Techniques and systems for sub-pixel grayscale three-dimensional (3D) printing are described. A technique includes mapping a 3D digital model onto a 3D grid of voxels associated with a 3D printer; assigning a first intensity level to first voxels that are fully contained within the model, the first intensity level being sufficient to cure photoactive resin during a curing time; determining, based on geometric information provided by the model, containment degrees for second voxels that are partially contained within the model; assigning second intensity levels to the second voxels based respectively on the containment degrees, the second intensity levels being greater than a third intensity level and lesser than the first intensity level; assigning the third intensity level to third voxels that are outside of the model; and generating one or more graphic files based on the first, second, third voxels, and respectively assigned intensity levels.

An inspection device includes a processor configured to use original image data as correct image data, and in a case where a first inspection of determining quality of read image data as an inspection target is performed using the correct image data, the read image data being obtained by reading an image-formed matter obtained by forming the original image data on a recording medium, perform a second inspection on a contour portion included in the read image data as the inspection target, the second inspection using read image data obtained based on the original image data, as the correct image data.

An MFD is disclosed. For example, the MFD includes a printhead to dispense print material, an enhancement printhead to dispense an enhancement printing fluid, a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions. The instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform operations that include determining that an automated enhancement feature was selected, analyzing each pixel of an image to be printed to determine one or more pixels that are to receive the enhancement printing fluid, controlling the printhead to print the image, and controlling the enhancement printhead to dispense the enhancement printing fluid on the one or more pixels that are to receive the enhancement printing fluid.

Methods are described for printing a three-dimensional structural component onto a base. For example, a method of printing is provided, including receiving a set of predetermined thicknesses for the three-dimensional structural component. The set of predetermined thicknesses has a first thickness and a second thickness. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The method further includes instructing a printing device to print a single layer for the three-dimensional structural component using the set of predetermined thicknesses. The method further includes printing a first portion of the single layer onto the base so that the first portion has the first thickness. The method further includes printing a second portion of the single layer onto the base so that the second portion has the second thickness.

An image forming apparatus includes: a setting unit configured to set an operation mode; and a processing unit configured to perform image processing on image data according to the operation mode. In a case where a first mode is set, the image processing includes determining, in the image data, one or more target pixels having a gradation value equal to or higher than a first threshold value, and one or more adjacent pixels that are different from the one or more target pixels and adjacent to the one or more target pixels, setting a first gradation value lower than the first threshold value as a gradation value of the one or more target pixels, and setting a second gradation value higher than the first gradation value as a gradation value of the one or more adjacent pixels.

An image forming apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set an operation mode, and a processing unit configured to perform image processing on image data according to the operation mode. In a case when a first mode is set, the image processing includes determining, in the image data, one or more target pixels having a gradation value equal to or higher than a first threshold value, and one or more adjacent pixels that are different from the one or more target pixels and adjacent to the one or more target pixels, setting a first gradation value lower than the first threshold value as a gradation value of the one or more target pixels, and setting a second gradation value higher than the first gradation value as a gradation value of the one or more adjacent pixels.

Methods are described for creating a correspondence between percentages of a spot color and print material thicknesses. For example, a method can include printing a set of printed regions on a substrate, wherein each printed region is printed according to a different percentage of a selected spot color. The method can further comprise measuring the thickness of each printed region. The method can further comprise comparing the thickness of each printed region with a target thickness for the printed region. The target thickness for the printed region can be determined according to the percentage of the selected spot color used for printing the printed region. The method can further comprise, for each target thickness, determining an adjusted spot color percentage required to print a layer of structural print material having the target thickness.

An image forming apparatus includes an image processing part performing a correction process and an image forming part respectively forming first and second images on medium. At a boundary of the first and second images, these images have first and second edge portions. When a first image width of the first image data is narrower than a predetermined width, the first image width is defined as a length determined from one portion of the first edge portion, the image processing part performs the correction process by selectively moving one of the first and second edge portions based on a pixel value of the first image. The image processing part obtains a degree of blackness of the first image based on the pixel value. When the degree of blackness is higher than a predetermined value, the image processing part performs the correction process by moving the second edge portion.

An image processing apparatus includes an image-data acquiring unit, a character recognition processing unit, and a monochrome conversion unit. The image-data acquiring unit acquires image data representing an image including a character. The character recognition processing unit performs a character recognition process on the image data to extract a character region. The character region is a region where the character is represented. The monochrome conversion unit converts the image data into monochrome image data when the image data is color image data including a color image. The monochrome image data includes a monochrome image representing the color image with a single color. When a tone difference between the extracted character region and an adjacent region is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the monochrome conversion unit changes a tone of a boundary region between the character region and the adjacent region adjacent to the character region.

In an image forming apparatus that employs a laser scanning optical system that does not use an fθ lens, in the case where magnification correction by insertion/removal of an auxiliary pixel is performed based on the premise of digital PWM, an insertion/removal position of an auxiliary pixel is controlled in accordance with a purpose of each piece of image processing.