Recording material management in a copier or printer

Abstract

Disclosed is a digital image production apparatus comprising: a print engine having a plurality of trays each of which is capable of accommodating different types of recording sheets; a user interface; and an electronic control system controlling print processing, including control of supply of recording sheets from the trays in accordance with sheet specifications of print jobs. Such a control system has access to a memory which stores for each tray the type of recording sheets presently accommodated therein, and when the type of recording sheet required for a job is not available in any of the trays, indicates, through the user interface, the required type of recording sheet and invites an operator to place recording sheets of the required type in a specific tray. In response to a confirmation signal which simply confirms that the operator has completed the requested action, the control system automatically stores information specifying the required type of recording sheet in a location of the memory associated with said specific tray. Such a confirmation signal would e.g. be generated when the operator presses the start button. Alternatively, the control system may leave the selection of a tray to the operator, in which case the confirmation signal should include an indication of the tray the operator has chosen.