Abstract: A printing system and method are provided. The printing system includes an image forming station for temporarily deposit an image on an intermediate transfer member when the intermediate transfer member in the image forming station is in a first temperature range. The system further includes a drying station configured to increase a temperature of the intermediate transfer member from a first temperature in the first temperature range to a second temperature in a second temperature range, the second temperature being substantially higher than the first temperature. The system further includes an impression station configured to transfer the temporarily deposited image from the intermediate transfer member onto a substrate when the intermediate transfer member in the impression station is in the second temperature range. The system further includes a cooling station for retaining a coolant configured to revert the intermediate transfer member to a temperature in the first temperature.

Abstract: An ink film construction including: (a) a printing substrate; and (b) at least one ink film, fixedly adhered to a top surface of the printing substrate, the ink film having an upper film surface distal to the top surface of the substrate, wherein a surface concentration of nitrogen at the upper film surface exceeds a bulk concentration of nitrogen within the film, the bulk concentration measured at a depth of at least 30 nanometers below the upper film surface, and wherein a ratio of the surface concentration to the bulk concentration is at least 1.1 to 1.

Abstract: A manifold is disclosed for introducing gas into a gap between a print head and an intermediate transfer member (ITM) of an indirect inkjet printing system. The manifold has a first gas flow path terminating in a first discharge mouth for delivering a continuous low speed gas stream and a second separate gas flow path terminating in a second discharge mouth, vertically spaced from the first discharge mouth, for intermittently delivering into the gap a high speed gas stream.

Abstract: A printing system is described that has an intermediate transfer member in the form of a seamed endless belt for transporting an ink image from an image forming station, at which an ink image is deposited on the intermediate transfer member, to an impression station, where the ink image is transferred onto a printing substrate. The belt has along its edges formations of a greater thickness than the belt. The formations are received in channels to guide the belt and maintain the belt under lateral tension. Two drive members are provided, each located within a respective one of the channels. The two drive members are connected for movement in synchronism with one another and each has a respective laterally projecting gripper shaped for form locking engagement with the formations on a leading end of a strip from which the intermediate transfer member is to be formed.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a digital printing system and method for depositing ink droplets onto a target surface in dependence upon a received electrical printing signal containing data indicating the desired image to be printed while improving the uniformity of intended tone reproduction of the printed image.

Abstract: A flexible belt is disclosed for use in a printing system. The belt comprises an endless strip which, in use, travels along a continuous path. Formations are provided along the sides of the strip which are capable of engaging with lateral tracks to place the belt under lateral tension, the lateral tracks further serving to constrain the belt to follow the continuous path.

Abstract: A printing system and method are provided. The printing system includes an image forming station for temporarily deposit an image on an intermediate transfer member when the intermediate transfer member in the image forming station is in a first temperature range. The system further includes a drying station configured to increase a temperature of the intermediate transfer member from a first temperature in the first temperature range to a second temperature in a second temperature range, the second temperature being substantially higher than the first temperature. The system further includes an impression station configured to transfer the temporarily deposited image from the intermediate transfer member onto a substrate when the intermediate transfer member in the impression station is in the second temperature range. The system further includes a cooling station for retaining a coolant configured to revert the intermediate transfer member to a temperature in the first temperature.

Abstract: Aqueous inkjet ink formulations comprising a solvent including water and a co-solvent, a water soluble or water dispersible polymeric resin and a colorant, and a method for facilitating the use of such an aqueous inkjet ink in an indirect printing system in which the ink is jetted onto a hydrophobic release layer of an intermediate transfer member before having the solvent removed therefrom and being transferred to a substrate, wherein prior to the jetting of the ink the release layer is brought into contact with an aqueous solution of a positively charged polymeric chemical agent. Other aspects are also described.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on a substrate, comprises a movable intermediate transfer member in the form of a flexible, substantially inextensible, belt guided to follow a closed path, an image forming station for depositing droplets of a liquid ink onto an outer surface of the belt to form an ink image, a drying station for drying the ink image on the belt to leave an ink residue film on the outer surface of the belt, first and second impression stations spaced from one another in the direction of movement of the belt, each impression station comprising an impression cylinder for supporting and transporting the substrate and a pressure cylinder carrying a compressible blanket for urging the belt against the substrate supported on the impression cylinder, and a transport system for transporting the substrate from the first impression station to the second impression station.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods of a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and to user-related features of a printing system. Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to a time-line GUI for visualizing and/or manipulating queued print jobs which may be employed. Some embodiments relate to a reversed augmented reality GUI for visualization and/or control of the printing system. In some embodiments, a display screen is mounted to a printer housing and/or able to control access to moving parts of a printing system.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use in a printing system to transport an ink image from an image forming station to an impression station for transfer of the ink image from the ITM onto a printing substrate, wherein the ITM is an endless flexible belt of substantially uniform width which, during use, passes over drive and guide rollers and is guided through at least the image forming station by means of guide channels that receive formations provided on both lateral edges of the belt, wherein the formations on a first edge differ from the formations on the second edge by being configured for providing the elasticity desired to maintain the belt taut when the belt is guided through their respective lateral channels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a digital printing system comprising two independently operable printing towers, each tower having a respective endless intermediate transfer member, a respective image forming system serving under digital control to deposit ink onto the intermediate transfer member to form an ink image on the respective endless intermediate transfer member, a drier for drying the ink image while it is being transported by the intermediate transfer member to form a residue film and a respective impression station at which the residue film is impressed onto a sheet substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods of a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and to user-related features of a printing system. Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to a time-line GUI for visualizing and/or manipulating queued print jobs which may be employed. Some embodiments relate to a reversed augmented reality GUI for visualization and/or control of the printing system. In some embodiments, a display screen is mounted to a printer housing and/or able to control access to moving parts of a printing system.

Abstract: A flexible belt is disclosed for use in a printing system. The belt comprises an endless strip which, in use, travels along a continuous path. Formations are provided along the sides of the strip which are capable of engaging with lateral tracks to place the belt under lateral tension, the lateral tracks further serving to constrain the belt to follow the continuous path.

Abstract: A printing system and method are provided. The printing system includes an image forming station for temporarily deposit an image on an intermediate transfer member when the intermediate transfer member in the image forming station is in a first temperature range. The system further includes a drying station configured to increase a temperature of the intermediate transfer member from a first temperature in the first temperature range to a second temperature in a second temperature range, the second temperature being substantially higher than the first temperature. The system further includes an impression station configured to transfer the temporarily deposited image from the intermediate transfer member onto a substrate when the intermediate transfer member in the impression station is in the second temperature range. The system further includes a cooling station for retaining a coolant configured to revert the intermediate transfer member to a temperature in the first temperature.

Abstract: There is disclosed a formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member of an indirect printing system, including: (a) a carrier liquid: (b) a positively chargeable polymeric chemical agent having amine functional groups; and (c) a resolubilizing agent selected to improve resolubilization of said chemical agent. Method of use thereof is also provided.

Abstract: A printing process is disclosed which comprises directing droplets of an ink onto an intermediate transfer member to form an ink image, the ink including an organic polymeric resin and a coloring agent in an aqueous carrier, and the transfer member having a hydrophobic outer surface so that each ink droplet in the ink image spreads on impinging upon the intermediate transfer member to form an ink film. The ink is dried while the ink image is being transported by the intermediate transfer member by evaporating the aqueous carrier from the ink image to leave a residue film of resin and coloring agent. The residue film is then transferred to a substrate.

Abstract: There is provided an ink-deposition device suitable for depositing ink on a target surface and a printing system comprising the same. In operation in a printing system, the ink-deposition device can convert digital images into ink images on the target surface using pixel-masks and methods as disclosed herein. Advantageously, the ink-deposition device, the printing system comprising it and the methods of using the same can reduce or prevent the occurrence of some undesired ink-formations typically governed by the respective physical and/or chemical properties of the surface and ink being used or mitigate their effect on print quality. Application of the pixel-image mask yields a binary image that exhibits pixel-clusters with stochastically distributed centroids.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use in a printing system to transport an ink image from an image forming station to an impression station for transfer of the ink image from the ITM onto a printing substrate, wherein the ITM is an endless flexible belt of substantially uniform width which, during use, passes over drive and guide rollers and is guided through at least the image forming station by means of guide channels that receive formations provided on both lateral edges of the belt, wherein the formations on a first edge differ from the formations on the second edge by being configured for providing the elasticity desired to maintain the belt taut when the belt is guided through their respective lateral channels.

Abstract: There is provided a method for treating a hydrophobic release layer of an intermediate transfer member for use in a printing process in which a negatively charged aqueous inkjet ink including a polymeric resin and a colorant is jetted onto said layer, the claimed method comprising contacting the release layer, prior to jetting the ink, with an aqueous solution or dispersion of a positively charged polymeric chemical agent reducing the tendency of a jetted ink droplet to bead up on the intermediate transfer member. Other embodiments, such as hydrophobic release layers having such chemical agents disposed thereupon and printed ink images comprising the same, are also described.