Abstract: A printer having a printer deck and a media support mechanism having a flexible biased mount is provided. In one configuration, the media support mechanism includes an adjustable side guide that is mounted in a biased clamp mechanism. The biased clamp mechanism includes opposing clamps arranged in the same plane that each have two portions with at least one biased toward the other portion. Each opposing clamp includes a top portion and a bottom portion fixed to the printer deck by a shoulder bolt wherein the bottom portion engages a coil spring and is spring biased from the deck toward the top portion of the clamp to engage the mounting portion of the side guide. The coil springs are selected to apply sufficient force to facilitate holding the side guide sufficiently in place during operation and to also allow a reasonable force to adjust the width of the side guide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flattening a substrate against a surface of a platform is provided. The method comprising positioning guides within a platform so that opposite edges of a substrate placed on the platform do not come in contact with at least one print head in close proximity over the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for duplex printing of print sheets are described. In one aspect, a duplex module is configured so that print sheets may be controllably and reliably re-introduced into a print module in an orientation that is suitable for marking the second side of the print sheet without requiring a support structure that spans the entire width of the print sheet. In large format printing applications, this feature avoids large and heavy support structures, such as feed rollers, that otherwise would be needed to support the print sheets, as well as their own weight. In this way, a printing apparatus may provide duplex printing functionality with a structure that has a relatively light weight and a relatively small overall footprint.