Abstract: Gray scale ink jet printing method and apparatus produce a high quality image having varying color intensities. This is achieved by mixing a colored phase change ink with varying amounts of a clear phase change ink base, thereby producing multiple gray scale levels of each color. The mixing either can be performed prior to placement of the phase change ink in the printer, or can be performed within the printer to produce different levels of color intensity during the printing process.

Abstract: A method for producing a light-transmissive phase change ink printed substrate is described which comprises providing a substrate, and then printing on at least one surface of the substrate a predetermined pattern of a light-transmissive phase change ink which initially transmits light in a non-rectilinear path. The pattern of solidified phase change ink is then reoriented to form an ink layer of substantially uniform thickness. This ink layer will, in turn, produce an image which then will transmit light in a substantially rectilinear path.In one aspect of the invention, the substrate is light transmissive, and the reoriented printed substrate exhibits a high degree of lightness and chroma, and transmits light in a substantially rectilinear path. In this way, the reoriented printed substrate can be used in a projection device to project an image containing clear, saturated colors.