Duplex printing system for cut sheets and a method therefor

A method for time scheduling a plurality of sheets in a duplex printing loop of a printing system, the printing system comprising a controller configured to control the printing of image data on the plurality of sheets and scheduling the plurality of sheets in a printing order, a paper path comprising the duplex printing loop in order to enable printing on both sides of the plurality of sheets in an interweaving first and second pass in the duplex printing loop, a print head or print assembly arranged in the duplex printing loop for disposing marking material on the sheets according to the image data, and a rotational functional component arranged in the duplex printing loop for guiding and processing printed sheets along or on a surface of the rotational functional component,

• wherein the method comprises the steps of:
• scheduling sheets of the plurality of sheets for a first pass guided along or on the surface of the rotational functional component;
• scheduling sheets of the plurality of sheets for a second pass guided along or on the surface of the rotational functional component;
• determining a distance between subsequent sheets guided along or on the surface of the rotational functional component such that each location on the surface of the rotational functional component is covered by printed sides of two-sided sheets at most a maximum number of times before the location on the surface of the rotational functional component is covered by an unprinted side of a sheet, the maximum number of times being determined by a degree of pollution caused by the marking material printed on two-sided printed sheets when taking a second pass along or on the surface of the rotational functional component;
• and
• printing the scheduled sheets of the plurality by means of the duplex printing loop using the determined distance.