EP4146477A1

EP4146477A1 - Method for an automatic error management of a printing machine, and printing machine

Info

Publication number: EP4146477A1
Application number: EP21725721.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Manfred Loddenkötter; Martin Krümpelmann
Original assignee: Windmoeller and Hoelscher KG
Current assignee: Windmoeller and Hoelscher KG
Priority date: 2020-05-06
Filing date: 2021-05-06
Publication date: 2023-03-15
Also published as: WO2021224384A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for an automatic error management of a printing machine (101) and to a printing machine (101) with solid printing plates, a control unit (104), and a camera (102). The aim of the invention is to improve the automatic error management in existing inspection systems on the basis of a digital proof. According to the invention this is achieved by a method in which vector-based print image data (122-126) is converted into pixel-based print image data (118) in an RIP computing unit (121); the pixel-based print image data (118) is transmitted from the RIP computing unit (121) to the control unit (101) of the printing machine in the form of target printed images (203); actual printed images (202) are printed on a print carrier (109) using the solid printing plates; the actual printed images (202) are captured by the camera (102); and the actual printed images (202) are compared (204) with the target printed images (203), and the result is stored as the target/actual print image deviation (205).

Description

PROCEDURE FOR AUTOMATIC ERROR MANAGEMENT ON A PRINTING MACHINE AND PRINTING MACHINE

The invention relates to a method for automatic error management on a printing press with fixed printing forms, with a control unit and with a camera. The invention also relates to a printing press with a system for automatic error management.

In this context, error management refers to the entirety of the actions with which printing errors on the printing press are dealt with during the printing process. As a rule, there are three phases involved in error management, namely error detection (i.e. the determination that an error has occurred), error diagnosis (i.e. the assignment to a specific cause) and the actual resolution of the error. In this context, automatic error management also means that the operator of the printing press is automatically supported in all three phases of error management. Ideally, this will take over automatically

Error management even automatically performs all actions that are required with regard to a specific error on the printing press.

So-called inspection systems are used to carry out error management on a printing press. When a repetitive print image is printed on a moving web of material, such inspection systems are basically set up so that the operator can observe and monitor the print image as a still image on a monitor while the printing process is running. The print image is usually recorded with a line camera. In contrast to an area camera, the line camera only ever records a single line of images, since in this way, compared to an area camera, the entire printing area can be recorded with high resolution and at the same time high web speed. The two-dimensional image is then created due to the movement of the path. Since this movement is subject to constant fluctuations, the feed is also synchronized with the help of an encoder so that no image distortion occurs. As an alternative or in addition to the line camera, the inspection system can also be equipped with an area camera (other designation: matrix camera) which records a section of the printed image on the moving material web. The synchronization of the area scan camera with the repetitive print image ensures that the operator is shown a stationary image on a monitor in the control room, which shows the selected section of the print image. The selected section is preferably a prominent area of the print image in which print errors have a particularly strong effect. The area scan camera is typically capable of zooming, so that faulty or problematic areas of the print image can be examined with high resolution. If the operator detects printing errors in the section shown (for example, errors in the color tone or register errors), he can readjust the machine parameters (for example the printing position, the longitudinal register or the side register) in order to correct the printing errors.

As an alternative or in addition to the line camera and the area camera, the inspection system can also be equipped with an optical spectrometer. An optical spectrometer breaks down the light picked up by a point of light into its spectral components and evaluates the result in a computer system. For the applications presented here, miniature spectrometers, which are built into a compact housing and which can be placed in a suitable location within the printing machine, are particularly suitable. Such miniature spectrometers usually consist of an aperture (i.e. an entrance slit), an optical grating and an optical sensor. The grating is located behind the aperture and scatters the spectral components of the incident light at slightly different angles, so that the scattered light can be evaluated by the optical sensor as light intensity over the wavelength of the respective light components. With such an optical spectrometer, the color components of an image point within the print image can thus be monitored during the printing process and deviations from a desired color result can be determined.

The positions of the errors detected by the operator on the moving material web are stored in the inspection system. After completion of the printing process, it is then possible, for example with the help of a rewinder, to approach the defective area of the printed material web and separate it. It is also possible that the defective areas on the material web are marked during the printing process and only then removed during subsequent processing. In addition, error detection algorithms are known which automatically detect certain errors in the print image and then support the operator in further troubleshooting.

For example, an error detection algorithm can be based on a reference image that is recorded at the beginning of the print job. The reference image can for example be recorded at the beginning of the printing process on the basis of the first print images (for example the first 50 images) with the line camera, the area camera and / or the optical spectrometer, these first images for creating the reference image (also called "golden image") integrated will. In the integration phase, for example, the fluctuation range of the image information can be determined for each individual pixel, so that tolerance limits can be set for error detection. The currently recorded image is then subtracted from the reference image during the printing process. If the difference obtained is outside the error tolerances, an error signal is generated and the defective image area is displayed on the monitor of the control panel.

As an alternative or in addition, the desired print result can also be specified by the so-called digital proof, which is provided by the prepress stage. In order to determine whether the print result complies with the specifications, the image provided by the inspection system is compared with the digital proof. The digital image processing techniques already described in connection with the reference image can also be used for this comparison. The problem in this context, however, is the suitable provision of the digital proof between prepress and printing press. The dominant file format for image data in prepress is the so-called PDF (Portable Document Format). PDF is a vector-based page description language that contains text, images and graphics for true-to-original, scalable output. In the prepress stage, individual colors are created as separations during printing. Descriptions of the overprint behavior, transparency, color sequence and color impression for an output medium must, however, first be interpreted so that the digital proof can be correctly compared with the subsequent print result. Since this interpretation can be parameterized, deviations arise depending on the parameterization, which in turn oppose the automatic error management on the basis of a digital proof.

The object of the invention is therefore to improve the automatic error management in existing inspection systems on the basis of a digital proof.

This object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 9. Further preferred embodiments can be found in the subclaims.

The solution according to the invention relates to a method for automatic error management on a printing machine with fixed printing forms, with a control unit and with a camera, in which vector-based print image data are converted into pixel-based print image data on a RIP computer unit, in which the pixel-based print image data is converted from the RIP computer unit are transmitted to the control unit of the printing machine as target print images, in which the fixed printing forms are used to print actual print images on a print medium, in which the actual print images are recorded with the camera, and in which the actual print images with the target Print images are compared and the result is stored as a target / actual print image deviation.

In addition, the solution according to the invention relates to a printing machine with a system for automatic error management, with fixed printing forms, with a control unit and with a camera, with vector-based print image data being converted into pixel-based print image data on a RIP computer unit and the pixel-based print image data from the RIP computer unit the control unit of the printing machine are transmitted as target print images, with the fixed Printing forms Actual print images are printed on a print carrier, the actual print images being recorded with the camera, and the control unit comparing the actual print images with the target print images and storing the result as a target / actual print image deviation.

According to a preferred embodiment it is provided that the printing machine is a flexographic printing machine and the printing forms consist of flexographic printing plates.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the printing press is a rotogravure printing press and the printing plates consist of rotogravure cylinders.

According to a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the

Print carrier consists of a running web of material.

According to a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the camera consists of a line camera.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the target print images are transmitted to the printing press together with job metadata.

According to a further preferred embodiment it is provided that in

Depending on the target / actual print image deviation, the control unit displays an indication of the error management of the target / actual print image deviation on a monitor.

According to a further preferred embodiment it is provided that in

Depending on the target / actual print image deviation, one or more actions are carried out on the printing press by the control unit in such a way that the target

Actual print image deviation is minimized.

According to a further preferred embodiment it is provided that

Print image data are visualized and / or processed as grouped separations.

According to a further preferred embodiment it is provided that

Print image data are visualized and / or processed as individual separations.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that print image data are superimposed and visualized and / or processed according to the application.

According to a further preferred embodiment it is provided that

Print image data are also technical separations. For example, it is then possible for the control unit to obtain further information for carrying out the automatic error management by evaluating the superimposition of the technical separations. According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that print image data are combined with metadata. For example, it is then possible for the control unit to obtain further information for carrying out the automatic error management by evaluating the metadata.

Further details and advantages of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows an overall view of the printing machine according to the invention using the example of a flexographic printing machine, and

Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of Fig. 1 with a line camera and a moving web of material is installed at position 105 in the flexographic printing machine 101 and is shown separately for reasons of clarity.

The flexographic printing machine 101 is a so-called central cylinder machine and accordingly has a central cylinder 107 around which the eight inking units are arranged in a star shape. Each of these inking units has a printing roller, an anilox roller and a doctor blade chamber, which are each mounted on anchors on the machine side. Of these eight inking units with the components described, the inking unit 108 is designated as an example.

In order to print the material web 109, it is pulled off the material roll 111 in the unwinding station 110 and guided to the pressure roll 112 via several deflection rolls. The pressure roller 112 applies the material web 109 to the central cylinder 107 for onward transport, so that the material web 109 is guided past the inking units and the intermediate inking unit dryers (not shown in detail) in precise register. After the material web 109 has left the central cylinder 107, it is passed through a bridge dryer 113 to dry the printing ink and then wound onto the material roll 115 in the winding station 114.

The camera 102 is equipped in such a way that it can be operated by the control unit both as a line camera and as a zoomable area camera. To operate the camera 102, it is connected to the control unit 104 via the line 116. Alternatively, it is of course also possible for two separate cameras in the form of a line camera and an area camera to be provided, with the two cameras being able to be operated either together or individually.

The monitor of the control station 106 is designed as a touchscreen, so that the operator can execute certain commands for controlling the flexographic printing machine 101 directly on the monitor, guided by a menu. The core component of prepress 103 is the so-called Raster Image Processor 121 (abbreviated: RIP).

The RIP 121 converts text and image data from various file formats (for example PostScript 122, PDF 123, XPS 124, TIFF 125 or JPEG 126) into a format that can be processed by the final stage. The process of so-called "ripping" the relevant file format comprises the following steps:

Interpretation: The print image description to be ripped is read in and decoded into an internal database of graphic elements that are to be placed on the print image. Each graphic element can be an image, a character (including font, size, color, etc.), a fill, a line, etc. The database created in this way is called a display list.

Composing: The display list is further processed with regard to transparencies.

Image processing (rendering): The display list is processed into a raster image, with each graphic element from the display list being converted into a pixel-based image.

Final stage (output): The raster image generated by the rendering process is transferred to the output device. In the case of a flexographic printing machine, these are the devices for producing the printing plates. According to the invention, the ripped raster image is transmitted parallel to this via the line 117 to the control unit 104. The transmission takes place within a data container 118 which, in addition to the ripped raster image, contains specific job metadata for the respective print job.

Finally, the information is transmitted between the control unit 104 and the control center 106 via the lines 119 and 120, and this information, in particular, also contains the information and actions with reference to the desired / actual print image deviation according to the invention. Further details on this target / actual print image deviation are described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of FIG. 1 with a line camera and a moving material web. The corresponding reference numerals from FIG. 1 have been adopted, so that reference is made to the description of FIG. 1 in this respect. In addition, reference numeral 201 denotes a print image that was printed onto the material web by one or more inking units 108. The print image 201 is recorded by the camera 102 as an actual print image 202 and forwarded via the line 116 to a comparison junction 204, which is located within the control unit 104. In addition, the target print image 203 transmitted in the data container 118 is also forwarded to the comparison junction 204, so that the target / actual print image deviation 205 can be determined as the result of the comparison junction 204.

On the basis of the setpoint / actual print image deviation 205, the control unit can now, for example, display an indication of the error management of the setpoint / actual print image deviation 205 on the monitor of the control center 106. One Another possibility is that, on the basis of the target / actual print image deviation 205, the control unit 104 automatically carries out one or more actions on the printing press in such a way that the target / actual print image deviation is minimized.

Further details on the further processing of the target / actual print image deviation 205 according to the invention are described below:

ROOM for PRESS - concept

There are different systems on the market as software solutions for the RIP. Examples include APPE (Adobe PDF Print Engine), Harlequin RIP and Ghostscript. The result of the RIP is not uniform despite the PDF standardization. PDF allows a variety of implementations for the creation of image content, which users handle differently when creating print templates and which are often viewed as their own know-how. The integration of white printing inks in the PDF (e.g. colored, concealing white separations for visual recognition by the viewer) and the use of technical separations (such as dimensions or additional information that does not print) are implemented differently. Differing results in the RIP have led to a so-called ROOM workflow (“RIP Once Output Many”) in the prepress, in which RIPs are only generated once and all other processes in the prepress fall back on them. A ROOM approach is also pursued for the use of the print template in the printing press. According to the invention, an image data set for the printing press is generated directly in the prepress stage for each print template (PDF), so that there is no need to generate a (often error-prone) RIP in the printing press or in a server provided for the printing press. By using identical RIP software and parameters that are also used in prepress to produce the printing forms, the content-related correspondence between the proof and the print result is significantly improved. Otherwise, deviations in the RIP are interpreted as printing errors and do not allow automatic error management. Only the RIP in prepress enables verification of the print result. This can be done in a short control loop for quality assurance. Deviations are not only noticed at the printing press. Print jobs are not delayed or canceled if the cause of the discrepancies (RIP or print) is not clearly identifiable. A hardware proof can only be replaced by a software proof with the greatest possible reliability. With the increasing digitization of production processes in packaging printing, this plays an important role.

The image data set that is created, stored and transferred to the printing press as a whole or in parts is z. B. grouped as a ZIP file (data container). For clear identification, the file name sensibly contains numbers that identify the original PDF print template and a revision status. Optionally, the file name can also be supplemented with a designation of the print job, the date, the time of the RIP and / or an identifier that indicates the Conformity of the data container with a specification of the content can be recognized.

ROOM for PRESS - grouping the separations

In packaging printing (especially in flexographic and gravure printing), white and lacquer colors have a special meaning: More than half of all prints are made on transparent film, with white being applied as a backing in reverse printing or as the first color in face printing, at least as a layer of color. Unlike translucent, bright colors (CMYK, ...), white is generally assigned opaque properties in prepress. So when overprinted, white completely covers other colors. Since white is not visible in the proof on a white background, it is “good practice” to color the white separations in bright colors (pink, light blue, etc.) and to cover them over the other separations. Alternatives remove any visibility from white separations. PDF viewers for prepress as well as some PDF viewers for the mass market offer the possibility of overprint simulation (partly also with coloring of the background). Colored white separations are overprinted in a translucent manner. Although this enables the verification of the white separations, it distorts the visual impression. The same restrictions apply to paints in a figurative sense.

Both incorrectly and unrepresented white separations do not meet the requirements of the automated and visual inspection on the printing press. False color representations unsettle the operator and make image processing for inspection significantly more difficult. A lack of white display excludes a full match check. This is particularly critical when e.g. B. white text is printed on transparent film or white areas are required as a primer for the subsequent application of a best-before date. Image recording devices in the printing machine (line and matrix cameras) enable the detection of white and lacquer colors through a suitable choice of lighting. This makes the white background visible against a slightly darkened background. Paints are recognizable through combinations of direct / diffuse lighting. A complete test would therefore be possible in principle.

Separations are therefore grouped in the image data set. All bright colors, i.e. scale and special colors such as CMYK, green, orange, violet, pantone, ... form a group (A), all white colors form a group (B) and all lacquer colors form a group (C).

This allows the real image impression to be reproduced in the camera image with simple means. For white colors on transparent film, z. B. creates a gray background in the proof on which the white paint is visible (B). On these opaque, white surfaces, the group of bright colors is then typically placed (A), which already shows the real expressive behavior in the interplay of the individual

Has separations, which is ensured by the RIP in prepress.

The glossy / matt image impression of a lacquer is z. B. realized by offsets and / or factors on the color values of individual pixel areas. This group will typically also include cold seals and / or UV varnishes. This means that simple image editing and image processing tasks can be carried out on the basis of pixel-based image data without using prepress tools (reducing costs and complexity). In particular, this can also be carried out individually for individual operators, machines and jobs in order to be able to carry out the visual and automated test completely and with the highest quality. The individual presentation of the print template for different test tasks is just as advantageous. A review of a paint job z. B. is rarely carried out (activation of the appropriate lighting condition), in which case varnishes are only shown in the artwork for this purpose.

Other groups are conceivable: Obvious is a group with technical separations such as dimensions, legend and cut edges, i.e. image content that is not printed, but provides the operator with additional information for correct processing of the print job. If necessary, this information can be superimposed on the print image.

It is also conceivable to group separations in the image data set that are tailored to special requirements on the printing machine. First and foremost, this is the image content that defines the test regions. These "Regions Of Interest" (ROI) then lay down e.g. B. determine at which positions color measurements or barcode checks should take place. ROIs can also delimit areas for which different test criteria are to be applied (e.g. front / back of a package, edge strips).

A group can only consist of a single separation (only 1 lacquer, only ROIs for a color measurement). The characteristic of a group is the use for a task to be solved on the printing machine. The image data set will therefore not only provide the necessary image data for an inspection system, but also generally all image data that are required by the printing press to carry out the print job. It is also useful to store further data on the print job in the data container, such as the inking unit assignment, data on the anilox rollers, Lab values, run length or test specifications.

The data set is filled with image data, as described, preferably in prepress. The client's data can also be added here. The expansion and / or modification of the data can also be useful in other places. When preparing the print job for the printing press z. B. ROIs can be added that were not known in prepress. If an external server is assigned to the printing press, certain information can also be added to the data record from this server. It can also be useful to add image data to the data record in the printing machine itself. B. include changes to ROIs or images of the print result so that they can be used for repeat jobs. ROOM for PRESS - file contents

The above Color groups A, B, C, ... are ripped as pixel-based image data. In addition to the Tiff format (8-bit, 32-bit, ...) commonly used in prepress, formats that are based on RGB color values (* .bmp, * .jpg, * .png, ..) are particularly advantageous. .), i.e. image formats that are also common with line / matrix cameras. This is understood to mean uncompressed and compressed image data (lossless or lossy). As an example, the following files are in the zip file: xxx_A.jpg, xxx_B.jpg, xxx_C.jpg The resolution here is preferably 200 dpi in both dimensions. With advancing technical development, increasingly higher resolutions will be achievable (600 dpi), which can then be found in the data set. To accompany this development, in addition to pixel-based ABC files, PDF files for these groups are also stored in the image data set.

The grouping and their storage as bitmaps and PDF allows a multitude of the above. Advantages also when higher resolutions z. B. are required for individual image areas that can only be implemented via a RIP outside the prepress stage (analysis of Chinese characters in 2 pt). The result of an additional RIP can be verified via the RIP from the prepress stage, so that the freedom from errors / reliability can be improved.

Processing high-resolution RIPs of the entire print image as a precaution exceeds the performance available today in terms of data transmission, memory requirements and computing power.

In order to get a quick impression of the content of the print job, it is also useful to keep an overview image with a low resolution (20 dpi) in the container. When selecting a print job in the printing press, it can be displayed as a preview image (thumbnail), making it easier to select the correct print job. A preview image of the chromatic color grouping (A) is useful for this, i.e. without white and lacquer color falsification. As an example, the following file is also included in the zip file: Tumbnail (A) .jpg In addition to the preview image and the groups as RIP and the groups as PDF, all separations are also stored in the container as individual color separations. Each separation is kept as a gray value image (* .tif) and as a colored image (* .jpg) in hue, which was assigned to the separation in prepress by means of color management. Here, too, reliability with regard to error-free implementation plays a decisive role. The separations in gray value or color display are also groups for a task to be solved on the printing machine. Depending on the contrast of the separation, the operator will prefer one of the two groups for displaying and checking the separations. An optional selection (toggle) is provided. It makes sense that all the images listed have an image size that corresponds to the entire printing area on the machine (1 repeat with all individual copies over the entire printing width, including edge printing with marks and test fields). In general, the original artwork is larger, e.g. B. Include release fields that are not visible in the print result. In the Prepress is the printing area z. B. set as a so-called final format frame (trim box). All of the above images in the container are cropped to this size in prepress. It makes sense to have all of the listed images in a uniform register position with respect to one another. This is to be understood as meaning that if the separations were superimposed, an image of the overprint in register would be created. This is a prerequisite for using the PDF register, among other things. Staggered individual copies often only lead to the desired print image in the print template when the template is, as it were, wound onto a printing cylinder of known circumference.

This geometry parameter is available on the printing press, so that such templates also deliver correct proofs with this concept. If the length of the print template is greater than the circumference of the printing cylinder, the template can simply be added.

For an overview, a proof with and without white and / or varnish as well as the individual separations can be visualized for the operator in color or as a gray value display. In addition to visual inspections, this image data is also the basis for automatic inspections and settings.

To create the image data set, automated solutions are available in the prepress stage that convert the PDF print template into the desired ZIP file. As a rule, this takes place within the framework of graphically programmed processes (workflows) in which the processing according to the requirements listed is implemented largely without operator intervention.

Job verification

The "Job Verification" module allows the operator to dispense with a hardware proof. "Job Verification" is an assistance system for printing machines for the early detection of printing deviations from the print template, which avoids production rejects and complaints. The camera image of the printout is compared with the digital proof in the form of pixel-based image data (i.e. the RIP from prepress) (content proof). A visual comparison by the operator is made possible by a toggle function between the images. The camera image and proof are superimposed congruently and their expansion is adjusted in both spatial directions (compensation of web stretching). In addition, the operator is offered a view of the proof overprinted, with optional white and lacquer separations being displayed. Technical separations and / or separations for individual ROIs can also be displayed. Usual zoom and shift functions are available to support the operator during viewing.

Compared to the hardware proof, this not only makes it possible to save paper printouts on the machine, but also provides the operator with information that was previously not available in the hardware proof. In addition to the visual comparison, "Job Verification" also offers automatic detection of deviations. This is based on the image data and additional information described above. As a result of an automatic check using image processing, deviations are marked and logged. Such results can in turn be stored as a technical separation in the data container and are thus available for the further course of the workflow.

Plate verification

The "Plate Verification" module checks all printing plates for correct assignment of the printing unit and for correct content.

In addition to overprinting, the operator is also offered an overview of the individual separations, which can be displayed either in gray or in color. It is also possible to carry out an automatic test.

Roller Feed Verification Automatic proofing systems, which set the distances between printing cylinders and rollers on the basis of camera images of the printout, use image sequences from variable provisions to achieve the best possible printout. For this are

Prior knowledge of the actual print motif required. Knowing the structure of the individual separations therefore enables numerous improvements in print quality, process reliability and waste. The ribbed separations from the data container therefore make it possible for the "Roller Feed Verification" module to provide all rollers fully automatically at the beginning of the print job. Verification tab

The "Register Verification" module enables the individual colors of the print to be set based on the separations of the print template. The starting point for this is the fact that the separations of the print template are correctly aligned with the register. Print marks can be dispensed with here.

After the individual color separations have been printed for the first time, a displacement vector is obtained for each inking unit. If all inking units are now positioned with the correct sign according to these displacement vectors, the relative position of the printed individual colors corresponds to the relative position of the (in register) separations. This process is possible regardless of the motif and without brands.

To compensate for changes in web stretch, it is possible, for example, to provide for the recording of a camera image on which there are at least two individual colors between the camera images of the individual colors.

Claims

Method for automatic error management on a printing press

1. A method for automatic error management on a printing machine with fixed printing forms, with a control unit and with a camera, in which vector-based print image data are converted into pixel-based print image data on a RIP computer unit, in which the pixel-based print image data is sent from the RIP computer unit to the control unit the printing machine are transmitted as target print images, in which the fixed printing forms are used to print actual print images on a print carrier, in which the actual print images are recorded with the camera, and in which the actual print images are compared with the target print images and the result is saved as a target / actual print image deviation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the printing machine is a flexographic printing machine and the printing plates consist of flexographic printing plates.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the printing machine is a gravure printing machine is and the printing forms consist of rotogravure cylinders.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the print carrier consists of a running web of material.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the camera consists of a line camera.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the target print images are transmitted together with job metadata to the printing press.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 6, wherein as a function of the target / actual print image deviation from the control unit, an indication of the error management of the target / actual print image deviation is displayed on a monitor.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, depending on the target / actual print image deviation, the control unit carries out one or more actions on the printing machine in such a way that the target / actual print image deviation is minimized.

9. Printing machine with a system for automatic error management, with fixed printing forms, with a control unit and with a camera, with vector-based print image data being converted into pixel-based print image data on a RIP computer unit and the pixel-based print image data from the RIP computer unit to the control unit of the printing machine are transmitted as target print images, with the fixed printing forms actual print images are printed on a print carrier, the actual print images are recorded with the camera, and wherein the actual print images are compared with the target print images in the control unit and the result is stored as a target / actual print image deviation.

10. Printing machine according to claim 9, wherein, depending on the target / actual print image deviation from the control unit, an indication of the error management of the target / actual print image deviation is displayed on a monitor.

11. Printing machine according to one of claims 9-10, one or more actions being carried out on the printing machine as a function of the target / actual print image deviation from the control unit in such a way that the target / actual print image deviation is minimized.