Can manufacturing method and can manufacturing system

Abstract

This can manufacturing method comprises: a separation data creation step for creating, from platemaking editing data, separation data for each ink color of a printing machine that performs printing on the surface of a can; and a corrected can manufacturing step for manufacturing, on the basis of the platemaking editing data or the separation data and a predetermined conversion rule, a corrected can in which an image, obtained by outputting an image corresponding to the platemaking editing data with an inkjet printer, is disposed on the surface of the can, wherein the conversion rule has a rule for reproducing the ink color of the printing machine to be printed on the basis of the separation data, with the ink of the inkjet printer.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a method for manufacturing cans and a can manufacturing system. [Background technology]

[0002] A method for manufacturing cans is known in which a predetermined image is printed on the surface of the can's cylindrical wall (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-2). [Prior art document] [Patent] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-81555 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-106758

[0003] A can manufacturing method may include: a separation data creation step, in which separation data is created from plate-making editing data, separated according to the ink color of the printing press that prints on the surface of the can; and a proof can manufacturing step, in which a proof can is manufactured by placing an image on the surface of the can that is output by an inkjet printer, based on the plate-making editing data or a predetermined conversion rule between the separation data and the proof can. The conversion rule may include rules for reproducing the ink colors of the printing press that print based on the separation data using inkjet printer inks.

[0004] The proof can manufacturing stage may be the stage in which a proof can is manufactured in which an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data, output by an inkjet printer based on the separation data and conversion rules, is placed on the surface of the can.

[0005] The conversion rule may be a rule that converts the colors of the color separation data, which is the color data of the ink colors of the printing press, to the colors of the IJ color data, which is the color data of the inkjet printer's ink colors.

[0006] The color separation data may have a first correspondence between the ink color of the printing press and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the printing press. The IJ color data may have a second correspondence between the ink color of the inkjet printer and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the inkjet printer. The can manufacturing method may further include a conversion rule generation step that generates conversion rules based on the color separation data and the IJ color data.

[0007] The can manufacturing method may further include a conversion rule modification step for modifying the conversion rules. The conversion rule modification step may measure the color values ​​of a color sample consisting of color patches printed on a metal material by a printing press using the ink colors of the printing press based on the colors of the color separation data. The conversion rule modification step may convert the colors of the color separation data to the colors of IJ color data according to the conversion rules, print the ink colors of the inkjet printer corresponding to the colors of the IJ color data onto a transparent film using an inkjet printer, and measure the color values ​​of an IJP color chart obtained by overlaying the printed transparent film onto a metal material. If the difference between the color values ​​of the color sample and the color values ​​of the IJP color chart is greater than a predetermined value, the conversion rule modification step may modify the conversion rules so that the difference in color values ​​becomes less than or equal to the predetermined value.

[0008] The proof can manufacturing stage may be the stage in which a proof can is manufactured by placing an image, which is an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data printed by an inkjet printer, onto the surface of the can, based on the plate-making editing data and conversion rules.

[0009] The conversion rule may be a rule that converts the color data of the ink color in the prepress editing data to the color data of the inkjet printer's ink color.

[0010] The plate-making color data may have a third correspondence between the ink color of the plate-making color data and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the printing press based on the separation data. The IJ color data may have a fourth correspondence between the ink color of the inkjet printer and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the inkjet printer. The can manufacturing method may further include a conversion rule generation step that generates conversion rules based on the plate-making color data and the IJ color data.

[0011] The can manufacturing method may further include a conversion rule modification step for modifying the conversion rules. The conversion rule modification step may involve measuring the color values ​​of a color sample consisting of color patches printed on a metal material by the printing press using the ink colors of the printing press. The conversion rule modification step may involve converting the colors of the plate-making editing color data to the colors of the IJ color data using the conversion rules, printing the ink colors of the inkjet printer corresponding to the colors of the IJ color data onto a transparent film using an inkjet printer, and measuring the color values ​​of an IJP color chart obtained by overlaying the printed transparent film onto a metal material. If the difference between the color values ​​of the color sample and the color values ​​of the IJP color chart is greater than a predetermined value, the conversion rule modification step may modify the conversion rules so that the difference in color values ​​becomes less than or equal to the predetermined value.

[0012] The color separation data may include data for spot color plates in a spot color printing system. The color separation data may also include data for process color plates in a process color printing system.

[0013] The proofing can may have an image corresponding to the platemaking editing data printed directly on its surface using an inkjet printer. The proofing can may also have a film placed on its surface, on which an image corresponding to the platemaking editing data printed using an inkjet printer may be formed.

[0014] The can manufacturing method may further include a stage for creating plate-making editing data from image data.

[0015] The image data may contain colors selected from a color chart representing the ink colors of the printing press. The color chart may be printed on a metal plate used for the can.

[0016] The can manufacturing method may further include a proofing step in which the plate-making editing data is proofread using a proof can. The can manufacturing method may further include a proofing step in which the plate-making editing data is proofread using a proof can, and the proofing step may include a step of comparing the color sample of the color selected in the image data with the color of the proof can.

[0017] The can manufacturing system may include a printing press that prints on the surface of the can, a separation data creation unit that creates separation data for each ink color of the printing press from the plate-making editing data, and an inkjet printer that outputs an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data based on the plate-making editing data or separation data and predetermined conversion rules, and manufactures a proof can with the image placed on the can surface. The conversion rules may include rules for reproducing the ink colors of the printing press that are printed based on the separation data using the ink of the inkjet printer.

[0018] An inkjet printer may output an image corresponding to the platemaking and editing data based on the separation data and conversion rules.

[0019] The conversion rule may be a rule that converts the colors of the color separation data, which is the color data of the ink colors of the printing press, to the colors of the IJ color data, which is the color data of the inkjet printer's ink colors.

[0020] The color separation data may have a first correspondence between the ink color of the printing press and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the printing press. The IJ color data may have a second correspondence between the ink color of the inkjet printer and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the inkjet printer's ink color. The can manufacturing system may further include a conversion rule generation unit that generates conversion rules based on the color separation data and the IJ color data.

[0021] The can manufacturing system may comprise a color sample consisting of color patches printed on a metal material by a main printing press, wherein the ink color of the main printing press corresponds to the color of separation color data. The can manufacturing system may convert the color of separation color data into the color of IJ color data according to a conversion rule, print the ink color of an inkjet printer corresponding to the color of IJ color data on a transparent film by means of the inkjet printer, and comprise an IJP color chart obtained by overlapping the printed transparent film on a metal material. The can manufacturing system measures the color values of the color sample and the IJP color chart, and if a difference between the color value of the color sample and the color value of the IJP color chart is larger than a predetermined value, the predetermined value of the color difference is and others further comprise a conversion rule correction unit that corrects the conversion rule so that the difference is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

[0022] The inkjet printer may output an image corresponding to platemaking editing data based on the platemaking editing data and the conversion rule.

[0023] The conversion rule may be a rule for converting the color of platemaking editing color data, which is ink color data of platemaking editing data, into the color of IJ color data, which is ink color data of the inkjet printer.

[0024] The platemaking editing color data may have a third correspondence between the ink color of the platemaking editing data and color coordinates in a color space of a color of a printed matter printed with the ink color of the main printing press based on separation data. The IJ color data may have a fourth correspondence between the ink color of the inkjet printer and color coordinates in a color space of a color of a printed matter printed with the ink color of the inkjet printer. The can manufacturing system may further comprise a conversion rule generation unit that generates the conversion rule based on the platemaking editing color data and the IJ color data.

[0025] The can manufacturing system may include a color sample consisting of color patches printed on a metal material by the printing press, representing the ink colors of the printing press. The can manufacturing system may also include an IJP color chart, which converts the colors of the plate-making editing color data into IJ color data colors according to conversion rules, prints the ink colors of the inkjet printer corresponding to the colors of the IJ color data onto a transparent film using an inkjet printer, and then overlays the printed transparent film onto a metal material. The can manufacturing system may further include a conversion rule modification unit that measures the color values ​​of the color sample and the IJP color chart, and modifies the conversion rules so that the difference in color values ​​becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value if the difference between the color values ​​of the color sample and the IJP color chart is greater than a predetermined value.

[0026] The color separation data may include data for spot color plates in a spot color printing system. The color separation data may also include data for process color plates in a process color printing system.

[0027] An inkjet printer may print an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data directly onto the surface of the can. Alternatively, an inkjet printer may print an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data onto a film.

[0028] The can manufacturing system may further include a plate-making editing data creation unit that creates plate-making editing data from image data.

[0029] The can manufacturing system may further include color samples representing the ink colors of the printing press. These color samples may be printed on metal plates used for the cans. The image data may contain colors selected from the color samples.

[0030] It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all of its features. Furthermore, subcombinations of these features may also constitute an invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] An example of the can manufacturing system 100 in this embodiment is shown. [Figure 2]An example of data processing by the can manufacturing system 100 in this embodiment is shown. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows a specific example of data processing by the conversion rule generation unit 40 and the conversion rule modification unit 50 in the embodiment shown. [Figure 4] An example of data processing by the can manufacturing system 100 in this embodiment is shown. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a specific example of data processing by the conversion rule generation unit 40 and the conversion rule modification unit 50 in the embodiment shown. [Figure 6] An example of the manufacturing flow for the can manufacturing method in this embodiment is shown. [Figure 7] A specific example of the can calibration step in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 8] A specific example of the can calibration step in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 9] An example of the conversion rule generation flow in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 10A] A specific example of the first correspondence in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 10B] A specific example of the second correspondence in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 11] An example of a conversion rule modification flow in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 12] A modified example of the manufacturing flow for the can manufacturing method in this embodiment is shown. [Figure 13] An example of the conversion rule generation flow in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 14A] A specific example of the third correspondence in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 14B] A specific example of the fourth correspondence in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 15] An example of a conversion rule modification flow in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 16]Examples of computer 2200 in which multiple embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part are shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] The present invention will be described below through embodiments, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0033] Figure 1 shows an example of a can manufacturing system 100 in this embodiment. The can manufacturing system 100 manufactures cans with images printed on their surfaces. The can manufacturing system 100 may include a printing press 200, an inkjet printer 300, and a computer 400.

[0034] The printing press 200 prints an image onto the surface of the can. The printing press 200 may be a plate-type printing press that uses printing plates, and may be a gravure printing press, a flexographic printing press, an offset printing press, etc. The printing press 200 may print using process color inks such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and / or spot color inks other than process colors.

[0035] The can manufacturing system 100 may further include a plate-making device 210. The plate-making device 210 produces printing plates to be used in the printing press 200. The plate-making device 210 may be a device that performs plate-making using methods such as DTP (Desktop Publishing) and CTP (Computer To Plate).

[0036] In this embodiment, the can body manufactured by the can manufacturing system 100 may be made of aluminum or steel. The can may be a two-piece can, a three-piece can, or a bottle can. The shape of the can may be cylindrical or rectangular. The contents filled in the can may be beverages, food, cosmetics, detergents, pharmaceuticals, etc.

[0037] The inkjet printer 300 prints the image formed on the surface of the proofing can using an inkjet method. The inkjet printer 300 ejects inks such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black to output the image. The inkjet printer 300 may use other ink colors as well, for example, white, light cyan, vivid magenta, vivid light magenta, orange, and green.

[0038] The inkjet printer 300 may print an image directly onto the surface of the can. In this case, a can with an image printed on its surface by the inkjet printer 300 can be used as a proof can for proofing the print of the main printing machine 200. Alternatively, the inkjet printer 300 may print an image onto a film. In this case, a proof can can be manufactured by placing a film with an image printed on it onto the surface of the can.

[0039] The calibration can body may be made of aluminum or steel. It may also be a two-piece can, a three-piece can, or a bottle can. The shape of the can may be cylindrical or rectangular. The material and shape of the calibration can may be the same as those of a can manufactured using the can manufacturing system of this embodiment.

[0040] The film may be a polyester film such as PET film, a polyvinyl chloride film, a polystyrene film, a polyvinylidene chloride film, a polyethylene film, or a polypropylene film. The film thickness may be from 10 μm to 500 μm.

[0041] The computer 400 generates data for plate making by the plate-making device 210 and data for printing by the inkjet printer 300, and provides this data to the plate-making device 210 and the inkjet printer 300. The computer 400 may have a plate-making editing data creation unit 10, a separation data creation unit 20, a conversion unit 30, a conversion rule generation unit 40, and a conversion rule modification unit 50.

[0042] The plate-making editing data creation unit 10 creates plate-making editing data 14 from the image data 12. The image data 12 is the original image data to be printed on the can by the printing press 200. The plate-making editing data creation unit 10 may perform editing on the image data 12, such as correcting the layout and color tone, to create the plate-making editing data 14.

[0043] The color separation data creation unit 20 creates color separation data 22 from the plate-making editing data 14, separated according to the ink color of the printing press 200. The color separation data creation unit 20 may decompose the plate-making editing data 14 for each printing plate (i.e., ink color) used in the printing press 200 and create color separation data 22 that shows the ink pattern for each printing plate. At this time, the color separation data 22 may be created by performing a halftone processing on the ink pattern for each printing plate, in which the shades of each ink color are represented by a set of halftone dots.

[0044] The color separation data 22 may contain data for spot color plates in a spot color printing system. The color separation data 22 may contain data for process color plates in a process color printing system. Furthermore, the color separation data 22 may contain data for both spot color plates and process color plates.

[0045] The conversion unit 30 performs a process to convert the platemaking editing data 14 and / or separation data 22, which are created for printing images on the main printing press 200, into data that can be output by the inkjet printer 300. The conversion unit 30 may perform the conversion process of the platemaking editing data 14 and / or separation data 22 based on the conversion rules 32.

[0046] The conversion rule 32 may include rules for reproducing the ink colors of the printing press 200, which prints based on the separation data 22, using the ink of the inkjet printer 300. This allows the can manufacturing system 100 of this embodiment to reproduce the ink colors of an image printed on the surface of a proof can using the printing press 200, in an image placed on the surface of the can.

[0047] The conversion rule generation unit 40 performs the process of generating the conversion rule 32. The conversion rule modification unit 50 performs the process of modifying the generated conversion rule 32.

[0048] The platemaking editing data creation unit 10, the plate separation data creation unit 20, the conversion unit 30, the conversion rule generation unit 40, and the conversion rule modification unit 50 may be provided in a single computer 400, or each function may be distributed and provided in multiple computers 400.

[0049] The can manufacturing system 100 of this embodiment allows for the production of proof cans using an inkjet printer 300 to reproduce the ink colors of an image printed on the surface of the can by the main printing machine 200. Furthermore, proofing using the inkjet printer 300 significantly reduces the time required for proofing printed cans compared to conventional can manufacturing methods that use printing plates. This significantly shortens the time from order placement to delivery of printed cans, enabling the production of small lots and a wide variety of printed cans.

[0050] The can manufacturing system 100 may further include a color sample 60 representing the ink color of the printing press 200. The color sample 60 may be printed on a metal plate used for the can. The image data 12 may have a color selected from the color sample 60.

[0051] Figure 2 shows an example of data processing by the can manufacturing system 100 in this embodiment.

[0052] In the can manufacturing system 100 shown in Figure 2, first, image data 12 is input to the plate-making editing data creation unit 10. The plate-making editing data creation unit 10 creates plate-making editing data 14 from the image data 12.

[0053] Next, the platemaking editing data creation unit 10 inputs the platemaking editing data 14 into the plate separation data creation unit 20. The plate separation data creation unit 20 creates plate separation data 22 from the platemaking editing data 14.

[0054] The color separation data creation unit 20 inputs the color separation data 22 to the conversion unit 30. The conversion unit 30 acquires color separation data 24, which is the color data of the ink colors used in the main printing press 200, corresponding to the color separation data 22 (for example, by reading it from memory where the color separation data 24 has been stored in advance). The conversion unit 30 converts the color separation data 22 into data that can be output by the inkjet printer 300 ("IJ print data"). 」 It is also called ). The conversion unit 30 performs a process to convert the colors of the color separation data 24 to the colors of the ink color data 34, which are the ink color data of the inkjet printer 300, according to a predetermined conversion rule 32.

[0055] The conversion unit 30 outputs the IJ print data and the colors of the IJ color data 34 to the inkjet printer 300. The inkjet printer 300 outputs an image corresponding to the platemaking editing data 14 based on the separation data 22 and the conversion rules 32. The output image is placed in a proofing can, and the platemaking editing data 14 is proofread using the proofing can.

[0056] The color separation data creation unit 20 inputs the colors of the color separation data 22 and the color separation data 24 into the plate-making device 210. The plate-making device 210 manufactures printing plates based on the color separation data 22. The manufactured printing plates are loaded into the printing press 200, and an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data 14 is printed.

[0057] The can manufacturing system 100 shown in Figure 2 processes data to produce a proof can that reproduces the ink colors of the image printed on the surface of the can by the printing press 200. Furthermore, by converting the separation data 22 and outputting an image to be placed on the surface of the proof can, it is possible to produce a proof can that reproduces the shape and arrangement of the halftone dots expressed by the printing plate of the printing press 200.

[0058] Figure 3 shows a specific example of data processing by the conversion rule generation unit 40 and the conversion rule modification unit 50 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0059] First, the main printing press 200 prints the document 220 using the ink color of the main printing press 200. Next, a colorimeter is used to obtain the color coordinates of the document 220 in the color space. Then, the inkjet printer 300 prints the document 320 using the ink color of the inkjet printer 300. Next, a colorimeter is used to obtain the color coordinates of the document 320 in the color space. The color coordinates may be obtained using values ​​from the CIE1976Lab color system as defined in JISZ8781-4:2013, or values ​​from the CIE1976Luv color system as defined in JISZ8781-5:2013.

[0060] Here, the printed material 220 may be a printed material 220 printed on a metal material with the ink color of the printing press 200. The printed material 220 may also be a color sample 240 consisting of color patches printed on a metal material with the ink color of the printing press 200 by the printing press 200 (a printed material consisting of color patches printed on a metal material by the printing press with the ink color of the printing press may be referred to as a "color sample"). The metal material may be aluminum or steel, and may be the same metal material as the cans manufactured by the can manufacturing system of this embodiment.

[0061] Furthermore, the printed material 320 may be an IJP color chart 340 (an IJP color chart is sometimes referred to as an "IJP color chart" when an inkjet printer's ink colors are printed onto a transparent film using an inkjet printer, and the printed transparent film is then overlaid onto a metal material). The transparent film may be a polyester film such as PET film, a polyvinyl chloride film, a polystyrene film, a polyvinylidene chloride film, a polyethylene film, or a polypropylene film, and may be a film of the same material as the film used in the manufacture of the calibration can. Furthermore, the printed material 320 may be a printed material 320 on a metal material with the ink colors of the inkjet printer 300 printed on it, and the metal material may be as described above.

[0062] The color coordinates of the printed material 220 and the printed material 320 in the color space may be obtained by measuring the printed material with a colorimeter. When measuring the color sample 240, the can may be cut open to make it flat before measuring. When measuring the color chart 340, the can may be cut open to make it flat, and the printed transparent film may be placed on top of the metal material and then measured.

[0063] Next, the conversion rule generation unit 40 associates the ink color of the printing press 200 with the color coordinates of the printed material 220 in its color space, and obtains separation color data 24 having a first association 42 between the ink color of the printing press 200 and the color coordinates of the printed material 220 in its color space. The conversion rule generation unit 40 also associates the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 with the color coordinates of the printed material 320 in its color space, and obtains IJ color data 34 having a second association 44 between the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 and the color coordinates of the printed material 320 in its color space.

[0064] The conversion rule generation unit 40 generates a conversion rule 32 based on the color separation data 24 and the IJ color data 34. The conversion rule 32 may be generated such that the difference between the color values ​​of the printed material 220 and the color values ​​of the printed material 320 falls within a predetermined range. For example, the color difference between the printed material 220 and the printed material 320 is ΔE 00 You may generate transformation rule 32 such that = 4 or less. Also, ΔE 00 You may generate transformation rule 32 such that = 3 or less. Here, ΔE 00 This is an index of color difference as defined in JIS Z 8781-6:2017 and ISO / CIE 11664-6:2014(E).

[0065] The conversion rule generation unit 40 inputs the generated conversion rule 32 to the conversion unit 30.

[0066] The printing press 200 prints the ink colors of the printing press 200, based on the color separation data 24, onto a metal material to produce a color sample 240 consisting of color patches. The metal material may be aluminum or steel, and may be the same material as the can manufactured by the can manufacturing system 100 of this embodiment. Alternatively, the metal material may be the can itself.

[0067] Furthermore, the conversion unit 30 acquires the color separation data 24 and converts the colors of the color separation data 24 to the colors of the IJ color data 34 according to the conversion rule 32. The conversion unit 30 outputs the converted IJ color data 34 to the inkjet printer 300.

[0068] The inkjet printer 300 prints the ink colors of the inkjet printer 300 corresponding to the colors of the IJ color data 34 onto a transparent film, and the printed transparent film is then overlaid onto a metal material to produce an IJP color chart 340. The transparent film may be a polyester film such as PET film, a polyvinyl chloride film, a polystyrene film, a polyvinylidene chloride film, a polyethylene film, or a polypropylene film, and may be a film of the same material as the film used in the manufacture of the calibration can. The thickness of the transparent film may be from 10 μm to 500 μm. The metal material may be aluminum or steel, and may be a metal material of the same material as the metal material used in the manufacture of the calibration can. The metal material may also be the can itself.

[0069] Furthermore, the IJP color chart 340 may also be an IJP color chart 340 in which the ink colors of the inkjet printer 300 corresponding to the colors of the IJ color data 34 are printed on a metal material using the inkjet printer 300. The metal material can be described as described above.

[0070] The conversion rule correction unit 50 obtains the difference 52 between the color values ​​of the color sample 240 measured by the colorimeter and the color values ​​of the IJP color chart 340.

[0071] The conversion rule modification unit 50 modifies the conversion rule 32 so that the difference in color values ​​52 becomes less than or equal to the predetermined value if the difference in color values ​​52 is greater than or equal to the predetermined value.

[0072] The data processing by the can manufacturing system 100 shown in Figure 3 allows for the acquisition of highly reproducible conversion rules 32 based on measured values, even when ink colors and output characteristics differ for each printing press 200 and inkjet printer 300, or when the expressed ink colors differ depending on the metal material and film material of the printed can and proof can. This makes it possible to manufacture proof cans that express the ink colors of the image printed on the surface of the can by the printing press 200 with high reproducibility.

[0073] Figure 4 shows an example of data processing by the can manufacturing system 100 in this embodiment. The examples shown in Figures 4 and 5 are examples of different embodiments from those shown in Figures 2 and 3, but some components of each embodiment may be taken and combined.

[0074] In the can manufacturing system 100 shown in Figure 4, first, image data 12 is input to the plate-making editing data creation unit 10. The plate-making editing data creation unit 10 creates plate-making editing data 14 from the image data 12.

[0075] Next, the plate-making editing data creation unit 10 inputs the plate-making editing data 14 to the conversion unit 30. The conversion unit 30 obtains the plate-making editing color data 16, which is the color data of the ink color of the plate-making editing data 14, from the plate-making editing data 14. The conversion unit 30 performs a process to convert the plate-making editing data 14 into IJ printing data. The conversion unit 30 also converts the colors of the plate-making editing color data 16 to the colors of the IJ color data 34, which is the color data of the ink color of the inkjet printer 300, according to a predetermined conversion rule 32.

[0076] The conversion unit 30 outputs the IJ print data and the colors of the IJ color data 34 to the inkjet printer 300. The inkjet printer 300 outputs an image corresponding to the platemaking editing data 14 based on the platemaking editing data 14 and the conversion rules 32. The output image is placed in a proofing can, and the platemaking editing data 14 is proofread using the proofing can.

[0077] The plate-making editing data creation unit 10 inputs the plate-making editing data 14 into the plate-separation data creation unit 20. The plate-separation data creation unit 20 creates plate-separation data 22 from the plate-making editing data 14.

[0078] The color separation data creation unit 20 inputs the color separation data 22 into the plate-making device 210. The plate-making device 210 manufactures printing plates based on the color separation data 22. The manufactured printing plates are loaded into the printing press 200, and an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data 14 is printed.

[0079] The can manufacturing system 100 shown in Figure 4 can produce proof cans that reproduce the ink colors of the image printed on the surface of the can by the main printing press 200. Furthermore, since the plate-making editing data 14 is converted and an image to be placed on the surface of the proof can is output, proof cans with high accuracy in reproducing the ink colors of the plate-making editing data 14 can be produced.

[0080] Figure 5 shows a specific example of data processing by the conversion rule generation unit 40 and the conversion rule modification unit 50 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0081] First, the printing press 200 prints a document 260 using the ink colors of the printing press 200 based on the color separation data 22. Next, a colorimeter is used to obtain the color coordinates of the printed document 260 in the color space. Then, a document 360 is printed using the ink colors of the inkjet printer 300. Next, a colorimeter is used to obtain the color coordinates of the printed document 360 in the color space. Here, the printed document 260 may be a color sample 280 consisting of color patches printed with the ink colors of the printing press 200 onto a metal material. The printed document 360 may be an IJP color chart 380, in which the ink colors of the inkjet printer 300 are printed onto a transparent film, and the printed transparent film is then superimposed onto a metal material. The materials and color coordinates of the printed documents may be as described above.

[0082] Next, the conversion rule generation unit 40 associates the ink color of the platemaking editing data 14 with the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 260, and obtains platemaking editing color data 16 having a third association 46 between the ink color of the platemaking editing data 14 and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 260. The conversion rule generation unit 40 also associates the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 with the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 360, and obtains IJ color data 34 having a fourth association 48 between the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 360.

[0083] The conversion rule generation unit 40 generates conversion rules 32 based on the plate-making editing color data 16 and the IJ color data 34.

[0084] The conversion rule generation unit 40 inputs the generated conversion rule 32 to the conversion unit 30.

[0085] The color separation data creation unit 20 creates color separation data 22 from the platemaking editing data 14. The printing press 200 acquires the color separation data 22 and manufactures a color sample 280 consisting of color patches printed with the ink colors of the printing press 200 onto a metal material.

[0086] Furthermore, the conversion unit 30 acquires the colors from the plate-making editing color data 16 and converts them to the colors from the IJ color data 34 according to the conversion rule 32. The conversion unit 30 then outputs the converted IJ color data 34 to the inkjet printer 300.

[0087] The inkjet printer 300 prints the ink colors corresponding to the IJ color data 34 onto a transparent film, and then the printed transparent film is layered onto a metal material to produce the IJP color chart 380.

[0088] Furthermore, the IJP color chart 380 may also be an IJP color chart 380 in which the ink colors of the inkjet printer 300 corresponding to the IJ color data 34 are printed on a metal material using the inkjet printer 300.

[0089] The above explanations can be used directly for describing metal materials and films.

[0090] Next, a colorimeter is used to measure the color values ​​of the color sample 280 and the IJP color chart 380. The conversion rule correction unit 50 obtains the difference 54 between the color values ​​of the color sample 280 and the color values ​​of the IJP color chart 380.

[0091] The conversion rule modification unit 50 modifies the conversion rule 32 so that the difference in color values ​​54 becomes less than or equal to the predetermined value if the difference in color values ​​54 is greater than or equal to the predetermined value.

[0092] The data processing by the can manufacturing system 100 shown in Figure 5 allows for the acquisition of highly reproducible conversion rules 32 based on measured values, even when ink colors and output characteristics differ for each printing press 200 and inkjet printer 300, or when the expressed ink colors differ depending on the metal material and film material of the printed can and proof can. This makes it possible to manufacture proof cans that express the ink colors of the image printed on the surface of the can with high reproducibility.

[0093] Next, a method for manufacturing cans will be described. The method for manufacturing cans may include at least a separation data creation stage and a proof can manufacturing stage.

[0094] Figure 6 shows an example of the manufacturing flow for a can manufacturing method in this embodiment. The can manufacturing method of this embodiment can be performed by carrying out the processes S10 to S60 in Figure 6. For the sake of explanation, the processes S10 to S60 will be described in order, but at least some of these processes may be performed in parallel, or the steps may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, some steps may be omitted. For example, S30 corresponds to the separation data creation stage, and S44 corresponds to the proof can manufacturing stage.

[0095] First, in S10, image data 12 is submitted. Image data 12 may be image data 12 created by computer 400, or image data 12 read by a device such as a camera or scanner. Image data 12 may be submitted via a storage medium readable by computer 400, such as an electronic storage medium, magnetic storage medium, optical storage medium, electromagnetic storage medium, or semiconductor storage medium, or via a communication line such as the Internet. For example, image data 12 may be PDF data, BMP data, or JPG data.

[0096] Image data 12 may contain a color selected from a color sample 60 representing the ink colors of the printing press 200. The color sample 60 may be printed on a metal plate used for the can. Alternatively, it may be created by printing on the can itself and then cutting it open.

[0097] Next, in S20, prepress editing data 14 is created from the image data 12. The prepress editing data 14 may be created by performing editing on the image data 12, such as correcting the layout and color tone. The prepress editing data 14 may include data necessary for editing the target, such as the placement of objects such as shapes and characters, the font of the characters, and the specification of colors.

[0098] The plate-making editing data 14 may be created by a person operating existing editing software. Preferably, existing editing software used in the packaging industry is available, such as PackEdge (Esko). Alternatively, the plate-making editing data 14 may be automatically created from the image data 12 by a computer.

[0099] Next, in S30, separation data 22 is created from the plate-making editing data 14, separated according to the ink color of the printing press 200 that prints on the surface of the can. In S30, the plate-making editing data 14 may be broken down into printing plates used by the printing press 200, and separation data 22 showing the ink pattern for each printing plate may be created. Alternatively, at this time, a halftone processing may be performed on the ink pattern for each printing plate to represent the shades of each ink color with a set of halftone dots, thereby creating the separation data 22.

[0100] The color separation data 22 may be 1-bit TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) data created for each ink color of the printing press 200.

[0101] The separation data 22 may be created by a person operating existing editing software. Examples of existing editing software include software RIPs (Raster Image Processors) such as Imaging engine (Esko). Alternatively, the separation data 22 may be automatically created by a computer from the prepress editing data 14.

[0102] Next, in S42, the color separation data 22 is converted into data that can be output by the inkjet printer 300 ("IJ printing data"). 」 It is also called ). The process is to convert it to ). In S42, the separation data 22 for each printing plate may be combined to create IJ printing data.

[0103] Specifically, first, the colors of each color separation data 24 may be converted to the colors of IJ color data 34 according to the conversion rule 32. When multiple color-converted color separation data 22 are superimposed, some pixels will have color overlap while others will not. For example, a particular pixel may have color overlap due to the inks of spot color 1 and spot color 2, while another particular pixel may be colored only with the ink of spot color 1.

[0104] In the printing press 200, for pixels where there are colors represented by the overlapping of two or more plates, each of the two or more colors represented by the overlap is converted to an IJ color data 34 color according to the conversion rule 32, and the two or more converted IJ color data 34 colors are mixed to generate the overlapping color.

[0105] For example, for a color represented by the overlap of two or more plates, the overlapping color may be generated by averaging the colors of IJ color data 34 obtained by converting the colors of the separation color data 24 of the two or more plates using the conversion rule 32. As an example, the overlapping color of an ink color with a mixture of C77, M10, Y6, K8 and an ink color with a mixture of C81, M44, Y0, K0 may be the average of the ink proportions, which is C79, M27, Y3, K4. Alternatively, a mixed ink color may be generated by mixing the colors of two or more IJ color data 34 based on a predetermined mixing rule. The mixing rule may be a lookup table provided by the user in advance, or it may be a mathematical formula.

[0106] In the printing press 200, for pixels where there is no color represented by the overlapping of two or more plates, the converted IJ color data 34 may be used as is. After generating mixed colors, the separation data 22 may be corrected by adjusting the halftone dots and the thickness of characters to create IJ printing data.

[0107] As a result, in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment, the ink color of the image printed on the surface of the can using the printing machine 200 can be reproduced in the image placed on the surface of the proof can.

[0108] IJ print data may be created manually using existing editing software. An example of such existing editing software is Rosette Star Proof (Ueno Co., Ltd.). Alternatively, IJ print data may be automatically created by a computer from the color separation data 22.

[0109] Next, in S44, an image is output by the inkjet printer 300 based on the IJ printing data, and the output image is placed on the surface of the can to manufacture a proof can. As a result, an image corresponding to the platemaking editing data 14 is printed by the inkjet printer 300 based on the separation data 22 and the predetermined conversion rules 32, and a proof can with the image placed on it is obtained.

[0110] Next, in S50, the plate-making editing data 14 is proofread using the manufactured proof can. Proofreading may be performed by comparing the color sample 60 of the color selected in the image data 12 with the color of the proof can. If it is determined in S50 that the plate-making editing data 14 needs to be corrected, the plate-making editing data 14 is corrected and the steps from S30 onwards are executed. If it is determined in S50 that the plate-making editing data 14 does not need to be corrected, the process proceeds to S60.

[0111] Next, in S60, the plate-making device 210 manufactures a printing plate based on the separation data 22, and the printing press 200 prints on the surface of the can. By following the manufacturing flow shown in Figure 6, cans with printed surfaces can be manufactured.

[0112] The can manufacturing flow shown in Figure 6 allows for the production of proof cans that reproduce the ink colors of the image printed on the surface of the can using the printing press 200. Furthermore, by converting the separation data 22 and outputting an image to be placed on the surface of the proof can, it is possible to produce proof cans that reproduce the shape and arrangement of the halftone dots expressed in the printing plate of the printing press 200.

[0113] Furthermore, proofing using the inkjet printer 300 significantly reduces the time required for proofing printed cans compared to conventional can manufacturing methods that use printing plates and presses to produce proof cans. This allows for a substantial reduction in the time from order placement to delivery of printed cans, enabling the production of small lots and a wide variety of printed cans.

[0114] Figure 7 shows a specific example of the can calibration step S44 in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment. In the can manufacturing method of this embodiment shown in Figure 6, as a step in S44, in S44-1, the surface of the can may be printed directly with an inkjet printer 300. This produces a calibration can having an image printed directly on the surface of the can by the inkjet printer 300.

[0115] Figure 8 shows another specific example of the can calibration step S44 in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment. In the can manufacturing method of this embodiment shown in Figure 6, as a step in S44, first, in S44-2, an image is printed on the film using an inkjet printer 300. The description of the film can be applied as described above.

[0116] Next, in S44-3 ,stomach A proof can is manufactured by placing a film on the surface of a can that has an image printed on it by an inkjet printer 300. This produces a proof can that has a film on its surface, on which an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data 14 printed by the inkjet printer 300 is formed. The film may be attached to the can with adhesive. Alternatively, the film may be wrapped around the can and secured at both ends with tape. The film may also be heat-shrinked and secured to the can.

[0117] Figure 9 shows an example of the generation flow of the conversion rule 32 in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment. In the can manufacturing method of the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the conversion rule 32 may be generated by performing the generation flow shown in Figure 9. For the sake of explanation, the processes from S100-1 to S300 will be described in order, but at least some of these processes may be executed in parallel, or the steps may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, some steps may be omitted.

[0118] First, in S100-1, printout 220 is printed using the ink color of the main printing press 200, and the color coordinates of the printout 220 in the color space are obtained. The explanation of the material of the printout and the color coordinates can be applied as described above.

[0119] Next, in S100-2, the ink color of the printing press 200 is associated with the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 220, and separation color data 24 having a first association 42 between the ink color of the printing press 200 and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 220 is obtained.

[0120] Furthermore, in S200-1, the printout 320 is printed using the ink colors of the inkjet printer 300, and the color coordinates of the printout 320 in the color space are obtained. The explanation of the material and color coordinates of the printout can be applied as described above.

[0121] Next, in S200-2, the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 is associated with the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 320, and IJ color data 34 having a second association 44 between the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 320 is obtained.

[0122] Next, in S300, a conversion rule 32 is generated based on the color separation data 24 and the IJ color data 34. The conversion rule 32 may be generated such that the difference between the color values ​​of the printed material 220 and the color values ​​of the printed material 320 falls within a predetermined range. For example, if the color difference between the printed material 220 and the printed material 320 is ΔE 00You may generate transformation rule 32 such that = 4 or less. Also, ΔE 00 You may generate transformation rule 32 such that = 3 or less. Here, ΔE 00 This is an index of color difference as defined in JIS Z 8781-6:2017 and ISO / CIE 11664-6:2014(E).

[0123] The generation flow of the conversion rule 32 shown in Figure 9 allows for the acquisition of a highly reproducible conversion rule 32 based on measured values, even when the ink color and output characteristics differ for each printing press 200 and inkjet printer 300, or when the expressed ink color differs depending on the metal material or film material of the printing can and proof can. This makes it possible to manufacture proof cans that express the ink color of the image printed on the surface of the can with high reproducibility.

[0124] Figure 10A shows a specific example of the first correspondence 42 in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment. Figure 10B shows a specific example of the second correspondence 44 in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment.

[0125] The color separation data 24 may contain color data for the ink colors used in the printing press 200, such as the name of the ink color and the mixing ratio of the inks, to identify the ink color (i.e., the color of the color separation data 24). The first correspondence 42 may associate the data identifying the ink color with the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 220 for each ink color used in the printing press 200.

[0126] The IJ color data 34 may contain data that identifies the ink color, such as the name of the ink color and the mixing ratio of the ink, as color data for the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 (i.e., the color of the IJ color data 34). The second correspondence 44 may associate the data that identifies the ink color with the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 320 for each ink color used in the inkjet printer 300.

[0127] The color coordinates for printed materials 220 and 320 may be directly applied to the color coordinates described above.

[0128] For example, in S100-2 in Figure 9, a first correspondence may be made between spot color 1 and color coordinates (L58.17, a-30.75, b-20.73) as shown in Figure 10A, and in S200-2, a second correspondence may be made between C1 and color coordinates (L57.58, a-27.38, b-15.23) as shown in Figure 10B. In this case, the color difference ΔE between spot color 1 and C1 is calculated in S300. 00 Since the value was 2.92, a conversion rule may be generated to convert from feature 1 to C1.

[0129] Figure 11 shows an example of a modification flow for conversion rule 32 in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment. The conversion rule 32 in the can manufacturing method of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 may be modified by performing the modification flow in Figure 11. For the sake of explanation, the processes from S400 to S900 will be described in order, but at least some of these processes may be executed in parallel, or the steps may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, some steps may be omitted.

[0130] First, in S400, the colors of the color separation data 24 are converted to the colors of the IJ color data 34 according to the conversion rule 32. For example, spot color 1 is converted to C1.

[0131] Next, in S500, the inkjet printer 300 prints the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 (for example, an ink color with the composition L57.58, a-27.38, b-15.23) corresponding to the color of the IJ color data 34 (for example, C1) onto a transparent film.

[0132] Next, using the S600, an IJP color chart 340 is created by overlaying the printed transparent film onto a metal material, and its color values ​​are measured.

[0133] In step S700, for the ink color (e.g., spot color 1) of the production printing press 200 corresponding to the color of the separated color data 24, a color sample 240 composed of color patches printed on a metal material by the production printing press 200 is created, and the color value thereof is measured.

[0134] Next, in step S800, the color values of the color sample 240 are compared with the color values of the IJP color chart 340. If the difference between the color values is larger than a predetermined value, the conversion rule 32 is corrected so that the difference between the color values is equal to or less than the predetermined value, and the steps from S400 onward are executed using the corrected conversion rule 32. For example, the predetermined color difference ΔE 00 may be set to 4, and ΔE 00 may be set to 3. If the difference between the color values is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the correction of the conversion rule 32 may be terminated.

[0135] The correction flow shown in FIG. 11 may be performed on the conversion rule 32 after it is generated by the generation flow of the conversion rule 32 shown in FIG. 9 and before it is used in the can manufacturing method shown in FIG. 6. This improves the reproducibility of the conversion rule 32 according to the metal material of printed cans and proof cans manufactured in the can manufacturing method, the material of the film, and the like.

[0136] The correction flow shown in FIG. 11 may be performed on the conversion rule 32 after it has started to be used in the can manufacturing method shown in FIG. 6. For example, in the can manufacturing method shown in FIG. 6, when the color difference between the color of the proof can manufactured in step S44 and the color of the color sample 60 or the color of the can whose surface has been printed by the production printing press 200 in step S60 becomes large, the correction flow may be performed on the conversion rule 32. In addition, the correction flow shown in FIG. 11 may be periodically performed on the conversion rule 32, and the correction flow shown in FIG. 11 may also be performed on the conversion rule 32 when the production printing press 200 or the inkjet printer 300 undergoes repair or maintenance, or when an ink lot is changed. This maintains the reproducibility of the conversion rule 32.

[0137] By means of the correction flow for the conversion rule 32 shown in FIG. 11, the ink color of the image printed on the can surface by the production printing press 200 can be represented with high reproducibility in the proof can.

[0138] Figure 12 shows a modified example of the manufacturing flow for the can manufacturing method in this embodiment. The can manufacturing method of this embodiment can be performed by carrying out the processes S10' to S60' in Figure 12. For the sake of explanation, the processes S10' to S60' will be described in order, but at least some of these processes may be performed in parallel, or the steps may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, some steps may be omitted. For example, S30' corresponds to the separation data creation stage, and S44' corresponds to the proof can manufacturing stage.

[0139] First, in S10', submit image data 12. The explanation above can be applied directly to image data 12.

[0140] Next, in S20', plate-making editing data 14 is created from the image data 12. The explanation above can be applied directly to the explanation of the plate-making editing data 14.

[0141] Next, in S42', the plate-making editing data 14 is converted into IJ printing data.

[0142] Specifically, in S42', the colors of the plate-making editing color data 16 may be converted to the colors of the IJ color data 34 according to the conversion rule 32. In addition, among the colors of the plate-making editing color data 16, intermediate colors of the other colors of the plate-making editing color data 16 may be converted to the colors of the IJ color data 34 by performing error diffusion processing or the like on the plate-making editing data 14.

[0143] As a result, in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment, the ink color of the image printed on the surface of the can using the printing machine 200 can be reproduced in the image placed on the surface of the proof can.

[0144] IJ print data may be created manually using existing editing software. Examples of existing editing software include software RIPs (Raster Image Processors). Printmaking and Editing The IJ print data may be automatically created by a computer from data 14.

[0145] Next, in S44', an image is output by the inkjet printer 300 based on the IJ printing data, and the output image is placed on the surface of the can to manufacture a proof can. The explanation of the can proofing stage S44' can be directly applied to the explanation of Figures 7 and 8. As a result, an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data 14 is printed by the inkjet printer 300 based on the plate-making editing data 14 and the predetermined conversion rules 32, and a proof can with the image placed on it is obtained.

[0146] Next, in S50', the plate-making editing data 14 is proofread using the manufactured proofing can. The explanation of the proofreading stage can be the same as described above. If it is determined in S50' that the plate-making editing data 14 needs to be corrected, the plate-making editing data 14 is corrected and the steps from S42' onwards are executed. If it is determined in S50' that the plate-making editing data 14 does not need to be corrected, the process proceeds to S30'.

[0147] Next, in S30', separation data 22 is created from the platemaking editing data 14. In S30', the platemaking editing data 14 may be broken down into individual printing plates used in the printing press 200, and separation data 22 showing the ink patterns for each printing plate may be created. Alternatively, at this time, a halftone processing process may be performed on the ink patterns for each printing plate, in which the shades of each ink color are represented by a set of halftone dots, to create the separation data 22. The explanation of the separation data 22 can be applied as described above.

[0148] Next, in S60', the plate-making device 210 manufactures a printing plate based on the separation data 22, and the printing press 200 prints on the surface of the can. By following the manufacturing flow shown in Figure 12, cans with printed surfaces can be manufactured.

[0149] The can manufacturing flow shown in Figure 12 allows for the acquisition of highly reproducible conversion rules 32 based on measured values, even when ink colors and output characteristics differ for each printing press 200 and inkjet printer 300, or when the expressed ink colors differ depending on the metal material and film material of the printing can and proof can. This makes it possible to manufacture proof cans that express the ink colors of the image printed on the surface of the can with high reproducibility.

[0150] Furthermore, proofing using the inkjet printer 300 significantly reduces the time required for proofing printed cans compared to conventional can manufacturing methods that use printing plates and presses to produce proof cans. This allows for a substantial reduction in the time from order placement to delivery of printed cans, enabling the production of small lots and a wide variety of printed cans.

[0151] Figure 13 shows an example of the generation flow of the conversion rule 32 in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment. In the can manufacturing method of the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the conversion rule 32 may be generated by performing the generation flow shown in Figure 13. For the sake of explanation, the processes S100'-1 to S300' will be described in order, but at least some of these processes may be executed in parallel, or the steps may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, some steps may be omitted.

[0152] First, in S100'-1, a printout 260 is printed using the ink colors of the printing press 200 based on the color separation data 22, and the color coordinates of the printout 260 in the color space are obtained. The explanation of the material and color coordinates of the printout can be applied as described above.

[0153] Next, in S100'-2, the ink color of the platemaking editing data 14 is associated with the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 260, and platemaking editing color data 16 having a third association 46 between the ink color of the platemaking editing data 14 and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 260 is obtained.

[0154] Furthermore, in S200'-1, printout 360 is printed using the ink colors of inkjet printer 300, and the color coordinates of printout 360 in the color space are obtained. The explanation of the material and color coordinates of the printout can be applied as described above.

[0155] Next, in S200'-2, the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 is associated with the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 360, and IJ color data 34 having a fourth association 48 between the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 360 is obtained.

[0156] Next, in S300', a conversion rule 32 is generated based on the platemaking editing color data 16 and the IJ color data 34. The conversion rule 32 may be generated such that the difference between the color values ​​of the printed material 260 and the color values ​​of the printed material 360 falls within a predetermined range. For example, if the color difference between printed material 260 and printed material 360 is ΔE 00 You may generate transformation rule 32 such that = 4 or less. Also, ΔE 00 You may generate conversion rule 32 such that the result is less than or equal to 3.

[0157] The generation flow of the conversion rule 32 shown in Figure 13 allows for obtaining conversion rules for ink colors according to the ink color and output characteristics of the main printing press 200 and the inkjet printer 300, as well as the metal material and film material of the printing can and proofing can. This makes it possible to manufacture proofing cans that reproduce the ink color of the image printed on the surface of the can with high fidelity.

[0158] Figure 14A shows a specific example of the third correspondence 46 in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment. Figure 14B shows a specific example of the fourth correspondence 48 in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment.

[0159] The plate-making editing color data 16 may have color data that identifies the ink color, such as the name of the ink color, as the color data of the ink color of the plate-making editing data 14 (i.e., the color of the plate-making editing color data 16). The third correspondence 46 may associate the data that identifies the ink color with the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 260 for each ink color of the plate-making editing data 14.

[0160] The IJ color data 34 may contain data that identifies the ink color, such as the name of the ink color and the mixing ratio of the ink, as the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 (i.e., the color of the IJ color data 34). The fourth correspondence 48 may associate the data that identifies the ink color with the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material 360 for each ink color used in the inkjet printer 300.

[0161] The above explanation may be applied directly to the color coordinates of printed materials 260 and 360.

[0162] For example, in S100'-2 in Figure 13, a third correspondence may be made between spot color 2 and color coordinates (L55.82, a-25.28, b-27.08) as shown in Figure 14A, and in S200'-2, a fourth correspondence may be made between C2 and color coordinates (L55.84, a-21.80, b-24.34) as shown in Figure 14B. In this case, the color difference ΔE between spot color 2 and C2 in S300' is... 00 Since the value was 1.77, a conversion rule may be generated to convert from feature 2 to C2.

[0163] Figure 15 shows an example of a modification flow for conversion rule 32 in the can manufacturing method of this embodiment. The conversion rule 32 used in the can manufacturing method of the embodiment shown in Figure 12 may be modified by performing the modification flow in Figure 15. For the sake of explanation, the processes from S400' to S900' will be described in order, but at least some of these processes may be executed in parallel, or the steps may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, some steps may be omitted.

[0164] First, in S400', the colors of the platemaking editing color data 16 are converted to the colors of the IJ color data 34 according to the conversion rule 32. For example, spot color 1 is converted to C1.

[0165] Next, in S500', the inkjet printer 300 prints the ink color of the inkjet printer 300 (for example, an ink color with the composition L55.84, a-21.80, b-24.34) corresponding to the color of the IJ color data 34 (for example, C2) onto a transparent film.

[0166] Next, in S600', an IJP color chart 380 is created by overlaying the printed transparent film onto a metal material, and its color values ​​are measured.

[0167] In S700', a color sample 280 is created from color patches printed on a metal material by the printing press 200 using the ink colors (e.g., spot color 2) of the printing press 200 based on the colors of the color separation data 24, and its color values ​​are measured.

[0168] Next, in S800', the color values ​​of color sample 280 and the color values ​​of IJP color chart 380 are compared. If the difference in color values ​​is greater than a predetermined value, conversion rule 32 is modified so that the difference in color values ​​is less than or equal to the predetermined value, and the steps from S400' onwards are executed using the modified conversion rule 32. For example, the difference in color values ​​is set to ΔE 00 We can set =4 and ΔE 00 You may set it to =3. If the difference in color values ​​is less than or equal to a predetermined value, you may terminate the modification of conversion rule 32.

[0169] The modification flow in Figure 15 may be applied to the conversion rule 32 after it has been generated in the generation flow of the conversion rule 32 shown in Figure 13, and before it is used in the can manufacturing method shown in Figure 12. This makes it possible to improve the reproducibility of the conversion rule 32 depending on the metal material, film material, etc. of the printed cans and proof cans manufactured in the can manufacturing method.

[0170] The correction flow in Figure 15 may be applied to conversion rule 32 after it has been put into use in the can manufacturing method shown in Figure 12. For example, in the can manufacturing method of Figure 12, if the color difference between the color of the proof can manufactured in S44' and the color of the color sample 60 or the color of the can printed on the surface by the printing press 200 in S60' becomes large, the correction flow may be applied to conversion rule 32. In addition, the correction flow in Figure 15 may be applied to conversion rule 32 periodically, for example, when the printing press 200 or inkjet printer 300 is repaired or maintained, or when there is a change in the ink lot. This helps to maintain the reproducibility of conversion rule 32.

[0171] The correction flow of conversion rule 32 shown in Figure 15 allows the ink colors of the image printed on the surface of the can by the main printing press 200 to be reproduced with high fidelity in the proof can.

[0172] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where a block may represent (1) a stage in a process in which an operation is performed or (2) a section of a device having the role of performing the operation. Specific stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or processors supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuits may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.

[0173] Computer-readable media may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by a suitable device, and as a result, computer-readable media having instructions stored therein will comprise a product containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disk, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0174] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, Java®, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the C programming language or similar programming languages.

[0175] Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN), such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet, to a processor or programmable circuit of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, and these instructions may be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, and the like.

[0176] Figure 16 shows an example of a computer 2200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 2200 can cause the computer 2200 to function as an operation or one or more sections of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, or to execute such operation or one or more sections, and / or to cause the computer 2200 to execute a process or a stage of such process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform a particular operation associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0177] The computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, RAM 2214, a graphics controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are interconnected by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0178] The CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 2216 retrieves image data generated by the CPU 2212 from a frame buffer provided in RAM 2214 or from itself, and displays the image data on the display device 2218.

[0179] The communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides them to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from the IC card and / or writes programs and data to the IC card.

[0180] The ROM 2230 stores boot programs and / or programs that depend on the computer 2200's hardware, which are executed by the computer 2200 when activated. The input / output chip 2240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, etc.

[0181] The program is provided on a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable medium and installed on a hard disk drive 2224, RAM 2214, or ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer-readable medium, and executed by the CPU 2212. The information processing described within these programs is read by the computer 2200, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the manipulation or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 2200.

[0182] For example, when communication is performed between a computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 2214 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as RAM 2214, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM 2201, or an IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area provided on the recording medium.

[0183] Furthermore, the CPU 2212 may read all or necessary parts of files or databases stored on external storage media such as the hard disk drive 2224, DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), or IC card into the RAM 2214, and perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes the processed data back to the external storage media.

[0184] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write the results back to RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 2212 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the condition for which the attribute value of the first attribute is specified, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0185] The programs or software modules described above may be stored on or near computer 2200 on a computer-readable medium. Alternatively, recording media such as hard disks or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as computer-readable media, thereby providing programs to computer 2200 via the network.

[0186] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0187] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0188] 10. Prepress Editing Data Creation Department 12 Image data 14. Prepress editing data 16. Prepress editing color data 20-minute version data creation department 22-minute version data 24-color plate data 30 Conversion section 32 Conversion Rules 34 IJ color data 40 Conversion Rule Generation Unit 42. First correspondence 44. Second correspondence 46. ​​Third correspondence 48. The fourth correspondence 50 Conversion Rule Correction Section 52 Difference in color values 54 Difference in color values 60 Color Swatches 100-can manufacturing system 200 Printing Press 210 Plate making equipment 220 Printed matter 240 Color Swatches 260 Printed matter 280 Color Swatches 300 inkjet printers 320 Printed matter 340 IJP Color Chart 360 printed matter 380 IJP Color Chart 400 Computers 2200 Computers 2201 DVD-ROM 2210 Host Controller 2212 CPU 2214 RAM 2216 Graphics Controller 2218 Display Devices 2220 Input / Output Controller 2222 Communication Interface 2224 Hard Disk Drive 2226 DVD-ROM drive 2230 ROM 2240 Input / Output Chip 2242 keyboard

Claims

1. A stage of creating plate-making editing data from image data, From the aforementioned plate-making editing data, a separation data creation stage is created in which separation data is created for each ink color of the printing press used to print on the surface of the can. A proof can manufacturing stage in which a proof can is manufactured in which an image output by an inkjet printer of an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data is placed on the surface of the can, based on the plate-making editing data or the plate-separation data and predetermined conversion rules, Equipped with, The image data has a color selected from a color sample representing the ink color of the printing press, and the color sample is printed on a metal plate used for the can. The conversion rules include rules for reproducing the ink colors of the printing press, which are printed based on the color separation data, using the ink of the inkjet printer. Can manufacturing method.

2. A step of creating separation data from plate-making editing data to create separation data for each ink color of the printing press that prints on the surface of the can, A proof can manufacturing stage in which a proof can is manufactured in which an image output by an inkjet printer of an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data is placed on the surface of the can, based on the plate-making editing data or the plate-separation data and predetermined conversion rules, Equipped with, The conversion rules include rules for reproducing the ink colors of the printing press, which are printed based on the color separation data, using the ink of the inkjet printer. The proof can manufacturing step involves manufacturing a proof can in which an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data, output by an inkjet printer based on the separation data and the conversion rules, is placed on the surface of the can. The aforementioned conversion rule is a rule for converting the color of the color data of the ink color of the printing press, which is the color of the color of the ink, to the color of the IJ color data, which is the color of the ink of the inkjet printer. The color separation data has a first correspondence between the ink color of the printing press and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the printing press. The IJ color data has a second correspondence between the ink color of the inkjet printer and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the inkjet printer. The system further comprises a conversion rule generation step, which generates the conversion rule based on the color separation data and the IJ color data. The color values ​​of a color sample consisting of color patches printed on a metal material by the printing machine using the ink colors of the printing machine based on the colors of the color separation data are measured. The colors of the color separation data are converted to the colors of the IJ color data according to the conversion rule, the ink colors of the inkjet printer corresponding to the colors of the IJ color data are printed onto a transparent film using the inkjet printer, and the color values ​​of the IJ color chart obtained by overlaying the printed transparent film onto a metal material are measured. If the difference between the color value of the color sample and the color value of the IJP color chart is greater than a predetermined value, the conversion rule modification step further includes modifying the conversion rule so that the difference between the color values ​​becomes less than or equal to the predetermined value. Can manufacturing method.

3. A step of creating separation data from plate-making editing data to create separation data for each ink color of the printing press that prints on the surface of the can, A proof can manufacturing stage in which a proof can is manufactured in which an image output by an inkjet printer of an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data is placed on the surface of the can, based on the plate-making editing data or the plate-separation data and predetermined conversion rules, Equipped with, The conversion rules include rules for reproducing the ink colors of the printing press, which are printed based on the color separation data, using the ink of the inkjet printer. The proof can manufacturing step is a step in which a proof can is manufactured in which an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data is printed by an inkjet printer and placed on the surface of the can, based on the plate-making editing data and the conversion rules. The aforementioned conversion rule is a rule for converting the color of the ink color data of the plate-making editing data, which is the color data of the ink color of the plate-making editing data, to the color of the inkjet printer, which is the color data of the inkjet printer, The aforementioned plate-making editing color data has a third correspondence between the ink color of the plate-making editing data and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the printing press based on the separation data. The IJ color data has a fourth correspondence between the ink color of the inkjet printer and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the inkjet printer. The system further comprises a conversion rule generation step, which generates the conversion rules based on the aforementioned plate-making editing color data and the aforementioned IJ color data. The color values ​​of a color sample consisting of color patches printed on a metal material by the printing machine using the aforementioned ink color are measured. The colors of the aforementioned plate-making editing color data are converted to the colors of the IJ color data according to the conversion rules, the ink colors of the inkjet printer corresponding to the colors of the IJ color data are printed onto a transparent film using the inkjet printer, and the color values ​​of the IJ color chart obtained by overlaying the printed transparent film onto a metal material are measured. If the difference between the color value of the color sample and the color value of the IJP color chart is greater than a predetermined value, the conversion rule modification step further includes modifying the conversion rule so that the difference between the color values ​​becomes less than or equal to the predetermined value. Can manufacturing method.

4. The method for manufacturing a can according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the separation data has data for a spot color plate of a spot color printing method.

5. The method for manufacturing a can according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the separation data comprises data for a process color plate used in a process color printing method.

6. The method for manufacturing a can according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the proofing can has an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data printed directly on the can surface by the inkjet printer.

7. The method for manufacturing a can according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the proofing can has a film disposed on the surface of the can, and an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data printed by the inkjet printer is formed on the film.

8. The system further includes a stage for creating prepress editing data, which involves creating the aforementioned prepress editing data from image data. A method for manufacturing a can according to claim 2 or 3.

9. The image data has a color selected from a color sample representing the ink color of the printing press. The aforementioned color samples are printed on metal plates used for cans. The method for manufacturing a can according to claim 8.

10. A separation data creation step in which separation data is created from plate-making editing data, separated according to the ink color of the printing press that prints on the surface of the can, A proof can manufacturing stage in which a proof can is manufactured in which an image output by an inkjet printer of an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data is placed on the surface of the can, based on the plate-making editing data or the plate-separation data and predetermined conversion rules, A proofreading stage in which the platemaking and editing data is proofread using the proofreading can, Equipped with, The conversion rules include rules for reproducing the ink colors of the printing press, which are printed based on the color separation data, using the ink of the inkjet printer. The calibration step includes a step of comparing the color of a color sample consisting of color patches printed on a metal material with the color of the calibration can. Can manufacturing method.

11. The main printing press that prints on the surface of the can, A prepress editing data creation unit that creates prepress editing data from image data, A separation data creation unit creates separation data for each ink color of the printing press from the aforementioned plate-making editing data, An inkjet printer that outputs an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data and manufactures a proof can with the image placed on the can surface, based on the plate-making editing data or the plate-separation data and predetermined conversion rules, A color sample representing the ink color of the aforementioned printing press, Equipped with, The aforementioned color samples are printed on metal plates used for cans. The image data has a color selected from the color samples, The conversion rules include rules for reproducing the ink colors of the printing press, which are printed based on the color separation data, using the ink of the inkjet printer. Can manufacturing system.

12. A printing machine for printing on the surface of a can, A separation data creation unit that creates separation data for each ink color of the printing press from the plate-making editing data, An inkjet printer that outputs an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data and manufactures a proof can with the image placed on the can surface, based on the plate-making editing data or the plate-separation data and predetermined conversion rules, Equipped with, The conversion rules include rules for reproducing the ink colors of the printing press, which are printed based on the color separation data, using the ink of the inkjet printer. The aforementioned inkjet printer is Based on the aforementioned separation data and the aforementioned conversion rules, an image corresponding to the platemaking and editing data is output. The aforementioned conversion rule is a rule for converting the color of the color data of the ink color of the printing press, which is the color of the color of the ink, to the color of the IJ color data, which is the color of the ink of the inkjet printer. The color separation data has a first correspondence between the ink color of the printing press and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the printing press. The IJ color data has a second correspondence between the ink color of the inkjet printer and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the inkjet printer. The system further comprises a conversion rule generation unit that generates the conversion rules based on the color separation data and the IJ color data, A color sample consisting of color patches printed on a metal material by the printing press, based on the colors of the color separation data, The IJP color chart comprises converting the colors of the color separation data into the colors of IJ color data according to the conversion rules, printing the ink colors of the inkjet printer corresponding to the colors of the IJ color data onto a transparent film using the inkjet printer, and then overlaying the printed transparent film onto a metal material. The system further includes a conversion rule modification unit that measures the color values ​​of the color sample and the IJP color chart, and modifies the conversion rule so that the difference between the color values ​​of the color sample and the IJP color chart is less than or equal to the predetermined value if the difference is greater than a predetermined value. Can manufacturing system.

13. A printing machine for printing on the surface of a can, A separation data creation unit that creates separation data for each ink color of the printing press from the plate-making editing data, An inkjet printer that outputs an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data and manufactures a proof can with the image placed on the can surface, based on the plate-making editing data or the plate-separation data and predetermined conversion rules, Equipped with, The conversion rules include rules for reproducing the ink colors of the printing press, which are printed based on the color separation data, using the ink of the inkjet printer. The inkjet printer outputs an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data based on the plate-making editing data and the conversion rules. The aforementioned conversion rule is a rule for converting the color of the ink color data of the plate-making editing data, which is the color data of the ink color of the plate-making editing data, to the color of the inkjet printer, which is the color data of the inkjet printer, The aforementioned plate-making editing color data has a third correspondence between the ink color of the plate-making editing data and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the printing press based on the separation data. The IJ color data has a fourth correspondence between the ink color of the inkjet printer and the color coordinates in the color space of the printed material printed with the ink color of the inkjet printer. The system further comprises a conversion rule generation unit that generates the conversion rules based on the aforementioned plate-making editing color data and the aforementioned IJ color data, A color sample consisting of color patches printed on a metal material by the printing machine, using the ink colors of the printing machine, The IJP color chart comprises converting the colors of the aforementioned plate-making and editing color data into IJ color data colors according to the conversion rules, printing the ink colors of the inkjet printer corresponding to the colors of the IJ color data onto a transparent film using the inkjet printer, and then overlaying the printed transparent film onto a metal material. The system further includes a conversion rule modification unit that measures the color values ​​of the color sample and the IJP color chart, and modifies the conversion rule so that the difference between the color values ​​of the color sample and the IJP color chart is less than or equal to the predetermined value if the difference is greater than a predetermined value. Can manufacturing system.

14. The aforementioned color separation data includes data for spot color plates in a spot color printing method. A can manufacturing system according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

15. The aforementioned separation data includes data for process color plates in a process color printing method. A can manufacturing system according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

16. The inkjet printer prints an image corresponding to the plate-making editing data directly onto the surface of the can. A can manufacturing system according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

17. The inkjet printer prints an image corresponding to the platemaking editing data onto the film. A can manufacturing system according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

Images