JPH07222014A - Method for forming multi-color printed image and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a multi-color printed matter without color mixing by using a separate print having a margin part in which a black recording area and other color recording area are not in contact with each other. CONSTITUTION:A UCR(underlying color removal) circuit 50 replaces data on which three colors Y, M, C are superimposed with k (black) image data. The generated Y, M, C, K image data are processed by a negative/positive inversion processing circuit 70 and a negative image of Y, M, C, K is formed on an output film by an output unit 58. The density of a shadow point on the output film is set high and only the image data K are inverted into positive image data by the circuit 70 and outputted superimposingly on the formed negative image. Thus, each print of the Y, M, C, K image having a margin without ink between the position at which the ink K is printed and the position at which the ink of Y, M, C, K image is generated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multicolor printed image producing method and apparatus capable of obtaining a high-definition multicolor printed matter in which color turbidity does not occur.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image is read from a color original such as a photograph or a painting, or desired processing is performed on image data supplied from an arbitrary image input device, and a film original plate or a printing plate which is a disassembled plate is obtained. A printing system for creating a printed matter via a printer is widely used. In this case, the printed matter is prepared by, for example, producing Y, M, C, and K color separation film masters based on the image data supplied from the image input device, and using the respective color separation film masters.
tized Plate) and after developing it, P
It is created by printing the S plate on a printing machine.

Here, in the case of producing a multicolor printed matter, theoretically, all the colors can be reproduced by subtractively mixing the inks of the three primary colors of Y, M and C. It is possible.

However, in actual printing,
Even if the inks of the three primary colors are superposed, there are problems that a sufficient density cannot be obtained in the shadow portion, it is difficult to adjust the color balance, and it is difficult to obtain a pure three primary color ink. Therefore, in order to avoid these problems, for example, black (K) ink is added to each ink of Y, M, and C, and printing is performed using four colors of Y, M, C, and K.
In this case, when a part of the Y, M and C inks is replaced with the K ink, it is necessary to reduce the Y, M and C ink amounts accordingly. This operation removes undercolor (UCR: under co
lor removal).

By the way, in a normal UCR, Y, M, C
The reduction ratio of each ink is, for example, in the range of 30 to 70%, and 100% of either ink is not removed. Therefore, when special printing is performed, color turbidity can be avoided. There wasn't. That is, in the normal printing process,
Since there is a sufficient drying process between printing of each color, turbidity does not occur even when the inks are superimposed. However, when printing on the surface of curved objects such as cans, there is no drying step between printing of each color, and when printing on the surface of a recording medium that does not absorb moisture, such as metal, Even if there is a process, since it takes a considerable time for the ink to completely dry, colors may become turbid during the process.

Therefore, in the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-220881, 100% of any of the superposed inks is removed and replaced with black ink to avoid color turbidity. I am trying.

[0007]

However, even when such a treatment is performed, due to misregistration of each plate, ink flow, etc., Y, M, C inks and K inks are There was a problem that color turbidity occurred in the part where the contacted.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience, and provides a method and an apparatus for producing a multicolor printed image capable of obtaining a highly vibrant multicolor printed matter in which color turbidity does not occur. Intended to provide.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a separation plate for setting a recording area of each color from image data of each color obtained by color-separating a multicolor original image. In the image data of each color of the color-separated multi-color original image in the color-separated multi-color original image. The first step of generating image data of each color including black by replacing all the image data corresponding to the recording area on which the material is superimposed with the image data of the black recording area, and the first step A second step of enlarging or reducing the recording area of the black image data obtained by a predetermined amount, and a third step of obtaining inverted image data in which the recording area of the black image data obtained in the second step is a non-recording area. And a fourth step of synthesizing the inverted image data and the image data of each color other than black obtained in the first step to generate image data of each color other than black. The black image data obtained in the first or second step and the image data of each color obtained in the fourth step are used to create a separated version of each color including black.

Further, according to the present invention, a separation plate for setting a recording area of each color is prepared from image data of each color obtained by color separation of a multicolor original image, and a separation medium is formed on a recording medium based on each separation plate. In the device that creates a multicolor print image on
In the image data of each color of the color-separated multi-color original image, all of the image data corresponding to the recording area on the recording medium where the color materials of three or more colors are superposed is the black recording area. Undercolor removing means for replacing, area changing means for enlarging or reducing a recording area by the black image data by a predetermined amount, and image data inversion for obtaining inverted image data in which the recording area in the black image data is a non-recording area It is characterized by comprising means and means for creating a separated version for creating a separated version of each color including black based on each image data.

[0011]

In the method and apparatus for producing a multi-color printed image of the present invention, color-separated image data is generated by color-separating a multi-color original image, and the undercolor of the color-separated image data is removed to obtain a printed matter. Image data including black that does not overlap three or more colors is generated. Next, by changing the recording area of the black image data or by changing the recording area of each color except the black, there is a margin portion in which the black recording area and the recording areas of other colors do not contact each other. Create a disassembled version. Then, by producing a printed matter based on this decomposed plate, it is possible to obtain a highly vibrant multicolor image without ink turbidity.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration block of an image reading and outputting system 10 to which a method and apparatus for producing a multicolored printed image of the present invention are applied. The image reading and outputting system 10 is
An image reading device 12 that reads image information of a color original document and performs color separation processing and desired image processing, and Y, based on the image data processed by the image reading device 12.
It basically comprises an image output device 14 for producing a film original plate which is a separated version for each color of M, C and K. In addition, the film original plate is formed by forming a halftone image as a negative film for each color of ink, and a printing plate is prepared from each film original plate, and a predetermined ink is adhered to each of the printing plates, and this is recorded. A desired multicolored printed matter is created by transferring to a medium and synthesizing.

The image reading device 12 includes a control unit 16
A reading unit 18, a CRT display 20,
The operation panel 22 is provided.

The reading unit 18 rotates, for example, a cylinder having a color document mounted on the outer peripheral portion thereof in the main scanning direction,
Image information is read by scanning the color original document in the sub-scanning direction with a photomultiplier or the like. The image information read by the reading unit 18 is sent to the control unit 16 as Y, M, and C image data for each color.

Control unit 1 in image reading device 12
6 is a color correction circuit 46 that performs color correction processing on the Y, M, and C image data from the reading unit 18.
And a gradation conversion circuit 48 for performing gradation conversion processing on the color-corrected image data, and undercolor removal processing for the gradation-converted image data to generate image data including black. UCR circuit 50 (under color removing means), color correction circuit 46, gradation conversion circuit 48 and UC
A processing condition setting circuit 52 (area changing means) for setting processing parameters in the R circuit 50 is provided. The processing parameters set by the processing condition setting circuit 52 are
It is set according to the processing conditions supplied from the operation panel 22 via the interface 54.

The image output device 14 includes a control unit 56.
An output unit 58 and an operation panel 60.

The output unit 58 (disassembled version creating means) is
For example, attach the output film to the outer periphery of the exposure drum,
By irradiating the output film with a laser beam modulated based on image data from a laser unit arranged close to the output film, a film original plate for each color of Y, M, C, and K is created. Composed.

The control unit 5 in the image output device 14
As shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 6 denotes a negative / positive inversion processing circuit 70 for performing negative / positive inversion processing on Y, M, C, and K image data transferred from the control unit 16 of the image reading apparatus 12. (Image data inverting means) and output unit 58
And an output adjustment circuit 72 for adjusting the output signal supplied to the. The processing parameters for the negative / positive inversion processing circuit 70 and the output adjusting circuit 72 are set according to the processing conditions supplied from the operation panel 60 via the interface 74.

The image reading and outputting system 10 of this embodiment is
Basically it is configured as described above, and next,
A method for creating a multicolor print image using this system 10 will be described in detail.

Here, the method for producing a multicolored print image of this embodiment will be schematically described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, for example, when printing is performed on a recording medium having no hygroscopic property such as metal, in the case where three color inks of Y, M, and C are superposed, it is 100% black (K). By performing UCR processing to substitute the ink of No. 3 and further forming an ink-free margin W between the area where the K ink is printed and the area where the Y, M, and C inks are printed, Avoiding turbidity and creating highly vivid multicolored prints.

Next, a method for producing the above-mentioned multicolor printed matter will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, a color original is set in the reading unit 18 of the image reading device 12 (step S1).
0) Set an output film, which is a film original plate to be used for printing, in the image output device 14. Next, in the image reading device 12, the disassembly conditions are set using the operation panel 22 and the CRT display 20 (step S20). In this case, the disassembling condition means the output position and order of the Y, M, C and K plates on the output film, the output format such as the number of output lines, and the like.

Next, the operator operates the operation panel 22 of the image reading device 12 and the operation panel 6 of the image output device 14.
0 for the first setup (step S
30). In this setup, the operation panel 22 is used to set the scanning range of the color original, the magnification of the image to be output on the output film, the sharpness of the image,
Desired finishing conditions such as density settings of highlight points and shadow points of the Y, M, C, and K plates on the output film are set. This density setting designates desired highlight points and shadow points of the color original, as shown in the graph A of FIG. 4, and the density of each point is 5% and 75% as the dot% on the output film. Set to be%. Further, the operation panel 60 of the image output device 14 is set to output a negative image on the output film.

After the above preparatory work is completed, the reading work of the color original document is started (step S40). The Y, M, and C image data read by the reading unit 18 is supplied to the control unit 16.

In the control unit 16, the color correction circuit 46 first performs color correction processing on each of the Y, M, and C image data (step S50). It should be noted that this color correction processing is performed according to the processing conditions set by the processing condition setting circuit 52 based on the first setup conditions supplied via the interface 54.

Next, with respect to each of the Y, M, and C image data that have been subjected to the color correction processing, in the gradation conversion circuit 48, the densities of the highlight point and the shadow point of the color original document are set in the first setup. The gradation is converted so that the set density (5% and 75%) is set (step S60).

Further, the gradation-converted Y, M, and C image data are converted into Y, M, and C image data in the UCR circuit 50.
The process of replacing all the data on which the colors are superimposed with the image data of K color is performed, and new image data of Y, M, C, and K is generated (step S70).

Y, M, C, generated as described above
The image data of K is the control unit 5 of the image output device 14.
6 is transferred. In this case, the control unit 56
Negative / positive reversal processing based on instructions from work panel 60
There is no processing for outputting a negative image in the circuit 70.
And is transferred to the output adjustment circuit 72. Output adjustment circuit 72
Then, perform a predetermined adjustment process on this image data,
Transfer to the output unit 58. In the output unit 58,
For example, a laser unit (not shown)
Therefore, it is controlled and the Y, M, C, K nets are output on the output film.
Moth image Y^-, M ^-, C^-, K^-Formed as shown in FIG.
(Step S80). In addition, attached to Y, M, C, K
“−” Represents a negative image, and “+” represents a positive image.
These will be described below.

Next, the operator operates the operation panel 22 of the image reading device 12 and the operation panel 6 of the image output device 14.
0 is used to perform the second setup (step S
90). In this setup, the density setting of the highlight point and shadow point of each Y, M, C, and K plate on the output film and the setting of outputting a positive image on the output film are performed, and the other settings are the first. Keep the same as the first setup. In this case, for example, as shown in the graph B of FIG. 4, the density setting in this case specifies the same highlight point and shadow point as in the first setup, and the density of each point is the dot% on the output film. Is set to be 5% and 95%.

Next, in the control unit 16 of the image reading device 12, the steps S40, S50, S60, S are executed.
The same processing as 70 is performed (steps S100 and S11).
0, S120, S130). Then, of the obtained image data, only the K image data is inverted to the positive image data by the negative / positive inversion processing circuit 70, and step S80
The negative images Y ⁻ , M ⁻ , and C ⁻ formed in (3) are superimposed and output as positive images K ^{* +} (step S140). As described above, Y, M, C, negative image is the original film plate in ^{K (Y - + K * +} ), (M - + K * +), (C - + K
^{* +} ) And K ^- are created (see FIG. 6).

Based on the thus produced output film, Y, M, C, and K printing plates are produced, and Y, M, C, and K inks are applied to the respective printing plates and transferred onto a recording medium. By doing so, it is possible to obtain a printed matter having the margin W shown in FIG.

Here, the principle of forming the margin W will be described with reference to FIG. To simplify the description, only the margin W formed between the Y ink and the K ink will be described.

The negative image Y ⁻ (a) has an unexposed portion y ⁻ which is a portion to which Y ink is applied. Double exposure of the K positive image K ^{* +} (b) to this negative image Y ⁻ (a) results in a negative Y image (Y ⁻ + K ^{* +} ) (c) having an unexposed portion y ^{* −.} can get. In this case, the unexposed portions y * ^- is exposed portions nominal concentration of the shadow point in the second set-up is obtained by being set to 95% k ^{* +} by negative image Y ^- unexposed (a) The part y ^- is decreasing. On the other hand, the negative image K ⁻ (d) has an unexposed portion k ⁻ which is a portion to which K ink is applied. The unexposed portion k ⁻ is defined by the dark point set density of 75% at the first setup, and is set in a range narrower than the exposed portion k ^{* +} in the positive image K ^{* +} (b). ing. Therefore, the negative image (Y ^{- +} K * +) unexposed portions of the (c) y * ^- by recording the ink of Y to the recording medium, the negative image K
^- unexposed portion of (d) k ^- by if recording ink K to the recording medium, it is possible to form an image (e) having a margin W.

By thus transferring the respective inks onto the recording medium, the K ink and the Y, M and C inks do not become turbid, and in particular, the recording medium has no hygroscopicity. Even when it is a metal or the like, or even when it is difficult to intervene a sufficient drying step in transferring each ink, an extremely vivid color image can be obtained. Further, even when there is some misregistration when setting the printing plate of each ink, it is possible to obtain a printed matter without ink turbidity.

[0035] In the embodiment described above, but so as to create a desired original film plate by exposing the output film twice, for example, negative image shown in FIG. ^{7 (Y - + K * +} ) (c It is also possible to generate the image data for generating (1) in the control unit 16 and the control unit 56 and to generate it by one exposure operation. Further, by adjusting the unexposed portion k ⁻ in the negative image K ⁻ (d) shown in FIG. 7 to be reduced,
The same effect can be obtained.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, all the portions of the recording medium on which three or more colors are superimposed are replaced with black, and a predetermined gap is provided between the black and other colors. Since it is possible to provide a margin, it is possible to obtain an extremely vivid image without causing color turbidity.
In particular, even if the recording medium is a non-hygroscopic material such as metal, or even if it is difficult to intervene a sufficient drying step in transferring each ink, color turbidity or color There will be no problems such as noticeable misalignment. Further, even if some misregistration occurs when setting the plates of each color, there is an effect that color turbidity does not occur.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration block diagram of an image reading and outputting system to which a method and an apparatus for creating a multicolor printed image according to the present invention are applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a printed matter created by the multicolor printed image creating method according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a multicolor print image creating method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of density setting at the time of setup in an embodiment of the multicolor print image creating method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a negative image created according to the first setup in the embodiment of the multicolor print image creating method according to the present invention.

6 is an explanatory diagram of a negative image created by superimposing a K plate positive image created according to the second setup in the embodiment of the multicolor print image creating method according to the present invention on the negative image of FIG. 5; is there.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of margin formation in one embodiment of the multicolor print image creating method according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Image reading output system 12 ... Image reading device 14 ... Image output device 16, 56 ... Control unit 18 ... Reading unit 50 ... UCR circuit 52 ... Processing condition setting circuit 58 ... Output unit 70 ... Negative / positive reversal processing circuit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 10, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Claim 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G03F 3/08 A H04N 1/46

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A separation plate for setting a recording area of each color is created from image data of each color obtained by color separation of a multicolor original image, and multicolor printing is performed on a recording medium based on each separation plate. In the method of creating an image, in the image data of each color of the color-separated multicolor original image, all of the image data corresponding to a recording area on which a color material of three or more colors is superimposed on the recording medium is black. A first step of generating image data of each color including black by substituting the image data for the recording area; and a step of enlarging or reducing the recording area by the black image data obtained in the first step by a predetermined amount. A second step, and a third step of obtaining inverted image data in which the recording area in the black image data obtained in the second step is a non-recording area
And a fourth step of synthesizing the inverted image data and the image data of each color other than black obtained in the first step to generate image data of each color other than black. Alternatively, a multi-color printed image is characterized in that a separated version of each color including black is created using the black image data obtained in the second step and the image data of each color obtained in the fourth step. How to make. 2. A separation plate for setting a recording area of each color is created from image data of each color obtained by color separation of a multicolor original image, and multicolor printing is performed on a recording medium based on each separation plate. In a device for creating an image, in the image data of each color of the color-separated multicolor original image, all of the image data corresponding to a recording area on which a color material of three or more colors is superimposed on the recording medium is black. Undercolor removing means for replacing with image data to be a recording area, area changing means for enlarging or reducing the recording area by the black image data by a predetermined amount, and reversing with the recording area in the black image data as a non-recording area A multicolor print image creating apparatus comprising: an image data inverting means for obtaining image data; and a separation plate creating means for creating a separation plate of each color including black based on each image data.