JPH09172551A - Print-proof generating system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a color print-proof image in matching with a printed matter printed out by a color printer with high accuracy by using an image output device such as the color printer at a comparatively low cost with a comparatively low resolution. SOLUTION: An interpreter 10 classifies layout data L/O into character data DC, line drawing data DL, and gradation image data DI, and the character data DC and the line drawing data DL are converted into RGB data by a color conversion processing section 18 according to a print condition and an output condition of an output device 16. Furthermore, the gradation image data DI are converted into RGB data provided with an image structure at print by a dot simulation processing section 20. The RGB data are converted into image data for scanning recording by a raster image processing section 14 and outputted as a color print proof image from the output device 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color printing proof image (also referred to as a color printing proof) for proofing before a color printed matter including a halftone image is produced by a color printing machine using a rotary press or the like. The present invention relates to a print proof making system for making a print.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a color printer proof image for proofing colors and the like has been created by a color printer before a color printed product by a halftone image as a product is created by a color printing machine.

The use of a color printer to produce a color-printing proof image is relatively inexpensive and inexpensive, and as is well known in the art, a color printer is a color printer. It is not necessary to create a plate-making film or printing plate (PS plate) related to
This is because a hard copy having an image formed on a sheet can be easily made a plurality of times in a short time.

FIG. 17 shows a flow of a conventional method for producing a color print proof image.

First, the image on the image original 2 is read by an image reading device such as a color scanner having a CCD area sensor or the like, and a gradation image for each color of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) is obtained. Data Ia is created (step S
1).

Next, the RGB gradation image data Ia is subjected to color conversion processing to obtain C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y.
It is converted into four-dot halftone dot area ratio data (also called halftone dot% data) aj (j = 0 to 3) for each color (yellow) and K (black) (step S2). This conversion can be performed in various ways depending on the relationship with the color printing machine, and is usually the know-how of each printing company corresponding to the color printing machine.

The image on the color printed matter produced by this color printing machine is a halftone dot image. Therefore, when the color printed matter is actually produced, the halftone dot area ratio data aj after the color conversion processing is bitmapped. Although it is developed into data and a plate-making film or the like is created based on this, an automatic processor (automatic developing machine) or the like is required, and the steps after the plate-making film creating process are considerably complicated.

Therefore, in order to easily create a color print proof image, the color digital printer DP is used for the reasons described above. The DP forms an image on a donor film by digitally controlling, for each pixel, the emission intensity and time of an LED (light emitting diode) or an LD (laser diode) corresponding to three primary colors by a density gradation method. This is transferred to an image receiving sheet and an image is formed on the sheet, which is considerably cheaper than a color printing machine which produces a PS plate from a printing plate and prints using the PS plate. Small volume and light weight.

Therefore, in order to use DP, the halftone dot area ratio data aj of the 4th edition of CMYK created in step S2.
A so-called device (print, CRT, photograph, L
Image data (also called common color space data) that does not depend on (ED, etc.), for example, tristimulus value data X, Y,
It needs to be converted to Z.

Therefore, image data processing for converting the halftone dot area ratio data aj of CMYK4 version into tristimulus value data X, Y, Z is performed (step S3). As this image data processing, processing using the Neugebauer equation has been conventionally used.

In this case, colorimetric value data Xi, Yi, Zi (i is 2 ⁴ colors = 16 colors in the case of the 4th edition of CMYK) for each color is measured by a colorimeter in advance. In this measurement, first, each color of 16 colors is printed in advance on a printing paper when a color printed matter is created by a color printing machine (usually called solid printing). Specifically, the 16 colors are
Corresponding to the presence or absence of each of C color, M color, Y color, and K color, a total of 2 ⁴ colors = 16 colors.

That is, the ground color W (white) of the printing paper when nothing is printed, the primary colors C, M and Y only, the K color, and the mixed colors C + M, C + Y and C +.
K, M + Y, M + K, Y + K, C + M + Y, C + M +
There are a total of 16 colors of K, C + Y + K, M + Y + K, and C + M + Y + K. These reflected colors formed on the printing paper are measured by a colorimeter, for example, a spectrometer, and colorimetric value data X
Obtain i, Yi, and Zi in advance.

In the processing using the Neugebauer equation, the colorimetric value data Xi, Y are obtained as shown in the following equation (1).
halftone dot area ratio data hi as respective coefficients of i and Zi
Tristimulus value data X after being multiplied by and image data processed,
Y and Z are created (step S3).

X = Σhi · Xi Y = Σhi · Yi Z = Σhi · Zi (1) where i = 0 to 15 h0 = (1-c) · (1-m) · (1-y) · ( 1-k) h1 = c * (1-m) * (1-y) * (1-k) h2 = (1-c) * m * (1-y) * (1-k) h3 = c * m * (1-y) * (1-k) h4 = (1-c) * (1-m) * y * (1-k) h5 = c * (1-m) * y * (1-k) ) H6 = (1-c) * m * y * (1-k) h7 = c * m * y * (1-k) h8 = (1-c) * (1-m) * (1-y) * Kh9 = c * (1-m) * (1-y) * kh10 = (1-c) * m * (1-y) * kh11 = c * m * (1-y) * kh12 = (1-c) * (1-m) * y * kh13 = c * (1-m) * y kh14 = (1-c) * m * y * kh15 = c * m * y * k, where c, m, y, and k are halftone dot area ratio data for each color of C, M, Y, and K. represents aj.

The tristimulus value data X, Y, Z after the image data processing thus created are supplied to the DP,
Then, the tristimulus value data X, Y, and Z are converted into data for each of the three primary colors related to the LEDs and the like (so-called device-dependent image data and also called unique color space data) based on a look-up table (LUT). After conversion, a color print proof image CPa, which is a hard copy with an image formed on the sheet, is created.

By the way, as described above, when the Neustimbauer equation is used to generate the tristimulus value data X, Y, and Z for DP, the tristimulus value data for DP is formed on the color printed matter created by the color printing machine. Since the color of the image is measured using a colorimeter, the color of the color print can be reproduced faithfully to the image on the hard copy.
Interference fringes (hereinafter referred to as false patterns) such as moire and rosette appearing on color printed matter, in other words, uneven interference caused by the periodic structure of halftone dots, which is a characteristic of printing, is reproduced in the image on the hard copy. There was a problem that I could not do it.

If these spurious patterns actually appear on the color printed matter, it is based on the request to faithfully reproduce the spurious patterns on the color print proof image CPa. In this respect, the color printed proof image CPa according to the technique of (1) is generally not a true (fidelity) proof image for color prints in terms of image structure.

It should be noted that the fact that the false pattern does not appear in the image on the hard copy of the DP is understood to be that the Neugebauer equation is an equation based on a kind of probability theory, and a microscopic (micro) image structure related to the false pattern ( It is thought that this is because the network structure) cannot be reproduced.

In order to reproduce the image structure, it is necessary to have a mechanism (threshold matrix, bitmap data, etc.) having exactly the same structure as the printed matter to be approximated on the image output device for outputting the hard copy. With such a mechanism, it is difficult to cope with various printing conditions, and the apparatus becomes considerably expensive.

Further, in order to produce an accurate proof image for a color printed matter, it is not enough to reproduce the above-mentioned image structure. For example, there are various types of paper and ink used for printing depending on the intended use of the printed matter and the user. In this case, some color printers can use materials that are the same as or very close to those of the printed matter, but their application range is considerably limited. Furthermore, it is also necessary to create the proof image in consideration of the environment in which the printed matter and the proof image are compared and examined. This is because, for example, if the observed light source is different, the color of the printed matter or the proof image is different.

[0021]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and uses an image output device such as a color printer having a relatively low cost and a relatively low resolution to perform color printing. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing proof creating system capable of obtaining a color printing proof image that matches a printed material created by a machine with high accuracy.

[0022]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a system for producing a color printing proof image of a color printed matter including a halftone image, the image being printed according to a first printing condition such as paper and ink used for the color printed matter. First conversion means for converting the data to generate image data having a desired color that does not depend on the output device, and converting the image data according to the second printing condition for the halftone processing on the color printed matter, and the halftone dot Second conversion means for generating image data having an image structure generated on the color printed matter by the multiplication processing, and a desired color and a desired image structure from the image data obtained by the first conversion means and the second conversion means. Obtaining the image data having, this image data is subjected to conversion processing according to the output conditions peculiar to the output device for creating the color print proof image, It is characterized by further comprising: a third conversion unit that creates image data depending on the output device; and an output device that creates the color print proof image based on the image data obtained by the third conversion unit. .

The present invention further comprises an exposure head comprising a light modulation element for modulating the amount of light exposed to the photosensitive material and a scanning mechanism for scanning the modulated light on the photosensitive material. In a system for creating a color print proof image of a color print by controlling a modulator according to image data, printing conditions such as paper and ink used for the color print, an output device peculiar to the color print proof image are formed. An image data conversion unit for converting the image data into signal data of the output device according to an output condition, an observation condition for observing the color printed matter and the color printed proof image, and an output state of a test pattern output by the output device. And a signal for controlling the output of the output device according to the output state. And signal data converter for converting the,
A second color misregistration correction unit that corrects the signal data based on correction data set to match the color of the test chart output by the output device with the color of the desired target chart. And

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a print proof making system of this embodiment. This system interprets, for example, layout data L / O (see FIG. 2) in which character data DC, line drawing data DL and gradation image data DI are laid out in a print image,
Interpreter 1 that separates each data according to its type
0, a print proof creating device 12 for creating color print proof data for calibrating a color print from the layout data L / O, and a raster image for converting the color proof print data into raster image data for scanning and outputting. It basically comprises a processing device 14 and an output device 16 for producing a color print proof image based on the raster image data.

In the print proof creating device 12, the color conversion processing section 18 (image data conversion section) prints the color print data created by a color printing machine on the character data DC and the line drawing data DL and outputs the output. Color conversion processing is performed based on the output conditions of the color print proof image created by the device 16. Further, in the halftone dot simulation processing unit 20 (image data conversion unit), the gradation image data DI is subjected to processing for reproducing the image structure of the image caused by the halftone processing when creating the color printed matter. To be done.

In the output device 16, the calibration processing unit 22 performs a process of calibrating the output characteristic of the output device 16 with time, the characteristic of the recording material, and the like. In addition, the inter-pixel data correction unit 24 performs a process of correcting the influence of interference that occurs between recorded pixels due to the scanning method of the recording material by the exposure head 26.

Here, the configuration of the output device 16 will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.

The output device 16 includes an exposure section 30 for forming a latent image of a color printing proof image on the photosensitive material 28,
It is basically composed of a transfer section 34 for transferring and forming a visible image of the color print proof image on the image receiving material 32 by heating the image receiving material 32 on the photosensitive material 28.

The exposure unit 30 holds a photosensitive material magazine 36 for holding the photosensitive material 28 wound in a roll, an exposure drum 38 on which the photosensitive material 28 taken out from the photosensitive material magazine 36 is wound, An exposure head 26 that forms a latent image of a color print proof image by scanning a beam modulated based on color print proof data on a photosensitive material 28 wound around an exposure drum 38, an exposure unit 30, and An exposure unit control circuit 40 that controls the operation of the exposure head 26 is provided. The exposure head 26 forms a two-dimensional image on the photosensitive material 28 by moving along the rotation axis of the rotating exposure drum 38.

As shown in FIG. 4, the exposure head 26 is constructed so as to move in the sub-scanning direction y along the rotation axis of the exposure drum 38 which rotates in the main scanning direction x. The exposure head 26 has slits 4 parallel to the sub-scanning direction y.
1R, 41G, 41B are formed, and light source units 42R, 42 in which a plurality of laser diodes LD are arranged
G, 42B and the light source units 42R, 42G, 4
2B, and is composed of linear light modulators (LLM) 46R, 46G, and 46B having a plurality of light modulation elements 44 arranged in the sub-scanning direction y, and a condenser lens 47. The beams from the plurality of laser diodes LD enter the respective light modulation elements 44.

The light modulation elements 44 constituting the LLMs 46R, 46G and 46B are R (red), G (green) and B, respectively.
The transmitted light of the beams from the light source units 42R, 42G, and 42B is individually modulated according to the (blue) color printing proof data, and for example, PZT which is a piezoelectric material.
A PLZT element, which is a metal compound ceramic obtained by adding La to (PbZrO ₃ , PbTiO ₃ ), a liquid crystal switching element, or the like can be used. The laser diode L of each of the light source units 42R, 42G, 42B
The beams output from D are lights having different wavelengths, and form R, G, and B latent images on the photosensitive material 28 according to the wavelengths.

The laser wavelength of the beam output from the laser diode LD needs to correspond to the photosensitive wavelength of each layer of the photosensitive material 28 that develops R, G, and B, but the photosensitive wavelengths are not necessarily R, G, and Need not be B, for example
A laser diode LD that outputs red and infrared beams that can be stably obtained can be used.

In FIG. 4, the light modulation elements 44 are arranged in a straight line parallel to the rotation axis of the exposure drum 38, but the arrangement is not limited to this. For example, by arranging the light modulation elements 44 obliquely with respect to the rotation axis of the exposure drum 38, it is possible to record on the photosensitive material 2 at a pitch different from the pitch between the light modulation elements 44. Thereby, high resolution recording can be performed or the resolution can be easily changed. Further, it is possible to arrange the light modulation elements 44 in a zigzag pattern and perform recording at intervals smaller than the pitch.

The transfer section 34 adjusts the conveying speed of the photosensitive material 28 supplied from the exposure section 30 to avoid the loosening of the photosensitive material 28 and the generation of excessive tension, and the buffer 48 passes through the buffer 48. A water application unit 50 for applying dampening water to the photosensitive material 28, a receiving material magazine 54 for holding the image receiving material 32 wound in a roll, and the photosensitive material 28 and the image receiving material 32 are superposed. A heating drum 56 that is wound and heated in a state, a heater 58 such as a halogen lamp that heats the heating drum 56 to a predetermined temperature, a temperature sensor 60 that detects the temperature of the heating drum 56, and color printing from the photosensitive material 28. A dryer 62 for drying the image receiving material 32 to which the proof image is transferred, and a colorimeter 64 for measuring the color of the image recorded on the image receiving material 32.
A photosensitive material tray 66 for accommodating the photosensitive material 28, a material receiving tray 68 for accommodating the image receiving material 32, and a transfer section control circuit 70 for controlling the operation of the transfer section 34.

As the photosensitive material 28 used in the exposure section 30, a latent image obtained by imagewise exposure is transferred to the image receiving material 32 by heat development transfer in the presence of an image forming solvent to form a visible image. And a so-called photothermographic material is used. The photothermographic material basically has a photosensitive silver halide, a reducing agent, a binder, and a dye-providing compound (which may also serve as a reducing agent) on a support, and further, if necessary. An organic metal oxidant or the like can be contained therein.

The photothermographic material may give a negative image or a positive image upon exposure. As a method of giving a positive image, a method of directly using a positive emulsion as a silver halide emulsion (a method using a nucleating agent and a method of exposing to light) and a positively diffusible dye image are emitted. Any method using a dye-donor compound can be employed.

As the photothermographic material of the type which gives a positive image, for example, those described in JP-A-6-161070 and JP-A-6-289555, and a method of giving a negative image can be used. Examples of the photothermographic material of JP-A-5-181246 and JP-A-6-181246
It is possible to use those described in Japanese Patent Application No. 242546, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-127386, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-195709.

The printing proof making system of this embodiment is basically constructed as described above. Next, the processing in this system will be explained in detail.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, character data D
Layout data L / O in which C, line drawing data DL, and gradation image data DI are laid out as a print image is supplied to the interpreter 10.

In this case, in a normal printing process, each color plate of C color, M color, Y color, and K color is created from the layout data L / O. A color printing image is formed with a desired ink on a desired printing paper using a printing plate. In creating each CMYK plate, for example, in the gradation image data DI to be shaded, the gradation image data DI composed of CMYK halftone data is the desired halftone type, halftone angle, screen By being compared with the threshold data having the number of lines (second printing condition), it is converted into bitmap data composed of binary data of value “1” or value “0”. Then, a laser or the like is driven based on the bit map data to form each of CMYK color plates on the photosensitive material. In this case, an image structure that is interference fringes such as moire and rosette generated due to the halftone processing appears in the color print image created by using the color plate. In addition, the color print image has characteristics depending on the printing paper and ink used, and different color tones appear depending on the light source for observing it.

Therefore, in the print proof making system of the present embodiment, a color print proof image equivalent to the color print image can be simplified in consideration of the print condition and the output condition of the output device 16 for the layout data L / O. It can be easily obtained with various configurations.

That is, the interpreter 10 interprets the supplied layout data L / O, separates it into character data DC, line drawing data DL and gradation image data DI, and supplies it to the print proof making device 12. The print proof creating device 12 supplies the character data DC and the line drawing data DL to the color conversion processing unit 18, and supplies the gradation image data DI to the halftone dot simulation processing unit 20.
When the line drawing data DL is shaded, the line drawing data DL is also supplied to the halftone dot simulation processing section 20.

The color conversion processing section 18 carries out color conversion processing as shown in FIG. First, the character data DC or the line drawing data DL composed of the CMYK4 halftone dot area ratio data is output by using the color reproduction prediction lookup table (LUT) 80 set corresponding to the first printing condition. Is converted to colorimetric data that does not depend on, for example, tristimulus value data X, Y, and Z.

In this case, the printing conditions include the type of printing paper (coated paper, matte coated paper, non-coated paper, etc.) for forming the final color print image, the type of ink used for printing, and the like. is there. The color reproduction prediction LUT80
Can be obtained by creating a test pattern of a printed matter under these printing conditions and measuring the tristimulus value data X, Y, Z of that color by colorimetry. The relationship of colors not in the test pattern can be obtained by interpolation processing.

The color of the color printed matter depends on the observation light source.
But different. Therefore, as the first printing condition, the image is viewed under daylight.
Observation light such as whether to observe or to observe under a fluorescent lamp
Prepare the color reproduction prediction LUT80 considering the source
Color reproduction prediction LUT80 can be selected according to viewing conditions
Keep it. In this case, the printing paper should not contain optical brightener.
Some are out. This fluorescent whitening agent is included in the observation light source.
The state of light emission varies depending on the ratio of the ultraviolet rays. Follow
Then, if the observation light source is different, the color is also different. There
Then, for example, the coefficient ε that represents the dependence of the observation light source
The coefficients ΔX, ΔY, and ΔZ, which represent the dependence of the whitening agent, are calculated as described above.
Selectable according to the light source and printing paper, and
Tristimulus of color reproduction prediction LUT80 for quasi observation light source
Value data X ₀, Y₀, Z₀X = X₀+ ΕΔX Y = Y₀+ ΕΔY Z = Z₀+ ΕΔZ (2) Corrected and converted to new tristimulus value data X, Y, Z
I do.

Specifically, for example, the amount of ultraviolet rays is different from that of a standard observation light source, and the tristimulus value is obtained with a light source having the same spectral intensity in the visible region, and the tristimulus value is obtained with the standard observation light source. The coefficients, which are the differences between, are ΔX, ΔY, and ΔZ. Then, a coefficient ε, which is an internal division ratio of the amount of ultraviolet rays of the observation light source to be sought between these two light sources, and the coefficients ΔX and Δ
By substituting Y and ΔZ into the equation (2), the stimulus value data X, Y, and Z at the desired observation light source can be obtained.

In this way, the color reproduction prediction LUT 80 corresponding to the first printing condition is selected, and the color conversion processing is performed by making the correction corresponding to the observation condition and the fluorescent whitening agent of the printing paper to be used, if necessary. As a result, the tristimulus value data X, Y, Z in consideration of the first printing condition can be obtained.

Next, the tristimulus value data X, Y and Z are
Proof output condition lookup table (LUT) 82 set corresponding to the output condition of the output device 16 used.
Using the (third conversion means), color printing proof data corresponding to the output device 16 is converted into, for example, RGB data.

As the proof output condition, the output device 16 is used.
There is a kind of the photosensitive material 28 and a kind of the image receiving material 32 (matte paper, glossy paper, etc.) used in. The proof output condition LUT 82 sets the photosensitive material 28 and the image receiving material 32 corresponding to these proof output conditions, creates a test pattern from the output device 16, and sets the color 3
It is obtained by measuring the stimulus value data X, Y, Z by colorimetry. The relationship of colors not in the test pattern can be obtained by interpolation processing.

The proof output condition L set in this way
By selecting the one corresponding to the desired proof output condition from the UT 82 and converting the tristimulus value data X, Y, Z into RGB data, the photosensitive material 28 and the image receiving material 32 used in the output device 16 are taken into consideration. RGB data can be obtained. It is also possible to combine the color reproduction prediction LUT 80 and the proof output condition LUT 82 into one LUT to directly generate the color print proof data from the halftone dot area ratio data aj.

On the other hand, the halftone dot simulation processing section 20 performs color conversion processing on the halftone dot area ratio data which requires halftone processing, as shown in FIG. That is, the halftone dot simulation processing unit 20 performs image structure simulation processing (second conversion means, which will be described in detail later).
By performing step S5), the image structure of the color printed matter can be accurately reproduced. However, in this process, the color reproduced by the image structure has a deviation, and it is necessary to correct it.

Therefore, an image structure color correction look-up table (LUT) 84 (first color misregistration correction means) for generating correction data for correcting the color misregistration is prepared in advance in correspondence with the printing conditions. This image structure color correction LUT8
4 can be obtained as a colorimetric value of the test image output from the output device 16 based on the data obtained by performing the image structure simulation processing using the test pattern data, for example.

Therefore, the halftone dot simulation processing section 20
Then, first, the gradation image data DI or line drawing data DL composed of the halftone dot area ratio data aj of CMYK4
Similar to the case of the color conversion processing unit 18, using the color reproduction prediction LUT 80 (first conversion unit) set corresponding to the first printing condition, the color measurement data independent of the output device,
For example, it is converted into tristimulus value data X, Y, and Z (assumed to be colorimetric data α). Further, the halftone dot area ratio data aj
Is subjected to an image structure simulation process, and converted into colorimetric data β having an image structure corresponding to the halftone process. The colorimetric data β has a color shift. Further, the halftone dot area ratio data aj are color correction data X ′, Y ′, Z ′ by the image structure color correction LUT 84.
Converted to (colorimetric data γ). Then, these colorimetric data α, β, γ are, for example, α + (β-
The color misregistration is corrected by a simple calculation process of γ) or α · β / γ, and common color space data with a desired image structure is generated. Similar to the case of the color conversion processing unit 18, this common color space data uses the proof output condition LUT 82 set corresponding to the output condition of the output device 16 to be used, and the color print proof corresponding to the output device 16. It is converted into data, for example, RGB data.

The image structure simulation processing in step S5 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the image structure simulation processing, first,
A bitmap expansion process unique to this image structure simulation process is performed (step S6). In this case, the same conditions as the printing supplied from the input terminal 90 (second printing condition)
A threshold matrix 92 having a resolution higher than that at the time of actual printing is selected according to the halftone type, screen ruling and halftone angle. This is to increase the resolution of the bitmap data bi. The halftone dot type, screen ruling number, and halftone dot angle related to the threshold value matrix 92 are indispensable to reproduce equivalent moire and the like when the same halftone dot type, screen ruling number, and halftone dot angle as in printing.

As the threshold value matrix 92 for creating halftone dots in order to increase the resolution, for example, the number of elements is 256.
A threshold matrix 92 of x256 = 65536 is used.
As the threshold value in each element, for example, values 0, 1, 2, ...
Try to take 255. Such a threshold matrix 9
2 is compared with the halftone dot area ratio data ai to create bitmap data bi (step S7).

The resolution of the CMYK 4th edition bitmap data bi created in this way is 44800 (256 × 175) DPI when the screen ruling is 175. This resolution needs to be 2000 DPI or more, but here, a case of 44800 DPI will be described as a desirable example corresponding to various conditions as described above.

Next, the 44800 DPI bitmap data bi is converted into data having a resolution of 1600 DPI. To this end, 28 × 2 of bitmap data bi
Eight (784) dots are counted and the counted data p is 1
The counting process for converting to dots may be performed (step S8).

In order to explain the counting process of step S8 in an easy-to-understand manner, the C version bitmap data bi 28
An example of 28 × 28 dots is shown in FIG. 8A, and an example of 28 × 28 dots of the M version of the bitmap data bi is shown in FIG. 8B. In FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the values of the elements not shown are all “0”. Further, it is assumed that all the elements of the remaining Y-version and K-version bitmap data bi have the value “0”.

Therefore, for 28 × 28 dots, CM
The YK4 version bit map data bi (here, it is needless to say that the C version and the M version bit map data bi are all necessary) are referred to at the same time, and each color (for the version number 4 Therefore, the area ratio ci of each of the 2 ⁴ colors is counted.

In the pixel (corresponding to 28 × 28 dots) in the example of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the area ratio ci for each color is calculated as follows.

C color; ci = c _C = 3/784 (The area ratio c _C represents a portion where only C color exists when the C and M plates are overlapped and seen transparently. and overlapping portions of the M color and C + M = B color area ratio c _{C + M)} C _{+ M color; c C + M = 2/} 784 W _{color; c W = 779/784 (} C plate and the M plate When both and are seen transparently, the area where neither C nor M exists) The area ratio ci for the remaining colors (13 colors such as Y and K) is zero. . By thus creating the area ratio ci for each 28 × 28 dots, the enumerated data p of 1600 DPI (each element value is represented by the area ratio ci) is created.

Next, the 16 solid colors printed on the color printed matter are measured by a colorimeter, and the colorimetric value data Xi, Yi, Zi (i is CMYK) for each color measured in advance. In case of the 4th edition of, the step S for 2 ⁴ colors = 16 colors)
The colorimetric data q (tristimulus value data X, Y, Z) is obtained as shown in equation (3) using the area ratio ci for each color counted in 8 as a weighting coefficient (step S9). In other words, the colorimetric value data Xi, Yi, Zi are weighted and averaged by the area ratio ci for each color, and the tristimulus value data X, Y, Z (colorimetric data q).
Ask for.

X = Σci · Xi = (3/784) X _C + (2/784) X _{C + M} + (779/784) X _W Y = Σci · Yi = (3/784) Y _C + (2 / 784) Y _{C + M} + (779/784) Y _W Z = Σci · Zi = (3/784) Z _C + (2/784) Z _{C + M} + (779/784) Z _W (3) In this way, the counting process for each 784 (28 × 28) dots (step S8) and the weighted average process (step S9)
Is performed over the entire range of the 44800 DPI bitmap data bi, the colorimetric data q of 1600 DPI is obtained.

Next, the obtained 1600 DPI colorimetric data q is subjected to anti-aliasing filter processing using the anti-aliasing filter AF shown in FIG. 9 to obtain the resolution of the output device 16 after the anti-aliasing filter processing. Equal colorimetric data β of 400 DPI is created (step S10). In the anti-aliasing filter processing of step S10, when an attempt is made to create a color print proof image at the resolution of the output device 16 (400 DPI in this embodiment), the aliasing noise caused by the resolution of the output device 16 ( This is a process of inserting in order to avoid generation of aliasing noise). In order to effectively perform the anti-aliasing filter processing, the resolution of the image data (colorimetric data q in this case) that is the original signal to which the anti-aliasing filter AF is applied is set to the output device 1.
It is necessary that the resolution is higher than the resolution of 6 (400 DPI). In this embodiment, that resolution is selected to be 1600 DPI.

Consider the configuration of the matrix of the anti-aliasing filter AF shown in FIG. 9 (here, a square matrix having n × n elements).

In order to convert the colorimetric data q which is image data of resolution 1600 DPI into the colorimetric data β which is image data of resolution 400 DPI, one dot of 400 DPI corresponds to 16 dots of 1600 DPI. The minimum number of elements of the filter when the effect of aliasing is not considered is 4 × 4.

In order to reduce the aliasing noise as much as possible, the larger the number of elements of the anti-aliasing filter AF, the more preferable it is.
Limited by the relationship with hardware etc.

On the other hand, as can be inferred from the fact that the color information can be reproduced by the Neugebauer equation, it is necessary to pass a relatively low frequency component including a DC component, so that insertion loss does not occur in the vicinity of the DC component as much as possible. It is necessary to have such frequency characteristics. Therefore, it is ideal that the response at the center of the matrix is 0 dB.

Further, it is desired that all the interference fringe components such as moire {components equal to or less than the halftone frequency (screen frequency) component} be retained even after the anti-aliasing filter process (step S14).

Further, the anti-aliasing filter AF
It must be taken into consideration that if the attenuation characteristic of is steep, a new false pattern appears due to the antialiasing filter processing.

FIG. 9 shows an anti-aliasing filter AF with the number of elements of 9 × 9, which is created by integrating such viewpoints.
The example of composition of is shown. Note that when each element is represented by dij, it is necessary to add all the values (also called filter coefficients) of each element dij to 1.0, so that each element di
The actual value of j is divided by the total sum (Σdij) of each element dij.

As can be seen from FIG. 9, the arrangement of the filter coefficients of the anti-aliasing filter AF thus configured has a frequency characteristic that monotonically decreases in a bell shape from the central portion toward the outside. ing.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams used to explain this anti-aliasing filter process. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0A, the element shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the upper left 9 × 9 dots of the 1600 DPI colorimetric data q.
9 × 9 anti-aliasing filter AF represented by j
The corresponding elements are multiplied and the sum of them is obtained to perform anti-aliasing filter processing. That is, when each element of the colorimetric data q is represented by eij,
Σ (dij × eij) (9 × 9 elements) is obtained, and this is set as colorimetric data β with a resolution of 400 DPI. As described above, the sum of the anti-aliasing filter AF is standardized to Σdij = 1. However, since the multiplication including the decimal is time-consuming, the anti-aliasing filter AF is used.
The value of each element of is used as it is as shown in FIG.
Let ij be Σ (d'ij × eij) / Σd'ij
Alternatively, the value after the anti-aliasing filter processing may be obtained.

In this case, in the anti-aliasing filter process, the colorimetric data q having a resolution of 1600 DPI is converted into the colorimetric data β having a resolution of 400 DPI, and therefore the second anti-aliasing filter for the colorimetric data q is performed. As shown in FIG. 10B, the processing is performed by using the anti-aliasing filter AF for 4 dots of the colorimetric data q,
For example, it may be shifted to the right. Thereafter, similarly, the anti-aliasing filter processing is performed by shifting by 4 dots each, and after performing the anti-aliasing filter processing at a position where the right end of the anti-aliasing filter AF is equal to the right end of the colorimetric data q, The element e ₅₁ on the 5th surface from the top shown in FIG. 10B is made to correspond to the element d ₁₁ of the anti-aliasing filter AF.
_By performing anti-aliasing filter processing by shifting by 4 dots until _16001600 and the element d ₉₉ correspond to each other, 1
Reduce the resolution of the colorimetric data q of 600 DPI to 4
The colorimetric data β of 00 DPI can be obtained. The anti-aliasing filtering process is performed by the output device 16 while preserving the spatial frequency response peculiar to the printing mesh of the color printed matter.
It can be said that this is a filtering process that cuts off the spatial frequency response peculiar to the.

As described above, the RGB data, which is the color print proof data subjected to the color conversion processing in accordance with the desired printing condition, is supplied to the raster image processing device 14 to be converted into the image data of the scanning image. It is converted and supplied to the output device 16.

In the output device 16, the photosensitive material 28 taken out from the photosensitive material magazine 36 is wound around the exposure drum 38 which rotates in the main scanning direction x shown in FIG. On the other hand, the light source units 42R, 42G, 42B that constitute the exposure head 26
The laser beams output from the respective laser diodes LD have a divergence, and they are superposed on each other and guided to the light modulation element 44 constituting the linear light modulators 46R, 46G, and 46B. Each of the light modulation elements 44 is
Since each of them is modulated by the R, G, and B image data from the exposure unit control circuit 40, the laser beam is modulated by the light modulation element 44 by pulse width modulation, pulse intensity modulation, or a combination thereof. It is guided to the photosensitive material 28.

In this case, since the divergent light output from the plurality of laser diodes LD is superimposed on the laser beam introduced into the light modulation element 44, the individual difference of each light modulation element 44 of each laser diode LD. The unevenness caused by is smoothed and guided to the photosensitive material 28. Further, by using a plurality of laser diodes LD, it is possible to increase the amount of light and perform image recording at high speed. As the light source, an LED may be used instead of the laser diode LD. Further, it is also possible to use a multi-channel LD, LED or the like in which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged on the same chip.

As shown in FIG. 11, a linear light modulator 46 is formed on the photosensitive material 28 by the first scanning.
Images of R, 46G, and 46B lengths are recorded for each R, G, and B, and then the linear light modulator 46 is used.
After the R, 46G, and 46B are displaced in the sub-scanning direction y by a predetermined amount, the second scanning is performed. Each image of R, G, and B becomes a desired color by being superimposed in the main scanning direction x. By repeating this process, a color print proof image composed of a two-dimensional latent image is formed on the photosensitive material 28.

Since the photosensitive material 28 may not be colored in a desired color due to the influence of the laser beam applied to the adjacent pixel, a predetermined recording time interval is provided for the adjacent scanning portion. Processing is desirable.
For example, the recording of adjacent lines is performed by a so-called interleave method in which recording is performed after one period. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the magnification of the pixels formed on the exposure drum 38 is adjusted, and a1, a2, ...
Pixels are formed, and b1 and b between the pixels are formed by the second scanning.
By forming the pixels of 2, ..., The influence of adjacent pixels can be reduced.

The photosensitive material 28 on which the latent image of the color printing proof image is formed is peeled from the exposure drum 38, and then,
It is conveyed to the transfer unit 34. The transport speed of the photosensitive material 28 transported to the transfer section 34 is adjusted in the buffer 48. Then, the photosensitive material 28 is applied to the water application section 5
After the dampening water is applied at 0, it is wound around the heating drum 56. On the other hand, the image receiving material 32 supplied from the receiving material magazine 54 is wound around the heating drum 56.
Therefore, the photosensitive material 28 is wound around the heating drum 56 while being superimposed on the image receiving material 32.

The heating drum 56 heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 58 heats the light-sensitive material 28 and the image-receiving material 32 which are superposed, and the latent image recorded on the light-sensitive material 28 becomes a visible image. It is transferred to the image receiving material 32. Image receiving material 32 to which a color printing proof image is transferred
After being peeled off from the photosensitive material 28, it is dried by the dryer 62 and discharged to the material receiving tray 68. On the other hand, the photosensitive material 28 is discharged to the photosensitive material tray 66.

Here, the output device 16 has a calibration processing unit 22, and in the calibration processing unit 22, the characteristic peculiar to the output device 16 is
The image data is calibrated according to the characteristics of the photosensitive material 28.

That is, a conversion table is created in which the image data and the recording light amount control signal data are associated with each other for each wavelength so that the output images of the same supplied image data are always the same. Is used to correct the image data according to the difference in the sensitivity of the photosensitive material 28 and the difference in the gradation characteristics, and the recording light amount control signal data is obtained, thereby always reproducing the predetermined gray curve. At this time, by converting the image data into recording light amount control signal data having a larger number of bits than the supplied image data, smooth gradation reproduction is possible, and gradation gradation during recording can be prevented.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13A, the density of the pixel recorded on the photosensitive material 28 by the laser beam from the (i-1) th and i-th adjacent light modulation elements 44 is the same as that of the pixel recorded immediately before. The density is higher than the desired density due to the influence of light (see the shaded area in FIG. 13B). Therefore, in the inter-pixel data correction unit 24, the predetermined function f of the drive signal Pi supplied to the i-th light modulation element 44 to the drive signal P (i-1) supplied to the i-1th light modulation element 44 is calculated. By using the correction as follows, Pi ′ = Pi−f {P (i−1)} (4), it is possible to form an image that is not affected by adjacent pixels as illustrated in FIG. 13C.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14A, the light modulation element 44 at one end (jth) and the second
Light modulation element 44 at the other end (first) during scanning
Since and are adjacent to each other during recording, the density at this portion is affected by the shaded portion in FIG. 14B, which causes streak-like unevenness on the obtained image. Therefore, similarly to the above, P1 ′ = P1-g (is used by using a predetermined function g of the drive signal P1 supplied to the first light modulation element 44 and the drive signal Pj supplied to the jth light modulation element 44. By correcting as Pj) (5), as shown in FIG. 14C, it is possible to form an image that is not influenced by the adjacent pixels.
Note that the influence in this case is smaller than the influence between the adjacent pixels in one light modulation element 44 because the scanning time interval is relatively large.

In the inter-pixel data correction section 24, in order to further absorb the difference in the light transmittance between the light modulation elements 44 and the difference in the switching characteristics, each light modulation element 44 is provided with a correction curve for correction. You can also do so. In this way, it is possible to correct the effects of all density fluctuations between adjacent pixels.

Further, the transfer portion 34 which constitutes the output device 16
In the above, the heater 58 is used to heat the photosensitive material 28 and the image receiving material 32 to transfer and record an image. In this case, stable transfer development recording can be performed by measuring the temperature of the heating drum 56 with the temperature sensor 60 and controlling the temperature to a predetermined constant temperature.
It is also possible to correct the control signal supplied to the exposure head 26 in the exposure unit 30 based on the measured temperature to stabilize the recording state. Further, the heating drum 56 includes the photosensitive material 28 and the image receiving material 3.
The temperature fluctuates depending on whether 2 is wound or not. Therefore, the temperature may be controlled according to the processing amount of the photosensitive material 28 in the exposure unit 30. Furthermore, since the area in contact with the heating drum 56 differs depending on the sizes of the photosensitive material 28 and the image receiving material 32 to be processed, uneven temperature distribution may occur on the surface of the heating drum 56. Therefore, for example, by providing the heater 58 by dividing it in the axial direction of the heating drum 56, measuring a plurality of regions of the heating drum 56 by a plurality of temperature sensors 60, and individually controlling each heater 58, It is possible to eliminate temperature unevenness.

Further, the transfer section 3 which constitutes the output device 16
4 is provided with a colorimeter 64 (detector), the color of the image is measured by the colorimeter 64, and the output device 16
It is also possible to correct changes in characteristics of the photosensitive material 28, the image receiving material 32, etc. with time. For example, a desired color printing proof image is formed on the photosensitive material 28, and a test pattern based on test data is formed on a side portion of the photosensitive material 28. Then, the color of the test pattern may be measured by using the colorimeter 64, and the colorimetric value may be corrected to a predetermined value. In this case, a gray color pattern and a single color pattern are created as the test pattern,
The gray balance of the image can be corrected by the gray color pattern, and the individual color correction can be performed by the single color pattern. The test pattern provided on the side of the photosensitive material can be output and measured and corrected each time an image is output. In this case, the correction data is supplied to the calibration processing unit 22 (signal data conversion unit) and the recording light amount control signal data is corrected, so that reproducible output can be realized.

Further, it is also possible to detect the unevenness of the heat development processing from the colorimetric data of the test patterns output by the same image data among the test patterns provided on the side. Further, by feeding back this unevenness information to the transfer unit control circuit 70 that controls the heater 58 of the heating drum 56 or the exposure unit control circuit 40, unevenness in development can be suppressed.

The test pattern may be a solid image or a halftone dot image. Also,
By making this test pattern a repeating pattern or a uniform pattern, it is possible to detect individual differences of the light modulation elements 44 and perform more accurate color correction.

A desired color print image can be efficiently obtained by predicting the color print image based on the color print proof image formed as described above and correcting the layout data L / O as necessary. be able to.

By the way, it is possible to colorimetrically match the colors of the printed matter and the color-printed proof image by using the LUT and the correction method described above. There is a risk of color inconsistencies due to gray balance differences that cannot be achieved. Such inconsistency can be corrected with high accuracy by incorporating the following visual correction function, and a more accurate proof can be created.

As the visual adjustment method, it is possible to use the adjustment of the gradation curve and the adjustment of the gray balance, but it is also possible to perform only one or a combination of both. FIG. 15 shows a case where both the visual correction functions are realized by using the visual correction LUT 100 (second color shift correction unit) which is a one-dimensional LUT set for each of R, G, and B.

When the visual correction is realized by adjusting the gray balance, first, a target chart of the gray color of the printed matter to be matched is prepared. In the target chart, C,
The halftone dot value of each color of M, Y and K is determined, and a printed matter printed under predetermined printing conditions or a color patch colorimetrically equivalent to the printed matter is selected. Further, since it is necessary to correct the difference in the observation conditions, it is desirable that the spectral absorption characteristics of this target chart match the printed matter.

On the other hand, the output device 16 outputs a test chart in which a proof image capable of colorimetrically reproducing the color of the target chart is centered and a proof image in which RGB data is slightly changed is arranged around the proof image. For example,
As shown in FIG. 16, a patch generated by RGB data of R = G = B = 0 is centered and R, G, and
A test chart is prepared in which the patches in which the respective data of B are increased are arranged in a hexagonal shape. In this test chart, it is desirable that the brightness be constant and the deviation of the gray color in the tint direction be output. Further, the patch at the center of this test chart is set to have the same colorimetric value as the target chart when the output device 16, the photosensitive material 28, the observation conditions, and the like all satisfy the set conditions.

Therefore, the test chart output as described above and the target chart are visually compared to select patches having the same color. Then, the visual correction LUT 100 is set so that the RGB data of the selected patch becomes the RGB data of the central patch.

When the visual correction is realized by adjusting the gradation curve, instead of the test chart shown in FIG.
A test chart is created in which the patches corresponding to the target chart are arranged around the patches in which the brightness of the gray color changes stepwise. Then, compare this test chart with the target chart under the actual observation conditions,
Visual correction LUT by selecting patches that look the same
Set 100. The target chart is not limited to the gray color, but may be, for example, each single color of R, G, and B, and the gradation curve for the single color may be adjusted.

Visual correction LU set as described above
By performing gray balance adjustment and gradation adjustment using T100, it is possible to obtain RGB ′ data that is corrected proof data. Either of these adjustment operations may be performed first, or both of them may be sequentially repeated until the centers of the target chart and the test chart completely match.

The corrected RGB ′ data is supplied to the calibration processing unit 22 in the output device 16 and is corrected by the calibration LUT to generate RGB ″ data which is recording light amount control signal data. In accordance with the RGB "data thus obtained, it is possible to create a proof image in which the color can be predicted with high accuracy.

[0101]

As described above, according to the present invention, the output device having a low-priced structure is used to take into consideration various printing conditions including papers, inks and the like used for color printed matter and conditions of the halftone processing. A color print proof image can be obtained, and a print image can be predicted easily and highly accurately based on this image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a print proof creating system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of layout data.

FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an output device that constitutes the print proof creation system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a structural explanatory view of an exposure head which constitutes the output device shown in FIG.

5 is an explanatory diagram of a color conversion processing unit included in the printing proof creating apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a halftone dot simulation processing unit that constitutes the printing proof creating apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an image structure simulation process shown in FIG.

8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of bitmap data in the image structure simulation processing shown in FIG. 7.

9 is an explanatory diagram of an anti-aliasing filter in the image structure simulation processing shown in FIG. 7.

10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of processing using the anti-aliasing filter shown in FIG. 9.

11 is an explanatory diagram of an exposure recording method using the exposure head shown in FIG.

12 is an explanatory diagram of an exposure recording method using the exposure head shown in FIG.

13A to 13C are explanatory diagrams of correction when recording adjacent pixels by the exposure head shown in FIG.

14A to 14C are explanatory diagrams of correction of adjacent pixels when performing the first scanning and the second scanning by the exposure head shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a process for visually performing color adjustment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a test chart when visual color adjustment is performed.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a process of creating a conventional color print proof image.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Interpreter 12 ... Print proof creation device 14 ... Raster image processing device 16 ... Output device 18 ... Color conversion processing unit 20 ... Halftone dot simulation processing unit 22 ... Calibration processing unit 24 ... Inter-pixel data correction unit 26 ... Exposure head 28 Photosensitive material 30 Exposure unit 32 Image receiving material 34 Transfer unit 38 Exposure drum 40 Exposure unit control circuit 56 Heating drum 60 Temperature sensor 64 Colorimeter 70 Transfer unit control circuit

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A system for creating a color printing proof image of a color printed matter including a halftone image, the image data being converted according to a first printing condition such as paper and ink used for the color printed matter, and an output device. First conversion means for generating image data having a desired color that does not depend on, and converting the image data according to a second printing condition relating to the shading processing for the color printed matter, and causing the color printed matter by the shading processing. Second conversion means for generating image data having an image structure, and image data having a desired color and a desired image structure is obtained from the image data obtained by the first conversion means and the second conversion means. The data is converted according to the output conditions specific to the output device that creates the color print proof image, and the image is output depending on the output device. A third converting means for producing a data, based on the image data obtained by said third converting means,
An output device that creates the color print proof image, and a print proof creation system comprising: 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system includes a first color shift correction unit that corrects a color shift due to an image structure of image data obtained by the second conversion unit. Proof making system. 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first printing condition includes a condition of an observation light source when comparing a color printed matter and a color printed proof image. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second printing conditions include conditions of halftone dot type, halftone dot angle, and screen ruling. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the output device forms a color print proof image consisting of a latent image on a photosensitive material by a beam that is modulated and output from an exposure head according to image data. Part, and a transfer part that heats the image receiving material in a state of being superimposed on the photosensitive material and transfers and forms a color print proof image consisting of a visible image on the image receiving material. system. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the exposure head is arranged in a scanning direction, and a plurality of light modulation elements that modulate a light transmittance according to image data are arranged in the scanning direction. A printing proof making system, comprising: a light source for irradiating a modulation element with illumination light composed of divergent light; and the exposure section includes an exposure section control circuit for driving and controlling the light modulation element. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the exposure unit control circuit includes an inter-pixel data correction unit that corrects mutual influence of pixels formed adjacently on the photosensitive material. Printing proof making system. 8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the exposure unit control circuit sets the heating drum to a predetermined temperature based on a signal from a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heating drum that constitutes the transfer unit. A printing proof making system characterized by performing. 9. The system according to claim 6, wherein the exposure section control circuit is an optical modulator based on a signal from a colorimeter that measures a color of a color print proof image formed by a visible image formed in the transfer section. A print proof making system characterized by performing a process of correcting a drive control signal of an element. 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system visually checks the color of the test chart created by the output device and the color of the desired target chart by using the image data obtained by the third converting means. A print proof creating system comprising a second color misregistration correction means for processing the image data according to the correction data set so as to be more matched. 11. An exposure head comprising a light modulation element for modulating the amount of light to be exposed on a photosensitive material and a scanning mechanism for scanning the light modulated on the photosensitive material, wherein the light modulation element is imaged. In a system for creating a color print proof image of a color print product by controlling according to data, printing conditions such as paper and ink used for the color print product, output conditions specific to an output device for forming a color print proof image, and An image data conversion unit for converting the image data into signal data of the output device according to an observation condition for observing a color printed matter and the color printed proof image, and detection for detecting an output state of a test pattern output by the output device. And a converter for converting the signal data of the output device into a drive control signal of the optical modulator according to the output state. And a second color misregistration correction unit that corrects the signal data based on the correction data set to match the color of the test chart output by the output device with the color of the desired target chart. A printing proof making system comprising: 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the observation condition held by the condition holding means includes light quantity data of ultraviolet rays included in an observation light source. 13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the test chart has a gray color as a center, and patches are arranged around the gray color so that the tints gradually shift due to increase / decrease of R, G, B image data. A printing proof making system characterized by 14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the output device forms a color print proof image consisting of a latent image on a photosensitive material by a beam that is modulated and output according to image data from the exposure head. A printing proof, comprising: an exposure unit; and a transfer unit that heats the image receiving material on the photosensitive material in a superimposed state to transfer a color print proof image consisting of a visible image onto the image receiving material. Creation system. 15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the exposure head is arranged in a scanning direction, and a plurality of light modulation elements that modulate a light transmittance according to image data are arranged in the scanning direction. A printing proof making system, comprising: a light source for irradiating a modulation element with illumination light composed of divergent light; and the exposure section includes an exposure section control circuit for driving and controlling the light modulation element. 16. The system according to claim 11, wherein the exposure unit control circuit includes an inter-pixel data correction unit that corrects mutual influence of pixels formed adjacently on the photosensitive material. Printing proof making system. 17. The system according to claim 11, wherein the exposure section control circuit sets the heating drum to a predetermined temperature based on a signal from a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heating drum that constitutes the transfer section. A printing proof making system characterized by performing. 18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the exposure section control circuit performs optical modulation based on a signal from a colorimeter that measures the color of a color print proof image formed of a visible image formed in the transfer section. A print proof making system characterized by performing a process of correcting a drive control signal of an element.