Variable data printing within a print driver

A data processing apparatus having a CPU and a memory storing a print driver for variable data printing, comprising:

• a static print data receiver configured to receive static print data in a page description language from an application which is separate from the print driver;
• a variable print data receiver configured to receive variable print data, wherein the variable print data comprises one or more sets of variable data;
• a mapping rule data receiver configured to receive mapping rule data, wherein the mapping rule data comprises rules for mapping the one or more sets of variable data into the static print data;
• a generating unit configured to generate one or more modified versions of the static print data in which the variable print data is inserted within the printer driver, by applying the rules for mapping the one or more sets of variable data into the static print data;
• and
• an output unit configured to output the one or more modified versions of the static print data in which the variable print is inserted for printing to a printer.

A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program for variable data printing by a print driver, the program comprising code for:

• receiving static print data in a page description language from an application which is separate from the print driver;
• receiving variable print data, wherein the variable print data comprises one or more sets of variable data;
• receiving mapping rule data, wherein the mapping rule data comprises rules for mapping the one or more sets of variable data into the static print data;
• generating one or more modified versions of the static print data in which the variable print data is inserted within the printer driver, by applying the rules for mapping the one or more sets of variable data into the static print data;
• and
• outputting the one or more modified versions of the static print data in which the variable print data is inserted for printing to a printer.