A printing apparatus includes a control unit configured to control a printing unit to start printing on sheets after confirming that a number of sheets used for printing does not exceed an upper limit number of sheets bindable by a first binding processing in a case where the first binding processing is specified and control the printing unit to start printing on sheets without confirming that a number of sheets used for printing does not exceed an upper limit number of sheets bindable by a second binding processing in a case where the second binding processing is specified.

A printing system is provided with a dummy data insertion unit configured to insert dummy data into print data based on waiting time occurring when post-processing is performed by a post-processing device (for example, a collating machine). In a printing unit, a dummy page is printed on the basis of the dummy data. A dummy page removing unit configured to remove a dummy page from printed printing paper so that the dummy page is not supplied to the post-processing device is provided between the printing device and the post-processing device.

In a case where a first sheet paper having a first size is contained and a second sheet paper having a second size is not contained, a printer sends capability information including first size information indicating that the first size is contained and second size information indicating that the second size is contained to a terminal device. The printer receives image data and selection information indicating that a target size has been selected, and in a case where the selection information indicates that the second size has been selected as the target size, the printer executes the predetermined process on the first sheet paper, and in a case where the selection information indicates that the first size has been selected as the target size, the printer does not execute the predetermined process on the first sheet paper.

A medium stacker includes a stacking portion, a rotary portion, a medium holder, a medium mover, and circuitry. The stacking portion has a stacking face to stack a sheet medium on which an image is formed. The rotary portion is configured to hold a leading end of the sheet medium in a sheet conveyance direction, reverse the sheet medium on the stacking face of the stacking portion, and convey the sheet medium. The medium holder is configured to hold the sheet medium when the sheet medium is conveyed by the rotary portion. The medium mover is configured to move the sheet medium to a predetermined position in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet medium while the sheet medium is held by the rotary portion. The circuitry is configured to control the rotary portion and the medium mover.

A printing system, including a printing apparatus that sends a print paper after printing to a post-processing machine and a web buffer that temporarily holds a print paper after printing, is provided with: a required print time calculation unit that calculates a required print time for each job; an increase and decrease amount calculation unit that calculates an increase and decrease amount of a consumption amount of the buffer per set for each job on the basis of a difference between a minimum processing time required for a process in a post-processing machine and the required print time; a predicted value calculation unit that obtains a predicted value of the consumption amount of the web buffer by accumulating increase and decrease amounts; and a conveyance control unit that controls a conveyance speed of print paper on the basis of the predicted value.

An information processing method performs steps for an information processing apparatus to communicate with an image forming apparatus having first and second sheet output sections. The second sheet output section can be switched between a close position to serve to guide a sheet to the first sheet output section, and an open position not to guide the sheet to the first sheet output section but to stack the sheet. The method inputs a type of sheet, acquires information indicating whether the second sheet output section is in an open or closed state, and transmits image information to the image forming apparatus. When the sheet type recommends the sheet be output to the second sheet output section and the second sheet output section is in the closed state, a message is output to prompt to switch the second sheet output section into the open position before the image information is transmitted.

An image forming apparatus includes a display, and a scanner that reads one or more originals to obtain image data of the originals and a number of the originals. A memory device stores a set of instructions, and at least one processor executes the instructions to, among other things, display a first screen including an item for accepting a designation, by a user, of an insertion position of an insertion sheet. If a designation for insertion of the insertion sheet is made, the item includes an initial value of the insertion position that is determined based on the number of the originals that have been read by the reader. The at least one processor also executes the instructions to display a second screen including information related to the insertion sheet in accordance with receiving the designation by the user via the first screen.

A sheet discharge device includes at least one sheet discharge tray, a sheet discharge position adjustment actuator, and a controller. The sheet discharge tray receives discharged sheets. The discharge position adjustment actuator adjusts discharge positions of the discharged sheets on the at least one sheet discharge tray. The controller compares a first rotation amount of first print data printed on a first sheet with a second rotation amount of second print data printed on a second sheet. In response to a determination that the first rotation amount is different than the second rotation amount, the controller controls the sheet discharge position adjustment actuator to (a) discharge the first sheet to a first discharge position and (b) discharge the second sheet to a second discharge position different than the first discharge position.

A medium stacker includes a stacking portion, a rotary portion, a medium holder, a medium mover, and circuitry. The stacking portion has a stacking face to stack a sheet medium on which an image is formed. The rotary portion is configured to hold a leading end of the sheet medium in a sheet conveyance direction, reverse the sheet medium on the stacking face of the stacking portion, and convey the sheet medium. The medium holder is configured to hold the sheet medium when the sheet medium is conveyed by the rotary portion. The medium mover is configured to move the sheet medium to a predetermined position in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet medium while the sheet medium is held by the rotary portion. The circuitry is configured to control the rotary portion and the medium mover.

An information processing method performs steps for an information processing apparatus to communicate with an image forming apparatus having first and second sheet output sections. The second sheet output section can be switched between a close position to serve to guide a sheet to the first sheet output section, and an open position not to guide the sheet to the first sheet output section but to stack the sheet. The method inputs a type of sheet, acquires information indicating whether the second sheet output section is in an open or closed state, and transmits image information to the image forming apparatus. When the sheet type recommends the sheet be output to the second sheet output section and the second sheet output section is in the closed state, a message is output to prompt to switch the second sheet output section into the open position before the image information is transmitted.