Abstract: A multi-color offset printing apparatus includes first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 each having a plate mounted peripherally thereof, the plate defining two image areas, first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 equal in diameter to the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 and rotatable in contact with the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12, respectively, and an impression cylinder 15 having a gripper 83 disposed peripherally thereof for holding a forward end of printing paper, the impression cylinder 15 being rotatable in contact with the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14. In this multi-color offset printing apparatus, the impression cylinder 15 is rotated at least four times, with the printing paper held in place by the gripper 83, before starting a printing operation. This step creates a state of ink saturation on the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 prior to the printing operation.

Abstract: An ink regulating device that measures color in a web-fed rotary printing machine for printing a printing material web or sheets in a plurality of colors. The ink regulating device measures and evaluates the colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and after general calibration (i.e., the recording of standard values), derives set values for the inking zone setting devices, without requiring any further patterns, and without the need for a special copy when the printing pattern is changed.

Abstract: In a method of correcting a position of each ink fountain key, a position of an ink fountain key is set as a present position with reference to a home position by using print data including an image area ratio of a reference plate having a predetermined image. A printing product is printed by using the reference plate with the ink fountain key being set at the present position. A density of each of respective areas, corresponding to the ink fountain keys, of the obtained printing product is measured. One of the home position and the present position of the ink fountain key is corrected on the basis of a difference between the measured density of the corresponding area and a reference density stored in advance. A position correcting apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Solid-patches 11, 12, and 13 each printed with color-inks of cyan, magenta, yellow, and a gray patch 14 included in a color bar 15 are printed on a printed-matter 10. A measuring and calculation device 4 measures actual ink densities at each of the solid-patches and gray patches in the color bars 15 and obtains differential values between the actual ink densities and target ink densities at the gray patch 14. Then, both the amount of the primary-color-component and that of the color-impurity-component at the solid patches 11, 12, and 13 are respectively substituted into equations at every detection of the differential values and that of the gray patches. In this way, ink supply volume is adjusted as a result of converting the differential values into primary-color-component differential amount in each of the color-inks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing vignettes includes the use of a rotary printing member having an outer surface with a series of elongated printing dots. The lengthwise dimension of the dots extends substantially in the machine direction of the printing press, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the printing member. For producing vignettes, the dots increase in density in a direction parallel to the linear direction and have a width which is substantially less than the length. For process printing operations, each color of the process printing is laid down by a series of dots extending substantially in the machine direction, although the screen angles of each series of dots may vary.

Abstract: In an ink supply amount adjusting method for this printing machine, reference opening amounts of ink fountain keys in units of ink colors are obtained in accordance with image area ratios of respective areas, corresponding to the ink fountain keys, of a plate by following a relationship between an image area ratio and opening amounts of the ink fountain keys, the relationship being preset to be common to the respective ink colors. The obtained reference opening amounts are uniformly corrected with correction values preset in units of ink colors, thereby obtaining preset values of the opening amounts of the ink fountain keys in units of ink colors. An ink supply amount adjusting apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a relief strip, comprising the steps of etching the strip, causing the etched strip to pass through a coloring line, a silicone solution metering unit, to meter a silicone solution on the strip etched portion, introducing the strip into a mold having a plurality of mold cavities of different cross-sections and spacings, therefrom a vacuum metered ink amount is ejected and caused to enter the recess of the material, and causing the strip to further pass through an infrared oven, and finally brushing the strip.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various apparatuses and methods for prevention of anilox roller scoring and compensation for anilox scoring ink marks, focusing on the anilox roller. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the uneven ink distribution pattern may be treated by an addition of an ink distribution mechanism. According to other embodiments of the present invention, image data modification methods are used for compensation for the scoring marks.

Abstract: A multicolor printing method and system including a master making device having plurality of removable ink drums replaceable with each other and a printing device. The plurality of removable ink drums are fed with respective masters to be used for printing, by fixed master feeding devices smaller in number than the removable ink drums. The removable ink drums fed with the respective masters are then used by the printing device for printing onto paper. The method and system provides multicolor printing with lower cost, reduced size and accurate registration between the respective masters, as compared to conventional methods and systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for correcting register faults in a multicolor printing machine (1) having a number of items of equipment (2,2′, . . . ) for the digital production of color separations (3,3′, . . . ), correction values being determined and assigned to the angular positions (4,4′, . . . ) of at least one image cylinder (5,5′, . . . ) and, as a result, being taken into account for the control of the production of the color separations (3,3′, . . . ) on said image cylinder.

Abstract: A method for providing indications for conditioning ink flow valves of at least one inking unit of a printing press. The printing area of the inking unit is divided into a multiplicity of inking zones each supplied by one ink flow valve in order to prescribe a predetermined rate of ink flow for each ink zone in said at least one inking unit. The method includes determining by calculating, from a digital image being processed for printing, a representative ink density value for each ink zone and for each color separation and furnishing the ink flow valves respectively with the values for regulating the flow in the ink zones.

Abstract: A component having transfer image formed thereon using less amount of sublimable dye, capable of transferring clear color images, having sufficiently high light fastness, and yet capable of providing gold color well equivalent to that of gold plating at a low cost, said component comprising a receptor layer to which a color image is transferred from a transfer paper being superposed on the receptor layer and to which heat is applied under pressure, and said transfer paper having formed thereon the color image by printing using an ink jet printer and a sublimable dye ink. Also disclosed is a method for forming the component having transfer image formed thereon.

Abstract: A sample of printing ink for a printing press is obtained using actual press components. An anilox roll for the press is supplied with ink and is rotated while the anilox roll is either mounted on the press or mounted off-line from the press. A printable substrate is printed with the ink either by pressing the substrate directly against the anilox roll or by pressing a transfer roll against the anilox roll and pressing the substrate against the transfer roll. The ink on the substrate is inspected, and any necessary changes to the ink are made before the press run is started.

Abstract: A method of imaging a substrate is disclosed, the method consisting of applying a first layer to the substrate to form a “print pattern” and a second step of presenting an “addressed design” to the substrate both within an outside the area of the print pattern. In the method of the invention, within the print pattern the addressed design is formed into a “durable image material” forming at least a part of the design layer and outside the print pattern, the addressed design does not form a durable image material.

Abstract: A method of producing screen data for imaging units of a printing machine includes the steps of breaking down raw image data into a plurality of partial images, respectively, corresponding to one printing ink; outputting the partial images to a plurality of screen processors, respectively, corresponding to the number of colors to the printed; and processing the partial images simultaneously for forming screen data by the screen processors for output to a respective one of the imaging units; and a system for performing the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing individual sheets gathers the sheets in groups and feeds the sheets past a printer unit. Paper paths are provided in two ring shapes and two printers are provided to permit printing on one side in one color, both sides in one color, one side in two colors and two sides in two colors or one color on one side and two colors on the other side.

Abstract: A method of printing using a press having first and second printing units and responsive to electronic data includes the steps of running the press to cause first and second printing units to produce first and second printed components, respectively, on a substrate, stopping the press and inspecting the first and second printed components to determine a degree of misregistration of the first printed component relative to the second printed component caused by substrate growth. Original electronic data representing an image to be printed by the press are modified in dependence upon the degree of misregistration. The press is subsequently operated in accordance with the modified electronic data to print the image with a reduced degree of misregistration.

Abstract: A method for mounting a substrate having a first image printed thereon on a digital printer to be used to print a second image in a desired alignment with the first image, wherein the first image is printed on the substrate using a nondigital process. The first image is related to a second image to form a composite image. First, registration holes in a template are placed over registration pins on the digital printer, thereby mounting the template on the printer. The second image is printed on the template using the digital printer, and the template is then removed from the digital printer. Registration holes of substrate leaders and the registration holes of the template are placed over registration pins extending from a work surface. The substrate is then positioned with respect to the substrate leaders and the template at a desired location where the first image on the substrate aligns with the second image on the template. The substrate leader is then secured to the substrate at the desired location.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a tabulation to display a range of colors which can be reproduced with accuracy is described; which is obtained through the application of a color volume calculated based on the following expression: T=(10V)½   (I) wherein: T=the color shade in percentage (%); V=the color volume in volumetric units.

Abstract: A flexible counter for an embossing system provides resilient support under a sheet which opposes pressure from a contoured die forming an embossment in the sheet. The flexible counter includes a resilient mat and a fixed bolster which supports the mat. The bolster has a peripheral wall which extends around sides of the mat so that an upper portion of the mat protrudes above the peripheral wall. In addition, the bolster includes support surfaces bounded by recesses. The support surfaces support a bottom surface of the mat, and the recesses receive bulging portions of the mat when compressed under pressure from the die.

Abstract: A method of printing on a web of paper includes the steps of providing the web, adjusting a tension on the web and sequentially printing each of a plurality of different indicia on defined sequential longitudinally spaced printing fields of the web. Information is then printed in each of the defined printing fields on the web. Preferably, the method is used for printing bingo game booklets in which each sheet of the booklet is identified by a different color or border than is each other sheet in the booklet. The apparatus includes a roll stand from which the web is fed and an indicia printing unit. The indicia printing unit includes a plurality of indicium rolls supported by and spaced around a frame and an endless printing belt supported by the rolls, the printing belt having a plurality of sequentially longitudinally spaced print areas.

Abstract: An adaptive control system is intended for use in conjunction with a printing press to control the setting of an ink control device that regulates the amount of ink applied to a substrate. The control system includes a controller for calculating a new setting for the ink control device based on a measured ink color value and a target ink color value. The controller has at least one gain parameter. The control system also includes a sensitivity adapter in communication with the controller. The sensitivity adapter modifies the gain parameter in response to the sensitivity of the ink control device to a correction in setting issued by the controller. The control system operates so that a measured ink color value on the substrate converges toward a target ink color value.

Abstract: Transparent documents with precoated background so that only the text and foreground need to be printed by a printer is taught. Alternatively, the transparent documents may be precoated with watermarks, company logos, company confidential or other common background patterns. The printer may be able to selectively remove the background precoating from predetermined areas of the transparency where text or other foreground material will be printed. Alternatively, the ink in the printer may chemically dissolve the precoating in predetermined areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining color registration in a multi-color printing press having a plurality of printing stations. A process black registration mark is formed in an identified area by positioning a plurality of color registration marks on top of each other. The process black registration mark is position in a portion of the image that is intended to be printed black, and preferably adjacent to a black ink image. The identified area is examined to determine whether the process black registration mark is properly positioned.

Abstract: A rotary press can vary the order of piling of printed traveling webs freely without requiring the bay window device to the construction and thus contributes for reducing size and weight of the rotary press. Also, the rotary press may facilitate repairing and maintenance operation so that repairing of each unit, maintenance, cleaning or so forth can be done certainly and quickly. The rotary press includes printing units and a folding unit arranged in parallel and further comprises moving means for re-arranging at least two of the units among set units and/or orientation means for turning at least one of the unit over 180.degree..

Abstract: A method for regulating inking of a printing press. The method includes a first step of providing a picture taking device, a closed-loop control device, and a printed product having a surface with a printed image. A second step of printing a print control strip on the surface next to the printed image. A third step of deriving first picture signals from the print control strip and deriving second picture signals from the printed image with the picture taking device. A fourth step of using the closed-loop control device for deriving actual values representing inking of the print control strip from the first picture signals and comparing the actual values to desired values for deriving resultant comparison values. A fifth step of determining ink adjusting signals for controlling ink distribution devices from the resultant comparison values for varying inking of the print product until a desired value is reached during a printer tuning phase.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling registration between different printing plates or printing cylinders in a printing press which includes a camera with a lens having at least two zoom settings and a control unit for changing the zoom setting of the camera in accordance with a distance between registration marks printed on a printed substrate found in at least one image acquired by the camera.

Abstract: The printer has at least two printing stations which cause images to be printed on a substrate. The printer is capable of registration adjustment. First and second patterns of spaced registration marks are printed onto the substrate by operation of the printing stations. The second pattern partially overlaps the first pattern to form a composite pattern of registration marks. The composite pattern is illuminated and the reflectivity thereof is examined at wavelengths complementary to the colors of the first and second patterns to obtain a reflectivity signature for the composite pattern. The reflectivity signature of the composite pattern (120) is compared with a predetermined signature to determine an adjustment factor for the printer.

Abstract: A method for multicolor printing of stock in web or plate form and having a smooth, nonabsorbent surface, includes printing on the stock by the indirect flexographic printing process; assigning each color to be printed to a respective printing unit which includes an inking unit, a cylinder for a flexographic printing form, a transfer cylinder and a counterpressure cylinder; always drying the ink on the stock before passing the stock to the next printing unit; and removing ink located in indentations and on sides, respectively, of the printing surfaces of the flexographic printing form; and a printing press for printing in accordance with the method.

Abstract: To improve the control of the inking process in an offset printing machine, color measuring fields provided on printed sheets are evaluated not as heretofore densitometrically but colorimetrically by means of spectral measurements. Spectral reflections are used to match colors, or color coordinates are calculated from them and compared with corresponding set reflections or set color coordinates. The color deviations obtained in this manner are used to control the inking process. For the stabilization of printing runs the spectral reflections are converted into filter color densities and the inking process is controlled on the basis of these color densities in a conventional manner. The control of the inking process using color deviations and control using color density may be superposed upon each other.The process makes it possible to adapt color impressions in delicate locations of importance for the image in the print to the corresponding locations of the proof.

Abstract: A method for mounting a substrate having a first image printed thereon on a digital printer to be used to print a second image in a desired alignment with the first image. The first image is printed on the substrate at a first location different from a location of the digital printer. A template is mounted on the digital printer, and then, the digital printer is used to print a second image on the template. Thereafter, the substrate is placed on the digital printer with respect to template, and the first image on the substrate is aligned with the second image on the template. Thereafter, the substrate is secured on the digital printer at a location where the first image on the substrate aligns with the one of the second image on the template. Thus, the digital printer can then be used to print the second image on the substrate in alignment with the first image.

Abstract: The fan-out effect of a paper web, passing through a web-fed printing press having a plurality of printing units, is corrected by providing control assemblies before selected ones of the printing units. The control assemblies each have a number of control elements and counter control elements. The number of control and counter control elements in each assembly varies with the moisture content of the paper web passing through the web-fed printing press.

Abstract: A method for multicolor printing, wherein stored information from the surface of a printing material obtained from an earlier pass of the printing material is applied to subsequent passes of the printing material through the printing machine, and wherein the image signals obtained by means of an image pickup device from at least one surface of the printed material are stored in a steering-or control device, and wherein the stored image signals are applied to subsequent passes of the printed material through the printing machine. The invention can be applied to other devices for producing printed images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making color filters for liquid crystal display panels. A transfer layer is formed on a collector roll, and a raised pattern corresponding to the desired black matrix pattern is formed on the transfer layer by an embossing means. A plurality of colored ink patterns is formed in the appropriate location within the boundaries formed by the raised pattern, thereby forming the multicolor image that will become the color filter. This multicolored image is then transferred to the substrate. Preferably, the multicolored ink pattern is deposited to a substrate while in a deformable state, flattened during the deposition process, and the deformed, more uniform shape of the printed cells is thereafter retained, preferably by curing during deposition to the substrate.

Abstract: A registration system (10) maintains registration of colors printed on a lenticular material (M) by a printing press (P) to form an image (I). A predetermined pattern (12) is printed on the material together with the image. A camera (36) obtains an image of each printed pattern as the lenticular material moves from one end of the press to the other, a strobe (40) and an image magnifier (34) also being used for this purpose. A monitor (32) displays the image for an observer to determine if the printed colors are properly registering with each other. A controller (46) for adjusting the position of print rollers (R) is operable by the observer to adjust the rollers, as necessary, for an observed printed color determined to be not properly registering with the other printed colors to be brought into registry therewith. A baseline pattern (14) is printed as are bars (28) for each printed color.

Abstract: A method for making color filters for liquid crystal display panels. A raised pattern corresponding to the desired black matrix pattern is formed on a substrate, e.g., by an embossing means. A plurality of colored ink patterns is formed in the appropriate location within the boundaries formed by the raised pattern, thereby forming the multicolor image that will become the color filter.

Abstract: In order to achieve deposit of very complex embossed designs which require thick layers of inks or paints in sharply defined patterns on flexible sheet substrate material suitable for packaging and high-volume production, a new combination of production sheet-fed printing elements is disclosed. As the typical materials will be sheet material supplied on rollers, a continuous process of moving the material from a supply roller to a take-up roller through a series of application and curing steps is provided, including elements for the steps of thick-deposit of design print material, embossing or impressing the deposited material, curing the material and sealing or covering the print material, and taking up the imprinted material for further shaping or processing.

Abstract: For determining the ink coverages of printing inks involved in printing in one pixel of a print image, the pixel is scanned photoelectrically in the visible range of the spectrum and also in the near infrared range. Color coordinates of a perceptually approximately equidistant color system and at least one infrared value are formed from the scanned signals thus obtained. The ink coverages of the printing inks involved in the printing are then calculated from these color coordinates and from the minimum of one infrared value and are allocated to the pixel.

Abstract: A process for printing an image (I.sub.C) on a lenticular lens material (12) with a printing press (10). A separate film negative (B, C, Y, M) is prepared for each color used in printing the image. One of the negatives (B) is selected and each of the other negatives, and the lens material, is registered with the selected negative. Each of negatives is adjusted to the selected negative so all of the negatives and the lens material are in registry with each other. Separate printing plates (18) are prepared from each of the negatives. The plates are mounted on the press at respective printing stations and the lens material is run through the press with each of the plates being used to print on the material. The plates are adjusted, as necessary, to align the plates and register the color dot patterns printed by each plate to the color printed by the plate made from the selected negative.

Abstract: A method of printing multi-color images on pressure sensitive labels carried on a web uses a disk shaped mark for each color which is printed to form the image. The disks (spots) are printed on the image, or elsewhere on the top layer of the web, with one disk being printed on top of the other, so that the marks coincide in size, shape and position. If a color is misregistered, it appears as a crescent which extends beyond the multi-colored disk. Such misregistration may be immediately viewed on a video magnifier, using at least 400.times. magnification, and the misregistration corrected.

Abstract: In order to control ink application in a printing press, a sheet (3) printed by the printing press (1) is colorimetrically measured in a number of pixels (4) with respect to a selected color coordinate system that has been expanded to be four-dimensional by also taking into account an infrared component. Color difference vectors with respect to the desired color vectors, predefined or determined from a reference sheet (3) and referred to the same color coordinate system, are computed from the color vectors obtained for each pixel (4). A sensitivity matrix is determined for each measured pixel (4) of the sheet (3). The pixels (4) are classified by sensitivity class.

Abstract: A master chart comprises a representation of various blocks (1) of color produced by suitable combinations of the base colors cyan, magenta, yellow and black (C,M,Y,K) . There are also illustrations of color prints (2) which are to be printed by a copying machine onto a sheet. For the color standardization procedure test sheets are provided onto which the images from the master chart are to be printed. These carry the same array of color blocks (1A) and picture representations (2A) but the block and color representations are offset with respect to the positioning of the corresponding blocks on the master chart. The operator compares the various color blocks against one another and make an estimation as to what adjustments are needed to the copier to ensure that a more acceptable print is achieved.

Abstract: In carrying through quality management while printing a web on a rotational roller printing machine high accuracy is obtained by a periodic returning, simultaneous measuring of color density and spectral distribution in at least one selected point of the periodically returning printing pattern; the continuous registration and storing of the measuring results over the entire duration of the production process; an analysis of the measured results by predetermined criteria at least at the end of production. For doing so a device is provided with at least one adjustable measuring head spanning the width of the printed web, containing a spectrometer and a light source; the measuring head can be activated depending on the product by means of an encoder assigned to the rotational roller printing machine. Further, a control device is provided that can continuously record the measuring signals of each measuring head.

Abstract: A polychromic image is reproduced and transferred onto a substrate by (a) providing a positive electrode moving at substantially constant speed along a predetermined path, the electrode having a passivated surface defining a positive electrode active surface; (b) forming on the positive electrode active surface a plurality of dots of colored, coagulated colloid representative of a desired image, by electrocoagulation of an electrolytically coagulable colloid present in an electrocoagulation printing ink containing a coloring agent; and (c) bringing an endless belt moving at the same speed as the positive electrode and having on one side thereof a colloid retaining surface adapted to releasably retain dots of electrocoagulated colloid, into contact with the positive electrode active surface to cause transfer of the dots of colored, coagulated colloid from the positive electrode active surface onto the colloid retaining surface of the belt and to thereby imprint same with the image.

Abstract: An ink separation device for a printing press ink feed control having a device for printing a color chart having randomly distributed color patches, and recording the cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink dot sizes (CMYK) for each color patch, a device for measuring the red, green, blue and infrared reflection value (RGBI) from each color patch, and recording the RGBI value for each of the color patches, a device for defining a transfer function which maps a four-dimensional RGBI vector into a four-dimensional CMYK vector, a device for forming RGBI measurements over a reference copy, and transferring each of the RGBI measurements into the corresponding CMYK ink dot size value, a device for forming RGBI measurements over a production copy, and transferring each of the RGBI measurements into the corresponding CMYK ink dot Size value, a device for forming the dot size ratio between the production copy and the reference copy to form the ink volume ratio between the reference and production copies and a device for a

Abstract: A color filter for an AMLCD panel has a pattern of multi-color dots, each dot having red, green, and blue components in a black matrix. Each component is the cured product of a color pigment dispersed in a radiation-curable ink. The ink may be an ink curable by a cationic mechanism, a free-radical ink, or a hybrid, free-radical/cationic ink. The filter is produced by successively applying patterns of colored inks to a transfer roll, collecting the patterns on a collector roll to form an array of multi-color dots that is transferred to the substrate, and irradiating the array of dots to at least partially cure the inks.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing medicine bags includes a plurality of cassettes in which different type of medicine bags are contained, the cassettes being vertically spaced, printers for printing predetermined information on the medicine bags, a medicine bag conveying member, and a control unit. The medicine bag conveying member is pivotable at an outlet thereof so that an inlet thereof communicates with any one of the cassettes to convey medicine bags to the printers from the cassettes. The control unit selects any one of the cassettes, causes the medicine bag conveying member to pivot so that the inlet of the medicine bag conveying member is connected to the selected cassette, causes the medicine bag conveying member to convey the medicine bag to a selected printer, and causes the printer to print the predetermined information on the medicine bag.

Abstract: A method of printing multi-color images on pressure sensitive labels carried on a web uses a disk shaped mark for each color which is printed to form the image. The disks (spots) are printed on the image, or elsewhere on the top layer of the web, with one disk being printed on top of the other, so that the marks coincide in size, shape and position. If a color is misregistered, it appears as a crescent which extends beyond the multi-colored disk. Such misregistration may be immediately viewed on a video magnifier, using at least 400X magnification, and the misregistration corrected.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling registration between different printing plates or printing cylinders in a printing press which includes a camera with a lens having at least two zoom settings and a control unit for changing the zoom setting of the camera in accordance with a distance between registration marks printed on a printed substrate found in at least one image acquired by the camera.

Abstract: A printing press includes a plurality of individual digital imaging units. A raster image processor receives image data in a machine-independent data format, generates machine-specific image data from the machine-independent image data and delivers the machine-specific image data to the individual imaging units. An error detection device ascertains register errors of the imaging units and generates corresponding register error signals. An image data modification circuit connected upstream of the raster image processor communicates with the error detection device, for modifying the image data in the machine-independent format on the basis of the register error signals and delivering the modified machine-independent image data to the raster image processor.