Abstract: An image transfer blanket usable with an image forming apparatus includes a main blanket body, a plurality of release layers configured to receive and transfer an image, each release layer disposed across from opposites sides of the main blanket body, and a plurality of soft layers configured to conform to a substrate onto which the image is transferred, each soft layer disposed between a respective release layer and the main blanket body.

Abstract: A method of inkjet printing includes establishing a back pressure corresponding to a desired print mode in a printhead and changing the back pressure in response to changes in print mode. A printing system for printing in a number of distinct print modes includes an inkjet pen having a printhead and a back pressure control unit having multiple back pressure settings. The back pressure is set to a first value when the printing system is operating in a first print mode to a second value when the printing system is operating in a second print mode. In another embodiment, the printing system includes structure for controlling meniscus condition in the printhead nozzles by selectively changing back pressure.

Abstract: A printer includes a surface configured to carry an electrostatic charge and a printing material forming an image, a transfer member configured to carry printing material from the surface to media and a heater external to the transfer member. The heater is configured to heat printing material being carried by the transfer member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a printing system includes an inkjet printhead configured to traverse bi directionally over a printzone printing one swath in a first direction, and a subsequent swath in a second direction opposite the first direction, with the printhead rising to a base temperature in response to a pre warming signal prior to beginning a swath. The printing system also includes a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the printhead. A controller is configured to generate the pre warming signal in response to an end of swath temperature monitored by the temperature sensor following printing the one swath.

Abstract: Data input received by a printer is printed. Dot data, which indicates location of dots on a print medium, is generated from the data input. Dot shift data is used in order to make sub-pixel shifts in locations of a subset of the dots on the print medium. Pulses are provided to a printhead which result in ink being emitted through nozzles located on the printhead. When placing the dots on the print medium, sub-pixel shifts in locations of the subset of the dots is achieved by time shifting the occurrence of pulses used to generate the dots.

Abstract: A method of operating a thermal inkjet printer having a thermal inkjet printhead that includes the steps of selecting an ink drop volume, selecting a pulse width that will cause the thermal inkjet printhead to deposit an ink drop having the selected drop volume, and operating the thermal inkjet printhead with the selected pulse width and at an operating energy that is greater than a turn-on energy of the printhead for the selected pulse width.

Abstract: The volume of drops ejected from thermal ink jet printheads varies with the temperature of the printhead. The variation in drop volume degrades print quality by causing variations in the darkness in black and white text, the contrast of gray scale images, and variations in the chroma, hue, and lightness of color images. The present invention reduces the range of drop volume variation by reducing the range of printhead temperature variation during the print cycle by keeping the printhead temperature above a reference temperature. When the printhead temperature falls below the reference temperature during a print cycle the printhead is heated with nonprinting pulses.