Abstract: Techniques for aligning images printed with digital printer and rotary cylinders include measuring a position of a substrate on a belt, capturing by a camera a digital image of the substrate, transmitting by camera the digital image to a processing device, performing digital image processing on the digital image to identify two shapes, determining the positions of each of the two shapes using the measured position of the substrate, measuring a distance between the determined positions of each of the two shapes, calculating an error, where the error is the difference between the measured distance and a predetermined distance of the two shapes, and adjusting either a digital printer, a speed of a rotary cylinder, or a speed of the belt, based on the error.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to a printer system that includes a first primary ink tank holding a dark-colored ink, a second primary ink tank holding a light-colored ink, a first selector valve configured to change a state, a first secondary ink tank connected to the first primary ink tank via the first selector valve, a second secondary ink tank connected to the first and second primary ink tanks via the first selector valve, a second selector valve connected to the first primary ink tank configured to return the dark-colored ink from the print heads to the first primary ink tank, and a third selector valve connected to the second selector valve and the second primary ink tank configured to either return the light-colored ink from the print heads to the second primary ink tank or to direct the dark-colored ink to the second selector valve.

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: 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: 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: 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: Various disclosed embodiments relate to structures and methods for printing systems. In some embodiments, a device, e.g., a festoon, may be used to accumulate excess material. The festoon may be located between a print head and a finishing component to eliminate misalignment/mis-registration difficulties between printed images and finishing options. In some embodiments, registration images and other procedures may be used alone or in conjunction with the festoon placement to further reduce errors and waste.

Abstract: Image processing is used to simulate the appearance of an embossed print. The application of clear dry ink or spot varnish to the print generates the tactile feel of an embossed print. Embodiments thus provide a technique that simulates the effect of an embossed print without the need for plates or specialized equipment, other than a printer that is adapted to apply clear dry ink or spot varnish.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention concern automatic color separation with a white ink for colored and/or transparent substrate, automatic color separation with a silver ink for a natural rendering, automatic color separation with a varnish which has a gloss scale different from that of the printed sample for all shades of gloss that are possible between high glossy to high matte for a false third rendering, automatic color variation with variable thickness under the inks, and variable gamut mapping for a low contrast space.

Abstract: A transparent white ink composition is formulated to brighten, lighten and or dilute full-tone primary inkjet colors: cyan; magenta; yellow and black, eliminating the need for ‘light ink’ primary color inks. The transparent white ink is jetted concurrently with reduced amounts of full-tone inks in lighter tonal areas conventionally supported by ‘light ink’ primary inks. Printing ‘light ink’ primary colors using a transparent white ink composition may reduce the number of print channels needed to print all four primary colors and the four ‘light ink’ primary colors. Embodiments of the transparent white ink composition may be solvent- or water-based, drying by evaporation of the carrier fluid. Other embodiments may be radiation-curable ink compositions. An inkjet printer includes print carriage and print head assemblies configured for jetting a primary color ink and the transparent white ink in the same pass in correct proportions to achieve a desired effect.

Abstract: Color prediction for color printing is performed in response to loading media into a printer and initiation of a calibration sequence, using one or more sensors to measure physical properties of the media. Based at least upon the measured physical properties, an optimal preset is identified in a database and the optimal preset is loaded into the printer as a starting calibration. A difference from values in the optimal preset loaded into the printer and those of the measured physical properties is determined and the printer prints a chart. The sensors measure the chart and the measurements of the chart are used to fine tune the optimal preset. The fine tuned preset is then saved as a new media profile.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating and using automated production and performance dashboards. For example, an automated production dashboard is generated and used that includes, but is not limited to, defining production performance metrics, job stats, trends, red/green/yellow with health check, and risks. As well, an automated upkeep dashboard is generated and used that includes, but is not limited to, defining supplies, maintenance, trends, next service appointments, red/green/yellow with health check, and risks. Such techniques may include a remote view of such dashboards, e.g. via native mobile applications in addition to web/client, etc.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for providing information access to network devices. A directory server registers identification information about a first network device coupled to a first network. The first network and the directory server may be coupled to a second network, which may include a wide area network, public network, or the Internet. The identification information may include a network address of the first network device on the first network, or a network address of the first network on the second network. The directory server may receive and process requests for identification information about registered network devices, and may selectively reply to the requests based on status information of the first network device.

Abstract: A secure document printing system is provided. A policy server is used to define access rules for a document, and select individual users and/or groups that will have access to the document. The policy server stores the access rules along with a document decryption key. The policy server's name and address are packed in the document, and then encrypted and sent to a print server which stores it for later access. A recipient is notified that the document resides on a particular print server. The print server retrieves the specified document, contacts the policy server named in the document, and requests the document decryption key and access rules for the user, print server, and document from the policy server which replies with the related decryption key and access rules. The print server decrypts the document and prints the document based on the access rules.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a page description language (“PDL”) data stream are provided. The methods and apparatus divide the PDL data stream to provide a plurality of PDL segments, create associated first and second data files for each of the PDL segments, and assign the first data file or the second data file associated with each of the PDL segments to at least one of a plurality of PDL processors.

Abstract: In a multi-layer printer, the base white layer that is applied during printing is modified using the image to be printed. By altering the white layer to reflect the density of the top image, it is easier to reach saturation (density/gamut) without adding large amounts of ink. Thus, such undesirable side effects, such as gloss-banding are avoided.

Abstract: Enhanced printing systems, structures, and processes provide ultrasonication of ink, such as to degas the ink, and/or to maintain the size of particles within the ink. At least one ultrasonic module, such as comprising any of an ultrasonic probe or an ultrasonic bath, is located within an ink delivery system. Ink is delivered to the ultrasonic module, and ultrasonic energy is applied to the ink, such as at a sufficient level and duration to degas the ink, and/or to reduce the size of particles within the ink. In some embodiments, the particles may be agglomerates, wherein the applied energy is configured to reduce the size of the agglomerates to a size that can be jetted through the print head. In other embodiments, the particles may be metallic particles, wherein the applied energy is configured to create smaller metallic particles that can be jetted with the ink through the print head.

Abstract: A printer includes a global skew adjustment and a print head assembly having an adjustment mechanism.