Abstract: In a digital printing system there is a natural hierarchical relationship to the data representing jobs, documents, pages, and page image data (separations). Instead of grouping data by the imposed hierarchical method, the page image data is organized into "bursts," a burst being defined as a series of page images which can be printed without requiring that the digital printer be reconfigured to enable or disable specific printer functions or features. The printer is supplied with a burst whenever a burst is available without regard for job or document boundaries. This method allows the printer to be supplied with image data at optimal speeds and minimizing first-page-out time.