Method for scheduling operator actions for a print-while-rip job and a print system

A method for scheduling operator actions for a print job to be printed in a print-while-rip mode by a printing system, the printing system comprising a user interface and a controller configured to schedule the print job in time, wherein the print job has not yet been received completely by the printing system and has a plurality of known print job properties and missing information that are essential for an accurate print job duration calculation of the print job, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving the print job at least partially in a print buffer of the printing system;
• determining a first part of the print job duration, the first part of the print job duration being guaranteed to be consumed based on the plurality of known print job properties of the print job and based on the at least partially received print job;
• establishing a start time of the print job;
• assuming at least one second part of the print job duration, the at least one second part of the print job duration being unknown due to the missing information;
• establishing at least one operator action at the printing system during the at least one second part of the print job duration based on the first part of the print job duration;
• displaying a time bar for the print job on the user interface, the time bar starting from the established start time and comprising a first time bar part corresponding to and proportional to the first part of the print job duration and at least one second time bar part corresponding to the at least one second part of the print job duration;
• and
• for each established operator action, displaying a digital object representing the operator action at the corresponding moment in time on the at least one second time bar part.