JPH063802A - Page layout method and its device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the page layout method which integrally manages plate formats and signature allotment charts within a computer, can automatically execute the page layout of manuscripts per page in accordance with the data on the plate formats and signature allotment, lessens the manpower of plate making operations, improves the efficiency thereof and eliminates operation errors and its device. CONSTITUTION:This method has a stage 23 for setting the data on machine plate formats by inputting the data necessary for forming one sheet of plate by subjecting the page information for plural pages, such as sequence of the pages to be allotted to the plate, to page layout, a signature allotment setting stage 24 for forming signature allotment data in accordance with at least the data on the number of the total page layouts per print and the data on the number of the page layouts per plate and a machine plate information forming stage 26 for forming the machine plate information necessary for plate making by allotting the previously formed page information in accordance with the data on the machine plate formats and the signature allotment.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a page imposition method and apparatus for producing a multi-page imposition printing plate for use in printing publications.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art First, a general procedure for producing a publication is schematically shown in FIG. That is, first of all, the planning meeting 75 organizes the staff, prepares a layout table, creates a schedule table, etc., secures manuscripts such as characters and illustrations by the manuscript request interview 76, and makes layout design page by page by the manuscript arrangement layout 77. After making a decision, a complete copy is created at a complete manuscript creation 78. Next, plate making 79 is performed, and after proofreading 80, a plate is completed with a lower plate 81, and printing 82, bookbinding 83, and delivery 84 using this plate are carried out.
The procedure is. In the plate making 79, a plurality of pages of original images are formed on one plate. In the printing 82, printing is performed on the front and back sides of the printing paper using the plate thus created. This printed paper becomes a so-called page publication such as a book or a pamphlet through the bookbinding process 83.

In the bookbinding process 83, there is a process of (1) folding the printed paper back several times in accordance with a certain rule, (2) binding one side, and (3) cutting the other three sides. The printing paper bound in this way has: (1) Pages are in order (2) Pages are aligned in the same direction (3) Character positions on the page are not varied from page to page (4) ) The condition that a signature or a signature is on the outside of the folded paper must be met. In order to satisfy these conditions, it is decided which page should be placed at which position and what direction should be taken for one plate. This depends on the size of the plate, the number of folds and its method. There are an extremely large number of patterns depending on the page size, binding method, gripping direction of the printing press, gripping length, etc.

The work of arranging documents according to a predetermined pattern is called page imposition. In this page imposition, each page must be accurately arranged at a predetermined position in the order according to the table of sheets. The page orientation must also follow the plate pattern. In general, the order of pages to be arranged is regular, but it is usually complicated depending on the folding method. Also, the orientation of the pages must be correctly aligned according to the fold.

FIG. 22 shows an example of imposition on a printing plate in the case of side-stitching and the number of impositions on one plate is 4, and (a) shows the printing plate to be printed on the back surface of the printing paper. (B) shows a printing plate to be printed on the surface of printing paper. The number shown in FIG. 22 is the number of pages, and the arrow indicates the top and bottom of the page. The printing paper printed on the front and back using the printing plate is folded and bound according to a predetermined folding method as shown in FIG. 23, so that the number of pages is shown in FIG. 22 so as to be continuous in the folded state. The pages are arranged in such a page order and in the top-bottom direction as shown in FIG. 22 so that the top and bottom of each page are aligned in the folded state.

FIG. 24 is an example of imposition on a printing plate when the number of impositions on one plate is 8, which is also side-by-side binding. FIG. 24A shows a printing plate to be printed on the back surface of printing paper. , (B) show printing plates printed on the surface of printing paper. Also in this case, the page order and the top and bottom are set for each plate so that the pages are continuous and the top and bottom are aligned in a state where the printing papers printed on the front and back sides by these printing plates are folded according to a predetermined folding method.

A plurality of pages are impositioned on each plate as described above, and various marks are formed outside the pages. FIG. 25 shows such an example, and one plate 65
Is a register mark 67, 68, which serves as an index at the time of folding or cutting, in the margin of the page 66 of a plurality of imposed texts.
69, 70, a back mark 71, etc. are formed.

Thus, page imposition is guaranteed
Moreover, it must be done accurately, but until now, it has been done almost manually. Therefore, it requires skill and is prone to error. In this regard, according to the multi-page imposition method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-45941, which is filed by the present applicant, imposition work for each plate is automated to some extent, It doesn't require much skill, and mistakes are less likely to occur.

[0009]

However, in the multi-page imposition method according to the above application, the multi-page imposition pattern data indicating how to allocate pages to one plate, the size of the plate and the size of the page. , The purpose is to automatically create a plate (printing plate) format from the format data such as the size of "dobu", and not all operations are performed automatically. That is, the platen and mask plate of the plate-making camera can be controlled for each screen according to the plate format created, but the document is manually set on the platen of the plate-making camera, and at the same time, the top / bottom direction instructed is set. It is necessary to decide the top and bottom of the original according to the orientation of, and set the original according to the designated order. Therefore, it is inefficient, requires a lot of manpower, and although the number of mistakes is reduced, there are still factors such as the direction of the top and bottom and the order in which the originals are set.

In recent years, so-called desktop publishing (hereinafter referred to as "DTP") for producing a publication using a computer has become popular. However, at present, the DTP allows editing on a page-by-page basis on a computer, that is, from the document layout layout 77 to the complete document creation 78 shown in FIG. 26 is performed on the computer. This is due to the creation procedure.

Now, suppose that a complete manuscript for each page created in the form of electronic information by DTP is imprinted on each plate according to a plate format and a table of tables created in the form of electronic information on a computer. If it is possible to create plate information for each plate, using this plate information, for example, an image can be formed on a direct printing plate in an electronically imprinted state in a predetermined form, Since this image information can be displayed on the display or printed out, the plate making process 79 and the proofing process 80 in FIG. 26 should be able to proceed extremely efficiently.

The present invention has been made in view of the above point, and manages the plate format and the table for table allocation uniformly in a computer, and for each page based on the plate format data and the table for allocation table. It is possible to automatically place the manuscript of
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a page imposition method and an apparatus thereof that can reduce labor and efficiency of plate making work and eliminate work mistakes.

[0013]

The invention according to claim 1 is
The process of setting the plate format data by imposing the data necessary to make one plate by imposing page information for multiple pages such as the order of pages allocated to the plate and the top and bottom of each page. , A page layout setting process that creates table layout data based on at least the total page number data of printed matter and the imposition number data for each plate, and is created in advance based on the plate format data and table layout data. And a printing plate information creating step for creating printing plate information necessary for plate making by allocating the page information stored therein.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, data necessary for making one plate by imposing page information for a plurality of pages such as the order of pages allocated to the plate and the top and bottom of each page is input. Means to set plate format data, and to create plate layout data based on at least total page number data of printed matter and imposition number data for each plate, and plate format data. It is characterized by having a printing plate information creating means for creating the printing plate information necessary for plate making by allocating the page information created in advance based on the page layout data.

The division setting process or division setting means may automatically generate the division data by a manual creation operation or by inputting necessary data.

[0016]

In the step of setting the printing plate format data or the means for setting the printing plate format data, a plate (printing plate) setting file is created by inputting necessary data. In the unit allocation setting step or the unit allocation setting means, by inputting necessary data, a unit allocation table in which pages are allocated to each unit is created. The plate information creation process or plate information creation means allocates in the order shown in the table layout data according to the layout shown in the plate setting file, and the page information created in advance is allocated in the above-mentioned allocation order and is required for plate making. Create detailed printing plate information. A printing plate can be obtained by inputting this printing plate information to an output machine such as an image setter to form an image on the plate.

[0017]

Embodiments of the page imposition method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, the plate format setting step 23
Is a step of creating a plate format by inputting various kinds of data necessary for multi-page imposition and by a method substantially the same as the method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-45941. Various data necessary for multi-page imposition
As shown in FIG. 20, the widthwise and rotational dimensions of the plate, the widthwise dimension PW of the page, the vertical dimension PH of the page, the widthwise "dough" between the pages, and the vertical "dough" between the pages, There are top margin TM, left margin LM, grip margin GR, etc., as well as various marks outside the page,
For example, there are register marks such as signatures, signatures, signatures, etc., the order of pages assigned to the plates, and the top and bottom of each page. Plate format setting process 2
In 3, the plate (printing plate) format as shown in FIG. 20 is created by inputting these various data. The created plate format is stored in the plate setting file in the form of electronic information.

In FIG. 1, in the layout setting step 24, total page number data of printed matter, imposition number data of each plate,
This is a step of creating a page layout table for allocating pages for each page by inputting binding method data as needed. That is, for the number of pages required to print the total number of pages according to the total number of pages and the number of impositions of each plate, set the number of pages that should be in one plate based on the above number of impositions, and follow the order determined by the binding method. A table allocation table is created by allocating pages by the set number of pages for each machine within the range of the number of machines calculated. The created table is stored in the table file in the form of electronic information.

In FIG. 1, as is well known, the DTP 25 is capable of editing characters, pictures, photographs, or an original containing a mixture thereof on a computer, and edits a large number of page information in the form of electronic information. It can be saved in.

The plate setting file created and saved by the plate format setting step 23, the table layout file created and saved by the table setting step 24, and the page information created by the DTP 25 are attached to the plate information creating step 26. To be done. In the plate information creating step 26, the numbers appearing in the scaffolding file are sequentially assigned according to the arrangement order shown in the plate setting file while referring to the plate setting file and the scribing file, and the DT
The page information created in P25 is allocated to create the plate information required for plate making. More specifically, FIG.
If the plate setting file 28 as shown in FIG. 0 is used, the numbers shown in the table division file are arranged in the numerical order shown in the plate setting file 28, and the page information is given in accordance with the numerical order. Allocate in order.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 24, page information for each page is assigned to the front and back plates of each table in a predetermined order according to the plate setting file and the table division file. Plate information is created in which various dimensions are set and various marks are arranged according to the setting file.
The plate information is electronic information in which the plate setting file, the division file, and the page information are integrated. This plate information is the image processing signal creation step 1
Input to 7. In the image processing signal creating step 17, the plate information is converted into a signal necessary for forming an image by the output device 18 such as an image setter, and the converted signal is input to the output device 18. The output device 18 has, for example, a laser scanner, and forms an image on a direct printing plate or the like according to the input plate information. The printing plate on which the image is formed can be used for printing by developing it with a developing processor.

The plate format setting step 23, the table division setting step 24, the page information creating step by the DTP 25, and the plate information creating step 26 described above can all be processed in a computer. Further, in the above embodiment, the page imposition method is regarded, but if the above steps are replaced with respective function realizing means in the computer, they can be regarded as a page imposition apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows the above embodiment from another angle. In Figure 2, DTP editing typesetting 1
Reference numeral 5 is a complete manuscript for all pages created for each page, which is stored in the form of electronic information. This editing typesetting 15 is performed for each front and back plate of each table based on the table dividing file created as described above in the step dividing instruction step 16.
Pages are allocated one by one. Here, various parameter information for the plate format is also input from the plate setting file created in the setting file creating step 20, and based on the various parameter information, various register marks such as page size, dough size, and signature are registered. Its position is specified. Since the layout file is also in the form of electronic information, it is output as electronic information in which the editing composition, the layout file and the plate setting file are integrated. The setting file can be output from a laser printer or the like in the calibration output step 21, and the calibration can be performed by this. Based on the output from the pedestal allocation instruction step 16, the image processing signal creation unit 17 converts the signal into a signal necessary for forming an image at the output machine 18 as described above, and inputs the signal to the output machine 18. The output machine 18 forms an image on a direct printing plate or the like according to the input signal. The printing plate on which the image is formed is the development processor 19
To be developed.

As described above, the function of each component of the device of the present invention can be realized by a computer by devising its software. FIG. 3 shows an example of an initial screen for setting various parameters necessary for imposing pages on each plate. The initial screen 35 includes a basic parameter display section 36 such as a plate size, a gripper margin, and a page size, a "dough", that is, a display section 37 of dimensions between pages, a page position display section 39 for the front plate and a back side. Imposition display section 38 including a page position display section 40 for the top plate, and an upside-down display section 42 for the front plate.
And an upside down display section 41 including an upside down display section 43 for the back plate. The data input from the input unit is displayed on each display unit.

Next, a concrete example of the step division setting step 24 or the step division setting means will be described. FIG. 4 shows the basic configuration of the division setting process. In FIG. 4, flat binding
In the saddle-stitching designation unit 1, binding method data of flat stitching or saddle stitching is input. The page number designation unit 2 inputs the total page number data of the printed matter. Blank page data is input in the blank page designation section 3. In the imposition number designation unit 4, imposition number data for each plate is input. Donden
In the second designation unit 5, donden and second data are input. The imposition number data holding unit 8 sequentially stores the input total page number data, and when blank page data is input from the blank page designation unit 3,
The page number data below the blank page is sequentially shifted and saved.

The imposition number data holding unit 8 holds the same imposition number data for the subsequent stages when the imposition number for the table which is the imposition number designating unit 4 is designated. The page allocation execution unit 7 is a page data management unit 6
The number of pages required to print the total number of pages according to the total number of pages data and the number of imposition data stored in the imposition number data storage unit 8 Set the number of pages to be entered, and according to the order determined by the input binding method data, allocate pages by the set number of pages for each machine within the range of the above calculated number and bind the pages. The table layout table 10 for side stitching or saddle stitching is created according to the data.

Next, a specific operation procedure and operation of the above-mentioned division setting process will be described. FIG. 5 shows an example of an initial screen in the vehicle allocation table creation mode. When the unit allocation table creation mode is set, an initial screen 45 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The initial screen 45 has a front plate F and a back plate B.
And a unit number display unit 48 and a unit division display unit 5
1 and a setting file display section 50. At the time when the initial screen 45 is called, the division display unit 51 and the setting file display unit 50 are blank. Therefore, when the setting file is called by an operation such as moving the cursor to the uppermost stage of the setting file display unit 50 and executing the setting file, the sub window 46 appears. The sub-window 46 has a display section 47 for displaying the total page number data, and when the total page number data is input from the input section, it is displayed on the display section 47.

Now, consider a case where a blank page is added between a 10-page page and an 11-page page of a 31-page original to make a book with 32 pages. In addition, 1, 2 and 5 units are attached on four sides, and 3, 4 units are attached on two sides, and binding is performed by side binding.

First, as basic parameters, the number of pages excluding blank pages, that is, the total number of pages of an existing document, the number of impositions on the first sheet, and the binding method are input. By inputting the page number "31" excluding blank pages, the page data management unit 6 shown in FIG. 4 creates an array having elements 1 to 31 as shown in FIG. 16A. Figure 4
In the imposition number data holding unit 8 shown in FIG. 3, a table is created in which the numbers of the entered tables and the imposition numbers are associated with each other. FIG. 17
(A) and (b) show examples of this table. When only the first imposition number is set as described above, only one imposition number is set as shown in FIG. 17 (a). Then, when the number of impositions is changed for the first and subsequent units, the number of impositions is held every time the change is made as shown in FIG. 17 (b). It should be noted that the imposition number of a platform number that is not shown in this table refers to the imposition number of the closest number or less than that number in the table.

In the page allocation executing section 7 shown in FIG.
By specifying the side binding, the side binding process is executed. The page allocation executing unit 7 refers to the imposition number data holding unit 8 and determines that all the first and subsequent units have four impositions. For the first unit, the page data of the page data management unit 6 is arranged in the order of front page ⇒ back ⇒ back ⇒ front ⇒ front ⇒ back ⇒ back ⇒ front ⇒ front page 4 page, back page 4 page, total 8 pages. Refer to and allocate pages from the beginning of the array.

As described above, the order of allocating pages on a certain table is always front ⇒ back ⇒ back ⇒ front ⇒ front ⇒ back ⇒ back ⇒ front ⇒ .... Figure 15 shows the order of page allocation.
(A) is a table with two-sided mounting on each side, (b) is a table with four-sided mounting on each side, and (c) is a table with eight-sided mounting on each side. As is clear from FIG. 15, the order of allocation does not depend on the number of impositions. Also in the case of saddle stitching, pages are still allocated based on this order. Similarly, by allocating the remaining array elements in sequence to the second and subsequent units, the desired unit allocation table can be created.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a table for forming a table produced and displayed in this way. Setting file display section 50
The file 52 displayed in (4) indicates a four-imposition file. As described above, the input total page number data is “31”, and the called file 52 is a file with an imposition number of 4 pages for each edition, so each edition has 4 pages. A total of 8 editions and 4 units will be allocated. Further, since the number of pages is “31”, the page is not allocated to the fourth version of the table of the fourth table, and there is a surplus.

Next, when a blank page is inserted between the 10th and 11th pages from the blank page designation section 3 shown in FIG. 4, the page data array of the page data management section 6 is arranged. A blank page is inserted between the 10th and 11th pages as shown in FIG. Based on the newly changed page data array, the page allocation executing unit 7 refers to the imposition number data holding unit 8 and allocates pages according to the above-described allocation order. Figure 7
Shown in.

Next, it is assumed that data for two impositions is designated on the third device. FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen when changing the imposition data, and the second imposition file 53 is designated as the third setting file in accordance with the instruction of the displayed subwindow 55. As a result, the correspondence table between the machine number and the imposition number in the imposition number data holding unit 8 is changed. The page allocation executing unit 7 again executes page allocation based on the latest data. FIG. 9 shows a unit allocation table when the file is changed in this way. From the correspondence table of unit numbers and imposition numbers, 8 elements of the page data array are allocated to each of the first and second units, but four elements are allocated to each of the third and subsequent units. Also, since the number of required devices is increased as a result, pages are allocated up to the required number of devices, as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, it is assumed that the data for 4-imposition is designated again for the fifth unit. In this case as well, the correspondence table between the machine number and the imposition number of the imposition number data holding unit 8 is changed by the same procedure as described above. FIG. 17B shows the correspondence table thus changed. The page allocation executing unit 7 again executes page allocation based on the latest data. FIG. 11 shows a table for dividing a file when the file is changed in this way. From the correspondence table of the unit number and the imposition number, 8 elements of the page data array are allocated to the 1st and 2nd units, 4 elements are allocated to the 3rd and 4th units, and 8 elements are allocated to the 5th unit. Are allocated. In this way, the final table is created.

Next, a specific imposition procedure will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 18, reference numeral 100 is a table for division, 200 is a plate format represented by the setting file name “a”, 300 is a plate format represented by the setting file name “b”, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800. Shows the imposition results of the 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5th units, respectively. Further, F indicates the front side, and B indicates the back side. The imposition of each table will be described below.

First imposition: From the table 100, the plate format is “a”, that is, reference numeral 200 in FIG.
It can be seen that the plate format is shown in. From the left to the right of the above-mentioned table, that is, in ascending order of page numbers shown in the plate format 200, that is,
Pages 1, 4, 5, 8 are impositioned on the surface, 2, 3,
Pages 6 and 7 are impositioned on the back side. The imposition result is indicated by reference numeral 400.

Imposition of the second unit: As described above, the plate format in this case is also "a", so the page order for imposition is the same as that of the first unit. In this order, pages 9, 11, 12, and 15 in the table are arranged on the front side, pages 10, blanks, and pages 13 and 14 are arranged on the back side, and the second sheet is arranged. The imposition result is indicated by reference numeral 500. A reference numeral 101 in the table layout table 100 and a reference numeral 501 in the imposition result 500 of the second apparatus indicate a blank page.

Imposition of the third unit: From the unit allocation table, it can be seen that the plate format is “b”, that is, the plate format indicated by reference numeral 300 in FIG. 18, and therefore, the unit allocation table according to the page order shown in this table. Located in 16,1
9th page is placed on the front side, 17th and 18th pages are placed on the back side, and the third sheet is placed. The imposition result is indicated by reference numeral 600. The same applies to the fourth and fifth units.

Next, the case of saddle stitching will be described. The correspondence table of the page data array of the page data management unit 6 and the machine numbers and imposition numbers of the imposition number data holding unit 8 is the same as in the case of flat binding. First, the number of pages of an actual document excluding blank pages (“31” in this embodiment) and the number of impositions for each table (in this embodiment 1, 2, 5 are 4 for the front and 2 for the back).
The operation of the page allocation executing unit 7 at the time when the input is made for each side, and two for 3 and 4 for each side will be described.

The page allocation executing unit 7 calculates the final number of units to be produced based on the correspondence table of the number of elements in the array of page data, the unit number and the imposition number. Calculate the total number of pages that can be allocated to all the units calculated, and calculate how many total pages can be allocated to all the units with respect to the number of elements of the page data array, that is, calculate the number of surplus pages. To do. Here, the number of elements of the page data array is 31, and to allocate all 31 pages, 1
4th page, 8th page, 2nd page, 3rd page, 4th page, 4th page, 4th page, 4th page
The number of pages is required, and the total number of pages at that time is 32, and the number of remaining pages is 1.

In each table, the page number which is half the number of pages allocated to each table is allocated from the beginning of the page data array. The other half is allocated from the end of the page data array. At this time, after the last part is skipped by the remaining number of pages, the pages are allocated so that the last part of the table is returned to the first part. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, eight pages are impositioned on the first page, but in the first four pages of the table, a portion from the beginning of the page data array, that is, 1 to 4 pages are allocated. For the remaining 4 pages in the table, the number of remaining pages is 1.
Therefore, the last page portion of the table is skipped by one page, and three pages, that is, only pages 31 to 29 are allocated after the page data array.

In the second unit, the first half of the table is allocated to the next page of the page data array allocated to the first half in the first unit, that is, from page 5 to 8 pages in order. The second half of the table is similarly allocated in the reverse direction from the front of the array of page data allocated to the latter half of the first device, that is, 28 to 25 pages.

In the third unit, since the number of pages to be placed on the unit is four, the first half portion and the second half portion each have two pages.
Pages are similarly allocated. Specifically, pages 9 and 10 are assigned to the first half, and pages 24 and 23 are assigned to the second half in this order. Similarly, in the fourth unit, pages 11 and 12 are allocated to the first half, pages 22 and 21 are allocated to the second half, and in the fifth unit, pages 13 to 16 are allocated to the first half and pages 20 to 17 are allocated to the second half. FIG. 13 shows an example of the table for making a table in this way.

In the table shown in FIG. 13, 10 pages and 1
When an instruction to insert a blank page is given between one page, the array of page data of the page data management unit 6 is changed as in the case of flat binding. FIG. 14 shows an example of a table layout table when this blank page is inserted. When the page data array is changed as described above, the processing described so far is performed again. Here, since the blank page is inserted and the number of elements of the page data array is 32 as shown in FIG. 16B, the number of remaining pages is 0, and 31 to 28 pages are allocated to the first half of the first unit. The second half of the second and subsequent units are also allocated in a page-shifted order. In this way, a new table is created and displayed.

Next, a specific imposition procedure will be described with reference to FIG. Each reference numeral given in FIG. 19 corresponds to the reference numeral given in FIG. First imposition: From the table 100, it can be seen that the plate format is "a", that is, the plate format indicated by reference numeral 200 in FIG. In order from the smallest page number shown in this plate format 200, from left to right in the above-mentioned table, that is, 1, 4, 28, 3
One page is placed on the front side and pages 2, 3, 29 and 30 are placed on the back side. The imposition result is indicated by reference numeral 400.
Indicate.

Imposition of the second unit: As described above, since the plate format in this case is also "a", the page order for imposition is the same as that of the first unit. In this order, pages 5, 8, 24 and 27 in the table are on the front,
Pages 6, 7, 25, and 26 are impositioned on the back surface, and imposition of the second unit is performed. The imposition result is indicated by reference numeral 500.

Imposition of the third unit: From the unit allocation table, it can be seen that the plate format is “b”, that is, the plate format indicated by reference numeral 300 in FIG. 19, and therefore, the unit allocation table according to the page order shown in this table. Located at 9,23
Pages are set on the front side and pages 10, 22 are set on the back side, and the third set is set. The imposition result is indicated by reference numeral 600. The same applies to the fourth and fifth units.

The flat-stitching or saddle-stitching table layout table created as described above is created on a computer and can be stored as electronic information. Therefore, it can be called and displayed at any time as needed. Even if the table is created once, it is easy to arbitrarily change the contents, and it is easy to display the changed table. In other words, if you change the binding method, specify blank pages and cancel them, and specify the number of impositions for each table,
The page allocation is immediately changed and displayed on the screen, so that it is possible to easily study a table layout table suitable for the printing equipment that can be used.

As described above, when the originals are placed on the plate one page at a time in the plate making process, a table is used to arrange the originals in a predetermined order. The pedestal allocation table created as described above can be used in the plate making process that has been performed in the past. However, since the above-mentioned table can be stored in a file in the form of electronic information, by combining the above-mentioned DTP with the above-mentioned table, the plate making process and the calibration process can be carried out extremely efficiently. You can Therefore, an example of a plate making and printing system that combines the DTP and the above-mentioned table is described below.

In FIG. 21, there is a setting file creating step 20 as a preparation, and the created setting file is a setting file saving step 30.
Saved by. In the setting file creating step 20, various parameters for plate format are created as electronic information on a computer. As various parameters for the plate format, as shown in FIG. 20, the size in the width direction and the rotation direction of the plate, the width size PW of the page, the vertical size PH of the page, the “do” in the width direction of the page, and the page interval. In the vertical direction, there are a "dobu", a top margin TM, a left margin LM, a grip margin GR, and other various marks outside the page, such as a register mark such as a signature, a signature, and a signature. The contents of the setting file are output to the paper 31 by the calibration output process 21 using a laser printer,
Can be submitted for calibration.

Of the above-mentioned created and saved setting files, only those necessary in the table allocation instruction step 16 of daily work are called. In the table layout instruction step 16, a page file to be impositioned and output is specified from the document data created in the edit typesetting creation step 15 by DTP, and this page file is allocated according to the setting file. In this way, the plate information in which the editing composition, the table layout table and the plate format are integrated as described above is created in the form of electronic information. The generated plate information is input to the output device 18 as described above by the output instruction procedure to form an image on the direct printing plate or the like, and the direct printing plate or the like on which the image is formed undergoes the development processing step 19. It can be completed as a printing plate and used for printing. The plate information created in the table allocation instruction step 16 can be output to the paper 32 in the calibration output step 21, and can be calibrated as necessary while observing this paper.

According to the plate making and printing system described above, once a setting file is created and saved as a preliminary preparation, a suitable file is selected and called from the saved setting files in daily work. Since the plate data can be produced by integrating the document data with this and outputting the plate information, the daily plate making work can be efficiently performed.

Even in the case of a donden for allocating the same document data to the same edition a plurality of times or a special allocation called "2", since there is a certain order in the allocation form, the donden or 2 When the attachment is designated, it can be easily dealt with by allocating the document data in a fixed order.

In the embodiment described above, the plate format setting, the table division setting, the page information creation and the plate information creation are all processed in the form of electronic information on the computer. However, all are always processed in the form of electronic information. No need to process in. For example, if the page information exists in a document such as a film, an automatic page pasting robot is used, and the automatic page pasting robot is controlled by a plate setting file and a split file,
It is possible to directly imprint one original onto a direct printing plate while attaching it to various positions with a robot. In this case, the automatic page pasting robot: a. Have a means to recognize each page of the manuscript, b. It has a means to select the manuscript of a specific page according to the instruction from the split file, c. It is necessary to have a function of arranging a document selected by an instruction from the plate setting file at a predetermined position and direction. In addition to this, d. It is even more desirable to have a function to automatically place out-of-page information manuscripts such as various register marks.

In this way, if the original is pasted by the automatic page pasting robot and the original is exposed on the printing plate, a multi-page imprinted printing plate can be obtained.

Further, the automatic page pasting robot may be combined with a plate making camera capable of arbitrarily controlling the platen and the mask plate as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-45941. In this case, the automatic page pasting robot only needs to have the means a and b.

The division file is created automatically by inputting the necessary data in the above embodiment, but the division file applied to the present invention is finally in the form of electronic information. However, the creation process does not necessarily have to be automatic, and may be created by a manual operation.

[0059]

According to the present invention, the printing plate format data is created by the step of setting the printing plate format data or the means for setting the printing plate format data, and the printed matter is printed by the step setting step or the step setting means. Create page layout data based on total page number data, imposition number data for each plate, and binding method data, and allocate pre-created page information based on plate format data and page layout data. Since the plate information necessary for plate making is created, it is possible to create plate information automatically and consistently using a computer, etc., and it is possible to create plate information extremely efficiently. At the same time, it is possible to save labor and eliminate mistakes in creation.

Furthermore, since the created plate information can be stored as electronic information, it can be called up and displayed at any time when necessary, and the content of the created plate information is arbitrary. It is easy to change and it is easy to display the changed plate information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a basic configuration of a page imposition method and an apparatus therefor according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram in which the page imposition method and the apparatus therefor are rewritten.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of an initial screen according to an embodiment of the page imposition method and apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a basic configuration of a platform allocation table creating apparatus applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of an initial screen of the above-mentioned table for making a table.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of a screen in the middle of creating a table for dividing a table.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example of still another screen in the process of creating a table for dividing a table.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an example of still another screen in the process of creating a table for dividing a table.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing an example of still another screen in the process of creating a table for dividing a table.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example of still another screen in the process of creating a table for dividing a table.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an example of still another screen in the process of creating a table for dividing a table.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing an example of a screen in the middle of creating a table dividing table when the binding method is different.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of another screen in the middle of creating the table for dividing a table.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing an example of still another screen in the middle of creating a table for dividing a table.

FIG. 15 is a layout diagram showing the order of page allocation for each imposition number on each plate.

FIG. 16 is a layout diagram showing the relationship between array element numbers and page numbers, with and without a blank page.

FIG. 17 is an arrangement diagram showing the relationship between the table number and the number of impositions of the table, divided into cases where there is no change midway and cases where there is a change.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of printing plate information creation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of printing plate information creation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a front view showing an example of various parameters for plate format.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of a printing system to which the page imposition method and apparatus according to the present invention are applied.

FIG. 22 is a front view showing an example of page allocation to one plate.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing an example of folding the printing paper.

FIG. 24 is a front view showing another example of page allocation to one plate.

FIG. 25 is a front view showing an example of various marks outside the page in one plate.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart outlining a general procedure for producing a publication.

[Explanation of symbols]

 23 Plate format setting process 24 Unit setting process 26 Plate information creation process

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Norio Kajama 3-4-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Sanryo Paper Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazu Sato 3-4-2, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 3 Ryo Paper Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. The plate format data by inputting the data necessary for making a single plate by imposing page information for a plurality of pages such as the order of pages allocated to the plate and the top and bottom of each page. Based on at least the total page number data of the printed matter and the imposition number data for each plate, and the plate layout setting process that creates plate layout data, and the plate format data and plate layout data. And a printing plate information creating step of creating printing plate information necessary for plate making by allocating page information created in advance. 2. The plate format data by inputting the data necessary to make a single plate by imposing page information for a plurality of pages such as the order of pages allocated to the plate and the top and bottom of each page. Setting means, and at least the page layout setting means for creating table layout data based on the total page number data of the printed matter and the imposition number data for each plate, and the plate format data and table layout data. A page imposition apparatus having a plate information creating unit for allocating previously created page information to create plate information necessary for plate making. 3. The page imposition method according to claim 1, wherein the page layout setting step is to create page layout data by manual creation work. 4. The page imposition according to claim 1, wherein the step-setting process automatically creates the step-setting data by inputting necessary data. 5. The page imposition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the page layout setting means automatically creates page layout data by inputting necessary data.