Browser-based product design

(Technical field) The present invention relates to the management of print jobs.

(background) Short-term printing jobs such as business cards, letterheads, sales sheets, invitations, notifications, folders, pamphlets, and marketing materials are generally printed by commercial printers using relatively small, low-cost printing equipment. It will be printed. Due to the setup time for changing from one print job to the next and the relatively small amount of print (often less than 1000 units / order), the print cost is generally relatively high, for example 1000 square inches (1000 square inches). ~ 50 per "MSI"). In some cases, some print jobs are manually "grouped" together on a single master in an attempt to reduce the average setup time per order ( Consolidated or aggregated). Other strategies for controlling the costs used by printers for products such as invitations, office stationery, and address labels offer customers limited choice of paper, format, and color to choose from. It is to be.

<p> Printing costs per MSI are for high quality full color publishing and packaging printing jobs, such as food labels, customer fine packaging, magazines, catalogs, and large quantities of marketing materials. Much lower. Printing of publishing and packaging is generally done in a highly automated mass production environment using large and expensive offset presses (rotary presses or sheet feeds of mass format paper stock). Due to the high setup and amortization costs of these presses, their use has been concentrated on long-term printing runs, which are common in the packaging and publishing departments of the printing market.</p><p> Attempts have been made to reduce the high cost of short-term printing. Setup costs can be reduced by using rapid switching production machines, digital technology, thermal copy printing, or single color offset printing. Generally, these techniques assume that each print job is treated as a separate production run that is affected by economies of scale based on the quality of the print job.</p><p> Other techniques use high-quality offset printing to pre-print a large number of standard basic products (eg, "blanks" in invitations that carry high-quality color graphics), and then are easier than usual. Overprint adjustable custom text (eg, invitation text) for each order using a flexible printing process and traditional short-term printing methods.</p><p> Yet other techniques have reduced the cost of setting up print jobs by making customers, or non-printer mediators, responsible for layout, sales, and management of customer orders. For example, some companies, such as Hallmark, allow customers to see the WYSIWYG display of printed items and then upload information about the print job to a local or remote print site, WYSIWYG (what you see). Provided a terminal called (what you get). Another example of this technique is desktop publishing software, which allows customers to screen print jobs. Allows you to design on.</p><p> Used by computers to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of the printing process, including making the process of page layout, proofing, approval, and sending to the print floor more efficient. It has been. For example, in the newspaper and printing industry, ongoing page markup has been sent directly to the production floor using digital workflow technology. Preprint software and equipment that automate workflows are also used by printer and graphics professionals. Nowadays, Internet companies such as Noosh and Impresse print by giving users of their websites the ability to "connect" with a wide range of printing vendors, from short-term demand printers to long-term run offset printers, for example. Buyers-Providing services that improve the efficiency of sellers' transactions.</p>

<p>(Overview) The present invention is characterized by a method of managing print jobs. In one aspect, the present invention is a method executed by a computer for managing individual print jobs from a plurality of customers, a step of electronically receiving the individual print jobs and at least a part of the individual print jobs. In the process of aggregating one or more larger aggregate print jobs, each of the aggregate print jobs has multiple individual print jobs from different customers arranged in each of the two dimensions of the two-dimensional layout. It is characterized by a method consisting of a process of having individual print jobs arranged in a two-dimensional layout, thereby simultaneously printing individual print jobs from different customers when an aggregate print job is printed. ..</p><p> In another aspect, the invention is a method performed by a computer for managing the individual print jobs in a system comprising electronically stored individual print jobs from a plurality of customers, said storage. A step of selecting at least a part of the selected individual print jobs and a step of aggregating the selected individual print jobs into one or a plurality of larger aggregate print jobs, each of the aggregate print jobs. Multiple individual print jobs from different customers have individual print jobs arranged in a two-dimensional layout, arranged in each of the two dimensions of the two-dimensional layout, thereby different when the aggregate print job is printed. Its feature is a method consisting of a process in which individual print jobs from customers are printed at the same time. The above method may further include the step of giving one or more aggregate printing jobs to the printing system for printing. The method may further include printing one or more aggregate print jobs on a substrate that is large enough to print all the individual print jobs in the aggregate print job at the same time. , The process of repeatedly printing one or more aggregate print jobs on the substrate until the desired number of copies of one or more aggregate print jobs are printed, and printed for each aggregate print job. It may further include assembling the substrate into a stack and cutting the stack to separate the printing jobs.</p><p> The present invention is also a method executed by a computer for forming an aggregate print job that is printed and cut to form a plurality of separate print products, in a step of receiving a plurality of individual print jobs. Each of the individual print jobs has a process having a print parameter that identifies the size of the print product formed from each print job, and a plurality of predefined individual print job positions are two-dimensional in the aggregate print job. The process of determining the two-dimensional aggregate print job arranged in each of the above, and assigning at least a part of the received individual print jobs to the individual print job positions in the aggregate print job, the individual print job. It is characterized by a method consisting of a step of matching the size of the product printed from to the size of the assigned position in the aggregate printing job.</p><p> In another aspect, the invention is a method performed by a computer to form an aggregate print job that is printed and cut to form a plurality of separate print products, and (a) a plurality of individual pieces. A process of receiving a print job, each of which has print parameters that identify the size of the printed product formed from each of the individual print jobs, and at least a portion of the size of the product is different from the process. (b) A process of determining a two-dimensional aggregate print job that does not have a predefined individual print job position, and the aggregate print job puts a plurality of individual print jobs into each of the two dimensions of the aggregate print job. A step that is large enough to accommodate, (c) a step of selecting a first individual print job for placement within the aggregate print job, and (d) at a location of the aggregate print job. A step of arranging the first individual print job, and (e) a step of selecting another individual print job to be placed in the aggregate print job. (f) The process of arranging the other individual print job at a position not occupied by any other individual print job of the aggregate print job, and (g) the process of filling the aggregate print job until the process is completed. Its feature is a method consisting of a process of repeating e) and f).</p><p> The process of filling an aggregate print job may be terminated if the aggregate print job does not have sufficient effective space to accommodate additional individual print jobs, and the process of filling the aggregate print job may be terminated. It may be terminated when all eligible individual print jobs have been placed within the aggregate print job. The method may further include printing the aggregate print job on paper that is large enough to print all the individual print jobs in the aggregate print job at the same time.</p><p> Further, the present invention is a method executed by a computer for managing individual print jobs, which includes a step of receiving a plurality of individual print jobs, each of which has a plurality of related print parameters, and the individual print job and the above. A step of storing related print parameters, a step of searching the stored parameters to identify an individual print job having at least some common parameters, and an individual print job having at least some common parameters. It is characterized by a method consisting of a step of aggregating at least a part of the above and forming a larger aggregate printing job in which a plurality of individual printing jobs are arranged in a two-dimensional arrangement arranged in each of the two dimensions.</p><p> In another aspect, the invention is a method performed by a computer for managing individual print jobs, the step of receiving a plurality of individual print jobs, each having a plurality of related print parameters, and said individual print. A step of storing a job and the related print parameters, and a step of determining a two-dimensional aggregate print job to be printed according to the set of print parameters, and the aggregate print job is in each of the two dimensions. The stored print parameters are used to identify individual print jobs that have multiple individual print job positions and that have at least some relevant print parameters that are common to the set of print parameters for the aggregate print job. It is characterized by a method comprising a step of searching and a step of allocating at least some of the identified individual print jobs to print job positions within the aggregate print job. The stored parameters are the distribution date of the individual print job, the display of whether the individual print job is printed on multiple sides, the print quality of the individual print job, and the post-print performed for the individual print job. It may include an indication of the type of processing, an indication of the size of the product printed from the individual print job, or an indication of the type of paper used for the individual print job. At least some of the individual print jobs may be received at different times, at least some may be received from different customers, or may be received via a computer network. The method may further include printing the aggregate print job on paper of a size large enough to print all the individual print jobs in the aggregate print job at the same time, and may also include the desired aggregate print job. Aggregate marking on a piece of paper cutting sheet until a number of copies are printed A process of repeatedly printing a printing job, a process of assembling printed sheets into a stack, and a process of cutting the stack to separate individual printing jobs. May be further included. In another aspect, the invention is a method performed by a computer to fill a layout of an aggregate print job with multiple print positions, a) a step of storing individual print jobs, and b) individual print jobs. The process of storing the associated print quality for an individual print job and c) the association of the stored individual print job from the stored individual print job to be substantially equal to or a multiple of the print run quality for inclusion in the aggregate print job. The process of searching for individual print jobs having print quality to be performed, and d) the set of the selected individual print jobs when the print quality associated with the searched individual print job is substantially equal to the print run quality. The step of assigning to one position in the layout of the body print job and e) the selected individual print job if the print quality associated with the searched individual print job is substantially equal to a multiple of the print run quality. It is characterized by a method comprising a step of assigning to a position that is a multiple of the layout of the aggregate printing job.</p><p> In another aspect, the present invention comprises a plurality of stored individual print jobs, each of the stored individual print jobs having a relevant print quality, and a portion of the print quality is at least the said print quality. To identify individual print jobs that have a relevant print quality that is substantially equal to the print run quality, a method performed by a computer to prepare the layout of an aggregate print job in a system that is a multiple of one. In addition to the process of searching for a plurality of stored individual print jobs, and assigning at least a part of the identified individual print jobs to the layout of the aggregate print job, the aggregate print job is set when the aggregate print job is printed. The feature is a method consisting of a process in which individual print jobs in the body print job layout are printed at the same time.</p><p> The present invention also comprises a plurality of stored individual print jobs, each of which has a related print quality, and a print run quality in a system in which at least a part of the same print quality is different. A method performed by a computer to prepare a layout for an aggregate print job printed in, which is an individual print job with an associated print quality that is substantially equal to or a multiple of the print run quality. When the selected process and the print quality associated with the selected individual print job are substantially equal to the print run quality, the selected individual print job is placed at one print position in the layout of the aggregate print job. If the steps assigned to and the print quality associated with the selected individual print job are substantially equal to a multiple of the print run quality, then the selected individual print job is assigned to that multiple of the layout of the aggregate print job. It features a method consisting of a process of assigning a position, thereby printing the appropriate print quality of each selected individual print job during printing of an aggregate print layout.</p><p> In another aspect, the present invention comprises a plurality of stored individual print jobs, each of the stored individual print jobs having a relevant print quality, and a portion of the print quality is at least the said print quality. A method performed by a computer to prepare a layout for an aggregate print job in a system that is a multiple of a) stored with a first print quality that is N times the second print quality. If the number of individual print jobs identified in b) step a) is at least substantially equal to the number of print positions in the aggregate print layout, it is identified in step a). A step of allocating at least a part of individual print jobs to one position in an aggregate print job layout, in which the aggregate print layout is printed with a print run quality substantially equal to the first print quality. And c) at least one of the individual print jobs identified in step a) if the number of individual print jobs identified in step a) is at least not substantially equal to the number of print positions in the aggregate print layout. This is a process of allocating parts to N positions in the aggregate print job layout, and the aggregate print layout is described above. It features a method consisting of a process of printing with a print run quality that is substantially equal to the second print quality.</p><p> The above method may further include printing on the layout with print run quality and cutting the printed layout to separate individual print jobs after the process of filling the layout is complete.</p><p> The present invention is also a method of processing an aggregate print job, which is a step of receiving an aggregate print job printed with print run quality, wherein the aggregate print job is a plurality of individual prints from different customers. A process with individual print jobs arranged in a two-dimensional layout, where the jobs are arranged in each of the two dimensions of the aggregate print job, and large enough to print all the individual print jobs in the aggregate print job at the same time. Its feature is a method consisting of a process of printing an aggregate printing job on a substrate of a size and a method of printing the aggregate printing job. The individual print jobs in the received aggregate print job may be arranged in one of the predetermined arrays. The method may further include the step of receiving an aggregate metafile associated with the aggregate print job. The aggregate metafile may include at least the print run quality of the aggregate print job, or may at least include individual customer information files related to the individual print jobs within the aggregate print job. The customer information file in the aggregate metafile may include at least the shipping address for the individual print job. The method may further include printing a shipping label for an individual print job based on at least the shipping address information from the aggregate metafile.</p><p> Within the advantages of the present invention, short-term printing jobs print using high-quality mass printing equipment, while significantly reducing printing costs and improving the quality of printing jobs compared to alternative short-term printing processes. Moreover, the use of the capacity of the printing equipment can be improved. In some practices, the printing cost is less than 10%, or even less than 5%, of the cost of printing the same item using conventional short-term printing techniques. Also, in some implementations, a quick, possible turnaround time is provided from the customer's order to the completion of the customer's print job, for example less than two hours, and the rush print job prints first. And the lower priority print jobs can be queued for later printing. To achieve end-to-end automation and consolidation of print jobs, a relatively small number of industry print subcontractors can serve a large number of customers with short-term print jobs.</p><p> Each customer can design a print job directly on the web browser and, if desired, upload their own graphics, such as a logo design. Using web browser-based design capabilities can replace or enhance traditional graphic design methods, in which case the graphic designer completes the customer's sketches and / or dictations. Translate into a design and provide one or more proofs of customer approval before printing.</p><p> According to the present invention, despite the subdivision of the nature of the custom printing jobs included, the production of printing subcontractors in a manner dedicated to the implementation of the optimum class of mass high quality publishing and packaging printers. The floor can be organized and operated. The present invention also features a scalable system architecture, which allows the system of the present invention to accumulate a larger number of customers and / or print jobs. Based on the real-time information provided by the printer, at a given moment of time, it has excessive production capacity and advances that capacity at a cost lower than the "fully loaded" production cost. You can redirect your order flow to those printers that you sell at.</p><p> Customer orders can consist of different document types, layouts, and quantities, as order characteristics are potentially infinite. However, the traditional high cost of managing this diversity of order features is to convert the diversity into a consistently formatted iterative stream of pre-print and post-print digital information that meets the standards of the printing industry. Through, reduced or eliminated. A group of customers (eg, multiple customers within a company) share common document features (eg, a brochure layout or template for a business card design shared by many individuals within the same company). And central control, while individual purchase decisions, order entries, and modifications to text or other variable elements in the document can be decentralized.</p><p> Based on market and printer information received both previously and in "real time," the web server host chooses the price, distribution, and product choices offered to a given customer or set of customers. It can be fixed. For example, if there is excessive production capacity in the next few hours, the printer may be willing to temporarily devalue the wholesale price to meet the short-term capacity, and the web server host. In response, can immediately modify the sales offer displayed to the customer via the Internet to increase demand. At very fast times (eg 2 hours), there is no incremental (limit / variation) cost for processing the customer's order, and the system can re-time the order queue to manage capacity variation. The schedule becomes possible. This allows the web server host to charge a higher price on the preferred order to provide the preferred service at no additional cost.</p><p> Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description and drawings.</p>

<figref num="1">Schematic block diagram of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="1A">The upper half of the schematic block diagram of the system according to one embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="1B">The lower half of the schematic block diagram of the system according to one embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="2">Schematic top view of the print job layout.</figref><figref num="2A">Schematic top view of the print job layout.</figref><figref num="3">A flow diagram showing the design of a print job on a web browser.</figref><figref num="4">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4A">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4B">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4C">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4D">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4E">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4F">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4G">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4H">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4I">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4J">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4K">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4L">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4M">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4N">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4O">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4P">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4Q">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4R">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4S">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4T">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4U">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4V">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="4W">Web page by one implementation.</figref><figref num="5">Schematic showing the connection of system elements.</figref><figref num="6">Print and post-print process flow diagram.</figref><figref num="7">The schematic diagram which shows the farm composition of the server in the system by one implementation.</figref><figref num="8">The schematic which shows the queue processing system.</figref>

(Description) The practice of the present invention includes a correlation element. We will first briefly discuss these factors and their relationships, and then discuss them in more detail later.

The implementation of the print job management system 10 is schematically shown in FIGS. 1, 1A, and 1B. A potentially huge number of personal and market customers (eg, thousands or even hundreds of thousands or even millions) want to order separate print jobs (generally short-term print jobs, That is, the Internet 14 via a web browser 13 (or similar interactive communication software) running on a personal computer or other electronic device 11 (jobs less than 40,000, usually 250-5,000 units). To access. Customers can access the system through any of several different types of entry ports 15 within the print job management system. Several types of entry ports can be characterized by economic and market characteristics. Entry port types include home office / small office computer entry port 15a, intermediary ports (such as specialty stationery stores) 15b, and large enterprise entry ports 15c (such as large enterprise communications departments). be able to. Other entry ports need not be based on a web browser, but can be, for example, an email link 15d and a dial-up voice telephone line 15e. The system can also be integrated with the bidding system or "electronic hub (eHub)" bidding sites (electronic hub portal 15f) such as Noosh, Impresse, Collabria, and Ariba.

The term "print job" refers to an individual print job, such as a single design version of a given quality business pamphlet, such as 1000 pamphlets. The term "order" refers to a group of print jobs that are ordered at the same time, such as business cards, letterhead, and business envelopes. For some customers, part of a large corporate communications program where each print job contains hundreds of different documents, each with a common graphic element and a custom text associated with each document. May be.

Through the Internet 14, each customer can access Website 16 including Website Studio 16a, which provides design software available from Central Web Server 18. The website studio will be discussed in more detail below, which allows each customer to design one or more bespoke print jobs such as business cards, pamphlets, postcards, folders, letterhead, and envelopes. Will be possible. Customers choose from a limited selection of standardized paper, formats (provided to users in the form of templates with user-specific data fields), colors, and quality. The website studio software is downloaded from the server as part of the web page displayed to the user and the user's browser Run on The, users perform a single design function locally on their browser by completing the selected template using the Design Wizard, or use the Design Studio. Allows you to use more complex design features. Normally, only the results of the design process are uploaded to the server as print jobs. Templates are created using XML format or any other suitable format. Alternatively, the customer or professional designer can use the website studio itself or use desktop publishing software to generate their own template and use it on the server's website studio. Can be uploaded to.

As shown in Figure 1, two types of data pass back and forth between the customer and the system, and there are two series of processes that work with this data. The data can be classified as graphic print data 115 (in FIG. 1, graphic print job data 117, template 119, and web studio software 121), and commercial print job data 123. The processing of this data is divided into two parts. That is, what is done between the customer and the system shown in FIG. 1A and what is done between the system and the printer shown in FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 1, the system has storage devices at various points for storing data. For example, some are stored in the customer's PC storage 111, some in the system data storage 20/22, and some in the printer data storage 113.

The data storage device of the system is shown in detail by FIG. 1A. The customer's data entry when the order is placed is stored in the central database 20 and / or network storage 22 depending on the nature of the data, as discussed below. The network storage 22 stores all of the graphic files that define the print job, such as logos, fonts, background, layout, and frame design, while the central database 20 is printed, among other things, among others. Remember all non-graphical information, such as text and business information that you need to print and distribute your job. The central database 20 also stores information about the customer, such as the customer's name and address, and stores non-graphic elements of the website studio template (the graphic elements stored in the network storage device are the template and Referenced by document layout).

After the customer completes the design of the print job, the customer places an order, for example, using the Purchase Wizard 16b, as discussed below. The customer's print job is sent to the server in XML format, and then the XML file is converted by the server into a digital format, for example postscript file 128 (Figure 1B). The back-end print server 28 then automatically aggregates or "groups" the customer's PostScript files with multiple PostScript files from other customers into a joint print sheet ("Layout"). To generate. To achieve this, the backend server assembles individual PostScript files to create layout 130 (Figure 1B), and different individual print jobs are configured on each part of the layout. File. For example, as shown in Figure 2, 133 different business card print jobs 50 of the same size are aggregated into a single large print sheet, such as a large format print sheet with a measure of 1.0m x 0.6m. Can be printed on top of 52. In another example, the different sizes and shapes of the print jobs can be aggregated, eg, shown in Figure 2A and discussed below. The organization of different print jobs on layout 130 is defined by a set template that characterizes where the cuts need to be made after printing to separate the different print jobs. The choice of which print job to place on a given layout and in what configuration is discussed below.

Commercial information about the customer's order (eg, shipping address, shipping date, etc.) is stored in the customer information file 132 (Figure 1B). The customer information file 132 is aggregated with other customer files to create an aggregate metafile 134 that contains all the commercial information for the customer's print job (the same customer whose postscript files are aggregated on the layout). ). The aggregate metafile 134 also includes, for example, the batch number (template layout reference number), the number of the sheet to print, and the cut used to cut the printed sheet into individual printed print jobs. Includes commercial information about print runs, such as templates.

The aggregate metafile is presented by the backend server to website 136, which is accessible to the printing company 138 who wants to sell the printing service to the web server host. Aggregate metafile 134 contains commercial details of print runs performed using PostScript layout file 130 (eg, number of sheets, paper type, and deadline). As discussed below, printing companies with unused capacity bid on contracts to print print runs. In general, contracts are automatically awarded to bidders who offer the most competitive bids based on certain criteria, such as lead time, quality, history, price, or other factors. Successful bidder contractual obligations and postscript layout files and aggregate metafiles are then sent by the backend server to the printing company, for example server 32 located at the printing site.

The postscript layout file produces a four-color photographic printing plate 110 (FIG. 1B) for use on an automated large-scale offset printing machine 30 during RIPing (raster image processing) on printing equipment 29. Converted to the color-separated pre-print format used by standard computer-to-plate systems. Depending on the large offset press, (a) a sheet feed press with a sheet format of 530 x 740 or higher and a linear printing speed of 12,000 sheets or more per hour, or (b) 20 inches or higher. It means either a rotary printing press having the above roll width and a printing speed of 40,000 iph (inch per hour). Large-scale offset presses include, for example, Heidelberg, Speedmaster, and other similar or larger press production systems. The server 32 provides a browser interface used by the person running the printing press (the "print operator"). Information on how to set up and perform each print run is provided to the print operator in a single format through the browser interface, as discussed below. The plate is standard four-color process ink based on metafile information provided by the back-end printing server to the operator on a web browser-based computer display 32 at the operator's station. Used to print the desired number of copies on standard printing paper loaded by a print operator.

The printed sheet is then transferred to a cutting station (FIG. 1B) where it is cut and stored in individual print jobs 142, as discussed below. In some practices (such as presentation folders or envelopes), additional post-print processing such as folding and / or gluing is performed. The order is then immediately shipped to each customer using the shipping information displayed on the computer display 34 in the shipping area of the printing device.

Most customers "prepay" when placing an order (for example, provide credit card billing information). Customers of some companies can send invoices. Generally, a customer's credit card is debited until the customer's order is shipped. I can't. After the shipment, the back-end print server sends the metafile 144 back to the web server and notifies the web server of the status of each customer's order. After the order has been successfully shipped, the backend server interacts with the processing center 146 so that the customer's account is debited, or, in the case of a corporate customer, sends an invoice to the enterprise. ..

Customer interface with the internet The only requirement for a customer accessing the system through one of the browser-based entry port types mentioned above to use the print job management system is standard, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later. A computer that links to the Internet with modern web browsers. The customer accesses the website 16 by entering the URL address of the website in the browser. Other entry ports do not even require the customer to access the browser. For example, the dial-up voice telephone link 15e can be used to enter information by punching a key on the voice or telephone keypad.

The design and ordering process is done through the website. The rest of the system is "invisible" to the customer. The customer's order is printed and distributed to the customer without the need for further interaction, but the customer uses the website to progress the order through the printing process and shipping the order to the customer. It is possible to track.

Website studio Website Studios allow customers to design their own print jobs using a browser for design selection and editing. Website Studios is a user-friendly "what you see" that allows customers to select a basic design for a desired print item (eg, a business card or stationery) and then edit that design. Use a feature called "What You Get" ("WYSIWYG"). This feature is similar to that of existing desktop word processing publishing products, making it easier for most customers to use the website.

Using a browser and part of the website studio's design wizard, as shown in Figure 3, customers have a wide range of choices (eg, business cards, letterheads, invitations, brochures, and marketing. Select the printed item from (Material), select the basic choices such as page orientation (portrait or landscape), look at the various design templates available for that item, and select one You can complete the template (for example, by feeding new text, uploading a graphic file, and adjusting the font) and save the resulting design. Customers can then add items to their shopping cart, place orders, or use parts of the design studio of the website studio to carry out further design modifications. The design process will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4-4O. After the customer is satisfied with the design, the customer adds the design to their shopping cart as a print job and the purchase wizard, or other purchase function, as discussed below with reference to Figures 4P-4W. You can use to place an online order and prepay the order over a secure connection.

Customers are offered a relatively limited standard paper selection, which allows for easy and cost-effective aggregation of print jobs and printer setup, as discussed below. In addition, the customer selects from a predetermined printing amount, for example, a plurality of 250 units (250, 500, 1000, etc.).

Following the steps described above, the customer enters the system from his personal computer. Some of these steps can be bypassed when using other entry ports, such as intermediary port 15b. For example, a customer may not use the purchase wizard to place an order and pay for it.

Figures 4-4O show web pages from a website studio used in one practice of the present invention. To begin the design process, the customer first navigates from the home page (not shown) to the Design Wizard (Figures 4-4E). The Design Wizard is a standard Windows (Registration) with buttons called "Back", "Next", and "Finish" that give customers the feeling of familiarity and user friendliness, for example. Trademark) Similar to the Wizard application, it is configured to be visible to customers. In the Design Wizard, the customer selects the item that the customer wants to design (for example, a business card or other item in Figures 4-4E). For business card design, the Design Wizard has a Welcome screen (Figure 4), an Orientation screen that allows customers to choose between horizontal and vertical cards (Figure 4). Figure 4A), a template browser screen (Figure 4B) that allows the customer to choose between a variety of different design templates (not shown), a selection where the customer has the customer's information. An Information screen (Figure 4C) that fills out several fields to complete the design template, and a review that allows the customer to review before and after the obtained business card (Figure 4C). Review) · Includes screens (Figures 4D and 4E). After reviewing the card, the customer can either (a) go back (Back) edit the card, (b) go to checkout (the purchase wizard described below), or (c) design. Go to the studio (Go to

The design studios used in one implementation of the present invention are shown in Figures 4F-4O. When a customer opens a design studio, the customer first sees an initial screen with a loading bar (Figure 4F) showing the situation of downloading the design studio to the customer's browser. A similar loading bar is provided each time something (eg, a font) is downloaded from the web server to the customer's browser. Design studios have toolbars and other features similar to those used in standard word processing and desktop publishing user interfaces, so again, customers are said to be software savvy. Have emotions and find that the software is easy to use. In the case of the loading bar, the notification that the application is loading is comfortable for the user, even if the user is not loading on the user's computer in the usual sense that it has been moved from the hard disk to memory. is there. Design Studio also has a standard "Startup" similar to other Windows® applications. Tips) Includes a dialog box (Figure 4G) and a help program.

In the design studio, the customer chooses a background from a variety of choices (Figure 4H) and uses the Picker drop-down list (Figure 4I) to select other design features (Figure 4I). Logos, card layouts, color schemes, designs, and fonts), modify those design features, add logos (Figure 4I), select a color scheme (Figure 4J), and color the selected text. Change (Fig. 4K), change image characteristics such as logo (Fig. 4L), look at the back of the card (Fig. 4M), in front of the printed card You can preview exactly what the rest will look like (Figures 4N and 4O). Design studios feature on-the-spot editing. That is, the customer can double-click the item and change it directly. While in the design studio, customers can make as many modifications as they want to fonts, colors, card layouts, and so on. Customers can also choose to view the design in low resolution, medium resolution, or high resolution. In some implementations, the customer can add text or graphics to the back of the card, in which case in most implementations the existing "advertising" text will be automatically deleted and this deletion will be a purchase. Automatically selected as a purchase option for the wizard. Customers can also choose a blank back as a purchase option.

If desired, the customer using the design studio can upload a graphic file containing, for example, the customer's logo. This file can be created, for example, using graphic design software, downloaded from the Internet, captured with a digital camera, or scanned with an image scanner. In general, the file should have a relatively high resolution, for example at least 300dpi. Most standard graphic file types are favored. The customer's graphic file is stored in network storage 22, referenced by an XML file created by the customer in the website studio, and when the postscript file is created, the postscript file for the customer's print job. Will be added to.

When the customer is satisfied with the design of the card, the customer can proceed to checkout (purchase wizard) or save the completed design (customer's print job) for a later purchase. .. In either case, the customer's print job is stored in the central database 20 in XML format. The XML file contains the size and orientation of the document, the page number, and the margins, background, frame design (if any) for each page, and the text and graphic elements on the page and their characteristics (color, font,). Size etc.) is included.

Website Studios aims to upload information such as the owner of a small business that wants to "do everything" and the company's address or phone number before ordering or reordering the printed material. Designed for use by customers with no graphics technology experience or special software knowledge, such as a company worker.

For users with graphic design experience and desktop publishing software, the web server is Quark Express and Adobe. It provides a complete toolset that coexists with the latest desktop publishing software, such as InDesign software. Therefore, print jobs should be designed by a graphic artist using professional desktop publishing software and then uploaded to a web server to distribute access to other users in the customer's company. Can be done. For example, a graphic artist can define fixed and variable fields, and then without changing the fixed fields (eg, the entire print job design and graphic), the administrator or other designated company. Employees can be given access to enter information (eg, company address and phone) in variable fields. As a result, customers with access to desktop publishing software can create their own templates rather than being limited to the templates provided by the web server host. When the template is uploaded to the web server, the graphic data (logo, font, background, and design) and all other data It is divided. The graphic data is still in its original format, as discussed above, and is stored in network storage 22. The rest of the data and layout information is converted to XML format and stored in the central database 20.

Unlike other previous server-based methods, website studios use browser-based processing when customers are interactively working to design print jobs. In addition, it enables high-speed processing. Website Studios uses Javascript and DHTML technologies for customer graphic design. That is, the web page that the customer receives and views is not just a static visual display, but a graphic that runs on the customer's browser, just like any other application running on a computer. Includes design programs (website studio). Therefore, the customer can use the browser interface to perform graphic design without interacting with the web server and thus consuming the resources of the web server.

In most implementations, graphic elements such as fonts, backgrounds, and logos used by the website studio are in the library of network storage 22 so that the website studio can be quickly downloaded by the customer. The copy is stored in the printing company's information system 29, as discussed below. Therefore, the graphic element only needs to be downloaded to the browser by the web server when it is selected by the customer during the design process. The XML file obtained from the design process (customer's print job) refers to the appropriate information in the centrally stored library. The library is replicated at the printing company, so graphic elements can be inserted during RIP ing using OPI (Open Pre-Print Interface) technology. The library can be distributed on a regular basis using CD-ROM publication or other distribution techniques so that all parties to the system are working from the same library.

Post-design processing, such as high-resolution proofing and processing of files, is queued separately and processed by the backend server, regardless of the web server, because customers are asked to do these. This is because we are not waiting for the processing to complete, so processing speed is not an issue.

The web studio can also include a dynamic shopping cart, which allows customers to access the shopping cart at any time during the design to add or remove items. Become.

Web studio applications are module-based and offer an open development architecture. Different modules are plugged into the core library to provide additional functionality. For example, the Undo / Redo history manager is in a separate module that can be revoked by removing some links or by replacing it with a newer and more powerful module that conforms to the same architecture as the current module. is there.

Web studio applications use style sheets to "styling" the interface into a regular Windows®-like interface. Stylesheets allow an application to have a smaller overall size as the styling policy is concentrated on several modules that are reused on the application's web pages. By providing a centralized styling policy, the web server host can also simply style. You can change the look and feel of the web studio interface at any time by changing.

In one implementation, the module uses the Internet Explorer XML DOM implementation. You can use these features to create a real-time renderer that takes any XML document and uses XML stylesheet (XSL) transformations to transform the document into a WYSIWYG preview. These integrated features allow for a small and fast rendering / editing engine.

HTC (HTML component) can be used to improve scalability and processing speed. Web studio applications can also be designed to behave differently based on the results of the XSL transformation, simply by using different previewing style sheets (CSS). Thus, after rendering, the resulting preview can be a simple "flat" preview or an editable document that the user can interact with.

When the XML document model is extended to VML (Vector Markup Language), website studios can render documents created by the most common office applications, such as Microsoft Word. The user can then modify such a document and send it to a web server for printing. This feature improves the coexistence of websites with regular Windows® applications. By extending the XML document model to VML, website studio applications also draw more complex shapes (eg ellipses, rounded rectangles, and curves) to create color gradients and color schemes. In addition to complex objects, and transformations can be used to allow users to design and print complex documents to suit their needs.

Purchase Wizard The purchasing wizard used in one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4P-4W. Like the Design Wizard, the Purchase Wizard appears to customers as a standard Windows wizard application. The wizard can be configured to run on the user's browser or on the web server, depending on the web server host's preferences and resources. The final purchase information is sent over a secure server connection. The wizard includes a welcome screen (Figure 4P), a review screen (Figure 4Q) that gives the customer a last chance to review the design, and the customer enters the shipping address and selects the order quantity. One or more Options screens (Figure 4S) that provide customers with update options, such as an Address screen (Figure 4R) that allows them to do so, and remove ad text on the reverse side. , A delivery screen that allows the customer to choose a distribution option, such as priority distribution (Figure 4T), a screen that notifies the customer that an order has been submitted to the server (Figure 4U), and the customer Includes a Billing INformation screen (Figure 4V) that allows you to enter billing information, and a Payment Confirmation screen (Figure 4W) that asks the customer for a final confirmation.

After the order is issued, the server stores the customer's order information, including commercial information about the order, in the central database 20. In some implementations, relatively low-cost items, such as business cards, are provided to customers free of charge by the web server host. Costs to print these items It can be reclaimed by the web server host by renewing, such as faster distribution, and by charging for the sale of complementary items, such as in the case of business cards. For example, as discussed above, the web server host will include an advertisement on the back of each free card (eg, "www.vistaprint.com Free Business Card"), and the customer will see this advertisement on the customer's. If you do not want it to appear on your card, you can charge a fee.

For all orders, the web server host may charge additional charges for sophistication, such as priority services and glossy finishes or other special finishes, if desired.

Customers can obtain support through the website by visiting the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) or the help page (not shown). In some implementations, the website also provides interactive online support, support via email, and / or a free number that customers can call for telephone support. Access to interactive online support, email and telephone support can be limited to certain preferred customers, for example, corporate customers who have an account with the website host, if desired by the website host. Is. Alternatively, the website host can offer these services to all customers for free or charge access.

As discussed above, customers can use their own computers and browsers to access the website studio, or others, such as intermediary port 15b (such as a professional stationery terminal). Type of entry port, or large enterprise entry port 15c (such as the large enterprise communications department) can be used. The entry port does not have to be based on a web browser, but can be, for example, an email link or a dial-up telephone line. Customers can use the website studio without assistance, or print jobs using the website studio, such as graphic designers or professional stationery store diplomats. It is possible to explain to someone who designs.

Web server For some types of entry ports, the web server provides a interaction between the customer and the web studio. The web server uses a normal three-tier architecture to respond to all of the customer's page requests by using server-side scripting to access the server objects that implement the business logic. The object then interacts with the central database and network storage to access the required data.

Data storage device Relationships with tens of thousands (potentially millions) of customers are managed by the system. Each customer's order usually contains relatively large files due to the nature of the color graphic print data. The data storage capacity of the system is robust enough to handle high levels of data storage and data access. The data storage can also act as a link between the front end from which the order is placed, the design studio, the back end printing server, and the shipping, accounting, and marketing systems. A data storage system that can meet these requirements is an Oracle RDBMS or Microsoft SQL Server 7 running on a Unix box.

All data is stored in central database 20 or network storage 22. The stored data includes business information such as customer and order information, as well as design data specific to each customer's print job.

Network storage 22 includes storage (NAS) systems mounted in one or more networks, used by design wizards and studios, including logo, background, font, and frame design, and is used by customers. It is configured to remember all graphic objects uploaded by. The network storage contains a library, which contains all of the background, logos, and fonts used by the Design Wizard and Studio. Information uploaded by the customer is not stored in the library. The library is duplicated and sent to each of the printing companies used by the system for print runs, and the contents of the library are referenced by the PostScript layout file sent to the printing company. Network storage can also include web pages used on website 16.

Depending on the number of customers using the system, a very large amount of data, for example up to several terabytes, is stored in the network storage device 22. Network storage 22 is completely server-independent (including its own contained CPU) and includes a local area network (web server, backend server, and storage), a web server. It is directly connected to the local area network operated internally by the host) and the stored data is made available to the connected servers, namely the web server 18 and the backend print server 28. For writing this description, a single NAS system can typically handle 20 gigabytes to 1 terabyte of data. Therefore, as the need for data space increases, more disks can be added to the NAS (this behavior usually does not require interruption of service), or the limits of each NAS have been reached. When you can add additional NAS to your system. As shown in Figure 5, the web server, central database, and backend server are connected to network storage via Ethernet.

Central database 20 is a relational database management system (RDBMS) that handles all non-graphical data. This database is designed to handle millions of records. As a convention, data is organized in layered form. In one practice, the database contains the following table, which contains the listed fields. (If desired, more, less, or different tables can be used in other implementations.)<u style="single">table</u><u style="single">field</u>Product-specific product (item) ID (ie SKU #) and name, of the product Description, list price, weight (for shipping) Print job-specific print job ID and name, print job XML content, Item SKU # (cards, envelopes, etc.), creation date, last modification date Template-specific template ID and name, template XML content, Item SKU # (cards, envelopes, etc.), creation date, last modification date, Template category Template category-specific category ID and name, Parent category ID (tree structure), Category graphic display Shopper-specific shopper ID, shopper name, number of logins, last login date, Email address / login ID, password order Unique order number, shopper ID reference, order date, Price and tax information, order status, credit card permit number, Shipping method, shipper tracking information, Customer shipping and billing information, including order priorities Ordered item The number of the ordered item, Order number (from order table), item SKU #, quality, Price information, print job ID Same field as shopping cart order, but temporary memory Items in the shopping cart The same fields as the ordered items, but Temporary memory Printer batch (layout) Batch ID number, transmission date, status, Printer ID number and name, print run quality, Actions taken when the layout is created (None, notify the print operator, layout Send to printer, notification and send) Printer batch item batch item ID number, Item number ordered (From the table of ordered items), Batch ID number (from printer batch table), Item status The data resides in the database as long as the system requires it. The data is maintained in the order table to facilitate reordering after the customer's order is completed and shipped. To avoid database overloading, the web server host imposes a time limit on the reorder or charges the customer a nominal fee to keep the user's information in the database for an extended period of time. It is possible to do.

Each time a layout is created, an entry is created in the layout table. Depending on the action taken, the print operator can be notified by email, or an extranet query can be set up to query the table, or the table is about a new layout. It is possible to carry out the process on the printer to be inspected.

The following status codes can be used in the Status field of the order table.

<tables num="1"><img file="JP5117535B2_D0001.tif" /></tables>

Order queuing, pre-print aggregation, and data conversion Pre-print aggregation is performed by a back-end print server pre-print aggregation module that contains a multi-user PostScript file creator, as shown as item 200 in Figure 8. The file creator collects all print jobs received by the web server and queued for printing. The file creator contains four queue processing components, as follows: The first component 202 is an individual postscript file 204 for each customer's design and an individual reference to each customer's postscript file, including job tracking information and other commercial information about the customer's order. Create a metafile 206. The second component 208 collects these PostScript files and aggregates (or "groups") them according to the aggregation parameters (eg, job tracking information and the size of the printing paper used). Generate a PostScript file 210 containing the "N-up" design. The value of N depends on the size of the design, the size of the paper, and the exact layout required for requirements such as edge bleeding. The third component 212 performs an automatic "pre-flight inspection" on each aggregated PostScript file, thus avoiding the need for further manual intervention. Fourth component 214 optimizes the production schedule and routes the final aggregate PostScript file to the raster image processor (RIP) 220 of the print cell.

Print jobs are spatially organized on the master, not in chronological order. As a result, several types of items can be aggregated and organized on a single layout, such as postcards, invitations, and business cards. For example, as shown in Figure 2A, the layout can include business card 50, postcard 53, and invitation 55. When printing any of the aggregate print jobs on both sides, the entire layout is printed on both sides, and the printed print job has blank areas on only one side. Some items, such as envelopes, generally cannot be aggregated with other types of items because they require specific processing after printing.

Aggregation can be performed according to one of several standard set templates, as described above, or "on the fly" in any configuration that harmonizes within the boundaries of the printed sheet. It can be carried out. The pre-print aggregation module is a rules-based program that scans the ordered item table in a central database, for example, on the same distribution date, paper. Aggregate print jobs by searching for items (print jobs) that have the same print requirements, such as grade and post-print processing requirements. The scan is generally continued until enough print jobs have been placed to fill the layout of a given size. The XML file corresponding to the selected print job is then extracted from the document table, converted to a PostScript file, and aggregated, as discussed above.

Printing is typically performed in a base print run of a standard number of sheets, such as 250 sheets. The pre-print aggregation module handles automatically by allocating more print volumes than the number of sheets in the base print run to one or more extra positions on the combined sheet (master). For example, if the base print run is 250 sheets and the customer orders a print volume of 500 sheets, the customer's design occupies two positions on the master, while the customer prints 1000 sheets. If you order, 4 positions will be occupied. The pre-print aggregation module can also distinguish between these different quantities of orders, so when a sufficient order quantity is produced, for example in 500 units, the module will be in a single position for each order. Create a print file that occupies only, increase the base print run to 500 sheets, and further reduce the cost of the unit. Also, one or more positions on the master may remain blank in different cases where insufficient orders have been received over a period of time.

In some implementations, the pre-print aggregation module will provide digital management of queues to allow customers to choose to have their own orders prioritized for additional costs. It is composed. The preferred order is queued before the non-preferred order, so the non-preferred order is printed after the immediate printed priority order, for example after 5-7 days. As a result, all orders can be shipped immediately after printing without the need for the printing company to classify and set aside non-priority orders. If there are some particularly high priority jobs waiting to be printed, the program aggregates these jobs and immediately aggregates them without waiting for enough orders to be received to fill the layout. Send to print to.

Backend printing interface The back-end print server does not interact directly with the customer. The back-end print server performs processing (eg, print job aggregation and printer preparation and optimization) that takes place after the customer designs and orders the print job. Communication between a back-end print server and a print subcontractor is generally handled on a dedicated lease line due to the large amount of real-time data transfer from the back-end print server to the print production floor.

As mentioned above, after the print jobs have been aggregated and queued by the preprint job module, the resulting layout and aggregate metafiles are sent by the backend printing server to the specified printing company. To. The printing company to which the data is sent can be selected by an automatic bidding process. This will be described below. The digital data is then used to create a color separation offset printing plate according to the layout. The print plate is generally prepared before the time allotted for the print run. For example, the layout and metafile are sent at least 1 hour before the scheduled print run and the plates are formed immediately (plate formation generally takes about 10-15 minutes or less).

After the print plate is formed, the press operator prints for an aggregate print run, for example, 250 sheets for a run of 250 sheets of business cards and an "extra amount". Load the specified grade and quality of paper. To this end, the operator displays information from the metafile about the print run on his workstation. Focus on a browser-based device. A print run is then performed to obtain the desired number of print sheets, for example, a stack of 250 print sheets for a run of 250 sheets. The system can organize multiple aggregate print runs that use the same paper base, thus eliminating the need to change the paper.

Post-print processing With reference to Figures 1B and 6, several steps are taken after the print run. These steps include cutting, post-forming (in some cases), sorting, packing, and shipping. These steps are described in detail below.

A print job that is part of an order (eg letterhead) can be retained until another print job that is part of the same order (eg envelope) is prepared. (In some cases, different parts of the customer's order can be printed on different printers, in which case they will be shipped separately). In some cases it is also possible to track shipments and inform customers about the location / status of the order.

Cutting and forming To cut the stack of sheets into print jobs for individual customers, the operator was printed again by focusing on the terminal information and / or on the printing plate or in the margin area of the printing sheet (eg, figure). 2 Barcode 51) Select the appropriate template by noting the batch number (or "template layout reference number"). The sheet is moved as a stack to a cutting station (eg, guillotine cutter), the template is placed on top of the stack of sheets, and the operator enters the template layout reference number into another terminal to guillotine cutter. (Or the template layout reference number is automatically downloaded to your device). The guillotine cutter then cuts the stack of sheets to form individual stacks of items (eg, business cards, postcards, etc.). In a large number of application areas, the guillotine cutter can be replaced by an automatic cutting device or blanking device, such as that used to cut labels. Guillotine cutters are used for most items, such as business cards, postcards, and other flat items, but some items require other post-formation processes. For example, envelopes are formed using standard envelope forming equipment, including hydraulic die cutters and envelope folding glue machines. Folding glue machines generally have a relatively large amount (eg 150, Since it requires 000 units or more), it is necessary to accumulate print sheets from the print run until the required unit quantity is reached. Markers are placed between each print job and subsequent print jobs to keep track of individual print jobs. This can be achieved, for example, by using a heavy, brightly colored cardboard sheet as a template, in a given order, on each stack of printed items, brightly colored, sturdy. Brings a good marker. The stack of items can then be stacked and set aside, or transferred directly to the envelope folding glue machine and placed there until a sufficient number of sheets have been collected to operate the machine. ..

Other items that require post-processing, such as folders, are processed using well-known appropriate cutting and post-forming techniques. Classification and shipping After the disconnect is complete, the operator notes a simple instruction displayed by the terminal that shows how to package the item. The order also indicates, for example, if a customer orders both a business card and letterhead stationery, a stack of items should be set aside until a subsequent print run is complete.

The shipping label is automatically printed by a printer attached to one of the browser-based terminals, allowing the operator to easily label the package for shipping. Labels include barcodes that facilitate shipping using optical reader-based systems, such as those commonly used by UPS and FedX carriers. When using these carriers, the information scanned by the optical reader is a web server to track the location of the shipment and, if desired, notify the customer of the location and / or status of the customer's order. Can be used by the host. After the order is packed and labeled, the operator can simply drop it into a carrier bin (eg, UPS bin) on the site.

As discussed above, most customers pay in advance during the order, but some corporate customers have an account with a web server host, which creates an invoice and pays later. .. Debiting and invoiced to the customer is performed by the backend server when it receives a metafile from the printing device that indicates that the order has shipped successfully.

Printing equipment and carriers are paid by an automatic account payable management system after successful printing and shipping. System scalability With reference to Figure 7, Figure 1 shows a single web server for clarity, but systems generally have two or more web servers to accumulate a very large number of users. including. For example, for up to about 2 million visits per month, the system's browser-based processing expects a small, dedicated print processing server farm with less than five servers. The system can be scaled to accumulate multiples of this visit by simply adding more servers.

The server is configured as a "web server farm". That is, all the servers used are exactly the same, and the system architecture handles additional customer requests that existing servers cannot handle by simply adding the same extra servers to the farm. It is carried out so that it can be done. The backend print server 28 is also placed in the farm configuration.

In a farm configuration, loads are split among the available servers, so if more servers are needed due to system overload or server corruption, loads are added and removed, and one is added and removed. Or after being replaced, it continues to be correspondingly split between servers.

Automatic bid exchange for printing services As shown in Figure 1, the web server host supplies digital data (layouts) and informational data (metafiles) from the system's servers with several printing companies. Have a trader relationship. The system includes a program that includes a digital database that contains metafiles for each layout. The program responds to customer orders by purchasing printing services based on automatic real-time bidding on merchandise costs (ie, paper and ink costs and / or amortization). By accessing certain parts of the program over the Internet, printing companies bid on short-term printing services based on the use of printer capacity at the time the printing services are needed. For example, when a printing company predicts a short-term situation of unused capacity, the printing company generally prices for that time period just above the marginal (commodity) cost. The program selects the most attractive bids from the printing companies and sends the digital data to those companies. Capacity directing and redirecting can take place right up to the very moment of production release.

The program is configured to give printing contracts to the printing company, which is the lowest bidder, or to give contracts based on a group of selection criteria, such as quality, lead time, price, and history. It is possible to do.

A printing company may, for example, present information about one-time availability, by presenting information about long-term availability (eg, a time slot is available daily or weekly), or a web server host. By responding to information about the layout presented by, it is possible to enter the bidding process through a website operated by a web server host. In some practices, the website is configured to see only information about the layout that the printer can print on (ie, the printer is more than a format that the printer's press can store). I don't see any information about layouts in large formats).

In some cases, the bidding process is completely bypassed. For example, if the web server has a layout that is particularly suitable for a particular printing company, and if the web server knows that the printing company is available to print that layout, then the web server. The server can send the layout and meta file to the printing company for bidding by other companies without presenting the layout.

Implementation of the present invention involves dividing the characteristics of a printed product into two main groups: product aspects and costs; informational (or custom) aspects and costs. The mode and cost of the goods are deliberately enforced to remain unchanged in all print jobs. These include paper, ink, and depreciation. Only relatively small sets of various papers that reduce the cost of the paper to the minimum necessary are acceptable. Similarly, only standard process inks that reduce the cost of the ink to the minimum necessary are acceptable. Finally, the cost of printing equipment (including depreciation) also takes on the nature of the product across many jobs to be printed. The goal is to reduce these costs to the minimum necessary that can be achieved if the press is operated at full capacity and the setup time is zero. Costs are truncated towards this result by using technology that reduces setup time to the minimum necessary, giving printer equipment owners a medium that easily fills essentially all unused capacity. ..

On the information (custom) side, the content, price, distribution, and other period definitions of each print job, the ability to reduce inadequate use of capacity, color definition and confirmation, quality variation, distribution and invoicing. Details, switching and setup details, marketing and sales efforts, etc. On this information side as well, the purpose of the implementation is to use information technology, electronic communications, and other technologies to reduce costs (theoretically near zero).

Other embodiments are included within the scope of the claims. For example, fixed and variable fields were discussed above in the context of customer-defined templates, but in some implementations, web server hosts provide templates that have this feature as part of their website studio. It is possible.