Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus including: a band (105) to hold hot melt ink; rollers (110) to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate (120); a printhead (125) to thermally transfer a portion of hot melt ink from the band to the substrate; an ink feed device (135) to add hot melt ink to the band, a heating device (140) to heat the hot melt ink on the band, and a rigid blade (155) to control ink thickness of the hot melt ink on the band; a meniscus sensor (245) to monitor a meniscus of melted hot melt ink on the band; and a controller (160) communicatively coupled with the meniscus sensor and the ink feed device, wherein the controller can cause the ink feed device to add hot melt ink to the band based on data from the meniscus sensor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus (100) including: a band (105) capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers (110) arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate (120); a printhead (125) configured to thermally transfer a portion of hot melt ink from the band to the substrate; an ink feed device (135) configured to add hot melt ink to the band, a heating device (140) configured to heat the ink on the band, and a blade (155, 186) proximately located with the heating device and configured to control ink thickness of the ink on the band; and a controller (160) communicatively coupled with the blade, wherein the controller is configured to reposition the blade, in accordance with a viscosity of the ink and a speed of the band, to control the thickness of the hot melt ink on the band after the blade.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus including: a band (105) to hold hot melt ink; rollers (110) to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate (120); a printhead (125) to thermally transfer a portion of hot melt ink from the band to the substrate; an ink feed device (135) to add hot melt ink to the band, a heating device (140) to heat the ink on the band, and a rigid blade (155) that includes a pressure chamber (240); a pressure sensor (245) associated with the pressure chamber to monitor the meniscus of the melted hot melt ink on the band; and a controller (160) communicatively coupled with the pressure sensor (245) and the ink feed device, the controller to cause the ink feed device to add hot melt ink to the band based on data from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including an organic solvent, a resin, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a hot melt ink composition that includes at least one wax having a freezing point of from about 20° C. to about 45° C. and a melting point of at least about 35° C., and at least one colorant. The composition includes at least about 50 wt % of the at least one wax. This disclosure also relates to a printing process using such a composition and a product containing such a composition.

Abstract: Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including an organic solvent, a resin, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a hot melt ink composition that includes at least one wax having a freezing point of from about 20° C. to about 45° C. and a melting point of at least about 35° C., and at least one colorant. The composition includes at least about 50 wt % of the at least one wax. This disclosure also relates to a printing process using such a composition and a product containing such a composition.

Abstract: Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including a solvent, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time.

Abstract: Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including an organic solvent, a resin, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time.

Abstract: Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including a solvent, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time.

Abstract: Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including an organic solvent, a resin, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time.

Abstract: Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including an organic solvent, a resin, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time.

Abstract: A method for forming a mark on a substrate is disclosed. The method includes: (a) heating an edible hot melt ink including a colorant to a temperature sufficient to liquify the ink; and (b) transferring the ink to a substrate to provide a mark on the substrate.

Abstract: Solvent-based inkjet ink formulations including an organic solvent, a resin, a surfactant, and a colorant are provided. The inks have many desirable attributes such as extended decap time.

Abstract: A method for forming a mark on a food product is disclosed. The method includes: (a) heating an edible hot melt ink including a colorant to a temperature sufficient to liquify the ink; and (b) transferring the ink to a substrate to provide a mark on the food product.