Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support. A sensor has a transmitter portion and a receiver portion, the receiver portion comprising a plurality of receivers, the transmitter portion and receiver portion are configured to receive a portion of the label stock therebetween, and the plurality of receivers are each configured to produce a respective sensor signal which is a function of a property of a portion of label stock at a plurality of positions spaced from one another in a direction non-parallel to the web path.

Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a spool of label carrying web, a labelling station arranged to remove labels from a label carrying web supported by the supply spool, a take up spool support for supporting web from which labels have been removed, and a first motive apparatus for transporting web from the supply spool support to the take up spool support via the labelling station. The supply spool support, the labelling station and the take up spool support are mounted to a base plate. The base plate includes a first portion which supports the labelling station via a base of the labelling station such that the labelling station extends from the base plate in a first direction, and a second portion.

Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a spool of label carrying web, a labelling station arranged to remove labels from a label carrying web supported by the supply spool, a take up spool support for supporting web from which labels have been removed, and a first motive apparatus for transporting web from the supply spool support to the take up spool support via the labelling station. The supply spool support, the labelling station and the take up spool support are mounted to a base plate. The base plate includes a first portion which supports the labelling station via a base of the labelling station such that the labelling station extends from the base plate in a first direction, and a second portion.

Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support. A sensor has a transmitter portion and a receiver portion, the receiver portion comprising a plurality of receivers, the transmitter portion and receiver portion are configured to receive a portion of the label stock therebetween, and the plurality of receivers are each configured to produce a respective sensor signal which is a function of a property of a portion of label stock at a plurality of positions spaced from one another in a direction non-parallel to the web path.

Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a first motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support, the first motive means comprising a first motor including a first stator and a first rotor; a labelling peel beak located along the web path and configured to peel the labels from label web as the label stock passes the labelling peel beak; and a printer for printing on the labels.

Abstract: A method for operating a thermal transfer printer includes providing a ribbon, providing at least one spool configured to take up the ribbon, and providing a printhead. The substrate is moved relative to the printhead at a speed. The ribbon is moved relative to the printhead at a speed that is less than the speed of the substrate while using the printhead to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to the substrate to print an image on the substrate. Data is captured from the ribbon after ink has been transferred to the substrate. The data is processed to control at least one property of the printer.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer, including first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool of ribbon; a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first support to the second spool support; a printhead for selectively transferring ink from the ribbon to a substrate; an electromagnetic sensor arranged to sense electromagnetic radiation and to generate data indicative of a property of the ribbon based upon sensed electromagnetic radiation; and a controller for processing data generated by the electromagnetic sensor.

Abstract: A method for operating a thermal transfer printer includes providing a ribbon, providing at least one spool configured to take up the ribbon, and providing a printhead. The substrate is moved relative to the printhead at a speed. The ribbon is moved relative to the printhead at a speed that is less than the speed of the substrate while using the printhead to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to the substrate to print an image on the substrate. Data is captured from the ribbon after ink has been transferred to the substrate. The data is processed to control at least one property of the printer.

Abstract: A method of generating data associated with printing an image. The method comprises receiving data defining an image design specification, generating a plurality of options for printing an image based upon the image design specification, 5 displaying data based upon the plurality of options to a user, receiving selection of one of the options from the user, and generating the data associated with printing an image based upon the selected option.

Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a first motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support, the first motive means comprising a first motor including a first stator and a first rotor; a labelling peel beak located along the web path and configured to peel the labels from label web as the label stock passes the labelling peel beak; and a printer for printing on the labels.

Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a sensor configured to produce a sensor signal indicative of a periodic property of at least a portion of the label stock; and a controller configured to calculate a displacement of the web a web path defined between the supply spool and the take-up spool based upon the sensor signal and a length of a component of the label stock.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer, including first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool of ribbon; a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first support to the second spool support; a printhead for selectively transferring ink from the ribbon to a substrate; an electromagnetic sensor arranged to sense electromagnetic radiation and to generate data indicative of a property of the ribbon based upon sensed electromagnetic radiation; and a controller for processing data generated by the electromagnetic sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an inkjet printer printhead in a working state, the printer defining an array of orifices from which in use jets of ink are projected. The apparatus may have a means for applying a pressure pulse to ink with the printhead sufficient to discharge ink from each orifice when not in use to project ink. The pressure pulse may have a relatively rapidly rising leading edge and a relatively slow falling trailing edge.

Abstract: A method of printing utilizing a printing apparatus having a base mounting a print head which has a plurality of printing elements each of which is operable to transfer a pixel of print medium from a carrier onto an adjacent substrate, the method comprising causing relative movement between the substrate and carrier, and the print head, such that the print head moves relative to an area of the carrier from a start position to an end of print position whilst utilizing some or all of the printing elements to transfer a set of pixels of print medium from the area of the carrier onto the substrate, wherein during the printing operation the area of the substrate and carrier is moved in a feed direction at a first speed relative to the base and the print head is also moved relative to the base in the feed direction.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a ribbon winding mechanism of a printing apparatus which is adapted to perform a printing operation in which at a printing station a print head is moved relative to a first length of the ribbon to transfer print medium from the first length of the ribbon onto a substrate and the ribbon is subsequently advanced a predetermined amount to present a second length of ribbon at the printing station for use in a further printing operation, the winding mechanism comprising a supply spool and a take-up spool and there being a ribbon path between the supply and take-up spool through the printing station, and a motive means to cause the ribbon to be moved along the ribbon feed path and wound onto the take-up spool, and a sensing means to sense movement of the ribbon as the take-up spool is rotated and to provide a signal to a control means in response, the method being characterized in that prior to performing the printing operation, the take-up spool is rotated a predetermined amount whilst the

Abstract: A method of printing utilizing a printing apparatus having a base mounting a print head which has a plurality of printing elements each of which is operable to transfer a pixel of print medium from a carrier onto an adjacent substrate, the method comprising causing relative movement between the substrate and carrier, and the print head, such that the print head moves relative to an area of the carrier from a start position to an end of print position while utilizing some or all of the printing elements to transfer a set of pixels of print medium from the area of the carrier onto the substrate, wherein during the printing operation the area of the substrate and carrier is moved in a feed direction at a first speed relative to the base and the print head is also moved relative to the base in the feed direction.