Null segments in print jobs

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a processor, print job data relating to a print job to be performed by a print apparatus, the print job data defining an order in which a plurality of colour separation images are to be transferred onto an imaging surface of the print apparatus; and

determining, based on the print job data, a number of null segments to be inserted into the print job and a location at which each null segment is to be inserted amongst the plurality of colour separation images.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the number of null segments is greater than one.

3. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

performing a print job in accordance with the print job data; and

inserting the determined number of null segments into the print job at the determined locations.

4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the determined number of null segments comprises a first group of null segments, and the method further comprises:

inserting a second group of null segments into the print job after a defined duration following the insertion of the first group of null segments.

5. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining, based on the print job data, a location at which a first null segment of the number of null segments is to be inserted into the print job;

wherein the first null segment is to be inserted into the print job after a defined number of a particular colour separation image has been transferred onto the imaging surface in a particular position.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a first colour separation image of the plurality of colour separation images is to be transferred onto the imaging surface at a first position; and

wherein the number of null segments to be inserted into the print job is such that, following their insertion, the first colour separation image is to be transferred onto the imaging surface at a second position, different from the first position.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging surface has a first portion and a second portion, and successive colour separations of the plurality of colour separations are to be transferred alternately onto the first and second portions of the imaging surface;

wherein a first null segment is to be inserted into the print job at a position corresponding to the first portion of the imaging surface;

wherein second, third and fourth null segments are to be inserted into the print job at positions corresponding to the second portion of the imaging surface; and

wherein a fifth null segment is to be inserted into the print job at a position corresponding to the first portion of the imaging surface.

8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein the second, third and fourth null segments are to be inserted consecutively at positions corresponding to the second portion of the imaging surface.

9. Print apparatus, comprising:

an imaging surface to receive a plurality of colour separations sequentially during a print session;

processing circuitry to:

insert a plurality of null segments into the print session, each null segment of the plurality of null segments being inserted amongst the plurality of colour separations at a defined location relative to other null segments of the plurality of null segments.

10. Print apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the plurality of null segments comprises a first plurality of null segments, and

wherein the processing circuitry is to:

insert a second plurality of null segments into the print session after a particular colour separation has been delivered to a particular position on the imaging surface a defined number of times following the insertion of the first plurality of null segments.

11. Print apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the imaging surface comprises a surface of an intermediate transfer member, ITM, or a print blanket.

12. Print apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising:

a memory unit to store a plurality of predefined relationships, each predefined relationship comprising a print mode of the print session and a corresponding quantity and arrangement of null segments to be inserted into the print session.

13. Print apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the processing circuitry is to:

determine a number of occasions that a particular colour separation is to be delivered to a particular position on the imaging surface during a print session;

insert a first null segment of the plurality of null segments into the print session after a particular colour separation has been delivered to a particular position on the imaging surface a defined number of times during the print session.

14. A machine-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

cause a plurality of colour separation images to be transferred sequentially onto an imaging surface of a print apparatus in accordance with print job data;

determine, based on the print job data, a location at which each of a first plurality of null segments is to be inserted amongst the plurality of colour separation images; and

cause the first plurality of null segments to be inserted amongst the plurality of colour separation images at the determined locations.

15. A machine-readable medium according to claim 14 , comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

cause a second plurality of null segments to be inserted amongst the plurality of colour separation images after a particular colour separation has been transferred onto the imaging surface at a particular position a defined number of times following the insertion of the first plurality of null segments.