JP3748180B2 - Printing system and printing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing method for performing plate making printing based on printing contents expressed by digital data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in a digital printing apparatus, page description data (PDL (Page Description Language)) in which each material included in a print content is laid out is input and converted into raster data (RIP (Raster Image Processing)). ) Processing), plate making based on raster data is performed, and a series of printing processing is performed in which a required number of copies are printed.
[0003]
In plate-based digital printing, when producing printed materials that differ in part for each small number of copies (for example, a calendar printed with the name of the provider or a catalog printed with the name of the store), plate making time and materials are required. Therefore, it takes more time and cost than plateless digital printing. Therefore, in plate digital printing, the above-mentioned printed matter, that is, a plurality of types having a fixed portion that is a printing content common to all types of printed matter and a variable portion that is a printing content unique to each type of printed matter When producing the printed matter, it is desired to perform efficient printing by reducing the plate making time and the plate making material.
[0004]
Here, when printing the above printed matter, two printing methods are conventionally performed.
[0005]
The first method is to first print all the fixed parts that are common to all printed materials such as backgrounds, calendars, products, etc. that do not include a variable part such as a provider name, and then common to each printed material. This is a method in which only a variable part such as a provider name is additionally printed by reloading a printed matter on which only the printing contents are printed on a paper feeding unit of a printing apparatus, and this is a so-called reprinting method.
[0006]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a first conventional method. First, in order to generate a printed material including only a fixed portion common to all types of printed materials, for example, four color plates of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) are printed. Using this, all the fixed parts are printed by using them (step S801). Then, the printed matter on which only the fixed portion discharged by the total number printing is printed is mounted again on the paper feeding portion of the printing apparatus (step S802). Then, all the four color plates used for printing the fixed portion are discharged (step S803), and then a plate including only the variable portion is made and printing a predetermined number of sheets (step S804). By repeatedly performing the processes in steps S803 and S804 in accordance with the number of variable parts, variable parts having different contents are additionally printed on the printed matter on which only the fixed part is printed, and all types of printed matter are generated. It is. Finally, when printing of all the variable parts is completed, the variable part plate is discharged (step S806).
[0007]
In the second method, when page description data is created by a front-end computer or the like, page description data obtained by synthesizing a fixed part and a variable part is created for each different variable part. This is a method for performing plate-making printing on the basis of this. That is, even if there are print contents common to a plurality of types of printed matter, plate making for four colors is newly performed for each type, and a predetermined number of prints are performed.
[0008]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a second conventional method. First, plate making for four colors including the first variable portion is performed (step S901), and a predetermined number of printed materials including the first variable portion are printed using the four plates (step S902). Then, when the generation of the printed matter including the first variable portion is finished, all the plates are discharged (step S903). Then, plate making for all colors including the next variable portion is performed (step S904), and a printed material including a predetermined number of second variable portions is generated using the plate (step S905). By repeating the processes of steps S903 to S905 according to the number of variable parts (step S906), four color plates are generated and printed each time the variable parts differ, and finally all types A printed material is generated. Finally, when all types of printed matter are generated, all the plates are discharged (step S907).
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the first method described above, the printed matter on which only the fixed portion is printed must be mounted again on the paper feed portion, and additional printing must be performed. Have the problem of becoming.
[0010]
In addition, in order to obtain a final printed matter, printing has to be performed twice for each type, and there is a problem that twice as much time is required for producing the printed matter.
[0011]
Furthermore, since the variable part is additionally printed in the state where the fixed part is printed, both the variable part and the fixed part are always printed where the variable part and the fixed part overlap. May have problems. In other words, if the variable portion and the fixed portion overlap, a blanking process (a process in which only the variable portion is printed without printing the fixed portion and the halftone dot area ratio and density are set to values specified by the variable portion) is performed. However, in the first method, such a removal process cannot be performed.
[0012]
On the other hand, in the case of the second method described above, even if the variable portion is not included in the four-color plate and there is a plate including only the fixed portion, the variable portion Each time a different printing is performed, there is a problem that a large amount of plate material is required because plate removal, re-plate making and plate exchange are performed. In addition, there is a problem that it takes time to re-engrave. Furthermore, since the fixed portion and the variable portion are combined and managed, there is a problem that it is difficult to cope with the case where the variable portion is added or changed.
[0013]
That is, in the conventional method as described above, when generating a plurality of types of printed matter having a fixed portion that is a printing content common to all types of printed matter and a variable portion that is a unique printing content for each type of printed matter. However, it is difficult to perform efficient printing because a large amount of plate making time and plate making materials are required.
[0014]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a printing system and a printing method that enable efficient printing by reducing plate making time and material in plate-based digital printing. With the goal.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 generates a plurality of types of printed matter by performing a series of printing processes from plate making to printing based on printing contents expressed by digital data. In the printing system, a management unit that distinguishes and manages a fixed portion that is common to all types of the printed matter and a variable portion that is unique to each type of the printed matter. And generating a combined print content in which the fixed portion and the variable portion are combined with respect to a plate including both the fixed portion and the variable portion among a plurality of plates generated based on the print content. When printing the printed matter having a different variable portion in the course of the printing process, only the plate corresponding to the composite printing content of the plurality of plates is made, and only the plate is replaced do it And a plate printing mechanism for printing.
[0016]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the first aspect, the synthesizing unit invalidates the print contents of a portion of the fixed portion corresponding to the area where the variable portion is synthesized and arranged. The composite print content is generated.
[0017]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the first or second aspect, the synthesizing unit causes the fixed unit and the variable unit to be both based on an image component included in the variable unit. Is automatically specified, and the composite print content for the version is generated.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 4 is a printing method for generating a plurality of types of printed matter by performing a series of printing processes from plate making to printing on the basis of printing contents expressed by digital data, Among the contents, a process for distinguishing and managing a fixed part that is a print content common to all types of the printed material and a variable part that is a unique print content for each type of the printed material, and generated based on the print content Generating a combined print content in which the fixed portion and the variable portion are combined for a plate including both the fixed portion and the variable portion of the plurality of plates, the print content, and the The plurality of plates are generated based on the composite printing content, and the first plate-making printing step for generating one type of printed matter, and the printed portion of the plurality of plates, when printing the printed matter having a different variable portion. For composite print contents Performs only prepress response to the plate, by replacing only the plate, and a second plate printing process to produce other types of printed matter changes the variable portion.
[0019]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to the fourth aspect, the second plate-making printing step is automatically and repeatedly performed according to the number of the variable portions, and all of the plurality of types of printed matter. The above-described series of printing processes is not interrupted until printing is completed.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<1. Basic Concept of the Invention>
First, the basic concept of the present invention will be described. In general, variable parts that are unique to multiple types of printed materials, such as provider names printed on calendars and dealer names printed on catalogs, are rarely printed in all colors. In many cases, printing is performed only with a specific color (mostly K (black)). In view of this, for example, when a printed matter is printed in four colors of Y, M, C, and K, the K plate includes a variable portion, so that the plate is replaced every time the variable portion is printed. Although it is necessary, the three editions of Y, M, and C do not include the variable portion, and can be used when printing other variable portions.
[0021]
Therefore, it is efficient by using a plate that does not include the variable part in common for multiple types of printed materials, and that the plate that includes the variable part is configured to perform plate making and plate replacement when printing. Printing processing becomes possible.
[0022]
The present invention is based on such a basic concept, and a specific embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
<2. Configuration and operation of printing system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes a front end computer 1, a controller 2, and a digital printing machine 3. The front end computer 1 and the controller 2 are connected to each other via a network 8 such as a so-called LAN so as to be able to perform data communication with each other. The controller 2 and the digital printing machine 3 are connected via a transmission line 9 so that data communication is possible.
[0024]
The front-end computer 1 is realized by a general desktop computer configuration, and the CPU provided therein executes support software for performing page layout and the like, so that various materials to be printed are generated. It generates page description data (PDL) that associates the position and size of the page.
[0025]
As described above, the page description data is generated by associating various materials in the page based on an instruction from the operator. When the page description data is generated, the page description data is associated in the page. Attribute information indicating whether each type of material is a fixed part that is a print content common to a plurality of types of printed matter or a variable part that is a unique print content for each type of printed matter is also associated. This attribute information may be associated based on designation from the operator, or automatically by the CPU in the front end computer 1 extracting print contents common to each type of printed matter. You may make it attach.
[0026]
The page description data generated by the front end computer 1 is given to the controller 2 side via the network 8.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the controller 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 2 is composed of a CPU 21 that realizes each functional means described later by executing predetermined software, a memory 22 that temporarily stores data, a magnetic disk device, and the like. The storage unit 23, the keyboard 24, the display 25, the network interface 27, and the output interface 28 are configured. Each unit can transmit and receive digital data via the bus line 26. Yes.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing functions realized by the controller 2 configured as described above, and FIG. 4 is a data flow diagram in the printing system 100.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 2 includes a data management unit 51 that performs data management by distinguishing between a fixed unit and a variable unit, a RIP processing unit 52 that generates raster data that is plate-making data from page description data, Buffer units 53 and 54 for temporarily storing raster data obtained from the RIP processing unit 52, and a combining unit 55 for generating combined raster data by combining the raster data of the fixed unit and the raster data of the variable unit The printer includes a print instruction unit 57 that outputs raster data of each color component to the digital printing machine 3 and gives instructions for plate making / printing. The RIP processing unit 52 is provided with a mask generation unit 52a, and the synthesis unit 55 is provided with a determination unit 55a.
[0030]
In such a controller 2, the data management unit 51 analyzes the page description data given from the front-end computer 1 and identifies whether each material included in the print content is the fixed unit 62 or the variable unit 63. And store them in the storage unit 23. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the data management unit 51 manages each material 61 of the page by distinguishing it into a fixed unit 62 and a plurality of variable units 63a and 63b. Then, the data management unit 51 individually reads the fixed unit 62 and the variable units 63a and 63b from the storage unit 23, and sequentially gives them to the RIP processing unit 52.
[0031]
The RIP processing unit 52 converts the print contents expressed by the page description data into raster data expressed by binary for each pixel unit (RIP process). This raster data becomes data for plate making, and the digital printing machine 3 performs plate making based on the raster data. Accordingly, when the page description data is RIP-processed, one raster data is generated for each of a plurality of color components expressed by the page description data. For example, when the printing contents are configured with four colors Y, M, C, and K, raster data for plate making is generated for each of Y, M, C, and K.
[0032]
Here, among the print contents, the fixed unit 62 is composed of four color components, and the variable units 63a and 63b are often composed of only K colors, so the RIP process is performed on the fixed unit 62. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, raster data 64y, 64m, 64c, and 64k are generated for four editions of Y, M, C, and K. On the other hand, when the variable parts 63a and 63b are RIP-processed, raster data 65k and 66k for only the K version are generated.
[0033]
Among the raster data generated in this way, raster data 64y to 64k obtained by RIP processing of the fixed unit 62 are temporarily stored in the buffer unit 53, and the variable units 63a and 63b are subjected to RIP processing. The obtained raster data 65k and 66k are temporarily stored in the buffer unit 54.
[0034]
In the RIP processing unit 52, when the variable units 63a and 63b are subjected to the RIP process, the mask generation unit 52a may function to generate mask data of the variable unit, which will be described later.
[0035]
Next, in the synthesis unit 55, the determination unit 55a first functions to read out the raster data of the variable unit stored in the buffer unit 54 and determine which color component is the raster data. Further, the determination unit 55a may be instructed by the RIP processing unit 52 of the color component of the variable part. Then, it functions as a compositing means, and generates the raster data of the composite print content by combining the raster data of the color component generated for the variable part and the raster data of the fixed part for the same color component. To do. That is, the synthesizing unit 55 generates a composite print content in which the fixed portion and the variable portion are combined for a plate including both the fixed portion and the variable portion among a plurality of plates generated based on the print content. To do.
[0036]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the raster data 65k, 66k obtained by RIP processing the page description data of the variable parts 63a, 63b is raster data for only the K version, the determination part 55a is a fixed part. If the raster data 64k of the K version of the four versions of Y, M, C, and K and the raster data 65k and 66k of the variable part are combined, the combined raster data including the variable parts can be generated. Can be determined. Then, the synthesis unit 55 reads the raster data 64k stored in the buffer unit 53 and the raster data 65k and 66k stored in the buffer unit 54. Then, the logical sum of the K plate pixel value of the fixed portion and the corresponding K plate pixel value of the variable portion is derived as the pixel value of the composite print content. By performing such a logical operation for all the pixels constituting the raster data, combined raster data in which the fixed portion and the variable portion are combined for the entire print content is generated.
[0037]
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the combination of the fixed unit and the variable unit in the combining unit 55. As shown in FIG. 5, the logical OR for each pixel of the raster data 64k of the fixed portion and the raster data 65k of the first variable portion is calculated, and the combined raster data 67k for the K plate used for plate making printing is obtained. Generated. As a result, the combined print content of the K plate in which “ABC Co., Ltd.”, which is the print content unique to the first variable portion, is combined with the print content of the fixed portion is generated.
[0038]
Similarly, the logical OR for each pixel of the raster data 64k of the fixed part and the raster data 66k of the second variable part is calculated to generate composite raster data 68k for the K plate used for plate-making printing. The As a result, a combined print content of the K plate in which “DEF Shokai”, which is the print content unique to the second variable portion, is combined with the print content of the fixed portion is generated.
[0039]
The combined raster data 67k and 68k obtained by the combining unit 55 is given to the print instruction unit 57.
[0040]
The print instruction unit 57 sends raster data for each color component, which is plate-making data, to the digital printing machine 3 and instructs a plate to be exchanged when printing different variable units. As described above, the composite raster data 67k and 68k in which the variable part is incorporated can be obtained only in the K version, so the other color component (Y, M, C) versions can be used in common even if the variable part is different. can do.
[0041]
Therefore, when printing the first variable part to the digital printing machine 3, the print instructing part 57 uses the raster data 64y, 64m, and 64c of Y, M, and C obtained from the fixed part. At the same time, for the K plate, the composite raster data 67k obtained as the composite print content is used to make a plate of four plates and instruct to print. Next, when printing the second variable part, the three plates Y, M, and C that are already mounted at the predetermined printing position of the digital printing machine 3 are not replaced, and only the K plate is replaced. The exchange is instructed to continue printing. The digital printing machine 3 performs a series of processes of plate making, plate replacement, and printing based on this instruction.
[0042]
That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the first version is obtained by using four versions of the three versions Y, M, and C obtained from the fixed portion and the K plate obtained by combining the fixed portion and the first variable portion. The plate-making printing is performed for the second time, and then the three plates Y, M, and C are left as they are, and only the K plate is replaced with the K plate obtained by combining the fixed portion and the second variable portion. The second plate-making printing is performed. As a result, in this embodiment, only the minimum necessary plate making and plate replacement are performed, and a series of printing processes are efficiently performed.
[0043]
Next, the mask process will be described. The RIP processing unit 52 of the controller 2 is provided with the mask generation unit 52a as described above. The mask generation unit 52a uses a mask data for an area for masking a fixed part for performing a so-called extraction process (a process in which only the variable part is printed without printing the fixed part for a portion where the fixed part and the variable part overlap). Generate. For example, when an extraction process is required, the operator inputs an instruction to generate mask data from the keyboard 24. The mask generation unit 52a generates mask data for masking the fixed part based on this instruction. Note that this extraction process is an arbitrary process, and if the operator does not instruct the extraction process, mask data is not generated. Also, the removal process instruction may be sent from the front end 1 to the controller 2 together with the page description data, or may be automatically determined from the overlap of the patterns.
[0044]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a composition process when the removal process is not performed, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a composition process when the removal process is performed.
[0045]
When the extraction process is not performed, the raster data of the fixed part and the variable part is subjected to a logical operation for each pixel as described, so that the synthesized raster data which is the print content after the synthesis as shown in FIG. Generated. In the composite raster data of FIG. 6, since the removal process is not performed, the print contents of both the fixed portion and the variable portion are overprinted.
[0046]
On the other hand, when performing the blanking process, the mask generation unit 52a functions during the RIP process, and a value of “1” is set for the pixels in the region where the material of the variable part is printed. Mask data in which a value of “0” is set in the area is generated. The area where the material of the variable part is printed can be easily derived from the size and arrangement position of each material in the page description data used in the RIP processing. Note that the values of “1” and “0” may be reversed. As a result, as in the mask data shown in FIG. 7, all the values of the pixels included in the area of the portion where the material of the variable part is arranged (the hatched area in FIG. 7) are set, and the other areas Binary mask data in which all the pixel values included in are set to “0” is generated.
[0047]
Then, when the combining unit 55 combines the fixed unit and the variable unit, the determination unit 55a determines whether mask data has been generated for the variable unit to be combined, and the combining unit 55 masks with the mask data. After invalidating the pixel value of the fixed part included in the area to be printed (area where the material of the variable part is printed), the combined raster data is generated by performing a logical sum with the raster data of the variable part. Here, “invalid” refers to rewriting the data value so that the print content included in the fixed portion is not printed.
[0048]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the print contents included in the fixed part are printed with the print contents in the area where the material of the variable part is printed being invalidated, so the fixed part and the variable part overlap. The portion to be printed is not overprinted, and the print contents of the variable portion can be prioritized.
[0049]
When the extraction process is performed in this way, the print instruction unit 57 gives the composite raster data generated as a result of the extraction process to the digital printing machine 3.
[0050]
Next, the digital printer 3 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the digital printing machine 3. The digital printing machine 3 includes a plate making mechanism 3a and a printing mechanism 3b. The plate making mechanism 3a is provided with a plate making unit 31, a plate feeding unit 32, and a plate discharging unit 33. Further, the printing mechanism 3b includes a paper feed section 34, a paper discharge section 35, a first plate cylinder 36a, a second plate cylinder 36b, a first blanket cylinder 37a, a second blanket cylinder 37b, an impression cylinder 38, and a first inking. A portion 39a, a second inking portion 39b, a third inking portion 39c, and a fourth inking portion 39d are provided. Further, the digital printing machine 3 is provided with a control unit 30 that receives a print instruction and raster data from the controller 2 and controls the operation of each unit in an integrated manner. The first inking unit 39a uses ink for a first color (for example, Y color), the second inking unit 39b uses ink for the second color (for example, M color), and the third inking unit 39c. Is configured to supply ink for the third color (for example, C color), and the fourth inking unit 39d is configured to supply ink for the fourth color (for example, K color).
[0051]
The first plate cylinder 36a and the second plate cylinder 36b are configured to be movable to a predetermined plate-making position PA as indicated by arrows 41 and 42 by driving means (not shown). For this reason, when plate making is performed, the plate cylinders 36 a and 36 b are moved to the plate making position PA, and then the plate material for about a half turn is wound by the plate feeding unit 21. Each plate cylinder 36a, 36b is configured to wind two plate materials. The plate discharging unit 33 has a function of removing unnecessary plates from the plate cylinder at the plate making position based on a command from the control unit 30.
[0052]
When printing is performed, the plate cylinders 36a and 36b are lowered to a predetermined printing position so as to be in contact with the inking portion 39a and the like. The paper feed unit 34 sequentially feeds the printing paper toward the impression cylinder 38, and the printing paper wound around the impression cylinder 38 is printed with ink of each color component by each blanket cylinder 37a, 37b, and printing of all the color components is performed. The printed matter that has been finished is collected by the paper discharge unit 35.
[0053]
The operation of the digital printer 3 will be described. First, the first plate cylinder 36 a moves to the plate making position PA, and the plate material for the first color is wound by the plate supply unit 32. Then, the plate making unit 31 performs exposure based on the first color (Y plate) raster data, whereby the plate making operation for the first color plate material is performed. When the plate making for the first color is completed, the plate material for the second color (for the M plate) is wound around by the plate feeding unit 32. Then, the plate-making unit 31 performs exposure based on the raster data for the second color, so that the plate-making operation for the plate material for the second color is performed. When the plate-making operation for two colors with respect to the first plate cylinder 36a is completed, the first plate cylinder 36a is lowered to a predetermined printing position and is in a print standby state.
[0054]
Next, the second plate cylinder 36 b moves to the plate making position PA, and the plate material for the third color (for the C plate) is wound around the plate supply unit 32. Then, the plate-making unit 31 performs exposure based on the third-color raster data, whereby a plate-making operation is performed on the plate material for the third color. When the plate making for the third color is completed, the plate material for the fourth color is then wound by the plate feeding unit 32. Then, the plate making unit 31 performs exposure based on the fourth color (K plate) raster data, thereby performing the plate making operation for the plate material for the fourth color. When the plate-making operation for two colors with respect to the second plate cylinder 36b is completed, the second plate cylinder 36b is lowered to a predetermined printing position and is in a print standby state.
[0055]
Thus, the plate making process is completed, plate making for four colors is performed, and plates for four colors are wound around the plate cylinders 36a and 36b. In addition, when the data used in plate making is synthetic raster data and the data subjected to the masking process described above, a plate in which the overlapping portion between the fixed portion and the variable portion is subjected to the blanking process by plate making. Is generated.
[0056]
Then, the process automatically proceeds to the printing process. In the printing process, the plate cylinders 36a and 36b, the blanket cylinders 37a and 37b, and the impression cylinder 38 are rotationally driven in predetermined directions, and inks of the respective color components are applied to the corresponding plates from the inking portions 39a to 39d. Is done. As the cylinders rotate, ink is transferred from the plate cylinders 36a and 36b to the blanket cylinders 37a and 37b, and the printing paper fed from the paper supply unit 34 is sent to the blanket cylinder 37a and the impression cylinder 38. Printing of the first color and the second color is performed at a position sandwiched between the first and second colors, and printing of the third color and the fourth color is performed at a position sandwiched between the blanket cylinder 37b and the impression cylinder 38. When the transfer of the inks of all the color components is completed, the final printed matter is accumulated in the paper discharge unit 35 by sending the printed material to the paper discharge unit 35.
[0057]
In other words, in the digital printing machine 3, plate making printing can be performed by a series of operations automatically performed without manual intervention in the process from plate making to printed matter generation.
[0058]
Accordingly, the raster data obtained from the controller 2 relates to the first plate making / printing for the three plates Y, M, and C for the fixed portion and the K plate in which the fixed portion and the first variable portion are combined. When the first printing instruction is given from the controller 2 as raster data, the control unit 30 operates the plate making unit 31, the plate feeding unit 32, and the plate discharging unit 33 to perform plate making for each color component. Four color plates are wound around the plate cylinder 36a and the second plate cylinder 36b. Then, the process proceeds to a printing process, and a predetermined number of printed materials including the first variable unit are printed by automatic paper feeding from the paper feeding unit 34.
[0059]
Next, when the second variable portion is printed, the raster data obtained from the controller 2 is the combined raster data for only the K plate in which the fixed portion and the second variable portion are combined. In the second printing, a print instruction is given to replace the K plate only and continue printing. As a result, the control unit 30 controls to move the second plate cylinder 36b to the plate making position PA, and discharges the plate so that only the K plate used in the first printing is discharged from the second plate cylinder 36b. A command is given to the unit 33. The plate removal unit 33 removes the K plate from the second plate cylinder 36 b based on a command from the control unit 30. Next, the control unit 30 winds the plate material for the K plate in which the fixed portion and the second variable portion are combined at the position where the K plate of the second plate cylinder 36b is disposed with respect to the plate supplying unit 32. Give instructions. The plate supply unit 32 supplies a new plate material to the second plate cylinder 36 b based on an instruction from the control unit 30. Then, the control unit 30 instructs the plate making unit 31 to perform plate making based on the combined raster data for the K plate in which the fixed portion and the second variable portion are combined, and the plate making unit 31 responds to this command. Based on this, a new plate material is exposed to make a K plate in which the fixed portion and the second variable portion are combined. Thereafter, the control unit 30 lowers the second plate cylinder 36b to a predetermined printing position and continues the printing operation. Then, a predetermined number of printed materials including the second variable unit are printed by automatic paper feeding from the paper feeding unit 34. Thereafter, when a plurality of variable parts such as the third variable part, the fourth variable part, etc. are prepared, the colors that require plate replacement such as discharging, feeding, and plate-making are similarly applied to the plurality of variable parts. This is done only for the component plates, and the series of plate-making printing processes continues.
[0060]
A processing procedure for continuous printing in the digital printer 3 will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of continuous printing in this embodiment.
[0061]
First, when continuous printing is started, parameters n and m are initialized in step S1. “N” is a parameter indicating the number of types of printed matter (number of printed variable portions), and “m” is a parameter indicating the number of printed sheets for each type of printed matter. Next, in step S2, the first plate making for all colors is performed. For example, for each color of Y, M, and C, plate making is performed based on the raster data for each color plate, and for the K plate, based on the combined raster data obtained by combining the fixed portion and the first variable portion. Plate making is performed. Then, one printed material in which the printing contents of the first variable portion are incorporated is printed using the four plates that have been made (step S3). When one sheet is printed, 1 is added to the parameter m in step S4. In step S5, it is determined whether or not the parameter m has reached the predetermined number M. If it is determined as YES, the process proceeds to step S6 to generate a printed material in which the next variable unit is combined, and it is determined as NO. Then, the process returns to step S3 to further print the printed matter including the first variable portion.
[0062]
The series of plate making and printing processes SA from steps S1 to S5 is a first printing process (first plate making and printing process) for printing a printed material including the first variable part among a plurality of prepared variable parts. It becomes.
[0063]
Next, in step S6, 1 is added to the parameter n, and the parameter m is initialized to 0. Next, a plate to be exchanged is specified based on the combined print content in which the fixed portion and the second variable portion are combined (step S7). Then, only the plate specified in step S7 is discharged (step S8), a new plate material is supplied, and only the specific plate including the printing contents of the second variable portion is made (step S9). In other words, the processing of steps S7 to S9 automatically identifies a plate that includes a different variable portion and replaces the plate with a plate that includes the print contents of the next variable portion. is there. Therefore, the plate formed only by the fixed portion is not replaced and is effectively used in the next printing process.
[0064]
Then, one printed matter in which the printing contents of the second variable portion are incorporated is printed using four plates of the replaced plate and the non-exchanged plate (step S10). When one sheet is printed, 1 is added to the parameter m in step S11. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the parameter m has reached the predetermined number M. If YES, the process proceeds to step S13. If NO, the printed matter including the second variable unit is included. To return to step S10.
[0065]
The series of plate making and printing processes SB from step S6 to S12 described above is the second and subsequent printing processes (second plate making and printing process) for printing a printed material including a variable portion different from those printed so far. Become.
[0066]
In step S13, it is determined whether or not all variable parts have been printed. That is, the above determination is made based on whether or not the parameter n matches the total number N of variable parts. If printing of all the variable parts has been completed, the process proceeds to step S14. If not yet completed, step S6 is performed. Returning to FIG. 2, plate-making printing including the next variable part is performed.
[0067]
When the printing of all the variable parts is completed, the total number of the plurality of types of printed matter is printed. Therefore, all the color portions wound around the plate cylinders 36a and 36b of the digital printing machine 3 are printed. Is discharged (step S14), and a series of continuous printing processes are completed. Note that the series of printing processes described above is not interrupted until all printing of a plurality of types of printed matter is completed, and efficient plate-making printing is performed without human intervention.
[0068]
As described above, in the printing system 100 according to this embodiment, when printing a plurality of types of printed matter having different print contents of a specific part for each predetermined number of sheets, the variable part and all kinds of parts having different print contents are printed. In order to distinguish and manage the fixed part, which is the printing content common to all printed materials, and to perform plate-making printing, among the multiple plates, a plate consisting only of the printing content of the fixed part, the fixed part and the variable A plate including the print contents of both of the copies is specified, and a combined print content is generated by combining the fixed portion and the variable portion for the plate. And in the digital printing machine 3 which is a plate-making printing mechanism part, when performing continuous printing, a plate composed only of the printing contents of the fixed part is used in common for each type of printed matter, A plate composed of printing contents including both the variable portion is configured such that plate replacement is performed when printing each type of printed matter.
[0069]
Therefore, when printing a plurality of types of printed matter, there is no need to re-install the printed matter accumulated in the paper discharge unit 35 in the paper feeding unit 34, and a total of several blank printing papers are supplied in advance to the paper feeding unit. It is possible to automatically print the print contents corresponding to each type simply by installing in the printer 34. Also, when replacing plates, it is configured not to replace all plates for each type, but to replace only plates that contain unique print contents for each type. Can be minimized, and the plate material used can be minimized. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform plate-making printing processing when printing a plurality of types of printed matter.
[0070]
FIG. 10 is a diagram for showing an improvement in printing efficiency by the printing system 100 of this embodiment, and FIG. 10A shows a time required for printing by the first method described above. FIG. 10B shows the time required for printing by the second method described in the prior art, and FIG. 10C shows the time required for printing in the printing system 100 of this embodiment. According to the conventional first method, the printing time is the longest as shown in FIG. 10 (a), and according to the conventional second method, the number of plate-making is the largest as shown in FIG. 10 (b). On the other hand, in the printing system 100 in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10C, the total time required for printing is the shortest and the number of plate making times is the shortest, so that an efficient printing process can be realized. it is obvious.
[0071]
In the printing system 100 according to this embodiment, when the fixed portion and the variable portion are combined, the combining portion 55 in the controller 2 has a portion corresponding to the region where the variable portion is combined and arranged based on the mask data. Since the print contents of the fixed portion can be invalidated and combined, it is possible to perform an appropriate removal process on the portion where the fixed portion and the variable portion overlap.
[0072]
Further, the composition unit 55 automatically identifies a plate that includes both the fixed unit and the variable unit based on the color components included in the variable unit, and generates a composite print content for the plate. Therefore, an unnecessary version is not subjected to synthesis processing, and the processing efficiency is improved. However, when specifying the plate to be exchanged, it is not limited to specifying based on the color components included in the variable part, but may be specified based on other image components.
[0073]
<3. Modification>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiment, and various modifications may be applied.
[0074]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the composition process of the fixed unit and the variable unit has been described with respect to the configuration example performed in the controller 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a digital printing machine that is a plate-making printing mechanism unit 3 may be performed.
[0075]
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration example in which the fixed portion and the variable portion are combined with the raster data obtained by RIP processing the page description data has been described. The composition is not limited to the stage converted into data, and the composition may be performed at the page description data stage or an intermediate stage before raster data generation.
[0076]
In the above-described embodiment, the printing system 100 in which the controller 2 and the digital printing machine 3 are configured as separate bodies is illustrated, but whether or not they are configured as separate bodies is not essential.
[0077]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the print content of the variable portion is expressed in K color is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, when the print contents of the variable portion are expressed in K color and C color, the two plates of the K plate and the C plate are exchanged during continuous printing. Further, the color components used for printing are not limited to the four colors Y, M, C, and K, and it is a matter of course that a system that prints using other color components may be used.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, among the print contents, the fixed part that is the print contents common to all types of printed matter, and the variable part that is the print content unique to each type of printed matter. And the combined print contents in which the fixed part and the variable part are combined for a version that includes both the fixed part and the variable part among a plurality of versions generated based on the print contents. When printing a print with a different variable part in the process of printing, only the plate corresponding to the composite print content of a plurality of plates is printed, and only that plate is exchanged for printing. Therefore, the time required for plate replacement can be minimized, and the plate material used can be minimized, and efficient plate-making printing can be performed.
[0079]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the composing unit generates the composite print content by invalidating the print content of the fixed portion of the portion corresponding to the region where the variable portion is combined and arranged, and generates the composite print content. It is possible to perform a punching process.
[0080]
According to the invention described in claim 3, the synthesizing unit automatically identifies a plate including both the fixed portion and the variable portion based on the image component included in the variable portion, and Since the composite print contents are generated, the composite processing is not performed for those that do not require the composite processing, and the processing efficiency is improved.
[0081]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, efficient plate-making printing can be performed.
[0082]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the second plate-making printing process is automatically repeated according to the number of variable parts, and a series of printing processes is performed until all printing of a plurality of types of printed matter is completed. Is not interrupted, it is possible to continuously print a plurality of types of printed matter, thereby further improving the efficiency of the printing process.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a controller.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions realized by a controller.
FIG. 4 is a data flow diagram in the printing system.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a combination of a fixed part and a variable part.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a composition process when no extraction process is performed.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a composition process when a removal process is performed.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital printing machine.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of continuous printing.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an improvement in printing efficiency by the printing system.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a first conventional method.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a second conventional method.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Controller
3 Digital printing machine (plate making printing mechanism)
51 Data management section (management means)
52 RIP processing section
52a Mask generator
53, 54 Buffer
55 Synthesizer (synthesizer)
55a judgment part
57 Print instruction section

Claims (5)

A printing system that generates a plurality of types of printed matter by performing a series of printing processes from plate making to printing based on printing contents expressed in digital data,
Management means for distinguishing and managing a fixed portion that is a print content common to all types of the printed matter and a variable portion that is a unique print content for each type of the printed matter among the print contents;
Combining a plurality of plates generated based on the print content to generate a composite print content in which the fixed portion and the variable portion are combined for a plate including both the fixed portion and the variable portion. Means,
When printing the printed matter having different variable portions in the printing process, only the plate corresponding to the composite printing content among the plurality of plates is made, and only the plate is exchanged for printing. Plate making and printing mechanism;
A printing system comprising: The printing system according to claim 1,
The composition unit generates the composite print content by invalidating the print content of the portion corresponding to the region where the variable portion is compositely arranged in the fixed unit, and generating the composite print content. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The synthesizing unit automatically identifies a plate including both the fixed unit and the variable unit based on an image component included in the variable unit, and generates the composite print content for the plate. A printing system characterized by that. A printing method for generating a plurality of types of printed materials by performing a series of printing processes from plate making to printing based on printing contents expressed in digital data,
Among the print contents, a process of distinguishing and managing a fixed portion that is a print content common to all types of the printed matter and a variable portion that is a unique print content for each type of the printed matter;
Generating a composite print content in which the fixed portion and the variable portion are combined for a plate including both the fixed portion and the variable portion among a plurality of plates generated based on the print content. When,
Generating a plurality of plates based on the printing content and the composite printing content, and a first plate-making printing step for generating one type of printed matter;
When the printed matter having a different variable portion is printed, only the plate corresponding to the composite print content of the plurality of plates is made, only the plate is replaced, and the variable portion is changed. A second prepress printing process for producing a printed material of the type
A printing method characterized by comprising: The printing method according to claim 4,
The second plate-making printing step is automatically and repeatedly performed according to the number of the variable portions, and the series of printing processes is not interrupted until all printing of the plurality of types of printed matter is completed. How to print.

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