JP4336622B2 - Method and program for printing and cutting - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and program for performing printing and cutting used when creating a seal / label by printing, signing, graphic arts, and the like, and more particularly, a method and program for performing printing and cutting that can easily create a seal label and the like About.

A conventional device capable of printing and cutting is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2905074. According to the publication, since the printing and cutting processes are performed in different processes, different data are prepared separately for each process.
Japanese Patent No. 2905074 (paragraph number 0023, etc.)

  Since the conventional apparatus capable of printing and cutting is configured as described above, it is necessary to prepare data used for printing and cutting separately and to align the positions for printing and cutting.

  In addition, in a RIP (Raster Image Processor) for a multi-function peripheral that can perform printing and cutting with the same device and a Windows driver that supports printing and cutting, the contour cut line is recognized by specifying the color of the contour cut line.

  In this case, since it was recognized by the color of the multi-function printer line that can be printed and cut, it must be completely matched with the color specified on the RIP or driver side. Sometimes it was not recognized.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the problems as described above, and provides a printing and cutting method and a program capable of easily preparing image printing and contour cutting lines so that printing and cutting can be easily performed. For the purpose.

  The printing and cutting method according to the present invention includes a step of inputting a spot color name for cutting the contour of an image and a step of selecting a desired color as the spot color name in graphic software. A step of generating image data and contour data in a color including the selected desired color, a step of converting the generated image data and contour data into data that can be recognized by the RIP, and a conversion in the RIP Generating print data and cut data from the generated image data and contour data, and transmitting the generated print data and cut data to a printing and cutting apparatus.

  In the graphic software, a special color name for cutting the outline of the image is input, and a desired color is selected as the special color name. The image data and the contour data are generated with a color including the selected desired color, the generated image data and the contour data are converted into data that can be recognized by the RIP, and transmitted in the RIP. Since the print data and the cut data are created from the contour data, it is possible to provide a printing and cutting method in which the contour cut line is reliably recognized. Previously, there were cases where 4 plates of YMCK and 5 plates of cutting were required, but printing and cutting can be easily performed by a normal output method without requiring special output such as separation. realizable.

  Preferably, the method includes a step of printing with the print data in the printing and cutting apparatus, a step of waiting until the printed print data is dried, and a step of performing contour cutting based on the cut data after drying. .

  The print data is dried for a predetermined time after printing, and then the contour is cut. As a result, the contour can be cut reliably.

  More preferably, the spot color name includes an arbitrary color name.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a program for causing a computer to perform printing and cutting with a printing and cutting apparatus. The program includes, in graphic software, a step of preparing a spot color name for cutting the outline of an image, a step of selecting a desired color as the spot color name, and image data and an outline in a color including the selected desired color. A step of generating data, a step of converting the generated image data and contour data into data that can be recognized by the RIP, and a step of generating print data and cut data from the converted image data and contour data in the RIP And a step of transmitting the created print data and cut data to the printing and cutting apparatus.

  Preferably, the program executes a step of printing with the print data, a step of waiting until the printed print data is dried, and a step of cutting the contour based on the cut data after the drying in the printing and cutting apparatus. Let

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an overall configuration of an inkjet printer with a cutting head to which a printing and cutting method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  The inkjet printer 10 with a cutting head prints a desired image on a sheet according to an instruction from a personal computer or the like, which will be described later, and cuts it with a cutter provided on the cutting head. Referring to FIG. 1, an inkjet printer 10 with a cutting head includes a main body 11 and legs 18 that support the main body 11. The main body 11 includes an inkjet head 15 that outputs ink for printing, a cutting head 16 having a cutter that cuts an outline of an image drawn by the inkjet head 15, and the sub-scanning direction of the inkjet head 15 in the horizontal direction in the drawing. A linear motion rail 14 that serves as a guide when the main body 11 is moved, an operation panel 13 provided at one end of the main body 11, and side covers 12 provided at both end portions of the main body 11.

  The operation panel 13 includes a display unit for displaying an operation state, a cursor key for designating the positions of the inkjet head 15 and the cutting head 16, and a predetermined part where image creation or clipping should be started based on a signal of image data. A start area setting key for designating an area, an operation start key for starting creation or clipping of an image from the set start area, and the like are provided.

  A front cover 21 is provided on the front surface of the main body 11, and a platen 20 is provided on the lower part of the inkjet head 15 of the main body 11. A pinch roll lever 19 is provided at the left end portion of the main body 11 for sandwiching a sheet (not shown) on the platen 20 with a pinch roll (not shown) when printing with the inkjet head 15.

  The inkjet head 15 has inkjet nozzles (not shown) that output yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) ink, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection state between the external personal computer 30 and the inkjet printer 10 with a cutting head. Referring to FIG. 2, print data and cut data are output from an external personal computer 30 to an inkjet printer 10 with a cutting head, and an image is printed on a sheet (not shown) based on the print data. The printed image is cut according to the data.

  That is, the personal computer 30 is provided with a storage device, a memory, and the like (not shown), and graphic software 31 for creating a desired image is provided there. The user creates a desired image with the graphic software 31, designates a color for cutting the created image at the same time, and creates a desired cut line for cutting the contour. Thereafter, the image data and the cut line data are sent to the RIP 32. Here, the RIP 32 is described as being included as software inside the personal computer 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the RIP 32 may be embodied as a hardware RIP separately from the personal computer 30.

  Next, processing in the graphic software 31 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the CPU (not shown) in the graphic software 31. The graphic software 31 is software capable of creating an arbitrary image, and can draw not only an image but also an outline for cutting the image.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the graphic software 31 can input a “spot color name” for contour cutting (S11). The user can create an outline for cutting an image by inputting the “spot color name”.

  Here, the spot color name may be prepared as a spot color name library for contour cut lines. Specific cut color names such as “CutContour”, “Cutpath”, and “CutLine” are used. The reason for giving such a name is that it is easy to understand with the CPU. In addition, when the first character string matches, such as “CutContour cut line”, it may be recognized as a cut gland.

  After creating a desired image, the user selects a color of “spot color name” that draws an outline for cutting the image (S12). The “spot color name” is selected here in order to clearly indicate that it is different from other image data and to convert the data into vector data in the RIP described later.

  Next, the user creates a desired image and creates an outline with the designated spot color name (S13). Thereafter, the CPU transmits the image data and the spot color data to the RIP 32 as postscript data (S14). The color designated as the “spot color name” is not particularly limited, and any color can be designated as the “spot color name”.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen display example when setting a spot color name on the display screen connected to the personal computer 30.

  Referring to FIG. 4, a desired name is input to spot color name input field 41 as a spot color name for contour cutting, and a desired color for that purpose is selected by color selection unit 42. Here, it is preferable to specify the above-mentioned name as the spot color name. The spot color name may be input from the keyboard, or may be displayed in a pop-up manner in the input field 41 so that it can be selected from there.

  In the lower right of FIG. 4, a state in which “CutContour” 43 is designated with the color A as a spot color name for contour cutting is shown. In the image displayed in the center of the figure, the characters and the portions indicated by the lines 46 and 47 are formed in the desired selected color, and the line 45 is displayed in the color A as the cutting outline.

  Here, the software is graphic software such as Adobe Illustrator (registered trademark), and it is preferable to prepare a spot color library having spot color names for contour cut lines.

  Next, processing in RIP will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in RIP. Referring to FIG. 5, RIP 32 receives the postscript data transmitted from graphic software 31 (S21). Next, the contour cut data and the print data are separated based on the spot color name (S22), and in order to print data other than the contour cut data specified by the spot color name in the data (S23), the print data is cut into the cutting head. To the attached inkjet printer 10.

  After printing, the process waits for the elapse of the drying time specified by the RIP software (S24), and then pulls out the paper (S25). The CPU sends only the contour cut data designated by the spot color name to the inkjet printer 10 with a cutting head, and cuts the contour line by superimposing it on the previously printed (S26). Here, although the above-mentioned drying time varies depending on the print medium, it is about several minutes to several tens of minutes.

  In the above-described embodiment, the graphic software and the RIP are described as separate software. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the processing may be performed in the same software.

    In the above embodiment, the case where the RIP is provided in the personal computer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the RIP may be provided in the inkjet printer with a cutting head.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the printing data and the vector data for cutting the contour specified by the spot color name can be included in a single data and prepared by graphic software. Need not be created as separate postscript data.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

  In the printing and cutting method according to the present invention, in graphic software, a special color name for cutting the contour of an image and its color are input, and image data and contour data are created with a color including the input desired color. Since the created image data and contour data are used to create print data and cut data in the RIP, the contour cut line is reliably recognized, so that it is advantageously used as a printing and cutting method.

It is an external view which shows an inkjet printer with a cutting head. It is a figure which shows the connection state of an external personal computer and the inkjet printer with a cutting head. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in graphic software. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display in the case of setting a spot color name on the screen of the display connected to the personal computer. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content in RIP.

Explanation of symbols

10 Inkjet Printer with Cutting Head, 11 Main Body, 12 Side Cover, 13 Operation Panel, 14 Linear Rail, 15 Inkjet Head, 16 Cutting Head, 18 Legs, 19 Pinch Roll Lever, 20 Platen, 21 Front Cover, 30 PC, 31 Graphic software, 32 RIP.

Claims (5)

A method for performing printing and cutting in a printing and cutting apparatus,
In graphic software, inputting a spot color name for cutting the outline of an image;
Selecting a desired color as the spot color name;
Creating image data and contour data in a color including the selected desired color;
Converting the created image data and contour data into data recognizable by RIP and transmitting the data;
In the RIP, creating print data and cut data from the converted image data and contour data;
Transmitting the created print data and cut data to the printing and cutting apparatus. Further, in the printing and cutting apparatus, the method includes: printing with the print data; waiting until the printed print data is dried; and causing the contour to be cut based on the cut data after drying. The method of claim 1. The method according to claim 1, wherein the spot color name includes an arbitrary color name. A program for causing a computer to perform printing and cutting in a printing and cutting apparatus,
In graphic software, the step of inputting a spot color name for cutting the contour of an image, the step of selecting a desired color as the spot color name, and creating image data and contour data with a color including the selected desired color Converting the generated image data and contour data into data that can be recognized by the RIP, and generating print data and cut data from the converted image data and contour data in the RIP. And a step of transmitting the created print data and cut data to the printing and cutting apparatus. . The printing and cutting apparatus further includes a step of printing with print data, a step of waiting until the printed print data is dried, and a step of cutting a contour based on the cut data after drying. 4. The program according to 4.

Images