Interactive print system and method

Abstract

An interactive print display system for displaying a printed article as it will appear when printed. It includes a user interface component, to accept information from a user for producing the printed article, and to provide a graphic image representing the printed article for display to the user; a graphic layout component, to process the information and produce a graphic description file, which is usable for a batch printing process; and an image producing component, to process the graphic description file and produce the graphic image. The user interface component maintains the information from the user, allowing the user to modify a part of the information in order to view changes in the displayed printed article. This maintained information is also used for producing and displaying a different printed article, and also for ultimately preparing and running the print job for the user. The graphic layout component processes both the images for display to the user and the graphic description file for the print job, thereby guaranteeing that the user views exactly what the printed item will look like. A background image resembling the material to be printed on provides a complete picture. The present invention is well suited for use at an interactive web site allowing users to access it over the Internet, and design and order printed materials such as business cards, wedding invitations, and bar mitzvah invitations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An interactive print display system comprising: 
 a user interface component, to accept information from a user for producing said printed article, and to provide a graphic image representing said printed article for display to said user;    a graphic layout component, to process said information and produce a graphic description file, said graphic description file being usable for a printing process; and    a print conversion component, responsive to said graphic description file and also to printer characteristics for a printer, to produce a print file for printing on said printer, wherein said print file includes a print image for paper that is larger than actual paper provided to said printer.    
     
     
         2 . The interactive print display system of  claim 1 , wherein said print image includes printable graphics only in an area of said print image which aligns with said actual paper when said actual paper goes through said printer.  
     
     
         3 . The interactive print display system of  claim 1  wherein said graphic description file is a Postscript file.  
     
     
         4 . The interactive print display system of  claim 1  wherein said information from said user includes an indication of a predefined template, said predefined template including layout information for a printed article; and 
 said graphic layout component, uses said predefined template to produce said graphic description file.  
 
     
     
         5 . The interactive print display system of  claim 1  wherein said user interface component interacts with said user over the Internet.