Method for detecting and compensating for defective printing nozzles in an ink jet printing machine

A method for detecting and compensating for failed printing nozzles in an ink jet printing machine by using a computer, the method comprising the following steps:

• printing printing nozzle test charts next to an actual print during a production run and subsequently recording and digitizing the printed printing nozzle test charts by using at least one image sensor;
• evaluating the recorded test charts and, based thereon, determining characteristic values for all printing nozzles contributing to the printing of the printing nozzle test chart by using the computer;
• calculating a failure probability for every contributing printing nozzle based on the determined characteristic values by applying a statistical prediction model by using the computer;
• switching off all printing nozzles exceeding a first defined threshold for the calculated failure probability and compensating for the switched-off nozzles;
• and
• carrying out a printing operation on the ink jet printing machine with printing nozzle compensation.