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: Disclosed are compositions, such as inkjet inks, for jetting onto a ceramic substrate, and associated methods and systems. The compositions comprise a pigment compound that is configured to be jetted on a ceramic substrate during a ceramic inkjet process to impart a color effect to the ceramic substrate, and a reduction agent which, when exposed to a firing temperature, reacts with the pigment compound to cause a reduction reaction. In some embodiments, the pigment compound comprises jettable copper particles, which can cause the fired composition to take on a red or oxblood color, which can be used for decoration.

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: A method for making labels comprising providing a plastic substrate layer and a paper substrate layer. The paper substrate layer comprises a printed display information sheet, wherein the printed display information sheet comprises a plurality of display information tags arranged in an array. The plastic substrate layer is coupled to each of the rows of display information tags within a first portion of the display information tags to form a composite substrate row. A first line of perforations is cut into a width of the composite substrate at one or more first spaced intervals, a length of the first spaced intervals being defined by a length of the display information tags. A a second line of perforations is cut into a width of the composite substrate at one or more second spaced intervals, a length of the second spaced intervals being defined by a height of the display information tags.

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: Techniques and products are described for coloring acetylated wood products. An acetylated wood product can be impregnated by a coloring medium within a chamber and the colorant or colorants contained within the coloring medium can be fixed to the acetylated wood product by the application of heat or by application of radio frequency radiation to color any external surface or interior region of the acetylated wood product which has been impregnated by the coloring medium.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method performed by a system operative to determine a condition related to a printed section printed by a shuttle-based printer. The method includes printing a portion of an image on a section of a medium, thereby providing a printed section. The section of the medium can have a size defined by at least a step size taken by the shuttle-based printer to advance the medium in a downstream direction. The method also includes scanning at least the printed section to capture a sample image of the printed section. The sample image can be captured by using an imager moving in a direction perpendicular to the downstream direction. The method also includes inspecting at least the sample image to determine a value indicative of a condition related to the printed section.

Abstract: Techniques and products are described for coloring acetylated wood products. An acetylated wood product can be impregnated by a coloring medium within a chamber and the colorant or colorants contained within the coloring medium can be fixed to the acetylated wood product by the application of heat or by application of radio frequency radiation to color any external surface or interior region of the acetylated wood product which has been impregnated by the coloring medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention have application in the field of inkjet inks. Additionally, the novel energy cure monomers and oligomers disclosed herein also have application more broadly in the field of energy cure inks and coatings.

Abstract: A method for making labels comprising providing a plastic substrate layer and a paper substrate layer. The paper substrate layer comprises a printed display information sheet, wherein the printed display information sheet comprises a plurality of display information tags arranged in an array. The plastic substrate layer is coupled to each of the rows of display information tags within a first portion of the display information tags to form a composite substrate row. A first line of perforations is cut into a width of the composite substrate at one or more first spaced intervals, a length of the first spaced intervals being defined by a length of the display information tags. A second line of perforations is cut into a width of the composite substrate at one or more second spaced intervals, a length of the second spaced intervals being defined by a height of the display information tags.

Abstract: Edge hold down (EHD) systems are described herein that enable high print quality to be achieved more consistently, particularly when using substrates that are rigid or include one or more defects. Each EHD system includes a tensioned band for holding down an edge of a substrate as it passes through a printer assembly without impacting the print area. The tensioned band can be affixed between an entry tension assembly and an exit tension assembly disposed downstream of the entry tension assembly in the media feed direction. The tensioned band holds the substrate substantially flat against a transfer belt during printing by applying pressure to the surface of the substrate. The tensioned band generally contacts the surface of the substrate substantially proximate to an outer edge that is parallel to the media feed direction.

Abstract: Enhanced printing solutions are enabled by providing ultraviolet curing conditions without requiring complete evacuation of atmospheric oxygen. Increased ink coverage and adjusted surface appearance are also provided.

Abstract: A single dual-sided product placement and information strip includes a first side with product information for consumers and a second side with product placement information for placing products on a display shelf. The dual-sided product placement and information strip enables information necessary for consumers to be printed on the first (consumer-facing) side and information that assists stockers to place products on shelves to be printed on the second (opposing) side. Also disclosed are systems and methods for formatting and printing the dual-sided product placement and information strips. The single dual-sided product placement and information strip may be printed alone or in a single sheet along with one or more other dual-sided product placement and information strips.

Abstract: Optimization of ink recipes for spot colors in printers. Often, ICC Profiles are optimized for smooth rendering of images; thus, color recipes often contain more inks than are required for matching a color when generated from a Profile. When transitioning from one color to another, it is better to make smaller changes in inkings. This goal is not served when printing spot colors. Spot colors are often single, solid colors that do not vary in gradients from one to another. Herein is a discussion including dividing an N-ink set into subsets, generating an ink recipe for a desired recipe in each ink subset, and selecting a subset based on predetermined criteria. Where a spot color is out of Gamut, that color is mapped to the Gamut.

Abstract: Various variable gloss reduction techniques are disclosed. In one embodiment, a gloss reduction technique is disclosed using a textured roller and a wiper impregnated with fuser oil to create a differential gloss pattern that reduces the gloss of an image printed on a substrate. In one embodiment, a gloss reduction technique is disclosed using a combination of heat and pressure to create a differential gloss pattern that reduces the gloss in specific regions of an image printed on a substrate. In one embodiment, a gloss reduction technique is disclosed using a differential gloss pattern to generate a security mark on a printed image to prevent against copying or fraudulent misrepresentation of the image.

Abstract: A method of making a pad of labels comprises: printing display information on a top surface of a substrate; affixing a first layer of lamination material to a bottom surface of the substrate; affixing a second layer of lamination material to the top surface of the substrate, the second layer of lamination material having a release coating applied to a top surface thereof; applying an adhesive strip to a bottom surface of the first layer of lamination material, the adhesive strip being covered by a liner material; cutting the substrate having first and second layers of lamination material affixed into at least one label; removing the liner material to expose the adhesive strip after cutting the substrate into at least one label; and arranging the labels into a pad of labels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the automatic measuring of such qualities of a printed sheet as reflectance excluding specular reflectance, reflectance including specular reflectance, e.g. gloss, transmittance, half-tone coverage, and the like.

Abstract: Mechanisms for adjusting the position of one or more print heads at an extremely fine resolution (e.g., less than 10 ?m) are described herein. The adjustment mechanisms include a differential screw and an indexing wheel through which the differential screw extends. One threaded segment of the differential screw is connected to a threaded feature of a flexible body that is coupled to the print head(s), while another threaded segment of the differential screw is connected to a threaded feature of a rigid body that is coupled to a printer assembly. As the indexing wheel and differential screw rotate, the space between the flexible body and the rigid body changes based on the difference between the pitches of the threaded segments. The adjustment mechanisms described herein utilize the accurate, consistent motion of the flexible body upon experiencing pressure to effect predictable changes in the position of the print head(s).

Abstract: Various embodiments concern inkjet printing systems designed for multilayer imaging with a high-gloss clear ink layer. More specifically, the inkjet printing systems are designed so that clear, curable inks are provided additional time to level out before being cured. The settling process enables the inkjet printing systems to produce multilayer images having high gloss values. For example, a bracket could be attached to a curing assembly that prevents radiation from striking a certain portion of the substrate onto which clear ink has recently been deposited. As another example, an inactive array of light-emitting diodes may be disposed in line with the print head(s) responsible for depositing clear ink. Moreover, various embodiments also allow for true multilayer printing of a color coat and a high-gloss clear coat in a single step (e.g., by arranging print heads into rows within a printer carriage).