In a complex high-end printing environment, some applications require that some (special) data be printed on a post processor. This paper will discuss a new architecture which uses the Universal Printer Pre- and Post-Processing Interface (UP3I) Print Data interface to print objects on a post processor in Advanced Function Printing (AFP) environments.Two data streams are involved:• Data is passed from the host (application) to the printer using AFP object containers.• Data is passed from the printer to the post processor using a new extension of the UP3I interface.The printer control unit must convert from one format to the other. It must also translate locations for the post processor.As an example, an application might print most of its data on a black/white printer and add highlight color, invisible ink, or MICR toner to the page using a post processor. The capability of each post processor can vary and the data format and control required will be different.The architecture has been defined to allow for this variability. In the AFP environment, the format of the data is hidden within the AFP object container and does not need to be understood by the print server or printer.
Jean Aschenbrenner, Reinhard Hohensee, David E. Stone, "Printing on a Post Processor Using UP3I in an AFP Environment" in Proc. IS&T Int'l Conf. on Digital Printing Technologies (NIP20), 2004, pp 333 - 338, https://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2169-4451.2004.20.1.art00075_1