Abstract: An image transfer medium for transferring an ink image onto a substrate is provided on its surface with a layer of particles that include an aggregation treatment agent capable of crashing out colorants, latex and/or resin in the liquid ink. The particles can include a surfactant or separate particles consisting essentially of a surfactant can be mixed with particles consisting essentially of the aggregation treatment agent.

Abstract: An indirect printing apparatus is disclosed. The printing apparatus comprises an intermediate transfer member. A polyurethane based sacrificial coating is on the intermediate transfer member. The printing apparatus also comprises a coating mechanism for forming the 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 is configured to at least partially dry the ink on the sacrificial coating formed on the intermediate transfer member. The printing apparatus comprises a substrate transfer mechanism for moving a substrate into contact with the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An image transfer medium for transferring an ink image onto a substrate is provided on its surface with a layer of particles that include an aggregation treatment agent capable of crashing out colorants, latex and/or resin in the liquid ink. A method for transferring an ink image includes providing an image transfer medium; applying a layer of particles to the image transfer medium, the particles including an aggregation treatment agent capable of crashing out colorants, latex and/or resin in liquid ink; applying liquid ink drops to the image transfer medium; initiating crashing of the colorant, latex and/or resin in the ink drops upon contact with the particles; and upon a sufficient amount of aggregation and drying, contacting a second substrate to the image transfer medium to transfer the ink from the transfer medium to the second substrate.

Abstract: There is described a transfer member or blanket for use in aqueous ink jet printer. The transfer member includes a surface layer that includes an elastomeric matrix having copper particles and carbon nanotubes dispersed therein. The weight percent of the copper particles in the surface layer is from about 1 weight percent to about 30 percent. The weight percent of the carbon nanotubes is from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and apparatus for ink jet printing. The method includes providing a wetting enhancement coating on a transfer member. The wetting enhancement coating includes water; non-water soluble binders selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymers, styrene acrylic polymers, vinyl-acrylic polymers, vinyl acetate ethylene; and a surfactant. The wetting enhancement coating is dried to form a film having a surface energy greater than 25 mJ/m2. Ink droplets are ejected onto the film to form an ink image on the film. The ink image is dried and the ink image and film are transferred to a recording medium.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate; and a discontinuous layer disposed on a surface of the substrate, wherein the discontinuous layer is formed from non-contiguous drops of auxiliary fluid which do not draw back or pool on the substrate when a fluid drop is deposited thereon. A method for ink jet printing includes providing a discontinuous layer formed from drops of auxiliary fluid on a transfer member, wherein the drops of auxiliary fluid are non-contiguous and do not draw back or pool on the substrate when an ink drop is deposited thereon; ejecting ink droplets to form an ink image on the discontinuous layer; and transferring the ink jet image from the transfer member to a recording medium. An intermediate transfer member of an ink jet printer includes a substrate; and a discontinuous layer disposed on a surface of the substrate. An ink jet printer includes a transfer member; and a discontinuous layer disposed on a surface of the transfer member.

Abstract: There is described a transfer member or blanket for use in aqueous ink jet printer. The transfer member includes a surface layer that includes an elastomeric matrix having copper particles and carbon nanotubes dispersed therein. The weight percent of the copper particles in the surface layer is from about 1 weight percent to about 30 percent. The weight percent of the carbon nanotubes is from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent.

Abstract: There is described a transfer member or blanket for use in aqueous ink jet printer. The transfer member includes a surface layer that includes a fluoropolymer and 3-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane wherein the 3-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane is present in an amount of from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent. A method of manufacturing the transfer member is described.

Abstract: An indirect printing apparatus is disclosed. The printing apparatus comprises an intermediate transfer member. A polyurethane based sacrificial coating is on the intermediate transfer member. The printing apparatus also comprises a coating mechanism for forming the 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 is configured to at least partially dry the ink on the sacrificial coating formed on the intermediate transfer member. The printing apparatus comprises a substrate transfer mechanism for moving a substrate into contact with the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: Described herein is a transfer member for use in aqueous ink jet printer. The transfer member includes an elastomeric material. The surface layer of the transfer member has been subjected to an energy treatment selected from the group including corona discharge, oxygen plasma discharge and electron beam discharge such that the surface layer possesses an aqueous ink contact angle of from about 25° to about 40°. The transfer member has a Shore A durometer of from about 20 to about 70. The ink jet printer is also described.

Abstract: An image transfer medium for transferring an ink image onto a substrate is provided on its surface with a layer of particles that include an aggregation treatment agent capable of crashing out colorants, latex and/or resin in the liquid ink. A method for transferring an ink image includes providing an image transfer medium; applying a layer of particles to the image transfer medium, the particles including an aggregation treatment agent capable of crashing out colorants, latex and/or resin in liquid ink; applying liquid ink drops to the image transfer medium; initiating crashing of the colorant, latex and/or resin in the ink drops upon contact with the particles; and upon a sufficient amount of aggregation and drying, contacting a second substrate to the image transfer medium to transfer the ink from the transfer medium to the second substrate.

Abstract: An ink-based digital printing apparatus includes an imaging member having a surface layer with regular texture. The regular texture includes an array of microstructures such as cavities. Methods include forming the imaging member textured surface using photolithography and molding processes.

Abstract: An ink-based digital printing apparatus includes an imaging member having a surface layer with regular texture. The regular texture includes an array of microstructures such as cavities. Methods include forming the imaging member textured surface using photolithography and molding processes.

Abstract: Described herein is a transfer member for use in aqueous ink jet printer. The transfer member includes an elastomeric material. The surface layer of the transfer member has been subjected to an energy treatment selected from the group including corona discharge, oxygen plasma discharge and electron beam discharge such that the surface layer possesses an aqueous ink contact angle of from about 25° to about 40°. The transfer member has a Shore A durometer of from about 20 to about 70. The ink jet printer is also described.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and apparatus for ink jet printing. The method includes providing a wetting enhancement coating on a transfer member. The wetting enhancement coating includes water; binders selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymers, styrene acrylic polymers, vinyl-acrylic polymers, vinyl acetate ethylene; and a surfactant. The wetting enhancement coating is dried to form a film having a surface energy greater than 25 mJ/m2. Ink droplets are ejected onto the film to form an ink image on the film. The ink image is dried and the ink image and film are transferred to a recording medium.