WO2017012657A1

WO2017012657A1 - Printing appratus configurations

Info

Publication number: WO2017012657A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/066682
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ilan Romen; Ilan Meiri
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Indigo BV
Current assignee: HP Indigo BV
Priority date: 2015-07-21
Filing date: 2015-07-21
Publication date: 2017-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-21

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising a processor to associate printing parameters of a print job with a machine readable image data structure. The apparatus also comprises an imaging apparatus to read the machine readable image data structure. The processor is to configure a printing apparatus with printing parameters based on the printing parameters read from the machine readable image data structure, so that the printing of a second print job is based upon the printing parameters of a first print job.

Description

PRINTING APPRATUS CONFIGURATIONS

BACKGROUND

[0001] Many types of printing devices are known and commonly used, and various printing technologies exist. An example of a printing technology is the digital press, that uses a liquid electrophotographic printing process.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Examples of the disclosure are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0003] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a printing system according to some examples;

[0004] Figure 2 illustrates an example machine readable image data structure;

[0005] Figure 3 shows an example of a method according to some examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] Examples provide apparatuses and methods to store and retrieve printing parameters of a printing apparatus into or from a machine readable image data structure associated with a respective print job. The machine readable image data structure may then be used to ensure consistent printing (including re-printing) of: print jobs over time on the same printing apparatus; print jobs (inc. over time) on different instances of the same/similar printing apparatus; print jobs having substantially similar form (e.g. the same color reproductions), but with minor amendments (e.g. on text content). The machine readable image data structure may be read by an apparatus attached to (or comprising the) printing apparatus, so that the data contained in (or referenced by) the machine readable image data structure may be used to set up the printing apparatus for a next print run of a print job.

[0007] A print job may include a printed instance of a printed article. A print job may also be referred to as a print run. The printed instances are the actually printed out examples of the print job/run. The printed instances may comprise (initial) test examples, and (subsequent) final versions of the print job. Test examples may be substantially identical in form and content to a final version, the difference being merely they are labelled test versions, usually since they are an early sample for quality and reproduction accuracy assessment prior to carrying out the bulk of the print job run. A print job may include or be referred to as a print run. Equally, a print run may include multiple print jobs.

[0008] The machine readable image data structure may be printed on a portion of the respective print job, for example on a first or last page of a respective print job. The printing parameters of a printing apparatus may be specific to each printing apparatus and/or printed instance of a print job.

[0009] Examples may include a machine readable image data structure associated with a particular print job, and encoded to contain the printing parameters used to print that particular print job, or portion thereof (e.g. print instance). Additionally or alternatively, the machine readable image data structure may encode an index to a data structure containing the printing parameters, for example a database entry.

[0010] Examples may further include a color matching and control bar, for example, a color control strip, as a portion of the machine readable image data structure, for use in analyzing and calibrating the color output of the printing apparatus. The color control strip may assist in matching colors between different printed instances of a print job.

[0011] The machine readable image data structure may be scanned to allow identification of the printing parameters from at least a portion of the machine readable image data structure. At least a portion of the machine readable image data structure may be sampled to assess an output parameter (e.g. color quality, color consistency, color reproduction accuracy, or the like) of the print job as a whole, or par thereof, e.g. a print instance of the print job).

[0012] A printer (e.g. a digital press printer) may have a large number of setup and printing parameters that may be modified for a particular print run or job, or even individual print instances. The large number of parameters may be modified for each change of print job, creating a significant time delay in setting up a printer for a print job (or print run). Furthermore the color parameters and resultant printed colors may need to be identical for returning print runs or jobs. The parameters of a printer relating to color reproduction may influence the printed colors resulting from a job or run. Furthermore, the maintenance conditions of the printer, and skill level of the printer operator, may also influence the printed color.

[0013] A print job or run may be scanned during production or printing, using an imaging apparatus, such as an image capture device. The image capture device may be an inline scanner, inline camera or the like. The inline scanner may be integrated into the printing system, for example located at an output of the printing apparatus. The inline scanner may provide scan data, and the obtained scan data may be used to identify printing parameters and/or divergence of a printed instance from those printing parameters. For example, a color mismatch between different print runs of the same or similar print jobs where the colors are meant to be identical. The inline scanner may provide data to a printer controller (also called a Digital Front End) of the digital printing press, which may then better control or calibrate the printing of different instances of print jobs (e.g. ensure two temporally displaced print runs of the same print job are identical in color). The imaging apparatus may also include a spectrophotometer (and/or a densitometer) to assess color reproduction and the like.

[0014] Currently, a printer operator may have to manipulate the colors of a print job or run using, for example, on press color matching tools on the digital front end. This may involve several print iterations, each with a manual assessment of the output (quality/consistency, etc) and corresponding manual amendment to the printing parameters for each subsequent print run, in order to obtain an accurate color match. This may be time consuming. Furthermore, the skill of the printer operator may influence the result of the color matching between print runs.

[0015] An automatic color matching process may allow elimination of the operator influence on the color matching procedure. For example, it may reduce the associated time costs and errors incurred in manual assessment of the printed output, and manual modification of the printing parameters for a print job.

[0016] In an example, the first or last printed page in a print run or job may contain a machine readable image data structure. The machine readable image data structure may include a color control strip portion and an optical label portion. The optical label portion may comprises a Quick Response, QR, barcode. The inline scanner may scan printed output and read the data contained in (or referenced by) the machine readable image data structure, and pass the result to a printing controller system, for example a Digital Front End (DFE). The DFE may save the data to a file locally, or to a file that can be remotely accessible, e.g. in a database.

[0017] Examples may further include a color assessment means, for example, a spectrophotometer, which may sample and assess/measure the color control strip portion (i.e. color control/calibration strip) of the machine readable image data structure and pass the result to the print controller, such as DFE, which may include saving the data to a file. The DFE may be attached to the printer itself, or may be a separate device attachable to the printer apparatus.

[0018] An example may provide the files to the DFE in an accessible form, allowing an operator to monitor or adjust the files. Furthermore, an example may provide a hard copy of a printed sample of the job, which may include the machine readable image data structure, for physical archiving.

[0019] An example may provide the machine readable image data structure, which may include information on printing parameters of the printer in use when printed, and sample colors. This machine readable image data structure may be generated based on the current printer settings in use, or by an operator, which may be via the digital front end of the printer.

[0020] In an example, if a return job is received, an initial, sample or test page may be printed and scanned using the inline image capture device, which may comprise a scanner or camera(s). The test page may contain a machine readable image data structure. The inline scanner/camera may register a QR code of the machine readable image data structure, and may obtain data regarding printer parameters. In an example, the QR code may contain printer parameters used to print the job during the previous print run, and the printer parameters obtained by the inline image capture device may be applied to the printer automatically. A spectrophotometer of the imaging apparatus may measure and analyze the color control strip portion contained in the machine readable image data structure, and compare data regarding color, for example ink and color refinement data. In an example, color correction can be performed accordingly, based on the resultant color control strip data (or analysis thereof), and additional test pages may be printed and scanned and measured if suitable. The color control strip portion may control color specific parameters that may be part of, or separate to, the other printing parameters.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a Digital Press type of printing system 100 according to an example. The printing system 100 comprises a print controller/DFE 101 that controls printing apparatus 120 to print on a substrate 140, conveyed along by rollers 180 (e.g. the substrate 140 may be drawn through the printing system 100 by rollers 180, past both the printing apparatus 120 and the imaging apparatus 170). The print controller 101 may comprise a processor 1 10, data storage 1 15 for storing printing programs and the data used during printing, such as, but not limited to, the printing parameters of the printing apparatus 120. The print controller 101 shown in the example of Figure 1 also includes a combined display and input device 130, for example, in the form of a touchscreen display. This is used by an operator to control or oversee the printing process(es) of the printing system 100. [0022] Printing apparatus 120 may be any type of printing apparatus, because examples of the disclosure are not limited to any particular type of printing technology. Printing apparatus 120 prints a defined print job 20 onto a substrate 140, to form a particular instance 10 of a print job 20, or portion thereof.

[0023] The print system 100 further includes a down-stream imaging apparatus 170 arranged to image (e.g. scan) the print job instances as they come out from the print apparatus 120. The imaging apparatus 170 includes an in-line scanner 150 that can optically scan the outputted print instances using camera 155. The in-line scanner 170 may be one already included in a printing system 100 for other purposes, but additionally configured to locate and decode an optical label portion of a machine readable image data structure 200 located on an instance of a printed print job, for example a first or last instance 10 of the print job 20.

[0024] The imaging apparatus 170 may also include a spectrophotometer (and/or Densitometer) 160 that may sample the outputted print instances 10 using a separate dedicated sensor 165. For example, a spectrophotometer may sample a color control strip portion printed on an instance 10 of a print job, to assess a quality or consistency of a color reproduction/output of the printing system 100 during a print run of a print job.

[0025] In some examples, inline camera 155 may image the printed substrate 140 and provide the captured image data to the in-line scanner 150 portion of scanning system 170, and the print controller 101. In some examples, the imaging apparatus 170 may analyze the image data captured by the inline scanner 150 and provide printing parameters or other data to the print controller 101 . In some other examples, the imaging apparatus 170 may provide raw image data to be analyzed by the print controller 101 .

[0026] In some examples, the inline printing apparatus 120 prints a machine readable image data structure onto substrate 140 as part of the print job, which may include data regarding printer parameters. This may occur at the start or end of a job or run, and may be on a job sheet. The job sheets including the machine readable image data structure may provide a hard copy sample for archive and use in future return jobs or runs. Inline camera 155 may image the machine readable image data structure on substrate 140 and obtain data relating to printing parameters, color calibration and other data used during printing.

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a machine readable image data structure 200 according to a particular example. In the example shown, there is an optical label portion in the form of a QR code 210, and a color control strip portion 220, both of which may be printed onto substrate 140 of Figure 1 by inline printing apparatus 120. The example shown is a QR code 210, however any suitable data carrying optical label may be used. In an example, this QR code 210 contains the actual data relating to the printing parameters of the particular print job (or run, or individual print instance) to which the QR relates and can be printed on. This is to say, in the example shown, printing parameters 230 are encoded and stored in the QR code 210. The printing parameters stored may include printing apparatus related data such as job name, size of job, substrate used, colors used, etc. Examples are not limited to any form or number of printing parameters, and are envisaged to include any and all printing parameters of any given type of printing system in use in examples. In some examples, there may be many (e.g. 40 or more) different printing parameters in use and identified by, or encoded in the machine readable image data structure.

[0028] In an example, the color control strip portion 220 of Figure 2 may be printed onto substrate 140 of Figure 1 by inline printing apparatus 120. The color control strip 220 may be read by spectrophotometer 160 of Figure 1 , in order to derive a color calibration (e.g. a color matching between an intended color, from a previous print job, and the output of a subsequent print job). For example, the quality/consistency of the (or a portion of the) color control strip portion 220 can be assessed compared to a desired value, and the color printing parameters in use by the inline printing apparatus 120 may be adjusted accordingly. In the example shown in Figure 2, the color control strip 222 can be replicated partially by color control strip 220, wherein the colors are converted to a text code for ease of reference.

[0029] Figure 3 shows a flow chart illustrating a method according to an example of the disclosure. Starting at 310, a test sheet can be printed using inline printing apparatus 120 at 320. In some examples, a previously produced (e.g. archived) print job may be recalled at 330. This may be done by calling up a previous print job on the print controller 101. Alternatively, a test sheet (or production sample) of a previous print job that includes a machine readable image data structure 200 may be fed into the printing system at a suitable point/in suitable fashion for scanning by imaging apparatus 170 at 340. In some examples, a print job can be printed from a file provided, and may include a machine readable image data structure 200.

[0030] The machine readable image data structure 200 can be scanned or imaged 340 using imaging apparatus 170 of Figure 1 , including an optical identification scan by inline scanner 150 using inline camera 155 and/or a printing assessment, such as color assessment using spectrophotometer 160 (or Densitometer) with sensor 165. This scanning process 340 may provide the relevant printing parameters used to print the print instance from which the scan was made, and also an assessment of the actual printing output resultant from the printing apparatus applying those printing parameters. This may be done by decoding the optical label portion, e.g. QR code 210, to obtain the relevant printing parameter data, or the optical label portion may simply provide an index into a separate database containing the relevant printing parameters, so that a database look up may be carried out to obtain the respective printing parameters. Examples that encode data into the optical label itself may avoid the use of networking of printing apparatuses. Some examples use QR codes because they can encode significant amounts of data, so that all printing parameters may be included into the QR code itself. This avoids the need for separate data storage, and connectivity to the data storage.

[0031] The spectrophotometer 160 (or Densitometer) with sensor 165 may assess the color control strip portion, measure it and provide a color reproduction assessment of this particular instance 10 of the print job 20. This may be used to compare the actual printed color of an instance with the printing parameters, so that the printing system 100 may automatically reconfigure the printing apparatus 120, for example using amended printing parameters, to produce a better quality or more accurate/consistent color in a subsequent print job, without input from the printer operator.

[0032] Thus, examples produce a data set of printing parameters used to produce the respective print job and associated color assessment that can be used to calibrate the printing apparatus to ensure it matches the output of a subsequent print job to the output of a previous print job.

[0033] In an example, the printer parameters currently in use are compared 350 to the parameters contained or stored in the machine readable image data structure 200. In some examples, if a discrepancy between the parameters is found, the parameters may be automatically adjusted 360 by the print controller 101 .

[0034] Color analysis and calibration may also be performed, in an example, by reading the color control strip 220 of the machine readable image data structure 200, resulting in a further modification of printing parameters relating to color reproduction in the printer system 100. If discrepancies are identified at 350, a second, and subsequent, print run(s) or test sheet prints 320 of a print job may be performed, including a (re) scan 340 using imaging apparatus 170, until a suitable quality of print for the print job is obtained.

[0035] In some examples, no modification of the printing parameters in light of sampling and analysis of the test sheets may be implemented, since the printed output (e.g. quality of print, matching of color to a previous print job, etc) is already satisfactory. In both cases (with modification or without), when suitable print quality is determined, the print run can continue 370 to complete the print job 380. In some examples, the first or last sheets of the print run or job may include the machine readable image data structures 200 for archiving or future reference. In some examples, all job sheets may include machine readable image data structures.

[0036] In some examples, the data stored for a print job (for example, stored in any of: a database accessible by the printing apparatus, a data storage local to the printing apparatus, or data stored/encoded within the optical label portion) may be updated as the printing of the print job(s) proceeds. This may apply when an ongoing run of print jobs are altered over time, such as when text is updated on a printed product which is otherwise to be printed in the same way (e.g. color rendition, etc, for example as used for branded printed products).

[0037] In an example, the printer operator may enable the automatic printing parameter encoding and assessment method of the disclosure, for example by checking a tick box on the DFE display. Then, at least one of the printed instances of the print job contains the machine readable image data structure including optical label portion (e.g. QR code) and color control strip portion. The inline scanner portion of the imaging apparatus then scans the machine readable image data structure (e.g. the optical label portion) and may save the data in a jobname.ref (i.e. job specific data file). Then, the spectrophotometer portion of the imaging apparatus may then measure the output of the print job using the color control strip portion, and may update the data in the jobname.ref (i.e. job specific data file). All stored data for a print job may be saved in the DFE 101 for future reference and (re)use. The operator may also save a printed sample including the machine readable image data structure.

[0038] In some examples, when a print job returns (i.e. a customer wishes to re-print an identical print job), a relevant jobname.ref (i.e. job specific data file) may be received by the operator (or otherwise identified by the operator/customer). This may be done by simply providing a prior sample including the machine readable image data structure. The relevant jobname.ref (i.e. job specific data file) is then retrieved and a sample subsequent print job test run may be carried out, for example producing at least one new instance of the print job, including a machine readable image data structure. The imaging apparatus may then scan the machine readable image data structure, for example so that the inline scanner identifies the printing parameters from the optical label portion and the spectrophotometer samples the color reproduction from the color control strip portion, so the color reproduction can be measured. The printer controller 101 may then be able to compare the scanned data to a reference stored in the relevant jobname.ref (i.e. job specific data file) stored locally in the printer controller 101. In some examples, if the return job name was changed for some reason, then the method may include searching against all known other relevant jobname.refs (i.e. all other non job-specific data files) to find the most relevant jobname.ref (i.e. job specific data file) out of all the stored relevant jobname.refs. The spectrophotometer may be used to measure the color and then use the measurement data to compare inks and auto refinement control to the job reference. Automatic color control/correction may then be applied by the printer controller 101. Additional printed instances of the print job, including the machine readable image data structure, may be printed and re-assessed in a similar fashion, such that the printing output eventually substantially matches the initially identified print job.

[0039] Examples therefore provide a means to automatically determine printing parameters used to print a particular print job, so that a later print run of that print job may be made to match the original print run. Put another way, examples enable the same colors to be printed as were printed for a job before, which assists in printed product consistency (e.g. maintaining brand color rules, etc). This allows the provision of consistent printed products to a customer by a printer operator.

[0040] Examples of the disclosed automated processes, such as the Automatic Color Matching (ACM) process may increase printer utilization and greater printer productivity, page growth, etc, since there is less manual setting up and adjustment by a printer operator between print jobs. Examples of the disclosed ACM may achieve a quick and accurate color matching function, which contrasts with the existing manual color matching current process (e.g. where, in the existing manual processes, the printer operator has to manually manipulate colors while using the on-press color matching tools, several manual iterations are used in order to obtain an accurate color match, the operator becomes the production bottleneck, the results are dependent on operator skills, and Q.A. approval is used before printing the job in final form).

[0041] Examples of the disclosure prevent the press operator from having to manipulate colors to maintain consistency of printing, so that the operator may focus only on core operator activities.

[0042] In some examples, minor amendments to the print job may also be carried out whilst maintaining the bulk of the general output parameters of the print job. For example, the text of a later print run may be changed, but the rest of the styling/colors/etc are maintained. In this case, after the identification of a previous print job from the machine readable image data structure, new data can be appended or applied, with the same printing parameters applied thereto (e.g. different text, but with same color/font/size printing parameters). A new print job data file, e.g. jobname.refl (i.e. related, but different) may be used in this case. Alternatively, or additionally, a note (or additional data entry field) may be appended to the original data file instead. The remainder of the printing process can be substantially similar to the remaining examples.

[0043] In some example implementations, the disclosed method(s) may be implemented as a set of instructions stored in non-transitory form on a computer readable medium. When the set of instructions are carried out by a processor coupled to or forming a portion of a printing apparatus, as also disclosed, it results in the processor carrying out the disclosed method(s).

[0044] An apparatus comprising a processor to associate printing parameters of a print job with a machine readable image data structure and an imaging apparatus to read the machine readable image data structure, wherein the processor can be to configure a printing apparatus with printing parameters based on the printing parameters read from the machine readable image data structure, for use in printing a second print job based upon the printing parameters of a first print job.

[0045] In some examples, the machine readable image data structure associated with the print job can be printed on a portion of the print job.

[0046] In some examples, the machine readable image data structure includes a color control strip portion associated with the print job.

[0047] In some examples, the color control strip portion can be associated with a print instance of a print job.

[0048] In some examples, the machine readable image data structure includes an optical label portion.

[0049] In some examples, the optical label portion contains a reference to a database accessible by the apparatus, wherein the database stores the printing parameters of the print job. In some examples, the printing parameters of the print job, wherein the printing parameters are encoded into the optical label portion.

[0050] In some examples, the optical label portion comprises a Quick Response (QR) code. [0051] In some examples, the imaging apparatus further comprises a color sampling means arranged to sample the color control strip portion.

[0052] In some examples, the color sampling means comprises a spectrophotometer and/or densitometer.

[0053] In some examples, the apparatus compares a sample of the color control strip portion with an expected color rendition or the printing parameters associated with a print job.

[0054] In some examples, the printing parameters includes a color parameter.

[0055] In some examples, the imaging apparatus further comprises an image scanning means, operable to read the optical label portion and provide the printing parameters to the processor.

[0056] In some examples, the processor is further to compare the printing parameters read from the machine readable image data structure with the sampled color control strip.

[0057] In some examples, the processor is further to reconfigure the printing apparatus for a third print job based upon a sampled color control strip of a second print job and the printing parameters.

[0058] In some examples, to associate printing parameters of a print job with a machine readable image data structure comprises saving printing parameters data in a data file referencing a respective print job.

[0059] In some examples, to associate printing parameters of a print job with a machine readable image data structure comprises saving printing parameters data by encoding the printing parameters into the optical portion of the machine readable image data structure.

[0060] In some examples, to configure a printing apparatus with the printing

parameters read from the machine readable image data structure comprises matching a printed color of a second or future print job to a printed color of a first or previous print job.

[0061] In some examples the second print job can be a future print job and the first print job can be a previous print job.

[0062] In some examples, the second (and each subsequent) print job can be a reprint. In some examples, the processor is further to synchronize printing parameters of first and second print jobs, and the printing parameters of a print job with a result of an assessment of a sampled color control strip of a print job. [0063] In some examples, to configure the printing apparatus comprises carrying out an assessment of a quality of color reproduction and/or a degree of consistency of color reproduction (e.g. between previous and subsequent print jobs) and configuring the printing apparatus to print with an improved quality and/or consistency (e.g. between print jobs).

[0064] In some examples the apparatus is to print a first test print instance of a print job dependent on the printing parameters, scan the first test print instance, carry out an assessment of an application of the printing parameters, and re-configure the printing apparatus dependent upon the scan and the assessment.

[0065] In some examples the second print job is at least a partial repeat print job, and the apparatus is further arranged to reconfigure the at least partial repeat print job based upon an assessment of the color control strip associated with the machine readable image data structure associated with a print job.

[0066] In some examples the apparatus is further to compare data extracted from the QR code against corresponding data stored in a printer database.

[0067] Examples also provide a method comprising storing printing parameters in a machine readable image data structure associated with a print job, reading said machine readable image data structure to retrieve the printing parameters, and configuring a printing system to print a subsequent print job based on the printing parameters of a previous print job.

[0068] In some examples, the method further comprises color sampling a printed instance of the previous print job and reconfiguring the printing system to print a second subsequent print job based on a result of the color sampling.

[0069] In some examples, methods corresponding to any of the disclosed example apparatuses are also provided.

[0070] Examples also provide a printing system comprising a printing apparatus, a processor to associate printing parameters of the printing apparatus during a first print job with a machine readable image data structure, and an imaging apparatus to read the machine readable image data structure, wherein the processor is to configure the printing apparatus with printing parameters based on the printing parameters read from the machine readable image data structure, for use in printing a second re-print job to match the first print job. A printing parameter to be matched may be derived from an optical portion of the machine readable image data structure, and may be a color reproduction parameter, determinable from a color control strip portion of the machine readable image data structure. [0071] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0072] Features, integers, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular example of the disclosure are to be understood to be applicable to any other example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The disclosure is not restricted to the details of any foregoing examples. The disclosure extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1 . An apparatus comprising:

a processor to associate printing parameters of a print job with a machine readable image data structure; and

an imaging apparatus to read the machine readable image data structure; wherein the processor is to configure a printing apparatus with printing parameters based on the printing parameters read from the machine readable image data structure, for use in printing a second print job based upon the printing parameters of the print job.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the machine readable image data structure associated with the print job is printed on a portion of the print job.

3. The apparatus of claims 1 , wherein the machine readable image data structure includes a color control strip portion associated with the print job.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the imaging apparatus further comprises a color sampling means arranged to sample the color control strip portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processor is further to compare the printing parameters read from the machine readable image data structure with the sampled color control strip.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processor is further to reconfigure the printing apparatus for a third print job based upon the sampled color control strip of the second print job and the printing parameters.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the machine readable image data structure includes an optical label portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the optical label portion comprises a reference to a database accessible by the apparatus, wherein the database stores the printing parameters of the print job.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the printing parameters are encoded into the optical label portion

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the imaging apparatus further comprises an image scanning means, operable to read an optical label portion and provide the printing parameters to the processor.

1 1 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein to configure the printing apparatus comprises carrying out an assessment of a quality of color reproduction or a degree of consistency of color reproduction and configuring the printing apparatus to print with an improved quality and/or consistency.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is to:

print a first test print instance of a print job dependent on the printing parameters; scan the first test print instance;

carry out an assessment of an application of the printing parameters; and re-configure the printing apparatus dependent upon the scan and the

assessment.

13. A method comprising:

storing printing parameters in a machine readable image data structure associated with a print job;

reading said machine readable image data structure to retrieve the printing parameters; and

configuring a printing system to print a subsequent print job based on the printing parameters of a previous print job.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises color sampling a printed instance of the previous print job and reconfiguring the printing system to print a second subsequent print job based on a result of the color sampling.

15. A printing system comprising:

a printing apparatus;

a processor to associate printing parameters of the printing apparatus during a first print job with a machine readable image data structure; and an imaging apparatus to read the machine readable image data structure; wherein the processor is to configure the printing apparatus with printing parameters based on the printing parameters read from the machine readable image data structure, for use in printing a second re-print job to match the first print job.