Abstract: An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use in a printing system to transport an ink image from an image forming station to an impression station for transfer of the ink image from the ITM onto a printing substrate, wherein the ITM is an endless flexible belt of substantially uniform width which, during use, passes over drive and guide rollers and is guided through at least the image forming station by means of guide channels that receive formations provided on both lateral edges of the belt, wherein the formations on a first edge differ from the formations on the second edge by being configured for providing the elasticity desired to maintain the belt taut when the belt is guided through their respective lateral channels.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head that can eject liquid, a carriage that holds the head and can move in an intersecting direction, a support portion that can support a medium from a side opposite the side on which the head is located, a frame portion that is provided upstream of the carriage in the transport direction, the carriage being attached to the frame portion, a cover portion that covers the carriage, a first adjustment part that is attached to the frame portion, and a second adjustment part that is attached to a positioning portion. A difference between a first adjustment distance and a second adjustment distance is smaller than a difference between a first distance and a second distance.

Abstract: A method for thermosetting printed fabrics, comprising: providing a heated roller rotatable about a rotation axis and having a cylindrical outer surface, advancing a printed fabric in contact with the cylindrical outer surface of the heated roller, wherein the heated roller is rotated with a peripheral speed different from the speed of the fabric.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a technique that effects spot gloss or gloss control and/or variations on one image without requiring clear inks. This is preferably accomplished by use of a multilayer printing process in which an image is first printed using a first set of color print heads and then cured, and in which the image is again printed using a second set of color print head, but where the image remains uncured for a predetermined interval to allow the ink drops applied to the media to spread and thus introduce a gloss effect.

Abstract: A drying device includes a drier, a gas circulator, and a concentration adjuster. The drier warms a liquid composition on a drying target object. The gas circulator circulates a gas containing a volatile component of an organic solvent warmed and volatilized by the drier to reuse the gas for drying. The concentration adjuster adjusts a concentration of the volatile component reused.

Abstract: In a method for fixing a print image on a recording medium, data is determined for controlling one or more radiation sources to fix the print image. The data can be determined based on a deformation model of the recording medium such that a deformation of the recording medium is reduced or minimized.

Abstract: A method includes printing an image on substrate by a printhead using ultraviolet (UV) curable ink. The method includes selectively applying a first amount of UV radiation by a first region of a light source to a first area of the image after a first amount of time passes from printing the first area to form a first gloss level area having a glossy finish. The method also includes selectively applying a second amount of UV radiation by a second region of the light source to a second area of the image after a second amount of time passes from printing the second area to form a second gloss level area having a matte finish. At least one of the second amount of UV radiation is greater than the first amount of UV radiation and the first amount of time is greater than the second amount of time.

Abstract: An image forming method is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) applying an ink to a recording medium to form an image and (b) applying a pressure to the recording medium to which the ink has been applied. The ink comprises water, an organic solvent, and a colorant. When the ink is formed into an ink film, a maximum value of logarithmic damping ratio of the ink film is 1.50 or less and a time elapsed until the logarithmic damping ratio reaches the maximum value is 3,800 seconds or less, when measured by a rigid-body pendulum test at 60° C.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for drying a printing medium having ink droplets dispensed thereto includes a rotatable drive roller, and a warm air blasting unit. The warm air blasting unit includes a pair of warm air blasting portions, and one air intake duct. Each warm air blasting portion has a nozzle case, a fan duct, and a blasting fan. The one air intake duct has a suction fan for feeding ambient air into the air intake duct.

Abstract: Provided is an ink containing at least: an inorganic pigment having a surface hydrophobicity; resin particles; and water.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a feeder that feeds a medium in a feeding direction, a head including a row of nozzles arranged side by side in the feeding direction and movable in a scanning direction, an irradiator that radiates light onto a region longer in the feeding direction than the nozzle row and that is movable in the scanning direction together with the head, and a controller that alternatingly causes the head to move in the scanning direction and concurrently the nozzles to discharge ink while causing the irradiator to radiate the light, and the feeder to feed the medium in the feeding direction. The controller is capable of dividing the nozzle row into an upstream-side nozzle row and a downstream-side nozzle row located on a downstream side in the feeding direction from the upstream-side nozzle row, and individually controlling discharge of ink from the nozzles of each of the upstream-side nozzle row and the downstream-side nozzle row.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is provided. An inkjet printer includes; a heater for heating up a medium after a printing operation, a second heater for further heating up the medium after the medium is heated up by the heater, a frame to which the second heater is fixed, and a wound roll holder for holding a wound roll that is the medium, being wound like a roll after the printing operation. The wound roll is placed at a position lower than the heater. The second heater is movable in relation to the frame, between a first position, where the second heater is placed at a location of a lower side of the heater and a front side of the wound roll, and a second position, where the second heater is placed at a location of an upper side of the wound roll.

Abstract: An indirect printing system comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and an image forming station at which droplets of ink are applied to the ITM to form ink images thereon, the image forming station including a first print bar including a first plurality of print heads and having mounted thereon a first blowing mechanism for introducing a first gas flow, having a first flow rate, into a gap between the first plurality of print heads and the ITM, and a second print bar including a second plurality of print heads and having mounted thereon a second blowing mechanism for introducing a second gas flow, having a second flow rate, into a gap between the second plurality of print heads and the ITM, the second print bar being disposed downstream of the first print bar, the second flow rate being greater than the first flow rate.

Abstract: A transport mechanism includes a transport belt in which holes are formed and a suction clinging mechanism. The transport mechanism transports the medium in the first transporting direction, and when the upstream edge reaches a switching position, the transport mechanism transports the medium in the second transporting direction and stacks the medium in a stacker. The suction clinging mechanism includes an opening of a first suction chamber and an opening of a second suction chamber, and the opening of the first suction chamber is located downstream of the opening of the second suction chamber in the first transporting direction. The switching position is located upstream of the opening of the first suction chamber in the first transporting direction. In the first transporting direction, the distance from the switching position to the opening of the first suction chamber is longer than the length of each hole.

Abstract: A printer includes an ultraviolet (UV) curing device having UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) to cure UV curable inks ejected onto a surface after the surface travels past a plurality of printheads in the printer. A UV detector having UV sensors is positioned opposite the UV curing device so the UV sensors and UV LEDs are opposite one another in a one-to-one correspondence. A controller operates the UV curing device to direct UV light into the UV detector and receives electrical signals generated by the UV sensors. The controller compares these electrical signals to a predetermined threshold to identify defective LEDs in the UV curing device. The controller then determines how to move the UV curing device across the path of the surface to irradiate areas of the surface previously opposite the defective UV LEDs.

Abstract: A drying unit includes: a first irradiation device that includes plural first irradiation arrays each having plural laser elements disposed along a feeding direction of a recording medium to which liquid droplets have been ejected and which is being fed, the recording medium being irradiated with laser light by the laser elements, the first irradiation arrays being disposed side by side in a cross direction crossing the feeding direction, driving of the first irradiation device being controlled for each of the first irradiation arrays; and a second irradiation device that is provided on an upstream side or a downstream side in the feeding direction with respect to the first irradiation device, as defined herein.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image holding member; a charging unit that charges a surface of the image holding member; an electrostatic image forming unit that forms an electrostatic image on the charged surface of the image holding member; a developing unit that houses an electrostatic image developer including a toner containing an external additive and develops the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image holding member with the electrostatic image developer to thereby form a toner image; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image holding member onto a surface of a recording medium directly or through an intermediate transfer body; and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred onto the surface of the recording medium.

Abstract: A printing method is provided and includes: ejecting a photo-curable ink from a head onto a print medium by an ejection amount v2 required of matte-finish printing; irradiating a light after a standby time t2 is passed to cure the photo-curable ink in a manner that a matte finish is obtainable; ejecting a transparent-photo-curable ink from the head onto the print medium by an ejection amount v3 greater than the ejection amount v2 and less than or equal to an ejection amount v1 required of glossy-finish printing; and irradiating the light after a standby time t3 shorter than a standby time t1 is passed to cure the transparent-photo-curable ink which is ejected.

Abstract: A light-curable transparent ink for 3D ink-jet printing and a method for preparing the same are provided. The light-curable transparent ink for 3-D ink-jet printing includes the following components: an acrylate monomer, a mercapto compound, a surfactant, a photoinitiator and an additive. The light-curable transparent ink for 3D ink-jet printing can inhibit yellowing and turbidity of the printed product.

Abstract: At least one of an upstream drive roller and a downstream drive roller is operated, after printing on web paper and at a time of transportation halt of the web paper, to make a tension value of the web paper between the upstream drive roller and downstream drive roller lower than a tension value at a time of transporting the web paper, so that at least part of contact portions of the web paper in contact with five cooling rollers separate from the five cooling rollers. Consequently, gaps can be produced between the contact portions of the web paper in contact with the five cooling rollers and the five cooling rollers. This can reduce waterdrops due to dew condensation adhering to the web paper. As a result, paper break can be inhibited at a time of starting transportation of the web paper.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a conveyance path, a liquid discharge head, an ejection tray, and a drying device. A medium is conveyed in the conveyance path. The liquid discharge head discharges liquid onto the medium conveyed in the conveyance path. The medium is ejected to the ejection tray. The drying device dries the medium. The conveyance path includes a first bending portion to bend the medium, with a liquid-applied surface of the medium facing inward. The ejection tray includes a second bending portion to bend the medium, with the liquid-applied surface of the medium facing inward. A curvature of the medium bent by the first bending portion is greater than a curvature of the medium bent by the second bending portion. The drying device dries the medium conveyed in the first bending portion.

Abstract: This printing apparatus is provided with a discharge head, a movement unit for moving a recording medium in a prescribed direction relative to the discharge head, a support member for supporting the recording medium in a position of facing the discharge head, a light-emitting unit for emitting light downstream in the prescribed direction from the discharge head, a first opposing unit disposed between the discharge head and the light-emitting unit in the prescribed direction, a second opposing unit disposed downstream of the discharge head in the prescribed direction, and an optically transparent member that is disposed between the first opposing unit and the second opposing unit and that covers the light-emitting unit from the support member.

Abstract: A method for fluid-density modulated auto-duplexing is disclosed. This method determines when a final swath of a printing operation on a surface of a media occurs within a predefined distal end portion of the media. An estimated media dry time after the final swath in the predefined distal end portion is determined to be greater than a predetermined time. The estimated dry time is capped to a predetermined minimum media dry time and a course of action for a feed mechanism is selected to reduce curling and cockling of the media. Furthermore, a non-transitory computer readable medium and a printer having fluid-density modulated auto-duplexing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A decurling device includes a decurler. The decurler includes a first dryer roller, a second dryer roller, and a heat source. The heat source is disposed at the first dryer roller to heat the first dryer roller. The first dryer roller and the second dryer roller rotate while holding a sheet therebetween to convey the sheet.

Abstract: A digital printing process for xerography printing with liquid toner is disclosed, said liquid toner including a curable carrier liquid and imaging particles suspended in the carrier liquid. The process includes: forming a latent image as a pattern of electric charge on a surface of an imaging member; transferring the liquid toner onto a development member; developing the latent image by transferring liquid toner from the development member onto the imaging member in accordance with the pattern; transferring the liquid toner from the imaging member to a first substrate; applying a second substrate on the transferred liquid toner; after application of the second substrate, irradiating the liquid toner with actinic radiation or particle beams to cure the carrier liquid.

Abstract: Herein is described a method of applying foil from a foil web to a substrate. The method may comprise: ink-jet printing a UV-curable adhesive onto the substrate in a predetermined image area; subjecting the adhesive to a first curing by exposing the adhesive to UV light in a dosage range of 140-170 mJ/cm2; passing the substrate and a foil web through a nip where the foil web is pressed against the adhesive; subjecting the adhesive disposed between the substrate and the foil web to a second curing by exposing the adhesive to UV light in a dosage of at least 250 mJ/cm2; and separating excess foil from the substrate, to leave foil on the predetermined image area. Substrates and UV-curable adhesives are also described.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an actinic radiation curable inkjet ink which has less color mixing, which can obtain white ink with fewer surface irregularities and excellent smoothness, which has excellent actinic radiation transmittance and curability, and which enables sol-gel phase transition by temperature change, and to provide an inkjet image forming method, and a recording medium on which an image has been formed using the inkjet ink. This purpose is achieved by an actinic radiation curable inkjet ink that contains a photopolymerizable compound, a photo initiator, a gelling agent, and a white pigment, wherein the white pigment contains titanium oxide, the gelling agent contains at least one type of gelling agent A that contains an alkyl chain comprising a straight chain portion with 12-26 carbon atoms, wherein the content of the gelling agent A is 5-35 mass % of the content of the titanium oxide.

Abstract: A method for printing tracks on bodies by using inkjet printing provides printed images with a homogeneous appearance on the bodies, in particular when printing large single-color areas. The homogeneous appearance is obtained by reducing the intensity of the UV radiation from at least one inkjet print head when pinning in track connection regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pre-treatment liquid providing improved spreading property when printing an ink-jet image, as well as an ink-jet printing method comprising applying the pre-treatment liquid of the invention on a recording medium prior to printing an ink-jet image and a method of pre-treating a recording medium, comprising pre-treating a recording medium with the pre-treatment liquid of the invention. With the present pre-treatment liquid a combination an improved spreading of the ink on the pre-treated recording medium can be achieved.

Abstract: A droplet discharging apparatus (10) includes a supporting section (20) including a supporting surface (21) that supports a medium M, a first head (81) including a first nozzle that discharges first liquid onto the medium supported by the supporting surface (21), a second head (82) including a second nozzle that discharges second liquid that promotes curing of the first liquid by reacting with the first liquid onto the medium M supported by the supporting surface (21), a carriage (83) that reciprocally travels in a width direction while holding the first head (81) and the second head (82), an air sending section (70) that generates airflow in the front direction in an discharging area facing the supporting surface, and a shielding section (85) that shields the airflow in the front direction in the discharging area R1.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a rotator, a drier, and a conveyance direction changer. The rotator winds a web-shaped recording medium around a predetermined region of an outer peripheral surface of the rotator with one side of the web-shaped recording medium facing outward and conveys the recording medium with rotation. The drier is disposed downstream from the rotator in a direction of conveyance of the recording medium, to dry and convey the recording medium. The conveyance direction changer is disposed on a conveyance path of the recording medium between the rotator and the drier. The conveyance direction changer has an outer peripheral surface that includes an opposed region opposed to the one side of the recording medium. The opposed region has openings to blow gas toward the one side of the recording medium. The rotator and the drier are disposed at positions not overlapping with each other in a plan view.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to image-receiving compositions that can include an aqueous liquid vehicle and solids dispersed in the aqueous liquid vehicle. The solids can include from 60 wt % to 94 wt % pigment filler, from 0.5 wt % to 15 wt % multivalent salt, from 1 wt % to 10 wt % water-soluble polymer, from 2 wt % to 15 wt % latex, and from 2 wt % to 15 wt % synthetic micronized cellulose. The synthetic micronized cellulose can have a bulk density of from 150 grams per liter to 200 grams per liter, and a surface area of 0.1 m2/g to 10 m2/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to [1] an ink-jet printing method including a printing step of ejecting a water-based ink onto a surface of a printing medium to print characters or images thereon, in which the water-based ink includes a pigment (A), an organic solvent (B), a surfactant (C) and water; the organic solvent (B) includes at least a glycol ether (b-1), and the glycol ether has a viscosity of from 2.0 to 5.5 mPa·s as measured at 20° C. and a vapor pressure of from 0.03 to 6.0 hPa as measured at 20° C.; a content of a high-boiling organic solvent having a boiling point of not lower than 250° C. in the water-based ink is not more than 5% by mass; and a printing speed upon printing the characters or images on the printing medium is not less than 70 m/min in terms of a transportation speed of the printing medium, and [2] a water-based ink used in the inkjet printing method.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an image on a recording medium in a printer, the printer comprising a print head assembly for applying a curable ink on a recording medium to form the image, a transport path arranged for moving the recording medium in a transport direction along the print head assembly and a curing system; said curing system comprising a curing source, which curing source is arranged extending over the transport path in the transverse direction; the method comprising the steps of: moving the recording medium through the transport path in a step-wise movement in the transport direction along the print head assembly and the curing system; applying the curable ink on the recording medium by the print head assembly to form the image; and curing the curable ink, which is applied on the recording medium, by the curing source in a curing zone on the recording medium, the curing zone extending over the transport path in a transverse direction, the transverse direction being substantially perpendicula

Abstract: A dryer includes a conveyor to convey a film including a first surface onto which a liquid is applied, a noncontact heater to heat the first surface of the film conveyed by the conveyor without contacting the first surface, a contact heater to contact and heat a second surface of the film opposite the first surface, and circuitry to set a first heating temperature of the contact heater less than 85° C. and set a second heating temperature of the noncontact heater to be 30° C. to 90° C. higher than the first heating temperature.

Abstract: An aqueous ink composition including water; an optional co-solvent; an optional colorant; and a composite nanoparticle comprising a core and a shell; wherein the core comprises a styrene/acrylate polymer core resin, optionally comprising a metal; and wherein the shell comprises a metal. An aqueous ink composition including water; an optional co-solvent; an optional colorant; and an ionic polymer-metal composite; wherein the ionic-polymer metal composite nanoparticle acts as a reservoir for the delivery of metal ions for anti-bacterial effect, antifungal effect, antiviral biocide effect, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a blower, a conveyor, and an upstream blower. The blower blows air to a sheet material. The conveyor includes a sandwiching unit to sandwich the sheet material, and conveys the sheet material to a blowing region of the blower. The upstream blower blows air toward a downstream side in a conveyance direction of the sheet material, from an upstream side of the blowing region in the conveyance direction of the sheet material to the blowing region.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an image forming section, a heater, a calculation section, storage, and a determination section. The image forming section ejects ink onto a sheet in which first to M-th regions are defined (M is an integer of at least 2). The heater includes first to M-th heat sources and heats an n-th region of the sheet using an n-th heat source (n is an integer of at least 1 and no greater than M). The calculation section calculates an ink ejection rate of ink to be ejected onto the n-th region. The storage stores therein heating information indicating whether it is necessary to heat the n-th region. The determination section determines whether or not to cause the n-th heat source to generate heat.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for creating a watermark are disclosed. For example, the apparatus may be a dryer module of a printing device. The dryer module may include a pair of transport rollers, a temperature gradient transport belt coupled to the pair of transport rollers to rotate around the pair of transport rollers, a heat source located above the temperature gradient transport belt, wherein the heat source applies heat to a print media that moves below the heat source via the temperature gradient transport belt, and a processor communicatively coupled to the rollers and the heat source, wherein the processor controls a speed of the temperature gradient transport belt via the pair of rollers and an amount of heat that is applied by the heat source to dry a printing fluid dispensed on selected portions of the print media at a desired rate to create the watermark on the print media.

Abstract: Panels having a decorative surface may include a substrate and a top layer, and the top layer may include a paper layer having a printed pattern. A method for manufacturing such panels may involve providing the paper layer with a treatment that includes providing the paper layer with an ink receiving substance, and providing the treated paper layer with at least a portion of the printed pattern. The printed paper layer may be provided with thermosetting resin. Providing the portion of the printed pattern may involve depositing pigment containing inks on the treated paper layer using a digital inkjet printer. The printed pattern may be provided in a single continuous relative movement of the paper layer with respect to the digital inkjet printer. The pigments may be color pigments. The digital inkjet printer may include print heads with nozzles for firing droplets of the pigment containing inks onto the treated paper layer.

Abstract: A system includes a print head including multiple nozzles formed in a bottom surface of the print head. The nozzles are configured to eject a liquid onto a substrate. The system includes a gas flow module configured to provide a flow of gas through a gap between the bottom surface of the print head and the substrate. The gas flow module can include one or more gas nozzles configured to inject gas into the gap. The gas flow module can be configured to apply a suction to the gap.

Abstract: In certain examples, a printing device comprises a print head, a dryer, a heat exchanger, a distribution system and a controller. The heat exchanger is coupled to an exhaust of the dryer to produce pre-heated air. The distribution system is coupled to the heat exchanger and a plurality of regions of the printing device. The controller causes the distribution system to distribute the pre-heated air from the heat exchanger among the plurality of regions based on an operating parameter of the printing device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for printing and drying inks on substrates. Printing systems may include a metering device positioned between a printing station and a light source. During operation, the printing station deposits ink onto a substrate to define a printed region. And the light source directs infrared light onto the substrate to define an illumination zone. The printed region is advanced from the printing station to the metering device and from the metering device through the illumination zone, wherein the ink is dried with infrared light traveling from the light source, which also heats the substrate and changes the modulus of elasticity of the substrate. In turn, the metering device isolates the printing station from the change in the modulus of elasticity to help reduce phase shifts caused by changes in the modulus of elasticity resulting from heat in the substrate.

Abstract: A printing system treats the surface of three-dimensional objects to be printed to improve the printing of the articles of manufacture. The system includes a surface treatment module that is positioned to part of the printing process and to treat the object surfaces prior to the surfaces being printed. The treatment of the surfaces within the module include operating an abrasive device to remove material from an object surface and to apply solvent to the object surface to clean the surface.

Abstract: A high-gloss, precise and vivid image is printed appropriately. The printing method performs a printing using a color ink on a medium, and includes: a color ink layer forming step of ejecting the color ink to a medium to form a layer of the color ink, that is, a colored ink layer on the medium; and a glossing step of performing a process for increasing a gloss of the colored ink layer. The color ink includes a colorant and a solvent and generates heat by radiation of an energy ray. In the color ink layer forming step, the energy ray is emitted to the color ink adhering to the medium to remove by evaporation at least a part of the solvent included in the color ink. In the glossing step, the gloss of the colored ink layer is increased after a part of the solvent is removed by evaporation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to low odor radiation curable ink compositions. The composition comprises 10-40% w/w of 4-hydrobutylacrylate, 5-25% of a urethane (math)acrylate oligomer, 10-55% of diacrylates, one or more photoinitiators, one or more additives, and one or more pigments. The composition excludes many monofunctional monomers that have distinct odor and are commonly used in an ink jet composition.

Abstract: The cationically photopolymerizable composition according to the present disclosure includes: (A) a polyfunctional epoxy compound having two or more epoxy groups per molecule; (B) a monofunctional epoxy compound having one epoxy group per molecule; (C) a photocation generator; and (D) an oxetane compound. At least one of the component (A) and the component (B) contains an epoxy compound ((A1) or (B1)) having a polyether backbone per molecule. A mass ratio of the component (A) to the component (B) falls within a range of 90:10 to 30:70.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for detecting an ink droplet. The device includes a conveying means configured to convey an article to be printed to a printing position under a print head for ejecting the ink droplet; an imaging means configured to acquire an image of a printing area after the ink droplet is ejected on the printed area of the surface of the article by the print head; an analyzing means configured to acquire at least one geometric property of the ink droplet from the image and determine whether ink droplet abnormality has occurred based on the at least one geometric property.

Abstract: There is provided a printing device that carries out printing with respect to a medium; the printing device including inkjet heads, which are ejection heads that eject an ink to the medium; and an infrared irradiating portion that irradiates an infrared light in which a wavelength is smaller than or equal to 3 ?m with respect to the ink on the medium; where the inkjet heads eject the ink containing a solvent that generates heat by absorbing the infrared light; and the infrared irradiating portion volatilizes and removes at least one part of the solvent in the ink by irradiating the infrared light with respect to the ink on the medium.

Abstract: A UV-curable inkjet ink composition is curable by irradiation with ultraviolet light and includes a monofunctional monomer (A), a polyfunctional monomer (B), a photopolymerization initiator (C), and a colorant (D), wherein the composition has a hydroxyl value within the range of not less than 1 mgKOH/g and not more than 100 mgKOH/g, and is for forming, by inkjet printing, an ink layer 14 provided between a curved outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical can base 12 made of a metal material, and a coating layer 16 made of an aqueous coating material.