JP5067272B2 - Printing method, printing apparatus, and printed matter manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing method, a printing apparatus, and a printed material manufacturing method.

  There is a printing apparatus that prints a large number of unit images on a continuous medium (eg, roll paper). In such a printing apparatus, unit images are printed side by side in a continuous direction of a continuous medium. Among them, a conveying operation for conveying a continuous medium in the continuous direction and an image forming operation for forming an image while the head moves in the continuous direction with respect to the continuous medium conveyed to the printing area are alternately performed. Repeating printing devices are known.

In such a printing apparatus, a continuous medium area (maximum print area) that can be printed by one image forming operation is determined. Therefore, there has been proposed a printing apparatus that determines the size of a region to be printed in one image forming operation based on the maximum number (N) of unit images that can be printed in the maximum print region. According to such a printing apparatus, when printing N unit images in one image forming operation, no blank space is generated in the continuous direction of the continuous medium. (Patent Document 1)
JP 2003-291426 A

However, in the printing apparatus of Patent Document 1, a margin is generated in the width direction of the continuous medium having a predetermined width.
Therefore, the present embodiment aims to reduce the margin of the continuous medium as much as possible.

  A main invention for solving the problem is that a transport operation for transporting a continuous medium in the transport direction and an image formation operation for forming an image by moving a head are alternately repeated, and the first image and the first image are used. Is a printing method for printing the second image having a short length in the transport direction on the continuous medium, the size of the print area that can be printed by one image forming operation, and the size of the first image. And setting a unit area that is less than or equal to the size of the printable print area, and an integer number of the first images in the unit area at a first interval in the transport direction. An integer number of the second images are arranged at a second interval in the conveyance direction, and an integer number of the first images arranged in the conveyance direction, and an integer number of the second images arranged in the conveyance direction. The image is a direction that intersects the transport direction. A step of creating print data for the unit area so as to be printed side by side in the width direction, and using the print data repeatedly, the plurality of first images are printed on the continuous medium in the transport direction. And a step of printing such that the plurality of second images are arranged at the second interval in the transport direction.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

=== Summary of disclosure ===
At least the following will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  That is, a transport operation for transporting a continuous medium in the transport direction and an image formation operation for moving the head to form an image are alternately repeated, and the length in the transport direction is longer than that of the first image and the first image. A printing method for printing a short second image on the continuous medium, wherein the printing is possible based on the size of a print area that can be printed by one image forming operation and the size of the first image. Setting a unit area that is equal to or smaller than the size of the print area; and in the unit area, an integer number of the first images are arranged at a first interval in the transport direction, and an integer number of the second images are A direction in which an integer number of the first images arranged in the conveyance direction at a second interval and arranged in the conveyance direction and an integer number of the second images arranged in the conveyance direction intersect the conveyance direction. To be printed side by side in the width direction A step of creating print data for the unit area, and a plurality of the first images are arranged on the continuous medium at the first interval in the transport direction by repeatedly using the print data, and a plurality of the first images And a step of printing so that two images are arranged at the second interval in the transport direction.

  According to such a printing method, it is possible to print the margin amount in the width direction of the continuous medium having a predetermined width as much as possible. There is no need to stock continuous media of various widths according to the size of the image so that the amount of margin in the width direction is reduced. Also, by determining the unit area based on the size of the first image, the amount of blank space in the transport direction of the continuous medium can be reduced. If the unit area is determined based on the size of the second image, if the unit area is a little larger, the size of the first image can be obtained when another first image can be printed in the unit area. As compared with the case where the unit area is determined based on the margin, the margin generated in the transport direction becomes large.

In this printing method, the length of the first interval is not more than the length of the second interval.
According to such a printing method, it is possible to prevent the unit area from being unnecessarily enlarged. As a result, the consumption of the continuous medium is suppressed and the printing time is shortened.

In this printing method, in the step of creating the print data, an integer number of the first images that are longer in the width direction than the second image is printed side by side in the width direction is determined. Later, an integer number of the second images printed in the width direction is determined.
According to such a printing method, the amount of blank space in the width direction of the continuous medium can be reduced. For example, if a small second image can be printed in a margin area generated when a maximum number of first images that can be printed in the width direction of a continuous medium are arranged, the amount of margin can be reduced.

In this printing method, the integer number of the first images that are printed side by side in the width direction is a total length of the length directions of the first images arranged in the width direction. Be determined to be shorter than the threshold.
According to such a printing method, for example, when each image is separated from a continuous medium by using a punching die after printing, the width and length of the punching die is suppressed to a predetermined width (predetermined threshold value), thereby neatly displaying an image. Can be separated.

In this printing method, when printing a plurality of types of images, the types of images to be printed on the continuous medium are combined from the plurality of types of images, and the images are printed on the continuous medium in each combination. The amount of margin generated at the time is calculated, and printing is performed based on the combination that minimizes the amount of margin.
According to such a printing method, printing can be performed with as little margin as possible on the continuous medium.

Further, a transport operation for transporting the continuous medium in the transport direction and an image forming operation for moving the head to form an image are alternately repeated, and the length in the transport direction is longer than that of the first image and the first image. A printing apparatus that prints a short second image on the continuous medium, the printable based on the size of a print area that can be printed by one image forming operation and the size of the first image A unit area that is equal to or smaller than the size of the print area is set, and in the unit area, an integer number of the first images are arranged at a first interval in the transport direction, and an integer number of the second images are in the transport direction. The integer number of the first images arranged at the second interval and arranged in the conveyance direction and the integer number of the second images arranged in the conveyance direction are in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction. In the unit area to be printed side by side in the width direction A plurality of the first images are arranged in the transport direction at the first interval, and a plurality of the second images are transported by using the print data repeatedly. A printing apparatus that prints in a direction so as to line up at the second interval.
According to such a printing apparatus, it is possible to print the margin amount of the continuous medium as small as possible.

Further, a transport operation for transporting a continuous medium in the transport direction and an image forming operation for moving the head to form an image are alternately repeated, and the length in the transport direction is longer than that of the first printed material and the first printed material. A printed matter manufacturing method for printing a short second printed matter on the continuous medium, wherein the printing is possible based on the size of a print area that can be printed by one image forming operation and the size of the first printed matter. Setting a unit area that is less than or equal to the size of the print area, and in the unit area, an integer number of the first printed materials are arranged at a first interval in the transport direction, and an integer number of the second printed materials are An integer number of the first printed materials arranged at the second interval in the conveying direction and arranged in the conveying direction and an integer number of the second printed materials arranged in the conveying direction intersect the conveying direction. Aligned in the width direction A step of creating print data for the unit area so as to be printed, and using the print data repeatedly, a plurality of the first printed materials are arranged at the first interval in the transport direction on the continuous medium, And a step of printing so that a plurality of the second printed materials are arranged at the second interval in the transport direction.
According to such a printed matter manufacturing method, it is possible to print the marginal amount of the continuous medium as small as possible.

=== About Inkjet Printers ===
Hereinafter, a printing system in which an inkjet printer that prints unit images and a print data creation PC that creates print data are connected will be described as an example of a “printing apparatus”.

  An ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer 1”) prints a unit image to be used after being cut out on a printing tape, which is a continuous medium, for example, a “sealed printed matter” to be pasted on a wrap film of fresh food by an ink jet method. To do. The printing tape is composed of a sticker paper whose surface opposite to the printing surface is an adhesive surface and a release paper covered with the adhesive surface. Images that become printed matter are continuously printed in the direction in which the printing tape continues. Then, the printed material printed on the printing tape can be pulled out together with the sealing paper and release paper so that the printed material can be separated one by one by a punching machine (cutting die) which is an external device. ), So that the release paper and each printed matter can be separated from each other, the release paper is not pulled out and only the sticker paper is pulled out (half cut and half cut).

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a printing system. FIG. 2A is a schematic sectional view of the printer 1, and FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of the printer 1. First, a design of a printed material is created by the design PC 70, and image data of the created printed material is transmitted to the print data creating PC 60. The print data creation PC 60 performs an allocation operation for determining how to print an image of the printed material on the printing tape T, and then converts the image data of the allocated printed material into print data that can be printed by the printer 1. The print data is transmitted to the printer 1.
When the printer 1 receives the print data, the controller 10 controls each unit (conveyance unit 20, drive unit 30, head unit 40) to form an image on the print tape T. The situation in the printer 1 is monitored by the detector group 50, and the controller 10 controls each unit based on the detection result.

  The transport unit 20 transports the print tape T from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction in which the print tape T continues (hereinafter referred to as the transport direction). The roll-shaped printing tape T1 before printing is supplied to the printing region by the conveyance roller 21 driven by a motor, and then the printed printing tape T2 is wound into a roll shape by a winding mechanism. In the printing area during printing, the printing tape T is vacuum-sucked from below, and the printing tape is held at a predetermined position.

  The drive unit 30 freely moves the head unit 40 in an X direction corresponding to the transport direction and a Y direction corresponding to the width direction of the printing tape T. The drive unit 30 includes an X axis stage 31 that moves the head unit 40 in the X direction, a Y axis stage 32 that moves the X axis stage 31 in the Y direction, and a motor that moves them.

  The head unit 40 is for forming an image and has a plurality of heads 41. On the lower surface of the head 41, a plurality of nozzles which are ink discharge portions are provided, and each nozzle is provided with an ink chamber containing ink.

  FIG. 3 shows the nozzle arrangement on the lower surface of the head unit 40. The head unit 40 has four heads 41, and the four heads 41 are arranged in a staggered manner in the width direction. A yellow ink nozzle row Y, a magenta ink nozzle row M, a cyan ink nozzle row C, and a black ink nozzle row K are formed on the lower surface of each head 41. Each nozzle row includes 180 nozzles and is aligned at a constant interval (180 dpi) in the width direction. Further, of the two heads adjacent to each other in the width direction (for example, 41 (1) and 41 (2)), the nozzle # 180 on the most front side of the head 41 (1) on the back side and the head 41 on the front side ( The distance from the innermost nozzle # 1 in 2) is also 180 dpi. In other words, on the lower surface of the head unit 40, the nozzles are arranged over 4 inches at a constant interval (180 dpi) in the width direction.

  Next, a printing procedure will be described. First, the head unit 40 is moved in the X direction (conveyance direction) by the X-axis stage 31 with respect to the printing tape T supplied to the printing area by the conveyance unit 20, and ink is ejected from the nozzles during this movement, and printing is performed. On the tape T, dot rows along the X direction are formed. Thereafter, the head unit 40 is moved in the Y direction (width direction) by the Y-axis stage 32 via the X-axis stage 31, and then printing is performed again while the head unit 40 is moved in the X direction. In this way, the dot formation operation by the movement of the head unit 40 in the X direction and the movement of the head unit 40 in the Y direction are alternately repeated, so that the positions of the dots formed by the previous dot formation operation are different. A dot is formed at the position, and the image is completed. As described above, when the printing (image forming operation) of the printing tape T supplied to the printing area is completed, the area of the printing tape T that is not printed by the conveying unit 20 is supplied to the printing area (conveying operation). Again, an image is formed. By alternately repeating the image forming operation and the conveying operation of the printing tape T, a large number of printed materials are printed on the printing tape T in a state of being arranged in the conveying direction.

=== About the flow of printed matter production ===
FIG. 4A shows a state in which the printed material a is printed on the printing tape T, and FIG. 4B shows the number of printed materials a that can be printed in the maximum printing region (region surrounded by a one-dot chain line). Hereinafter, a flow until the printed material a is manufactured (printed) will be described. Upon receiving data (image data, number of printed sheets, etc., hereinafter referred to as JOB data) related to the printed material a designed by the design PC 70, the print data creating PC 60 causes the printer 1 to print a designated number of printed materials a. Create data.

  By the way, since the printer 1 of the present embodiment performs printing by alternately repeating the transport operation of the printing tape T and the image forming operation by the head unit 40, the print area that can be printed by one image forming operation. (Hereinafter, the maximum printing area) is determined in advance. The length of the maximum print area in the width direction is determined by the printing tape T, and the length of the maximum print area in the transport direction is the maximum distance Xmax that the head unit 40 can reciprocate in the transport direction.

  Therefore, an integer number of printed materials a must be printed in one image forming operation. This is because, as shown in FIG. 4B, two and a half printed matter a is printed in the previous image forming operation, and the remaining half printed matter a and two printed matter a are printed in the next image forming operation. If there is an error in the transport operation of the printing tape T, the images may overlap at the boundary portion of the printed matter a printed in two steps, or a space may be left and a streak may occur. is there. Therefore, it is assumed that an integer number of printed materials are printed by one image forming operation.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, it is assumed that the printed material a is printed side by side at equal intervals Smin in the transport direction. By doing so, the punching machine can half-cut the printed matter printed on the printing tape T at regular time intervals. Further, by arranging the printed products a evenly in the transport direction, the printed products can be peeled off at a constant time interval when using not only a punching machine but also a pasting machine for printed products. Furthermore, in order to prevent the punching machine from half-cutting the printing tape T at an incorrect position, the printing tape T includes not only the printed matter a but also a “punching mark Z” indicating the position of the printed matter a. Printed together. By detecting the removal mark Z, it is possible to confirm whether the printed matter is printed side by side at equal intervals. The extraction mark Z is printed so that the position in the conveyance direction of the downstream end portion of the printed material a in the conveyance direction and the downstream end portion of the extraction mark Z coincide with each other.

  Considering these things, the print data creation PC 60 determines the size of the area to be printed by one image forming operation (hereinafter referred to as a unit area), and how the printed material a is handled in the unit area. Decide whether to print on (assignment work). It is assumed that this allocation work is performed according to an allocation software program in the print data creation PC. Hereinafter, the allocation work will be described in detail.

  First, the print data creation PC 60 calculates how many prints a can be printed in the maximum print area that can be printed in one image forming operation. As described above, the printed material a is printed at equal intervals in the conveyance direction. This is because if the interval in the conveyance direction of the printed material a is set large, the printing tape T is consumed wastefully. Therefore, it is preferable to make the interval in the transport direction of the printed material a as small as possible. Here, the interval is set to the minimum interval Smin necessary for half-cutting.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, it is assumed that it is calculated that two and a half prints a can be arranged and printed at the minimum interval Smin in the transport direction within the maximum print area. In this case, the number of prints a to be printed in one image forming operation is determined to be the maximum integer, that is, two out of the number of prints (two and a half) that can be printed in the maximum print area. The number of printed materials that can be printed in one image forming operation may be calculated by actually allocating the image data of the printed material a on the image data corresponding to the maximum print region, and the size of the maximum print region. You may calculate by calculation from the magnitude | size of the printed matter a.

  FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a printed matter a printed in the unit area (solid line). Once the number of printed materials (two) to be printed in one image forming operation is determined, the size of the unit area is set next. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the two printed materials a are arranged in the maximum printing area so that the interval in the conveyance direction is the minimum interval Smin, and the minimum interval Smin is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the printed material a, An extra length X ′ occurs in the transport direction of the maximum print area. A length Xu obtained by subtracting the extra length X ′ from the length Xmax in the transport direction of the maximum print region corresponds to the length of the unit region in the transport direction.

  Then, by repeatedly printing the image of the unit area shown in FIG. 4C in the transport direction, the printed material a on the upstream side of the previously printed unit area and the printed material a on the downstream side of the unit area to be printed next. The interval becomes the minimum interval Smin, and as shown in FIG. 4A, the printed matter a is printed side by side at a constant interval Smin in the transport direction on the printing tape T.

  As described above, when the layout work for determining the size of the unit area and how to print the printed material a in the unit area is completed, the image data (hereinafter referred to as the unit area image) of the image to be printed in the unit area (FIG. 4C). Data) is converted by the printer driver into print data that can be printed by the printer 1 (hereinafter, unit area print data). First, the resolution of the unit area image data is converted to a resolution that the printer 1 can print. Then, color conversion processing is performed so that the unit area image data which is RGB data is represented by a color space corresponding to the ink (YMCK) of the printer 1. Then, the unit area image data having a high gradation (for example, 256 gradations) is converted into data of the number of gradations (for example, 4 gradations) that can be formed by the printer 1 (halftone processing), and the printer 1 performs printing. The data is rearranged according to the order (raster line processing). Through these processes, the unit area print data is transmitted to the printer 1 from the printer driver (print data creation PC 60) together with command data (such as the transport amount of the print tape T) according to the printing method.

  Then, in one image forming operation, the unit area print data is used repeatedly so that the image shown in FIG. 4C is repeatedly printed. Further, the feed amount of the printing tape T in one transport operation is the length Xu of the unit area in the transport direction. That is, the moving distance of the head 41 in the transport direction in the image forming operation is the length Xu of the unit area in the transport direction. In this way, by setting the unit area so that the printed material is printed side by side with the minimum interval Smin in the conveying direction, the head 41 conveys the moving distance Xu of the head 41 in the conveying direction depending on the size of the printed material. Since it can be shorter than the maximum distance Xmax that can be moved in the direction, the printing time is shortened. Further, since the downstream end position of the printed product a and the downstream end position of the removal mark Z are printed so as to coincide with the transport direction, the removal mark Z is a mark when the transport unit 20 transports the printing tape T. Can be used as

=== Printing of a plurality of types of printed matter: Example 1 ===
Next, a printing method for printing a plurality of types of printed materials will be described.
FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the size of the printing tape T, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the sizes of the printed material A (first image) and the printed material B (second image). Hereinafter, for the sake of explanation, the length W in the width direction of the printing tape T is set to 300 mm, and the length Xmax in the transport direction of the maximum print area that can be printed by the printer 1 by one image forming operation is 36 inches (= 914 mm). And In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the print data creation PC 60 receives two types of JOB data from the design PC 70 so that the printer 1 prints two types of printed matter (printed matter A and printed matter B). The size of the printed material A is “width direction × conveyance direction = 60 mm × 80 mm”, and the size of the printed material B is “width direction × conveyance direction = 50 mm × 50 mm”.

  In this way, when the print data creation PC 60 receives two types of JOB data, the allocation software of the print data creation PC 60 determines how to print the two types of printed matter. First, after showing the printing method of a comparative example, the printing method of Example 1 is demonstrated.

<Printing method of comparative example>
FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams illustrating how the printed material A and the printed material B are printed in the comparative example. In the comparative example, as illustrated, the printed matter A and the printed matter B are not printed at the same time, but the printed matter A and the printed matter B are printed separately. Therefore, the print data creation PC 60 creates two types of print data: unit area print data for printing the print A and unit area print data for printing the print B.

In creating unit area print data for printing the print A, first, the number of prints A that can be printed within the maximum print area (W × Xmax = 300 × 914 (mm ² )) is calculated. . Here, the minimum interval Smin between printed materials arranged in the transport direction is 3 mm. The number of printed products A arranged in the transport direction within the maximum print area is calculated as 11 from the following formula.
914 ÷ (80 + 3) = 11.012 ... ≈11 (pieces)
Then, the feed length of the printing tape T by one transport operation, that is, the length Xu in the transport direction of the unit area is calculated as 913 mm from the number of printed products A arranged in the transport direction.
83 × 11 = 913 (mm)

  Further, since the length in the width direction of the printing tape T is 300 mm and the length in the width direction of the printed matter A is 60 mm, as shown in FIG. 6A, a plurality of printed matter A can be printed side by side in the width direction. it can. The minimum interval between printed materials arranged in the width direction is also 3 mm.

  By the way, it is described above that a blank mark Z indicating the position of the printed material A is printed on the printing tape T for half-cut processing after printing of the printed material. Here, the length of the removal mark Z in the width direction is 4 mm. Further, the maximum punching width (predetermined threshold) of the punching machine in the width direction of the printing tape T is set to 170 mm. Thus, the reason why the maximum punching width of the punching machine is set is that if the punching width (cutting die) is excessively increased, it becomes difficult to lower the punching die in parallel to the printing tape T. It is. When the punching die is tilted down rather than parallel to the printing tape T, the force applied to the printing tape T varies depending on the location, and part of the printed matter (sticker paper) sticks or is half-cut processing However, the release paper is also removed along with the sticker paper. For this reason, the maximum punching width is set so that the printed matter is surely half-cut.

  Since the length in the width direction of the two printed products A arranged in the width direction is 126 mm (= (60 + 3) × 2) with respect to the maximum punching width of 170 mm of the punching machine, the two printed products A are removed by the punching machine. At the same time, half cutting can be performed (126 mm <170 mm). On the other hand, the three printed products A arranged in the width direction cannot be half-cut simultaneously by the punching machine (length in the width direction 189 mm> 170 mm).

  Therefore, the printing tape T on which the printing of the printed matter A has been completed is divided into two by the “cut line” shown in FIG. 6A by the cutter 80 shown in FIG. And the printing tape T divided into two is half-cut one by one with a punching machine. Therefore, it is only necessary to print one punch mark Z on the back side of the cut line of the printing tape T and one on the near side of the cut line in the width direction. The cutter 80 is movable in the width direction as shown in FIG. 2B. By doing so, even if the position of the cut line in the width direction of the printing tape T varies depending on the size of the printed material printed on the printing tape T or the number of printed materials arranged in the width direction, printing is performed at a desired position. The tape T can be divided.

The number of printed products A arranged in the width direction can be calculated as 4 by the following formula. If five printed products A are arranged in the width direction, the fifth printed product A protrudes from the printing tape T as virtually indicated by a dotted line. The interval in the width direction between the punch mark Z and the printed material A is also 3 mm.
{300− (4 + 3) × 2} ÷ (60 + 3) = 4.539 ... ≈4 (pieces)
The margin length in the width direction can be calculated as “34 mm” by the following formula.
300- (4 + 3) × 2- (60 + 3) × 4 = 34 (mm)

  To summarize the above, the number of printed matter A printed in one image forming operation (in the unit area) is 44 (= 11 × 4). The size of the unit area is “width direction × conveyance direction = 300 mm × 913 mm”.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6B, the number of printed matter B printed by one image forming operation is 85 (= 17 × 5). The size of the unit area is “width direction × conveyance direction = 300 mm × 901 mm”, and the margin in the width direction of the printing tape T is 21 mm. Also, up to three printed products B arranged in the width direction (170> 159 (= 53 × 3)) can be simultaneously half-cut by a punching machine. Thus, in the comparative example, the printed matter A and the printed matter B are individually printed on the printing tape T.

  By the way, by adjusting the feed length of the printing tape T by one transport operation, the length of the unit area in the transport direction can be changed according to the size of the printed matter. Therefore, when printing one type of printed matter on the printing tape T, according to the length when an integer number of printed matter that can be printed in the maximum printing area is arranged in the transport direction with the minimum interval Smin, The length Xu of the unit area in the transport direction can be determined, and no extra margin is generated in the transport direction of the printing tape T.

  On the other hand, since the width of the printing tape T is determined in advance, if one kind of printed matter (integer number) is arranged in the width direction in the maximum printing area, a margin is likely to occur in the width direction of the printing tape T. In the comparative example, a margin of 34 mm is generated in the width direction when only the printed material A is printed on the printing tape T, and 21 mm in the width direction when only the printed material B is printed on the printing tape T. The margin is generated. When such a margin occurs, the consumption of the printing tape T with respect to the number of printed products to be produced increases, and costs increase.

  Therefore, an object is to reduce the margin of the printing tape T generated when printing a printed material as much as possible.

<Printing Method of Example 1>
Next, a printing method according to the first embodiment when the print data creation PC 60 receives two types of JOB data (printed matter A and printed matter B) will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the printed material A and the printed material B are printed on the printing tape T in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the printed matter A and the printed matter B having different sizes in the width direction and the transport direction are aligned in the width direction, and the printed matter A and the plurality of printed matter B are aligned in the transport direction. And printed matter B are printed.

  Hereinafter, the assignment work of the printed matter A and the printed matter B will be described in detail. First, it is calculated how many printed products A having a longer length in the transport direction among the two types of printed products can be arranged in the transport direction within the maximum print region. As shown in FIG. 7, within the maximum print area, 11 printed products A can be arranged in the transport direction at the minimum interval Smin (first interval), and the length of the unit area in the transport direction is 913 mm. The feed length of the printing tape T in one transport direction is also 913 mm (similar to the above-described comparative example).

Next, it is calculated how many printed products B whose length in the transport direction is smaller than the printed material A can be arranged in the transport direction in the unit area. According to the following formula, it is calculated that 17 prints B can be printed side by side in the transport direction.
913 ÷ (50 + 3) = 17.22… ≈17 (pieces)

However, similarly to the printed matter A, if the interval (second interval) of the printed matter B in the transport direction is set to 3 mm, which is the minimum interval Smin, an extra length is generated in the transport direction in the unit area (913-). 53 × 17 = 12 mm). And it becomes impossible to print the printed matter B at equal intervals. Therefore, the printed material B needs to calculate the interval in the transport direction separately from the printed material A. This is calculated as 3.7 mm by the following equation.
{913- (50 × 17)} ÷ 17 = 3.705 ... = 3.7 (mm)

  In this way, the allocation software determines the size of the unit area (width direction × conveying direction = 300 mm × 913 mm), and in the unit area, 11 printed products A are arranged at the minimum interval Smin (3 mm) in the conveying direction. , 17 prints B are determined to be printed so as to be arranged at intervals of 3.7 mm in the transport direction. In addition, the length of the conveyance direction (first interval) of the printed material A having a longer length in the conveyance direction is the interval in the conveyance direction (second interval) of the printed material B having a shorter length in the conveyance direction. ) Or less.

Now, when determining the length of the unit area in the transport direction, it is determined based on the printed material A having the longer length in the transport direction. This is because the margin in the transport direction can be reduced by using the reference.
For example, when the length of the unit region in the transport direction is determined based on the printed material B having a shorter length in the transport direction, and the printed material A is arranged in accordance with the unit region, the length of the unit region in the transport direction Is 5 mm larger, it is assumed that another printed matter A can be arranged in the unit area. If it does so, the margin of the conveyance direction of the area | region where the printed matter A is located will be 75 mm (= 80-5). On the other hand, after determining the unit area based on the printed matter A, the printed matter B is arranged. Similarly, if the length of the unit region in the transport direction is another 5 mm, another printed matter B can be arranged in the unit region. In this case, the margin in the conveyance direction in which the printed matter B is arranged in the unit area is 45 mm (= 50-5). That is, the case where the unit region is set based on the printed material A having a longer length in the transport direction is set as compared to the case where the unit region is set based on the printed material B having a shorter length in the transport direction. The amount of margin in the transport direction is reduced.

In order to explain more specifically, as a comparative example, a printing method in the case where the size of the unit area is determined based on the printed material B having the shorter length in the transport direction of the two types of printed materials will be described. If the minimum interval Smin between the printed products B arranged in the transport direction is 3 mm, the number of printed products B arranged in the transport direction in the maximum print area is determined to be 17 (914 ÷ (50 + 3) = 17.245...). The length of the unit area in the transport direction is 901 mm (= 53 × 17).
Next, the number of prints A arranged in the unit area in the transport direction is calculated as 10 by the following equation.
901 ÷ (80 + 3) = 10.855 ...
Then, the interval in the conveyance direction of the printed material A is calculated to be 10.1 mm according to the following equation so that the printed materials A are arranged at equal intervals in the conveyance direction within the unit area.
{901- (80 × 10)} ÷ 10 = 10.1 (mm)

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a printing state of the printed matter A and the printed matter B in the comparative example. Comparing the distance in the conveyance direction of the printed material which was not used as the reference when determining the length of the unit area in the conveyance direction, in this embodiment (FIG. 7), the distance in the conveyance direction of the printed material B is 3.7 ( In contrast, in the comparative example (FIG. 8), the interval in the transport direction of the printed matter A is 10.1 (mm). That is, the amount of margin in the transport direction of the printing tape T is smaller in the present embodiment than in the comparative example.

  Further, in the present embodiment, 11 printed products A and 17 printed products B are printed in one image forming operation, whereas in the comparative example, 10 printed products are printed in one image forming operation. A and 17 prints B are printed. That is, the number of printed matter A to be printed in one image forming operation can be increased by one in this embodiment compared to the comparative example. As a result, printing of the printed matter A can be completed earlier in the present embodiment than in the comparative example.

  That is, by determining the size of the unit area based on the printed material having a longer length in the transport direction, the amount of margin in the transport direction of the printing tape T can be reduced as much as possible, and one image can be obtained. It is also possible to increase the number of printed materials to be printed in the forming operation.

Next, the layout method of the printed material A and the printed material B in the width direction is determined. At this time, it is preferable to consider the punching width of the punching machine. In the present embodiment, since the maximum punching width of the punching machine is set to 170 mm, the printed matter A can simultaneously half-cut two printed matter A arranged in the width direction, and the printed matter B is arranged in the width direction. Three printed products B can be half-cut simultaneously. Therefore, the allocation software determines to print two printed products A and three printed products B side by side in the width direction in the unit area.
As a result, the margin in the width direction of the unit region is calculated as 1 mm according to the following equation.
300- (4 + 3) × 2- (60 + 3) × 2- (50 + 3) × 3 = 1 (mm)

  As described above, in Example 1, two types of printed matter A and printed matter B are arranged in the width direction on the printing tape T and printed at the same time, so that the margin in the width direction of the unit region can be 1 mm. It can be made smaller than the margins in the width direction (34 mm and 21 mm).

  In summary, when JOB data relating to two types of printed materials having different sizes is received, one type of printed material is printed individually as in the comparative example, and two types of printed materials are printed side by side in the width direction. In the first embodiment, the printing method (printed material manufacturing method) in which two types of printed materials are printed side by side in the width direction can reduce the margin in the width direction.

  On the other hand, if the printed matter A and the printed matter B are printed individually, in order to print with as few margins as possible, it is necessary to use a printing tape T having a width that matches the size of the printed matter. For example, as in the comparative example shown in FIG. 6, when the printed matter A and the printed matter B are printed separately, if the margin in the width direction of the printing tape T is to be reduced, A printing tape having a length of 266 mm (= 300-34) and a printing tape having a length in the width direction of 279 mm (= 300-21) are required for printing the printed matter B. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since the printed matter A and the printed matter B are arranged side by side in the width direction and printed on the printing tape T having a predetermined width, the amount of margin is reduced as much as possible. There is no need to stock the printing tape T.

  In the comparative example, since the printed matter A and the printed matter B are printed separately, two types of image data, that is, the unit region image data for the printed matter A (FIG. 6A) and the unit region image data for the printed matter B (FIG. 6B) are used. The printer driver must convert the print data into print data that can be printed by the printer 1. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since the printed matter A and the printed matter B are printed at the same time, one type of unit area image data (FIG. 7) has only to be converted into the print data. Thus, the work time for converting the image data into the print data is shortened, and as a result, the overall print processing time is also shortened.

  In Example 1, when the printed matter A and the printed matter B are allocated in the width direction in the unit area (FIG. 7), the maximum punching width of the punching machine is also taken into consideration. That is, the length in the width direction of the two printed materials A arranged in the width direction and the length in the width direction of the three printed materials B arranged in the width direction are shorter than the maximum punch width. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the printed matter A and the printed matter B are printed, the two printed matter A arranged in the width direction can be half-cut at once, and the three printed matter B arranged in the width direction can also be gathered. Can be half cut.

For example, when there are two punching machines, when the printed matter A and the printed matter B are printed together on the printing tape T as in Example 1, one punching machine is pulled out for the printed matter A after the printing is completed. A mold is set, and a punch for printed matter B is set in the other punching machine, so that half-cutting of printed matter A and printed matter B can be performed simultaneously.
On the other hand, when printing the printed matter A after printing the printed matter A as in the comparative example, after the printing of the printed matter A is finished, the cutting die for the printed matter A is set in two punching machines, Half-cut is performed, and during that time, the printed material B is printed. After the printing of the printed material B is finished, the cutting die for the printed material A is removed from the two punching machines, the cutting die for the printed material B is set, and the printed material B Will be half-cut. Since the work of setting the punching die of the punching machine is a time-consuming work, the overall work time can be shortened by minimizing the number of times the punching die is set as in the first embodiment. .
In addition, when two types of printed materials are individually printed on the printing tape T as in the comparative example, if it is attempted to reduce the number of times of setting the punching die, the punching die for the printed matter A is set in one punching machine. In the other punching machine, a punch for printed matter B is set. Then, after the printing of the printed matter A is completed, one punching machine can perform half-cutting of the printed matter A, but since the printing of the printed matter B has not been finished yet, the other punching machine cannot operate during that time.
That is, by simultaneously printing the printed material A and the printed material B on the printing tape T, it is possible to shorten the time and efficiently use the punching machine in the half-cut process after the printing is completed.

  In the first embodiment, printing is performed so that two types of printed materials A and B having different sizes are arranged in the width direction on the printing tape T, rather than printing the two types of printed materials individually on the printing tape T. An embodiment in which the margin of the tape T is reduced will be described. However, the size of the printed matter and the length in the width direction of the printing tape T are various. Therefore, if the margin of the printing tape T is smaller in the printing process in which two types of printed matter are individually printed than in the printing process in which the two types of printed matter are arranged side by side in the width direction, It is preferable to print the printed matter individually.

  However, when two types of printed matter are printed individually as in the comparative example, even if one printed matter can be printed side by side in the width direction on the printing tape T with a small margin, the other printed matter has the same size as the one printed matter. Are different, the margin may increase. Therefore, when printing two types of printed matter, it is considered that the probability that the margin is reduced is higher when two types of printed matter are arranged in the width direction on the printing tape T as in the first embodiment.

  That is, as in the comparative example, when one type of printed matter is printed on the printing tape T having the specified width W, the margin amount of the printing tape T cannot be changed. However, when two types of printed materials having different sizes (in the width direction) are arranged in the transport direction on the printing tape T, the amount of the margin may be changed and the margins may be reduced as much as possible depending on how the printed materials are arranged in the unit area. it can.

  In view of the above, the maximum punching width of the punching machine is taken into consideration when allocating the printed matter A and the printed matter B in the width direction in the unit area. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the allocation software determines the width direction between the printed matter A and the printed matter B. It is also possible to change the allocation method in various ways and select an allocation method that minimizes the amount of margin. At this time, as in the comparative example, the method of arranging one type of printed matter in the width direction may be one of the selection candidates, and the method of arranging one type of printed matter in the width direction and printing can minimize the amount of margin. In this case, only one type of printed matter is arranged and printed in the width direction of the printing tape T.

=== About printing of plural types of printed matter: Example 2 ===
In the second embodiment, when a plurality of types (four types) of printed matter are printed, the allocation software combines the printed materials arranged in the width direction of the printing tape T, and the combination that minimizes the margin amount of the printing tape T is used. Then, the printer 1 performs printing based on the combination.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating four types of printed matter (printed matter A to printed matter D) that the printer 1 prints. The procedure for the layout software to determine the printing process that minimizes the margin will be described below. However, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that two types of printed matter are printed on the printing tape T. A method of arranging three or four types of printed matter in the width direction, or a method of arranging only one type of printed matter in the width direction. Excluding printing. For this reason, the printing process with the smallest margin is determined from the following three types of printing processes. First, the printing process (1) is “a process in which the printed matter A and the printed matter B are arranged in the width direction and printed, and the printed matter C and the printed matter D are arranged in the width direction”, and the printing process (2) is “the printed matter A”. And print product C are printed side by side, and print product B and print product D are printed side by side. Print process (3) is a process of printing print product A and print product D side by side, and printing product B and print product C side by side. Is.

FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C are diagrams showing how to assign printed matter in the printing process (1) to the printing process (3), and FIG. 11 is a calculation result of the margin amount in each printing process.
The method for assigning two types of printed matter to the printing tape T is the same as in the first embodiment. For example, in the case of the method of allocating the printed material C and the printed material D in the printing process (1) (FIG. 10A), the length of the unit area in the transport direction (based on the printed material C having the longer transport direction length ( = Feed length = 901 mm).
Next, according to the length of the unit area in the transport direction, the number of prints D that can be printed side by side in the transport direction is calculated, and the prints D are evenly arranged in the transport direction in the unit area. Thus, the interval in the transport direction (= 3.37 mm) is calculated.

  Then, the widths of the plurality of printed materials C arranged in the width direction and the plurality of printed materials D arranged in the width direction are set so as not to be larger than the maximum drawing width (= 170 mm) of the punching machine. The printed material C and the printed material D are allocated in the direction. Note that the printed material C and the printed material D may be allocated in the width direction so that the margin amount in the width direction is as small as possible regardless of the maximum punch width. In this way, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, it is determined how the printed matter is printed in the unit area in each printing process.

  Next, a method for calculating the margin amount will be described by taking as an example the case of printing the printed material C and the printed material D in the printing process (1). When printing two types of printed matter on the printing tape T in the width direction, it is necessary to consider both the margin amount in the width direction and the margin amount in the transport direction. This is because the printed matter (printed matter C) having a longer length in the transport direction is printed side by side with a minimum interval Smin in the transport direction, but the printed matter having a shorter length in the transport direction (printed matter D) This is because the interval is determined according to the length of the unit area in the transport direction. Therefore, it is preferable that the interval in the transport direction is as close to the minimum interval Smin as possible.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, it is calculated according to the case where the printed material D having the shorter length in the conveying direction of the two printed materials is arranged in the conveying direction at the minimum interval Smin (= 3 mm). The margin area in the transport direction is calculated based on the difference from the case where the printed materials D are arranged in the transport direction at intervals (= 3.37 mm).
Margin area in conveyance direction = (difference in interval) × width length of printed material D × (number of printed materials D)
= (3.37-3) x 40 x (27 x 4)
= 1,199 (mm ² )
The margin amount in the width direction (margin area) is 25 mm (= 300− (4 + 3) × 2) when the printed material C and the printed material D are arranged in the width direction on the printing tape T as shown in the following formula. It is calculated by the product of − (30 + 3) × 4- (40 + 3) × 3) and the feed length 901 mm in one transport operation.
Margin area in the width direction = 25 (mm) × 901 (mm)
= 22,525 (mm ² )
Thereafter, if the margin area in the transport direction and the margin area in the width direction are summed, the margin area when the printed matter C and the printed matter D are printed side by side in the width direction on the printing tape T is calculated.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, the layout software determines that the printing method (1) is the method of printing with the smallest margin area in the printing processes (1) to (3). Then, the allocation software creates unit area image data so that the printed matter is printed as shown in FIG. 10A (printing process (1)). The printer driver converts the unit area image data into unit area print data, and the printer 1 prints using the unit area print data repeatedly.

  In this way, when printing a plurality of types of printed materials, there are various printing processes such as printing several printed materials arranged in the width direction, or printing one type of printed material. At this time, as in the second embodiment, by selecting a printing process that minimizes the amount of margin, the consumption of the printing tape T can be suppressed and the cost can be reduced.

=== About printing of plural types of printed matter: Example 3 ===
In the first and second embodiments described above, when allocating printed materials in the width direction, the maximum punch width (= 170 mm) of the punching machine is taken into consideration, and two types of margins in the width direction are reduced as much as possible. Although printed materials are printed side by side in the width direction, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Here, in the printing process (2) shown in FIG. 10B, when the printed material B and the printed material D are arranged in the width direction and printed on the printing tape T, the margin length in the width direction is 41 mm. In this margin area, the printed matter B having a length in the width direction of 50 mm and the printed matter D having a length in the width direction of 40 mm cannot be printed with an interval for the punching process. However, the printed matter C having a length in the width direction of 30 mm can be printed.

  That is, after assigning a printed matter having a long width in the width direction (printed matter B, printed matter D, or first image) to be arranged in the width direction first, and then assigning a printed matter having a long length in the width direction. By assigning a printed material (corresponding to the printed material C / second image) having a short length in the width direction to the margin area, the margin in the width direction can be further reduced.

=== About printing of plural kinds of printed matter: Example 4 ===
In the above-described embodiment, the length of the unit area in the transport direction is determined based on the maximum number of prints that can be printed in the maximum print area. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In FIG. 7, the length of the unit region in the transport direction is determined based on 11 (maximum number) printed materials A that can be printed side by side in the transport direction within the maximum print region. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, by determining the length of the unit area in the transport direction based on the number (X) smaller than the maximum number of prints A, the interval in the transport direction of the print B is shortened ( If the margin in the transport direction is reduced), the length of the unit area in the transport direction may be determined based on the X printed materials A.
However, if the length of the unit area in the conveyance direction is significantly shorter than the maximum printing area, the number of printed materials printed by one image forming operation is reduced, and the printing time is increased.

=== Other Embodiments ===
Each of the above embodiments has been described mainly with respect to a printing system having an ink jet printer, but includes disclosure of an image allocation method and the like. The above-described embodiments are for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, the embodiments described below are also included in the present invention.

<About printed matter>
In the above-described embodiment, the printed material (image) is printed on the printing tape whose back surface is the adhesive surface, but this is not a limitation. For example, when printing different size tags on a continuous cardboard in the width direction, the size of the unit area is determined based on the longer tag in the transport direction, and the longer one in the transport direction. If the tag is assigned, the margin of cardboard can be reduced as much as possible. Further, the continuous medium is not limited to paper such as a printing tape, and a printed matter may be printed on a cloth or a film.

<About the printing device>
In the above-described embodiment, the print data creation PC performs the assignment work for determining how to print the printed matter on the print tape, and the conversion process to the print data. The inkjet printer, the print data creation PC, Is connected to the printing system, but is not limited thereto. If the printer plays the role of allocation software or printer driver, the printer alone corresponds to the printing apparatus.

  The above-described printer 1 prints an image by moving the head 41 in the print area in the transport direction and further moving the head 41 (X-axis stage) in the width direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case of a head in which nozzles are arranged over the length of the print area in the transport direction, the head can print an image only by moving in the width direction without moving in the transport direction. In addition, in the case of a head in which nozzles are arranged over the length in the width direction of the continuous medium, the head only moves in the transport direction without moving in the width direction in one image forming operation. Images can be printed. In addition, since the width in the width direction varies depending on the type of continuous medium, the width of the medium is shorter than the nozzle row length in the width direction in a certain continuous medium, and the head does not need to move in the width direction. In a continuous medium, the movement of the head may be changed depending on the continuous medium such that the width of the medium is longer than the nozzle row length in the width direction and the head needs to move in the width direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, an ink jet printer is used as an example of a printing apparatus. As a method for ejecting ink from a nozzle, a voltage is applied to a drive element (piezo element) to expand and contract an ink chamber. A piezo method of discharging may be used, or a thermal method of generating air bubbles in the nozzle using a heat generating element and discharging ink by the bubbles may be used. Further, the printing apparatus is not limited to an inkjet printer, and may be a printing apparatus such as a thermal transfer printer or a dot impact printer.

1 is a configuration block diagram of a printing system. 2A is a schematic sectional view of the printer, and FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of the printer. The nozzle arrangement on the lower surface of the head unit is shown. 4A shows a state in which the printed material a is printed on the printing tape, FIG. 4B shows the number of printed materials a that can be printed in the maximum printing area, and FIG. 4C shows the printed material a that is printed in the unit area. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the size of the printing tape, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the sizes of the printed material A and the printed material B. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams illustrating how the printed material A and the printed material B are printed in the comparative example. It is a figure which shows a mode that the printed matter A and the printed matter B are printed on a printing tape. It is a figure which shows the mode of printing of the printed matter A and the printed matter B in a comparative example. It is a figure which shows four types of printed matter which a printer prints. It is a figure which shows how to allocate the printed matter in a printing process (1). It is a figure which shows how to allocate the printed matter in a printing process (2). It is a figure which shows how to allocate the printed matter in a printing process (3). It is a calculation result of a margin amount in each printing process.

Explanation of symbols

1 printer,
10 controller, 11 interface unit, 12 CPU,
13 memory, 14 unit control circuit,
20 transport units, 21 transport rollers,
30 drive unit, 31 X-axis stage, 32 Y-axis stage,
40 head units, 41 heads,
50 detector groups, 60 print data creation PC, 70 design PC,
80 cutter, T printing tape

Claims (7)

A transport operation for transporting the continuous medium in the transport direction and an image forming operation for moving the head to form an image are alternately repeated, and the first image and the first image having a shorter length in the transport direction than the first image. A printing method for printing two images on the continuous medium,
Setting a unit area that is equal to or smaller than the size of the printable print area based on the size of the print area that can be printed by one image forming operation and the size of the first image;
Within the unit area, an integer number of the first images are arranged at a first interval in the conveyance direction, an integer number of the second images are arranged at a second interval in the conveyance direction, and in the conveyance direction. The unit region so that the integer number of the first images arranged in a row and the integer number of the second images arranged in the conveyance direction are printed side by side in a width direction that is a direction intersecting the conveyance direction. Creating print data for
Using the print data repeatedly, a plurality of the first images are arranged at the first interval in the transport direction on the continuous medium, and a plurality of the second images are arranged at the second interval in the transport direction. Printing to line up with,
A printing method comprising: The printing method according to claim 1, comprising:
The length of the first interval is not more than the length of the second interval.
Printing method. The printing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
In creating the print data, after determining the number of integers that are printed in the width direction, the second image is longer than the second image. Determining the number of integers printed side by side in the width direction;
Printing method. The printing method according to claim 3, wherein
The integer number of the first images printed side by side in the width direction is:
The total length of the first images arranged in the width direction is determined so as to be shorter than a predetermined threshold.
Printing method. A printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
When printing multiple types of images, combine the types of images to be printed on the continuous medium from the multiple types of images,
For each combination, calculate the amount of margin generated when printing an image on the continuous medium,
Printing based on the combination that minimizes the margin amount,
Printing method. A transport operation for transporting the continuous medium in the transport direction and an image forming operation for moving the head to form an image are alternately repeated, and the first image and the first image having a shorter length in the transport direction than the first image. A printing apparatus for printing two images on the continuous medium,
Based on the size of the print area that can be printed by one image forming operation and the size of the first image, a unit area that is equal to or smaller than the size of the printable print area is set.
Within the unit area, an integer number of the first images are arranged at a first interval in the conveyance direction, an integer number of the second images are arranged at a second interval in the conveyance direction, and in the conveyance direction. The unit region so that the integer number of the first images arranged in a row and the integer number of the second images arranged in the conveyance direction are printed side by side in a width direction that is a direction intersecting the conveyance direction. Create print data for
Using the print data repeatedly, a plurality of the first images are arranged at the first interval in the transport direction on the continuous medium, and a plurality of the second images are arranged at the second interval in the transport direction. Print in a line,
A printing apparatus characterized by that. A transport operation for transporting the continuous medium in the transport direction and an image forming operation for moving the head to form an image are alternately repeated, and the first print product and the first print product are shorter in the transport direction than the first print product. A printed matter manufacturing method for printing two printed matter on the continuous medium,
Setting a unit area that is equal to or smaller than the size of the printable print area based on the size of the print area that can be printed by one image forming operation and the size of the first printed matter;
In the unit area, an integer number of the first printed materials are arranged at a first interval in the conveying direction, an integer number of the second printed materials are arranged at a second interval in the conveying direction, and in the conveying direction. The unit region so that the integer number of the first printed materials arranged in a row and the integer number of the second printed materials arranged in the conveyance direction are printed side by side in a width direction that intersects the conveyance direction. Creating print data for
By repeatedly using the print data, a plurality of the first printed materials are arranged in the transport direction at the first interval on the continuous medium, and a plurality of the second printed materials are arranged in the transport direction on the second interval. Printing to line up with,
A method for producing a printed matter.

Images