Abstract: A method of heating a print zone disposed between a print-head and a media support device of a printing system includes supplying a first amount of power to a heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a first temperature range to the print zone of the printing system. The method also includes determining whether a temperature of the printhead is within a warning temperature range and, if so, supplying a second amount of power that is less than the first amount of power to the heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a second temperature range to the print zone. Otherwise, the first amount of power is continued to be supplied to the heating assembly.

Abstract: A method to select a print mode in which a first image comprising a plurality of pixels is received. Color depth for at least a subset of the plurality of pixels of the first image is determined. A print mode is selected from a plurality of print modes using at least the determined color depth.

Abstract: In one example, a heating system includes a first heater having a first resistive heating element, a second heater having multiple second resistive heating elements arranged in parallel with a group of the second heating elements having a combined resistance equal to a resistance of the first heating element, and a controller to periodically switch power between the first heating element and the group of second heating elements at a zero crossing of an AC power source.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of maintaining nozzles in a print-ready condition includes determining image content to be printed in an upcoming print swath, and for each ink color present within the image content, constructing an inked portion of an associated spit bar adjacent to the upcoming print swath to include the present ink color. For each ink color not present within the image content, an empty portion of an associated spit bar is constructed adjacent to the upcoming print swath.

Abstract: In one example, a print zone heater includes a structure defining a plenum, a heating element, a fan to move air over the heating element into the plenum, and a conduit from the plenum to carry heated air into the print zone.

Abstract: In one example, a vapor control heater for a printer includes a housing, a heating element at least partially enclosed by the housing, and a fan to move air over the heating element and into a flow of air from the printer dryer.

Abstract: Methods for curing ink printed on a print medium are disclosed. The methods comprise heating air to a temperature suitable for curing the ink, and blowing the air through a plurality of holes onto the print medium.

Abstract: In one example, a platen system for a printer includes a group of interchangeable platens each configured to support a different type of print substrate in the printer.

Abstract: A method of heating a print zone disposed between a print-head and a media support device of a printing system includes supplying a first amount of power to a heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a first temperature range to the print zone of the printing system. The method also includes determining whether a temperature of the printhead is within a warning temperature range and, if so, supplying a second amount of power that is less than the first amount of power to the heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a second temperature range to the print zone. Otherwise, the first amount of power is continued to be supplied to the heating assembly.

Abstract: A drying assembly is disclosed. An example apparatus includes fans; a temperature sensor; a print engine to access instructions to cause a printer to perform a printing operation on media; and a processor responsive to an output of the temperature sensor to control the fans to force air onto the media to cause a substantially uniform temperature to be maintained across a width of the media during the printing operation and to cause a sum of air flow output by the fans to be maintained at a substantially constant value.

Abstract: A measured distance is received from a distance sensor, where the measured distance is indicative of a distance between a color sensor and a substrate. Using the measured distance, a location of a given projection of projections of a substrate support is determined. A color of a color patch on the substrate at the determined location of the given projection is determined.

Abstract: A drying assembly is disclosed. The drying assembly has at least 2 fan units where each fan unit has a fan. The fan speed of each fan is adjusted independently to control the air temperature from the fan. The airflow through all of the fans is maintained at a constant value.

Abstract: A measured distance is received from a distance sensor, where the measured distance is indicative of a distance between a color sensor and a substrate. Using the measured distance, a location of a given projection of projections of a substrate support is determined. A color of a color patch on the substrate at the determined location of the given projection is determined.

Abstract: In one example, a platen system for a printer includes a group of interchangeable platens each configured to support a different type of print substrate in the printer.

Abstract: In one example, a platen system for a printer includes a group of interchangeable platens each configured to support a different type of print substrate in the printer.

Abstract: Techniques related to printing are described herein. According to an example, color patches are to be printed on a substrate. The substrate can be positioned on a substrate support for operation of a color sensor in a color measurement zone. Dimension and location in the substrate of the color patches are selected such that, for each color patch, at least a portion of the color patch can be positioned on a support projection in the color measurement zone. In some examples, color analysis techniques are described.

Abstract: A drying assembly is disclosed. The drying assembly has at least 2 fan units where each fan unit has a fan. The fan speed of each fan is adjusted independently to control the air temperature from the fan. The airflow through all of the fans is maintained at a constant value.

Abstract: Methods for curing ink printed on a print medium are disclosed. The methods comprise heating air to a temperature suitable for curing the ink, and blowing the air through a plurality of holes onto the print medium.

Abstract: Techniques related to printing are described herein. According to an example, color patches are to be printed on a substrate. The substrate can be positioned on a substrate support for operation of a color sensor in a color measurement zone. Dimension and location in the substrate of the color patches are selected such that, for each color patch, at least a portion of the color patch can be positioned on a support projection in the color measurement zone. In some examples, color analysis techniques are described.

Abstract: Examples are provided of controlling sheet media dryers. A controller operates a fan at plural duty cycles and correlates a resulting air pressure to each to define empirical data pairs. A parabolic curve fit to the empirical data is used to derive additional data pairs, and a lookup table is defined using the empirical and derived data pairs. The controller uses the lookup table to operate the fan during normal operations of a sheet media dryer.