Method for processing several printing contracts for completion in common production unit controls flow of orders up to maximum capacity of final output stage

摘要

Printing requests from a number of customers, e.g. personal computers (12), are directed to a server (14). Here they are maintained in a loop until an administration system dispatches the order to a printer (16). The administration system maintains a continuous flow of orders whilst at the same time counting the number of pages involved. The flow of orders is interrupted only when the count indicates that a contract would exceed the output capacity of the final output stage (18) in which the printed sheets are assembled in accordance with the individual contracts.