color correction processing, the control device 71 acquires color replacement content (step S31). Prior to the acquisition of this color replacement content, the user checks a printed matter printed with patch image data and determines whether to correct the target color. Then, the user who determines to perform correction selects the color after correction from among a plurality of color samples close to the target color, and inputs the patch number corresponding to this color to the printing device 1 via the operation key 4, the display input unit 5, the computer 200, etc. Thereby, the control device 71 acquires the color replacement content.

[0055] Next, the control device 71 generates a correction LUT (Look Up Table) based on the acquired color replacement content (step S32). The correction LUT is, for example, data that associates input RGB values with output RGB values. The RGB values corresponding to the color after correction are stored in the output RGB values corresponding to the color to be corrected. On the other hand, no value is input, or the same value as the input RGB value is stored in the output RGB values corresponding to the colors not to be corrected. The control device 71 uses the RGB values related to the target color to be corrected as the input RGB values. Then, the control device 71 specifies the RGB values related to the color after correction selected based on the patch number, and uses this as the output RGB value associated with the input RGB value. Also, for the colors close to the target color to be corrected, the control device 71 calculates the output RGB values by interpolation calculation and associates them with the input RGB of these colors. Then, the control device 71 stores the generated correction LUT in the storage device 75 and ends the color correction processing. Note that the input and output associated by the correction LUT are not limited to RGB values. The input and output associated by the correction LUT can associate any representation obtained by digitizing RGB values, CMYK values, LCh values, Lab values, and other colors.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, next, the control device 71 executes this print data generation process (step S3). In this print data generation process, as shown in FIG. 13, the control device 71 first receives a print job including the print image data for this print (step S41). Further, the control device 71 acquires the calibration LUT (Look Up Table) generated in the color calibration process (step S42).

[0057] Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the control device 71 divides the print image G in the sub-scanning direction Df by the dimension in the sub-scanning direction Df of the area printed by one head 10 in one movement of the carriage 3 (dimension for a single head), and among those that have not been processed yet, one print area A from the head side in the print order (dimension for a single head) n (n = 1, 2,...) of print image division data is acquired (step S43).

[0058] Next, the control device 71 refers to the calibration LUT and determines whether the replacement specified color is included in the acquired print image division data (step S44). If it is determined that the replacement specified color is included (Yes in step S44), the print area A related to this print image division data n is set as the replacement target area (step S45). Then, the control device 71 refers to the calibration LUT and performs the color conversion process of the print image data for this print (step S46). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S44 that the replacement specified color is not included (No in step S44), step S45 is skipped and the color conversion process according to step S46 is performed.

[0059] Next, the control device 71 determines whether all the color conversions of the print image division data for this print have been completed (step S47). If it is determined that this has not been completed (No in step S47), step S43 is executed again, and the next print area A n+1Obtain the printed image division data, and further execute steps S44 to S46 again. Then, when the control device 71 determines that all color conversions of the present printed image division data are completed (Yes in step S47), it generates print data based on the color conversion result (step S48) and stores it in the storage device 75 (step S48). Then, the control device 71 ends the color calibration process.

[0060] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 71 executes the printing process of the present printed image (step S4). In the printing process of the present printed image, the control device 71 first obtains the print data stored in the storage device 75 as shown in FIG. 14 (step S51).

[0061] Next, in the sub-scanning direction Df, among those that have not been printed yet, the control device 71 determines whether at least any one of the printing areas A n ,A n+1 (FIG. 15) is set as the replacement target area (step S52). If it is determined that it is not set as the replacement target area (No in step S52), the control device 71 executes the operation mode setting process and sets the print mode to the first mode (step S54). Then, the control device 71 performs the ejection process and the carriage movement process so as to print the printing area A n ,A n+1 related to the data for two heads (step S55). As described above, in the state where the first mode is set, the control device 71 ejects ink from the first head 10A and the second head 10B to execute printing. Therefore, by moving the carriage 3 once in the main scanning direction Ds, the images of the printing area A n ,A n+1 for two heads are printed. Then, the control device 71 executes the conveyance process and conveys the recording medium W for two heads for which printing is completed toward the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction Df (step S56).

[0062] On the other hand, the control device 71 determines the printing area A related to the data for two heads from the leading side in the printing order n,A n+1 When it is determined that at least any one of them is set in the replacement target area (Yes in step S52), the control device 71 executes operation mode setting processing and sets the printing mode to the second mode (step S57). Then, the control device 71 sets the printing area A related to the data for two heads read n ,A n+1 Of these, for one printing area A on the leading side in the printing order n The ejection process and the carriage movement process are executed so as to be printed by the used head (step S58). At this time, when the printing image process is executed by the second head 10B, the conveyance process is executed so that the printing area A n faces the second head 10B (step S59). As described above, in the state where the second mode is set, the control device 71 ejects ink from the used head and executes printing without ejecting ink from the heads 10 other than the used head. Therefore, by moving the carriage 3 once in the main scanning direction Ds, the image of the printing area A for one head n is printed. Then, the control device 71 executes a conveyance process and conveys the recording medium W for one head for which printing has been completed toward the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction Df.

[0063] Next, the control device 71 determines whether all the printing of the main printing image data has been completed (step S60). If it is determined that the printing has not been completed (No in step S60), the control device 71 executes the processes below step S52 again. On the other hand, when the control device 71 determines that all the printing of the main printing image data has been completed (Yes in step S60), the control device 71 ends the printing process of the main printing image. In this way, since the area set in the replacement target area is printed using the used head and the area not set in the replacement target area is printed using the two heads 10, it is possible to suppress a decrease in throughput while preventing a decrease in color reproducibility due to individual differences in color reproduction of the heads.

[0064] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a first head 10A having nozzles 11 that eject ink, a second head 10B having nozzles 11 that eject ink of the same color as the first head 10A, a carriage 3 that supports the first head 10A and the second head 10B and is reciprocally movable, a storage device 75, and a control device 71. The control device 71 performs an operation mode setting process for setting to one of a plurality of operation modes including a second mode for executing image printing having higher color reproducibility than the first mode, a used head selection process for selecting one of the first head 10A and the second head 10B as a used head to be used in the second mode, and in a state where the first mode is set, causes the first head 10A and the second head 10B to eject ink to execute printing, and in a state where the second mode is set, causes the used head to eject ink and executes printing without ejecting ink from the heads 10 other than the used head. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a decrease in color reproducibility due to individual differences in color reproduction of the head 10.

[0065] (Modification example) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, as follows.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the control device 71 switches the operation mode depending on whether or not the data is replacement target data in the printing process of the present printed image, but is not limited thereto. Instead, the user may specify the operation mode in the print settings, and the control device 71 may switch the operation mode based on this specification.

[0067] Also, in the above embodiment, the downstream end of the nozzle row of the first head 10A and the upstream end of the nozzle row of the second head 10B are arranged to overlap in the sub-scanning direction Df, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the downstream end of the nozzle row of the first head 10A and the upstream end of the nozzle row of the second head 10B may be arranged to be continuous without an overlapping portion in the sub-scanning direction Df, or may be arranged apart from each other.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 conveys the recording medium W by moving the stage 6 on which the recording medium W is placed, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the printing apparatus 1 may convey the recording medium W by conveying rollers.

[0069] Also, in the above embodiment, the control device 71 executes the first selection process, the second selection process, the third selection process, and the fourth selection process in this order in the use head selection process, and when the selection is completed, it does not perform the downstream process, so that the use head is preferentially selected in the order of the first selection process, the second selection process, the third selection process, and the fourth selection process. However, it is not limited to this. Instead, the control device 71 may execute the first selection process, the second selection process, the third selection process, and the fourth selection process simultaneously, in parallel, or continuously, and perform weighting with the weights decreasing in the order of the first selection process, the second selection process, the third selection process, and the fourth selection process on the execution results of these, and select the use head based on the results. For example, the control device 71 may weight the use head selected based on the first selection process twice as much as the use head selected based on the second selection process. Also, for example, the control device 71 may weight the use head selected based on the first selection process twice as much as the use head selected based on the third selection process. Further, for example, the control device 71 may weight the use head selected based on the first selection process twice as much as the use head selected based on the fourth selection process. Also, for example, the control device 71 may weight the use head selected based on the second selection process twice as much as the use head selected based on the third selection process. Further, for example, the control device 71 may weight the use head selected based on the second selection process twice as much as the use head selected based on the fourth selection process. Also, for example, the control device 71 may weight the use head selected based on the third selection process twice as much as the use head selected based on the fourth selection process.

[0070] Further, the printing device 1 may be configured to discharge an ultraviolet curable ink from the head 10, and may further include an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the ink droplets landed on the recording medium W.

[0071] From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed as illustrative only and provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the present invention. Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the details of its structure and / or function can be substantially changed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 1 Printing device 3 Carriage 10 Head 10A First head 10B Second head 71 Control device 75 Storage device 81 Operation mode setting execution unit 82 Used head selection execution unit 82a First selection execution unit 82b Second selection execution unit 82c Third selection execution unit 82d Fourth selection execution unit 83 Printing execution unit

Claims

Claim 1: A printing apparatus comprising: a first head having nozzles for ejecting at least four colors of ink, namely Y, M, C, and K; a second head different from the first head and having nozzles for ejecting the same four colors of ink, namely Y, M, C, and K, as the first head; a carriage that supports the first head and the second head and is reciprocally movable; a storage device; a control device, wherein the control device performs: a first acquisition process for acquiring calibration colors; a generation process for generating a patch image based on the calibration colors; a used head selection process for selecting, as a used head, one of the first head and the second head to be used in a second mode among a plurality of operation modes including the first mode and the second mode for performing image printing with higher color reproducibility than the first mode; a color calibration process for performing color calibration using the used head; a second acquisition process for acquiring image data after the color calibration process; an operation mode setting process for setting the printing apparatus to one of the plurality of operation modes; a printing process for, in a state where the first mode is set, ejecting the four colors of ink from the first head and the second head based on the image data to perform printing, and in a state where the second mode is set, ejecting the four colors of ink from the used head based on the image data and performing printing without ejecting the ink from heads other than the used head. Claim 2: The control device further performs a control history storage process for storing a control history of the first head and the second head in the storage device, and in the used head selection process, the control device performs a first selection process for selecting, as the used head, one of the first head and the second head based on the control history. The printing apparatus according to claim 1. Claim 3: A printing apparatus comprising: a first head having nozzles for ejecting ink; a second head having nozzles for ejecting ink of the same color as the first head; a carriage that supports the first head and the second head and is reciprocally movable; a storage device; a control device, wherein the control device performs an operation mode setting process for setting the printing apparatus to one of a plurality of operation modes including a first mode and a second mode for performing image printing with higher color reproducibility than the first mode. A head selection process for selecting, as a head to be used in the second mode, one of the first head and the second head; In a state where the first mode is set, the ink is ejected from the first head and the second head to execute printing. In a state where the second mode is set, printing is executed by ejecting the ink from the head to be used and not ejecting the ink from heads other than the head to be used; Execute; The control device further executes a control history storage process for storing the control history of the first head and the second head in the storage device; In the head selection process, the control device executes a first selection process for selecting, as the head to be used, one of the first head and the second head based on the control history; The first head and the second head are replaceable; The control device; The control device further executes a cleaning process for discharging the ink from the nozzles; In the control history storage process, the storage device stores the execution history of the cleaning process, head replacement specific information for calculating the elapsed time after replacement of the first head and the second head, and ink total discharge amount specific information for calculating the total discharge amount of the ink; A printing apparatus that, in the first selection process, preferentially selects, as the head to be used, one of the first head and the second head in the order of the head with fewer cleaning process execution times, the head with less elapsed time, and the head with less total discharge amount.

4. The storage device stores discharge characteristic information indicating the discharge characteristics of the ink from the nozzles; The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the head selection process, the control device executes a second selection process for selecting, as the head to be used, one of the first head and the second head based on the discharge characteristic information.

5. The first head and the second head each have a plurality of the nozzles; The discharge characteristic information is information indicating variations in the diameters of the nozzles; The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, in the second selection process, the control device selects, as the head to be used, the head with less variation among the first head and the second head.

6. The first head and the second head each have a plurality of the nozzles; The ejection characteristic information is information indicating the minimum droplet volume of the ink ejected from the nozzle. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the second selection process, the control device selects, as the head to be used, the head with a larger minimum droplet volume ejected from the nozzle among the first head and the second head.

7. The storage device stores a first representative value of a predetermined first feature amount in the first head, a second representative value of a predetermined second feature amount in the second head, a first individual value of the first feature amount of the first head, and a second individual value of the second feature amount of the second head. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the head selection process for use, when the deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value is smaller than the deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value, the control device selects the first head as the head to be used, and when the deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value is smaller than the deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value, the control device executes a third selection process of selecting the second head as the head to be used.

8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first feature amount is the diameter of the nozzle, the width of the ink flow path that supplies ink to the nozzle, or the path length of the ink flow path.

9. The storage device stores a priority based on the arrangement of the first head and the second head in the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the head selection process for use, the control device executes a fourth selection process of selecting one of the first head and the second head as the head to be used based on the level of the priority.

10. An ink tank, A first ink tube that is an ink flow path between the ink tank and the first head, A second ink tube that is an ink flow path between the ink tank and the second head, and further has: The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the first ink tube is shorter in length than the second ink tube, the storage device stores the first head as a head with a higher priority than the second head, and when the second ink tube is shorter in length than the first ink tube, the storage device stores the second head as a head with a higher priority than the first head.

11. It further has a medium conveyance mechanism that conveys the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction, which is the moving direction of the first head and the second head, and discharges the recording medium from a discharge port. The first head and the second head are arranged at different positions in the sub-scanning direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the storage device stores, as a head with a high priority, the head located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium among the first head and the second head.

12. It further has a medium conveyance mechanism that conveys the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction, which is the moving direction of the first head and the second head, and discharges the recording medium from a discharge port. The first head and the second head are arranged at different positions in the sub-scanning direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the storage device stores, as a head with a high priority, the head located far from the discharge port.

13. The storage device stores discharge characteristic information indicating the ink discharge characteristics of the nozzles. The control device further executes a control history storage process for storing the control history of the first head and the second head in the storage device. The control device, in the used head selection process a first selection process of selecting one of the first head and the second head as the used head based on the control history; a second selection process of selecting one of the first head and the second head as the used head based on the discharge characteristic information, and executes The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first selection process is preferentially used for selecting the used head over the second selection process.

14. The storage device stores a first representative value of a predetermined first feature amount in the first head, a second representative value of a predetermined second feature amount in the second head, a first individual value of the first feature amount of the first head, and a second individual value of the second feature amount of the second head. The control device further executes a control history storage process for storing the control history of the first head and the second head in the storage device. The control device, in the used head selection process a first selection process of selecting one of the first head and the second head as the used head based on the control history; When the deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value is smaller than the deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value, the first head is selected as the head to be used. When the deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value is smaller than the deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value, a third selection process of selecting the second head as the head to be used is executed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first selection process is preferentially used for selecting the head to be used over the third selection process.

15. The storage device stores a priority based on the arrangement of the first head and the second head in the printing apparatus. The control device further executes a control history storage process of storing the control history of the first head and the second head in the storage device. In the head selection process to be used, the control device executes a first selection process of selecting one of the first head and the second head as the head to be used based on the control history. executes a fourth selection process of selecting one of the first head and the second head as the head to be used based on the level of the priority. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first selection process is preferentially used for selecting the head to be used over the fourth selection process.

16. The storage device stores ejection characteristic information indicating the ink ejection characteristics of the nozzles, a first representative value of a predetermined first feature amount in the first head, a second representative value of a predetermined second feature amount in the second head, a first individual value of the first feature amount of the first head, and a second individual value of the second feature amount of the second head. In the head selection process to be used, the control device executes a second selection process of selecting one of the first head and the second head as the head to be used based on the ejection characteristic information. When the deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value is smaller than the deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value, the first head is selected as the head to be used. When the deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value is smaller than the deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value, a third selection process of selecting the second head as the head to be used is executed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second selection process is preferentially used for selecting the head to be used over the third selection process.

17. The memory device stores ejection characteristic information indicating the ejection characteristics of the ink from the nozzle and a priority based on the arrangement of the first head and the second head in the printing apparatus. In the use head selection process, the control device performs a second selection process of selecting one of the first head and the second head as the use head based on the ejection characteristic information; performs a fourth selection process of selecting one of the first head and the second head as the use head based on the level of the priority; and The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second selection process is preferentially used over the fourth selection process for selecting the use head.

18. The memory device stores a first representative value of a predetermined first feature amount in the first head, a second representative value of a predetermined second feature amount in the second head, a first individual value of the first feature amount of the first head, a second individual value of the second feature amount of the second head, and a priority based on the arrangement of the first head and the second head in the printing apparatus. In the use head selection process, the control device when the deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value is smaller than the deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value, selects the first head as the use head; when the deviation of the second individual value from the second representative value is smaller than the deviation of the first individual value from the first representative value, performs a third selection process of selecting the second head as the use head; performs a fourth selection process of selecting one of the first head and the second head as the use head based on the level of the priority; and The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third selection process is preferentially used over the fourth selection process for selecting the use head.

19. A printing method using a printing apparatus including: a first head having nozzles for ejecting at least four-color inks of YMCK; a second head different from the first head and having nozzles for ejecting the same four-color inks of YMCK as those of the first head; and a carriage supporting the first head and the second head and capable of reciprocating movement, the method including: a first acquisition step of acquiring calibration colors; a generation step of generating a patch image based on the calibration colors; A head selection step of selecting, as a head to be used, one of the first head and the second head in a second mode among a plurality of operation modes including the first mode and a second mode for performing image printing having higher color reproducibility than the first mode; A color calibration step of performing color calibration using the selected head; A second acquisition step of acquiring image data after the color calibration step; An operation mode setting step of setting one of the plurality of operation modes; A printing step of, in a state where the first mode is set, ejecting the four-color inks onto the first head and the second head based on the image data to perform printing, and in a state where the second mode is set, ejecting the four-color inks onto the selected head based on the image data and performing printing without ejecting the inks from heads other than the selected head; A printing method comprising the above steps. A printing program for causing a computer in a printing apparatus including a first head having nozzles for ejecting at least four-color inks of YMCK, a second head different from the first head and having nozzles for ejecting the same four-color inks of YMCK as the first head, and a carriage that supports the first head and the second head and is reciprocally movable, to cause the computer to a first acquisition processing unit that acquires calibration colors; a generation processing unit that generates a patch image based on the calibration colors; a head selection unit that selects, as a head to be used, one of the first head and the second head in a second mode among a plurality of operation modes including the first mode and a second mode for performing image printing having higher color reproducibility than the first mode; a color calibration processing unit that performs color calibration using the selected head; a second acquisition processing unit that acquires image data after the color calibration processing unit performs color calibration; an operation mode setting unit that sets one of the plurality of operation modes, and a printing unit that, in a state where the first mode is set, ejects the four-color inks onto the first head and the second head based on the image data to perform printing, and in a state where the second mode is set, ejects the four-color inks onto the selected head based on the image data and performs printing without ejecting the inks from heads other than the selected head. A printing program that functions as...

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