An image-forming system includes an image-forming apparatus, and a terminal device capable of communicating with the image-forming apparatus. The terminal device comprises a signal-transmitting unit. The image-forming apparatus comprises an image-forming unit; a signal-receiving unit a first storage unit for storing a starting condition of a preparing action for image formation in the image-forming unit; a first determining unit for determining whether the starting condition is satisfied at the time the signal-receiving unit receives the signal from the terminal device; and an instruction unit for providing an instruction to start the preparing action in the image-forming unit when the first determining unit determines that the starting condition is satisfied.

A method for processing a print job including both monochrome and color pages may include receiving values for characteristic parameters, selecting an optimization criterion and determining a process mode that corresponds to a minimum value of the selected criterion. The characteristic parameters may include printing operations, non-automated processing operations and the print job. The optimization criterion may be selected from at least one of a completion time and/or a process cost.

Systems and methods for providing capabilities matching in a printing environment, including performing copy splitting, document splitting, color separation, pool printing, finishing, sheet assembly, and the like. Capabilities needed to perform a print job are matched with the available capabilities of the printing devices in the system. In some embodiments, a print processor is used in performing the capabilities matching. The print job is then selectively routed to one or more printing devices to process the print job.