Abstract: The present invention is devices and processes for producing digitally imaged products. Multiple digital images are encrypted with public keys that are unique to each digital image of the multiple digital images. A purchaser or producer of the product(s)to be imaged selects a digital image from the multiple digital images. A purchaser or producer provides payment information to the central computing device for an imaged substrate or substrates imaged with the digital image selected. An imaged product producer is provided with a private key. The imaged product producer decrypts the digital image using a private key assigned to the imaged product producer, and the imaged product producer produces an imaged substrate comprising the selected digital image formed on the substrate. Payment for the imaged substrate is allocated to participants, including allocating a portion of the payment for the imaged product to one or more creators of the digital image.

Abstract: A networked product imaging system includes devices that provide the production of imaged goods. Sellers are easily integrated into the network with minimal or no inventory requirements. Customer requirements are provided to a central computing device (CCD) that has two-way communication with a plurality of geographically separated product image forming devices. The central computing device determines specifications for forming the image on the blank product in accordance with the customer's order. The central computing device selects a product image forming device from the plurality of geographically separated product forming devices for fulfilling the order, based upon factors that include the specification of the product image forming device available, the product image forming inventory and the blank product inventory available at the geographic location of the product image forming device. The selected product image forming device forms the image on the blank product at the remote location.

Abstract: A networked product imaging system includes devices that provide the production of imaged goods. Customer requirements are provided to a central computing device (CCD) that has two-way communication with a plurality of geographically separated image forming devices. The central computing device determines specifications for forming the image on the blank product in accordance with the customer's order. The central computing device selects an image forming device from the plurality of geographically separated image forming devices for fulfilling the order, based upon factors that include the specification of the image forming device available, the image forming inventory and the blank product inventory available at the geographic location of the image forming device. The selected image forming device forms the image on the blank product at the remote location.

Abstract: A networked product imaging system includes devices that provide the production of imaged goods. Sellers are easily integrated into the network with minimal or no inventory requirements. Customer requirements are provided to a central computing device (CCD) that has two-way communication with a plurality of geographically separated product image forming devices. The central computing device determines specifications for forming the image on the blank product in accordance with the customer's order. The central computing device selects a product image forming device from the plurality of geographically separated product forming devices for fulfilling the order, based upon factors that include the specification of the product image forming device available, the product image forming inventory and the blank product inventory available at the geographic location of the product image forming device. The selected product image forming device forms the image on the blank product at the remote location.

Abstract: A networked product imaging system includes devices that provide the production of imaged goods. Sellers are easily integrated into the network with minimal or no inventory requirements. Customer requirements are provided to a central computing device (CCD) that has two-way communication with a plurality of geographically separated product image forming devices. The central computing device determines specifications for forming the image on the blank product in accordance with the customer's order. The central computing device selects a product image forming device from the plurality of geographically separated product forming devices for fulfilling the order, based upon factors that include the specification of the product image forming device available, the product image forming inventory and the blank product inventory available at the geographic location of the product image forming device. The selected product image forming device forms the image on the blank product at the remote location.

Abstract: A networked product imaging system includes devices that provide the production of imaged goods. Customer requirements are provided to a central computing device (CCD) that has two-way communication with a plurality of geographically separated image forming devices. The central computing device determines specifications for forming the image on the blank product in accordance with the customer's order. The central computing device selects an image forming device from the plurality of geographically separated image forming devices for fulfilling the order, based upon factors that include the specification of the image forming device available, the image forming inventory and the blank product inventory available at the geographic location of the image forming device. The selected image forming device forms the image on the blank product at the remote location.

Abstract: In an imaging method an image or multiple images, an ink specification and substrate or substrates for imaging are selected. A central computing device (CCD) determines a volume of ink required to form the images and communicates with a plurality of printers that are geographically remote from the CCD. Each of the plurality of printers communicates to the CCD an ink specification available at the printer, a volume of ink available and optionally substrates that are available at the printer location. The CCD selects a printer or printers from the plurality of printers to fulfill the print job considering the geographic location of the printer(s), the ink specification available to the printer, and the volume of ink available at the printer. The CCD provides to the printer information and specifications which may include an image specification, an ink specification, a waveform specification and a substrate specification.

Abstract: In an imaging method an image or multiple images, an ink specification and substrate or substrates for imaging are selected. A central computing device (CCD) determines a volume of ink required to form the images and communicates with a plurality of printers that are geographically remote from the CCD. Each of the plurality of printers communicates to the CCD an ink specification available at the printer, a volume of ink available and optionally substrates that are available at the printer location. The CCD selects a printer or printers from the plurality of printers to fulfill the print job considering the geographic location of the printer(s), the ink specification available to the printer, and the volume of ink available at the printer. The CCD provides to the printer information and specifications which may include an image specification, an ink specification, a waveform specification and a substrate specification.

Abstract: A geographically remote computing device transmits an image to a central computing device. The geographically remote computing device also communicates specifications of a substrate or substrates to be imaged to the central computing device. The central computing device selects a geographically remote fulfillment printer. A local, but geographically diverse distribution system is available according to the invention. The central computing device chooses the geographically remote fulfillment printer as a function of factors such as the selected image and substrate, printer capabilities, and the consumer's location. Image quality and consistency is maintained by the central computer selecting an appropriate geographically remote computing device and providing printer the appropriate instructions, rather than the instructions for printing being determined locally at the printer.

Abstract: A geographically remote computing device transmits an image to a central computing device. The geographically remote computing device also communicates specifications of a substrate or substrates to be imaged to the central computing device. The central computing device selects a geographically remote fulfillment printer. A local, but geographically diverse distribution system is available according to the invention. The central computing device chooses the geographically remote fulfillment printer as a function of factors such as the selected image and substrate, printer capabilities, and the consumer's location. Image quality and consistency is maintained by the central computer selecting an appropriate geographically remote computing device and providing printer the appropriate instructions, rather than the instructions for printing being determined locally at the printer.

Abstract: A high viscosity aqueous inkjet ink that is useful in ink jet printers. The ink comprises heat activated colorant solids that are not heat activated during the printing process, and are printed onto a substrate in the form of an image that can be transferred onto a subsequent or final substrate by applying heat and intimate contact between the two substrates. The ink can also be heat activated onto the substrate without further transfer by applying heat at the temperature that is suitable for the activation of the colorant.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for digitally customizing or decorating objects typically formed of substrates other than paper. The system includes a computer, color management software, and a full color inkjet printer designed for printing heat activatable ink. The ink comprises heat activatable colorant solids that are printed onto media in the form of an image that may be activated and/or transferred to a subsequent or final substrate by applying heat and intimate contact between the medium and the subsequent or final substrate. Control of color cell formation according to the invention improves first level dot gain upon printing and second level dot gain upon heat activation of the colorant to provide an image of high quality for most substrates that are usable with the system and method of the invention.

Abstract: A high viscosity aqueous inkjet ink that is useful in ink jet printers. The ink having heat activated colorant solids that are not heat activated during the printing process, and are printed onto a substrate in the form of an image that can be transferred onto a subsequent or final substrate by applying heat and intimate contact between the two substrates. The ink can also be heat activated onto the substrate without further transfer by applying heat at the temperature that is suitable for the activation of the colorant.

Abstract: A reactive ink for printing. A reagent in the ink reacts with a second reagent. A resultant product of the reaction of said first reagent with said second reagent is a polymeric material that is present on the substrate. A heat activated colorant or colorants, such as a sublimation dyes, are applied to the substrate. The heat activated dye has an affinity for the polymeric material, and the heat activated dye binds to the polymeric material upon heat activation of said heat activated dye.

Abstract: A high viscosity aqueous inkjet ink that is useful in ink jet printers. The ink comprises heat activated colorant solids that are not heat activated during the printing process, and are printed onto a substrate in the form of an image that can be transferred onto a subsequent or final substrate by applying heat and intimate contact between the two substrates. The ink can also be heat activated onto the substrate without further transfer by applying heat at the temperature that is suitable for the activation of the colorant.

Abstract: Reactive inks and methods of generating an image on a substrate using both reactive and heat activated inks are presented. An image is printed on a substrate, without reacting the reagents in the ink. Subsequently, the reagents are reacted to fix the image to a substrate, with substantial permanency and fastness. Sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are printed are also printed on the substrate. The sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are activated, and have an affinity for polymer that is applied to the substrate.

Abstract: Reactive inks and methods of generating an image on a substrate using both reactive and heat activated inks are presented. An image is printed on a substrate, without reacting the reagents in the ink. Subsequently, the reagents are reacted to fix the image to a substrate, with substantial permanency and fastness. Sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are printed are also printed on the substrate. The sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are activated, and have an affinity for polymer that is applied to the substrate.

Abstract: Reactive inks and methods of generating an image on a substrate using both reactive and heat activated inks are presented. An image is printed on a substrate, without reacting the reagents in the ink. Subsequently, the reagents are reacted to fix the image to a substrate, with substantial permanency and fastness. Sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are printed are also printed on the substrate. The sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are activated, and have an affinity for polymer that is applied to the substrate.

Abstract: An ink jet printing process in which an image is permanently bound, directly or indirectly, to a final substrate by reaction of the ink with the substrate. An ink jet ink is that is comprised of reactive dyes, direct dyes or combinations thereof are printed according to the process.

Abstract: A process for printing images and subsequently bonding the image to a substrate by activating bonding through the application of energy. An ink may comprise reactive functional groups that are blocked to prevent reaction of reactive components during printing of the image by the digital imaging device. The ink is solid at ambient temperature, and may be liquefied after the ink is installed in the digital imaging device. Heat used to achieve phase change of the ink does not disable, by removal or otherwise, the blocking agent. After the image is printed by the imaging device, the reactive components are activated by an energy source, which may be heat, to promote chemical cross-linking and bonding of the image permanently onto a substrate. The substrate may be an intermediate substrate that provides a transfer sheet for subsequent transfer of the image to a final substrate. The formed image, including the colorant, is bonded to the substrate by the reactive components.