In an embodiment an apparatus includes an image acquisition device with at least one camera, the image acquisition device configured to acquire a multi-line section of a recording region and an evaluation device configured to process at least two sub-areas of the multi-line section as one strip image each and compare at least two strip images of a test pattern to each other in a validation mode to check whether deviations of the strip images are detected.

In some examples, photographic mapping of an object takes place during transport at a fixed position by means of a line camera in a sequence of recording periods. An exposure device is exposed for an exposure time that is dependent on the duration of the on-time of the line camera. Each strip-shaped portion of the object to be photographically mapped is exposed, within a recording period, asynchronously for the duration of a first exposure time to white light and for the duration of a second exposure time either to ultraviolet light or to IR light. Each strip-shaped portion of the print image to be photographically mapped is alternately exposed by the exposure device, within the recording period photographically mapping the portion, to white light and either to UV light or to IR light during the duration of the on-time of the line camera.

A detection sensitivity is set such that a detection sensitivity for a defect corresponding to a predetermined local pattern in a reference image, which is a reference printing result, is lower than for a region other than the predetermined local pattern in the reference image. Image data representing an image of an inspection target is acquired and the image of the inspection target is inspected based on the reference image and the set detection sensitivity.

Provided are an inspection method, a program, an inspection device, and a printing device capable of realizing a uniform inspection in a defect inspection of a printed article using a special substrate. A method includes an imaging data acquisition step (S14) of acquiring imaging data (48) of a printed article using a special substrate, a non-printing region positional information acquisition step (S16) of acquiring information (44) for specifying a position of a non-printing region in the imaging data, the non-printing region corresponding to a substrate region of the printed article on which a pattern and a background of the pattern are not printed, an inspection step (S20) of specifying the non-printing region, analyzing the imaging data by applying a predetermined inspection rule (46), and performing an inspection of the printed article, and a notification step (S22) of performing a notification of an inspection result (50) and not performing a notification of an inspection result indicating that a defect is present in the substrate region of the printed article corresponding to the non-printing region.

For determining a match factor regarding color match of a printed product with target values for colors, measuring fields of a printout are spectrally measured and actual measured values of the printout recorded. The target values are compared with actual measured values by determining for the printed product a color value axis from a unique color value as a start point to a second unique color value as end point and interpolation points between the first and second unique color values; determining target values for start and end points and interpolation points; determining actual measured values for start and end points and interpolation points of the printout from the actual measured values; determining a distance value representing the distance between target value and actual measured value for each start point, end point, and interpolation point; and calculating and outputting the match factor as statistical average of the distance values.

An inspection apparatus capable of preventing lowering of position matching accuracy. Control points are positioned in a lattice form on a scanned image of a print product, for performing position matching between the scanned image and a reference image registered in advance. An approximate line of a column and an approximate line of a row intersecting the approximate line of the column are calculated based on two or more control points positioned in the same column and the same row as one control point. One control point determined to be corrected is corrected based on the respective approximate lines of the column and the row. The print product is inspected by comparing a position-matched scanned image generated based on the control points including position-corrected control points and position-updated control points, and the reference image.

A lighting device (23) irradiates a web under conveyance with light. The lighting device includes a light source (43), and an irradiation port (61) configured to open linearly in a widthwise direction of the web at an end portion facing the web. The irradiation port (61) is formed between first and second parallel portions (62b, 63b) where a first plate member (62) and a second plate member (63) parallelly face each other. The web under conveyance is irradiated with linear light. It is possible to provide a lighting device capable of irradiating only an inspection region of a sheet or a web with light.

A method of producing a printed product includes creating a project specification and storing the it on a server, the project specification including a palette of selected master colors, a printing substrate, a printing technique, and an ink base for a printed product; determining whether a quality assurance color is available for each master color, for master colors having an associated quality assurance color, automatically associating quality assurance color information with the master colors; generating a quality assurance package corresponding to the project specification, the quality assurance package including the quality assurance color information; providing a converter with access to the project specification and the quality assurance package; the converter producing the printed product according to the project specification and scoring the printed product against the quality assurance package; and receiving from the converter a score indicative of the printed product's appearance measured against the quality assurance color information.

In some examples, a print control strip includes at least one control patch configured as an element for color management. The element for color management may be configured to measure a color density and/or at least one spectral value and/or an area of coverage of individual printed printing colors. The print control strip further includes at least one control patch configured as a printing mark. The printing mark is configured for aligning a substrate in a transport direction and/or in a transverse direction. Additionally, the print control strip includes at least one control patch configured as a plate recognition patch. The plate recognition patch is configured to assign at least one printing color used to a printing plate and/or to an application mechanism and/or is configured for such assignment.

An image processing apparatus is provided. First information indicating a local displacement between a first document image and a first read image is obtained. The first read image is obtained by reading a print product based on the first document image. A reference image is generated. The reference image is obtained by adding the local displacement in accordance with the first information to a second document image. A second read image and the reference image is compared with each other to perform an inspection of a print product based on the second document image. The second read image is obtained by reading the print product based on the second document image.