When a sum of a first gradation data for a first color and a second gradation data for a second color is greater than the maximum value of thresholds of a first threshold matrix, a generation unit generates a first overlapping gradation data and second overlapping gradation data by dividing a value obtained by subtracting the maximum value from the sum. Further, the generation unit generates a first quantization data based on a result of comparing the first overlapping gradation data with the second threshold or a result of comparing a difference between the first gradation data and the first overlapping gradation data with the first threshold, and generates a second quantization data based on a result of comparing the second overlapping gradation data with the first threshold or a result of comparing a difference between the second gradation data and the second overlapping gradation data with the second threshold.

An image processing apparatus performs a first generation process generating first partial print data by a first color conversion process using a first profile corresponding to a first direction, and a second generation process generating second partial print data using a second color conversion process using a second profile. When a color difference is smaller than a reference, the apparatus sets a printing direction to the first direction, and outputs the first partial print data to a print execution unit for printing the first partial print data while the main scan moves in the first direction. When the color difference is larger than or equal to the reference, the apparatus sets the printing direction to the second direction, and outputs the second partial print data to the print execution unit for printing the second partial print data while the main scan moves in the second direction.

An image processing apparatus sets, for at least one portion of a first image in which a brightness range is a first range, relationship information which associates an input brightness value with an output brightness value, changes, based on the relationship information, brightness values of pixels in the portion, and outputs a second image which has a second range of brightness. The relationship information is generated so as to associate, with each of the brightness values of the pixels in the portion, an output brightness value which does not exceed a value higher than the brightness value by a predetermined value, and to associate, with a brightness value which is not less than a feature amount among the brightness values of the pixels in the portion, a predetermined output brightness value falling within a predetermined range.

Certain examples described herein relate to the halftoning of a color image. In one example, a set of clusters are determined based on the color image. A set of edges are also detected in the color images. Clusters within these edges are then merged. A set of screens for halftoning are assigned to the set of clusters. This assignment is based on color property metrics for the set of clusters. The color image is halftoned using the set of screens assigned to the merged clusters.

A method for generating ejection position data indicating an ejection position where ink is ejected includes performing an edge detection process, an edge correction process, and an ejection position data generation process based on processing target data indicating an image to be printed. In the processing target data, a non-ejection value indicating that ink is not ejected to a corresponding ejection position or an ejection value other than the non-ejection value is set as a pixel value of a pixel. In the edge detection process, a position where a pixel to which the non-ejection value is set and a pixel for which the ejection value is set are adjacent is detected to detect an edge. In the edge correction process, the pixel value of the corresponding pixel is changed to a non-ejection value for at least a part of the ejection position where ink is ejected to draw the edge.

Systems and methods for printing data on a substrate including a color-changeable material are provided. One system includes a processing circuit and a device including an energy source. At least a portion of a printed publication is printed on the substrate using a commercial printing press based on fixed data. The device including the energy source is configured to add variable data to the substrate. The processing circuit is configured to receive the variable data and to control the energy source to change a color of the color-changeable material based on the variable data to provide at least a portion of the printed publication. The processing circuit is configured to control the energy source to change the color of the color-changeable material in-line with a flow of the substrate through one of a printing line, a finishing line, or a packaging line of the commercial printing press.

An image processing method for generating printing data includes correcting, in accordance with a degree of reduction in a dot coverage below a predetermined dot coverage in a region that undergoes printing in an overlapped manner by a first nozzle group and a second nozzle group, at least either of a first sharing ratio for the first nozzle group sharing positions of dots to be formed in an overlapping image region and a second sharing ratio for the second nozzle group sharing positions of dots to be formed to allow a total ratio of the first sharing ratio and the second sharing ratio to exceed 100%, and correcting a color conversion table based on the first sharing ratio and the second sharing ratio, after the correcting of at least either of the first sharing ratio and the second sharing ratio.

An image processing apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set a target region, a first acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of texture data for applying a metal representation on an image, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire an output condition when outputting the target region, a selection unit configured to select texture data based on the output condition, and an application unit configured to apply, to the target region, the texture data selected by the selection unit.

An image forming system capable of preserving appropriate density-gradation characteristics and color output characteristics. An image processing apparatus for executing second calibration is connected to an image forming apparatus for executing first calibration. When an instruction for executing the second calibration in succession to execution of the first calibration is received, the image processing apparatus transmits an inhibition command for inhibiting a print operation to the image forming apparatus, and shifts to an inhibition mode. The image processing apparatus transmits a cancel command for canceling inhibition of the print operation to the image forming apparatus. Even when an instruction for executing the job is received, the image processing apparatus does not transmit the job to the image forming apparatus during the inhibition mode.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating, based on a portrait image, a foreground image mask to indicate foreground pixels of the portrait image; identifying a percentage of white or near white pixels in the foreground by using the foreground image mask and pixel colors in the portrait image; determining whether the percentage of white or near white pixels in the foreground is larger than a predefined threshold; in response to determining, triggering identification of edge pixels in a background of the portrait image; adjusting white background pixels to add shadows by darkening the white background pixels; and adjusting the white or near white pixels in the foreground by darkening the white or near white pixels.