Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spittoon assembly for a printing device, a printing device comprising a spittoon assembly, and a method of cleaning a print head using a spittoon assembly. The spittoon assembly comprises a waste receptacle and a spit plate with a receiving surface. The receiving surface is inclined relative to a horizontal direction by an inclination angle when the spittoon assembly is mounted in the printing device. A fluid path extends from the receiving surface to the waste receptacle.

Abstract: An example method comprises operating a drive unit to advance a substrate in a substrate advance direction toward a printing station. At the printing station, a first line is printed onto the substrate. A drive unit is instructed to advance the substrate in the substrate advance direction by a target amount, and a second line is printed onto the substrate. The distance between the first and second lines in a direction perpendicular to the substrate advance direction is calculated and, based on the calculated difference, a tension of the substrate is modified.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for collection printing liquid e.g. ink. A printing liquid collection apparatus comprises a collection tray comprising a printing liquid droplet collection surface to capture printing liquid droplets produced during application of a printing liquid to a porous substrate; and a printing liquid removal element to receive the captured printing liquid from the collection tray and transport the captured printing liquid to a waste printing liquid container.

Abstract: A method to advance a print medium, for example a flexible print medium, through a print zone of a printing device is described. A carrier is fed from a carrier supply. The carrier has an adhesive surface. A print medium is engaged with the adhesive surface of the carrier. The carrier with the engaged print medium is advanced to the print zone.

Abstract: Example implementations provide a controller comprising circuitry to align a substrate; the controller comprising: circuitry to control varying the tension of an unspooled portion of the substrate between a spool bearing the substrate and a pinch roller; said circuitry comprising circuitry to control varying the pinch load exerted by the pinch roller on the unspooled portion of the substrate.

Abstract: An example method comprises operating a drive unit to advance a substrate in a substrate advance direction toward a printing station. At the printing station, a first line is printed onto the substrate. A drive unit is instructed to advance the substrate in the substrate advance direction by a target amount, and a second line is printed onto the substrate. The distance between the first and second lines in a direction perpendicular to the substrate advance direction is calculated and, based on the calculated difference, a tension of the substrate is modified.

Abstract: An example method comprises operating a drive unit to advance a substrate in a substrate advance direction toward a printing station. At the printing station, a first line is printed onto the substrate. A drive unit is instructed to advance the substrate in the substrate advance direction by a target amount, and a second line is printed onto the substrate. The distance between the first and second lines in a direction perpendicular to the substrate advance direction is calculated and, based on the calculated difference, a tension of the substrate is modified.

Abstract: A printing fluid collector is described. In one example, the collector comprises a conveying mechanism for collecting printing fluid ejected from a printing fluid dispenser, and a connecting means for connecting the conveying mechanism to a printing system in an orientation such that the conveying mechanism is to collect printing fluid ejected from the printing fluid dispenser and convey the printing fluid in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of a print medium along a print medium path.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spittoon assembly for a printing device, a printing device comprising a spittoon assembly, and a method of cleaning a print head using a spittoon assembly. The spittoon assembly comprises a waste receptacle and a spit plate with a receiving surface. The receiving surface is inclined relative to a horizontal direction by an inclination angle when the spittoon assembly is mounted in the printing device. A fluid path extends from the receiving surface to the waste receptacle.

Abstract: A printing fluid collector is described. In one example, the collector comprises a conveying mechanism for collecting printing fluid ejected from a printing fluid dispenser, and a connecting means for connecting the conveying mechanism to a printing system in an orientation such that the conveying mechanism is to collect printing fluid ejected from the printing fluid dispenser and convey the printing fluid in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of a print medium along a print medium path.

Abstract: An example method comprises operating a drive unit to advance a substrate in a substrate advance direction toward a printing station. At the printing station, a first line is printed onto the substrate. A drive unit is instructed to advance the substrate in the substrate advance direction by a target amount, and a second line is printed onto the substrate. The distance between the first and second lines in a direction perpendicular to the substrate advance direction is calculated and, based on the calculated difference, a tension of the substrate is modified.

Abstract: A method to advance a print medium, for example a flexible print medium, through a print zone of a printing device is described. A carrier is fed from a carrier supply. The carrier has an adhesive surface. A print medium is engaged with the adhesive surface of the carrier. The carrier with the engaged print medium is advanced to the print zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a printable medium for the use in a printer is described. The apparatus comprises a drag device, a feed device and a lock device. The drag device conveys the printable medium to a printing area. The feed device feeds the printable medium to the drag device. The lock device is disposed between the feed device and the drag device. The lock device temporarily fixes a first portion of the printable medium so as to cause a second portion of the printable medium being in contact with the drag device to slip along the drag device.

Abstract: A clamping device for a feed of a printable medium comprises a clamp to clamp the printable medium; and a force transfer mechanism to press the clamp against the printable medium; wherein the clamp comprises a magnet to increase a force onto the printable medium during clamping.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a printable medium for the use in a printer is described. The apparatus comprises a drag device, a feed device and a lock device. The drag device conveys the printable medium to a printing area. The feed device feeds the printable medium to the drag device. The lock device is disposed between the feed device and the drag device. The lock device temporarily fixes a first portion of the printable medium so as to cause a second portion of the printable medium being in contact with the drag device to slip along the drag device.