Abstract: A hybrid document automation system manages a hybrid printing job, such as PostScript (PS) job with a mix of color and monochrome (B/W) sheets containing variable data. The print job may contain any number of sets, each differing in size and ratio of color and B/W sheets. The system includes a color printer, a monochrome printer, a print manager, a splitter for separating color pages from monochrome pages in the print job and automatic jam recovery. A graphical user interface (GUI) may be provided to give a user/operator information on the status of the print job. The system may also include a document integrity system for insuring the correct output of the merged color and monochrome pages.

Abstract: Continuous “load while run” printing of ordered sets of plural different sheets in a defined order in a printer paper path is provided even where plural different sheet feeding trays are stacked with multiple such ordered sets, by additionally loading therein near the bottom of the stack in between said ordered sets a control sheet with optically detectable control indicia which is detected in a printer paper path as that control sheet fed out from a first substantially but not fully emptied sheet feeding tray. In response to that control sheet detection, the sheet feeding from that first sheet feeding tray is automatically stopped to allow the reloading of additional ordered sets therein, and sheet feeding of further said ordered sets is automatically started from a second sheet feeding tray provide said continuous printing of said ordered sets in said defined order.