Abstract: A preprinted web having a plurality of first repeating images is reprinted with a plurality of second repeating images which are in register with the first images. A register mark is printed on the web for each of the first images. When the web is reprinted, the positions of the register marks are sensed and compared with the positions of the second images, and the unwind tension of the web is adjusted to maintain the relative positions substantially constant.

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: An apparatus and method for printing multi-color images onto a cylindrical body includes ink adhesion mechanisms that adhere different colors of ink to an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. Ink drying mechanisms are included for drying the different colored inks adhered to the cylindrical body after the completion of the respective ink adhesion processes. Each of the ink adhesion mechanisms is arranged such that a mandrel, about which the cylindrical body is held, is moved in an arc along the outer periphery of a cylinder-shaped blanket which is disposed around the outer peripheral surface of an blanket cylinder. Ink is applied to the cylindrical body from the blanket at a position where the cylindrical body contacts the blanket. The blanket cylinder is rotated about an axis thereof in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the mandrel. The mandrel is rotated about an axis thereof so that a relative velocity of the cylindrical body and the blanket at the contact portion is zero.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing bingo paper includes the steps of storing a plurality of preformulated bingo faces in the memory of a computer. The computer is connected to a variable data print unit. The computer is programmed to print a first series of bingo faces. The computer is also programmed to print a second series of bingo faces wherein the first series of bingo faces is different from the second series of bingo faces. The first and second series of bingo faces can be of different sizes or can have different bingo faces in them. Alternatively, the second series of bingo faces can be identical to the first series but printed in a different order. An indicium is also printed on each bingo face of the first and second series of bingo faces. After the indicium is applied, one or more series of the bingo faces will constitute a set of bingo faces.

Abstract: A paper substrate is laminated with a metalized layer forming a mirrored surface. A partially transparent black diffraction grating is applied by stochastic screening to the mirrored surface. The diffraction grating forms a frequency modulated pattern from selected geometric shapes. Information, such as alphanumeric indicia or graphics, is printed on the stochastic screen to thus form a reflective diffraction device which is printable in a conventional manner while inhibiting reproduction of the printed information by conventional techniques, including black and white and color photo-reproduction and facsimile machines. The partially transparent black stochastic screen forms a diffraction grating on the metalized layer so that when illuminated from the light source of either a specular or diffuse illumination-type photocopier, random interference patterns of light occur at the interface of the metalized surface and the stochastic screen.

Abstract: Rolls of printer paper are marked with information which indicates the length of paper remaining on a roll by measuring the distance between indicia successively applied by two separate print drums which each apply indicia at substantially equally spaced first and second intervals, respectively. The length of paper remaining on the roll is determinable by measuring the spacing between indicia applied by each drum. Some of the applied indicia may also be bar-coded with roll length indicia which includes a second means of determining length of paper remaining on a print roll and other information such as paper type, total roll length and name of the manufacturer. The indicia can be applied at speeds of paper travel substantially higher than the fastest known dynamic printing techniques.

Abstract: A printing medium which has been fed from a hopper is transported along a transport path having a U-shape. The transport path is formed by first and second linear paths and a curved path. The printing medium is transported along each path in the order of the first linear path, the curved path and the second linear path. When the printing medium passes through the first linear path, the print head performs the printing onto a front surface of the printing medium. Thereafter, the printing medium reaches the second linear path through the curved path. When the printing medium passes through the second linear path, the print head performs the printing on a back surface of the printing medium. At the timing for transporting the printing medium along the curved path, the print head is moved from the vicinity of the first linear path to the second linear path. Thus, the print head is moved and set to be ready for printing in the two positions.

Abstract: A system and a method for producing displays such as signs and cards includes a continuous substrate of material which is passed from a supply roller to a take-up roller. A series of printing stations apply a four-color image to the substrate. A fifth printing station then applies a layer of opaque ink to selected portions of the four-color image. Subsequently, a rotating silk screen applies a pattern of viscous translucent ink to form extraordinarily thick ridges on selected portions of the four-color image and opaque ink layer. Finally, a metalized substrate is laminated to the plastic substrate over the various ink layers.

Abstract: A printer capable of continuously and sequentially performing the printing of a picture and a text includes a picture printing device for printing an image and a text printing device for printing text. The picture printing device includes an ink sheet and a recording head to print the image by overlaying sublimed color inks. The text printing device may take the form of an ink-jet printer including a head having nozzles for ejecting the ink by means of the pressure of bubbles. Alternatively, the text printing device may take the form of a laser printer.

Abstract: A method is provided for using a pad printing device to decorate a base surface with an image. Initially the form of the image is printed on the base surface using a base coat material which has a sufficiently high adhesion with the base surface. An ink image is then printed in registry with the base coat image using an ink which has a sufficiently high adhesion to the base coat material. The image is then printed in registry with the ink image using a top coat material which has a sufficiently high adhesion to the ink. Because each layer of material has a sufficiently high adhesion to the adjacent material, the resulting decorative label has a high adhesion to the base surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to printed substrates having a metallic finish and methods for producing such printed substrates, preferably using an offset lithographic press. The method comprises coating a printing substrate with three coats of ink applied successively as follows: (1) a first coat comprising a solid color corresponding to the final color of the desired printing substrate; (2) a second coat comprising a moire pattern color; and (3) a third coat comprising water pearl.

Abstract: A method for printing at least one book of bingo paper. Consecutive sheets in a book of bingo paper are printed in the same color. Each sheet is designated by a unique page number and, by utilizing a jogging plate, each page in the book is printed on a discrete plate.

Abstract: A method is provided for using a pad printing device to decorate a base surface with an image. Initially the form of the image is printed on the base surface using a base coat material which has a sufficiently high adhesion with the base surface. An ink image is then printed in registry with the base coat image using an ink which has a sufficiently high adhesion to the base coat material. The image is then printed in registry with the ink image using a top coat material which has a sufficiently high adhesion to the ink. Because each layer of material has a sufficiently high adhesion to the adjacent material, the resulting decorative label has a high adhesion to the base surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the collated printing of a first set of images of a nonrepeating series and a second set of images. The collated printing provides for the complete printing of the nonrepeating series with respect to each of the images so that the combined images of the first and second series are collated in predetermined units or packets, preferably corresponding to the number of images in the repeating series. A first indicia for identifying the nonrepeating series and a second indicia for identifying the collated units can be printed on the combined images. Also, a strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive can be applied to the back of the combined images to form packets of the combined images and any desired quantity.

Abstract: An electrographic label system is disclosed whereby flexographic and electronic printing are combined in a modular design to produce multi-color labels. Label stock is unwound from a roll and passes over an automatic shut off roller that shuts down the entire printing process and stops the flow of label stock when it runs out so that a new roll of stock can be sliced to the old roll and rethreading the system is not necessary. A back slitter having a roller cutter cuts the desired height of the label leaving a feed strip between the label and opposite edge. The label stock is fed into a flexographic printer having a drum which imprints a first image, cuts the label to the correct length, and imprints a register mark on the feed strip. The label stock material is next fed into an electronic printer interfaced with a computer or programmable logic controller which imprints a second image upon each label.

Abstract: A decorative sheet having a first substrate sheet 11 formed of a transparent plastic material, in one or both of the surfaces of which all or a part of a pattern-printed layer 2 is embedded, a laminated sheet formed by laminating a second substrate sheet 12 formed of a transparent plastic material on one surface of the abovementioned sheet, or a laminated sheet formed by laminating a third substrate sheet, 13 formed of a plastic material having a concealing effect on the above-mentioned sheet or laminated sheet. This decorative sheet has an excellent three-dimensional effect.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a decorative, essentially planar sheet of material having a design applied to one side, with the design being viewed through the sheet from the opposite side. A foreground component of the design is produced on a first resilient roller, and the first roller is rotated about its cylindrical axis. A second resilient roller rotates adjacent to the first resilient roller to form a nip with the first cylindrical roller. The planar sheet is fed through the nip formed between the first and second resilient rollers so that the foreground component of the design on the first resilient roller is transferred to the opposite side of the planar sheet. A background component of the design is produced on a third resilient roller, and the third roller is rotated about its cylindrical axis. A fourth resilient roller rotates adjacent to the third roller to form a nip with the third roller.

Abstract: A method of printing with at least two printing plates, or their equivalent, characterized in that associated halftone dots belonging to two distinct pluralities, each of which is printed with one of said two printing plates, and each of which are interleaved with the other and printed in a color different from the other, are separated by a gap when printed in perfect register.

Abstract: A method of printing a succession of images on to an elongate web, in at least two colors, comprises feeding the web past the first and second rotating printing cylinders 10 and 11, the first print cylinder applying a first color and the second print cylinder applying a second color, and periodically interrupting the movement of the web past the print cylinders, the length of the interruptions controlling the repeat distance, and the interruptions of the movement of the web past the second cylinder being controlled in dependence upon the images being produced by the preceding print cylinder. The web may be driven by means of a servo motor such that the extent to which the web moves while the motor accelerates to and/or decelerates from, its normal running speed is accurately predetermined.

Abstract: A process for printing a successive row of numbers of bar code 2/5 interleaved provides that the narrow bar/wide bar printing ratio is set at 2:1. A code field is divided into narrow bar areas and the latter are in each case assigned alternately to two different printing units. The printing units exhibit, in the bar areas assigned to them, adjustable printing forms in all bar combinations. The code is printed in exact register by the two printing units in succession.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and a printing press for the production of multicolor impressions with several plate cylinders with corresponding inking mechanisms, whereby multicolor printing is made possible in the so-called direct printing process from plate to paper with a plate feed for the flexible printing plates or films and an automatic feed to the impression cylinders. Then the sheets to be printed are introduced via a sheet feed to the impression cylinder, and after the printing has been done, the used printing plates or films are transferred to an ejection apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for printing images on halves of both sides of a group of receiving sheets by passing each sheet seriatim four times directly in succession through a printing station thereby printing the four halves of the sheet. The sheets thus printed are together folded double to form a book in which the sequence of the images corresponds to the sequence of the original images.