Abstract: A method of printing a multi-page job including producing separate non-bit mapped files for each page of the multi-page job, producing a page file for each page of the multi-page job, storing the page files in a memory and printing the page files in sequence. The page file may include color separations for the various colors to be printed on the page or other convenient forms of storage devoted to a single page. The page file may be in a bit mapped format or may be in the form of a continuous tone image in a format which can be easily converted into a bit-map format by the printer during the printing process. Preferably, the continuous tone image can be converted into a bit map for printing on the fly.

Abstract: An image processing method comprising: providing a digital, continuous-tone, input image represented by an array of pixels, the array having a predetermined pixel resolution and each pixel having a gray level; dividing the array of pixels into a plurality of sub-arrays of pixels; determining a gray level contrast for each of the sub-arrays; if the gray level contrast of a given sub-array exceeds a preselected threshold, generating a high resolution, narrow gray level range, sub-array corresponding to the given sub-array; and if the gray level contrast of the given sub-array is below the preselected threshold, generating a low resolution, wide gray level range, sub-array corresponding to the given sub-array.

Abstract: Page make-up method which includes providing a plurality of uniquely identified sub-pages, comprising half-toned images, in a memory, and organizing a group of the half-toned sub-pages to form the make-up of a page to be printed, wherein the sub-pages do not overlap.