An example image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus, a processor, and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The processor of the image forming apparatus executes the instructions to render a print job, obtain information regarding a pattern for determining print quality from a rendered image of the print job, scan, through the image forming job unit, a document on which the rendered image is printed, and determine the print quality based on a scanned image of the document and the obtained information regarding the pattern.

An information processing apparatus includes at least one memory device that stores a set of instructions, and at least one processor that executes the set of instructions. The set of instructions includes instructions to acquire color data from an application, set a generation method for generating gray image data from color data by selecting a method from a group including at least a first generation method and a second generation method different from the first generation method, generate PDL data of gray image data based on the acquired color data and the set generation method, and transmit the generated PDL data to a printing apparatus.

An information processing apparatus includes at least one memory device that stores a set of instructions, and at least one processor that executes the set of instructions. The set of instructions includes instructions to acquire color data from an application, set a generation method for generating gray image data from color data by selecting a method from a group including at least a first generation method and a second generation method different from the first generation method, generate PDL data of gray image data based on the acquired color data and the set generation method, and transmit the generated PDL data to a printing apparatus.

In a case where a sample color is outside a color reproduction range of an image forming apparatus, there arises an issue that an adjustment target color cannot be brought close to a user-desired color. An image forming apparatus includes a generation unit configured to cause a printing unit to print a plurality of colors close to an acquired sample color and generate a color conversion table based on a user-selected color among the plurality of printed colors in a case where it is determined that the acquired sample color is outside a color reproduction range of the image forming apparatus, whereas in a case where it is determined that the acquired sample color is not outside the color reproduction range, the generation unit generates a color conversion table without causing the printing unit to print the plurality of colors close to the sample color.

A method for reproducing an out-of-gamut spot color includes determining a color gamut for a color printer, and specifying a spot color by color coordinates in a three-dimensional color space. A first target color is determined corresponding to a color having a minimum color difference to the specified spot color, and a second target color is determined corresponding to a color on the color gamut surface having a hue value equal to a hue value of the specified spot color. A path is defined on the color gamut surface connecting the first target color and the second target color, wherein a control parameter is used to specify a relative position along the defined path. A control parameter prediction function is provided which computes a predicted control parameter value as a function of color coordinates. The predicted control parameter value is used to determine an aim color for reproducing the spot color.

The present disclosure relates generally to data hiding for retail product packaging and other printed objects such as substrates. One embodiment embeds an information signal in a spot color for printing on various substrates. The spot color is screened, and overprinted with process color tint. The tint is modulated prior to overprinting with optimized signal tweaks. The optimization can include consideration of a detector spectral dependency (e.g., red and/or green illumination). Many other embodiments and combinations are described in the subject patent document.

An example image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus, a processor, and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The processor of the image forming apparatus executes the instructions to render a print job, obtain information regarding a pattern for determining print quality from a rendered image of the print job, scan, through the image forming job unit, a document on which the rendered image is printed, and determine the print quality based on a scanned image of the document and the obtained information regarding the pattern.

A system includes an image processing device connected to a transmission and reception device that communicates with an external device, and a terminal device connected to a display device. The image processing device includes an evaluation value calculation processor that calculates, for each of two or more types of output modes, an evaluation value of output image data when image data is output in the output mode, and an evaluation information transmitter that transmits evaluation information including information based on the evaluation value for each of the output modes, to the terminal device, via the transmission and reception device. The terminal device includes a display controller that performs control of displaying, for each of the output modes, the information based on the evaluation value corresponding to the output mode, on the display device, if the evaluation information is received.

An image forming apparatus is obtained in which a request level allowed by a user for image quality degradation is specified, and image adjustment process is executed according to the request level. The request level setting unit 32 (a) causes the printing apparatus 23 to print a test chart for inquiring a user about the request level of the image quality of the print product of the printing apparatus 23, (b) receives the user's response indicating the user's request level for the test chart, (c) specifies the user's request level, and sets the specified request level in the image adjustment process of the printing apparatus 23. The image adjustment processing unit 33 executes image adjustment process corresponding to the set request level.

The disclosure relates to a method for printing a paper web with at least one print motif by means of a digital printing facility. The method includes: providing a digital image of a master sample of the print motif, printing a plurality of copies of a section of the at least one print motif with different color settings, creating digital images of the printed copies, comparing the digital images of the printed copies with the digital image of the master sample, where a degree of similarity is determined in each case, selecting color settings using the determined degrees of similarity and printing the print motif onto the paper web with the selected color settings.