JP2016124236A - Manufacturing method for printed matter and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a printed matter whose contents printed on a paper surface can be easily discriminated from an appearance.SOLUTION: The manufacturing method for a printed matter includes: a step of receiving a plurality of jobs for arranging side by side a plurality of images whose widths are narrower than a width of a continuous paper in a conveying direction of the continuous paper, arranging image data of the received plurality of jobs side by side in a width direction of the continuous paper, and arranging belt-like images extending in the conveying direction at a region between adjacent jobs; a step of printing the images of the plurality of jobs and the belt-like images, arranged in the step of arranging, on the continuous paper; and a step of cutting off the printed continuous paper along the conveying direction across the belt-like images in order to divide the paper for each job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a printed matter manufacturing method and printing apparatus using continuous paper.

  As an image forming apparatus, an apparatus that performs printing using continuous paper such as roll paper has been proposed. In Patent Document 1, after a plurality of images corresponding to image data of a document are formed on a continuous sheet, a plurality of printed materials corresponding to the size of the image are obtained by cutting the image into sizes for each image by a cutting machine.

  In general, the step of printing on the roll paper and the step of cutting the roll paper are performed by separate apparatuses. For example, the roll paper has a width of several tens of millimeters and a length in the transport direction of several hundreds to several kilometers. The surface of the roll paper is vast, and it is general that the continuous paper after printing is rewound into a roll once again from the viewpoint of handling to a subsequent process.

JP 2002-137383 A

  However, when the paper is rewound onto the roll after printing, it is difficult to confirm from the appearance which position the printed image is or what image is printed. In particular, when a plurality of types of jobs or a plurality of types of images are printed on one roll, it is difficult to determine at which position switching has been performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a printed matter in which after printing an image on continuous paper, the content printed on the paper surface can be easily distinguished from the appearance.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) A method for manufacturing a printed matter using a printing apparatus that prints an image on continuous paper based on image data of a job,
A plurality of jobs for arranging a plurality of images having a width smaller than the width of the continuous paper in the continuous paper conveyance direction are arranged, the image data of the received plurality of jobs are arranged in the width direction of the continuous paper, and adjacent jobs are arranged. Arranging a belt-like image extending in the transport direction in a region between;
Printing the images of the plurality of jobs arranged in the arranging step and the belt-like image on continuous paper;
Cutting the printed continuous paper so as to straddle the belt-like image along the transport direction in order to divide the continuous paper for each job;
A method for producing printed matter, comprising:

(2) The method further includes the step of winding the continuous paper printed in the printing step to form a roll,
The method of manufacturing a printed material according to (1), wherein the cutting step is a step of cutting the roll along a plane perpendicular to an axis.

  (3) In the placing step, the position of the belt-like image in the transport direction is placed in correspondence with the print start position or the print end position of the job adjacent to the belt-like image. A method for producing a printed material according to 2).

(4) The plurality of images arranged in the transport direction of the job include a plurality of different images,
In the placing step, the position of the belt-like image in the transport direction is placed in correspondence with the position at which the image of the job adjacent to the belt-like image switches to a different image, (1) to (3) The manufacturing method of the printed matter as described in any one of these.

(5) In the step of forming the roll, the roll is formed by winding around a shaft portion having a predetermined outer diameter,
In the cutting step, by cutting the roll, a divided roll in which the continuous paper is divided for each job is created,
In the arranging step, the belt-like image is arranged so that an image composed of characters or symbols representing the contents of the job printed on the dividing roll appears on the cut surface of the dividing roll. The manufacturing method of printed matter of description.

(6) The printing apparatus includes a reading unit that reads an image printed on the continuous paper and obtains read image data on a continuous paper conveyance path,
And a step of determining whether the image of the job printed in the printing step is acceptable or not from the read image data.
When the image quality is determined in the step of determining the quality, the band-shaped image is arranged in a margin area adjacent to the job in which the defective image is generated in the arranging step. A method for producing a printed material according to 2).

  (7) An upstream end of the belt-like image arranged in a blank area adjacent to a job in which the defective image has occurred is located downstream from the defective image generation position by a predetermined distance in the transport direction. The manufacturing method of the printed matter as described in said (6).

  (8) The printed material manufacturing method according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the belt-like image has the same length as the adjacent job in the transport direction.

  (9) Any of the above (1) to (8), wherein the continuous paper is label paper, and the belt-like image is arranged in a blank area between labels arranged to be peelable on the surface of the label paper. The manufacturing method of printed matter as described in one.

(10) A printing apparatus that prints an image on continuous paper based on image data of a job,
A plurality of jobs for arranging a plurality of images having a width smaller than the width of the continuous paper in the continuous paper conveyance direction are arranged, the image data of the received plurality of jobs are arranged in the width direction of the continuous paper, and adjacent jobs are arranged. A control unit that arranges a belt-like image extending in the conveyance direction in a region between
An image forming unit that prints the images of the plurality of jobs and the belt-shaped images arranged on the continuous sheet by the control unit;
The printing apparatus, wherein the belt-like image is arranged so as to straddle a cutting position along the transport direction for dividing the plurality of jobs.

  (11) The printing apparatus according to (10), further including a winding device that winds the continuous paper printed by the image forming unit to form a roll.

  (12) The control unit arranges the position of the belt-shaped image in the transport direction in correspondence with the print start position or the print end position of the job adjacent to the belt-shaped image. ) Printing apparatus.

(13) The plurality of images arranged in the transport direction of the job include a plurality of different images.
The control unit arranges the position of the belt-shaped image in the transport direction in correspondence with the position at which the image of the job adjacent to the belt-shaped image switches to a different image, according to (10) to (12) above. The printing apparatus as described in any one.

(14) The winding device winds the continuous paper around a shaft portion having a predetermined outer diameter to form a roll,
The control unit is configured so that an image composed of characters or symbols representing the content of a job printed on a divided roll obtained by cutting the roll into round cuts at the cutting planned position appears on the cut surface of the divided roll. The printing apparatus according to (11), wherein the belt-like image is arranged on the printer.

(15) The continuous paper transport path includes a reading unit that reads the image printed on the continuous paper and obtains read image data,
The control unit determines whether the image of the job is good or bad from the read image data, and when the image is defective, the control unit arranges the belt-like image in a blank area adjacent to the job in which the defective image is generated. (10) The printing apparatus according to (11) above.

  (16) An upstream end of the belt-like image arranged in a blank area adjacent to a job in which the defective image has occurred is positioned downstream from the defective image generation position by a predetermined distance in the transport direction. The printing apparatus according to (15) above.

  (17) The printing apparatus according to any one of (10) to (12), wherein the belt-like image has the same length as the adjacent job in the transport direction.

  (18) Any one of (10) to (17), wherein the continuous paper is label paper, and the band-like image is arranged in a blank area between labels arranged to be peelable on the surface of the label paper. The printing apparatus as described in one.

  In the present invention, a plurality of jobs are arranged side by side in the width direction of the continuous paper, and a belt-like image extending in the transport direction is arranged in an area between adjacent jobs, and the continuous paper on which the arranged images are printed In order to divide for each job, the printed material is obtained by cutting so as to straddle the belt-like image along the conveyance direction. By doing in this way, since the content printed on the paper surface of the continuous paper can be easily discriminated from the appearance of the cut surface, it is possible to obtain a printed material that is easy to handle when performing the subsequent process.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus main body 100. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the example of a function which the control part 110 performs. 4 is an example of arrangement of image data in an image forming area of a label sheet S. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a label sheet S that has been subjected to printing processing by the printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the cutting surface of the roll after a cutting process and a cutting. It is a flowchart which shows the arrangement | positioning printing process of the strip | belt-shaped image which the control part 110 which concerns on this embodiment performs. It is an example of the operation screen 141 displayed on the display surface of the operation display unit 140. It is a figure which shows the 1st subroutine process of step S104. It is a figure which shows the 2nd subroutine process of step S104. It is a figure which shows the label paper S which printed the strip | belt-shaped image arrange | positioned. It is an example of the division | segmentation roll obtained by cutting the label paper S of FIG. 11 in the cutting plan position. It is a flowchart which shows the arrangement | positioning printing process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning printing process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is an example of the division | segmentation roll obtained by cutting the label paper S printed by the process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment in the cutting plan position. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning printing process which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is an example of the division | segmentation roll obtained by cutting the label paper S printed by the process which concerns on 4th Embodiment in the cutting plan position.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may be different from the actual ratios.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The printing apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 100, a paper feed device 200, a paper feed adjustment device 300, a paper discharge adjustment device 400, and a winding device 500.

  The paper feeding device 200 stores and holds the roll R0 that is the original winding of the label paper S as continuous paper, and sends the label paper S downstream in the paper transport direction. As the label paper S, a long label paper in which a label coated with an adhesive is attached to a mount is used.

  The paper feed adjusting device 300 has a buffer function for absorbing a minute paper transport speed difference between the paper feed device 200 and the image forming apparatus main body 100 and a paper shift.

  The image forming apparatus main body 100 includes an image forming unit 120, a fixing unit 130, and a reading unit 150 that perform image formation by a known electrophotographic process using a plurality of different color toners. The image forming unit 120 includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device, an intermediate transfer belt, and the like. In the image forming unit 120, the toner image is transferred onto the surface of the label paper S sent out from the paper feeding device 200, and the toner image is fixed on the surface of the label paper S by heating and pressurizing processing in the fixing unit 130. Let

  The reading unit 150 uniformly irradiates light onto a sheet by a light source (lamp), and forms an image of the reflected light on a line-shaped optical sensor through a light receiving lens, thereby image data of high resolution, for example, 400 dpi. Get. The optical sensor is composed of, for example, three types of RGB sensors, and outputs detection signals based on output values (RGB values) from the three types of sensors for each part of the color image. The optical sensor has a sufficient length in the width direction of the conveyed label paper S, and can measure the entire area of the label paper S.

  An operation display unit 140 is provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 100. The operation display unit 140 receives user operations and displays information. For this reason, the operation display unit 140 has any configuration such as a configuration in which an operation portion and a display portion are integrally configured, such as a touch panel, a configuration such as a hard key such as a button or a key, and a liquid crystal display device. It may be. Further, the operation display unit 140 may be separated from the housing of the image forming apparatus main body 100 as well as being installed in the housing of the image forming apparatus main body 100 as illustrated.

  Similarly to the paper feed adjustment device 300, the paper discharge adjustment device 400 also has a buffer function for absorbing a minute paper conveyance speed difference between the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the winding device 500 and a paper shift. . The paper discharge adjusting device 400 includes a cutter 410 that cuts the label paper S, and can cut the label paper S along a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction at a desired position. Further, the label paper may be cut out by the cutter 410 in a size and shape corresponding to the label image.

  The label paper S that has passed through the paper discharge adjusting device 400 reaches the winding device 500 and is wound and held on the roll R1.

  In the present embodiment, a roll-shaped label roll is used as the label paper S. However, the label paper S is not limited to a roll, and may be any continuous paper, for example, folded alternately. Form paper may also be used. Further, instead of label paper, continuous paper made of plain paper may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus main body 100. The image forming apparatus main body 100 includes an HD (hard disk drive) 160, an NW (network) communication unit 170, and a communication unit 180, which are large-capacity storage devices, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. The NW communication unit 170 is an interface that communicates with an external terminal device via a network using a standard such as Ethernet. The communication unit 180 is an interface for communicating with other devices 200, 300, 400, 500. Other devices 200, 300, 400, and 500 also include control units 210, 310, 410, and 510, and communication units 280, 380, 480, and 580 similar to the control unit 110 and the communication unit 180. These apparatuses control conveyance of the label paper S of the entire printing apparatus 10 by exchanging data with each other.

  The control unit 110 includes a CPU, RAM, and ROM. By executing various programs stored in the RAM or HDD 160, overall operations of the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the printing apparatus 10 are controlled in an integrated manner. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions executed by the control unit 110.

  Image data for printing sent from an external terminal device such as a PC via the NW communication unit 170 or image data obtained by reading a document sheet with a scanner (not shown) is stored in a memory (RAM or HDD 160). Thereafter, the image processing unit 111 performs rasterization processing, develops the data into bitmap format, and stores the data in a memory.

  The control unit 110 includes a plurality of memory reading modules (hardware including ASICs). The memory read module has a repeat function. The repeat function is a function for reading an image developed in such a memory to a memory reading module, arranging it in an arbitrary position in the main scanning direction (continuous paper width direction), and repeatedly outputting it in the sub-scanning direction.

  The cutting surface image arrangement unit 112 has a function of arranging a plurality of jobs side by side in the width direction of continuous paper and arranging a belt-like image extending in the transport direction (Y direction) in an area between jobs in the width direction. . Details of this arrangement processing will be described later.

  The defective image determination unit 113 acquires read image data obtained by reading the printed image with the reading unit 150. By comparing this with the original image data which is the original data of printing, it is determined whether or not the printed image is misaligned, skewed, image distortion, abnormal image, and other defective images. The comparison between the original image data and the read image data is performed by a known technique such as pattern matching.

  FIG. 4 is an example of arrangement of image data in the image forming area of the label paper S. The control unit 110 receives a job selection instruction to print from a plurality of jobs received from the user, and arranges it in the image forming area on the surface of the label paper S as a job set. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of strip-shaped areas extending along the transport direction are arranged in the image forming area. Of these, areas 1 to 3 are job placement areas, which correspond to jobs A, B, and C, respectively. Areas a and b are band-shaped image arrangement areas in which band-shaped images are arranged. The belt-like image arranged in this is a rectangular image whose longitudinal direction is the transport direction, and the image data is composed of color signals that are uniform over the entire surface. The band-shaped image arrangement area is an area adjacent to the target job based on settings described later, and is provided between the job arrangement areas. The number of job placement areas increases or decreases according to the number of jobs arranged side by side in the transport direction. The upper limit number of band-like image arrangement areas that can be arranged between job arrangement areas also increases or decreases according to the number of job arrangement areas.

  As shown in FIG. 4, blank areas are provided at both ends of the label paper S. The minimum value of the width of the margin area is typically set to about 1 mm, but can be set in the range of zero to several mm. In the present embodiment, the label paper S has a paper width of 330 mm.

  The length (hereinafter simply referred to as “width”) of the image (label image) of the image data included in the job in the main scanning direction (X direction, hereinafter simply referred to as “width direction”) is the sheet width Ws of the label sheet S. Shorter than. Each job arranges images (image data) of such a size side by side along the conveyance direction of the label paper S. The number of repeated image placements (number of images) and the image interval in the conveyance direction are described in the print settings of each job. The length in the conveyance direction of the entire job (hereinafter referred to as “job length”) is determined from these setting values and image sizes. ) Can be calculated. In a specific job, not only one image but also a plurality of images of the same size may be included. In that case, the number of repeated arrangements is described for each image.

  The width of the job placement areas 1 to 3 corresponds to the size of the image data of each job. More jobs can be arranged in the width direction as long as they are within the paper width Ws. The widths of the band-like image arrangement areas a and b correspond to values designated by the user. This specified value can be changed on an operation screen described later. The length of the job placement area in the transport direction corresponds to the job length. The length of the belt-like image arrangement area in the conveyance direction corresponds to the length of the job arrangement area of the target job. Although the belt-like image can be placed in the entire region within the belt-like image placement region, the placement position and the length in the transport direction are controlled by the control unit 110 based on settings described later.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the label sheet S printed by the printing apparatus 10. FIG. 5 is a print of the image data of FIG. Label images A to C corresponding to jobs A to C are printed in the job arrangement areas 1 to 3, respectively, and band images 90a and 90b are printed in the band image arrangement areas a and b, respectively. In the example of FIG. 5, the strip images 90a and 90b are arranged with a predetermined length in the strip image arrangement region.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the cutting process. The roll R <b> 1 is a roll formed by winding the label paper S printed by the image forming apparatus main body 100 by the winding device 500. As shown in FIG. 6A, the roll R1 removed from the printing apparatus 10 is divided into three divided rolls R11 to R13 by a cutter C of an external cutting machine at the cutting positions 1 and 2. The cutting surface is a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the roll axis of the roll R1, and the cutting positions 1 and 2 correspond to the scheduled cutting positions 1 and 2 shown in FIG. The cutting positions 1 and 2 (scheduled cutting positions 1 and 2) straddle the band-shaped images 90a and 90b printed in the band-shaped image arrangement area, respectively. In other words, the strip images 90a and 90b are arranged so as to straddle the cutting scheduled positions 1 and 2, respectively.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a cut surface of the split roll R13. On the cut surface of the split roll R13 on which the label image of job C is printed, a cross-sectional image 900 corresponding to the belt-shaped image 90b appears. The size (ring width) and radial position of the cross-sectional image 900 correspond to the length and arrangement position of the belt-like image 90b, respectively, and indicate the content or printing position of the label image printed on the dividing roller. Used as information. The label image printed on each divided roll is separated for each label image by the cutter 410 or an external cutter. The divided rolls divided for each job are then loaded into a labeler (automatic labeling machine) and used for the next process. Hereinafter, the arrangement procedure of the strip-shaped image for causing such a cross-sectional image 900 to appear will be described.

(Arrangement print processing of strip-shaped image according to the first embodiment)
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 11, a description will be given of the band-like image layout printing process for forming the cross-sectional image as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a belt-like image layout printing process executed by the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an example of the operation screen 141 displayed on the display surface of the operation display unit 140. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing the subroutine processing in step S104 of FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a label sheet S on which the arranged belt-like image is printed.

  In step S101 in FIG. 7, the control unit 110 receives a job. Each job can be created by selecting from image data stored in the HDD 160 and setting printing conditions such as the number of repetitions and image interval. From these jobs, the user selects one or more jobs to be printed side by side in the width direction. These are accepted as a job set.

  Next, the control unit 110 sequentially arranges the received image data of the job set in the image forming area on the sheet (S102). This arrangement is as described with reference to FIG. 4. The areas of each job are assigned according to the image size (width) of the image data, and are arranged in order in the width direction. At this time, the job arrangement areas 1 to 3 are arranged without a gap in the width direction, but a predetermined blank area (for example, 1 mm in width) may be arranged therebetween.

  In a succeeding step S103, it is determined whether or not the print setting of the belt-like image is ON (valid). The user can perform various print settings related to the belt-like image via the operation screen 141 described below.

(Operation screen)
Buttons b11 to b16 are arranged on the upper stage of the operation screen 141 shown in FIG. By using the respective buttons, the arrangement of the band-like images relating to “print start position”, “print end position”, “label image switching position”, “print error detection position”, “for cutting misalignment detection”, and “for cutting surface image formation” In addition, ON / OFF (valid / invalid) for printing can be set. Processing when each of the buttons b11 to b16 is validated will be described later. Of the buttons b11 to b16, the buttons b11 to b13 and b16 can be independently turned ON / OFF, and the plurality of buttons can be simultaneously turned ON. On the other hand, the buttons b14 and b15 are exclusive with other buttons and cannot be turned ON simultaneously. When the user selects ON of either button b14 or button b15, the setting of other buttons is forcibly switched to OFF by the control unit 110.

  Buttons b21 to b26 are arranged in the lower part of the operation screen 141. The user can set the width of the band by inputting a numerical value in the button b21. The button b22 can be used to select automatic / designation regarding the determination of the length of the belt-shaped image in the conveyance direction. When automatic is selected, the control unit 110 sets a predetermined length. From the viewpoint of visibility from the appearance, the predetermined length is set in a range of 0.5 to 3.0 m, for example, as a length of one or more rounds of the roll. The predetermined length may be set according to the job length of the target job. When the designation is selected, the user can set the length of the belt-like image by inputting a numerical value to the button b23.

  You may make it set the length of a strip | belt-shaped image not with distance but with the winding number with respect to roll R1. For example, when the number of windings is set to 2, the length is set to twice the circumference of the roll R1, and this circumference depends on the radial position (distance from the center) of the roll R1 to be wound. Value.

  With the buttons b24 to b26, it is possible to set the presence / absence of a band-like image for causing an image to appear on the cut surfaces of the first roll, the second roll, and the third roll, and to set the color when it is enabled. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first to third rolls correspond to the divided rolls R11 to R13 and the job placement areas 1 to 3 in FIG. Since green is set for the button b24, the arrangement of the band-shaped image for the job arrangement area 1 (job A) is effective, and the color of the band-shaped image to be arranged is green. Since the button b25 is invalid, the arrangement of the band-like image is invalid. Since red is set for the button b26, the arrangement of the band-shaped image for the job arrangement area 3 (job C) is effective, and the color of the band-shaped image to be arranged is red. In addition, as long as it is a setting which arrange | positions several strip | belt-shaped image for one job (division | segmentation roll) by setting of button b11-b16, you may enable it to select several colors according to the number of arrangement | positioning.

  When the button b24 of the first roll is valid, a belt-like image is an area adjacent to the job placement area 1 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the first roll and between the adjacent job placement areas. The arrangement area a is secured. When the button b25 of the second roll is valid, the area a and the area b are secured on both sides of the area 2 corresponding to the second roll. When the button b26 of the third roll is valid, an area b that is an area adjacent to the area 3 corresponding to the third roll and is adjacent to the job arrangement area is a band-shaped image arrangement area. Secured. In other words, the condition for securing the area a is ensured when one of the buttons b24 and b25 related to the first roll and the second roll is enabled, and is not ensured when both are invalid. If the area a is not secured, the areas 1 and 2 are in direct contact with each other. When the areas 1 and 2 are in contact with each other, a blank area having a predetermined width (for example, 1 mm) may be provided therebetween. Here, the operation screen 141 is an example when the number of jobs included in the job set to be printed simultaneously is three. The number of buttons b24 to b26 increases or decreases according to the number of jobs included in the job set.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In step S103, it is determined whether any of the buttons b11 to b16 is set to ON. If any one of the buttons is set to ON (step S103: YES), the process proceeds to the next band image arrangement process in step S104.

(First subroutine, print start position / print end position)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the first subroutine processing of step S104, which is processed by the cutting surface image arrangement unit 112. If either the button b11 or the button b12 on the operation screen 141 is ON and the print start position or the print end position of the band-like image arrangement condition is valid (step S201: YES), in step S202, the band-like shape is formed in the width direction. An image arrangement area is allocated (see areas a and b in FIG. 4). The position in the width direction (including the presence / absence of assignment) and the width are based on the designated contents of the buttons b21 and b24 to b26 on the operation screen 141. The band-shaped image arrangement area is assigned to an area adjacent to the job arrangement area of the target job and sandwiched between two adjacent job arrangement areas.

  At this time, the arrangement positions of the job arrangement areas 1 to 3 are appropriately shifted according to the arrangement of the band-like image arrangement areas a and b between them. When the band-shaped image arrangement areas a and b are assigned to the image forming area of the label sheet S, a warning screen for prompting the user to review the band width is displayed in a pop-up on the operation screen 141 when it does not fit within the sheet width Ws. You may make it change to an appropriate width | variety in the range which does not have trouble in the control part 110. Further, if a margin area is arranged between the job arrangement areas 1 to 3 in step S103, the margin area is replaced with the band-like image arrangement areas a and b assigned in step S202.

  In subsequent step S203, the position and length of the belt-like image in the transport direction described below are set, and the belt-like image is placed in the belt-like image placement areas a and b assigned in step S202.

  This arrangement satisfies the following (1) to (4). (1) Within a band image arrangement area adjacent to a job in which the band image arrangement is effective. (2) The print start position or the print end position of the job is calculated according to the setting of the buttons b11 and b12, and the end of the belt-like image is arranged according to the position. If the print start position is valid, the leading end of the belt-like image is arranged at or near that position. If the print end position is valid, the rear end portion of the belt-like image is arranged at or near that position. (3) The size of the belt-like image is set to the width and length specified by the buttons b21 to b23. For example, if the buttons b21 to b23 are set as shown in FIG. 8, the size of the belt-like image is set to a width of 4 mm and a length of 0.8 m. (4) The color of the belt-like image is set to the color designated by the buttons b24 to b26.

  For example, if both of the buttons b11 and b12 are valid, the leading edge of the first belt image set in (3) and (4) above is the leading label image of the target job specified in (1) above. It is arranged beside and the rear end of the second belt-like image is arranged beside the last label image of this target job. The belt-like image is arranged in such a procedure, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 7 (return).

(Subroutine 2, label image switching position)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the second subroutine processing of step S104, which is processed by the cut surface image arrangement unit 112. If b13 on the operation screen 141 is ON and the “label image switching position” in the band image placement condition is valid (step S301: YES), in step S302, the band is formed in the width direction in the same procedure as step S202. An image arrangement area is allocated (see areas a and b in FIG. 4).

  In subsequent step S303, the position and length of the belt-shaped image in the transport direction, which will be described below, are set, and the belt-shaped images are arranged in the belt-shaped image arrangement areas a and b assigned in step S302.

  This arrangement satisfies the following (1) to (4). (1) Within a band image arrangement area adjacent to a job in which the band image arrangement is effective. (2) A position at which the label image of the job is switched is calculated, and a belt-like image is arranged at a position corresponding to the calculated position. (3) The size of the belt-like image is set to the length and width specified by the buttons b21 to b23. (4) The color of the belt-like image is set to the color designated by the buttons b24 to b26. The belt-like image is arranged in such a procedure, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 7 (return).

  Here, processing when two strip images are arranged at the same position in one strip image arrangement region will be described. In the example of FIG. 4, there are two job arrangement areas adjacent to the belt-like image arrangement area a, area 1 and area 2. In other words, the belt-like image arrangement area a is intended for the jobs A and B, and is shared by these jobs. For this reason, there are cases where two belt-like images are placed at the same position in the belt-like image placement region a depending on the placement conditions of the belt-like images in both job placement regions 1 and 2. In this case, the belt-like images are arranged in an overlapping manner. Specifically, if the color setting of the button b24 in FIG. 8 is green and the color setting of the button b25 is yellow, a yellow-green belt-shaped image obtained by combining the color signals is printed in the overlapping region. In addition, for this reason, the colors that can be set by the buttons b24 to b26 are selected from among several types of colors having greatly different hues, such as selecting colors that have greatly different hues between adjacent rolls. Is preferred.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In step S105, conveyance of continuous paper is started. A sensor for detecting the position of the paper edge in the width direction is arranged in the transport path of the printing apparatus 10 in order to determine the transport state of the continuous paper (not shown). Based on the output of this sensor, the control unit 110 can confirm that the continuous sheet conveyance is stable because the edge position of the continuous sheet falls within the control center value for a predetermined period. Normally, the conveyance is not stable for several meters from the start of the conveyance. After confirming the stability of the conveyance (step S106: YES), the control unit 110 executes the printing process on the continuous paper surface of the label image and the band-shaped image arranged in steps S102 and S104, and ends (step S107). , End).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the label sheet S created by the layout printing process according to the present embodiment. The arrangement condition of the belt-like image is the setting exemplified in the operation screen 141 in FIG. 8, and the print end position (button b12) and the label image switching position (button b13) are set to be valid. In FIG. 11, three strip images 91 to 93 corresponding to this setting are arranged.

  The band-shaped image 91 is arranged in correspondence with the print end position (y1) of the target job C, and the rear end position of the band-shaped image 91 coincides with the rear end of the label image C at the end of the job C. Yes. The strip-shaped image 91 has a length of 0.8 m, a width of 4 mm, and a color of red. These settings are based on the settings on the operation screen 141 (buttons b21 to b23, b26). In the notation of FIG. 11, the length of the belt-like image is extremely shortened compared to the length (several tens of mm) of the label image in the conveyance direction. Further, the correspondence relationship between the print end position and the band-shaped image 91 is merely an example, and it is sufficient that the band-shaped image 91 is arranged in the vicinity of the print end position, and the front end position or the center position of the band-shaped image 91 is set as the print end position. They may be matched (the same applies to the following).

  The belt-like image 93 is also arranged corresponding to the print end position (y3) of the target job A in the same manner as the belt-like image 91. The trailing edge position of the belt-like image 93 is the trailing edge of the last label image of the job A. Is consistent with The belt-like image 93 has a length of 0.8 m, a width of 4 mm, and a color of green (buttons b21 to b23 and b24).

  The band-shaped image 92 is arranged corresponding to the switching position (y2) of the label image of the target job A, and the center position of the band-shaped image 92 coincides with the boundary (middle) between the label images before and after switching. Yes. The length, width, and color of the strip image 92 are the same as those of the strip image 93. Note that the correspondence between the label image switching position and the band-shaped image 92 is merely an example, and it is sufficient that the band-shaped image 92 is arranged in the vicinity of the label image switching position. May be matched with the switching position.

  FIG. 12 is an example of the division roll obtained by cutting the label sheet S of FIG. 11 at the cutting scheduled position. 12A shows the cut surface of the split roll R11, and FIG. 12B shows the cut surface of the split roll R13. Although the illustration of the cut surface of the split roll R12 is omitted, one of the cut surfaces of the split roll R12 is a mirror image cut surface as shown in FIG. 12A, and the other cut surface is shown in FIG. ) And the mirror image. Since each of the strip images 91 to 93 in FIG. 11 straddles the cutting position, the cross-sectional images 910 to 930 appear on the cutting surface. From the cross-sectional images 910 and 930, the print end position of the job can be known, and from the cross-sectional image 920, the label image switching position can be known.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a plurality of jobs are arranged side by side in the width direction of the label sheet, and a belt-like image extending in the transport direction in an area between adjacent jobs is displayed as a print start position or a print end position of the job. Alternatively, it is arranged corresponding to the position where the label image switches within the same job. Then, in order to divide the roll formed by printing the arranged image for each of a plurality of jobs, the printed material is obtained by cutting the roll so as to straddle the belt-like image along the conveyance direction. By doing so, the arrangement position of the label images printed on the paper surface of the label paper can be easily discriminated from the appearance of the cut surface of the roll, so that it is possible to obtain a printed material that is easy to handle when performing the subsequent process.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the layout printing process according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the image state is monitored using the reading unit 150 (see FIG. 1) arranged in the conveyance path. When the occurrence of a defective image is detected, a belt-like image is arranged and printed as information indicating the position of the defective image. Details will be described below.

  In steps S401 to S402 in FIG. 13, the control unit 110 performs processing similar to that in steps S101 to S102 in FIG. 7, accepts a job set including a plurality of jobs, and receives these image data in the width direction within the image forming area. Place them side by side.

  In the subsequent step S403, it is determined whether or not the print setting of the “print error detection position” band image is set to ON (valid) among the print settings of the band image. The user can select ON / OFF by operating the button b14 on the operation screen 141 of FIG.

  If it is valid (step S403: YES), in the next step S403, a band-shaped image arrangement area is allocated in the width direction in the image forming area (S404). Regardless of the setting contents of the buttons b24 to b26, the area allocation is performed for all areas sandwiched between adjacent job arrangement areas. The width of this area is based on the content of the button b21 on the operation screen 141.

  Steps S405 to S407 are the same processes as steps S105 to S107 in FIG. 7, and the conveyance of the continuous sheet is started. After confirming that the conveyance is stable, the printing of the label image of the job is started. At this time, the band-shaped image arrangement areas a and b for band-shaped image arrangement are allocated, but no band-shaped image is arranged inside, and a blank area (blank state) where nothing is printed.

  The label image printed in step S407 is monitored by the defective image determination unit 113. Specifically, a label image printed on the surface of the label paper S is read by the reading unit 150. The read image data obtained by reading and the original image data that is the original data for printing are compared by a known technique such as pattern matching. If the image formation position is shifted from the original position or is deformed, it is determined that a defective image has occurred (step S408: YES).

  When it is determined that a defect has occurred, the control unit 110 arranges the band-like image by the cutting surface image arrangement unit 112 according to the following procedure, and then causes the image forming unit 120 to perform printing (S409).

  The arrangement at this time satisfies the following (1) to (4). (1) Within a belt-like image arrangement area adjacent to a job in which a defective image has occurred. (2) The arrangement start position (upstream end) is the most upstream position (immediate) at which arrangement is possible, or a position away from the defective image generation position by a predetermined distance downstream. (3) The size of the belt-like image is set to the length and width specified by the buttons b21 to b23. A predetermined length may be set in advance. (4) The color of the belt-like image is set to the color designated by the buttons b24 to b26. Or you may set to the predetermined color set differently between jobs.

  By performing such processing, for example, when a defective image is generated in the label image of job B in FIG. 4, the belt-like images are arranged in the specified length and color in both the region a and the region b adjacent to the defective image. The Similarly, when a defective image is generated simultaneously in both job A and job B, strip images are arranged in a specified length and color in both the area a and the area b adjacent thereto. At this time, the color of the belt-like image in the area a is a color obtained by combining the color signals set in both the job A and the job B as described above.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, a plurality of jobs are arranged side by side in the width direction of the label sheet, and a band-shaped image extending in the transport direction is replaced with a blank area (band-shaped image adjacent to the job in which the defective image is generated. Place in the placement area. As a result, the position of the defective label image can be easily determined from the appearance of the cut surface of the roll, so that it is possible to obtain a printed material that is easy to handle in the subsequent process.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 14 is a subroutine process of step S104 and shows the layout printing process according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a band-shaped image for detecting a cutting deviation set to the same length as the job length is arranged.

  In step S501 in FIG. 14, it is determined whether or not the output setting of the band image “for cutting misalignment detection” is ON (valid) among the print settings of the band image. The user can select ON / OFF by operating the button b15 on the operation screen 141 of FIG.

  If it is valid (step S501: YES), in the next step S502, a band-shaped image arrangement area is allocated in the width direction in the image forming area. Regardless of the setting contents of the buttons b24 to b26, the area allocation is performed by assigning an area for band-shaped image arrangement to an area between all job arrangement areas. The width of this area is set to a predetermined value based on the standard width of the cutting deviation. For example, if the allowable width of the cutting deviation (width direction) is 2 mm, 2 mm is applied as the predetermined width. Note that the value of the predetermined width may be changed from the operation screen 141 or the like.

  In subsequent step S503, the position and length of the belt-shaped image in the transport direction, which will be described below, are set, the position and length of the belt-shaped image in the transport direction are set, and the band-shaped image layout assigned in step S302 is set. A band-like image is arranged in the areas a and b.

  This arrangement satisfies the following (1) to (4). (1) Within all the band-like image arrangement areas. (2) The leading edge of the belt-like image is set as the print start position of the job. (3) The length of the belt-like image is set to the same length as the job length, and the predetermined value applied in step S502 is used as the width. (4) The color of the belt-like image is a predetermined color. After arranging the belt-like image in such a procedure, the print processing is performed on the arranged image by returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7 (return).

  FIG. 15 is an example of a split roll obtained by cutting the label sheet S on which the belt-like image is printed in the process according to the third embodiment at the cutting scheduled position. FIG. 15A is a diagram of the cutting surface when the cutting process is properly performed, and FIG. 15B is a diagram of the cutting surface when the cutting process is not performed properly and the cutting position is shifted. It is. In FIG. 15A, since the cutting position is not shifted or within an allowable range, the cutting position does not deviate from the belt-like image, and the cross-sectional image 901 that appears on the cutting surface has a uniform color on the entire surface. It is an image. On the other hand, in FIG. 15B, the cross-sectional image 902 that appears on the cut surface is not uniform on the entire surface, and some of the colors are missing and appear white. Since the cutting position shifts in the width direction and a part of the cutting surface comes off without straddling the belt-like image, there is no belt-like image on the end face of the label paper, and the portion becomes white.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, a plurality of jobs are arranged side by side in the width direction of the label sheet, and a belt-like image extending in the transport direction with the same length as the job length is provided in an area between adjacent jobs. Arrange with a predetermined width. As a result, since the location where the cutting position shifts when the roll is divided can be easily determined from the appearance of the cut surface of the roll, it is possible to obtain a printed material that is easy to handle when performing the subsequent process.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 16 is a subroutine process of step S104, and shows a layout print process according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, a belt-like image is arranged so that an image made up of characters or symbols representing the contents of a job printed on a split roll appears on the cut surface.

  In step S601 in FIG. 16, it is determined whether or not the output setting of the band image for forming the cut surface image is set to ON (valid) among the print settings of the band image. The user can select ON / OFF by operating the button b16 on the operation screen 141 of FIG.

  If it is valid (step S601: YES), in the next step S602, areas for band-like image arrangement (band-like image arrangement areas a and b in FIG. 4) are allocated in the width direction in the image forming area. The position in the width direction of the area to be allocated (including the presence / absence of allocation) and the width are based on the specified contents of the buttons b21 and b24 to b26 on the operation screen 141.

  Subsequently, in step S603, the diameter of the winding shaft when the roll R1 is wound by the winding device 500 and the thickness information per label sheet S fed from the paper feeding device 200 are acquired. If this information is stored in the control units 210 and 510 of the winding device 500 and the paper feeding device 200, the information may be acquired from the control units 210 and 510, or input by the user via the operation screen 141. You may make it do.

  In the subsequent step S604, the position and length of the belt-like image in the transport direction described below are set, and the belt-like image is placed in the belt-like image placement areas a and b assigned in step S602.

  This arrangement satisfies the following (1) to (4). (1) Within a band image arrangement area adjacent to a job in which the band image arrangement is effective. (2) The arrangement position and length of the belt-like image are calculated based on the designated content of the cut surface image. The width is set to a specified width (button b21). (3) The color of the belt-like image is set to the color designated by the buttons b24 to b26.

  The designation of the cut surface image is set on an operation screen (not shown) that transitions when the button b16 is switched to ON in the operation screen 141. The user can set characters, symbols, and other image data as information indicating the contents of the target job on the transition screen. At this time, the number of characters and symbols that can be set may be limited according to the area of the cut surface of the target job. The area of the cut surface of the target job is determined by the radius of the roll R11, and this radius can be calculated according to the job length of the target job, the thickness of the label paper, and the like.

  The cutting plane image arrangement unit 112 converts character, symbol, and other image data designated by the user into an image having a predetermined resolution, and sets the arrangement positions and arrangement lengths of the plurality of strip images so that they appear on the cutting plane. Set up. After arranging the belt-like image in such a procedure, the print processing is performed on the arranged image by returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7 (return).

  FIG. 17 shows an example of a division roll obtained by cutting a label sheet S on which a strip-like image is arranged and printed by the processing according to the fourth embodiment at a cutting position. In the figure, cross-sectional images 941 to 943 are further added to the cross-sectional images 920 and 930 in FIG. The cross-sectional images 941 to 943 are cross-sectional images obtained by printing and cutting the band-shaped images arranged by the processing of FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the cross-sectional images 941 to 943 form numbers “019” and “022” and an English letter “H” as images indicating the contents of the job on which the label paper of the cross-section is formed. ing.

  Thus, in the fourth embodiment, a plurality of jobs are arranged side by side in the width direction of the label paper, and an image made up of characters or symbols representing the contents of the job printed on the cut surface of the split roll appears. As shown in FIG. As a result, the contents of the job can be easily discriminated from the appearance of the cut surface of the roll, so that it is possible to obtain a printed material that is easy to handle when performing the subsequent process.

(Modification)
In the first embodiment, the belt-like image is arranged on the side of the label image that is the target of the head, the tail, or the image switching. However, the belt-like image may be negative-positive inverted. Specifically, the belt-like image is not arranged only on the side of the target label image, and the belt-like image is arranged on the side of the non-target label image. Even in this way, the user can know the position of the target label image from the white portion of the cut surface.

  The configuration of the printing apparatus 10 described above is defined by the contents described in the claims, and various modifications are possible. The configuration of the printing apparatus 10 is not limited to the above-described configuration because the main configuration has been described in describing the features of the above-described embodiments and modifications. Further, the configuration of a general printing apparatus is not excluded.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing apparatus 100 Image forming apparatus main body 110 Control part 111 Image processing part 112 Cutting surface image arrangement part 113 Defective image determination part 120 Image forming part 130 Fixing part 140 Operation display part 150 Reading part 160 HDD
170 NW communication unit 180 communication unit 200 paper feed device 300 paper feed adjustment device 400 paper discharge adjustment device 410 cutting device 500 winding device 210, 310, 410, 510 control unit 280, 380, 480, 580 communication unit a, b belt-like Image arrangement area 1-3 Job arrangement area 90a, 90b, 91, 92, 93 Band image 900, 910, 920, 930, 941, 942, 943 Cross section image

Claims (18)

A method of manufacturing a printed matter using a printing apparatus that prints an image on continuous paper based on image data of a job,
A plurality of jobs for arranging a plurality of images having a width smaller than the width of the continuous paper in the continuous paper conveyance direction are arranged, the image data of the received plurality of jobs are arranged in the width direction of the continuous paper, and adjacent jobs are arranged. Arranging a belt-like image extending in the transport direction in a region between;
Printing the images of the plurality of jobs arranged in the arranging step and the belt-like image on continuous paper;
Cutting the printed continuous paper so as to straddle the belt-like image along the transport direction in order to divide the continuous paper for each job;
A method for producing printed matter, comprising: Further, the method includes a step of winding the continuous paper printed in the printing step to form a roll,
The printed material manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the cutting step is a step of cutting the roll along a plane perpendicular to an axis.   The position of the strip | belt-shaped image in the said conveyance direction is arrange | positioned corresponding to the print start position or the print end position of the said job adjacent to this strip | belt-shaped image in the said arrangement | positioning step. Manufacturing method of printed matter. The plurality of images arranged side by side in the transport direction of the job include a plurality of different images,
The position of the said strip | belt-shaped image in the said conveyance direction is arrange | positioned corresponding to the position where the image of the said job adjacent to this strip | belt-shaped image switches to a different image in the said arrangement | positioning step. The manufacturing method of the printed matter as described in any one. In the step of forming the roll, the roll is formed by winding around a shaft portion having a predetermined outer diameter,
In the cutting step, by cutting the roll, a divided roll in which the continuous paper is divided for each job is created,
3. The band image is arranged in the arranging step so that an image composed of characters or symbols representing the contents of a job printed on the division roll appears on a cut surface of the division roll. Manufacturing method for printed materials. The printing apparatus includes a reading unit that reads an image printed on continuous paper and obtains read image data on a continuous paper conveyance path;
And a step of determining whether the image of the job printed in the printing step is acceptable or not from the read image data.
3. The band-shaped image is arranged in a blank area adjacent to a job in which the defective image is generated in the arranging step when a defect in the image is determined in the determining step. The manufacturing method of printed matter as described in 2.   The upstream end of the belt-like image arranged in a blank area adjacent to the job in which the defective image is generated is located downstream from the defective image generation position by a predetermined distance in the transport direction. The manufacturing method of printed matter as described in 2.   4. The method for producing a printed material according to claim 1, wherein the belt-like image has the same length as that of the adjacent job in the transport direction. 5.   The said continuous paper is a label paper, The said strip | belt-shaped image is arrange | positioned at the blank area | region between the labels arrange | positioned on the surface of the said label paper so that peeling is possible, The any one of Claims 1-8. Manufacturing method of printed matter. A printing device that prints an image on continuous paper based on job image data,
A plurality of jobs for arranging a plurality of images having a width smaller than the width of the continuous paper in the continuous paper conveyance direction are arranged, the image data of the received plurality of jobs are arranged in the width direction of the continuous paper, and adjacent jobs are arranged. A control unit that arranges a belt-like image extending in the conveyance direction in a region between
An image forming unit that prints the images of the plurality of jobs and the belt-shaped images arranged on the continuous sheet by the control unit;
The printing apparatus, wherein the belt-like image is arranged so as to straddle a cutting position along the transport direction for dividing the plurality of jobs.   The printing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a winding device that winds the continuous paper printed by the image forming unit to form a roll.   The printing according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control unit arranges the position of the belt-shaped image in the transport direction in correspondence with a print start position or a print end position of the job adjacent to the belt-shaped image. apparatus. The plurality of images arranged side by side in the transport direction of the job include a plurality of different images,
The control unit according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the control unit arranges the position of the belt-shaped image in the transport direction in correspondence with a position at which the image of the job adjacent to the belt-shaped image switches to a different image. The printing apparatus as described in one. The winding device forms a roll by winding the continuous paper around a shaft portion having a predetermined outer diameter,
The control unit is configured so that an image composed of characters or symbols representing the content of a job printed on a divided roll obtained by cutting the roll into round cuts at the cutting planned position appears on the cut surface of the divided roll. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the belt-like image is arranged on the printer. The continuous paper transport path includes a reading unit that reads the image printed on the continuous paper and obtains read image data.
The control unit determines whether the image of the job is good or bad from the read image data, and when the image is defective, the control unit arranges the belt-like image in a blank area adjacent to the job in which the defective image is generated. Item 12. The printing apparatus according to item 10 or item 11.   The upstream end of the band-shaped image arranged in a blank area adjacent to the job in which the defective image has occurred is located downstream from the defective image generation position by a predetermined distance in the transport direction. The printing apparatus as described in.   The printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the belt-like image has the same length as that of the adjacent job in the transport direction.   The said continuous paper is a label paper, The said strip | belt-shaped image is arrange | positioned in the margin area | region between the labels arrange | positioned on the surface of the said label paper so that peeling is possible, The any one of Claims 10-17. Printing device.