For a multi-pass printing, an image of a unit area is printed by M printing scans of M print regions of first and second nozzle arrays. Each of N pieces of column data is printed by a different printing scan. Ejection data for the first nozzle array is generated using a first mask pattern and ejection data for the second nozzle array is generated using a second mask pattern different from the first mask pattern, for each of the N pieces of column data. On that basis, the first mask pattern and the second mask pattern have a complementary relationship in each of the M print regions. Further, in each of the first mask pattern and the second mask pattern, a combination of print regions, of the M print regions, for printing dots at the same position on the print medium has a mutually complementary relationship.

For a multi-pass printing, an image of a unit area is printed by M printing scans of M print regions of first and second nozzle arrays. Each of N pieces of column data is printed by a different printing scan. Ejection data for the first nozzle array is generated using a first mask pattern and ejection data for the second nozzle array is generated using a second mask pattern different from the first mask pattern, for each of the N pieces of column data. On that basis, the first mask pattern and the second mask pattern have a complementary relationship in each of the M print regions. Further, in each of the first mask pattern and the second mask pattern, a combination of print regions, of the M print regions, for printing dots at the same position on the print medium has a mutually complementary relationship.

Provided are an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a dither mask set, and an image recording apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of banding and color unevenness without productivity decrease. Halftone processing is performed with respect to image data of a first color, in a range of a part of a recording duty, using a dither mask that realizes a first nozzle jetting rate in which a nozzle jetting rate of an end part nozzle is suppressed to be smaller than a nozzle jetting rate of a central nozzle. Further, halftone processing is performed with respect to image data of a second color different from the first color, using a dither mask that realizes a second nozzle jetting rate having smaller difference between the nozzle jetting rate of the end part nozzle and the nozzle jetting rate of the central nozzle than that in the first nozzle jetting rate.

An oval printing machine includes a guide, defining a closed path (P); one or more supports, movable on the guide, the one or more supports being adapted to support items to be printed; one or more operating stations positioned along the path (P) for processing the items to be printed; at least one digital printing station positioned along the path (P), for printing the items supported by the one or more supports. The digital printing station includes a structure substantially integral with the guide, and a first printing element associated with the structure and movable relative to the structure. The printing element is movable in a first direction (D1) that is transversal to a second direction (D2) in which the guide extends at the digital printing station.

The present disclosure prevents a visible pattern corresponding to the pattern of a mask from being noticeable and enables more appropriate printing. A printing apparatus 10 performing printing by an inkjet scheme includes: an inkjet head 102; and a controller 20, configured to control the operation of a main scan driver 16 and a sub scan driver 18 to perform a main scanning operation multiple times on each position on a medium 50. In the main scanning operation, for at least part of ejection positions serving as ejection targets of ink droplets in the main scanning operation, the controller 20 causes the inkjet head 102 to eject an ink droplet in accordance with a mask for selecting part of the at least part of ejection positions. In the main scanning operation at one time, the controller 20 causes the inkjet head 102 to eject an ink droplet in accordance with a preset first mask. In the main scanning operation at another time different from the one time, the controller 20 causes the inkjet head 102 to eject an ink droplet in accordance with a second mask for selecting an ejection position in a pattern different from the first mask.

The present disclosure prevents a visible pattern corresponding to the pattern of a mask from being noticeable and enables more appropriate printing. A printing apparatus 10 performing printing by an inkjet scheme includes: an inkjet head 102; and a controller 20, configured to control the operation of a main scan driver 16 and a sub scan driver 18 to perform a main scanning operation multiple times on each position on a medium 50. In the main scanning operation, for at least part of ejection positions serving as ejection targets of ink droplets in the main scanning operation, the controller 20 causes the inkjet head 102 to eject an ink droplet in accordance with a mask for selecting part of the at least part of ejection positions. In the main scanning operation at one time, the controller 20 causes the inkjet head 102 to eject an ink droplet in accordance with a preset first mask. In the main scanning operation at another time different from the one time, the controller 20 causes the inkjet head 102 to eject an ink droplet in accordance with a second mask for selecting an ejection position in a pattern different from the first mask.

A printing apparatus performing printing by an inkjet scheme includes: an inkjet head; and a controller, configured to control the operation of a main scan driver and a sub scan driver to perform a main scanning operation multiple times on each position on a medium. In the main scanning operation, for at least part of ejection positions serving as ejection targets of ink droplets in the main scanning operation, the controller causes the inkjet head to eject an ink droplet in accordance with a mask for selecting part of the at least part of ejection positions.

A printing apparatus performing printing by an inkjet scheme includes: an inkjet head; and a controller, configured to control the operation of a main scan driver and a sub scan driver to perform a main scanning operation multiple times on each position on a medium. In the main scanning operation, for at least part of ejection positions serving as ejection targets of ink droplets in the main scanning operation, the controller causes the inkjet head to eject an ink droplet in accordance with a mask for selecting part of the at least part of ejection positions.

Provided are an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a program, and an ink jet printing system that can perform image formation capable of preventing the deterioration of image quality caused by bleeding in a case in which printing is performed on cloth. An image processing apparatus 12 acquires base material information 42 including at least information indicating the quality of fiber in cloth which is a medium to be printed and image data 40 to be printed on the cloth and generates a bleeding-prevented image 44 indicating an ink application pattern in which at least one of an ink application position or an amount of ink applied is limited in anticipation of wetting and spreading of the ink in the cloth, on the basis of the base material information 42 and the image data 40.

Provided are an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a program, and an ink jet printing system that can perform image formation capable of preventing the deterioration of image quality caused by bleeding in a case in which printing is performed on cloth. An image processing apparatus 12 acquires base material information 42 including at least information indicating the quality of fiber in cloth which is a medium to be printed and image data 40 to be printed on the cloth and generates a bleeding-prevented image 44 indicating an ink application pattern in which at least one of an ink application position or an amount of ink applied is limited in anticipation of wetting and spreading of the ink in the cloth, on the basis of the base material information 42 and the image data 40.