Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a functional agent that blocks the substance from or attracts the principal substance to the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize ink jet technology to apply the functional agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The principal substance may be an ink, a dye, a marking substance other than an ink, or a carrier for any other type of substance.

Abstract: Shipment labels and related methods are described. An example method includes printing a return address on a first label layer of the label and printing a delivery address on a second label layer of the label adjacent the first label layer. The example method also includes coupling the first label layer and the second label layer on at least a portion of a container. The second label layer releasably covers at least a portion of the first label layer so that the return address is not fully visible when the second label layer is releasably coupled to the container.

Abstract: Forms containing a removable hang tag are disclosed. An example form includes a substrate including a first line of weakness defining a central area and a perimeter area. The form includes a second line of weakness in the central area to divide the central area into a first side and a second side. The form includes a third line of weakness formed in the perimeter area to define a sleeve area. The form includes a fourth line of weakness formed in the sleeve area to divide the sleeve area into a first sleeve layer and a second sleeve layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a nanoparticle-based gating agent that blocks the substance from or attracts the substance to the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize ink jet technology to apply the gating agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface.

Abstract: A method for printing a print medium applies ink to a surface and ejects drops of an aqueous solution onto the print medium to define image and non-image areas. The ejection of each drop is individually controlled. Ink from the surface is transferred to the image areas of the print medium. Methods of printing on a web and for printing a printed sheet output of a press are also disclosed.

Abstract: Binder apparatus are described. An example binder apparatus includes a housing comprising a plurality of lateral recesses or apertures and a first carrier rail having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the housing engaging the first longitudinal edge. The example binder apparatus includes a second carrier rail having a third longitudinal edge and a fourth longitudinal edge, the housing engaging the third longitudinal edge, the second longitudinal edge hingably engaging the fourth longitudinal edge. The binder apparatus includes a slider comprising a plurality of protrusions to be received by at least some of the lateral recesses or apertures.

Abstract: Methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a gating agent that blocks the substance from the substrate. The methods may utilize ink jet technology to apply the gating agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The gating agent composition includes a nonionic surfactant, and water. The gating agent composition does not contain a discernable amount of dye, pigment or other colorant agent.

Abstract: A drying unit includes a frame having an air box mounted thereon, wherein the air box includes an intake port and an exhaust port. A plurality of rollers define a web path within the frame and a heat source is removably attached to the frame, wherein removal of the heat source does not require removal of a web from the web path.

Abstract: A system for managing a job in accordance with a job specification and job content includes a database that stores device information and a configuration engine. The configuration engine is responsive to the job specification and the database and identifies one or more device configurations that are capable of producing the job. The system also includes a controller that is responsive to a selection from the one or more device configurations to produce a command stream in a format compatible with the selection.

Abstract: Forms having return postcards are described herein. An example form to be folded as an outgoing mailer includes a quadrate sheet of paper having a first face opposite a second face, substantially parallel top and bottom edges, and substantially parallel first and second side edges, where the first and second side edges are substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom edges. The form includes at least first, second, and third fold lines parallel to the top and bottom edges to divide the sheet into at least first, second, third, and fourth panels. The second face of the second panel and the second face of the third panel fold onto each other to form a postcard when the sheet is double parallel folded about the fold lines. At least a first portion of the second face of the second panel and at least a second portion of the second face of the third panel include a first adhesive area to couple the second and third panels when the sheet is folded along the fold lines.

Abstract: An intermediate for a postcard mailer is disclosed. An example intermediate includes a quadrate sheet of paper having parallel top and bottom edges, parallel first and second side edges perpendicular to the top edge and first and second faces. The intermediate also includes at least first, second and third fold lines parallel to said top and bottom edges dividing said sheet into at least first, second, third, and fourth panels, said first and fourth panels being substantially the same size and said second and third panels being substantially the same size.

Abstract: Mailer forms having return mail pieces are described herein. An example form to be folded as an outgoing mailer includes a sheet having substantially parallel top and bottom edges, and substantially parallel first and second side edges, where the first and second side edges are substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom edges. The form includes a first fold line substantially parallel to a second fold line to allow the sheet to fold as an outgoing mailer. A perforation divides the sheet into a removable portion and a reply portion. The form 102 also includes a third fold line different from the first and second fold lines to form a reply mail piece when the removable portion is detached from the sheet and the reply portion is folded along the third fold line. The perforation and the third fold line are substantially parallel to the first and second fold lines.

Abstract: A system for printing a page designated by a page description language representation has a first print unit for printing a color on a first portion of the substrate and a second print unit for printing the color on a second portion of the substrate. A first RIP determines and rasterizes the first portion of the page description language representation to generate a first raster image representation that is used by the first print unit to print a first portion of the page on the first portion of the substrate. A second RIP determines and rasterizes the second portion of the page description language representation to generate a second raster image representation that is used by the second print unit to print a second portion of the page on the second portion of the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a functional agent that blocks the substance from or attracts the principal substance to the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize ink jet technology to apply the functional agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The principal substance may be an ink, a dye, a marking substance other than an ink, or a carrier for any other type of substance.

Abstract: Sealed cards and methods for producing the same are described. An example sealed card includes a first layer having a first side and a second side and a perimeter of weakness formed in the first layer forming an inner area and an outer area. The example sealed card also includes first indicia on the second side and in the inner area and second indicia to correspond to the first indicia in the outer area. In addition, the example sealed card includes a release liner releasably coupled to the second side, wherein the release liner covers the first indicia.

Abstract: Labels and methods for removing a portion of a release liner from a label are disclosed. An example labels includes a substrate, a layer of adhesive on the substrate, a layer of release coating in contact with the layer of adhesive, and a release line in contact with the release coating. The release liner includes a first edge, a second edge, and a first line of weakness. The first line of weakness includes a tapered or curved portion and extends from the first edge of the release liner to between the first edge and the second edge of the release liner.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a functional agent that blocks the substance from or attracts the principal substance to the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize ink jet technology to apply the functional agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The principal substance may be an ink, a dye, a marking substance other than an ink, or a carrier for any other type of substance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a nanoparticle-based gating agent that blocks the substance from or attracts the substance to the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize ink jet technology to apply the gating agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface.

Abstract: Methods for high-speed printing include deposition of individual drops of an aqueous solution on top of a hydrophobic ink applied to a print cylinder. The methods further include stripping away the ink from the area of the cylinder not covered by the aqueous solution and transferring the ink covered by the aqueous solution to a print medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high-speed variable printing are provided. Ink jet technology and lithographic systems may be combined in such a way to create a fully variable and high-quality print system. Ink is applied to a printing cylinder. An aqueous solution is then applied on top of the ink to produce a negative image. A positive image is then transferred in ink to a print medium. The systems and methods described herein may be used to create high-quality one-to-one marketing applications.