METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MERGING VARIABLE TEXT AND IMAGE INTO BITMAPS DEFINED BY A PAGE DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE

A computer implemented method includes the steps of: a) generating a template PDL (page description language) specification, which includes template data and associated graphic attributes (i.e., graphic states) defining how the template data is to appear on a printed page, and also includes at least one variable data identifier; b) generating a plurality of sub-template PDL specifications, each including sub-template data and associated graphic attributes defining how the sub-template data is to appear on a portion of a printed page; c) interpreting the template specification so as to generate a template bitmap or a plurality of template rendering commands, and during the interpreting step, identifying the variable data identifier; d) saving the template bitmap/rendering commands; e) associating the variable data identifier with the sub-template specifications; f) accessing a first sub-template specification; g) processing the first sub-template specification so as to generate a sub-template bitmap or a plurality of first sub-template rendering commands; h) accessing a copy of the saved template bitmap/rendering commands; i) merging the copy of the template bitmap/rendering commands with the sub-template bitmap/rendering commands so as to provide a first merged bitmap or first merged plurality of rendering commands; j) generating a first merged bitmap from the first merged plurality rendering commands (if necessary); k) accessing a next sub-template specification; l) processing the next sub-template specification so as to generate a next sub-template bitmap or plurality of next subtemplate rendering commands, m) accessing a copy of the saved template bitmap/rendering commands; n) merging the copy of the template bitmap/rendering commands with the next sub-template bitmap/rendering commands so as to provide a next merged bitmap or next plurality of rendering commands; and o) generating a next merge bitmap from the next merged plurality of rendering commands, if necessary. The steps k-o may be repeated, as necessary, to generate a plurality of merged bitmaps.