A printing apparatus capable of producing a product having the optimum image layout dependent on a discharge destination even when saddle-stitching is canceled due to input of image data for sheets in excess of a limit of a saddle-stitchable number of sheets. The number of output sheets per one copy is calculated based on image data. When the number of output sheets per one copy exceeds a saddle-stitchable number of sheets, it is selected whether to perform the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed without performing the saddle stitching processing thereon or to perform neither the saddle stitching processing nor the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed.

A printing apparatus capable of producing a product having the optimum image layout dependent on a discharge destination even when saddle-stitching is canceled due to input of image data for sheets in excess of a limit of a saddle-stitchable number of sheets. The number of output sheets per one copy is calculated based on image data. When the number of output sheets per one copy exceeds a saddle-stitchable number of sheets, it is selected whether to perform the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed without performing the saddle stitching processing thereon or to perform neither the saddle stitching processing nor the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed.

Provided is a paper sheet processing device in which a plurality of paper sheets stacked after processing can be easily taken out in a state where ends thereof are aligned, without binding the paper sheets. The paper sheet processing device includes a stacking unit 6 that stacks therein the paper sheets after being processed by a processing unit 4. The stacking unit 6 includes a stacking unit main body 7, and a storage box 9 that can be taken in and out of a box storage space 7a of the stacking unit main body 7.

Provided is a paper sheet processing device in which a plurality of paper sheets stacked after processing can be easily taken out in a state where ends thereof are aligned, without binding the paper sheets. The paper sheet processing device includes a stacking unit 6 that stacks therein the paper sheets after being processed by a processing unit 4. The stacking unit 6 includes a stacking unit main body 7, and a storage box 9 that can be taken in and out of a box storage space 7a of the stacking unit main body 7.

An equipment of accumulation of sheets forms a stack of sheets on an accumulation plane by means of driving belts and diverters arranged along the path of the sheets and jump on the accumulation plane. The height of the jump is modified by shifting vertically the accumulation plane with respect to the diverters according to number and/or thickness of the sheets. The diverters can be shifted according to the length of the sheets to be accumulated, while a series of arrest lugs delimits at the rear the area of collection of the sheets and a forwarding mechanism with a pair of output rollers forwards the stack of accumulated sheets when the lugs are released.

An equipment of accumulation of sheets forms a stack of sheets on an accumulation plane by means of driving belts and diverters arranged along the path of the sheets and jump on the accumulation plane. The height of the jump is modified by shifting vertically the accumulation plane with respect to the diverters according to number and/or thickness of the sheets. The diverters can be shifted according to the length of the sheets to be accumulated, while a series of arrest lugs delimits at the rear the area of collection of the sheets and a forwarding mechanism with a pair of output rollers forwards the stack of accumulated sheets when the lugs are released.

A sheet binding processing apparatus includes a transport section transporting a bunch of sheets in a transport direction, a sheet discharge outlet to discharge the bunch of sheets transported from the transport section, a placement section to place the bunch of sheets discharged from the discharge outlet, a manual set section enabling a bunch of sheets inserted in a direction different from the transport direction to be set, a press member pressing the bunch of sheets placed on the placement section or on the manual set section to bind, a drive section applying a pressing force to the press member, and a control section controlling the drive section to make the pressing force applied to a binding member higher in the case of binding the bunch of sheets placed on the placement section than in the case of binding the bunch of sheets set from the manual set section.

An image forming apparatus includes an optional device, a casing, an image forming section and a sheet conveyor device. The optional device performs optional processing. The image forming section is located inside of the casing and forms an image on a sheet. The sheet conveyor device conveys, to the optional device, the sheet with an image formed thereon by the image forming section. The optional device and the casing are fixed to each other. The sheet conveyor device is fixed to the optional device and the casing.

An image forming apparatus includes an optional device, a casing, an image forming section and a sheet conveyor device. The optional device performs optional processing. The image forming section is located inside of the casing and forms an image on a sheet. The sheet conveyor device conveys, to the optional device, the sheet with an image formed thereon by the image forming section. The optional device and the casing are fixed to each other. The sheet conveyor device is fixed to the optional device and the casing.

A post-processing apparatus includes: a buffer unit that transports sheets such that at least two of the sheets are transported while being stacked on top of one another, the sheets being sent to the buffer unit from an image forming unit; and a compilation tray that is inclined with respect to a direction opposite to a direction in which the sheets are transported in the buffer unit such that the sheets, which are supplied from the buffer unit, are transported into the compilation tray from above the compilation tray and stacked onto a placement surface as a stack of sheets.