Abstract: An image processing system comprising: a color conversion unit configured to perform color conversion from color data in a first color space into color data in a second color space by using a color profile; a correction unit configured to perform correction for the color data in the second color space by using correction data; a printing unit configured to print on a printing medium in accordance with the color data in the second color space that is corrected by the correction unit; a first changing unit configured to change the color profile; a second changing unit configured to change the correction data; and a selection unit configured to select, based on a color measurement result of a color chart for correcting a color of an image printed on the printing medium, one of processes including change of the color profile and change of the correction data.

Abstract: A system for setting up a printing station (136), the printing station (136) includes printing rollers (110, 114, 116), the printing rollers (110, 114, 116) including at least one ink transferring roller (110, 114) and an impression roller (116). The system includes a camera (104), an actuator interface (106) and a processor (102), the actuator interface (106) being coupled with at least one actuator (108, 112), the processor (102) being coupled with the camera (104) and with the actuator interface (106), the actuator interface (106) directing the at least one actuator (108, 112) to move at least one printing roller (110, 114, 116) of the printing press (1OO). The processor (102) receives an output from the camera (104), the processor (102) determining at least one no print threshold respective of each adjacent pair of the printing rollers, according to the output respective of the absence or presence of the representative impression (132).

Abstract: A method for controlling the metering of ink in a printing press uses a control unit for comparing measured color values established on a print control strip to target color values and for controlling the metering of ink in the inking units of a printing press. The method is distinguished by the fact that the halftone of the measurement fields used for establishing the measured color values in the print control strip is independent of the halftone of the printed image. A printing substrate, a printing plate and a printing press having a device for creating halftone image data are also provided.

Abstract: A method for in-line integrated raised printing. The method includes performing a plurality of separations, and generating a height of an in-line integrated raised print based on the performing the plurality of separations without requiring off-line printing activities.

Abstract: A security document having a first side (11) and a second side (12), the security document comprising a first pattern (31) and a second pattern (32) located closer to the second side (12) than the first pattern (31), the first pattern (31) and the second pattern (32) overlapping such that the overlapping area defines a shape of a security pattern (40).The first pattern (31) comprises first single fluorescent substance adapted to emit first visible light (61), and the second pattern (32) comprises second single fluorescent substance adapted to emit second visible light (62).When the security pattern (40) is irradiated from the direction of the first side (11) the first visible light (61) dominates the second visible light (62) at the first excitation radiation (51) and the second visible light (62) dominates the first visible light (61) at the second excitation radiation (52).

Abstract: A method for adjusting color tones of a printed matter includes: a displaying step of displaying an image of a printed matter on a display apparatus (119) by plate data used when a pattern is printed on a printing plate used in printing performed by a printing press; an adjusting step in which an operator adjusts the color tones of the printed matter while referring to the printed matter displayed on the display apparatus (119); and a reference-image displaying step of displaying a reference image of displaying an image of a printed matter obtained when a supply amount of ink used in the printing is adjusted, for reference. In the adjusting step, the operator adjusts the color tones of the printed matter based on the supply amount of the ink in the printing press while referring to the image of the printed matter displayed in the reference-image displaying step.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to using upconverting inks for producing highly-resolved patterns for, inter alia, security applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of sols (inks) and printing processes that produce well-defined printed features consisting of polymers impregnated with luminescent upconversion nanocrystals. The patterns printed using such inks and processes may exhibit defined shapes, characters of text, and various other types of images.

Abstract: A System and method for measuring the viscosity of printing ink during the printing and ink correction process is presented.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for manufacturing patterned porous substrates with hidden color patterns by forming hydrophobic patterns on a hydrophilic surface, wherein structural channels are formed as a pattern in a porous substrate using a hydrophobic printing solution lacking colorant, and wherein a colored area is applied on the rear surface of the porous substrate. Further, the present invention concerns said patterned porous substrate and a method for bringing said pattern into a visible state.

Abstract: A method for color control in printing presses having at least one first color measuring instrument and at least one second color measuring instrument, includes registering at least one first inking zone on a printing material with the first color measuring instrument and registering at least one other, second inking zone on the printing material with the second color measuring instrument. In a first step, a color difference between actual colorations of the first and second inking zones is calculated, in a second step, a color difference between an actual coloration of the first inking zone and a desired coloration of the second inking zone is calculated and, in a further step, the calculated color differences are added and supplied to a color control for the second inking zone.

Abstract: There is described a color control pattern (CP) for the optical measurement of colors printed on a sheet or web substrate (S) by means of a multicolor printing press, especially by means of a multicolor security printing press, which substrate (S) a exhibits an effective printed region (EF) having a multicolor printed image comprising a plurality of juxtaposed colored areas (A-H) printed with a corresponding plurality of printing inks of different colors, wherein the color control pattern (CP) is located in a margin portion (Im) of the substrate (S) next to the effective printed region (EF). The color control pattern (CP) comprises one or more color control strips (a-d) extending transversely to a direction of transport (T) of the substrate (S), each color control strip (a-d) comprising a plurality of distinct color control fields (CF, CFA to CFH) consisting of printed fields of each relevant printing ink that is printed in the effective printed region (EF).

Abstract: A mark, a method and a system for colour quality parameters measurement of a printing press. The mark comprises a plurality of spots, wherein each spot comprises encoded dot level information, the distribution of spots defines a signature pattern for each process colour, a plurality of said spots is associated to each ink key of the printing press along an area of interest and the mark is invisible to the naked eye. The colour quality parameters measurement system comprises image capturing means synchronizable with the printing press and capable of accessing the entire width of an area of interest of the printing press, processing means, user control interface for communication between the processing means and the press user and a mark according to the invention.

Abstract: Print verification is done by scanning the printed copies, thereby forming a stream of scanned images of the specific pages. Digitized images from the stream are then spatially aligned page by page, line by line and pixel (pel) by pixel (pel) with corresponding digitized images in a stream of source images. The source and scanned images are compared to find pel sequences that are different. These differences represent defects in the printed copies.

Abstract: A method of file preparation, ripping and plate making for high end graphics printed on cylindrical products utilizing Dry Offset printing presses. While utilizing two inverse angle techniques and one fixed angle on the Black, with virtually unlimited color pluralities, encompassing a majority of all open areas of the common printing blanket without any ink overlap. The nesting of the halftone dots at even coarse line screen rulings eliminating a dot rosette pattern and creating a continuous tone appearance. Print contrast is increased to that of offset printing quality and ink contamination over the course of the run length is virtually eliminated. This current invention also increases the ability to print white with colors as opposed to needing white coating done in advanced to transparent plastics and metallic surfaces.

Abstract: Certain examples of printers and methods of printing may involve determining colorant amounts of image regions within a print image.

Abstract: A non-woven substrate having a vibrant graphic applied thereto is made by feeding to a printing apparatus a non-woven substrate having a fibrous non-woven web formed at least in part of polyolefin fibers. An ink composition having a viscosity in the range of about 28 seconds to about 35 seconds as determined using a Zahn #2 cup and including at least one solvent having an evaporation rate relative to n-butyl acetate of less than 0.8 is supplied to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus is operated to apply the ink composition to the fibrous non-woven web while the fibrous non-woven web is in a generally dry condition to form a graphic thereon having a thickness of less than or equal to about 5 microns. The ink composition is then allowed to dry on the fibrous non-woven web.

Abstract: In a printing press and a method, provided are an offset rotary press for printing predetermined information on a web using a printing plate, a printer for digitally printing specific information desired by a reader and reader identification information at a specific location on a web surface, and a dispatch system for reading the reader identification information on a newspaper, thereby sorting the newspaper by delivery destination. The offset rotary press and the printer are collectively driven by a controller, thereby improving the productivity of printed matter.

Abstract: The reading apparatus is provided with: an optical image forming unit that forms an optical image on a recording medium by irradiating, with light, the recording medium on which an image is formed and which is transported in a slow scan direction; a reading unit that reads a position in a fast scan direction of the image formed on the recording medium transported in the slow scan direction and a position in a fast scan direction of the optical image, by using a minification optical system; and a registration correction unit that corrects a registration error in the fast scan direction of the image read by the reading unit, by using the position in the fast scan direction of the optical image read by the reading unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for flexographic color printing, and more particularly for implementing “wet trapping” in flexographic printing using energy curable flexographic liquid inks are presented. Radiation curable inks can be formulated that wet trap over each other without back-trapping onto the plates and anilox units of down-line printing units by controlling the storage modulus of the inklcoating. The storage modulus G? in the inks can be controlled to ensure that the highest G? ink is printed ISt down with successive colors being trapped in the order of their (declining) G? values. An image in wet ink can thus be trapped over a different image in wet ink of a different color without picking the ISt ink back up and redepositing it onto the subsequent plates and rollers in the printing press (back-trapping).

Abstract: Provided is a method for automatically determining an error of a user operation or a calorimeter caused when the calorimeter is manually slid to measure the colors of color patches on a row-by-row basis. Also provided is a method capable of determining an error or a scanning direction using a feature value obtained from the calorimetric values without using fixed reference and threshold values for each patch.

Abstract: An image processing controlling unit calculates an image processing parameter to reduce an image quality difference between image data read by a first reading unit and a second reading unit depending on a reading characteristic of a reading unit indicated by attached information (reading-unit information) received together with the calculating request and a writing characteristic of a printer. The calculated image processing parameter is stored in a memory. Next, when printing the image data, a middleware unit causes a printer to print the image data based on the image processing parameter held in the memory.

Abstract: Color separations of a printing image are aligned on a printing material perpendicular to the transport direction of the printing material. A front edge and a rear edge of a register mark are detected. Their distances and, at least in some regions, their widths along the traveled distance of the transport belt between the detection of the front edge and of the rear edge of the register mark are determined. Misalignments of the imaging devices used for the color separations are determined and corrected using these distances and widths.

Abstract: A method for printing a multi-color image on a web that is moved in a transport direction along a plurality of printing units for respectively printing one color separation of the multi-color image. A line clock is determined for the printing unit being the first one in transport direction, as a function of the transport speed of the web, and a plurality of synchronization marks is printed with the web, said synchronization marks located in a region of the web that is outside the region of the multi-color image, and printed at a prespecified clock that is formed of a partial set of the line clock. The synchronization marks are detected at a position between the first and the second printing units, and a line clock for the second printing unit in the direction of movement is determined based on the detection of the synchronization marks.

Abstract: A color printing method for a franking system making it possible to print a franking mark on a mailpiece using at least three primary inks, namely cyan, magenta, and yellow, wherein at least one of said primary inks, namely cyan or magenta, is constituted by a similar postal ink, namely postal blue for cyan and/or postal red for magenta.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gravure printing ink and a method of multi-color gravure printing on flexible substrates with liquid radiation curable inks. Individual colors are transferred via direct contact between engraved gravure cylinder and a substrate. Each color is dried such that the sequentially printed ink layers transfer through the press without distortion of the printed image during multiple web turns around turn bars. Finally the printed substrate is cured by exposing an electron beam unit. The gravure printing ink comprises an admixture of a) a water dispersible pigment; b) a water dispersible, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, ethylenically unsaturated oligomer or ethylenically unsaturated polymer which is polymerizable or crosslinkable by the application of sufficient electron beam radiation; c) a defoaming agent; d) sufficient water to form a dispersion with components a), b) and c), which dispersion has a viscosity of from about 25 cps to about 200 cps.

Abstract: Methods for high-speed printing include deposition of individual drops of an aqueous solution on top of a hydrophobic ink applied to a print cylinder. The methods further include stripping away the ink from the area of the cylinder not covered by the aqueous solution and transferring the ink covered by the aqueous solution to a print medium.

Abstract: A method for calculating characterization data of a printing process, is more manageable and less complicated than previously-known methods, in which determining printing tables for CMYK printing systems with special colors or for multicolor systems easily becomes unwieldy and complicated because of necessary colored areas in test elements. A test element supplies actual spectral data. By using subsets of this actual data, tonal value curves or tonal value gain curves, parameters of a model of the printing process for determining spectra of overprinted printing inks and adapted input variables, are determined in a calculating device in accordance with the model, taking into account the tonal value gain, to determine corrected tonal values or their spectra. Then only a few colored areas are needed to calculate characterization data. A test element for determining characterization data of a printing process and an apparatus for carrying out the method are also provided.

Abstract: A method for printing and decorating packaging materials, such as paper, paper board and various flexible polymer films by electron beam exposure of plural layers of curable inks and coatings which do not substantially change viscosity during the printing process. The inks and coating are essentially free of volatile components such as organic solvents, inorganic solvents, water and low molecular weight fractions before, during and after exposure to electron beam irradiation. The method involves applying multiple layers of ink and an optional coating onto a substrate. The ink is an admixture of a colorant, and an unsaturated component such that the inks have a maximum of 10% volatile components. Thereafter these layers are simultaneously exposed with electron beam radiation to cause the ethylenically unsaturated components to polymerize or crosslink such that they become dried.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming device including a connecting unit for connecting a recording medium in a removable manner; and a writing unit for writing printing data containing setup information concerning a printing condition into the recording medium connected to the connecting unit.

Abstract: A method for registering a rotary press for a printing process, in which “n” inking systems (Fn) each produce monochrome printed images and print one on top of the other thereby producing n-colored printed images, includes producing the images of a printed material with at least one sensor station, recording information on rotary movements of printing plate cylinders (Dn), and using the images and the information to produce correction signals which actuate the cylinders until a deviation of the images of the respective inking systems from a desired position on the material lies within a defined range of tolerance values. During the registering method, one printing plate cylinder at a time is in the printing position, the sensor station produces the printed images, and the correction signals are obtained based on the image produced by the respective cylinder and the information on the rotary movements of at least one cylinder.

Abstract: A sheet-fed offset printing press prints multiple colors on both sides of sheets, preferably on sheets of paper. A first row of in-line printing units print a first side of the sheet, before the sheets are turned in a reversing device, which is followed by a second row of in-line printing units for printing the other side of the sheets. The second row of in-line printing units is followed by one or more varnishing units that are arranged in such a way or include varnishing blanket cylinders that are arranged in such a way that the front sides and the back sides of the passing sheets are varnished.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for compensating for inking differences between setpoint color values and actual color values in offset printing presses having at least one inking unit and a control computer. The control computer controls the printing speed of the offset printing press and the temperature control of rollers in the inking unit of the offset printing press. The control computer is set up in such a way that, if an inking difference is detected between the setpoint color values and the actual color values, a combined control operation including a change in the printing speed and the temperature in the inking unit is performed in order to compensate for the inking difference. A printing press having the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A fabric printing method includes the following steps. A flexile underlayer and a fabric are provided and the fabric is pasted onto the flexile underlayer. The flexile underlayer and the fabric are sent to the printer to perform a UV printing. Thereby, the UV ink printed on the fabric can be suddenly dried to prevent the UV ink from expanding. Therefore, the figures on the printed fabric can be more delicate, beautiful and clear. The printed fabric can be mass produced by machine to reduce the cost and the manufacturing time. A printed fabric is also provided.

Abstract: The invention presents a method for controlling the composition of an ink mixture (11, 31) for at least one printing press (2), in which actual optical values (I) of light (7) are obtained, whereas the light (7) has interacted at least with parts of the printing picture, which is generated by the printing press (2) on the printing substrate (6) using an ink mixture which is provided by an ink supply system, and in which, due to the deviation of the actual optical value from optical reference values (S), a corrective ink mixture (31) is created, which is added to the ink mixture (11) which is provided by said ink supply system and which changes the ratio of the amounts of ink pigments therein. The ink mixtures (11, 31) used in the method are provided by different ink mixing devices (16, 24).

Abstract: A printing system includes a lithographic plate information printing unit, a variable information printing unit, and a control component. The lithographic plate information printing unit prints lithographic plate information on a recording medium using a lithographic plate. The variable information printing unit prints predetermined variable information on the recording medium on which the lithographic plate information is printed by the lithographic plate information printing unit. The control component controls so that the lithographic plate information to be printed by the lithographic plate information printing unit and the variable information to be printed by the variable information printing unit are printed in preset correspondence with each other.

Abstract: A method of managing the production of tickets in accordance with a ticket order submitted to a ticketing services bureau by a customer includes an optional step of producing a physical ticket proof for the customer prior to execution of the ticket order. Preferably, the physical ticket proof is generated using a plateless printing press, such as a digital printing press, but has the print characteristics of a particular plate-based press platform which is designated to execute the ticket order. A process for accurately matching the color characteristics of the digital printing press with the color characteristics of a plate-based press platform includes the steps of calibrating the plate-based press platform to meet a particular printing standard, creating an International Color Consortium (ICC) profile for the designated plate-based press platform, applying the ICC profile to the digital printing press, and managing the color formulation properties of the digital printing press.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for controlling application of ink in a printing press include predefining a setpoint color value in a device-independent color space. An ink metering element is activated with an ink application value, producing an ink layer thickness, on printing material, associated with the setpoint color value. An actual color value from the ink layer thickness on the printing material is determined, measured or colorimetrically measured in the device-independent color space. Activation with a changed ink application value based on deviation of the actual color value from the setpoint color value, produces an ink layer thickness differing from the produced ink layer thickness. A necessary ink layer thickness change is calculated based on changes in the color values in the device-independent color space upon a change in the ink layer thickness at the point of the actual color value, to determine the changed ink application value.

Abstract: An image transfer device provided in an image forming apparatus in which, employing an endless belt as an intermediate transfer member, image transfer is performed at nip positions of a primary transfer portion and secondary transfer portion. Generation of warp in the transferred image resulting from transmission of fluctuations in load and torque of the endless belt generated at the nip position of one transfer portion nip to the nip position of the other transfer portion is prevented. The endless belt is turned between rollers and the endless belt is individually driven at the primary transfer portion and secondary transfer portion by drive sources to generate deflection between the primary transfer portion and the secondary transfer portion.

Abstract: A printing machine includes a high-speed print device configured to receive a print media and discharge a printed product that includes a printed image. An image capturing device is positioned adjacent the print device and is configured to capture an image of the printed image on the printed product. A computer includes a monitor, a processor, an input device, and a communication device configured to communicate with the print device. The monitor is configured to display the captured image, the input device is configured to allow a user to vary the displayed image, and the processor is configured to calculate an adjustment to the print device in response to the varied image.

Abstract: A printed tone control method for adjusting a printed color tone by comparing image data serving as a reference and image data obtained by reading an image from a print actually made by a printing machine. The method includes a representative point setting step for setting a representative point for use in control of the color tone based on image data, an alternative representative point setting step for setting an alternative representative point that satisfies a predetermined condition when a point inappropriate for tone measurement is selected as the representative point, and a tone adjusting step for adjusting the color tone by using the alternative representative point.

Abstract: A coloring method has acts of: (a) preparing a substrate having at least one display surfaces and each display surface printed with an ink layer to form a coloring area having multiple resin units mounted in the coloring area; (b) coloring the coloring area of the substrate with water-based colorants; and (c) rubbing the coloring area of the substrate. The coloring area is colored and rubbing alternately to display a special effect, like colored leather. Moreover, the coloring area can be colored by blending red, blue and yellow to obtain various colored results. The present invention is able to stimulate, inspire and develop color sensibility for children.

Abstract: Improvements in printing on shirts are disclosed. The shirt printer incorporates multiple elongated single color print heads arranged in-line. As opposed to using standard three or four colors, the clothing printer uses multiple heads where each print head uses a single specific color to eliminate mixing of the colors to obtain a specific hue. Between each print head, a dryer is placed to ensure each color is dry before the application on a subsequent color is applied. The method reproduces a similar method to clothing that is silk-screened. Clothing is placed on blank clothing holders and passes through the printing machine in an assembly line format. Print heads can be arranged on both sides of the blank clothing holder to allow for simultaneous printing on multiple sides of the clothing. Three printing styles are disclosed for a gauntlet style printers and a barrel style printer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a machine for aligning at least two flexographic printing plates on at least one printing cylinder. The method comprises the steps of capturing an image relating to a first plate, capturing the image relating to a portion of a second plate, reprocessing the image captured from the first plate so as to obtain a portion thereof corresponding to the image relating to the portion of the second plate, concurrently displaying said reprocessed image and the image captured from the second plate and aligning said two images.

Abstract: A print control strip to be applied to printing material during a multicolor printing process, includes multiple measuring fields associated with one ink zone on the printing material. The measuring fields, which are associated with one ink zone, include at least two gray measuring fields. A method of measuring fields in print control strips on printing material with a measuring device and a control unit connected thereto, and a method of controlling metering of ink in offset printing presses including at least one ink metering device in each printing unit and a control unit, are also provided.

Abstract: A profile generator determines differences between the standard spectral reflectances of a color chart printed under standard density conditions and the spectral reflectances of a color chart printed while the density of one of the colors C, M, Y, K is changed, and the densities of the other colors are secured to standard densities. When density variations are established, the profile generator generates a print predicting profile using spectral reflectances produced by adding the standard spectral reflectances and the difference with respect to the color whose density has changed. The colors of a print produced when the density of a desired color is changed are predicted with high accuracy using the print predicting profile.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying, tracking, and/or authenticating objects that is simple to apply and to use by an intended user, but is extremely difficult to counterfeit or compromise by an unintended user. Also disclosed is a multi-color, co-planar indicium made of a combination of printed patterns of multiple inks. The printed patterns may be modified by software-generated masks to ensure that the patterns are co-planar. The indicium is undecipherable unless irradiated with specified wavelengths of light radiation, filtered through specified spectral filters, and read and decoded by an electronic image reader. The indicium may be visible or covert. The indicium encodes unique true information about the object and may encode nonsensical or intentionally incorrect information as a further deterrent to unauthorized use. The method permits the indicia to be applied to objects at high processing speeds possible with inkjet printing.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that is capable of highly accurately measuring the color density of a color bar in a printing press by a simple structure, and a printing press equipped with the color density measuring apparatus. There is provided a method of measuring the color density of a color bar of each of print mediums in a printing press, in which each of print mediums is printed and imaged before it is discharged from the printing press, and the color density of the imaged print medium is measured.

Abstract: Systems and methods for print coating de-saturation. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and system for controlling the output of a printer. When content is transmitted to a printer to be printed on a surface with a location-encoding pattern the pattern is generally printed in a material different from the content material. By way of example, the content is generally transmitted in the CMYK color spectrum. The Key or black value is translated into the CMY values resulting in the K or black value being zero. The system and method alter the C, M, and Y values of the content such that it is ensured that no conversion occurs which would cause the Key color to be used in printing the content. The adjusted output is then sent to the printer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for aligning color separations of a printing image on a printing material (2), i.e., perpendicular to the transport direction (3) of said printing material (2). Method for aligning color separations on a printing material in a direction (8) transverse to the transport direction (3) of the printing material (2), said method being at least more independent of potential irregularities of the transport speed of the printing material. This is achieved in that a front edge (11,12) and a rear edge (10,13) of a register mark (4-7) are detected by a sensor, and that, their distances and that; at least in some regions, the width (14,15) of the register mark (4-7), along the traveled distance of the transport belt between the detection of the front edge (11,12) and of the rear edge (10,13) of the register mark (4-7), is determined.

Abstract: Color filters can each be fabricated by printing a pixel pattern for the color filter on a flexible plastic film by a central impression cylinder press. The pixel pattern is formed of pixels of three primary colors consisting of red, green and blue or pixels of three primary colors consisting of yellow, magenta and cyan. Also disclosed are inks, color filters, and image displays using the color filters.