Abstract: A method is provided for generating a data format for describing a reproducible printer page for electronic recording. A programmed page description of a content of the printed page composed of text, graphics and image information is processed by an interpreter, and a list of graphic objects is generated. The objects are superimposed in a memory according to their position on the printed page. The objects are subdivided into simpler objects free of superimposition. Picture elements are generated for the simpler, superimposition-free objects. The picture elements are presented by grey scale values. The picture elements are combined to form a description of the printed page organized pixel-by-pixel and line-by-line as a contone map.

Abstract: A method for electronic assembly of signatures where individual printed pages are assembled to form a signature. Contents of the printed pages to be assembled are described in a page description language. Contone Contone maps in which the printed pages are described pixel-by-pixel and line-by-line in the form of gray scale values are generated for the individual printed pages by interpretation of page descriptions in at least one interpreter. The contone maps of the individual printed pages are assembled to form an overall contone map in a raster generator such that lines of the overall contone map of the signature are composed from individual lines of the contone maps of the printed pages taking predetermined parameters into consideration. The overall contone map of the signature is converted into a screened bit map in the raster generator. The signature is recorded pixel-by-pixel and line-by-line on a recording medium based on the bit map.