Printing Multiple Jobs Layered on Top of Each Other

A layered job is one in which multiple jobs are layered on top of each other. With a layered job, multiple jobs can be layered and printed with a single printing operation.

Two methods are available with layered jobs: "pull-back printing," in which the media is pulled back and printed on, and "one pass multilayer printing," which prints on all layers together. One pass multilayer printing may result in less printing misalignment than pullback printing.

Two types of one pass multilayer printing are available. In one type, the three-layer mode is selected with Quality - Quality Settings - Mode for printing (2. B: Performing One Pass Multilayer Printing (Three-layer Mode)). In the other type, the advanced settings are configured with Custom Layer Mode for printing (2. C: Performing One Pass Multilayer Printing (Two- to Five-layer Custom Mode)).

Layered job usage examples
3Layer-1

When you want to, for example, print on transparent film and express vibrant images using CMYK from the print surface and from the surface opposite the printed surface. The printing on the back may show through, so it is a good idea to use the same image.

3Layer-2

When you want to, for example, improve the adhesion of ink to media that peels off easily and express vibrant images using CMYK on a base of white ink

3Layer-3

When you want to, for example, improve the adhesion of ink to media that peels off easily, express vibrant images using CMYK on a base of white ink, and display the images from the surface opposite the printed surface (the transparent surface)

3Layer-4

When you want to, for example, print images on a base of white ink, eliminate the effect of the media's color, and add textures

5Layer-1When you want to, for example, print on transparent film and express vibrant images using CMYK from the print surface and from the surface opposite the printed surface. The printing on the back will not show through, so use this method with images having directionality such as completely different images or text.
5Layer-2When you want to, for example, express more three-dimensional textures
5Layer-3When you want to, for example, print images on a base of white ink, eliminate the effect of the media's color, and add more three-dimensional textures

However, one pass multilayer printing may not be possible depending on the model you are using or the job.

1. Overlapping Multiple Jobs to Create a Single Job

Select multiple jobs from the job list and create a layered job.
MEMO Printing and cutting layered jobs
  • The only cutting lines that are enabled are those on the top layer.
  • When creating cutting lines in VersaWorks, add them to the top layer.
  • When a layer job is generated, Cut Controls - Operation Mode is set to Print Only.
Procedure
  1. Select multiple jobs from the job list.
    The method for selecting multiple jobs depends on the OS.
    MEMO In a layered job, the layers are overlaid in the order they are selected. To specify the layer position, select the jobs in order from the bottom layer.
  2. A layered job can be generated by either of the following methods.
    • Right-click and click Compile Jobs - Generate Layered Job.
    • Click VW7_JobMenu1 on the right side of the job tool area, and then click Generate Layered Job.

2. A: Performing Pullback Printing

Pullback and printing are performed for each job in the job number sequence.

Procedure
  1. Select the layered job.
  2. Perform printing.
    Processing by the RIP and printing are performed.

2. B: Performing One Pass Multilayer Printing (Three-layer Mode)

With some models, one pass multilayer printing is possible in a mode with three layers selected. If Unsupported Model is not displayed on the Layer tab under Job Settings [Layered Job], you can use this function.

Perform pullback printing or one pass multilayer printing in two- to five-layer custom mode for layered jobs other than those listed below.
  • CMYK -> Wh -> CMYK
  • Pr -> Wh -> CMYK
  • Pr -> CMYK -> Wh
  • Wh -> CMYK -> Gl
MEMO You can print marks and job information on layered jobs when the One Pass Multilayer Printing checkbox is selected.
  • Marks are only added when the job on each layer has the same size, position, and orientation.
  • Crop marks are added to the Entire Area.
Procedure
  1. Use one of the methods below to display Job Settings [Layered Job].
    • Double-click the layered job.
    • Right-click a layer job, and then click Edit Design - Settings.
    • Click VW7_JobMenu1 on the left side of the job tool area, and then click VW7-ICON_Customize Settings.

    If there is a layer that you want to hide in the Layers, clear the Layers checkbox.

  2. Select the One Pass Multilayer Printing checkbox.
    The checkbox will be selected if the data can be used for one pass multilayer printing. Current Layer Count and Number of Layers Possible for One Pass Multilayer Printing are displayed if the data cannot be used for one pass multilayer printing.
  3. The message The layered job will be reconfigured to change the printing method. Do you want to continue? appears. Click Yes.
    The Settings window closes. After the job is reconfigured, the Settings window appears again.
  4. Select items such as Media Name, Print Quality, and Mode from Quality - Quality Settings.
  5. Click OK.
    You are returned to the main window.
  6. Perform printing.
    Processing by the RIP and printing are performed.

2. C: Performing One Pass Multilayer Printing (Two- to Five-layer Custom Mode)

With some models, one pass multilayer printing of two to five layers is possible. If Unsupported Model is not displayed on the Layer tab under Job Settings [Layered Job], you can use this function.
Figure 1. Example of printing five layers
Sample-5Layer
Procedure
  1. Use one of the methods below to display Job Settings [Layered Job].
    • Double-click the layered job.
    • Right-click a layer job, and then click Edit Design - Settings.
    • Click VW7_JobMenu1 on the left side of the job tool area, and then click VW7-ICON_Customize Settings.
    To check the image in the preview window, clear the checkboxes on the upper layers.
  2. Select the One Pass Multilayer Printing checkbox.
  3. The message The layered job will be reconfigured to change the printing method. Do you want to continue? appears. Click Yes.
    The Job Settings [Layered Job] window closes. After the job is reconfigured, the Job Settings [Layered Job] window appears again.
  4. Under Quality - Quality Settings - Mode, click Edit.
  5. Set the order of the layers.
    Select the layer to change, and then click VW7-ICON_GoUp or VW7-ICON_GoDown.
    MEMO You can also set the mode of each layer, and then switch the image of each layer at a later time. In this situation, the mode of each layer is fixed, and only the images are switched.
  6. Select the mode to print for each layer.
    Select CMYK, Wh, Gl, or something similar with Mode.
  7. Click OK.
    You are returned to the Job Settings [Layered Job] screen.
  8. Configure other settings if necessary.
  9. Click OK.
  10. Perform printing.
    Processing by the RIP and printing are performed.

Clipping the Image with a Layered Job and Setting the Number of Copies and the Spacing

When you are using multiple images as a single piece of print data to print a product, you may want to increase the production of a single specific image. Clip the required image with a layered job and set the number of copies and the spacing. You can then perform additional printing of the clipped part to increase the production of the product.

Print data (layered job)Product
PrintDataXPMOTY.XPMOTY_AStand
A: Product that you want to produce additionally
Procedure
  1. Use one of the methods below to display Job Settings [Layered Job].
    • Double-click the layered job.
    • Right-click a layer job, and then click Edit Design - Settings.
    • Click VW7_JobMenu1 on the left side of the job tool area, and then click VW7-ICON_Customize Settings.
  2. Click VW7_CripandTile Clip and Tile.
  3. Select the Clip Image checkbox under Clipping.
  4. Set the part to be printed (the clip area).
    1. In the layout area, click VW7_JobSentakuTool.
      If the icon is blue, it is already selected.
    2. Point to the small square (the clip point) on the clip line (the red line in the figure).
    3. Drag the clip point to set the clip area.
      To fine-tune the clip area, use VW7_Zoom+ and VW7_Kakudai to enlarge the preview image, and then drag the clip point again.
  5. Click VW7_Layout Layout.
  6. Specify Copy and Tile Spacing in Print Properties.
  7. Click OK.
    You are returned to the main window.