Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a stationary roller and a second roller to apply primer onto media before the media is printed. The second roller is movable in a cross-process direction so the combined length of the stationary roller and the second roller in the cross-process direction can apply primer to the full width of the media being printed.

Abstract: A precoat application system is disclosed. The precoat application system includes a pressure member configured to apply contacting pressure to a hydrophobic compliant member. A precoat solution, disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the hydrophobic compliant member, is delivered to a surface of paper in contact with the hydrophobic compliant member when the paper is passed between the hydrophobic compliant member and the pressure member. A pressure member is configured to apply pressure to the surface of the paper and the precoat solution on the surface of the paper to obtain a uniform coating of the precoat solution on the surface of the paper. The precoat solution may include an aqueous salt solution, such as magnesium chloride, calcium nitrate, barium, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing system, comprising: identifying at least one area in an electronic document for which one or more primers are to be applied prior to an application of ink on a sheet of media during a print job (wherein the primers are formulated to have different surface tensions); determining, for each pixel in the at least one area, an amount of each of the one or more primers that is to be applied based on a characteristic of content in the electronic document; generating the print job using the amount of each of the one or more primers determined for each said pixel in the at least one area; and instructing a printer to perform the print job.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for measuring inkjet printing system performance includes a printhead that deposits a colorless precoat solution from one or more of a plurality of ejector jets. The diagnostic system includes a diagnostic sheet, having a substrate, and a layer of material disposed on a first surface of the substrate, where the layer of material changes color after contacting the precoat solution, and an image scanner configured to capture a pattern on a surface of the diagnostic sheet after the precoat solution is deposited. The layer of material of the diagnostic sheet may include a moisture sensitive composition or a pH indicator. A method includes providing a diagnostic sheet to an inkjet printing system, where the diagnostic sheet may include a layer of material that changes color after contacting a precoat solution, and when needed, correcting one or more jetting operations.

Abstract: A printhead contamination prevention device is disclosed. The printhead contamination prevention device includes a mounting fixture, optionally rotatable to multiple angles about a central axis, and an optionally movable blade attached to the mounting fixture, where an angle of the mounting fixture and a position of the movable blade create a gap between a tip of the movable blade and a printing media. An angle of the movable blade relative to the printing media is from about 15 degrees to about 35 degrees and a gap between the tip of the blade and the printing media is from about 0.1 mm to about 0.75 mm. A method for preventing contamination in a printing system by blocking one or more droplets of a non-pigmented fluid ejected from the primer dispensing printhead that are not coated onto the surface of the media from moving along the media path is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting missing jets in a precoat solution application system of an ink jet printing system includes providing print media into a path of a printer having a precoat application system, passing the print media past the precoat application system, passing print media in proximity to an ink jet printhead, jetting a plurality of drops of a first ink onto the print media to form a solid patch on a first surface of the print media, passing the print media through a dryer to dry the solid patch of the first ink on the first surface of the print media, passing the print media in proximity to the precoat application system, applying a precoat solution onto the dried solid patch of ink on the first surface of the print media, and analyzing the print media. An ink jet printing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting missing or misdirected jets in a drop on demand delivery system for media priming in an inkjet printing application includes passing a diagnostic media in proximity to a first printhead may include a plurality of ejector jets. The method includes firing each of the plurality of jets onto the diagnostic media to deposit a precoat solution onto the diagnostic media in a first predetermined pattern, followed by depositing a plurality of droplets of at least one ink compositions onto the diagnostic media in a second predetermined pattern. An image of the diagnostic sheet can be captured and the printed pattern analyzed to detect missing or misdirected jets of a printhead configured to deposit a precoat solution or a primer solution.

Abstract: A precoat application system is disclosed. The precoat application system includes a pressure member configured to apply contacting pressure to a hydrophobic compliant member. A precoat solution, disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the hydrophobic compliant member, is delivered to a surface of paper in contact with the hydrophobic compliant member when the paper is passed between the hydrophobic compliant member and the pressure member. A pressure member is configured to apply pressure to the surface of the paper and the precoat solution on the surface of the paper to obtain a uniform coating of the precoat solution on the surface of the paper. The precoat solution may include an aqueous salt solution, such as magnesium chloride, calcium nitrate, barium, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for measuring inkjet printing system performance includes a printhead that deposits a colorless precoat solution from one or more of a plurality of ejector jets. The diagnostic system includes a diagnostic sheet, having a substrate, and a layer of material disposed on a first surface of the substrate, where the layer of material changes color after contacting the precoat solution, and an image scanner configured to capture a pattern on a surface of the diagnostic sheet after the precoat solution is deposited. The layer of material of the diagnostic sheet may include a moisture sensitive composition or a pH indicator. A method includes providing a diagnostic sheet to an inkjet printing system, where the diagnostic sheet may include a layer of material that changes color after contacting a precoat solution, and when needed, correcting one or more jetting operations.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a nebulizer to generate a mist of primer and direct the mist onto media passing the nebulizer before the media is printed. A piezoelectric transducer is immersed in a primer solution and provided an alternating current to produce the mist. A pressure source directs the mist toward the passing media to apply the primer to the media.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a stationary roller and a second roller to apply primer onto media before the media is printed. The second roller is movable in a cross-process direction so the combined length of the stationary roller and the second roller in the cross-process direction can apply primer to the full width of the media being printed.