Abstract: A method for applying an ink image to a receiving material using a printer containing a carriage holding a print head, the carriage being moveable along a carriage scan-axis for applying the ink image to a strip of receiving material, transporting means for stepwise advancing the receiving material in a direction of advance, which extends to a direction substantially orthogonal to the carriage scan-axis, and a camera mounted on the carriage adjacent to the print head for detecting a reference pattern, wherein the camera is arranged for imaging an area which extends in the direction of advance, said method including the steps of: moving the carriage for printing a swath in a direction wherein the camera is positioned upstream to the print head, detecting the position of a reference pattern on the receiving material relative to the carriage, determining deviations in said position from a desired position, and adjusting the position of the receiving material in the direction of advance for at least partially cor

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an ink image to a receiving material adapted to be advanced in a specific direction which includes an ink application system for applying an ink image to a strip of receiving material, which strip extends in a direction transverse to the direction of advance of the receiving material, the ink application means being movable over the strip of receiving material, a carrier device for maintaining the strip in a predetermined position with respect to the ink application system, which carrier device includes a carrier plate for carrying the strip, said carrier plate having recesses and said carrier plate being provided with holes, a vacuum device for sucking away air via said holes from the space between the carrier plate and a strip of receiving material lying on the carrier plate, and correction means for correcting local variations in the distance between the receiving material and the ink application mean.