Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to an indirect printing apparatus. The indirect printing apparatus comprises an intermediate transfer member comprising a substrate and a surface layer disposed over the substrate. The surface layer comprises a fluoroelastomer-aminosilane grafted polymer and infrared absorptive filler materials. The indirect printing apparatus also comprises a coating mechanism for forming a sacrificial coating onto the intermediate transfer member and a drying station for drying the sacrificial coating. At least one ink jet nozzle is positioned proximate the intermediate transfer member and configured for jetting ink droplets onto the sacrificial coating formed on the intermediate transfer member. An ink processing station comprises a radiation source for at least partially drying the ink on the sacrificial coating formed on the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to methods of increasing ink crystallization. In particular, there is provided a method for increasing the ink crystallization rate comprising providing a substrate; applying a first crystalline compound on the substrate to form a first layer; and printing an image using an ink comprises a second crystalline compound dispose on the first layer, wherein nucleation sites are formed between the first crystalline compound and the second crystalline compound.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to an indirect printing apparatus. The indirect printing apparatus comprises an intermediate transfer member comprising a substrate and a surface layer disposed over the substrate. The surface layer comprises a fluoroelastomer-aminosilane grafted polymer and infrared absorptive filler materials. The indirect printing apparatus also comprises a coating mechanism for forming a sacrificial coating onto the intermediate transfer member and a drying station for drying the sacrificial coating. At least one ink jet nozzle is positioned proximate the intermediate transfer member and configured for jetting ink droplets onto the sacrificial coating formed on the intermediate transfer member. An ink processing station comprises a radiation source for at least partially drying the ink on the sacrificial coating formed on the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An approach is provided for applying a release agent to a substrate having at least a first surface and a second surface. The approach involves determining a presence of at least one ink image applied to at least one portion of at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate by way of at least one step of a printing process. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, the release agent to be applied to the substrate so as to cover the at least one portion of at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate upon which the at least one ink image is applied.

Abstract: An approach is provided for applying a release agent to a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a release agent supply device to supply release agent to a release agent applicator. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a release agent metering device configured to control an amount of release agent applied to a roller configured to apply release agent to the first surface of the substrate. The roller is configured to accommodate the substrate under a tension over at least a portion of a circumference of the roller such that a pressure is exerted between the roller and the first surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A module is configured to selectively apply release agent to a web having a sequence of printed imaged formed thereon by a printer. The module includes a plurality of dispensers arranged in a cross-process direction across the imaged web. The module detects positions of areas in the printed images and determines whether the amount of ink in the areas meet or exceed a predetermined density threshold. If an area meets or exceeds the threshold, a controller operates a dispenser to apply release agent to the area on the web as the area passes the dispenser. The controller operates the dispensers with reference to image data of the surface of the web.

Abstract: An approach is provided for contact leveling an image applied to a media substrate. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a contact leveling member comprising at least one textured surface configured to repel one or more inks to level an image applied to the media substrate. The at least one textured surface may comprise one or more micro/nano structures configured to cause, at least in part, the at least one textured surface to have an ink contact angle greater than 100° and a sliding angle less than 30° when the at least one textured surface contacts the one or more inks.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to methods of increasing ink crystallization.

Abstract: An approach is provided for controlling ultraviolet-curable gel ink spread of a printed image. The approach involves causing, at least in part, one or more inks to be applied to a first substrate image area by one or more inkjets in a printing zone of a printer, the one or more inkjets being configured to form one or more first ink spots on the first substrate image area. The approach also involves determining a temperature of at least the first substrate image area in the printing zone. The approach further involves determining a first spot size of at least one of the one or more first ink spots. The approach additionally involves causing, at least in part, a temperature of at least a second substrate image area in the printing zone to be based, at least in part, on the determined first spot size.

Abstract: A module is configured to selectively apply release agent to a web having a sequence of printed imaged formed thereon by a printer. The module includes a plurality of dispensers arranged in a cross-process direction across the imaged web. The module detects positions of areas in the printed images and determines whether the amount of ink in the areas meet or exceed a predetermined density threshold. If an area meets or exceeds the threshold, a controller operates a dispenser to apply release agent to the area on the web as the area passes the dispenser. The controller operates the dispensers with reference to image data of the surface of the web.

Abstract: A process including disposing at least one phase separation ink in an imagewise fashion onto a final image receiving substrate to form an ink image, wherein disposing is at a first temperature at which the at least one phase separation ink is in a molten, unseparated state; cooling the ink image to a second temperature sufficient to initiate crystallization of at least one component of the at least one phase separation ink, wherein at the second temperature the at least one phase separation ink comprises a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase; wherein the amorphous phase of the at least one phase separation ink substantially penetrates into the final image receiving substrate; and wherein the crystalline phase of the at least one phase separation ink substantially remains on the surface of the final image receiving substrate; applying pressure to the ink image on the final image receiving substrate; and allowing the ink to complete crystallization.

Abstract: A leveling and spreading system has been developed that enables the speed and position of the web to be determined from a sensor on a first roller. In a duplex print process, the first roller also reduces a temperature of the media web and an ink image printed in the first side print operation to within a first predetermined temperature range. A second roller modulates the temperature of the media web and ink ejected onto the media web immediately before the web enters the leveling and spreading system to within a second predetermined temperature range to enable uniformity of the ink and web temperatures for spreading the ink in a nip formed with a third roller.

Abstract: A leveling and spreading system has been developed that enables the speed and position of the web to be determined from a sensor on a first roller. In a duplex print process, the first roller also reduces a temperature of the media web and an ink image printed in the first side print operation to within a first predetermined temperature range. A second roller modulates the temperature of the media web and ink ejected onto the media web immediately before the web enters the leveling and spreading system to within a second predetermined temperature range to enable uniformity of the ink and web temperatures for spreading the ink in a nip formed with a third roller.

Abstract: An approach is provided for controlling ultraviolet-curable gel ink spread of a printed image. The approach involves causing, at least in part, one or more inks to be applied to a first substrate image area by one or more inkjets in a printing zone of a printer, the one or more inkjets being configured to form one or more first ink spots on the first substrate image area. The approach also involves determining a temperature of at least the first substrate image area in the printing zone. The approach further involves determining a first spot size of at least one of the one or more first ink spots. The approach additionally involves causing, at least in part, a temperature of at least a second substrate image area in the printing zone to be based, at least in part, on the determined first spot size.

Abstract: An approach is provided for applying a release agent to a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The approach involves determining a presence of at least one ink image applied to at least one portion of one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate by way of one or more steps of a printing process. The approach also involves determining the substrate is to be made ready for printing one or more other images on the other of the first surface and the second surface by one or more steps of another printing process. The approach further comprising causing, at least in part, the release agent to be applied to the substrate so as to cover the at least one portion of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate upon which the at least one ink image is applied at a time before the substrate is subjected to the one or more steps of the another printing process.

Abstract: An approach is provided for applying a release agent to a substrate having at least a first surface and a second surface. The approach involves determining a presence of at least one ink image applied to at least one portion of at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate by way of at least one step of a printing process. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, the release agent to be applied to the substrate so as to cover the at least one portion of at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate upon which the at least one ink image is applied.

Abstract: An approach is provided for contact leveling an image applied to a media substrate. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a contact leveling member comprising at least one textured surface configured to repel one or more inks to level an image applied to the media substrate. The at least one textured surface may comprise one or more micro/nano structures configured to cause, at least in part, the at least one textured surface to have an ink contact angle greater than 100° and a sliding angle less than 30° when the at least one textured surface contacts the one or more inks.

Abstract: An approach is provided for applying a release agent to a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a release agent supply device to supply release agent to a release agent applicator. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, a release agent metering device configured to control an amount of release agent applied to a roller configured to apply release agent to the first surface of the substrate. The roller is configured to accommodate the substrate under a tension over at least a portion of a circumference of the roller such that a pressure is exerted between the roller and the first surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A process for preparing an imaging surface of an imaging transfer member in a printing machine, the process comprises providing a surface roughness to the imaging surface to produce a plurality of pits having sharp features on the surface, and then exposing the pitted imaging surface to an acid dip for a time period sufficient to substantially reduce the sharp features on the imaging surface. This process may be followed by anodization. The process produces an imaging surface having a pit structure providing reduced oil consumption and wear of components of the printing machine that contact the imaging surface.

Abstract: A phase separation ink including at least one crystallizable component that crystallizes as it cools from a first ink jetting temperature to a second lower temperature; at least one amorphous component comprising a material that remains amorphous at the second temperature; an optional colorant; wherein the at least one crystallizable component and the at least one amorphous component are in a molten, single phase state at the first ink jetting temperature; wherein at the second temperature, the phase separation ink comprises a crystalline phase comprising the at least one crystallizable component and an amorphous phase comprising the at least one amorphous component; wherein the amorphous phase of the at least one phase separation ink substantially penetrates into the final image receiving substrate and the crystalline phase of the at least one phase separation ink substantially remains on the surface of the final image receiving substrate.