Method of utilizing variable data fields with a page description language

1. A computer implemented method for generating a plurality of bit maps suitable for high-speed printing comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a page description code specification, the page description code specification defining at least one data area, and the page description code further defining a graphics state corresponding to the data area, the graphics state including at least one attribute which controls the appearance of data in the data area;
  
  (b) interpreting the page description code specification, and during the interpretation step, identifying the data area defined by the page description code specification;
  
  (c) upon the identification of the data area in step (b), applying the graphics state corresponding to the data area to a set of alphanumeric characters so as to generate a plurality of character bit maps;
  
  (d) storing the plurality of character bit maps;
  
  (e) retrieving a variable data item from a plurality of variable data items;
  
  (f) associating the variable data item with the plurality of character bit maps;
  
  (g) generating a variable data bit map for the variable data using the character bit maps; and
  
  (h) repeating steps (e) through (g) for remaining variable data items in the plurality of variable data items, whereby the stored character bit maps are used repeatedly to generate a plurality of variable data bit maps.