In an example, a method includes selecting a unique identifier corresponding to a set of rules. At least one modified image is generated from a seed image using a processor by determining and applying an image attribute modification to the seed image according to at least one rule in the set of rules of the unique identifier. The modified image is placed in a predefined position according to at least one rule in the set of rules of the unique identifier.

An image processing apparatus performs quantization processing of first multivalued image data, second multivalued image data, and third multivalued image data using a dither pattern including a plurality of threshold pixels having threshold values respectively determined for quantization, generates first recording data by quantizing the first multivalued image data using a dither pattern having a threshold pixel arrangement satisfying a predetermined condition regarding the number of threshold pixels and a predetermined condition regarding low-frequency components corresponding to a frequency region lower than a predetermined frequency in spatial frequency characteristics corresponding to an arrangement of the threshold pixels, generates second recording data by quantizing the second multivalued image data using the dither pattern having the threshold pixel arrangement, and generates third recording data by quantizing the third multivalued image data using the dither pattern having the threshold pixel arrangement and the second multivalued image data.

An image processing apparatus includes a storage and processing circuitry. The storage is configured to store a dither table in which a plurality of dither patterns are recorded, each of the dither patterns being formed with a halftone dot screen in which an output area ratio that is a proportion of void halftone dots per unit area corresponds to any one of gradation values of image data. The processing circuitry is configured to read a gradation value for each region in image data input for each toner color, decide a dither pattern to be applied to the read gradation value, read out the decided dither pattern from the dither table, and perform dither processing of applying the read dither pattern to the region in the image data.

A method in a page-wide array printing apparatus comprising at least first and second printing dies that overlap in a page width direction comprises the steps of calibrating the printing apparatus in a media advance direction to a higher resolution than the page width direction, the media advance direction being perpendicular to the page width direction, and using printing masks to control the operation of a plurality of nozzles in an overlap area between the first and second printing dies to reduce any visible defects caused by dot placement errors in the page width direction.

An image processing apparatus performs quantization processing of first multivalued image data, second multivalued image data, and third multivalued image data using a dither pattern including a plurality of threshold pixels having threshold values respectively determined for quantization, generates first recording data by quantizing the first multivalued image data using a dither pattern having a threshold pixel arrangement satisfying a predetermined condition regarding the number of threshold pixels and a predetermined condition regarding low-frequency components corresponding to a frequency region lower than a predetermined frequency in spatial frequency characteristics corresponding to an arrangement of the threshold pixels, generates second recording data by quantizing the second multivalued image data using the dither pattern having the threshold pixel arrangement, and generates third recording data by quantizing the third multivalued image data using the dither pattern having the threshold pixel arrangement and the second multivalued image data.

An image processing apparatus includes a storage and processing circuitry. The storage is configured to store a dither table in which a plurality of dither patterns are recorded, each of the dither patterns being formed with a halftone dot screen in which an output area ratio that is a proportion of void halftone dots per unit area corresponds to any one of gradation values of image data. The processing circuitry is configured to read a gradation value for each region in image data input for each toner color, decide a dither pattern to be applied to the read gradation value, read out the decided dither pattern from the dither table, and perform dither processing of applying the read dither pattern to the region in the image data.

A method in a page-wide array printing apparatus comprising at least first and second printing dies that overlap in a page width direction comprises the steps of calibrating the printing apparatus in a media advance direction to a higher resolution than the page width direction, the media advance direction being perpendicular to the page width direction, and using printing masks to control the operation of a plurality of nozzles in an overlap area between the first and second printing dies to reduce any visible defects caused by dot placement errors in the page width direction.

A system for rendering and outputting a non-standard colorant comprises a print driver for accepting identification of a document for output via a print operation, accepting identification of overlay data for use in the print operation, converting the overlay data into grayscale data, and generating a page description language document including data from the document divided into standard colorspace channels and an overlay colorspace channel, the overlay channels made up of the grayscale data and identified by a colorspace keyword; and a multifunction peripheral device for rendering the standard channels in standard buffers as directed by the page description language document, identifying the overlay channels using the color name keyword within the page description language document, rendering the overlay channel in an overlay buffer, and completing the print operation by outputting the contents of the standard buffers using standard colorants and the overlay buffer using an overlay colorant.