In a client terminal network connected to a plurality of printers, a
system and method are provided for user-defined cluster printing. At a
client terminal, the method involves user-selecting a cluster, where each
cluster includes a plurality of printers network-connected to the client
terminal. Then, the method creates a file set to be printed, where the
file set includes a plurality of files. Software applications associated
with each file in the file set are automatically opened and each file is
converted into a printer-ready formatted document. Finally, the documents
are automatically distributed to printers in the selected cluster for
concurrent printing. Document finishing options can be selected by a user
in response to automatically opening software applications associated
with each file, and sent to the printers in the form of document
processing instructions. Finishing options may be correlated to printer
capabilities, and the documents distributed in response to correlation
process.