Image forming apparatus for collective printing and collective printing method

摘要

According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus capable of arranging plural images read from plural originals in a predetermined layout in the order of reading and collectively printing the arranged images, the apparatus includes re-layout means for inserting an image independent from the plural read images in an arbitrary place of the layout and re-arranging the images by sequentially pushing back an image, previously allotted to the place with the inserted image, and the succeeding images. Printed matters in various formats of collective printing can be produced because the apparatus is adapted to lay out the images read from the originals in the order of reading and to insert an image independent from the read images in an arbitrary place of the layout. A user of the image forming apparatus, in particular, can obtain printed matters in favorable collective printed form because the user is allowed to add/insert an image to the images to be collectively printed as well as to select an arbitrary place to insert the image, depending on the purpose of the printed matters to be used or distributed.