Abstract: A web press, in particular a variable format book web press, variable format newspaper web press, or variable format periodical web press, has printing units having printing devices or groups of printing devices for applying ink to a paper web. The printing devices or groups of printing devices are constructed without rotating impression cylinders and are designed to apply ink to the paper web in a noncontacting manner.

Abstract: A printer and a printing method, wherein the printer comprises, in one embodiment: a frame; a set of non-movable print heads fixed to the frame; an idler carriage for carrying a web, said idler carriage disposed a distance from the set of print heads so that ink from the print heads will be received by the web; and a carriage translation assembly to move the idler carriage to vary the distance between the set of print heads and the idler carriage. In a preferred embodiment, the carriage translation assembly comprises at least one slide shaft; wherein the idler carriage is disposed to slide linearly along the slide shaft; and a force mechanism is provided for exerting a force to move the idler carriage linearly along the slide shaft.

Abstract: A method of printing a multicolor design on a long, continuous web or carpet in a machine having uniformly spaced printing stations and apparatus for longitudinally advancing the carpet in steps between printing operations. Two or more stations adjacent each other are used for each color to appear in the design being printed. The carpet movement increment distances are selected as a function of total number of colors n, total number of stations P and the number of stations per color N to increase production. In the preferred embodiment a repeated sequence of distances D.sub.1 and D.sub.2 are selected so that D.sub.1 +D.sub.2 =2N, D.sub.1 and D.sub.2 each being odd integral numbers of pattern repeat lengths.