JP2001347645A - Apparatus and method for determining printing parameter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the time required in the adjustment of a printing parameter because the effect of the printing parameter exerted on printing can be estimated even if printing is not actually performed. SOLUTION: In a digital printing apparatus for directly performing printing on the basis of image data, an apparatus for determining the printing apparatus, capable of efficiently setting the printing parameter such as the supply amount of ink, the supply amount of damping water or the like is provided. A simulation part 37 includes a three-dimensional looking table and calculates the development of a color in a colormetric value unit at every pixel on the basis of the opening degree value of an ink key supplied from the printing apparatus 4 and the image data d1 supplied from an image data forming means 3. The calculated colorimetric value is converted in a color conversion profile 38 to be sent to a display 14. A worker refers to the expected image on the display 14 to adjust the opening degree value of ink key from an input part 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a print parameter determining apparatus and a print parameter determining method for creating print parameters for a digital printing apparatus that performs printing directly based on image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a plate making apparatus for forming an image on a printing plate based on digital image data, a so-called CTP (Coating
2. Description of the Related Art A printing apparatus in which a mputer-to-plate is installed in a machine has been put to practical use, and is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-272756. Such a printing apparatus is referred to as a digital printing apparatus, and is suitable for printing various kinds of small copies in a short working time because a printed material is directly obtained from image data. In this digital printing apparatus, a plate making process and the like are automated so that even an unskilled person can easily handle it. However, further automation of ink supply control in a printing process is desired.

Conventionally, ink supply control has been performed according to a procedure as shown in FIG.

First, a printing plate is output (S10).

Next, the pattern area ratio of the printing plate is measured using a plate scanner (S20). That is, since the amount of ink required in the printing apparatus is not uniform in one image, one image is divided into a plurality of regions, and the image area ratio of each region is measured, whereby each image is measured. The required amount of ink is estimated for each area. The pattern area ratio can be defined as "the ratio of the image area in the unit area".

Next, based on the picture area ratio determined in step S20, an ink key of the printing apparatus is preset by the ink fountain presetting apparatus (step S30).

Next, printing by the printing apparatus is started (S
40).

[0008] The density of the printed matter output from the printing apparatus is measured on a light booth (step S50), and it is confirmed whether or not the printed matter is printed at a desired density (step S50).
60). That is, it is checked whether the printed matter is properly printed by comparing with a reference printed matter (OK sheet) prepared in advance by a proof machine or the like.

On the basis of the comparison result in step S60, fine adjustment of the ink key is performed using the ink key control device provided in the printing apparatus, and adjustment is performed so that a printed matter having an appropriate density is output from the printing apparatus (step S7).
0).

Thereafter, until a required number of sheets have been printed (step S90), a sample printed material is extracted at a desired timing (step S80), and step S50 is performed.
From step S70 to step S70.

[0011]

As described above, in the conventional method, the printed matter is actually printed, and the ink key is finely adjusted by reading the printed matter, and the printed matter after the fine adjustment is actually printed. Adjustment work such as reading and fine-tuning was performed. As described above, since it is impossible to determine whether the ink adjustment amount is appropriate unless printing is actually performed on the printing paper, a large amount of printing paper is required for the adjustment operation.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing parameter determining apparatus for determining printing parameters in a printing apparatus for printing on printing paper based on image data, wherein the printing parameters are input. An input unit, based on the image data and the print parameters, predicting an image formed on printing paper by the printing apparatus, a predicted image data generating unit for generating predicted image data; Display means for displaying a predicted image based on the print parameter, and print parameter sending means for sending the print parameters to the printing apparatus and causing the printing apparatus to actually print on printing paper. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus supplies an image to the printing plate based on image data. And a transfer unit for transferring the ink to the printing paper, wherein the printing parameter is an ink supply amount parameter for controlling an ink supply amount by the ink supply unit. And

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the predicted image data creating means is configured to determine the predicted image data based on a density value of a pixel constituting the image data and the ink supply amount parameter. It is a means including a lookup table for creating predicted image data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing parameter determining method for determining printing parameters in a printing apparatus for printing on printing paper based on image data,
An input step of inputting temporary print parameters, and based on the input temporary print parameters and the image data, predicting an image to be formed on printing paper by the printing apparatus, and predicting image data. An expected image data creating step of creating, an expected image display step of displaying an expected image on display means based on the expected image data, and the provisional printing with reference to the expected image displayed on the display means. A determination step of determining whether the parameter is appropriate.If the determination step determines that the temporary print parameter is inappropriate, the temporary print parameter is corrected, and the temporary print parameter is corrected. Is determined to be appropriate, the provisional print parameters are supplied to the printing apparatus as final print parameters.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus supplies an image to the printing plate with image forming means for forming an image on a printing plate based on image data. And a transfer unit for transferring the ink to the printing paper, wherein the printing parameter is an ink supply amount parameter for controlling an ink supply amount by the ink supply unit. And

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the predicted image data creating means is configured to determine the predicted image data based on a density value of a pixel constituting the image data and the ink supply amount parameter. It is a means including a lookup table for creating predicted image data.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Overall description]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a color table 1 according to the present invention. The light booth 1 is a device that reads a printed matter output from a printing device, and is a printing device auxiliary device that performs the following operations based on read image data of the printed matter.

A defect of a printed matter is detected (print defect inspection work). The read image data is stored in an image data creating unit 3 (described later).
The ink supply amount data is created by comparing with the print image data supplied from the printer (ink supply amount data creation operation). By comparing with the print image data, it is determined whether or not the printed matter is printed in a correct color tone (color tone determination work).

As shown in FIG. 1, a color watch stand 1 includes a mounting table 11 on which a printed material 2 serving as a sample is mounted, illumination means 12 for illuminating the printed material, and a printed material 2 illuminated by the illumination means. An imaging unit 13 having a two-dimensional CCD that collectively reads the entire surface and outputs it as image information, and a display 1 for displaying various images including images of the printed matter 2
4, an input means 15 including a keyboard and a pointing device, an illumination means 12, and a partially bent frame 16 attached to the mounting table 11 to support the imaging unit 13. The display 14 is arranged at a position where the operator can easily visually compare the printed matter 2 with the printed matter 2 placed on the placing table 11.

First, the printing apparatus 4 used with the color checker 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the printing apparatus 4.

[Printing Apparatus] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 4 serves as a printing mechanism, which includes first and second plate cylinders 101 and 102 for holding a printing plate, and transfers an ink image from each plate cylinder. First and second blanket cylinders 1
03, 104, and an impression cylinder 105 on which ink images are transferred from both blanket cylinders 103, 104 while holding the printing paper.
A paper feed cylinder 106 and a paper discharge cylinder 107 for supplying or discharging printing paper to / from the impression cylinder 105;
Fountain solution supply means 108 and ink supply means 10 for supplying fountain solution or ink to the printing plates on the plate cylinders 1 and 2
9, a paper feeding unit 110 for sequentially supplying the stacked unprinted printing papers, and a paper discharging unit 1 for sequentially loading the printed printing papers
11 is provided.

On the other hand, this printing apparatus has a plate making mechanism,
A printing plate supply unit 112 for supplying an unexposed printing plate to the first and second plate cylinders 101 and 102; an image recording unit 113 for recording an image on the printing plate on the plate cylinder; And a printing plate discharging unit 115 that discharges the used printing plate.

[Each Unit of Printing Apparatus] The details of each unit will be described below.

The first plate cylinder 101 is configured to be movable between a first printing position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2 and an image recording position shown by a two-dot chain line by a plate cylinder driving mechanism (not shown). Also, the second plate cylinder 2 is similarly configured to be movable between a second printing position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 and an image recording position indicated by a two-dot chain line by a plate cylinder driving mechanism (not shown). ing. That is, the first and second plate cylinders 10
1 and 102 are first when performing a printing operation, respectively.
Alternatively, when the printing plate is arranged at the second printing position and the plate making operation is executed, the plate making process of the printing plate on each plate cylinder is performed while being alternately arranged at the image recording position. This first plate cylinder 1
01 and the second plate cylinder 102 each have a peripheral surface capable of holding a printing plate for two colors, and each printing plate is placed on the peripheral surface by 18 mm.
Two sets of gripping means (not shown) for fixing to the position facing 0 degrees are provided.

The first blanket cylinder 103 is provided with the first blanket cylinder 103.
The second blanket cylinder 104 is also configured to rotate in contact with the first plate cylinder 1 at the second printing position. It is configured to rotate in contact. This first and second
Blanket cylinders 103 and 104 have the same diameter as the first and second plate cylinders 1 and 2, and a blanket capable of transferring ink images of two colors from each plate cylinder is mounted on the peripheral surface thereof. I have.

The impression cylinder 105 has a half diameter of the first and second plate cylinders 101 and 102, and the first and second plate cylinders 101 and 102 have the same diameter.
Is configured to rotate in contact with both of the blanket cylinders 103 and 104. The impression cylinder 105 includes a not-shown gripper capable of holding one sheet of printing paper having a size corresponding to the printing plate. The holding means can be opened and closed at a predetermined timing by an opening / closing mechanism (not shown) to hold the front end of the printing paper.

The paper feed cylinder 106 and the paper discharge cylinder 107 have the same diameter as the impression cylinder 105, and are provided with not-shown grip means similar to the grip means provided on the impression cylinder 105. The gripping means of the paper feeding cylinder 106 and the paper discharging cylinder 107 are arranged so as to be able to transfer the printing paper in synchronization with the gripping means of the impression cylinder 105.

The first and second plate cylinders 101 and 102, the first and second blanket cylinders 103 and 104, and the impression cylinder 105 are arranged at the first and second printing positions.
And a paper feed cylinder 106 and a paper discharge cylinder 107, each of which has a drive gear (not shown) having the same size as the diameter of each cylinder at the body end, and each gear between the abutting cylinders. Are engaged. Therefore, by driving this gear by a printing drive motor (not shown), the respective cylinders can be rotationally driven synchronously.

In the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, since the plate cylinders 101 and 102 and the blanket cylinders 103 and 104 have twice the circumference of the impression cylinder 105, the plate cylinder 10
The impression cylinder makes two rotations for each rotation of 1, 102 and blanket cylinders 103, 104. Therefore, when the impression cylinder 105 rotates twice while holding the printing paper, the first and second plate cylinders 101 and 102 can perform multicolor printing of a total of four colors of two colors + two colors.

The dampening water supply means 108 includes first and second
Are provided for each of the plate cylinders 101 and 102 at the printing position of No. 1, and the dampening solution can be selectively supplied to the two printing plates on each of the plate cylinders 101 and 102. The dampening water supply means 108 includes a watercraft storing the dampening water, and a dampening water roller group for pumping the dampening water in the watercraft and passing it to the printing plate surface. The roller that comes into contact with the plate surface is configured to come into contact with or separate from the plate drum surface by a cam mechanism (not shown). If the printing plate is of a type that does not require dampening solution, the dampening solution supply means 108 is not required.

[Ink supply means] Ink supply means 109
Are the plate cylinders 101 at the first and second printing positions,
Two sets are provided for each of the printing plates 102, and inks of different colors can be selectively supplied to the two printing plates on each plate cylinder 101, 102. For example, in this embodiment, K (black) and M (magenta) ink supply means 109 are provided for the first plate cylinder 101, and C ink is provided for the second plate cylinder 102. The color (cyan) and Y (yellow) ink supply means 109 are arranged. In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish the ink supply means 109 for each color, the ink supply means 10
The code (CMYK) indicating the color of the ink is added to the end of 9.
That is, they are expressed as 109C, 109M, 109Y, and 109K.

Some of the dampening solution supply means 108 and the ink supply means 109 are provided with the first and second plate cylinders 1.
It is configured to be able to evacuate from the movement route along with the movement of 01 and 102.

[Details of Ink Supply Means] The structure of the ink supply means 109 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating an example of the ink supply unit 109. In FIG. 3, an ink supply unit 109 includes an ink fountain roller 120 and an ink key 1 that constitute an ink fountain device.
21, an ink transfer roller 123 provided swingably by an arm 122, a plurality of ink rollers 124,
And an ink application roller 125 for supplying ink by contacting the printing plate surface. FIG. 3 shows only one ink roller 124.

The ink fountain means is formed by bringing an ink key 121 made of a thin metal plate into contact with a peripheral surface of an ink fountain roller 120 provided along the axis of the plate cylinder. The roller 120 is divided into a plurality of parts along the axial direction. Ink is stored in an ink groove space formed by the ink discharging roller 120, the ink key 121, and a side plate (not shown).

Each of the ink keys 121 is configured to be independently driven by a driving screw or the like (not shown) in a direction of coming into contact with or separating from the surface of the ink discharging roller 120. Can be adjusted. Then, by rotating the ink fountain roller 120 in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, ink is jetted onto the surface of the ink fountain roller 120 with a film thickness based on the opening.

The ink transfer roller 123 includes an arm 122
The ink reciprocates between the ink fountain roller 120 and the ink roller 124 due to the movement of the ink, and the ink on the ink fountain roller 120 is transferred to the ink roller 124 by alternately contacting the ink fountain roller 120 and the ink roller 124.

The ink rollers 124 are arranged so that a plurality of rollers made of metal or rubber are sequentially brought into contact with each other, and some of them swing and move in the axial direction of the rollers. An ink kneading operation is performed by the ink roller.

The inking roller 125 has at least one
In a state of contact with one of the ink rollers 124, the cam mechanism (not shown) contacts or separates from the peripheral surface of the first plate cylinder 101 or the second plate cylinder 102. This makes it possible to supply ink of a color corresponding to the corresponding printing plate on the plate cylinder.

In the ink supply means 109, the ink supply amount of each color can be controlled along the axial direction of the plate cylinder (the direction orthogonal to the printing direction) by adjusting the opening of the ink key 121. Ink key 1 as described above
A plurality 21 is provided in the axial direction of the plate cylinder. In this embodiment, five ink keys 1 for one color ink are used.
21 are juxtaposed in the axial direction of the plate cylinder. In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish the ink keys, the ink keys and Arabic numerals are added at the end.
For example, the second ink key 12 for the M color ink
When 1 is mentioned, it is expressed as 121M2.

Returning to FIG. 2, the paper feeding unit 110 takes out printing paper one by one from a pile of unused printing paper and transfers it to the paper feeding cylinder 106. In this embodiment, It operates to supply the printing paper once every two rotations of the paper feed cylinder. The paper discharge unit 111 receives printed printing paper from the paper discharge cylinder 107 and stacks it.

Next, the plate making mechanism of the printing apparatus will be described. In this printing apparatus, when performing a plate making operation, the first and second plate cylinders 101 and 102 are alternately moved to an image recording position. At this image recording position, a friction roller (not shown) is configured to be in contact with the plate cylinder to rotate.

The printing plate supply unit 112 includes a cassette roll for storing the unexposed printing plate in a light-shielded state, a transport roller and a transport guide for transporting the drawn printing plate to the plate cylinders 101 and 102, and the printing plate. Cutting means for cutting the sheet into a sheet shape. In this embodiment, a silver salt sensitive material is used as a printing plate, and an image is recorded by a laser beam. The printing plate supply operation procedure is as follows. First, the leading end of the printing plate pulled out from the cassette roll is clamped by gripping means (not shown) of the plate cylinders 101 and 102, and the plate cylinders 101 and 102 are rotated in this state to perform printing. The plate is wound on plate cylinders 101 and 102, and thereafter, the printing plate is cut at a predetermined length, and the rear end of the printing plate is held by the other gripping means.

The image recording unit 113 turns on / o the laser light.
The image is recorded by exposing the printing plate by ff. In this embodiment, a laser beam emitted from a laser source (not shown) is scanned in the axial direction of the plate cylinder by a polarizer such as a polygon mirror (not shown), and the printing plate surface is scanned by rotating the plate cylinder. Configuration. The printing plate and image recording unit 11
As 3, not only a device for recording an image by exposure but also a device for recording an image by heat or electric discharge machining may be used.

The developing unit 114 develops the printing plate exposed by the image recording unit 113. In this embodiment, the developing unit 114 has a configuration in which the processing liquid stored in a processing tank (not shown) is pumped up by an application roller and applied to a printing plate to perform a developing process. And a lifting means (not shown) which moves to a position close to the plate cylinder. Note that if an image recording method that does not require development processing is adopted, the developing unit 114 may be omitted.

In this printing apparatus, the first and second plate cylinders 101 and 102 are moved to an image recording position, and a printing plate is supplied, and an image is recorded and developed to perform a plate making operation. When the plate making operation is completed, the first and second plate cylinders 10
1, 102 can be arranged at the first and second printing positions to perform a printing operation.

On the other hand, this printing apparatus can automatically discharge the printing plate after the printing operation is completed. In this embodiment, the printing plate discharge unit 115 includes a separating unit that separates the printing plate from the plate cylinder at the image recording position, a conveying unit that conveys the separated printing plate, and a conveyed used printing plate. And a discharge cassette for discharging the paper.

[Electrical Configuration of Light Booth 1] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the light booth 1.

As shown in this figure, the color booth 1 is connected to external image data creating means 3 and a printing device 4 via a LAN or the like. The image data creating means 3 includes, for example, a DTP device (Desk-Top-Publishing) for creating image data constituting a printed matter and a RIP device (Raster-Top-Publishing) for converting the image data into binary image data in a bitmap format. Image-Processing), and supplies the image data to the light booth 1 and the printing device 4. In this embodiment, RIP 1 and printing device 4
The processed binary image data d0 and the image data d1 for controlling the ink supply amount are supplied.

The binary image data d0 is sent from the control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 4 to the image recording unit 113, and an image is recorded on a printing plate based on the image data. That is, the laser light is turned on / o according to the binary value of the image data d0.
The image is recorded under the ff control. FIG. 5 is an example of a printed matter output from the printing device 4. The printed matter is 2
Picture part 2a created based on value image data d0
And a margin 2b not based on the image data d0. In the margin 2b, a register mark 2c created based on data unique to the printing press 4 that is not based on the image data d0, a symbol 2d indicating the source of the printed matter, an ink sample 2e for checking the coloring condition of each ink alone, etc. Is formed. In this example, only one image is printed on one printed matter, but usually, a plurality of images are printed on one printed matter.

The image data d1 for controlling the ink supply amount is as follows.
In this embodiment, CIP3 (International Cooperat
ion for Integration of Prepress, Press, and Postpr
ess) PPF (Print Production Format) in the standard
Image data for actually recording an image on the printing plate, that is, the binary image data d0
This is image data obtained by converting the image data before the P processing into a low-resolution image, and the density value of each pixel is represented by multiple values for each CMYK. This image data is subjected to image processing by the control unit 100 and used for controlling the ink supply amount by the ink supply unit 109.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main components of the electrical configuration of the light booth 1 are an imaging unit 13, a display 14, an input unit 15, an image processing unit 30, an image size changing unit 21, and a picture extracting unit 22. , Storage unit 23, first RGB-LAB conversion unit 2
4. Second RGB-LAB conversion unit 25, print failure inspection unit 2
6. The color tone determination unit 27.

The image pickup section 13 reads the printed matter 2 placed on the placing table 11 at a time, and outputs read image data RGB1. The read image data RGB1 is data expressed in RGB. Note that, even when the printed matter 2 includes a plurality of picture parts 2a, it is desirable that the printed matter 2 can be read at a time.

The picture extracting section 22 is a means for extracting only image data corresponding to the picture section 2a (hereinafter referred to as read image data RGB2) from the read image data RGB1 output from the image pickup section 13. That is, the picture extraction unit 202
Then, the image data corresponding to the margin 2b is deleted. When the printed matter 2 includes a plurality of picture parts 2a, the picture parts 2a are extracted one by one in order.

The storage unit 20 stores colorimetric values (here, CIE L * a *) of the color of the printing paper currently used by the printing apparatus 4 and the color when each ink is printed alone on the printing paper. b
* Value).

The first RGB-L * a * b * conversion unit 24
The image data (read image data RGB1) of the entire surface of the printed matter 2 output from the imaging unit 13 is converted into a colorimetric value (here, CIE).
L * a * b * value). 2nd RGB-L * a *
The b * conversion unit 25 converts the image data d1 supplied from the image data creation unit 3 into colorimetric values (here, CIE L * a *
b * value).

The print defect inspection unit 26 is a means for detecting a defective ink adhesion portion of the printed matter 2 read by the image pickup unit 13 and a print defect such as stain or discoloration of the printing paper. The print defect inspection unit 26 determines whether or not the color of the pattern portion 2a is included in the read image.
A printing failure of the printed matter 2 is detected based on whether a color other than a color unique to the printing paper is included. Specifically, the L * a * b * value transmitted from the second RGB-L * a * b * conversion unit 25 is included in the image data transmitted from the first RGB-L * a * b * conversion unit 24. It is determined whether or not a color with a large color difference (hereinafter, illegal color) is included. If the illegal color is included, it is determined whether or not the illegal color corresponds to a color unique to the printing paper. If the incorrect color is not a color unique to the printing paper, it is determined that there is a defective printing portion in the printed matter 2 read by the imaging unit 13. If the print defect inspecting unit 26 determines that there is a defective print portion, it displays a warning on the display 14. It is desirable that the printing defect inspection unit 26 displays a warning so that the operator can specify a printing defect location on the display 14.

For example, when a stain d (see FIG. 5) in the printed matter 2 is detected, the print defect inspecting unit 26 displays the periphery of the stain d in a special color or surrounds the stain d with a special figure. The entire image of the printed matter 2 is displayed on the display 14 in such a manner that the stain d can be specified. What should be noted here is that the print defect inspection unit 26 inspects the entire printed matter 2, so not only when the print defect is in the picture 2 a but also in a place other than the picture part 2 a of the printed matter 2. It can be detected even in the case.

The color tone judging section 27 performs the printing 2 based on the read image data RGB2 output from the picture extracting section 22.
Is a means for determining whether or not the picture portion 2a is printed in a correct color tone. Specifically, the image data d supplied from the image data creation means 3
1 and the histogram of the read image obtained from the read image data RGB2 are calculated, and it is determined whether the obtained correlation is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold. If it is the above, the picture part 2 of the printed matter 2
It is determined that a is not colored with an appropriate color, that is, the color tone is poor.

When the color tone judging section 27 judges that the color tone is defective, a warning is displayed on the display 14.

The image processing unit 30 includes the image data creation unit 3
By comparing the print image data d1 sent from the printer with the read image data of the printed matter 2 read by the imaging unit 13,
This is a means for creating ink supply amount data required by the printing apparatus 4. The image processing unit 30 will be described later in detail.

[Printing Operation] Now, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6,
An outline of a printing operation using the image data creating device 3, the printing device 4, and the color booth 1 will be described.

First, the image data is read from the image data creating means 3 to the printing apparatus 4 (step S10).
0).

Next, the printer 4 is set (step S110). That is, the first plate cylinder 101 and the second plate cylinder 10
Then, the printing plate is mounted on the peripheral surface of 2, and then the picture 2a is image-recorded on the printing plate based on the binary image data d0 supplied from the image data creating means 3. Further, the register mark 2c is image-recorded on all the printing plates based on the information held by the printing device 4. Furthermore, the ink sample 2e is
The image is recorded on the printing plate of the corresponding color. Further, a symbol 2d indicating the source of the printed matter is displayed based on the tag information of the image data.
Images are recorded near the corresponding picture portions 2a of all printing plates.

Next, from the image data creating means 3 to the control unit 1
At 00, the print image data d1 for ink amount control is read, and the control unit 100 creates an ink key opening value for the ink supply unit 109 prepared for each printing plate based on the read image data d1 (step S130).

This operation will be described with reference to FIG. 8 taking C color as an example from CMYK. As shown in FIG. 8, the printing plate of C color has the ink key 1 in the horizontal direction (the axial direction of the plate cylinder).
5 for each width corresponding to 21 and 4 for the vertical direction (printing direction)
It is divided into a total of 20 virtual regions (hereinafter, referred to as a first divided region a to a twentieth divided region t). 5
Each of the ink keys 121C supplies ink to four divided areas. For example, the first ink key 121C1 supplies ink to the first to fourth divided areas a to d. Note that a set of divided areas associated with one ink key 121 is called an area group. That is, one region group is configured by the first divided region a to the fourth divided region e associated with the first ink key 121C1.

The control unit 100 obtains the picture area ratio of each of the 20 divided areas a to t based on the print image data d1. The pattern area ratios of the divided areas are added and averaged for each corresponding ink key, and an average pattern area ratio is obtained. Thereby, the ink key opening value of the ink key is obtained. That is, the image area ratios of the divided areas a, b, c, and d are added and averaged, and the ink key opening value of the ink key 109c1 is obtained. In a similar manner, the ink key opening values of the ink keys 121C2, 121C3, 121C4, and 121C5 are obtained. Note that these ink key opening values are stored and held by the control unit 100.

Next, the control unit 100 controls the ink supply means 109C, 109M, 109 according to the ink key opening value.
By driving a drive screw (not shown) provided in Y, 109K, the ink key 121 (FIG. 3) is driven to set so that the ink amount corresponding to the picture is supplied to each printing plate of CMYK. (Step 140).

When the presetting of the ink key 121 is completed, printing by the printing device 4 is started (step S15).
0).

Shortly after printing is started, sufficient ink is not supplied to the first and second plate cylinders 101 and 102, and the printing paper does not have sufficient ink. Therefore, the pattern of the printed matter 2 has poor coloring. At this stage, the printed matter output at this stage is discarded because the operator can visually recognize that the printed matter is inappropriate (step S160).

When the coloring condition of the printed matter 2 is improved so that the coloring defect cannot be visually recognized, the process proceeds to step S170. That is, the operator takes out the printed material 2 serving as a sample from the paper output unit 111 (FIG. 2) of the printing apparatus 4, transports it to the color check table 1, and places it on the mounting table 11.

The image pickup section 13 reads the printed matter 2 placed on the placing table 11 at a time, and outputs read image data RGB1 (step S180). Read image data RGB
1 is data represented by RGB. The read image data RGB1 is sent to the picture extracting unit 22 and the second RGB-LAB converting unit 24.

The read image data RGB1 is converted to the first RGB-L
The reason why the printout is sent to the AB conversion unit 24 is that the printout failure inspection unit 26 detects a printout failure of the entire printed matter 2.

The print data to be sent to the picture extracting unit 22 is
This is because the color tone determining unit 27 determines whether the color tone of the upper pattern 2a is good or not, and calculates the optimum ink supply amount in the image processing unit 30.

In the next step S190, a print defect inspection is performed by the print defect inspection section 26.

In the next step S200, the picture extracting section 22
, The picture portion 2a is extracted and the read image data RGB2
Is sent to the image processing unit 30. Image processing unit 30
Calculates the ink key opening value for the printing device 4 using the read image data RGB2. Thereafter, adjustment of the printing device 4 is performed (step S210).

In the next step S220, the color tone judging unit 2
7, the color tone of the printed matter 2 is determined.

Thereafter, until printing is completed (step S
240), it is determined at an appropriate timing whether or not the printed matter 2 as a sample is necessary (step S230). If it is determined that a sample is necessary, step S17 is performed.
The processing from 0 to step S220 is performed sequentially.

Next, the above steps S200 and S21
0 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows an electrical configuration of the image processing unit 30.

First, CMYK as print image data d1
Halftone% data of each version is supplied to the calculation unit 33C, the calculation unit 33M, the calculation unit 33Y, and the calculation unit 33K.

Calculation units 33C, 33M, 33Y, 33K
Is to convert the C% net data into the C
The halftone dot data of the plate is converted into the pattern area ratio data of the M plate, the halftone data of the Y plate is converted into the pattern area ratio data of the Y plate, and the halftone dot data of the K plate is converted into the pattern area ratio data of the K plate. Means. Taking a printing plate of C color as an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the pattern area ratios for all of the first divided area a to the twentieth divided area t are obtained. M color other than C color, Y color,
For the K color printing plate, the pattern area ratio is obtained for each of the divided areas.

The RGB-CMYK conversion section 31 refers to a three-dimensional LUT stored in the storage means 36, and converts the read image data RGB2 into CMYK halftone% data of each plane. Note that the RGB-CMYK conversion unit 31 generates halftone% data of each of the CMYK planes of the read image so as to have the same resolution as the print image data d1.

Arithmetic sections 32C, 32M, 32Y, 32K
Indicates the halftone% data of the C version of the print image as the pattern area ratio data of the C version, the halftone% data of the M version as the pattern area ratio data of the M version, and the halftone% data of the Y version as the pattern area ratio of the Y version. In the data, K
This is a means for converting the halftone% data of the plate to the picture area ratio data of the K plate. Taking the printing plate of C color as an example, FIG.
As shown in (1), the pattern area ratio for all of the first to twentieth divided areas a to t is obtained. M other than C color
The pattern area ratio is obtained for each of the 20 divided regions for the printing plates of the colors Y, K, and K.

The difference calculation units 34C, 34M, 34Y, 34
K is the image area ratio of each plate of the read image calculated by the calculation units 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K, and the calculation unit 33
This is a means for calculating each difference (difference pattern area ratio) from the pattern area ratio of each plate of the print image calculated by C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K. The difference picture area ratio is calculated for each area group, that is, for each width of the ink key 121. The difference pattern area ratio is obtained by subtracting the pattern area ratio of the print image data from the pattern area ratio of the read image data. Therefore, when the value of the difference pattern area ratio is positive, it is a case where the ink supply amount of the ink key 121 is excessive. On the contrary, when the value of the difference pattern area ratio is negative, it means that the ink supply amount of the ink key 121 is insufficient.

The difference area ratio for each of the CMYK plates is given to the ink key opening value calculation units 35C, 35M, 35Y and 35K. The ink key opening value calculation units 35C, 35
M, 35Y, and 35K calculate the difference ink key opening value for each of the CMYK plates. For example, the ink key opening degree calculation unit 35C for the C plate sets five ink keys 1
21C1, 121C2, 121C3, 121C4, 12
For all 1C5, the excess or deficiency of the ink supply amount is calculated using the opening value of the ink key as a unit.

The difference ink key opening value for each of the CMYK plates is supplied to the control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 4 (see FIG. 4). The control unit 100 stores and holds the current ink key opening value of each ink key 121. Control unit 10
A value of 0 corrects the current ink key opening value with reference to the difference ink key opening value, and sets the corrected ink key opening value in each ink supply means 109. As a result, the ink supply amount changes, and a printed matter according to the print image data is output.

[Display Display] In the color booth 1, the operator can refer to various information displayed on the display 14. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 14. The display 14 is divided by the function into a first display area 14a and a second display area 14b.

In the first display area 14a, the picture 2a of the printed matter 2 read by the
Can be displayed based on the print image data supplied by. That is, as shown in FIG.
The dot% data of each of the CMYK planes output by the K conversion unit 31 is supplied to the first display area 14a of the display 14. Similarly, the dot% of each of the CMYK plates that are print image data
Data is also supplied to the first display area 14a of the display 14. Thereby, the first display area 14a of the display 14 can selectively or parallel display the patterns of the respective CMYK plates based on the print image data or the read image data.

In the second display area 14b, a picture area ratio of an image area corresponding to each ink key width, an ink supply amount (ink key opening value) supplied by each ink key, and the like can be displayed. In the mode shown in FIG. 9, the difference image area ratio is displayed. For example, one of the graphs S1 is its height and represents a weighted average of the pattern area ratios of the divided areas a to d to which the C ink is supplied by the ink key 121C1 (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 7, the second display area 14b of the display 14 is supplied with the image area ratio of the read image, the image area ratio of the print image, and the difference image area ratio for each of the CMYK plates. As a result, in the second display area, the image area ratio of the read image, the image area ratio of the print image, and the difference image area ratio of each of the CMYK plates can be displayed selectively or in parallel.

Note that the picture displayed on the first display area 14a corresponds to the picture area ratio of the second display area 14b therebelow. For example, the width of the graph S1 in the second display area 14b representing the pattern area ratio matches the width of the ink key 121 in the pattern immediately above. By comparing the two display areas 14a and 14b, the operator can recognize which part of the picture has an insufficient or excessive ink supply.

The image size changing unit 21 (FIG. 4)
The print image data supplied from the image data creating means 3 is displayed on the display 14 in a desired size. Thus, the operator can use the print image displayed on the display 14 as an OK sheet. The operator can compare the printed matter 2 placed on the placing table 11 with the printed image displayed on the display 14 with the naked eye. Since the image size changing unit 21 can change the image size to a desired size, for example, the original halftone dot shape of the print image can be displayed on the display 14. In this case, the operator performs comparison with the displayed image while enlarging the printed matter 2 with a loupe. Real color stand 1
In the above, since the printed matter 2 and the display 14 placed on the mounting table 11 are arranged in a positional relationship that can be visually recognized simultaneously by an operator at the work position, the printed matter 2 can be inspected favorably.

[Input unit 15] In the operation of step S200 "Create ink key opening correction value", as described above, the correction value of the ink key opening value is determined based on the difference between the pattern area ratio between the printed image and the read image. Is automatically calculated, but the color watch stand 1 can also calculate the correction value of the ink key opening value while reflecting the intention of the worker.

For example, since the color development of the printed matter 2 changes with the drying of the ink, it is also conceivable to read the printed matter 2 in a state where the coloring of the printed matter 2 is not stable (a state where the ink is not sufficiently dried). In this case, since the halftone percentage of the print image output by the imaging unit 13 is not always accurate, the ink key opening value automatically output by the image processing unit 30 must be manually increased or decreased. Similarly, it is conceivable that the characteristics of the ink supply means 109 of the printing apparatus 4 must be considered, and in this case, some manual adjustment is required.

In order to cope with the above case, the color light stand 1 is provided with an input section 15. The operator gives an instruction on the specific ink key 121 from the input unit 15 with reference to the difference pattern area ratio for each of the CMYK plates displayed on the display 14. The ink key opening value calculators 35C, 35M, 35Y, and 35K are provided with a difference calculator 34.
Based on the difference pattern area ratio for each of the CMYK plates supplied from C, 34M, 34Y, and 34K, and the instruction given from the input unit 15, a difference ink key opening value for each of the CMYK plates is created.

Alternatively, the picture displayed on the first display area 14a of the display 14 may be confirmed with the naked eye of the operator, and the opening value of each ink key 121 may be individually input from the input unit 15. Specifically, the procedure is as follows.

For example, in FIG.
The image displayed in 4a is a read image of the C plane,
It is assumed that the graph displayed in the second display area 14b is the C-size difference pattern area ratio.

First, the operator observes the density of the C-plate read image in the first display area 14a, and specifies the high density area R1 and the low density area R2. As described above, each graph of the pattern area ratio displayed in the second display area 14b shows the image in the ink supply area in the image displayed in the first display area 14a.
By comparing a with the image in the second display area 14b, it is possible to identify which ink key 121 has an excessive or insufficient ink supply amount.

For example, as for the region R1, the first display region 14a and the second display region 14b are compared, so that the ink key 121 used for printing this region R1 becomes the second ink key 121C2 of the C plate. Further, it can be understood that the ink supply amount of the ink key 121 is excessive because this region has a high density.

Similarly, for the region R2, by comparing the first display region 14a with the second display region 14b, the ink key 121 used for printing this region R2 is changed to the third ink key of the C plate. It can be understood that the ink supply amount of the ink key 121C3 is insufficient because the density is low in this area.

The specific amount of the excess / deficiency of the ink supply is the second
It can be estimated from the height of each graph on the display area 14a.

The difference pattern area ratio corresponding to each ink key 121 in the second display area 14a may be displayed in a form as shown in FIG. That is, here
The pattern area ratio of the read image data (open graph) and the pattern area ratio of the print image (hatched graph) are arranged side by side, and the allowable range of the pattern area ratio is displayed.
In this way, the operator can easily determine which ink key should be adjusted for which color printing plate, and how much should be adjusted. An instruction regarding the opening can be input.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The device according to this embodiment is:
By referring to the correction value of the ink key opening value input from the input unit 15, the degree of color development of the print image printed after the ink key adjustment is predicted, and the predicted image is displayed on the display 14.

FIG. 11 schematically shows image data d1 for controlling the ink supply amount supplied from the image data generating means 3 to the simulation section 37. The image data d1 is image data prepared for each of the ink colors CMYK, and is a set of density values of a plurality of pixels P1 to Pn forming an image.

The configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the light booth 1 and the printing apparatus 4 according to the second embodiment.
Members having the same functions as those of the light booth 1 according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

The simulation section 37 includes a three-dimensional lookup table in which the ink key opening value, the degree of color development of ink on the printing paper (unit of colorimetric value), and the image signal are associated.

The color development of each pixel P1 to Pn of the print image on the printing paper depends on the color of the ink used and each pixel P1 to Pn.
It is determined according to the density value of Pn and the ink key opening value at the time of printing. That is, even if the density values of the two pixels are the same, if the amount of supplied ink is different, the color development is different. Further, even if the same amount of ink is supplied to two pixels, if the density values are different, the same color is not generated.

Therefore, if a function (for example, a look-up table) for associating the ink key opening value, the density value of the image data, and the color development (colorimetric value) is prepared for each color, the change in the ink supply amount It is possible to predict in advance how the color on the printing paper changes. The look-up table stored in the simulation unit 37 performs such a function. The look-up table stored in the simulation unit 37 is prepared for each color plate (C plate, M plate, Y plate, K plate, etc.). Also, a lookup table of each plate for ink not currently used in the printing apparatus 4 is stored.
The simulation unit 37 selects and uses a look-up table corresponding to the plate whose ink key opening value is to be adjusted from these look-up tables.

The look-up table Lc associates the ink key opening value, the image data value (dot%), and the color of the pixel. The unit indicating the degree of color development of a pixel is CIE-Lab. If the function of the look-up table Lc is represented by a function f, for example, when ink is supplied with the ink key opening value x7 to the pixel Px having the density value y7, the colorimetric value = f (x7, y7) It can be seen that the color develops at 1. When the ink supply amount for the pixel Px is reduced from the ink key opening value x7 to x6,
The color of the pixel Px changes from f (x7, y7) to f (x6, y
Change to 7). Color development f (x) before ink key opening value change
7, y7) and the changed color f (f6, y7) naturally have a relationship of f (x7, y7)> f (x6, y7).
By using such a look-up table, it is possible to predict the color development after printing for all the pixels P1 to Pn of the print image before actually performing printing.

The color conversion profile 38 is means for converting the colorimetric values of the pixels P1 to Pn output from the simulation section 37 and sending out the colorimetric values to the first image display area 14a. The color conversion profile 38 is displayed on the display 1
4 is a means for realizing color matching between the print data 4 and the printed matter, and is a memory in which colorimetric values are associated with image signals capable of causing the display 14 to emit color using the colorimetric values.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an ink key adjustment procedure according to the second embodiment. This ink key adjustment operation is performed as a part of the printing process in the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 6, that is, as an operation of step S200 “create ink key opening correction value” in FIG.

First, the control section 100 of the printing apparatus 4 supplies the ink supply means 10 to the simulation section 37.
The current ink key opening values of 9C, 109M, 109Y, and 109K are supplied (step S201). Next, the image data creating means 3 is sent to the simulation section 37.
Supplies image data d1 for controlling the ink supply amount (step S202).

In the next step S203, the operator specifies the color of the printing plate from the input unit 15 to determine the printing color for which the ink key opening value is to be adjusted.

The simulation section 37 selects the look-up table Lc corresponding to the plate color currently used in the printing apparatus 4 and designated in step S203 (here, the C color is designated). Then, by applying the density value of each pixel of the print image and the ink key opening value for each pixel to the selected look-up table Lc, the expected color development after printing for each pixel is CIE-L.
It is determined in units of AB (step S204). Taking the pixel P1 shown in FIG. 11B as an example, since the ink is supplied from the ink key 121C1 to the pixel P1, the opening value of the ink key 121C1 is applied to the lookup table Lc.

The image data d1 processed by the look-up table Lc of the simulation section 37 is converted into an image signal suitable for the display 14 by the color conversion profile 38, and then sent to the display 14 to be transmitted to the FIG.
4 (step S20).
5).

In the first display area 14a of the display 14, the plate color specified in step S203 (here, C
The expected image for the version is displayed. Second display area 1
4b, an ink key (here, ink keys 121C1 to 121C12) corresponding to the printing color designated in step S203.
The ink key opening values (E1 to E5) of 1C5) are displayed. Note that the width of the graph of each ink key opening value corresponds to the width of the ink key in the expected image displayed immediately above.

The operator looks at the predicted image displayed in the first display area of the display 14 and determines whether or not the color is proper (step S206).

If it is determined that all or part of the predicted image has not been properly colored, the flow advances to step S207. In this step, a provisional increase or decrease in the ink supply amount is instructed for each ink key. For example, if it is determined that the color of the region R1 in the predicted image is too high, the operator can use the region R1
A provisional instruction is issued from the input unit 15 to reduce the ink supply amount of the C-plate second ink key that supplies ink to the printer. If it is determined that the color development in another region R2 is too low, a provisional instruction to reduce the ink supply amount of the third C key for supplying ink to this region R2 is input to the input unit 15.
Do from.

The simulation section 37 determines in step S2
Based on the provisional instruction input at 07, the ink key opening value of each ink key is corrected and applied to the lookup table Lc together with the image data d1 (step S).
204). Then, the predicted image is displayed again (step S205). Again, the suitability of the predicted image is determined, and the result of the determination is input to the input unit 15 (step S206). The simulation unit 37 proceeds to step S207 or step S208 according to the input determination result. That is, if proper, the process proceeds to step S208.
If not, the process proceeds to step S207 and waits for an instruction to increase or decrease the opening value of the ink key from the input unit 15. Thereafter, until an expected image of an appropriate color is displayed on the display 14,
Steps S204 to S207 are repeated.

The expected image of proper coloring is displayed on the display 14.
Is displayed in step S206 to step 208
Proceed to. The simulation unit 37 sends an instruction regarding the provisional ink key opening value input last as a definite ink key opening value to the control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 4.

Next, the process proceeds to step S209. In this step, it is determined whether or not the ink key opening values for all the plate colors have been adjusted. If there is a plate color for which the adjustment of the ink key opening value has not been performed, step S20
Proceeding to 3, the next color is designated from the input unit 15.

When the adjustment of the ink key opening values for all the plate colors is completed, the process proceeds from step S209 to S210. The control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 4 controls the driving screws (not shown) of the ink supply units 109C, 109M, 109Y, and 109K based on the determined ink key opening values of the respective plate colors sent from the simulation unit 37 in step S208. Is set so that the desired ink is supplied.

Since the printing device 4 is set so that an appropriate amount of ink is supplied by the above procedure, trial and error work is not required, and a printed material having an appropriate color can be output immediately. Therefore, printing paper is not wasted. Further, the time required for the adjustment operation can be reduced.

[Modification] In the second embodiment, the display 14, the input unit 15, the simulation unit 37, the color conversion profile 38 and the like for manually setting the ink key opening value are provided on a color stand. However, these members may be incorporated in the printing device 4.

Also, in the second embodiment, the print image is estimated by determining the density value of each pixel, the ink key opening value,
This is performed using a three-dimensional lookup table that associates the expected color with a multi-dimensional look-up table that takes into account the elapsed time from the start of printing, the operating environment (temperature, humidity, etc.) of the printing device, and the colorimetric values of the printing paper. This may be performed using a look-up table. By increasing the number of parameters in this way, the difference between the expected image and the actual printed matter can be further reduced.

Further, in the second embodiment, the ink supply amount has been described as an example of the print parameter defining the print quality of the printing apparatus 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. The printing parameters defining the print quality include dampening solution supply means 108 (see FIG. 2).
Of the dampening solution, printing speed, time elapsed from the start of printing, and the like.

The information on the ink supply amount is not limited to the ink key opening value. The information may specify the moving speed of the ink transfer roller 23 and / or the rotation speed of the ink discharging roller 20.

Further, in the above two embodiments, the image data creating means 3, the printing apparatus 4, and the light booth 1 are connected online, but the storage means such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, CD-ROM, etc. Image data may be transmitted and received using a medium.

[0131]

According to the first and fourth aspects of the present invention, the image data of the image formed on the printing paper by the printing apparatus is converted by the expected image data creating means based on the image data and the printing parameters. Since it is created and the expected image is displayed on the display means based on the expected image data, it is possible to determine whether or not the printing parameters applied to the printing apparatus are appropriate without actually printing on the printing paper. it can. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate waste of printing paper required for adjusting the print parameters, and it is also possible to reduce the time required for adjusting the print parameters.

According to the second and fifth aspects of the present invention, the printing apparatus comprises: an image forming means for forming an image on a printing plate based on image data; and an ink supply means for supplying ink to the printing plate. And a transfer device for further transferring the ink to the printing paper.The printing parameter is an ink supply amount parameter for controlling the ink supply amount by the ink supply unit. The setting can be made in a short time without wasting the printing paper.

According to the third and sixth aspects of the present invention, the expected image data creating means creates the expected image data based on the density values of the pixels constituting the image data and the ink supply amount parameter. Since this means includes a look-up table, the ink supply amount parameter can be determined quickly and easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a light booth according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing an ink supply unit of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a light booth.

FIG. 5 is an example of a printed matter output from a printing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing procedure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating details of an image processing unit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a relationship between a printed material and an ink key.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an image displayed on a display.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an image displayed on a display.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for describing image data d1 for controlling an ink supply amount.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a light booth according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an ink supply amount adjustment operation according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining an image displayed on a display according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a conventional procedure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color stand 2 Printed matter 3 Image creation means 4 Printing device 11 Mounting table 12 Illumination means 13 Imaging part 14 Display 14a First display area 14b Second display area 15 Input part 16 Frame 21 Image size change part 22 Picture extraction part 23 Storage Unit 24 first RGB-LAB conversion unit 25 second RGB-LAB conversion unit 26 print failure inspection unit 27 color tone determination unit 30 image processing unit 31 RGB → CMYK conversion unit 32 calculation unit 33 calculation unit 34 difference calculation unit 35 ink key opening degree calculation Unit 36 storage unit 37 simulation unit 38 color conversion profile 100 control unit 109 ink supply unit 112 ink key 113 image recording unit

Continued on front page F term (reference) 2C250 EA03 EA12 EA23 5B021 AA01 NN23 PP08 5C074 AA02 BB30 DD01

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printing parameter determining device for determining a printing parameter in a printing device that prints on printing paper based on image data, comprising: an input unit for inputting the printing parameter; A predictive image data generating unit configured to predict an image formed on printing paper by the printing apparatus based on the predicted image data; a display unit configured to display a predicted image based on the predicted image data; A print parameter sending unit that sends parameters to the printing apparatus and causes the printing apparatus to actually perform printing on printing paper. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is configured to form an image on a printing plate based on image data, an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the printing plate, and a transfer unit that transfers the ink to printing paper. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing parameter is an ink supply amount parameter for controlling an ink supply amount by the ink supply unit. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predicted image data generating unit includes a lookup table that generates the predicted image data based on a density value of a pixel included in the image data and the ink supply amount parameter. A printing parameter determination device which is a feature. 4. A printing parameter determining method for determining printing parameters in a printing apparatus that performs printing on printing paper based on image data, comprising: an inputting step of inputting temporary printing parameters; Based on the print parameters and the image data, predicting an image formed on printing paper by the printing apparatus, a predicted image data creating step of creating expected image data, the expected image based on the expected image data An expected image display step of displaying on the display means, and a determining step of determining whether the provisional print parameters are appropriate with reference to the expected image displayed on the display means, If the temporary print parameters are determined to be inappropriate, the temporary print parameters are corrected and the temporary print parameters are corrected. Print parameter determination method and supplying to the printing apparatus the tentative print parameters as the final printing parameters when it is determined to be appropriate. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is configured to form an image on a printing plate based on image data, an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the printing plate, and a transfer unit that transfers the ink to printing paper. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing parameter is an ink supply amount parameter for controlling an ink supply amount by the ink supply unit. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said expected image data creating means includes a look-up table for creating said expected image data based on a density value of a pixel constituting said image data and said ink supply amount parameter. 6. The print parameter determination method according to claim 5, wherein: