Abstract: A method for printing a plurality of instances of a printed image on a substrate includes providing one or more units of substrate for receiving the plurality of instances, providing information documenting a plurality of measured characteristics for each unit, developing a printing plan based at least in part upon the information documenting the plurality of measured characteristics, and printing the plurality of instances in accordance with the printing plan. The printing plan includes one or more of: a screen having one or more characteristics tailored at least in part to at least one color value based upon the measured characteristics, a mapping of color specifications for the plurality of instances of the printed image indexed to location on the substrate unit or partial unit, and a mapping of one or more no-print locations indexed to location on the substrate unit or partial unit.

Abstract: A method and system for implementation of quality control includes a machine vision system for capturing images of instances of a product, and a computer system including computer memory containing machine-readable instructions executable by a processor. The processor evaluates the quality control images for a plurality of potential quality defects in the product and generates a defect alert associated with a captured image in which at least one potential quality defect is identified. Information about each defect alert is stored in a database log file in the computer memory. A neural network machine learning algorithm processes the database log file by, in a learning phase, receiving human-initiated input accepting or rejecting each defect alert and storing the human-initiated input in the log file, and, in an automated phase, automatically accepting or rejecting at least some defect alerts without performing the step of receiving human initiated input.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling registration between different printing plates or printing cylinders in a printing press which includes a camera with a lens having at least two zoom settings and a control unit for changing the zoom setting of the camera in accordance with a distance between registration marks printed on a printed substrate found in at least one image acquired by the camera.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a surface of a printing medium, the method comprising the steps of acquiring an image of the surface or a portion thereof, digitizing the acquired image whereby a digitized real representation of the surface or portion is obtained.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling registration between different printing plates or printing cylinders in a printing press which includes a camera with a lens having at least two zoom settings and a control unit for changing the zoom setting of the camera in accordance with a distance between registration marks printed on a printed substrate found in at least one image acquired by the camera.

Abstract: A method for color measurement and control and a color measurement and control system for determining during printing, on-press, the color value of at least one location on a printed substrate. The color measurement and control system includes a camera for acquiring an image of an area of the printed substrate, a color measurement device for measuring a color value of a location of the printed substrate, the color measurement device and the camera are operating substantially simultaneously, and a processing unit for receiving the image captured by the camera and the color measurement and for providing a position of the location with respect to the image employing the image itself. The processing unit is also operative to provide a color value of a desired position, the desired position is selected from the determined position and a position other than the determined position.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a surface of a printing medium, the method comprising the steps of acquiring an image of the surface or a portion thereof, digitizing the acquired image whereby a digitized real representation of the surface or portion is obtained.