Patent ID: 7468805

Claim:
A method of proofing a plurality of variable data documents each formed from a common layout in which variable data content is placed into one or more containers having locations and sizes within said layout defined by layout rules, said method comprising the steps of: (a) assessing a plurality of measures of variation for each said container in each said document; (b) determining the measure of a standard document generated from said common layout said determining step comprising; (ba) determining an average said measure of variation for each said container over all said documents: and (bb) for each said document: (bba) calculating a measure of deviation for each said container from said corresponding assessed average measure of variation using said corresponding assessed measure of variation; and (bbb) processing the measures of deviations to obtain a deviation value for said document; (c) comparing the measure of said determined standard document with the measure of said assessed plurality of measures, wherein said comparing step comprises comparing the deviation values of said documents to identify at least one group of said documents for presentation for further assessment; and (d) presenting a document having at least one measure for which the compared result is larger among said assessed plurality of measures based on the result of said comparison.