JP2013109454A - Printing condition determination device, printing condition determination method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing condition determination device, a printing condition determination method, and a program that enable easy determination of an appropriate printing condition from among a plurality of printing conditions.SOLUTION: With regard to a printing condition obtained by combining two or more condition items related to printing, a predetermined number of printing condition candidates are selected from among a plurality of printing conditions. Then, comparison images (102, 116, 126) in which visible information pieces (106a, 106c, 106e, 120a, 120c, 120e, 128a, 128c, 128e) related to printing characteristics corresponding to the respective selected printing condition candidates are arranged side by side are created and displayed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing condition determination device, a printing condition determination method, and a program.

  Recently, in the printing field, CTP (Computer to Plate) that forms a printing plate directly by electronic data without generating an intermediate product has become widespread. For example, if the order contents newly requested by the production company are similar to the order contents requested in the past, the previously used printing conditions (combined conditions combining two or more condition items related to printing) are used as they are. However, it is convenient for work to execute the print job. Therefore, various user interface technologies for determining a desired printing condition from a plurality of selectable printing conditions by a search operation by an operator have been proposed.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a method and software for searching a predetermined condition item from a predetermined condition item list and displaying a setting screen corresponding to each searched condition item. Specifically, it is described that each setting unit for a plurality of selected condition items is collected and displayed on one setting screen.

JP 2004-206553 A

  By the way, for example, in the printing conditions in CTP, there are various kinds of condition items associated with these, in addition to various items for creating a printing plate. However, even with the method according to Patent Document 1, it has been difficult to predict or grasp the relationship between the determined printing conditions and the printing characteristics (for example, color reproduction characteristics) corresponding to the printing conditions.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a printing condition determination device, a printing condition determination method, and a program that can easily determine an appropriate printing condition from a plurality of printing conditions. And

  The printing condition determining apparatus according to the present invention relates to a printing condition obtained by combining two or more condition items relating to printing, and includes a condition selecting unit that selects a predetermined number of printing condition candidates from a plurality of printing conditions, and the condition selecting unit. And a comparison image creation unit that creates a comparison image in which visible information relating to printing characteristics corresponding to each selected printing condition candidate is arranged.

  In this way, a condition selection unit that selects a predetermined number of printing condition candidates from among a plurality of printing conditions, and visible information related to the printing characteristics corresponding to each printing condition candidate selected by the condition selection unit are arranged side by side. Since the comparison image creation unit for creating the comparison image is provided, it is possible to grasp at a glance whether the print characteristics according to each print condition candidate are good or bad by comparing each visible information in the comparison image. Thereby, the operator can easily determine an appropriate printing condition from among a plurality of printing conditions.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus further includes a print characteristic acquisition unit that refers to a condition item related to a color among the two or more condition items and acquires the print characteristic according to each of the print condition candidates, and the comparative image creation unit includes: It is preferable that the comparison image is created based on the printing characteristics acquired by the printing characteristics acquisition unit.

  The visible information preferably includes an image representing a gamut range in which colors are reproduced by the printing.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the visible information includes an image representing a statistic of color reproduction accuracy by the printing.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the visible information includes an image representing a halftone dot pattern in screen printing.

  Furthermore, the plurality of printing conditions are preferably two or more printing conditions used in the past.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to further include a display unit that displays the comparison image created by the comparison image creation unit.

  The printing condition determination method according to the present invention includes a selection step of selecting a predetermined number of printing condition candidates from a plurality of printing conditions with respect to a printing condition obtained by combining two or more condition items relating to printing, and each of the selected printing And a creation step of creating a comparative image in which visible information relating to printing characteristics corresponding to the condition candidates is arranged.

  The program according to the present invention selects a computer by a condition selection unit that selects a predetermined number of printing condition candidates from a plurality of printing conditions with respect to a printing condition in which two or more condition items relating to printing are combined. It is made to function as a comparative image creation part which creates the comparative image which arranged the visual information regarding the printing characteristic according to each said printing condition candidate arranged side by side.

  According to the printing condition determination apparatus, the printing condition determination method, and the program according to the present invention, a predetermined number of printing condition candidates are selected from a plurality of printing conditions, and the printing characteristics according to each selected printing condition candidate are related. Since the comparison image in which the visible information is arranged side by side is created, by comparing each visible information in the comparison image, it is possible to grasp at a glance whether the printing characteristics according to each printing condition candidate are good or bad. Thereby, the operator can easily determine an appropriate printing condition from among a plurality of printing conditions.

It is a schematic block diagram of the printed matter production system incorporating the RIP device as the printing condition determining device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of the RIP device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining operations of the RIP device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the list of printing condition databases. It is an image figure showing an example of a search screen. It is a 1st image figure showing an example of the comparison display which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a 2nd image figure showing an example of the comparison display which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a 3rd image figure showing an example of the comparison display which concerns on this Embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a printing condition determination method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving preferred embodiments in relation to a printing condition determination apparatus and a printed material production system for carrying out the method.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printed matter production system 10 incorporating a RIP device 20 as a printing condition determination device according to the present embodiment.

  In the printed product production system 10, a router 14 that is a device that relays connection to the network 12, a server device 16 that can be accessed from each terminal device (not shown) belonging to the external network via the network 12, a server device 16 and the like A DTP terminal 18 for performing DTP (Desktop Publishing) processing including editing of content data acquired from the data, and rasterization processing, color conversion processing, etc. based on proof data (or plate making data) created by the DTP terminal 18 RIP device 20 (printing condition determination device) that executes each image processing, proofreader 24 that can print proof 22 based on processed calibration data transmitted from RIP device 20, and RIP device 20 The plate setter 28 for producing the printing plate 26 based on the plate making data and the printing plate 26 are mounted. An offset printing press 32 prints 30 is printable Te, respectively.

  The server device 16 is a device that forms the core of workflow management in the printed material production system 10. The server device 16 is communicably connected to each terminal device included in a designer and / or a production company (not shown) via the router 14 and the network 12. The server device 16 is communicably connected to the DTP terminal 18, the RIP device 20, and the platesetter 28 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 34 built in the printed product production system 10.

  That is, the server device 16 functions as a file server that manages storage and transfer of various data files, functions as an authority management server that manages task authority executable in each terminal device, each user, or each print job, or The function as a mail server that generates and distributes a notification mail at a predetermined timing such as the start / end of each process is configured to be executable. Various data files that can be managed as a file server include, for example, content data, proofreading data, plate making data, job ticket {eg, JDF (Job Definition Format) file}, ICC (International Color Consortium) profile, color sample data. , History information of printing conditions used in the past (hereinafter referred to as a printing condition database), and the like.

  The DTP terminal 18 performs preflight processing on content data composed of characters, graphics, patterns, photographs, and the like, and then creates edit data for each page. The DTP terminal 18 performs imposition processing according to the designated binding method or paper folding method while referring to the tag information of the job ticket.

  The RIP device 20 functions as a print processing server for at least one printing machine. In the example of FIG. 1, the RIP device 20 is connected to a calibrator 24 and a platesetter 28 so as to communicate with each other. In this case, the RIP device 20 converts the completion data described in the page description language into print data suitable for each printing machine, and supplies the printing data to the proofing machine 24 (or the plate setter 28).

  The proofing machine 24 prints the proof 22 based on the print data supplied from the RIP device 20. As the proofing machine 24, DDCP (Direct Digital Color Proofing), an inkjet color proofer, a low resolution color laser printer (electrophotographic system), an inkjet printer, or the like may be used.

  The offset printer 32 forms a printed matter 30 by depositing ink on a printing medium (medium) via the printing plate 26 and an intermediate transfer member (not shown). Instead of the offset printer 32, a digital printer for direct printing may be provided. As the digital printing machine, an inkjet color proofer, a color laser printer (electrophotographic system), or the like may be used.

  FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of the RIP device 20 shown in FIG.

  The RIP device 20 includes a control unit 36, a communication I / F 38, a display control unit 40, a display unit 42, an input unit 44, a print I / F 46, and a memory 48.

  The communication I / F 38 is an interface that transmits and receives electrical signals from an external device. For example, it is possible to acquire various types of information such as calibration data, plate making data, printing condition database, and ICC profile managed and stored in the server device 16 (see FIG. 1).

  The display control unit 40 is a control circuit that drives and controls the display unit 42 according to the control of the control unit 36. The display control unit 40 drives the display unit 42 by outputting a display control signal to the display unit 42 via an I / F (not shown). Thereby, the display unit 42 can display various images including the window W1 (see FIG. 5).

  The print I / F 46 is an interface that transmits an electrical signal as print data. Thereby, the proofreading machine 24 can print the desired proof 22.

  The memory 48 stores a program and data necessary for the control unit 36 to control each component. The memory 48 may be a recording medium such as a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk.

  The control unit 36 is configured by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 36 can realize the functions of the printing condition determination unit 50, the display data creation unit 52, and the rasterization processing unit 54 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 48.

  The print condition determination unit 50 determines one print condition suitable for the print job from a plurality of print conditions stored in the external device (for example, the server device 16) or the memory 48. Specifically, the print condition determination unit 50 includes a condition search unit 56 that acquires search results (a plurality of print conditions) based on the print condition database, and a predetermined number of print conditions acquired by the condition search unit 56. And a condition selection unit 58 for selecting the printing condition candidates.

  The display data creation unit 52 includes a screen creation unit 60 that creates a search screen 80 (see FIG. 5), a comparison display screen 100 (see FIG. 6), and the like, and print characteristics that respectively acquire print characteristics according to each print condition candidate. An acquisition unit 61 and a comparison image creation unit 62 that creates an image for comparison display (hereinafter referred to as a comparison image) are provided.

  Note that “comparison display” in the present specification is a method of displaying visible information on printing characteristics according to each printing condition side by side. As will be described later, this is a particularly effective display method when comparing between printing conditions having a relatively small number of conditions.

  The rasterization processing unit 54 performs rasterization processing on the calibration data (including school completion data). This rasterization process includes a data format conversion process for converting a PDL (Page Description Language) format into a raster format, and a color matching process using an ICC profile.

  The input unit 44 includes various input devices such as a mouse, a trackball, and a keyboard. The input unit 44 functions as a search information input unit 64 that inputs search information related to a search for a print condition, and a determination instruction unit 66 that instructs to determine one print condition suitable for the print job.

  The RIP device 20 as the printing condition determination device according to the present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation of the RIP device 20 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Prior to the description of the operation, the printing condition database will be described. In the description of the present specification and claims, it should be noted that “printing condition” means a composite condition in which two or more condition items relating to printing are combined.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a list of printing condition databases. Here, it is assumed that a plurality of printing conditions are stored in a file format. Two or more condition items are associated with each file name “printing condition A” to “printing condition F” (notation of file extension is omitted). In this example, in addition to the file name, the printer name, paper type, paper size, plate size, color plate, binding method, target (target profile type), customer name, job type, number of uses, The last use date is listed. The condition items may include not only data directly related to the printing process such as the printing press name, color plate, profile, but also data (so-called metadata) associated with these data.

  These condition items include condition items that affect printing color (hereinafter, condition items related to color), condition items that do not affect printing color (hereinafter, condition items that are not related to color), and May be classified. In the example of FIG. 4, the “condition item relating to color” includes a printing press name, a paper type, a color plate, and a target. The “condition item not related to color” includes a file name, a paper size, a plate size, a binding method, a customer name, a job type, the number of uses, and a last use date.

  In step S <b> 1 of FIG. 3, the search information input unit 64 inputs search information in the print condition database to the RIP device 20 side according to the operation of the operator as a user.

  First, in response to an instruction to start the search, the screen creation unit 60 creates display data for the search screen 80 and then supplies the display data to the display control unit 40. Then, the display control unit 40 causes the display unit 42 to display the window W1 (including the search screen 80).

  As shown in FIG. 5, on the search screen 80, in order from the top, five pull-down menus 82 a to 82 e, a display field 84, a button 86 labeled “Comparison display”, a button 88 labeled “OK”, And buttons 90 labeled [Cancel] are arranged. Here, the five pull-down menus 82a to 82e serve as the search information input unit 64 (see FIG. 2). In addition, the [OK] button 88 functions as the determination instruction unit 66 (see the figure).

  The operator designates at least one condition item via the search screen 80 in order to determine a print condition suitable for the print job to be executed. Depending on the input operation by the operator, for example, “printing machine 1” as the printing machine (printing machine name in FIG. 4), “art paper” as the paper (paper type in FIG. 4), and the number of colors (color plate in FIG. 4). ) “CMYK”, “Japan Color” as the target (target in FIG. 4), and “Company A” as the customer name (customer name in FIG. 4).

  In step S2, the server device 16 searches for printing conditions based on the search information input in step S1. The RIP device 20 transmits a notification to the effect of the search request and the specified condition item to the server device 16 side. The server device 16 executes a search process within the range of the print condition database, and returns information about the obtained search result to the RIP device 20 side. Then, the condition search unit 56 acquires a search result (for example, a list of print conditions) in the print condition database. The search process is not limited to the external device such as the server device 16 but may be executed by the RIP device 20 itself (condition search unit 56).

  In step S <b> 3, the RIP device 20 performs a narrowing display of printing conditions.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the display field 84 of the search screen 80 includes a small field 91 indicating a printing condition name, a small field 92 indicating an evaluation result on the stability of color reproduction, and a small field 93 indicating a customer name. And a small column 94 indicating the job type, a small column 95 indicating the number of times of use, and a small column 96 indicating the date of last use.

  In this example, the display field 84 displays the attributes of five condition items relating to the three printing conditions (printing conditions A, C, and E). Hereinafter, a predetermined number of printing conditions that can be extracted from a plurality of printing conditions and finally determined are referred to as “printing condition candidates”. Note that the types of condition items and / or the number of printing condition candidates may be determined in advance or may be changed according to a predetermined operation by the operator.

  A skilled worker can determine one print condition suitable for the print job to be executed based on the contents of the display field 84 and past experience. On the other hand, an unfamiliar worker has poor knowledge and experience regarding printing, so even if only three printing condition candidates are selected, it may not be possible to determine which printing condition should be determined. Therefore, by comparing and displaying the respective printing condition candidates, it helps a worker (especially an unfamiliar worker) to make a judgment.

  In step S4, the control unit 36 determines whether or not there is an instruction for comparison display. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the “comparison display” button 86 has been clicked on the search screen 80 (see FIG. 5). If it is determined that there is no operation, the process returns to step S1 and steps S1 to S3 are sequentially repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an operation, the process proceeds to the next step (S5).

  In step S5, the condition selection unit 58 selects a predetermined number of printing condition candidates from a plurality of printing conditions. In the present embodiment, the condition selection unit 58 selects each printing condition currently displayed in the display field 84 as a printing condition candidate when the [Comparison display] button 86 is clicked.

  In step S6, the comparison image creation unit 62 creates the comparison image 102 (an image for comparison display). Here, the printing characteristics in each printing condition candidate can be predicted from various information such as a color conversion table included in an ICC profile (specifically, an output profile and a target profile), a threshold matrix used for halftone processing, and the like. . The print characteristic acquisition unit 61 refers to a condition item (for example, an ICC profile) related to color among two or more condition items, and print characteristics (or various information related to the print characteristics) according to each print condition candidate. You may acquire each.

  In step S <b> 7, the display control unit 40 causes the display unit 42 to display the comparison image 102 created in step S <b> 6. Specifically, the screen creation unit 60 creates display data for the comparison display screen 100 and then supplies the display data to the display control unit 40. Then, the display control unit 40 causes the display unit 42 to display another window W2 (including the comparison display screen 100) different from the window W1.

  As shown in FIG. 6, on the comparison display screen 100, in order from the top, a comparison image 102 that is a first configuration example, a button 104 written as “Next”, and a button written as “Close” 105 are arranged. The comparison image 102 present at the approximate center of the comparison display screen 100 is, in order from the left, the first condition image 106a (visible information), the second condition image 106c (visible information), and the third condition image 106e (visible information). Composed.

The first condition image 106a includes a character string 108a representing a printing condition name, and a graph 110a in which the horizontal axis is a ^* and the vertical axis is b ^* . This graph 110a represents the cross-sectional shape of the gamut at a predetermined lightness L ^* (for example, L ^* = 50) in the CIELAB coordinate system. Thereby, the operator can grasp the gamut range in the printing condition A at a glance by visually recognizing the first condition image 106a.

The second condition image 106c includes a character string 108c representing a printing condition name, and a graph 110c in which the horizontal axis is a ^* and the vertical axis is b ^* . The operator can grasp the gamut range in the printing condition C at a glance by visually recognizing the second condition image 106c. Similarly, the third condition image 106e includes a character string 108e representing a printing condition name, and a graph 110e in which the horizontal axis is a ^* and the vertical axis is b ^* . The operator can grasp the gamut range in the printing condition E at a glance by visually recognizing the third condition image 106e.

  Note that the comparative image creating unit 62 may perform a quantitative evaluation according to a predetermined evaluation standard, and may also add a mark that clearly indicates a printing condition candidate that has obtained the best result. In the illustrated example, an annular mark 112 is attached under the positional relationship surrounding the character string 108a in order to clearly indicate the printing condition A having the maximum gamut area among the printing conditions A, C, and E. Accordingly, it is possible to notify the operator that the printing condition A is the most suitable condition from the viewpoint of the gamut range.

  Incidentally, it goes without saying that the display form of the gamut range is not limited to the example of FIG. 6 and can take various forms. For example, the color space that expresses gamut may be a known device-independent space such as CIELV in addition to CIALAB. In addition to the two-dimensional notation (cross-sectional shape), the gamut range may be expressed in a three-dimensional notation (three-dimensional shape). Furthermore, in addition to the graphic, it may be displayed as a numerical value (for example, area / volume) obtained by quantifying the gamut range.

  In response to the click operation of the [Next] button 104 by the operator, the comparison display screen 100 shown in FIG. Note that the window W2 is closed in accordance with the click operation of the [Close] button 105, and is not displayed. The same applies to FIGS. 7 and 8 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 7, on the comparison display screen 114, in order from the top, the comparison image 116 as the second configuration example, the button 118 written as “Return”, and the button written as “Next” A button 119 and a button 105 labeled “Close” are arranged. The comparison image 116 present in the approximate center of the comparison display screen 114 is, in order from the left, the first condition image 120a (visible information), the second condition image 120c (visible information), and the third condition image 120e (visible information). Composed.

  The first condition image 120a includes the above-described character string 108a and a histogram 122a in which the horizontal axis is the color difference ΔE and the vertical axis is the number of colors. The histogram 122a represents a reproduction color shift amount (statistical amount) with respect to each target color. Thereby, the operator can grasp at a glance whether the color reproduction accuracy in the printing condition A is good or bad by visually recognizing the first condition image 120a.

  The second condition image 120c includes the above-described character string 108c and a histogram 122c having the horizontal axis as the color difference ΔE and the vertical axis as the number of colors. By visually recognizing the second condition image 120c, the operator can grasp at a glance whether the color reproduction accuracy in the printing condition C is good or bad. Similarly, the third condition image 120e includes the above-described character string 108e and a histogram 122e having the horizontal axis as the color difference ΔE and the vertical axis as the number of colors. By visually recognizing the third condition image 120e, the operator can grasp at a glance whether the color reproduction accuracy in the printing condition E is good or bad.

  In the example shown in the figure, an annular mark 112 is attached under the positional relationship surrounding the character string 108e in order to clearly indicate the printing condition E having the smallest maximum deviation amount of the color difference ΔE among the printing conditions A, C, and E. Has been. Accordingly, it is possible to notify the operator that the printing condition E is the most suitable condition in terms of color reproduction characteristics.

  Incidentally, it goes without saying that the display form of the color reproduction accuracy is not limited to the example of FIG. 7 and can take various forms. For example, the expression form may be a cumulative distribution or a scatter diagram in addition to a histogram. In addition to the graph, the tendency of error may be quantified (for example, an average value, a maximum value, a mode value, a standard deviation).

  In response to the click operation of the [Next] button 119 by the operator, the comparison display screen 114 shown in FIG. 7 is changed to a new comparison display screen 124. Further, the comparison display screen 100 shown in FIG. 6 may be returned in response to a click operation of the [Return] button 118.

  As shown in FIG. 8, on the comparison display screen 124, in order from the top, the comparison image 126, which is the third configuration example, the button 127 labeled “Return”, and the button 105 labeled “Close”. And are arranged respectively. The comparison image 126 present at the approximate center of the comparison display screen 124 is, in order from the left, the first condition image 128a (visible information), the second condition image 128c (visible information), and the third condition image 128e (visible information). Composed.

  The first condition image 128a includes the above-described character string 108a and a simulated image 130a representing a predetermined geometric shape. This simulated image 130a represents the form of halftone dots in screen printing, specifically the shape in plan view. Thereby, the operator can grasp | ascertain the form of the halftone dot in the printing conditions A at a glance by visually recognizing the 1st condition image 128a.

  The second condition image 128c includes the above-described character string 108c and a simulated image 130c representing a predetermined geometric shape. The operator can grasp the form of the halftone dot in the printing condition C at a glance by visually recognizing the second condition image 128c. Similarly, the third condition image 128e includes the character string 108e described above and a simulated image 130e representing a predetermined geometric shape. The operator can grasp the form of the halftone dot in the printing condition E at a glance by visually recognizing the third condition image 128e.

  Note that the visible information regarding the print characteristics may be an image obtained by appropriately combining the comparison images 102, 116, and 126. Moreover, the specific structure of visible information is not restricted to each example shown in FIGS. 6-8, Various information may be sufficient. For example, there is visible information regarding image quality including printing characteristics that are generally difficult for an operator to grasp, specifically, graininess, sharpness, and gradation (continuity, smoothness).

  In step S8 of FIG. 3, the control unit 36 determines whether or not there is a determination instruction. Specifically, referring back to FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the [OK] button 88 has been clicked with one print condition candidate selected on the search screen 80. In the illustrated example, a part of the display field 84 (a hatched area) is colored and displayed by a predetermined click operation. This represents that “printing condition C” is currently selected from the three printing condition candidates.

  If it is determined that there is no operation, the process returns to step S1 and steps S1 to S7 are sequentially repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an operation, the process proceeds to the next step (S9).

  In step S9, the printing condition determination unit 50 determines one printing condition suitable for the print job scheduled to be executed. Then, the rasterization processing unit 54 performs rasterization processing on the calibration data (or school completion data) based on the determined printing conditions. Thereafter, as described above, the process proceeds to the calibration process (or printing process).

  As described above, a predetermined number of printing condition candidates are selected from among a plurality of printing conditions, and visible information (in the example of FIG. 6, the first condition image 106a, Since the comparison image (the comparison image 102 in the example of FIG. 6) in which the second condition image 106c and the third condition image 106e) are arranged side by side is created, the first condition image 106a and the like in the comparison image 102 are compared. Thus, it is possible to grasp at a glance whether the printing characteristics according to each printing condition candidate are good or bad. Thereby, the operator can easily determine an appropriate printing condition from among a plurality of printing conditions.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can change freely in the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printed product production system 20 ... RIP apparatus 30 ... Printed matter 36 ... Control part 42 ... Display part 44 ... Input part 48 ... Memory 50 ... Printing condition determination part 52 ... Display data creation part 56 ... Condition search part 58 ... Condition selection part 62 ... Comparison image creation unit 100, 114, 124 ... Comparison display screens 102, 116, 126 ... Comparison screens 106a, 120a, 128a ... First condition images 106c, 120c, 128c ... Second condition images 106e, 120e, 128e ... Third Condition image

Claims (9)

A condition selection unit that selects a predetermined number of printing condition candidates from a plurality of printing conditions, regarding a printing condition that is a combination of two or more condition items related to printing;
A printing condition determination apparatus comprising: a comparison image creating unit that creates a comparison image in which visible information relating to printing characteristics corresponding to each printing condition candidate selected by the condition selection unit is arranged. The apparatus of claim 1.
A print characteristic acquisition unit that refers to a condition item related to color among the two or more condition items and acquires the print characteristics according to each of the print condition candidates,
The printing condition determination device, wherein the comparison image creation unit creates the comparison image based on the printing characteristics acquired by the printing characteristics acquisition unit. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The printing condition determining apparatus, wherein the visible information includes an image representing a gamut range in which colors are reproduced by the printing. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The printing condition determining apparatus, wherein the visible information includes an image representing a statistic of color reproduction accuracy by the printing. In the apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4,
The printing condition determining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the visible information includes an image representing a halftone dot pattern in screen printing. In the apparatus of any one of Claims 1-5,
The printing condition determining apparatus, wherein the plurality of printing conditions are two or more printing conditions used in the past. In the apparatus of any one of Claims 1-6,
The printing condition determination apparatus further comprising a display unit that displays the comparison image created by the comparison image creation unit. A selection step of selecting a predetermined number of printing condition candidates from a plurality of printing conditions with respect to a printing condition in which two or more condition items relating to printing are combined;
And a creation step of creating a comparative image in which visible information relating to printing characteristics corresponding to each selected printing condition candidate is arranged. Computer
A condition selection unit that selects a predetermined number of printing condition candidates from a plurality of printing conditions, with respect to a printing condition in which two or more condition items related to printing are combined.
A program that functions as a comparison image creation unit that creates a comparison image in which visible information regarding print characteristics corresponding to each of the print condition candidates selected by the condition selection unit is arranged.

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