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 sheet-fed offset printing press for printing multiple colors on both sides of sheets, preferably on sheets of paper, includes a first row of in-line printing units for printing a first side of the sheet, followed by a reversing device, followed by a second row of in-line printing units for printing the other side of the sheets, and followed by one or more varnishing units that are disposed in such a way, or include varnishing blanket cylinders that are disposed in such a way, that the front sides and the back sides of the passing sheets are varnished. A further reversing device is inserted between two varnishing units. A method of printing multiple colors on both sides of sheets is also provided.

Abstract: A method of applying a control strip having an appropriate size in accordance with the size of a print image is provided. Print image data is rasterized or RIP-processed in Step S1. Image layout data is acquired from the print image data in Step S2. The size of control strip image data is adjusted based on the image layout data in Step S3. The size of the control strip is determined to be a positive integral multiple of an ink key size, based on a previously established equation. Based on the size of the control strip image data, a previously prepared control strip having a maximum size is cut. The adjusted control strip image data and the print image data are combined together in Step S4. In Step S4, blank data are added to the left and right of the print image to extend the size of the print image to the size of the control strip.

Abstract: A process is disclosed to measure or monitor ink concentration or ink thickness of an ink film as printed on a printing press, which consists of measuring light reflected from the ink film and the ink substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radiation-curable ink formulations, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a family of radiation-curable ink formulations specifically for flexographic and screen printing applications. The inventive ink formulations are based on multifunctional acrylate resins formed by the reaction of acrylate monomers and oligomers with ?-keto esters (e.g., acetoacetates), ?-diketones (e.g., 2,4-pentanedione), ?-keto amides (e.g., acetoacetanilide, acetoacetamide), and/or other ?-dicarbonyl compounds that can participate in Michael addition reactions.

Abstract: In a dampening water measuring apparatus, light emitted from a semiconductor laser has its beam expanded by an objective lens, and is then reflected by a beam splitter to irradiate a non-image area on a surface of a printing plate P. The laser beam reflected from the non-image area on the surface of the printing plate passes through the beam splitter, and enters a CCD camera. The CCD camera measures speckle intensity of the incident laser diffused light, and transmits measurements to a controller through an interface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for printing spacers on LCD substrates include a printing roller and a planarizing unit. The printing roller picks up a plurality of spacer ink dots, each containing a plurality of minute, rigid, spherical spacers, onto an outer surface thereof and prints them on an LCD substrate at selected locations thereon. The planarizing unit is spaced apart from the outer surface of the printing roller and operates to planarize the spacers such that the spacers are arranged in a single layer having a uniform height substantially equal to the diameter of the spacers. The planarizing unit thereby prevents the spacers from being printed on the substrate in multiple layers such that the cell gap between the substrates of the LCD does not vary, but is uniform in height, thereby improving the quality of the image produced by the display.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for eye marks in image processing are provided. A method includes providing an eye mark having at least two sections arranged along a longitudinal axis, wherein each section includes a border common to both sections and a unique characteristic relative to other sections. The method also includes encoding instructions in the eye mark based upon the combination of the at least two sections.

Abstract: A method for flexographic multi-color printing, wherein a print medium web is passed continuously through a flexographic printing press having at least two ink units, each ink unit including a printing cylinder, an anilox roller and an ink sup-ply system adapted to supply liquid ink of a specific color to the anilox roller, wherein the inks supplied in the different ink units differ in both, color and mass density, the method including the steps of mounting, in at least one of the ink units, an anilox roller having a larger diameter than the anilox roller of another one of the at least two ink units, and during printing, supplying the ink with the largest mass density to the anilox roller having the larger diameter.

Abstract: A printing adjustment method includes providing a plurality of solid and screened density values produced by a proofing device that represent intended density values. The method also includes providing a plurality of solid and screened density values produced by a press output device. The method also provides calculating, in response to selected ones of the plurality of density values produced by the press output device and selected ones of the plurality of density values produced by the proofing device, required percent dot values to be used to print on the press output device a plurality of adjusted density values that approximately correspond to the intended density values. In a particular embodiment, the plurality of solid density values produced by the press output device are varied approximately linearly in density along a first axis, the first axis approximately perpendicular to direction in which output of the press output device is produced.

Abstract: A reading time setting section (44) determines a read area for an imaging section (25) on the basis of color chart positional data (id). The imaging section (25) reads an image on printing paper during the reading time and readout image data (rd) is stored in an image data storage section (45). A reference mark detecting section (46) detects the positions of reference marks from the readout image data (rd). A color chart actual position calculation section (47) corrects a tilt of a color chart determined from the positions of the reference marks and calculates an actual position of each of color chart fields (cr). An image data readout section (48) reads out image data on a color chart field corresponding to the calculated actual position. At the same time, image data on a white color field immediately above the color chart field is also read out.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the stability of print module registration for a printer creates an innovative test pattern by forming two graphic images from two separate print modules. The graphic images include parallel graphic information and a desired intersection point. The graphic images are printed on by a pixel by pixel basis onto print media from the separate print modules. The resulting patterned image or test pattern is viewed to ascertain alignment based on the desired intersection point.

Abstract: A driving apparatus in a printing press includes a plate cylinder driven by a printing press motor, an inking device drive-coupled to the plate cylinder, and a driving connecting/disconnecting mechanism. The mechanism connects and disconnects transmission of driving from the plate cylinder to the inking device, and includes first and second gears which are engageable with each other, supported rotatably, and constantly drive-coupled to one and the remaining one, respectively, of the plate cylinder and inking device. The second gear has a second engaging portion engageable with a plurality of first engaging portions of the first gear which have the same shape and are equidistantly arranged in a rotational direction of the first gear. When the first and second engaging portions engage, the plate cylinder and inking device are drive-coupled; when they are disengaged, they are disconnected.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling drive units in a printing machine are disclosed. During continuous production, and in anticipation of a foreseeable disruption, one or more measuring values that are suitable for characterizing the disruption, are determined. The measuring values are used to estimate the expected variations caused by the disruptions in the variables affecting the printing process. The variables are preregulated or precontrolled directly before the start of the disruption or during the disruption.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fabricating apparatus and method of an electro luminescence display device that is adaptive for preventing organic EL material from flowing over adjacent pixels. A fabricating apparatus of an electro luminescence display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a print roller on which an organic material is spread in order to form a light emission layer corresponding to a pixel pattern on a substrate; and a concave-convex pattern attached to the print roller and formed to have a width of about 20˜90% of a pitch of the pixel pattern with a designated gap therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described wherein a printing press is profiled during production press runs and wherein ink color is controlled.

Abstract: A method of coordinating the utilization of a color control system and a defect detection system on a printing press includes acquiring image data and processing the data by a comparison to template image data and the generation of color error data and print defect data. The method further includes the steps of selectively enabling and disabling the color control system and selectively enabling and disabling the defect detection system based upon the color error data and the print defect data.

Abstract: A color registration control system for a printing press including an area scanner for acquiring an image of a paper substrate and an image processing system adapted to receive the image and process the image to determine any color register error.

Abstract: A plate-recording and printing system is provided with a printing plate recording device for recording an image on a printing plate based upon binary image data formed in an image data processing device, a printing press for carrying out a printing operation by using the printing plate, an image pickup device for picking up an image of a printed object and a profile forming device for forming profile data of the printing press from picked up image data. A printing operation is carried out under reference conditions by using predetermined ink and sheet of printing paper. An image of a color chart on the printed object is picked up by the image pickup. Print color of the color chart is determined in the Lab color system based upon image data. Printing press profile data is generated as a function of print color and predetermined reference color of the color chart. This profile data is stored in association with kinds of ink and sheets of printing paper used in the printing press.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for image formation, that can yield thermally transferred images which are excellent in various fastness properties even under severe service conditions, and an intermediate transfer recording medium for use in the method for image formation. The method for image formation comprises the steps of: providing an intermediate transfer recording medium comprising a substrate film and a transfer portion provided separably on the substrate film; forming an image on the intermediate transfer recording medium in its transfer portion; transferring the transfer portion onto an object; and, thereafter, again transferring the intermediate transfer recording medium in its next transfer portion once or more onto the object with the image formed thereon. In this case, in the intermediate transfer recording medium, a hologram image is set every at least second image plane, and an image can be formed on the transfer portion having the hologram image.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member is disengaged from an impression drum. Color layers are applied to the intermediate transfer member. A sheet media is transported between the intermediate transfer member and the impression drum while the intermediate transfer member and the impression drum are disengaged. The intermediate transfer member is engaged with the impression drum. Another sheet media is transported between the intermediate transfer member and the impression drum. The color layers are transferred from the intermediate transfer member onto the sheet media.

Abstract: Color densities of patches included in a control strip are measured to perform printing control based on the color densities. The patches are arranged in the same direction as the arrangement of ink keys of a printing device. The patches include four typical patches of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow at area rates of 60 to 85% in the width of each ink key. The printing control is the control for keeping the color densities of the four typical patches of the width of each ink key in predetermined color-density ranges.

Abstract: An improved printed article and a method of making same. The article including a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, with a reflective layer printed on the top surface of the substrate, a graphic design layer printed on the reflective layer, a textured pattern of transparent ink printed over the graphic design and reflective layer, and a glossy layer of transparent ink printed over the textured pattern and reflective layer. The glossy layer is printed over the entire surface of the substrate. The graphic image is printed through a four-color printing process over portions of the reflective layer. The textured pattern includes a plurality of light bending convex lines of transparent ink printed on and around the graphic image and reflective layers. The lines produce a reflective glossy textured surface on the printed article creating the illusion of depth and three-dimensionality.

Abstract: An ink feeding rate control method includes a reference print preparing step for making a printing plate by recording an image thereon based on first image data for recording a reference chart, and obtaining a reference print, a reference print colorimetric step for obtaining color data by reading the reference print, a conversion table preparing step for preparing a conversion table from the first image data and the color data of the reference print, a reference color data converting step for converting second image data for recording an image into reference color data by using the conversion table, a print preparing step for making a printing plate by using the second image data, and printing a print, a print colorimetric step for obtaining print color data by reading the print, and an ink feeding rate adjusting step for comparing the reference color data and the print color data, and adjusting ink feeding rates.

Abstract: Method for high definition printing to be dip transferred to a three-dimensional article comprises four color process printing a digital image from a digital image file onto a water soluble polymer film with solvent based ink to form a printed water soluble film and dip transfer printing the solvent based ink image through transcription on the surface of the article. The method is suitable for printing three-dimensional articles of a variety of shapes with high definition, photographic-quality images. The method is particularly suitable for decorating articles with complex images such as camouflage patterns.

Abstract: A processing system according to the present invention includes a printer that receives unprocessed marker tubing stock (i.e., multiple rows of uncut and unprinted tubing mounted on a carrier) for simultaneous printing of the marker tubing and the carrier with a single print head. A cutting device is configured to sever the marker tubing rows into sections, regardless of the width of the tubing and regardless of whether there are two rows or four rows of tubing. Since the tubing has its longitudinal axes aligned with a longitudinal axis of the carrier, activation of the cutting device can be controlled to sever sections of marker tubing in varying customized widths. In the same cutting stroke, the carrier can be scored or perforated (“perfed”). A rewinder or the like then takes up the severed and perfed stock.

Abstract: A print screen tonal control and compensation system and method are provided in which a compensated density curve is utilized to increase press predictability, performance, resources consumption, color variation, and quality. A computerized test pattern is generated, and by applying computer to plate technology, a printed press produces a printed test pattern. The test pattern is subsequently analyzed to identify the plugging point of the production run, and a compensated density curve is created to eliminate plugging within the production pattern. The density curve is then used to generate a compensated printing plate for use in a production press run.

Abstract: A screen-printing method for use in IML hot press, die cutting, and injection molding is disclosed to print first, second, and third (special) colors of a four-color printing with ink mixtures containing different printing inks and a hardening agent with a bonding agent, and then to perform ex-design first, second and third screen printings, and then to process the semi-finished printing work thus obtained through a hot work die treatment, a die-cutting process, and an injection-molding process so as to obtain the desired finished product.

Abstract: An image recording equipment is provided with an adhesive roller that is brought into contact with a surface of an image recording sheet wound around a rotary drum and keeps in contact with the image recording sheet with contact pressure axially distributed in a range from approximately 0.01 Mpa to approximately 0.2 Mpa desirably in a concave distribution pattern.

Abstract: A method is known of compensating for misregistration during operation of a printing press, in particular a sheet-fed offset printing press, in which misregistration occurring in the individual printing units are countered by register corrections. In order to provide a simple method to reduce misregisters after a pause in printing and in particular after washing of the rubber blanket cylinder, the pattern of the misregistration (PD) after a pause in printing is determined in a calibration phase over a sufficient number of sheets, data as a function of the pattern of the misregistration is stored in a memory unit (15) so that register correction values (Ki) may be determined and the register correction values are applied to the printing press upon restart after the pause in printing in order to compensate for the misregistration.

Abstract: A conversion curve setting system comprises an initial data storage device, a conversion curve display device, a setting device, a past data storage device and a past data display device. The initial data storage device stores the initial data. The initial data define setting conditions for amounts of supplied ink of an ink supply adjusting apparatus relative to an image area ratio. The conversion curve display device displays a conversion curve on a display device on the basis of the initial data stored by the initial data storage device. The setting device sets the setting conditions for the amounts of supplied ink of the ink supply adjusting apparatus relative to the image area ratio, through operation by an operator. The past data storage device stores past data of the setting conditions for the amounts of supplied ink of the ink supply adjusting apparatus relative to the image area ratio, which setting conditions have been set by the setting device.

Abstract: A process and device are provided for determining the position and/or the shape of at least one mark on a web to be printed on. The position and/or the shape of the at least one mark in the image to be printed is determined with the use of prepress data. The device for determining the position and/or the shape of at least one mark on a web to be printed on includes an input device for entering prepress data and a device for determining position data and/or shapes for a mark based on the prepress data entered.

Abstract: A reading time setting section (44) determines a read area for an imaging section (25) on the basis of color chart positional data (id). The imaging section (25) reads an image on printing paper during the reading time and readout image data (rd) is stored in an image data storage section (45). A reference mark detecting section (46) detects the positions of reference marks from the readout image data (rd). A color chart actual position calculation section (47) corrects a tilt of a color chart determined from the positions of the reference marks and calculates an actual position of each of color chart fields (cr). An image data readout section (48) reads out image data on a color chart field corresponding to the calculated actual position. At the same time, image data on a white color field immediately above the color chart field is also read out.

Abstract: A pearlescent honeycomb material and an apparatus and method for making expandable pearlescent honeycomb structures suitable for use as window coverings. In one embodiment, a pearlescent material is prepared and then folded into tubular strips. These folded tubular strips with adhesive lines applied to them are fed continuously through a cutter which cuts them into predetermined lengths. The cut strips are then accelerated to a stacker for further processing before the next cut strip arrives. In another embodiment, webs of material are fed continuously in a downstream direction, adhesive lines are applied, a middle web is slitted into strips, and the strips bonded along opposite edges to the outer webs. By choosing for the outer webs transparent or porous material, and for the middle web opaque material, a light or air controlling honeycomb structure results.

Abstract: A method of color printing on packaging containers using transparent colors is described. The method is limited to the use of no more than two of the primary process colors. For many images primary process colors are not needed at all. Preferably, only two transparent inks will be used. In some cases an opaque ink may be applied first as a masking image underlying a part or all of the transparent ink overprint. In other cases the opaque ink may be applied last as a masking print over part of the image. The method can be used on any substrate color but it is particularly useful on dyed papers or unbleached kraft brownboard. While color reproduction is not totally accurate, nor is this expected in a colorimetric sense, surprisingly attractive and realistic images generally faithful to the original are attainable.

Abstract: There are provided a hologram laminate and a hologram label which do not involve any problem in the production process per se of forging preventive labels using a volume hologram, can provide a reliable process of the attainment of forgery preventive effect, and can make difficult to notice the signs of the forgery preventive processing. In applying a protective film 108 onto a hologram 107 through a second pressure-sensitive adhesive 109, the adhesive strength is partially varied. By virtue of this construction, upon separation of the protective film 108, the second pressure-sensitive adhesive 109 is partially left on the hologram 107, so that the fact of the separation can be found out.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multicolored steel sheet having multiple colors, designs or patterns on its surface and a manufacturing system for carrying out the same are provided.

Abstract: Multicolor registered images, formed from at least two component images, are printed on the surfaces of shaped edible pieces. Registration of the component images is maintained by applying the component images to a single image transfer surface from plural image application surfaces. The registered image is applied to a shaped edible piece from the image transfer surface in a single contact step.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for modifying print colors are described. A subset of printable information units, such as words, text, figures and drawings, which can be located within a document or file on a computer system, are displayed in a first color designation. This first color designation is then changed to a second color designation for printing. The printable information units are then printed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a printing press having a first image cylinder for providing at least a first cylinder first image and a first cylinder second image to a printed material and a second image cylinder for providing at least a second cylinder first image and a second cylinder second image to the printed material. The method includes printing a book having individual pages with the first cylinder first image, first cylinder second image, second cylinder first image and the second cylinder second image and providing a first operational mode to an operator of the printing press. The first operational mode permits the operator to review the pages with the first cylinder first image and the first cylinder second image of the book at the same time and to alter the registration of the first image cylinder providing the first cylinder first image and first cylinder second image.

Abstract: By inclusion of a register target within a colorpatch, a colorbar is used for controlling color register as well as controlling color density on a printing press.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described wherein a printing press is profiled during production press runs and wherein ink color is controlled.

Abstract: A control system for a printing press which integrates a color control subsystem and a defect detection subsystem.

Abstract: A reading time setting section (44) determines a read area for an imaging section (25) on the basis of color chart positional data (id). The imaging section (25) reads an image on printing paper during the reading time and readout image data (rd) is stored in an image data storage section (45). A reference mark detecting section (46) detects the positions of reference marks from the readout image data (rd). A color chart actual position calculation section (47) corrects a tilt of a color chart determined from the positions of the reference marks and calculates an actual position of each of color chart fields (cr). An image data readout section (48) reads out image data on a color chart field corresponding to the calculated actual position. At the same time, image data on a white color field immediately above the color chart field is also read out.

Abstract: A method for the production of printed surfaces which are fluorescent under ultraviolet (UV) light uses either a single color or four-color print process in which the base colors of yellow, blue and red and special color tones contain fluorescent pigments, which are not visible under normal light but visible under UV light, in a fixed ratio to the pigments which are colorfast under high intensity light. The method of this invention can be carried out easily to apply and the numerous printing steps previously required are avoided. One advantage is that pictures printed with fluorescent colors appear to give a complete three-dimensional effect at night under UV light with an authentic stepless color reproduction of all tones when daylight effect.

Abstract: A method for detecting registering errors for multi-color rotary presses in which register marks are printed on a paper web by each printing section, a light source is caused to flash based on a reference signal generated by signal output means operating in synchronism with the rotation of a predetermined plate cylinder for outputting signals, the register marks printed by all printing sections are read as two-dimensional image data via reading means operating in synchronism with the flashing of the light source, the two-dimensional image data are developed into matrix data, a first center of gravity is found as an approximate center of gravity of each register mark from the matrix data, a second center of gravity is found as a high-precision center of gravity of each register mark from the matrix data based on the first center of gravity, the second center of gravity of a predetermined register mark is used as a reference to find the relative positions of other register marks, a deviation of the resulting re

Abstract: A process is provided for determining the position of a printed paper web in a printing press, especially in a rotary printing press. Reference values for determining the position from the image data of the preliminary printing stage are obtained. At least part of a printing style on the paper web is detected by at least one scanner. The reference values obtained from the image data of the preliminary printing stage are compared with the measured values detected by at least one sensor. The position of the printed paper web is determined from the result of the comparison. A device is provided for determining the position of a printed paper web in a printing press, especially in a rotary printing press, with a data processing device, in which reference values are generated from image data from the preliminary printing stage for determining the position. At least one sensor is provided for detecting at least part of a printing style on the paper web.

Abstract: The gel method of printing variable information of the present invention involves applying inks onto a substrate that is part of or attached to a cylinder of the printing machine. Imaging is by means of an energy source in the UV, visible or infrared regions, modulated to represent a digital image pattern that has been composed on a computer. The consequence of imaging is to gel the ink and increase its adhesion to the substrate of the printing cylinder. The non-gelled background ink with lower adhesion is then removed by a squeegee action and returned to an ink reservoir. The remaining image is transferred to an offset blanket or directly to print stock by pressure. The process does not use a master, but produces an image that is erased after printing with each cylinder rotation so that the next rotation producing the next print can have fresh information written upon it.

Abstract: The present invention is for a method and associated apparatus whereby low viscosity flexograhic printing inks having a viscosity controlling diluent are used in implementing wet trapping of sequentially applied ink layers by controlling the time between ink layer applications such that sufficient diluent evaporates from an applied layer to increase the first applied layer viscosity sufficiently to wet trap a subsequently applied superposed ink layer.

Abstract: An ink feeding rate control method includes a reference print preparing step for making a printing plate by recording an image thereon based on first image data for recording a reference chart, and obtaining a reference print, a reference print colorimetric step for obtaining color data by reading the reference print, a conversion table preparing step for preparing a conversion table from the first image data and the color data of the reference print, a reference color data converting step for converting second image data for recording an image into reference color data by using the conversion table, a print preparing step for making a printing plate by using the second image data, and printing a print, a print colorimetric step for obtaining print color data by reading the print, and an ink feeding rate adjusting step for comparing the reference color data and the print color data, and adjusting ink feeding rates.