JP6459537B2 - Printed material manufacturing method, printing apparatus, and control program for controlling printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing printed matter using continuous paper, a printing apparatus, and a control program for controlling the printing apparatus.

  There is a printing apparatus that manufactures printed matter using continuous paper such as roll paper. In such a printing apparatus, for example, a continuous sheet wound in a roll shape is conveyed while being unwound, and an image based on a job is printed at an image forming position. The printed continuous paper is cut in the width direction at the printing end position, wound up again in a roll shape, and completed as a printed matter. The roll-like printed material is appropriately used in the subsequent process. For example, a roll-shaped printed material is loaded into a labeler (automatic labeling machine), and an image portion is used as a label while a continuous sheet is pulled out as necessary.

  In the above printing apparatus, when printing images of a plurality of jobs on continuous paper, the images are usually formed in the continuous paper transport direction in the order of the input jobs. However, there are cases where the width of the image based on the job is smaller than the width of the continuous sheet and there is room for arranging the images of other jobs in the width direction. In such a case, there has been proposed a printing apparatus that forms and arranges images in the width direction even in different jobs (see, for example, Patent Document 1). If the images are arranged in the width direction, the manufacturing efficiency is high and the use efficiency of the continuous paper is also high.

  In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since images of a plurality of jobs are arranged in the width direction, it is necessary to cut the continuous paper in the width direction and then cut the continuous paper in the transport direction when manufacturing printed matter. is there. Thereby, the images of a plurality of jobs arranged in the width direction at the time of printing are separated, and a plurality of printed materials are manufactured.

JP 2002-137383 A

  However, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, printing of a plurality of job images arranged in the width direction of continuous paper does not always end at the same position in the conveyance direction of continuous paper. Therefore, after printing the job image, it is necessary to cut the continuous paper in the width direction in accordance with the position of the image at the rearmost end in the transport direction.

  In this case, when continuous paper is cut in the transport direction for each job and a plurality of printed materials are formed thereafter, a margin is formed at the rear end in the transport direction of most printed materials. In particular, when a roll-shaped printed material is used by being unwound in the reverse direction from the rear end in the transport direction, there is a problem that there is a blank at the start position of use, and it can only be used after the blank is cut. This increases the work load of the post-process using the printed material.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printed matter manufacturing method, a printing apparatus, and a control program for controlling the printing apparatus that can reduce a work load in a post process.

(1) A method of manufacturing a printed material in which images based on a plurality of jobs are arranged side by side in the width direction of continuous paper,
Calculating a conveyance direction length of the continuous paper required for printing the plurality of jobs each image, as a job length,
Based on the calculated job length of each job, the print start position of each job is shifted and the image based on each job is transferred to the continuous paper so that the print end positions in the transport direction of the images based on each job are aligned. Printing on
A method for producing printed matter including

  (2) In the printing step, a difference between the calculated job length of each job and the longest job length among the job lengths is calculated as a margin amount of each job, and the calculated margin of each job The method for manufacturing a printed material according to (1), wherein an image based on each job is printed on the continuous paper by shifting a printing start position of each job according to the amount.

  (3) The printed material manufacturing method according to (1) or (2), wherein in the printing step, the image based on each job is printed so that the printing end position side is upright.

  (4) The method for producing a printed matter according to any one of (1) to (3), further including a step of cutting the continuous sheet in a width direction at the printing end position.

  (5) including the step of cutting the continuous paper in the transport direction so as to separate the continuous paper into strips according to the widths of the images of the plurality of jobs. The manufacturing method of printed matter as described in any one.

(6) The method further includes an additional printing step of printing images based on a plurality of other jobs arranged side by side in the width direction of the continuous paper after the printing step,
In any one of (1) to (3), the additional printing step aligns and prints the image based on the plurality of other jobs from the print end position of the image based on the plurality of jobs printed in advance. A method for producing a printed material according to claim 1.

  (7) The image based on the plurality of jobs printed in advance and the image based on the other plurality of jobs are all upright at the print end position of the plurality of jobs printed in advance. As described above, the printed material manufacturing method according to (6), wherein the upright direction is opposite by being printed on the continuous paper.

  (8) The printed matter manufacturing method according to (6) or (7), wherein in the additional printing step, printing is performed by changing an arrangement order of the images in the width direction based on the plurality of other jobs.

  (9) After printing of the image having the longest length in the transport direction among the images based on the plurality of other jobs is finished, the continuous paper is rewound in the reverse direction of the transport direction and printed in advance. The printed material manufacturing method according to any one of (6) to (8), further including a step of cutting the continuous sheet in a width direction at the printing end position of the image to be printed.

  (10) The above (8) or (9) includes a step of cutting the continuous paper in the transport direction so as to separate the continuous paper into strips according to the widths of the images of the other jobs. ) For producing printed matter.

(11) A printing apparatus that prints images based on a plurality of jobs arranged side by side in the width direction of continuous paper,
The conveyance direction of the length of the continuous paper required for printing the plurality of jobs each image, a calculation unit for calculating a job length,
Based on the calculated job length of each job, the print start position of each job is shifted to each job so that the print end position in the transport direction of the image based on each job calculated by the calculation unit is aligned. A printing unit for printing an image based on the continuous paper;
A printing apparatus.

  (12) The printing unit calculates a difference between the job length of each job calculated by the calculation unit and the longest job length among the job lengths as a margin amount of each job, and calculates each calculated The printing apparatus according to (11), wherein an image based on each job is printed on the continuous sheet by shifting a printing start position of each job according to a margin amount of the job.

(13) the printing unit, the printing apparatus according to pre SL printing end position side to erect as an upper, above (11) or (12) for printing the image based on each job.

  (14) After printing an image on the plurality of jobs, the printing unit further prints an image based on a plurality of other jobs arranged in the width direction of the continuous paper on the plurality of jobs to be printed in advance. The printing apparatus according to any one of (11) to (13), wherein the printing is performed by aligning an image based on the printing end position.

  (15) The image based on the plurality of jobs printed in advance and the image based on the plurality of other jobs are all upright with the print end positions of the plurality of jobs printed in advance. The printing apparatus according to (14), wherein the upright direction is opposite by printing on the continuous paper.

  (16) The printing apparatus according to (14) or (15), wherein the printing unit performs printing by changing an arrangement order of the images in the width direction based on the plurality of other jobs.

(17) A control program that is executed by a computer that controls a printing apparatus that arranges and prints images based on a plurality of jobs arranged in the width direction of continuous paper,
The conveyance direction of the length of the continuous paper required for printing the plurality of jobs each image, the step of calculating as a job length (A),
Based on the calculated job length of each job, the print start position of each job is shifted and the image based on each job is transferred to the continuous paper so that the print end positions in the transport direction of the images based on each job are aligned. (B) to print on
Control program including

  In the present invention, when printing a plurality of jobs arranged side by side in the width direction of the continuous paper, the job length of each job is calculated, and the print end position of the image based on each job is aligned. The print start position of each job is shifted based on the job length. For this reason, after the printed matter manufactured according to the present invention is cut in the width direction, no blank space is generated behind the print end position of the image. Therefore, even when an image based on each job is used from the rear end side of the printed material in the subsequent process, it is not necessary to cut the blank portion, and the work load can be reduced.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function of image control ASIC. It is a schematic diagram which shows the image expand | deployed by the image memory. It is a figure which shows the example which prints an image on a continuous paper using a memory reading module. 3 is an operation flowchart of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the job list screen displayed on the operation display part. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting change screen displayed on the operation display part. It is a figure which shows the example of the layout change screen displayed on the operation display part. It is a figure which shows the example of the preview screen displayed on the operation display part. It is a figure which shows the example of calculation of job length. It is a figure which shows the example of calculation of margin amount. It is a figure which shows the example of the printing process by the printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the cutting process after printing processing. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect of the printing process by the printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 10 is an operation flowchart of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the job list screen displayed on the operation display part. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect of the printing process by the printing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may be different from the actual ratios.

[First Embodiment]
(Configuration of printing device)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The printing apparatus 1 includes a paper feed device 100, a paper feed adjustment device 200, an image forming device 300, a paper discharge adjustment device 400, and a winding device 500.

  The paper feeding device 100 sends out the continuous paper S downstream in the paper transport direction. In the sheet feeding device 100, for example, a roll-shaped continuous sheet S is wound around a support shaft and held rotatably.

  The paper feed adjusting device 200 has a buffer function for absorbing a minute paper transport speed difference between the paper feed device 100 and the image forming apparatus 300 and a paper shift. The paper feed adjusting device 200 transports the continuous paper S transported from the paper feed device 100 to the image forming apparatus 300.

  The image forming apparatus 300 prints an image based on the job on the continuous paper S. The image forming apparatus 300 uses a photosensitive drum 320 (Y, M, C, K) and an intermediate transfer belt 330 as an image carrier. The intermediate transfer belt 330 is an endless belt and is supported by a plurality of rollers so as to be able to travel. The toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 320 (Y, M, C, K) are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 330, and the toner images in which the layers of the respective colors (Y, M, C, K) are superimposed. A (color image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 330. Then, a toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 330 is transferred onto the continuous paper S by applying a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the transfer roller, and then fixed by the fixing unit 340.

  An operation display unit 350 is provided above the image forming apparatus 300. The operation display unit 350 receives user operations and displays various types of information. The operation display unit 350 may have any configuration such as a configuration in which an operation portion and a display portion are integrally configured, such as a touch panel, a configuration such as a hard key such as a button or a key, and a liquid crystal display device. It may be. Further, the operation display unit 350 may be separated from the housing of the image forming apparatus 300 in addition to the one installed in the housing of the image forming apparatus 300 as illustrated.

  Similarly to the paper feed adjustment device 200, the paper discharge adjustment device 400 also has a buffer function for absorbing a minute paper conveyance speed difference between the image forming apparatus 300 and the winding device 500 and a deviation of the paper. The paper discharge adjusting device 400 conveys the continuous paper S conveyed from the image forming device 300 to the winding device 500. Further, the paper discharge adjusting device 400 includes a cutter 410 that cuts the continuous paper S, and can cut the continuous paper S along a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction at a desired position.

  The winding device 500 winds the continuous paper S conveyed from the paper discharge adjusting device 400. In the winding device 500, for example, the continuous paper S is wound around a support shaft and held in a roll shape.

  In this embodiment, roll paper is used as the continuous paper S. However, the continuous paper S is not limited to roll paper, and any continuous paper may be used. It may be a folded sheet. Moreover, the material of the continuous paper S is not limited to paper, and a medium such as cloth may be used. Further, the continuous paper S may be a label paper in which a label obtained by applying an adhesive to the paper is bonded to a release paper. When label paper is used, the label may be cut out by the cutter 410 in a size corresponding to the image.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 300 includes a control unit 310, an operation display unit 350, an HDD 360 that is a large-capacity storage device, a scanner 370 that reads a document image, a printer controller 380, and a writing unit 390.

  The control unit 310 includes a CPU 311, a platform control hub (PCH) 312, an image control ASIC 313, an image processing ASIC 314, and DRAMs 315 and 316.

  The CPU 311 controls the overall operations of the image forming apparatus 300 and the printing apparatus 1 by executing various programs stored in the DRAM 315 or the HDD 360.

  Printing image data sent from a terminal device 900 such as a PC is stored in a DRAM 316 as an image memory via a printer controller 380. Similarly, the image data of the document obtained by reading by the scanner 370 is also stored in the DRAM 316. At the time of printing, image data to be printed is read from the DRAM 316 and an image signal is sent to the writing unit 390.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the image control ASIC. The image control ASIC 313 includes an image control unit 601, counters 602 and 603, a plurality of memory reading modules 604 and an output buffer 605.

  The image control unit 601 receives various timing signals such as horizontal and vertical synchronization signals (HV, VV), an index signal index, and a pixel clock signal clk. The image control unit 601 reads and holds the image data stored in the DRAM 316 by the memory reading module 604, and sends the image data to the output buffer 605 according to the received timing signal. In the output buffer 605, the pixel signal is sent to the writing unit 390 for each line according to the timing signals from the counters 602 and 603.

  In this embodiment, the memory read module 604 is provided as a hardware configuration in order to output a plurality of image data continuously along the conveyance direction of the continuous paper S using such a configuration.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an image developed in the image memory. As shown in the figure, in the DRAM 316, rasterized processing is performed, and bitmap format images A, C, and D and variable images (indicated by numerals 1 to 6 and the like) are developed and stored. The variable image is an image obtained by combining a fixed frame image and a variable image arranged in the internal area. Data of each image is stored in an area corresponding to a series of addresses, with the upper left corner pixel at the top and the lower right corner pixel at the end in the allocated memory area.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an image is printed on the continuous paper S by applying the memory reading module 604. As shown in the figure, a plurality of images A, C and D and variable images 1 to 6 are arranged side by side along the width direction (main scanning direction).

  The memory read module 604 has a repeat function and a memory read function. The repeat function reads a normal image (images A, C, D) developed in the DRAM 316 to the memory reading module 604, arranges it at an arbitrary position in the main scanning direction (width direction of the continuous paper S), This function repeatedly outputs in the scanning direction. The memory reading function is a function of reading variable image data (1 to 6) in order from the DRAM 316, sequentially arranging the image data at arbitrary positions in the main scanning direction, and outputting them.

  These two functions can be handled by one circuit configuration. More specifically, the counter value and an instruction from the image control unit 601 are used. For each memory reading module 604, the image control unit 601 determines the start position (see FIG. 5) and image width (horizontal) in the main scanning direction, the start position in the sub-scanning direction, the image width (vertical), the image interval, and the number of repetitions. Set up. In addition, an image read address, direction, and size can be set, and an instruction is given to each memory read module 604 according to the set value. Note that the maximum value of the counter output in the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length (4 to 6 km) of the continuous paper S.

  The image control ASIC 313 includes n memory reading modules 604. Each memory reading module 604 sequentially reads an image from the DRAM 316 in accordance with the main and sub counter values from the counters 602 and 603 in accordance with an instruction from the image control unit 601, and stores the data in the output buffer 605. The output buffer 605 arranges the image data from each memory reading module 604 in one line. When the data for one line is ready, the data are integrated and output to the writing unit 390 via the image processing ASIC 314.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when a normal image that is not a variable image is placed on the continuous paper S, the first image is set with sub-scan start = margin amount M, and the next image is sub-scan start = (the previous image Sub-scan start) + image width Wy + image interval Wgy. This is repeated for the set number of repetitions (set number). When the variable image is arranged on the continuous paper S, the first page (first image) is set with sub-scan start = margin amount M and the number of repetitions = 1, and the second page (second image) and thereafter are sub-scans. Scan start = (sub-scan start of previous page) + image width Wy + image interval Wgy. Here, the sub-scan start position of the first image or the sub-scan start position of the first page is also referred to as a print start position in the transport direction. The calculation of the margin amount M and the setting of the image interval Wgy and the number of repetitions will be described later.

(Printer operation)
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The algorithm shown in FIG. 6 is recorded as a program in the HDD 360 and is executed by the control unit 310.

  First, the control unit 310 accepts a job based on an instruction from the user, and creates and updates a job list according to the acceptance of the job (S101, S102).

  7-10 is a figure which shows the example of the various operation screens displayed on the operation display part.

  An operation screen 351a shown in FIG. 7 shows an example of a job list held in the HDD 360. On the operation screen 351a, a list display field a1, a print start button b1, a setting change button b2, a layout change button b3, a preview button b4, and a delete button b5 are arranged.

  The job displayed in the job list is an execution waiting job for printing on the continuous paper S. As shown in the figure, jobs 1 to 4 are job sets that are simultaneously subjected to print processing by arranging them in the width direction of continuous paper. A plurality of images having the same image width Wx can be sequentially arranged in one job in the sub-scanning direction. For example, in job 1 displayed in the job list, image A and image B having the same image width Wx are arranged.

  Further, by selecting one of the images displayed in the list display field a1 by the cursor operation (reference a21) and operating the setting change button b2, the screen changes to the setting change screen 351b shown in FIG.

  On the setting change screen 351b, a preview field a2, an image interval setting field b21, a number setting field b22, a confirmation button b23 and a cancel button b24 are arranged. A preview of the selected image is displayed in the preview field a2. By setting the image interval setting field b21, an interval (Wgy) between images to be repeatedly arranged and printed in the transport direction is set (see FIG. 5). The number of times the image is repeatedly printed is set by setting the number of copies setting field b22. When the setting change is completed, the user can confirm the setting by operating the confirm button b23. By operating the confirm button b23 or the cancel button b24, the screen returns to the original screen 351a before the screen transition.

  When the user wants to add a new job or image to the job list or change the layout, the user operates the layout change button b3 on the operation screen 351a in FIG. As a result, the screen transitions to the layout change screen 351c shown in FIG. The layout change screen 351c includes a layout list field a3, a message field b31, a replacement button b32, a column addition button b33, an image addition button b34, a deletion button b35, a confirmation button b36, and a cancel button b37 for displaying already laid out images. It is arranged.

  In the message field b31, a message for guiding the operation procedure to the user and a message notifying the result of the operation are displayed. For example, in accordance with the guidance in the message field b31, the user instructs the image C by the cursor operation (reference a22), and further instructs the image D by the cursor operation, and then operates the replacement button b32. Thereby, as shown in FIG.9 (b), the layout position of the image C and the image D can be switched. In addition, the user designates a corresponding image according to the guidance in the message field b31 and then operates the column addition button b33, so that a new image is displayed between the image C and the variable image 1 as shown in FIG. The image E can be added as a simple job. Furthermore, the user operates the image addition button b34 according to the guidance in the message field b31 and then operates the image addition button b34, so that the layout position of the image C in the second column is shown in FIG. An image E whose layout position is in the same row can be added later. The image E is an image in which the layout held in the HDD 360 is not arranged, and the image C and the image width Wx are the same. Also, the user deletes the image C from the layout list column a3 as shown in FIG. 9E by operating the delete button b35 after instructing the corresponding image according to the guidance in the message column b31. Can do. In addition, in the operation screen 351a shown in FIG. 7, the selected image can be deleted by operating the delete button b5 after selecting any image in the same manner. When the layout change is completed, the user can confirm the change by operating the confirm button b36. By operating the confirm button b36 or the cancel button b37, the screen returns to the original screen 351a before the screen transition.

  Furthermore, the user transitions to the preview screen 351d shown in FIG. 10 by operating the preview button b4 on the operation screen 351a shown in FIG. On the preview screen 351d, a preview field a4, a previous page button b41, a next page button b42, and a return button b43 are arranged. In the preview field a4, a preview image of the laid out job set is displayed. The user operates the previous page button 41 and the next page button 42 to display a preview image of each page. By operating the return button b43, the screen returns to the original screen 351a before the screen transition.

  As described above, when the job arrangement is confirmed (for example, the layout arrangement as shown in FIG. 10), the user operates the print start button b1 to set the job set whose layout position is confirmed in the list display field a1. To start printing. When printing is started, the user cannot make any further changes to the job set whose layout position has been determined.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. The control unit 310 receives a print start instruction from the user through the operation screen (S103).

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 calculates the job length Ly of each job in the job set instructed to be printed (S104). As shown in FIG. 7, since the sub-scan length (image size Wy), the image interval, and the number of sheets are set for each job, the image width Wy that is the image size in the transport direction (Y direction) is set. The job length Ly can be calculated by adding the image interval Wgy and multiplying this by the number of sheets. The job length Ly may be calculated when the job length Ly is added to the job list. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a calculation example of the job length Ly of each job. As shown in FIG. 7, since job 1 includes image A and image B, the job length calculated based on each image is further added to obtain job length Ly. The job length of job 2 is calculated similarly. The longest job length Lymax among the job lengths Ly can be calculated simultaneously while calculating the job length Ly. For example, when the first calculated job length Ly is the longest job length Lymax, the next calculated job length Ly is compared with the longest job length Lymax, and the next calculated job length Ly is large, the longest job length Lymax The length Lymax is updated to the job length Ly.

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 calculates a margin amount M of each job (S105). Specifically, the difference between each job length Ly calculated in step S104 and the longest job length Lymax among the job lengths Ly is calculated as a margin amount M for each job. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a calculation example of the margin amount M of each job.

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 adjusts the print start position of each job (S106). Specifically, the print start position of each job is shifted according to the margin amount M of each job calculated in step S105. That is, the print start positions of job 1, job 3, and job 4 are shifted by the amount of margin M, respectively, with reference to the print start position of job 2 having the longest job length Lymax (see FIG. 5). As a result, the print end positions in the transport direction of the images are aligned.

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 automatically adjusts the print direction and layout position of the image of each job (S107). Specifically, the control unit 310 reads image data in the reverse direction from the end address to the top address of each image developed in the memory shown in FIG. For images arranged in the same column (for example, image A and image B, image C and image E), the image arranged at the rear end of the column is read first (for example, image B and image E are read first. Read, and then read image A and image C. (See FIG. 13a). As a result, each image is upside down with respect to the print direction of the layout shown in FIG. Furthermore, the control unit 310 reverses the order of the layout positions of the images with the printing direction reversed (see FIG. 13B). Thereby, the layout position of each image coincides with the layout position shown in FIG. 10 (image A, image C, variable, image D are arranged in order from left to right).

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 instructs the memory read module 604 and the like on various setting values (margin amount M and the like) after automatically adjusting the print start position, print direction, and layout position in step S106 and step S107, and sets the job set. Is printed (S108).

  Next, the printed matter manufactured in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13A shows the continuous paper S that has been subjected to the printing process after the print start position and the printing direction have been automatically adjusted, and FIG. 13B shows the continuous paper S that has been subjected to the printing process after the layout position has been automatically adjusted. Show.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the printed matter manufactured in the present embodiment has the print end positions of the respective images aligned. In order to obtain a printed material obtained by separating the images from the continuous paper S on which images as shown in FIG. 13 are printed, the following cutting process is performed. First, cutting is performed at the printing end position (cutting position X) of the image on the continuous paper S. This cutting may be performed by the cutting device 410 of the printing apparatus 1. In this case, when the continuous paper S cutting position X reaches the cutter 410, the conveyance of the continuous paper S is temporarily stopped, and the continuous paper S in the stopped state is cut. Alternatively, offline processing may be performed by a cutting device other than the printing device 10 without using the cutting device 410.

  Next, cutting is performed at cutting positions 2 to 4 (Y) extending along the Y direction (conveying direction). This cutting can be performed by cutting the continuous paper S in the form of a roll R1 in a direction perpendicular to the axis by the cutter C along the cutting positions 2 to 4 (Y) as shown in FIG. If the roll R1 has a large diameter and it is difficult to cut the ring, as shown in FIG. 14B, the continuous paper S is pulled out in the direction opposite to the winding direction in FIG. Cut along cutting positions 2 to 4 (Y) by the cutter C arranged at a position corresponding to (Y). If the continuous paper S is a label paper, the process for producing a printed matter is completed. The obtained roll-like printed matter is loaded into a labeler (automatic labeling machine) and used in the next step.

  If the material of the continuous paper S is normal paper, after cutting at the cutting positions 2 to 4 in the Y direction as described above, in order to separate each image as shown in FIG. Cut at the cutting position. This is performed for all job images. Thereby, the printed matter cut for each image can be obtained.

(effect)
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state of the continuous paper S printed by the printing apparatus 1, and FIG. 15A is an example of a printed matter according to the embodiment by executing the printing process illustrated in FIG. FIG. 15B is an example of a printed matter according to a comparative example when this printing process is not executed.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the print end positions (cutting positions) of the images included in the job set are aligned. On the other hand, when such control is not performed, as shown in the comparative example of FIG. 15B, the print end positions of the images are not aligned, and at the rear end of the print end position of most jobs. A blank area BS is generated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when a plurality of jobs are arranged and printed in the width direction of continuous paper, the job length of each job is calculated, and the calculation is performed so that the print end positions of the images based on each job are aligned. The print start position of each job is shifted based on the job length of each job. For this reason, after the manufactured printed matter is cut in the width direction, no blank space is generated behind the print end position of the image. Therefore, even when an image based on each job is used from the rear end side of the printed material in the subsequent process, it is not necessary to cut the blank portion, and the work load can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment, after adjusting the print start position of each job, the print direction and layout position are automatically adjusted in the process of step S107. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the process of step S107 may not be executed, and only the print direction may be automatically adjusted in the process of step S107.

[Second Embodiment]
In the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, one roll-shaped printed matter is manufactured by cutting at the printing end position of the image of the continuous paper S on which images based on a plurality of jobs are printed. In the second embodiment, after printing of images based on a plurality of jobs is completed, the continuous paper is not cut immediately at the print end position of the images based on the plurality of jobs, but is arranged side by side in the width direction of the continuous paper. Subsequently, additional images based on a plurality of jobs are printed.

  The configuration of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the operation of the printing apparatus is partially different compared to the first embodiment. Accordingly, only the operation of the printing apparatus will be described below.

(Printer operation)
FIG. 16 is an operation flowchart of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 16, the operation of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment is different from the operation of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in that the processes of step S209 to step S211 are added. To do. Specifically, the processes shown in steps S201 to S208 of the second embodiment and the processes shown in steps S101 to S108 of the first embodiment are exactly the same. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the description of the same processing as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  Following the processing of step S208, the control unit 310 determines whether there is an additional job (S209).

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list screen displayed on the operation display unit. Compared with the job list screen 351a shown in FIG. 7, the job list screen 352a shown in FIG. 17 further displays the status of each job in the list display field a1, and the print button b1 in FIG. It is different by changing to b6. As shown in FIG. 17, the job set including job 3 and job 4 is a preceding job set currently being printed. The job set including the additional job 1 to the additional job 3 is an additional job set that performs printing continuously following the preceding job set that is currently being executed. During printing of the preceding job set, the user can select and arrange additional jobs as described in step S102 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 8 to 10). When the selection arrangement of the additional job is completed, the user operates the print addition button b6 to instruct additional printing.

  When there is an additional job (S209: YES), the control unit 310 adjusts the print start position of each additional job (S210). Specifically, the print start position of each job included in the additional job set is adjusted so that the image based on the additional job set is aligned with the print end position of the image based on the preceding job set.

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 instructs the memory read module 604 and the like for various setting values of each job included in the additional job set after adjusting the print start position in step S211, and the additional job set following the preceding job set. Is printed (S212). In addition, when printing an additional job, an image based on the additional job set can be printed as necessary so that the image is printed on continuous paper with the print end position of the preceding job set as an upright upper part. As a result, the upright direction of the image of the preceding job set and the image of the additional job set are opposite. Note that it is also possible to print by changing the arrangement order of the images in the width direction based on the additional job set (see FIG. 13). Thereby, the layout of the additional job set after printing matches the layout arrangement by the user.

  On the other hand, when there is no additional job (S209: NO), the control unit 310 does not execute the processes of step S211 and step S212.

  In order to obtain a printed material obtained by separating the images from the continuous paper on which the images of the preceding job set and the additional job set are subsequently printed, the following rewind cutting process is performed. First, after printing of the image having the longest length in the transport direction among the images based on the additional job set is completed, the image is cut by the cutting machine 410 at the print end position. Thereafter, the printed roll is removed from the winding device 500, and this is rewound halfway in the direction opposite to the conveying direction (in the printing device 10) by an external winding device, and another roll corresponding to the additional job set is removed. Form. Then, after rewinding to the printing end position (cutting position) of the image of the preceding job set, the continuous sheet is cut in the width direction to obtain two roll-shaped printed materials respectively corresponding to the preceding job set and the additional job set. If the printed matter obtained in this manner is cut by the method shown in FIG. 14, a printed matter cut for each image included in the preceding job set and the additional job set can be obtained.

(effect)
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state of a continuous sheet printed by the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18A illustrates an example obtained by executing the printing process illustrated in FIG. It is an example of such printed matter. FIG. 18B is an example of a printed matter according to a comparative example obtained by executing the printing process shown in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment without executing this printing process. As shown in FIG. 18B, normally, when the additional job of the second roll is printed, a winding margin portion is generated at the leading end of the print start position of the image of the additional job. The winding margin portion is a blank portion for winding an image on another roll with the margin margin portion as the head after the image is not printed and is cut at the cutting position.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, the print end position of the image included in the preceding job set and the print start position of the image included in the additional job set are aligned. On the other hand, when such control is not performed, as shown in the comparative example of FIG. 18B, the print end positions of the images are not aligned, and a winding margin occurs. For this reason, in the printed matter obtained by applying the second embodiment, waste of the winding margin can be eliminated.

  In the second embodiment, two roll-shaped printed materials are manufactured by continuously printing images based on two job sets, and then rewinding and cutting. However, the number of job sets that are continuously printed is not limited to two. For example, when images based on a plurality of job sets are subsequently printed, only the processes of steps S201 to S209 are executed for odd-numbered job sets, and the processes of steps S211 and S212 are performed only for even-numbered job sets. It can also be executed.

  The configuration of the printing apparatus described above is defined by the contents described in the claims, and various modifications are possible. For example, the modified examples can be applied in combination. The configuration of the printing apparatus is not limited to the above-described configuration because the main configuration has been described in describing the features of the above-described embodiment. Further, the configuration of a general printing apparatus is not excluded.

1 Printing device 100 Paper feeding device,
200 paper feed adjustment device,
300 image forming apparatus,
310 control unit,
311 CPU,
312 PCH,
313 image control ASIC,
314 Image processing ASIC,
315 DRAM,
316 DRAM (image memory),
320 photosensitive drum,
330 intermediate transfer belt,
340 fixing unit,
350 operation display section,
360 HDD (job storage unit),
370 scanner,
380 printer controller,
390 writing unit,
400 discharge adjustment device,
410 cutter,
500 winding device,
601 image control unit,
602 counter (main scan),
603 counter (sub-scan),
604 memory read module,
605 output buffer,
BS margin area,
Wgy image interval,
Wx, Wy Image width,
Ly, Lmax job length,
M Margin amount.

Claims (17)

A method of manufacturing a printed material in which images based on a plurality of jobs are arranged side by side in the width direction of continuous paper,
Calculating a conveyance direction length of the continuous paper required for printing the plurality of jobs each image, as a job length,
Based on the calculated job length of each job, the print start position of each job is shifted and the image based on each job is transferred to the continuous paper so that the print end positions in the transport direction of the images based on each job are aligned. Printing on
A method for producing printed matter including   In the printing step, a difference between the calculated job length of each job and the longest job length among the job lengths is calculated as a margin amount of each job, and according to the calculated margin amount of each job The printed matter manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein an image based on each job is printed on the continuous sheet by shifting a print start position of each job.   The method for producing a printed material according to claim 1, wherein, in the printing step, the image based on each job is printed so that the print end position side is upright.   The method for producing a printed matter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a step of cutting the continuous sheet in a width direction at the printing end position.   5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of cutting the continuous paper in the transport direction so as to separate the continuous paper into strips according to the widths of the images of the plurality of jobs. Manufacturing method for printed materials. An additional printing step of printing an image based on a plurality of other jobs arranged side by side in the width direction of the continuous paper after the printing step;
The said additional printing step aligns and prints the image based on the said some other job from the said printing end position of the image based on the said some job printed previously. The manufacturing method of printed matter as described in 2.   The image based on the plurality of jobs printed in advance and the image based on the plurality of other jobs are both continuous with the print end position of the plurality of jobs printed in advance as the upright upper part. The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 6, wherein the upright direction is opposite by being printed on paper.   The printed matter manufacturing method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in the additional printing step, printing is performed by changing an arrangement order of the images in the width direction based on the plurality of other jobs.   Of the images based on the other plurality of jobs, after printing of the image having the longest length in the transport direction is finished, the continuous paper is rewound in the reverse direction of the transport direction, and the image is printed in advance. The printed material manufacturing method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of cutting the continuous sheet in a width direction at the printing end position.   The printed material according to claim 8, further comprising a step of cutting the continuous paper in the transport direction so as to separate the continuous paper into strips according to the widths of the images of the other jobs. Production method. A printing apparatus that arranges and prints images based on a plurality of jobs side by side in the width direction of continuous paper,
The conveyance direction of the length of the continuous paper required for printing the plurality of jobs each image, a calculation unit for calculating a job length,
Based on the calculated job length of each job, the print start position of each job is shifted to each job so that the print end position in the transport direction of the image based on each job calculated by the calculation unit is aligned. A printing unit for printing an image based on the continuous paper;
A printing apparatus.   The printing unit calculates a difference between the job length of each job calculated by the calculation unit and the longest job length among the job lengths as a margin amount of each job, and calculates the calculated margin of each job. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an image based on each job is printed on the continuous sheet by shifting a print start position of each job according to the amount. The printing unit, before Symbol to erecting the printing end position side as the upper printing apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12 prints the image based on each job.   The printing unit prints an image on the plurality of jobs, and further prints an image based on the plurality of other jobs arranged in the width direction of the continuous paper on the image based on the plurality of jobs printed in advance. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein printing is performed in alignment from the printing end position.   The image based on the plurality of jobs printed in advance and the image based on the plurality of other jobs are both continuous with the print end position of the plurality of jobs printed in advance as the upright upper part. The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the upright direction is opposite by being printed on paper.   The printing apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the printing unit performs printing by changing a sequence in the width direction of the images based on the plurality of other jobs. A control program executed by a computer for controlling a printing apparatus that arranges and prints images based on a plurality of jobs arranged in the width direction of continuous paper,
The conveyance direction of the length of the continuous paper required for printing the plurality of jobs each image, the step of calculating as a job length (A),
Based on the calculated job length of each job, the print start position of each job is shifted and the image based on each job is transferred to the continuous paper so that the print end positions in the transport direction of the images based on each job are aligned. (B) to print on
Control program including