Abstract: Apparatuses and methods that utilize material-handling systems in which material in the systems has enhanced stability, e.g., during conveyance of the material from a reservoir to a printhead through a conduit, the conduit having a conduit wall defining an inner conduit space and including a material line for carrying the printing material in the inner conduit space, wherein the inner conduit space is configured to carry a heated liquid, being heated from a liquid heater, to contact the material line.

Abstract: A gravure plate assembly having an elastomer pad sandwiched between a more rigid base plate and a less rigid metal top plate bearing an engraving surface.

Abstract: A method for carrying out pad transfer printing is disclosed in which process parameters for a desired print cycle are input to a controller. The method includes the steps of independently driving a gravure printing plate between an inking position and an ink transfer position, and independently driving an ink transfer pad between an ink receiving position and an ink transfer position, both in accordance with the input process parameters. The process parameters may include the velocities or lengths of movement of the gravure printing plate and ink transfer pad, and the dwell periods between movements of these components. The process parameters may be adjusted automatically in accordance with differences between the estimated and actual times required to move the printing plate and transfer pad along their paths of movement.