US Patent 7283258 Print system capable of notifying user of required ink amount

When a user inputs a print command, a RIP 20 sets a print start flag OFF so that the printing will not be executed. Then, the RIP 20 receives remaining ink amount data from a printer. Further, the RIP predicts the required amount of ink required by the printer to print a desired image based on preview data. The remaining ink amount and the required ink amount for each different colored ink are displayed on a screen. When insufficient ink remains, then a message indicating this is displayed.