Abstract: The uniformity of performance of inkjet nozzles within a print head containing a plurality of said nozzles is optimized by characterizing one or more performance attributes of the nozzles within said print head. A waveform set is generated that comprises a plurality of waveforms to compensate for variations of the one or more performance attributes among the nozzles. One of the waveforms within the waveform set is assigned to each nozzle to optimize the one or more performance attributes of each nozzle relative to each other nozzle in the print head. Based upon the waveform assigned to each nozzle, each nozzle in the print head responds substantially uniformly relative to each other nozzle in the print head.

Abstract: White-balance is improved when printing on colored media, while minimizing the time and use of costly materials required by present approaches. In an embodiment, the typical solid white fill or background layer is altered by including in the white layer one or more of the other colors already available in the printer to shade this layer. Thus, a small amount of cyan, for example, helps balance a pink-ish (red) media; yellow is used for blue media; and magenta is used for green media; as well as combinations thereof. A combination of transparent process inks and opaque white helps to maintain brightness (luminosity).

Abstract: An external table height adjustment technique for a printer system is disclosed. An operator can align an image gap between a printer table of the printer system and a printhead carriage via a height adjustment mechanism. The operator can perform the table height adjustment while a belt is installed on the printer table and media is loaded on top of the printer table. A height adjustment assembly is secured onto a supporting frame of the printer table such that an adjustment component exposed beyond an edge of the belt can raise or lower a portion of the printer table where the height adjustment assembly is secured.

Abstract: A 3D relief effect is created on a ceramic tile with an inkjet printer and an inkjet print head by printing a relief pattern with an effect ink having a low surface tension on the ceramic tile. The inkjet printer and inkjet print head apply an aqueous glaze slurry having a high surface tension on top of the effect ink. An image is printed on the glaze and the tile is fired. A difference in surface tensions causes the aqueous glaze to move away from the printed effect ink, resulting in a relief pattern in the image at locations of the printed relief pattern.

Abstract: This invention relates to radiation curable ink compositions comprising one or more mono-functional monomers, optionally one or more oligomers, one or more antioxidants capable to react with peroxy radicals to generate radicals to propagate polymerization, and one or more photoinitiators comprising at least an acylphosphine oxide, wherein the ratio of the antioxidants to acylphpsphine is 1:1 to 1:20 by weight. The ink composition provides tack-free surface cure without requiring nitrogen or other inert gas during curing.

Abstract: Systems and methods of applying a gaseous inhibitor into a printing region to hinder the curing process of ink on the print heads caused by the presence of stray light in the printing environment.

Abstract: An in-line printing apparatus with an inerting station that delivers an atmosphere having an optimal composition to inert a layer of ink such that LED radiation adequately cures the ink. A process for configuring a printing environment for delivering an atmosphere having an optimal composition to inert a layer of ink such that LED radiation adequately cures the ink.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous radiation curable ink composition. The ink composition comprises: (a) an aqueous dispersion comprising anionic acrylated polyurethane and non-volatile cations; (b) at least one non-ionic or anionic surfactant; (c) at least one humectant selected from the group consisting of: polyol, polyether, polyether alcohol, polyether polyols, urea, and amide; and (d) water. The ink composition does not contain a water-soluble or water-miscible (meth)acrylate monomer. The ink composition is redispersible in water after drying and before curing, and the ink composition is water-resistant after curing by electron beam or actinic radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, such as inkjet inks or glazes, for jetting onto a ceramic substrate, and associated methods and systems. The compositions are configured to produce a blister relief effect, wherein the incorporation of inkjet technology provides precise control over the location and degree of blistering. The enhanced compositions are configured to form gas bubbles when exposed to the elevated temperatures of a firing cycle, wherein the formed gas is trapped within the glaze, causing an expansion or blistering of the glaze, which results in a raised relief.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for providing color consistency on a same digital printing device at different points in time or on multiple digital printing devices. Measured spectral color values, which correspond to a particular calibration set of a printer-ink/toner-media combination, are stored as target values. Spectral color values are measured subsequently for the same printer or for other printers and compared to the target values to determine whether the output data of both printers will be consistent. Optimization processes may be performed to ensure or improve consistency.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is placed in communications with a print production planning and scheduling system to allow planning, monitoring, and adjusting of an automatic digital (ink jet) printing production line. In one embodiment, the order of the print jobs is defined by the print shop owner or by the associated supervisor. Each job becomes a paper based (printed) job ticket and the order in which the jobs arrive at the print operator side defines the print order. The same is true for the order at the RIP side. Any change in regards to this order requires a direct communication of the print shop owner or supervisor with the printer or RIP operator.

Abstract: An external table height adjustment technique for a printer system is disclosed. An operator can align an image gap between a printer table of the printer system and a printhead carriage via a height adjustment mechanism. The operator can perform the table height adjustment while a belt is installed on the printer table and media is loaded on top of the printer table. A height adjustment assembly is secured onto a supporting frame of the printer table such that an adjustment component exposed beyond an edge of the belt can raise or lower a portion of the printer table where the height adjustment assembly is secured.

Abstract: In a color printing environment, functions for printing color management are dissociated. An abstraction layer is also provided to facilitate setting and evaluation of all factors relating to color print and prediction.

Abstract: Described is a technology for measuring ink film thickness by use of differential lighting between two differently positioned light sources. The technology involves an image capture device, a first set of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and a second set of LEDs, where the image capture device is attached to a printer. The first set of LEDs is positioned in parallel to an image capture axis to illuminate a target object evenly from above with a light perpendicular to the target object (e.g., substrate with deposited ink droplets). The second set of LEDs is positioned to illuminate the target object at an angle, thereby casting a shadow. The image capture device takes two snapshots of the target object, utilizing a different light source (of the two sets of LEDs) for each snapshot. The snapshots are compared to determine the shadow's magnitude and the ink film thickness based on the shadow.

Abstract: Virtual ink channels are created with colored media and white ink to afford multi-channel ICC profile creation by using ICC profiling software. The available color gamut is enhanced for an device that defines a color space with a color profiler, e.g. an ICC profiler. Thus, an available color gamut for an input or output device is enhanced or extended by creating virtual ink channels for use with profiling software. This allows the use of media types and/or inks that are otherwise not supported by the profiling software.

Abstract: Individually controllable ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used to cure ink and generate different effects. The UV LEDs only expose specified areas to generate the different effect and can create multiple effects on the same substrate by exposing different areas to varying amounts of time or by performing a curing stage and post-dosage curing stages. The different effects include generating a glossy surface, a matte surface, and sharper images.

Abstract: White-balance is improved when printing on colored media, while minimizing the time and use of costly materials required by present approaches. In an embodiment, the typical solid white fill or background layer is altered by including in the white layer one or more of the other colors already available in the printer to shade this layer. Thus, a small amount of cyan, for example, helps balance a pink-ish (red) media; yellow is used for blue media; and magenta is used for green media; as well as combinations thereof. A combination of transparent process inks and opaque white helps to maintain brightness (luminosity).

Abstract: Ink jet printing on a non-absorbent substrate involves a wet primer having a primer viscosity. The wet primer is applied on the non-absorbent substrate. An ink jet ink having an ink jet viscosity lower than the primer viscosity is jetted over the wet primer while the primer is still wet. The wet primer and ink are simultaneously cured on the substrate.

Abstract: Techniques described herein automatically discover the IP address of a first network device such as but not limited to a multifunction printer. Such techniques use a unique identifier of the first network device, such as for example a multifunction printer serial number. Such unique number is used in the configuration of a second network device, such as for example a Digital Front End/External Print Controller that may need the IP address of the first network device. The unique number may be entered once into the second network device or may be received from the first network device through a data interface by the second network device. Techniques then may use any available broadcast technology such as but not limited to Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to determine from available network devices which network device therefrom has the same unique number, thereby obtaining the IP address of the first network device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention take advantage of the change in gloss caused by overprinting a printed image with clear ink. Embodiments of the invention thus implement gloss control functionality in a printer without the requirements of a pin and cure or other known systems.