Abstract: A printed substrate is provided. The printed substrate includes a plurality of color bars printed on a substrate, a space between each of the plurality of color bars and an image printed in the space between at least two of the color bars. An embedded color bar and a method of printing an embedded color bar are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided of charging an inker in a lithographic printing press. The method comprises placing all of the printing units of the printing press in an off impression position, with a continuous substrate passing through the printing units, each printing unit including a blanket cylinder; and in one or more printing units of the plurality of printing units, moving the takeaway roller into contact with the blanket cylinder of the printing unit. Thereafter, the method includes driving the ink train, plate cylinder, blanket cylinder and the take away roller at a first surface speed, whereby the ink from the ink train transmitted to the plate cylinder from the ink train, from the plate cylinder to the blanket cylinder, and from the blanket cylinder to the take away roller; and during said driving step, keeping the continuous substrate stationary or moving the continuous substrate at a second surface speed less than 50% of the first surface speed.

Abstract: A folder superstructure includes a former, a first nip roll located downstream of the former and having a compressible outer layer, and a second nip roll forming a nip with the first nip roll. A nip roll for nipping a plurality of superimposed printed ribbons or webs is also disclosed, the nip roll including a roll body and a compressible layer disposed about the roll body. A method for operating a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A folder superstructure includes a former, a first nip roll located downstream of the former and having a compressible outer layer, and a second nip roll forming a nip with the first nip roll. A nip roll for nipping a plurality of superimposed printed ribbons or webs is also disclosed, the nip roll including a roll body and a compressible layer disposed about the roll body. A method for operating a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A folder superstructure includes a former, a first top of former roll located upstream of the former and having a compressible outer layer and a second top of former roll forming a nip with the first top of former roll. A method for operating a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A method of inking a substrate in a printing press is provided. The printing press includes a plurality of printing units, each printing unit includes a blanket cylinder, a plate cylinder and an inker. The method includes the steps of running the plate cylinder, blanket cylinder and inker at a press speed, driving the inker independently, printing on a substrate with a desired ink film thickness at the press speed and stopping the press for a press stop event. Stopping the press further includes stopping the inker at a maximum stop rate, stopping the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder at a normal stop rate and moving the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder into an off impression position.

Abstract: A method of inking a substrate in a printing press is provided. The printing press includes a plurality of printing units, each printing unit includes a blanket cylinder, a plate cylinder and an inker. The method includes the steps of running the plate cylinder, blanket cylinder and inker at a press speed, driving the inker independently, printing on a substrate with a desired ink film thickness at the press speed and stopping the press for a press stop event. Stopping the press further includes stopping the inker at a maximum stop rate, stopping the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder at a normal stop rate and moving the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder into an off impression position.

Abstract: A method is provided of charging an inker in a lithographic printing press. The method comprises placing all of the printing units of the printing press in an off impression position, with a continuous substrate passing through the printing units, each printing unit including a blanket cylinder; and in one or more printing units of the plurality of printing units, moving the takeaway roller into contact with the blanket cylinder of the printing unit. Thereafter, the method includes driving the ink train, plate cylinder, blanket cylinder and the take away roller at a first surface speed, whereby the ink from the ink train transmitted to the plate cylinder from the ink train, from the plate cylinder to the blanket cylinder, and from the blanket cylinder to the take away roller; and during said driving step, keeping the continuous substrate stationary or moving the continuous substrate at a second surface speed less than 50% of the first surface speed.

Abstract: A color control system for use in a printing press is provided. The system includes a controller for reviewing digital data for a print job and identifying solid color regions of the print job that are greater than a predetermined size, a user interface allowing an operator to select solid color regions identified by the controller, a sensor for measuring a characteristic of the selected solid color regions of the print job on a printed substrate, the controller determining measured values of the characteristic for each of the selected solid color regions, and at least one inking unit for supplying ink in a plurality of ink zones to a plate cylinder, the controller varying the ink supplied to ink zones including the solid color regions as function of a difference between the measured value of the characteristic of each selected solid color region and a predetermined target value of the characteristic. A method for controlling printing of a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: An ink delivery system includes a closed or closable ink container holding an ink supply. The ink container ink has an inlet and outlet. The inlet and outlet are arranged in the ink container to hold pressurized air when the ink container is closed and partially filled with ink. An air delivery system supplies pressurized air to the ink container via the inlet. A pump is connected to the outlet of the ink container, the pump receiving ink from the ink container; and an ink fountain receives ink from the pump. Preferably, the ink is ultraviolet or electron beam ink.

Abstract: A method for calculating an instantaneous total volume of printing fluid used in a printing press is provided. The method includes inputting parameters of a printing fluid dispenser into a controller, calculating an instantaneous total volume of printing fluid consumed by the printing fluid dispenser using the controller and displaying the calculated instantaneous total volume of printing fluid on a human machine interface. A printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A color control system for use in a printing press is provided. The system includes a controller for reviewing digital data for a print job and identifying solid color regions of the print job that are greater than a predetermined size, a user interface allowing an operator to select solid color regions identified by the controller, a sensor for measuring a characteristic of the selected solid color regions of the print job on a printed substrate, the controller determining measured values of the characteristic for each of the selected solid color regions, and at least one inking unit for supplying ink in a plurality of ink zones to a plate cylinder, the controller varying the ink supplied to ink zones including the solid color regions as function of a difference between the measured value of the characteristic of each selected solid color region and a predetermined target value of the characteristic. A method for controlling printing of a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A folder superstructure includes a former, a first top of former roll located upstream of the former and having a compressible outer layer and a second top of former roll forming a nip with the first top of former roll. A method for operating a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A folder superstructure includes a former, a first nip roll located downstream of the former and having a compressible outer layer, and a second nip roll forming a nip with the first nip roll. A nip roll for nipping a plurality of superimposed printed ribbons or webs is also disclosed, the nip roll including a roll body and a compressible layer disposed about the roll body. A method for operating a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A folder for processing a stream of printed signatures from a printing press and related method. The signatures have a desired path with a path edge and each signature has a lead and trail edge. The folder comprises a plurality of sensor sets, each sensor set for determining if the lead and/or trail edge of the signature deviates from the path edge by more than a certain tolerance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting skew settings in a dampener in a printing press. One or more skew adjustment linkages connect skew adjustment rods for the upper and lower dampeners of each printing unit. The linkage ensures that a single movement by the operator will allow adjustment of the skewing of both the upper and lower dampeners at the same time. The linkage or linkages are preferably connected at one end to skew adjustment brackets, which in turn are connected to a skew adjustment rod for one of the upper or lower dampeners. The skew adjustment rod adjusts the amount of skew of associated pan rolls. Movement of the linkage may be controlled by movement of a spring plunger, which is connected to the linkage or linkages. The spring plunger may be spring biased, and may be adjusted and locked into different skew setting positions using a pinhole arrangement.