JP2015150828A - Printing device and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device that can suppress of banding, which appears in a printed image when performing printing by driving an overlap region between a first chip and a second chip, from becoming conspicuous.SOLUTION: A printer 3 (a printing device) comprises: a first line type inkjet head 21 in which a first chip 26 and a second chip 27 which discharge first color ink are arranged to overlap partially when viewed from a conveyance direction B of a recording paper sheet P; and an image processing portion 51 that divides the overlapping region O where the first chip 26 overlaps with the second chip 27 into a first region O1 for the first chip 26 to discharge the ink, a second region O2 for the second chip 27 to discharge the ink and a mixed region O3 for the first chip 26 and the second chip 27 to discharge the ink, and generates printing data for driving the first chip 26 and the second chip 27 on the basis of image data of a print target.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer including an inkjet head composed of a plurality of chips that eject ink. The present invention also relates to a printing system including such a printer and an image processing apparatus that supplies print data to the printer.

  A printer including an inkjet head in which first and second chips that discharge ink of the same color are partially overlapped when viewed from the recording medium conveyance direction is described in Patent Document 1. ing. In the printer of Patent Document 1, when printing is performed by driving the overlap area of the first chip and the second chip, according to the mask pattern for driving the overlap area, the first chip and the second chip Printing is performed by ejecting ink from both sides.

JP 2012-245650 A

  Each chip constituting the ink jet head in Patent Document 1 includes a nozzle row extending in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Here, among the plurality of nozzles constituting the nozzle row, the nozzle located at the end of the row may have different nozzle characteristics compared to the nozzle located in the middle of the row. That is, the nozzle located at the end of the row may have unique characteristics in the ink ejection direction and ejection amount due to processing accuracy and the like.

  Further, when ink is ejected from both the first chip and the second chip when printing is performed by driving the overlap area between the first chip and the second chip, the first chip and the second chip are discharged. In some cases, banding (shading unevenness) extending in a certain width in the transport direction may occur in a printed image due to the positional deviation of the image.

  Here, when printing is performed by driving the overlap region of the first chip and the second chip, the characteristics of the nozzles positioned at the second chip side end of the nozzle array of the first chip and the second If the characteristics of the nozzles located at the first chip side end of the nozzle row of this chip are different from those of the other nozzles, and the ejection direction of the ink ejected from these nozzles is different, both ends of the banding in the orthogonal direction There is a problem that uneven shading of the portion becomes remarkable.

  In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that can suppress the manifestation of banding that appears in a printed image when printing is performed by driving the overlap region of the first chip and the second chip. There is to do. Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing system that can suppress the manifestation of banding appearing in a printed image when printing is performed by driving a printing apparatus having an overlap area of a first chip and a second chip on an inkjet head. .

  In order to solve the above problems, a printing apparatus of the present invention includes a transport unit that transports a recording medium, a first chip that discharges a first color ink, and a second chip from the transport direction of the recording medium. An inkjet head that is arranged to form an overlapping area when viewed, a communication unit that receives image data, the overlapping area, a first area that ejects ink with the first chip, the first area The first chip based on the image data received by the communication unit as a second area for ejecting ink by two chips and a mixed area for ejecting ink by the first chip and the second chip And an image processing unit that generates print data for driving the second chip.

  According to the present invention, when printing is performed by driving the overlap region where the first chip and the second chip overlap, the first region is driven in the first region and the mixed region, and the second region is driven. Is not driven. On the other hand, in the second chip, the second area and the mixed area are driven, and the first area is not driven. Therefore, if the overlap area is divided so that the end of the nozzle array of the first chip is included in the second area and the end of the nozzle array of the second chip is included in the first area, Printing can be performed without using the nozzles located at the end of the nozzle row. Thereby, it can be avoided that ink is ejected from the nozzle located at the end of the nozzle row to an inaccurate position on the recording medium, and that an incorrect amount of ink is ejected. Therefore, even when banding occurs in the printed image, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven shading at both end portions in the orthogonal direction in the banding, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of banding.

  In the present invention, in order to perform multicolor printing, the second chip that overlaps when the third chip and the fourth chip that discharge the second color ink different from the first color ink are viewed from the transport direction. A second inkjet head arranged to form an overlap region, and the image processing unit uses the third chip to eject ink with the third chip, Based on the image data, the third chip and the fourth chip are the fourth area for ejecting ink by the fourth chip and the second mixed area for ejecting ink by the third chip and the fourth chip. Second print data for driving the chip may be generated. In this way, it is possible to perform printing on the third chip and the fourth chip without using the nozzle located at the end of the nozzle row. Therefore, even when banding occurs in the printed image when the second color ink is printed, it is possible to suppress the uneven shading of both end portions in the orthogonal direction in the banding, and to suppress the banding from becoming obvious. .

  In the present invention, the overlap region and the second overlap region may overlap when viewed from the transport direction. If it does in this way, it is easy to arrange | position the 1st inkjet head and 2nd inkjet head comprised using the same chip | tip in parallel, and comprise one inkjet head unit, and the 1st inkjet head unit is comprised. It is easy to match the width dimension of the head and the width dimension of the second inkjet head.

  Here, when printing is performed by driving the mixed region of the first chip and the second chip in the ink jet head, banding occurs due to the positional deviation between the first chip and the second chip. There are things to do. Similarly, when printing is performed by driving the second mixed region of the third chip and the fourth chip in the second ink jet head, it is caused by a positional deviation between the third chip and the fourth chip. Banding may occur. In such a case, if the mixed region and the second mixed region overlap, banding generated due to misalignment between the first chip and the second chip, and the third chip and the fourth chip Banding generated due to chip position misalignment or the like overlaps, and more significant banding occurs. In order to avoid such a problem, it is desirable that the image processing unit is disposed at a position where the mixed area and the second mixed area do not overlap when viewed from the transport direction. In this way, it can be avoided that two bandings are formed on the recording medium.

  Next, the printing system according to the present invention overlaps when the transport unit that transports the recording medium, and the first and second chips that discharge the first color ink are viewed from the transport direction of the recording medium. A printing apparatus having an inkjet head that is arranged to form a wrap region, a generating unit that generates image data, and a first region and a second chip that eject ink through the first region in the overlap region The first chip and the second chip based on the image data generated by the generating unit as a second area for discharging ink and a mixed area for discharging ink by the first chip and the second chip. And an image processing apparatus having an image processing unit for generating print data for driving the chip.

  According to the present invention, in the printing apparatus, when printing is performed by driving the overlap region where the first chip and the second chip overlap, the first chip is driven in the first region and the mixed region, The second area is not driven. On the other hand, in the second chip, the second region and the mixed region are driven, and the first region is not driven. Therefore, if the overlap area is divided so that the end of the nozzle array of the first chip is included in the second area and the end of the nozzle array of the second chip is included in the first area, Printing can be performed without using the nozzles located at the end of the nozzle row. Thereby, it can be avoided that ink is ejected from the nozzle located at the end of the nozzle row to an inaccurate position on the recording medium, and that an incorrect amount of ink is ejected. Therefore, even when banding occurs in the printed image, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven shading at both end portions in the orthogonal direction in the banding, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of banding.

  In the present invention, in order to perform multicolor printing using a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus includes a third chip and a fourth chip that eject a second color ink different from the first color ink. A second inkjet head that forms and arranges a second overlap region that overlaps when viewed from the transport direction, and the image processing unit of the image processing apparatus includes the second overlap region, As a third area for ejecting ink with the third chip, a fourth area for ejecting ink with the fourth chip, and a second mixed area for ejecting ink with the third chip and the fourth chip It is desirable to generate print data for driving the third chip and the fourth chip based on the image data. In this way, it is possible to perform printing on the third chip and the fourth chip without using the nozzle located at the end of the nozzle row. Therefore, even when banding occurs in the printed image when the second color ink is printed, it is possible to suppress the uneven shading of both end portions in the orthogonal direction in the banding, and to suppress the banding from becoming obvious. .

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the image processing unit is disposed at a position where the mixed area and the second mixed area do not overlap when viewed from the transport direction. In this way, banding that occurs due to misalignment between the first chip and the second chip, and banding that occurs due to misalignment between the third chip and the fourth chip, It is possible to avoid overlapping on the recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to prevent banding from becoming obvious.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing which showed typically arrangement | positioning of the chip | tip in a print head. It is explanatory drawing of the overlap area | region of a 1st chip | tip and a 2nd chip | tip. It is a schematic block diagram of the control system of a printing system. It is explanatory drawing of the nozzle driven at the time of printing. It is a schematic block diagram of the control system of the printing system of a modification.

  A printing system equipped with a printer to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Printing system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. The printing system 1 of this example includes a computer 2 and a printer 3 connected to the computer 2. The computer 2 connects a display 4 and an input device 5 such as a keyboard.

  The printer 3 includes a print head 11, a paper transport path 12 that extends through a printing position A by the print head 11, and a transport mechanism 13 that transports the recording paper P along the paper transport path 12. The transport mechanism 13 is mounted on a platen unit 14 that faces the print head 11 with a predetermined gap below the print head 11 in the vertical direction. The transport mechanism 13 includes an endless transport belt 17 that spans a plurality of guide rollers 15 and a drive roller 16, and a transport motor 18 that rotates the transport belt 17 by rotating the drive roller 16. The transport mechanism 13 transports the recording paper P at a constant speed by driving the transport motor 18.

(Print head)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the arrangement of the chips of the print head. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an overlapping region where the first chip and the second chip of the line-type inkjet head overlap. As shown in FIG. 2, the print head 11 includes four sets of line-type inkjet heads 21 to 24 arranged at a predetermined interval along the conveyance direction B of the recording paper P. The first line-type inkjet head 21 located at the uppermost stream in the conveyance direction B of the recording paper P ejects black ink, and the second line-type inkjet head 22 on the downstream side ejects cyan ink. Further, the third line type ink jet head 23 on the downstream side of the second line type ink jet head 22 ejects magenta ink, and the fourth line type ink jet head 24 on the downstream side ejects yellow ink.

  The line-type inkjet heads 21 to 24 are arranged in a crossing direction C (crossing direction C of the recording paper P) crossing the transport direction B, the first chip 26, the second chip 27, the third chip 28, and the fourth chip 29. Is provided. The four chips 26 to 29 are arranged back and forth in the transport direction B. When the chips 26 to 29 are viewed from the conveyance direction B, adjacent chips partially overlap each other. The chips 26 to 29 include a plurality of nozzles arranged in the intersecting direction C as shown in FIG. The plurality of nozzles are arranged back and forth in the transport direction B to form a nozzle row.

  The first nozzle row 36 of the first nozzle 31 that discharges black ink is constituted by the nozzle rows of the chips 26 to 29 of the first line type inkjet head 21. The second nozzle row 37 of the second nozzle 32 that discharges cyan ink is configured by the nozzle rows of the chips 26 to 29 of the second line type inkjet head 22. The third nozzle row 38 of the third nozzle 33 that discharges magenta ink is configured by the nozzle rows of the chips 26 to 29 of the third line type inkjet head 23. The nozzle rows of the chips 26 to 29 of the fourth line type inkjet head 24 constitute a fourth nozzle row 39 of the fourth nozzle 34 that discharges yellow ink. Here, each first nozzle 31 constituting the first nozzle row 36, each second nozzle 32 constituting the second nozzle row 37, each third nozzle 33 constituting the third nozzle row 38, and each fourth nozzle row 39. Each of the fourth nozzles 34 constituting the above is provided at an overlapping position when viewed from the transport direction B.

(Print system control system)
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a control system of the printing system 1. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of nozzles driven during printing. FIG. 5A schematically shows the periphery of the overlap region O between the first chip 26 and the second chip 27 of the first line-type ink jet head 21, and FIG. 5B shows the use of the top of the first chip 26. The ratio and the dot usage ratio of the second chip 27 are shown.

  The computer 2 includes a control unit 41 including a CPU and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM. In the control unit 41, an OS 42 (operating system), an application program 43, and a printer driver 44 operate. The application program 43 is software for creating image data. The printer driver 44 receives image data from the application program 43 via the OS 42 and supplies it to the printer 3.

  The control system of the printer 3 includes a printer control unit 46 that includes a CPU. A communication unit 47 that connects the printer 3 and the computer 2 to be communicable is connected to the printer control unit 46. The communication unit 47 receives image data supplied from the computer 2 (printer driver 44) and inputs it to the printer control unit 46. The printer control unit 46 is connected to the print head 11 and the transport motor 18 via a device driver (not shown). A memory 48 is connected to the control unit 41. The memory 48 stores and holds a color processing lookup table 49 and an SML table 50. The control unit 41 includes an image processing unit 51 and a print control unit 52.

  The image processing unit 51 includes a rendering unit 51a, a color conversion unit 51b, a halftone processing unit 51c, and a print data generation unit 51d.

  The rendering unit 51a renders the image data input to the printer control unit 46, and converts each pixel of the image data into RGB multi-value data. When the RGB multi-value data is generated, the color converter 51b refers to the color processing lookup table 49 and converts the RGB multi-value data of each pixel into ink amount data of each ink. The color processing look-up table 49 stores and holds a color composed of a combination of R, G, and B and ink amount data of each ink in association with each other. When the ink amount data is generated, the halftone processing unit 51c generates the ink amount data of each ink forming each pixel based on the SML table 50 and is different in size from a blank dot that does not eject ink. Conversion to dot ratio data indicating the ratio of type ink. The SML table 50 stores and holds color gradation values based on each ink amount data and usage ratios of three types of dots, ie, blank dots, small dots, medium dots, and large dots.

  The print data generation unit 51d generates print data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 3 from the dot ratio data generated by the halftone processing unit 51c. The print data is a command group for ejecting ink from the nozzles 31 to 34 of the print head 11 and represents the nozzle to be driven and the dot size of the ink ejected from the nozzle.

  When generating print data, the print data generating unit 51d positions each of the nozzle rows 36 to 39 on one side in the cross direction C of the overlap area O where adjacent chips partially overlap, and adjacent chips. One side chip region M excluding the overlap region O of the chip (first chip 26 in FIG. 5) and the overlap region O of the chip (second chip 27 in FIG. 5) located on the other side in the crossing direction C It is divided (arranged) into the other chip region N except for the above. Further, the print data generation unit 51d sets the overlap region O to a first region O1 that ejects ink from a chip located on one side in the cross direction C and a chip located on the other side in the cross direction C (in FIG. The second region O2 that ejects ink from the two chips 27) and the mixed region O3 that ejects ink from both of two adjacent chips (the first chip 26 and the second chip 27 in FIG. 5). The first region O1 is a region adjacent to the chip on one side of the overlap region O, and the second region O2 is a region adjacent to the chip on the other side of the overlap region O. The mixed region O3 is a region sandwiched between the first region O1 and the second region O2. Then, the print data generation unit 51d generates print data for driving adjacent chips according to these sections.

  In other words, the print data generation unit 51d has a chip (on one side) for pixels formed on the sheet portion facing the one-side chip region M and the first region O1 of the recording sheet P passing through the printing position A ( In FIG. 5, print data for driving the nozzles of the first chip 26) is generated. Further, the print data generation unit 51d has a chip located on the other side of the pixels formed on the paper portion facing the other side chip region N and the second region O2 of the recording paper P passing through the printing position A (FIG. 5). Then, print data for driving the nozzles of the second chip 27) is generated. The print data generation unit 51d has two adjacent chips for the pixels formed on the sheet portion facing the mixed area O3 of the recording sheet P passing through the printing position A (the first chip 26 and the second chip 27 in FIG. 5). Print data for driving both of the nozzles is generated.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5B, the print data for driving the mixed region O3 is recorded by ink droplets ejected from the nozzle of the chip located on one side (the nozzle 31 of the first chip 26 in FIG. 5). The usage ratio of dots formed on the paper P and the usage ratio of dots formed on the recording paper P by ink droplets ejected from the nozzles of the chips located on the other side (the nozzles 31 of the second chips 27 in FIG. 5). Maintaining the sum at 100%, the usage ratio of the dots formed on the recording paper P by the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles of the chip located on one side is the side of the chip where the nozzle position is located on the other side of the nozzle row Decrease as you approach the edge. That is, the print data indicates the usage ratio of the dots formed by the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle of the chip located on the other side as the nozzle position moves away from the end of the chip located on one side of the nozzle row. increase.

  It should be noted that the dot usage ratio formed on the recording paper P by ink droplets ejected from the nozzles of the chip located on one side and the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles of the chip located on the other side are formed on the recording paper P. A print image formed by driving two adjacent chips based on print data in which the dot use ratio is maintained at 100% and the dot use ratio is distributed to the two heads is based on the dot ratio data. This is the same as the print image formed by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles of one chip using the print data generated so as to drive the nozzles of one chip. Such distribution of the dot usage ratio can be performed by using a mask pattern for driving the overlap region.

  For the overlap region O (see FIG. 2) of the line-type inkjet heads 21 to 24, the print data generation unit 51d divides the mixed region O3 into the overlap region O and drives the nozzles of two adjacent chips. Generate print data.

  Here, the print data generation unit 51d divides the mixed region O3 of the line type inkjet heads 21 to 24 in the overlap region O into positions that do not overlap each other when viewed from the transport direction B, as shown in FIG. Print data.

  When the print data is generated, the print control unit 52 drives the transport motor 18 to transport the recording paper P along the transport path at a predetermined speed. Further, the print head 11 is driven based on the print data, and printing is performed on the recording paper P conveyed at the print position A.

(Printing process)
When the printer 3 receives supply of print data from the computer 2, the image processing unit 51 converts the image data into RGB multi-value data, ink amount data of each ink, and dot ratio data in this order. Further, the image processing unit 51 generates print data based on the dot ratio data.

  When the print data is generated, the print control unit 52 drives the transport motor 18 to transport the recording paper P along the paper transport path 12 at a predetermined speed. Further, the print head 11 is driven based on the print data, and printing is performed on the recording paper P conveyed at the print position A.

  In this example, when printing is performed by driving an overlap region O where two chips adjacent in the cross direction C overlap, the first region O1 and the mixed region O3 of the chip located on one side are driven, The second region O2 is not driven. In the chip located on the other side, the second region O2 and the mixed region O3 are driven, and the first region O1 is not driven. Thereby, in each chip, printing can be performed without using the nozzle located at the end of the nozzle row. Here, the nozzles located at the end of the nozzle row in each chip may have different characteristics compared to the nozzles in the middle of the nozzle example, and the ejection direction of the ink ejected from these nozzles Although the discharge amount may be inaccurate, in this example, these nozzles are not used for printing. Therefore, even when banding occurs in the printed image, it is possible to suppress the uneven shading at both ends in the crossing direction C in the banding, and to suppress the banding from becoming obvious.

  Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the mixed region O3 for each of the line-type inkjet heads 21 to 24 in the overlap region O is divided into positions that do not overlap when viewed from the transport direction B. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the banding generated due to the positional deviation of the chips of the line type ink jet heads 21 to 24 from being overlapped with the recording paper P. Therefore, the manifestation of banding can be prevented.

(Modification)
When the print data generating unit 51d generates the print data for driving the mixed region O3, the use ratio of dots formed from the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles on one side in the intersecting direction C and the nozzles on the other side The print data may be generated in which the use ratio of the dots formed by the ink droplets ejected from each is 50%.

  In the above example, the mixed region O3 in each of the line-type inkjet heads 21 to 24 is divided in contact with the cross direction C when viewed from the transport direction B, but each line type when viewed from the transport direction B. The space between the mixed regions O3 in the inkjet heads 21 to 24 may be open.

  Further, the mixed region O3 in the line type ink jet heads 21 to 24 may be divided so as to overlap each other when viewed from the transport direction B. Even in this case, it is possible to suppress the banding appearing in the print image from appearing as compared with the case where the mixed region O3 in each of the line-type inkjet heads 21 to 24 is divided so as to be completely overlapped.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, the image processing unit 51 is mounted on the printer 3, but the image processing unit 51 may be provided on the computer 2 side. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a control system of a printing system according to a modification. In the printing system 1A of this example, the image processing unit 51 is configured in the control unit of the computer 2 by operating the printer driver 44 of the computer (printing control apparatus) 2. Further, the color processing look-up table 49 and the SML table 50 are stored in the memory of the control unit 41 of the computer 2. Then, the computer 2 transmits print data generated based on the print data received from the application program 43 to the printer 3, thereby driving the printer 3 to print image data.

  In addition, this example is applicable to the printer 3 which mounts the correction process part which performs a BRS correction process. The BRS correction processing is to measure what kind of shading unevenness occurs due to nozzle arrangement errors and variations in ink ejection characteristics, and correct the ink amount so as to cancel the shading unevenness based on the measured data. . In the BRS correction process, before the manufactured printer 3 is shipped, a dedicated pattern is printed, and the print result is measured by a scanner. Then, based on the measurement result, the correction amount of the ink amount is determined so as to cancel the generated banding, and the BRS in which the ink amount before correction and the corrected ink amount (density gradation value) are associated with each of the nozzles. Create a correction table. The created BRS correction table is stored in the memory 48. The image processing unit 51 corrects the dot ratio data with reference to the BRS correction table. The print data generation unit 51d generates print data based on the corrected dot ratio data.

1 · 1A ·· Printing system 2 ·· Computer 3 · Printer 4 ·· Display 5 ·· Input device 11 ·· Print head 12 ·· Paper transport path 13 ··· Transport mechanism 14 ·・ Platen unit, 15 ・ ・ Guide roller, 16 ・ ・ Drive roller, 17 ・ ・ Conveyor belt, 18 ・ ・ Conveyor motor, 21-24 ・ ・ First to fourth line type ink jet heads, 26 to 29 chips, 31 to 31 34..Nozzle 36-39..Nozzle array 41..Control unit 43..Application program 44.Printer driver 46.Printer control unit 47.Communication unit 48.Memory 49 .. Color processing lookup table, 50.. SML table 51.. Image processing unit 51 a. Rendering unit 51 b Color conversion unit 51 c Halftone processing unit, 51d ... Print data generation unit, 52 ... Print control unit, A ... Print position, C ... Cross direction, M ... One side chip area, N ... Other side chip area, O ... .. Overlap area, O1..first area, O2..second area, O3..mixed area, P..recording paper (recording medium)

Claims (7)

A transport unit for transporting the recording medium;
An ink jet head that forms and arranges an overlapping region when the first chip and the second chip that discharge the first color ink are viewed from the conveyance direction of the recording medium;
A communication unit for receiving image data;
The overlap area is divided into a first area where ink is ejected by the first chip, a second area where ink is ejected by the second chip, and ink is ejected by the first chip and the second chip. An image processing unit that generates print data for driving the first chip and the second chip based on the image data received by the communication unit as a mixed region to be discharged;
A printing apparatus comprising: A second overlap region is formed and disposed so as to overlap when the third chip and the fourth chip for discharging the second color ink different from the first color ink are viewed from the transport direction. Having an inkjet head,
The image processing unit includes the second overlap area, a third area that ejects ink with the third chip, a fourth area that ejects ink with the fourth chip, and a third chip and a third chip. 2. The printing according to claim 1, wherein second printing data for driving the third chip and the fourth chip is generated based on the image data as a second mixed region for ejecting ink with the four chips. apparatus.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the overlap region and the second overlap region overlap when viewed from the transport direction.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image processing unit arranges the mixed area and the second mixed area at a position that does not overlap when viewed from the transport direction. Inkjet arranged to form an overlapping region when the transporting section for transporting the recording medium and the first chip and the second chip for ejecting the first color ink are viewed from the transporting direction of the recording medium. A printing device having a head;
A generating unit that generates image data; a first region that ejects ink with the first chip; a second region that ejects ink with the second chip; the first chip; Image processing having an image processing unit that generates print data for driving the first chip and the second chip based on the image data generated by the generation unit as a mixed region for ejecting ink by two chips Equipment,
A printing system comprising: The printing apparatus forms a second overlap region that overlaps when the third chip and the fourth chip that discharge a second color ink different from the first color ink are viewed from the transport direction. Having a second inkjet head disposed;
The image processing unit of the image processing apparatus includes the second overlap area, a third area that ejects ink with the third chip, a fourth area that ejects ink with the fourth chip, and the second area. The print data for driving the third chip and the fourth chip is generated based on the image data as a second mixed region for ejecting ink by the third chip and the fourth chip. Printing system.   The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the image processing unit arranges the mixed region and the second mixed region at positions that do not overlap when viewed from the transport direction.

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