Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs pseudo gradation processing using dithering, and includes an image carrier; a plurality of light-emitting element arrays arranged in a main-scanning direction and including a plurality of light-emitting elements; an image forming unit performing lighting control of the arrays and forming a pattern image on the image carrier; a detecting unit detecting a density of the pattern image; a position detecting unit detecting a position in the main-scanning direction of the detecting unit with respect to the light-emitting element arrays; a determining unit that, based on the detected position, determines whether the detecting unit is positioned at a proper detection position with respect to the pattern image on which noise has no effect; and an operation control unit that, when the detecting unit is positioned at the proper detection position, performs an image density detection operation on the pattern image using the detecting unit.

Abstract: A transfer device is provided to realize a higher speed in terms of print time by reducing a conveyance time of an ink ribbon to a beginning position of each ink panel. The transfer device includes an image formation unit conveying the ink ribbon and a recording medium held between a thermal head and a platen, and transferring a transfer image onto the recording medium; a ink ribbon conveyance device for conveying the ink ribbon; a recording medium conveyance device for conveying the recording medium; and a control device for controlling the ink ribbon conveyance device and the recording medium conveyance device to control, in the image formation unit, beginning positions of a transfer start position of the ink panel and a transfer start position of the recording medium.

Abstract: An actinic ray curable composition comprising a photo-polymerizable compound and a photo-polymerization initiator, wherein the photo-polymerizable compound is a cationic polymerizable compound and a terminal polyether-modified silicone surfactant is further incorporated in the actinic ray curable composition.

Abstract: According to various illustrative embodiments, an apparatus, method, and system for variable rate fuser release fluid application are described. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a supply of release agent material. The apparatus also comprises a release agent metering roller supported for contact with the supply of the release agent material. The apparatus also comprises a variable speed drive arranged to effect movement of the release agent metering roller in an endless path at different surface velocities. The apparatus also comprises a donor roller supported in contact with the release agent metering roller and a fuser roller of a contact fuser, the donor roller arranged to convey release agent material from the release agent metering roller to the fuser roller at various rates depending on a surface velocity of the release agent metering roller, wherein the variable speed drive is operative independently of the fuser roller.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer produces duplex images in print jobs including ink images to be printed to tabbed, hole-punched, and differently sized media sheets with improved throughput. The method synchronizes a media transport to insert a differently sized media sheet with reference to the type of media sheet, enabling the media sheet to contact a portion of the roller bearing substantially less release agent than the rest of the roller, minimizing release agent transfer to a second side of the media sheet.

Abstract: A reaction solution dot shape information obtainment method to be employed for a transfer type inkjet recording method including applying a reaction solution to aggregate a color material component contained in an ink onto an image forming surface of an intermediate transfer member, forming an intermediate image by applying the ink containing the color material component onto the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer member onto which the reaction solution is applied, and forming an image by transferring the intermediate image from the image forming surface to a recording medium by pressing the recording medium to the image forming surface on which the intermediate image is formed, includes measuring a shape of an ink dot of the intermediate image formed on the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer member or the image transferred onto the recording medium, and obtaining shape information of a reaction solution dot from a measurement result of the ink dot shape.

Abstract: Inkjet imaging methods, imaging methods and hard imaging devices are described. According to one embodiment, an imaging method includes accessing image data of an image to be formed; using the image data, controlling a print device to eject a plurality of droplets of a liquid marking agent corresponding to the image to be formed, wherein the droplets of the liquid marking agent individually comprise a plurality of ink particles; using the print device, ejecting the droplets of the liquid marking agent; after the ejecting, receiving the droplets of the liquid marking agent upon a transfer member; and after the receiving, transferring the ink particles of the droplets from the transfer member to media to form a hard version of the image using the media.

Abstract: A multi-channel image is printed on a web receiver by a plurality of printing modules. The receiver is entrained around a take-up roll on a movable transport. During printing, the transport moves past the printing modules while the take-up roll holds the receiver in position with respect to the transport, and then the transport comes to a stop and the take-up roll draws the receiver across the transport. A cutter downstream of the take-up roll cuts off the printed portion of the web receiver to provide a printed sheet.

Abstract: An evaluation method for evaluating a pigment ink for ink-jet recording used together with a dye ink and containing a pigment and water includes an aggregation property evaluation method for the pigment in which 10 parts by weight of an aqueous sodium chloride solution is added to 100 parts by weight of the pigment ink; the evaluation method including first aggregation property evaluation adding an X wt % aqueous sodium chloride solution; and second aggregation property evaluation adding a Y wt % aqueous sodium chloride solution; wherein concentrations of the aqueous sodium chloride solutions are set to fulfill the following condition in the first and second aggregation property evaluations: 1.0?X<Y?2.5. The optical density of a printed matter and the dispersion stability of the pigment when the pigment ink is brought in contact with the dye ink can be easily evaluated before the printing.

Abstract: Provided is an image recording method having high transfer efficiency. An image recording method includes an intermediate image-recording step of recording an intermediate image by applying ink to an intermediate transfer body and also includes a transfer step of transferring the intermediate image to a recording medium by heating the intermediate image to a transfer temperature. The ink contains polymer particles having a softening point not higher than the transfer temperature and at least one of a compound represented by Formula (1) and a compound represented by Formula (2).

Abstract: An inkjet offset printer includes an imaging drum and a transfix roller skewed with respect to and defining a continuously applied or an uninterrupted nip with the imaging drum to reduce torque disturbances and media wrinkling issues. Acoustic and physical disturbances resulting from a sheet of recording media entering and leaving the nip are reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A transfix roller is adapted for use with a thin walled image receiving member in an indirect printer. The transfix roller is centrally supported to present a more uniform pressure profile in the nip formed with the image receiving member. An interference fit between the central shaft and the roller sleeve enables the transfix roller to be made without an additional process to secure the shaft to the sleeve.

Abstract: An inkjet offset printer includes a heated drum assembly having a hollow drum with an internal surface defining an internal cavity and a heater located in the internal cavity. The heater includes a reflector having a seal, and at least one heating element configured to generate heat and disposed between the reflector and the internal surface of the drum. The seal contacts the internal surface of the hollow drum to confine the generated heat within a space defined by the reflector and the internal surface of the drum.

Abstract: An image transfer system for use in an indirect printer includes a support roller for a transfix roller. The support roller is configured to apply pressure to a center portion of a nip formed between a transfix roller and an imaging drum while the transfix roller applies pressure to the ends of the nip. This configuration is particularly advantageous for use with imaging drums and transfix rollers having thin walls.

Abstract: In a transfer inkjet recording system, a cooling unit is configured to independently cool multiple locations in a region in which an intermediate image of an intermediate transfer medium is formed in accordance with one of a temperature of the intermediate transfer medium after being heated by a heating unit or in accordance with image data.

Abstract: A process for preparing an imaging surface of an imaging transfer member in a printing machine, the process comprises providing a surface roughness to the imaging surface to produce a plurality of pits having sharp features on the surface, and then exposing the pitted imaging surface to an acid dip for a time period sufficient to substantially reduce the sharp features on the imaging surface. This process may be followed by anodization. The process produces an imaging surface having a pit structure providing reduced oil consumption and wear of components of the printing machine that contact the imaging surface.

Abstract: A process is implemented in a printer having a release agent application system that enables a controller in the printer to detect gel ink in the release agent application system exceeding a predetermined threshold. The process monitors a plurality of print characteristics with reference to print data and quantifies a risk of gel ink developing in the release agent application system. The print characteristics include a print area value identifying a total surface area of a print, an inked area value identifying an area of surface area covered with ink, and a print type indicating whether the print is a simplex print or a duplex print.

Abstract: An image recording method includes recording an intermediate image by applying an ink to an intermediate transfer body, and transferring the intermediate image onto a recording medium while heating the intermediate image. The ink contains a coloring material and polymer fine particles each including a core constituted by a crystalline polymer and a shell constituted by an amorphous polymer. In transferring the intermediate image, the intermediate image is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of the crystalline polymer constituting the core and equal to or higher than a glass transition point of the amorphous polymer constituting the shell.

Abstract: An image recording method includes recording an intermediate image by applying an ink to an intermediate transfer body, the ink containing a coloring material and polymer fine particles; and transferring the intermediate image onto a recording medium while heating the intermediate. The polymer fine particles are composed of a copolymer of a first compound that satisfies condition (1) (a polymer obtained by homopolymerization of the first compound is a crystalline polymer having a melting point equal to or lower than a temperature of the transfer) and a second compound that satisfies condition (2) (a polymer obtained by homopolymerization of the second compound is an amorphous polymer having a glass transition point equal to or lower than the temperature of the transfer).

Abstract: An imaging device includes a media supply and handling system configured to move media along a path. A printing system is disposed along the path that includes at least one printhead for applying melted phase-change ink of at least one color to the media to form images thereon. A fixing assembly is disposed along the path downstream of the printing system that is configured to apply heat and/or pressure to the melted phase change ink of the images on the media. A coating system is disposed along the path downstream from the spreader. The coating system includes at least one printhead for applying a clear ink on top of the images formed on the media by the printing station.

Abstract: A method includes: shaping a transparent belt base having opposite ends into a tubular shape with the ends thereof spaced away from or in contact with each other to make a tubular belt base; superposing a release base having a liquid layer of a curable polyurethane elastomer on and in contact with the outer periphery of the tubular belt base inclusive of the space or contact portion between the ends in a manner that the liquid layer is sandwiched in between the transparent belt base and the release base; curing the curable polyurethane elastomer while the liquid layer being sandwiched between the transparent belt base and the release base to form a transparent polyurethane elastomer layer; stripping the release base off the transparent polyurethane elastomer layer; and connecting the ends of the tubular transparent belt base spaced away from or in contact with each other to form a joint.

Abstract: A phase change ink imaging device includes a transfix apparatus configured to apply ultrasonic action to ink pixels deposited onto an image bearing surface to facilitate transfer and/or fixing of the ink pixels to print media.

Abstract: A method for operating an image receiving member in a phase change ink printer has been developed. The method includes selectively rotating the image receiving member past an activated heater to heat a first portion of the image receiving member to a first predetermined temperature that is greater than a second temperature to which a remaining portion of the image receiving member is heated by the heater.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording method in which an image is first formed on an intermediate transfer medium by ejection of ink and is then transferred to a printing medium. The present invention solves a problem regarding insufficient transfer of the image to the printing medium, which is caused by roughness on a surface of the ink image formed on the intermediate transfer medium due to non-uniform application amounts of ink. A transferability improving agent is applied in a controlled manner to an ink image which has been formed on a transfer drum by application of ink. The transferability improving agent is applied in a larger amount to regions with a relatively small application amount of the ink as compared with regions with a relatively large application amount of the ink.

Abstract: A drum maintenance system for use in an imaging device includes a reservoir for the storage of release agent used by the drum maintenance unit. The reservoir includes a bottle, an end cap, and a float sensor. The float sensor has a buoyant member that is pivotably coupled to a proboscis extending from the end cap into the bottle and movement of the buoyant member enables detection of the release agent in the bottle reaching a predetermined level.

Abstract: An ink composition has controlled conductivity, and a digital printing system and a method of printing an ink employ an offset inkjet printing platform. The ink composition includes pigment particles dispersed in an oil-based dielectric carrier fluid with an oil-soluble dispersant. A concentration of dispersant is a fraction of a concentration of the pigment particles sufficient to render an electrical conductivity of the ink composition less than 100 pico Siemens per centimeter (pS/cm). The printing system includes an ink having an electrical conductivity less than or equal to about 300 pS/cm, an inkjet print head, a transfer medium, a developer, a remover and an image transferer. In the method of printing, the ink is nonelectrostatically jetted to the transfer medium, and developed into a fixed image. A portion of a supernatant is removed from the fixed image, and the fixed image is transferred to a media substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a functional agent that blocks the substance from or attracts the principal substance to the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize ink jet technology to apply the functional agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The principal substance may be an ink, a dye, a marking substance other than an ink, or a carrier for any other type of substance.

Abstract: A printing machine for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium includes a component for applying a phase change ink in an image, an imaging member for accepting the image and transferring the image from the imaging member to the print medium and a pressure member positioned in association with the imaging member to form a nip through which the print medium passes. The pressure member includes an outer layer with a tailored electrical conductivity to eliminate ghosting in duplex printing modes. The outer layer comprises a composite of a polymer and carbon nanotubes and/or graphenes. A similar outer layer may be implemented on a pressure roller in a direct-to-paper printing machine.

Abstract: A printing device is configured to adjust the angle of a metering blade within a predetermined range of angles to compensate for wear in the blade over time or for other causes of inconsistency. The angle of the metering blade is selected by a controller which operates an actuator to move a moveable member to adjust the angle of the metering blade and regulate the thickness of a release agent layer on a moving imaging member.

Abstract: Printing methods are provided. In one method an inkjet image is printed using an ink having a colorant with an electrical charge of a first polarity dispersed in a hydrophilic liquid carrier fluid with an electrical charge of a second polarity that is the opposite polarity of the first polarity. A colorant attracting toner image conforming to the inkjet image is generated using toner particles of the second polarity. The colorant attracting toner image is transferred in registration with an unabsorbed volume of the ink jet image on the receiver. The difference in polarity between the toner particles and the colorant attracts the colorant and the toner particles. The toner particles are fixed to the receiver. After fixing colorant attracted to the toner particles is bound to the toner particles so that removal of the toner from the receiver also removes any colorant attached to the toner from the receiver.

Abstract: An image recording method includes applying a liquid composition containing a reaction agent to a region of an intermediate transfer member, applying an ink containing a coloring material to at least part of the region to form an intermediate image, and transferring the intermediate image to a recording medium. The intermediate transfer member has a surface on which water forms a contact angle of 40 degrees or more with the surface. The reaction agent precipitates or aggregates the coloring material. The liquid composition has a pH of 6.

Abstract: A printing process identifies conditions for operating an image receiving member to transfer a plurality of ink images from the image receiving member to a plurality of media sheets between applications of release agent to the image receiving member. The printing process transfers a first ink image from the image receiving member to a first media sheet, identifies a size of a second ink image, and forms the second ink image entirely within a portion of the surface of the image receiving member that carried the first ink image. The printing process enables printing with acceptable quality while reducing the consumption of release agent and wear on components in the printer.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided. A density conversion component converts a density of a transparent color material so that a total amount of a plurality of color materials is smaller than a predetermined first amount when it is determined that the total amount of the plurality of color materials is larger than the predetermined first amount and when the transparent color material is included in the plurality of color materials. A density ratio calculation component calculates a ratio between a density before converting the density of the transparent color material and a density after converting the density of the transparent material. A reporting component reports that the ratio of the density is smaller than a predetermined second amount when determining that the ratio of the density is smaller than the predetermined second amount.

Abstract: Provided is a recording apparatus including: a recording unit for performing recording on a recordable medium; a transportation unit for transporting the recordable medium; and a drier for accelerating the drying of the recordable medium by ejecting gas to the recordable medium, wherein the drier is configured such that the ejection range of the gas in a direction perpendicular to the transportation direction of the recordable medium is changeable.

Abstract: Versatility and high resolution are imparted to a high-speed printing apparatus by depositing separate colors of inkjet ink, under computer control, directly onto the blanket cylinder(s) for transfer to a printable substrate held on an impression cylinder, thus eliminating the need for printing plates and making it possible to electronically change the image or any part thereof from one impression to the next via a computer program. A plurality of inkjet heads may also successively deposit inks of different consistency directly on one or more blanket rollers under the control of a computer.

Abstract: A method of producing a deinkable print on an image-bearing member includes transferring a toner image onto the image-bearing member to form a continuous or discontinuous toner image layer, wherein toner in the toner image is soluble in a hydrophobic or oliophilic organic solvent. An ink image corresponding to the toner image is printed onto the toner image on the image-bearing member, the ink including colorant in a hydrophilic carrier fluid, so that the colorant is disposed over the toner image layer. The toner image and ink image are fixed to the receiver. The image-bearing member has an unprinted reflection density and has a deinked reflection density at most 0.15 above the unprinted reflection density.

Abstract: There is provided an intermediate transfer member for transfer ink jet recording to which inks and coagulants can be satisfactorily applied and that can substantially maintain high water repellency through repetitive transfer. An intermediate transfer member for use in transfer ink jet recording, wherein an outer portion of the intermediate transfer member contains a component produced by condensing at least an organosilicon compound having the following general formula (1): X—Si(OR1)a(R2)b??(1) wherein X denotes a substituent having a vinyl group or a cyclic ether group, R1 denotes a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R2 denotes an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a is a natural number in the range of 1 to 3, b is an integer in the range of 0 to 2, and a+b=3.

Abstract: There is provided an intermediate transfer member for transfer ink jet recording in which formation of cracks on its surface is suppressed and that has good transferability. The intermediate transfer member for transfer ink jet recording includes a surface layer, a buffer layer, and a compression layer, wherein the surface layer, the buffer layer, and the compression layer are formed in that order from the image-forming surface side, a compression modulus (E1) of the surface layer is 300 MPa or more and 10000 MPa or less, a compression modulus (E2) of the buffer layer is 0.5 MPa or more and 30.0 MPa or less, and E1, E2, and a compression modulus (E3) of the compression layer satisfy formula (1) below.

Abstract: Printed images exhibiting a color medium are applied to the printing substrate by a printing device, the printing substrate having been provided beforehand with a viscous fluid film by an application unit arranged in front of the printing device. The color medium of the printed images migrates to a surface of the viscous fluid film and adheres there. After the drying of the fluid film the printed images are firmly fixed on the printing substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a nanoparticle-based gating agent that blocks the substance from or attracts the substance to the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize ink jet technology to apply the gating agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to form, quickly and at low cost, a high-quality image on a medium formed with a curved surface. In order to achieve this object, the present invention is equipped with: an ink-jet head 2; a pre-curing ultraviolet irradiation device 3; a head unit 4 in which is installed the ink-jet head 2 and the pre-curing ultraviolet irradiation device 3; a medium holding unit 5 that holds a medium M; a transfer sheet unit holding unit 9 that holds a transfer sheet unit 8, in which a transfer sheet 6 is mounted to a transfer sheet holder 7; an elastic pad unit 10; a final curing ultraviolet irradiation device 11; a cleaning unit 12; and a control unit 13. The ink-jet head 2 applies ink to the transfer sheet 6 and the pad unit 10 pushes the transfer sheet 6 against the medium M, thus providing a pressure transfer of the ink applied to the transfer sheet 6 to the medium M.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for printing pattern or indicia onto a gelatin ribbon. It comprises a transfer station with a print roll and a motor-driven casting roll provided for forming a gelatin ribbon. The transfer station is positioned in relation to the casting roll in such a way that the gelatin ribbon is sandwiched between the casting roll and the transfer station; elastic tackiness of a passing gelatin ribbon causes the rotation of the print roll. The apparatus further comprises an adjustment means, wherein the adjustment means are adapted to provide finely-tuned positioning of the transfer station in relation to the casting drum, and balance pressure exerted by the transfer station on the passing gelatin ribbon thus facilitating on optimal printing result.

Abstract: A radiation curable gel ink leveling method for digital direct-to-substrate radiation curable gel ink printing includes depositing radiation curable gel ink directly onto a substrate, irradiating the gel ink to increase a viscosity of the gel ink, adding sacrificial release fluid to a hydrophilic leveling roll surface, the leveling roll surface including metal oxide, and leveling the ink with the leveling roll. UV gel ink printing systems and leveling apparatus include a leveling roll having a metal oxide surface suitable for use with water based release fluids that contain a surfactant and/or polymer.

Abstract: A printing system has a print mechanism to dispense a curable ink onto print media, a texture roller having a textured surface arranged to transfer a texture through a film to the curable ink on the media resulting in textured ink, and a curing mechanism to cure the textured ink. A printing system has a print head to dispense a curable ink onto print media, a film arranged adjacent a side of the media upon which the ink is dispensed, a texture roller arranged on a side of the film opposite the media to transfer texture to the curable ink, resulting in textured ink, and a curing mechanism to cure the textured ink. A method of controlling gloss in a printed image includes forming a printed image on print media using curable ink, using a roller to transfer a texture pattern to the curable ink, and curing the ink such that the pattern cures into the ink.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for forming images on substrates in printing are provided.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and control method thereof are provided that make it possible to recycle or replace an intermediate transfer member at optimal timing through early detection of changes in a surface characteristic of the intermediate transfer member, and make it possible to create high quality printed materials with good productivity. An application amount of reaction solution applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer member is detected, and notification is given of a comparison result when that detected application amount of reaction solution is compared with a specified threshold value.

Abstract: A transfix roller is adapted for use with a thin walled image receiving member in an indirect printer. The transfix roller is centrally supported to present a more uniform pressure profile in the nip formed with the image receiving member. An interference fit between the central shaft and the roller sleeve enables the transfix roller to be made without an additional process to secure the shaft to the sleeve.

Abstract: A foamed liquid coating apparatus prevents curling or warping of a sheet caused by coating irregularities when coated with a preprocessing solution using a coating roller or a liquid discharge head. The foamed liquid coating apparatus includes a container holding a liquid that can be foamed. A first foamed liquid producing/transporting unit produces a foamed liquid having a foam size greater than a required foam size from the liquid supplied from the container. A second foamed liquid producing/transporting unit produces a foamed liquid having the required foam size from the foamed liquid produced by the first foamed liquid producing/transporting unit. The foamed liquid produced by the second foamed liquid producing/transporting unit is applied onto a first coating roller. The foamed liquid is further supplied from the first coating roller to a second coating roller that coats a sheet with the foamed liquid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a voltage applying unit between a recording head and an intermediate transfer drum is capable of activating polyvalent metal ions inactivated in advance in jetted recording liquid without liquid activators independent of the recording liquid for sufficient flocculation on the drum. When the jetted recording liquid temporarily bridges the head and the drum, electrolysis of the recording liquid by the voltage applied instantly leads to generation of hydrogen ions on the drum, which triggers a sequence of reactions in the recording liquid of activation of polyvalent metal ions, cross-link between the activated polyvalent metal ions and anionic polymer, and increase in viscosity on the drum.

Abstract: A customized cover for a handheld electronic device. A back of the cover is opposite the first side, and substantially covers the back of the handheld electronic device. The backside or second side of the cover is flat along substantially its entire length, and the cover is substantially white for receiving and displaying a color image that is customized for the user of the handheld electronic device. The cover may comprise a polymer that permits permanent imaging by infusion of specialty inks to the polymer. A digital image is printed on an intermediate transfer substrate. The image is transferred under heat and pressure to the back or second side of the cover, so that the customized image appears on the cover. The invention may employ tools to secure the case during the printing process, and additional tools during a post-imprinting cooling and image stabilization phase, to prevent heat distortion of the cover during imaging.