Abstract: A workflow method for creating a printed sheet from a graphics file and an associated job description. The graphics file and an associated job definition are received in a digital front end (DFE), and a raster imaging processor (RIP) in the DFE converts the graphics file from a native format to RIPped data and stores the RIPped data in digital storage. A print controller retrieves the RIPped data from the digital storage and streams the RIPped data as an output. A communication interface, connected to a screening engine processor, receives the streamed RIPped data and the job definition from the DFE and converts the streamed RIPped data to converted RIPped data having a format readable by the screening engine processor, and to pass information from the screening engine processor to the DFE.

Abstract: A workflow method for creating a printed sheet from a graphics file and an associated job description. The graphics file and an associated job definition are received in a digital front end (DFE), and a raster imaging processor (RIP) in the DFE converts the graphics file from a native format to RIPped data and stores the RIPped data in digital storage. A print controller retrieves the RIPped data from the digital storage and streams the RIPped data as an output. A communication interface, connected to a screening engine processor, receives the streamed RIPped data and the job definition from the DFE and converts the streamed RIPped data to converted RIPped data having a format readable by the screening engine processor, and to pass information from the screening engine processor to the DFE.

Abstract: A printing system including a printing mechanism, a substrate feeder, a print controller, and digital information stored on computer readable media. The digital information includes one or more rows of a first image having a first repeat length side by side with one or more rows of a second image having a second repeat length different from the first repeat length, the first image side by side with the second image comprising a series of composite image groupings. The print controller is configured to access the stored digital information and control the print mechanism to cause the first and second images to be printed on a continuous web of substrate without excess white space between adjacent images or discontinuities caused by the different first and second repeat lengths, by periodically physically shifting the substrate in a reverse direction or by digitally shifting the image groupings before printing them.

Abstract: A printing system including a printing mechanism, a substrate feeder, a print controller, and digital information stored on computer readable media. The digital information includes one or more rows of a first image having a first repeat length side by side with one or more rows of a second image having a second repeat length different from the first repeat length, the first image side by side with the second image comprising a series of composite image groupings. The print controller is configured to access the stored digital information and control the print mechanism to cause the first and second images to be printed on a continuous web of substrate without excess white space between adjacent images or discontinuities caused by the different first and second repeat lengths, by periodically physically shifting the substrate in a reverse direction or by digitally shifting the image groupings before printing them.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and computer-readable medium with instructions to carry out a method. The method is to rasterize variable and non-variable content for multiple instances of a page and includes dividing a page is into a plurality of non-overlapping parts including variable content. The method includes rasterizing the page with no variable content present into a rasterized fixed page that includes for at least any part that has no variable content a rasterized fixed image. The method further includes identifying one or more parts of the plurality of parts of the page that have variable content, and rasterizing each instance of the page with the variable elements of the page instance into a rasterized instance that includes, for each part that has variable content, a rasterized variable image that includes the variable content and any non-variable content of the instance. The generated rasterized fixed images and rasterized variable images for each instance are combinable.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and computer-readable medium with instructions to carry out a method. The method is to rasterize variable and non-variable content for multiple instances of a page and includes dividing a page is into a plurality of non-overlapping parts including variable content. The method includes rasterizing the page with no variable content present into a rasterized fixed page that includes for at least any part that has no variable content a rasterized fixed image. The method further includes identifying one or more parts of the plurality of parts of the page that have variable content, and rasterizing each instance of the page with the variable elements of the page instance into a rasterized instance that includes, for each part that has variable content, a rasterized variable image that includes the variable content and any non-variable content of the instance. The generated rasterized fixed images and rasterized variable images for each instance are combinable.