Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes a recording head having a nozzle capable of ejecting inductive ink including water, a first intermediate transfer body having a conductive surface on which an ink image is to be formed by temporarily forming a liquid-column bridge between the conductive surface and the nozzle, the liquid-column bridge being made of the inductive ink, a voltage application unit applying a voltage between the inductive ink and the conductive surface so that water included in the liquid-column bridge is electrolyzed, and a transfer unit transferring an ink image formed on the first intermediate transfer body to a recording medium.

Abstract: A method of servicing a customer replaceable unit of an imaging device includes providing a customer replaceable unit configured for insertion and removal from an imaging device. The customer replaceable unit includes at least an applicator configured to apply a release agent to a surface of an intermediate transfer drum of the imaging device, a reservoir including a supply of the release agent for the applicator, a delivery pump configured to pump release agent from the reservoir to the applicator, a recirculation pump configured to pump release agent from the applicator to the reservoir, and a memory including operational data for the customer replaceable unit. A maintenance procedure is then performed on the customer replaceable unit.

Abstract: A liquid application apparatus includes: a roller member which is driven so as to rotate in a rotational direction; an application liquid supply device which supplies an application liquid onto a portion of the roller member while the roller member is rotating; a blade member which is arranged so as to abut against a circumferential surface of the roller member at an abutment position that is on a downstream side of the application liquid supply device in terms of the rotational direction of the roller member, the blade member wiping away an excess of the supplied application liquid on the roller member; a substitute fluid spray device which is arranged on a downstream side of the abutment position of the blade member in terms of the rotational direction of the roller member, the substitute fluid spray device spraying a substitute fluid onto a region of the circumferential surface of the roller member so as to remove the application liquid on the region of the circumferential surface of the roller member afte

Abstract: The intermittent application method of intermittently applying an application liquid to a continuously conveyed band-shaped or cut-sheet-shaped supporting body, includes the step of causing a lower surface of the supporting body, and a circumferential surface of an application cylinder which takes up the application liquid from an application liquid reservoir by rotation, to make contact with each other and separate from each other in a relative manner by means of a cam mechanism in such a manner that an application section where the application liquid is applied, and a non-application section where the application liquid is not applied, are formed on the lower surface of the supporting body.

Abstract: A heater for preheating media in an imaging device including a substantially planar polymeric carrier having an exterior surface. A channel is recessed into the exterior surface of the carrier. A resistance heating element is disposed in the channel, the resistance heating element having a first and second end for coupling to a power source. The heater includes an over molded polymeric layer disposed in the channel such that the resistance heating element is substantially encapsulated in the channel and such that an exterior surface of the over molded layer is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the carrier.

Abstract: A liquid removal apparatus which removes liquid on a base material, has; an absorbing member which absorbs and removes the liquid on the base material by making contact with or by approaching to the liquid; an internal rotating body which is disposed inside a hollow portion of the absorbing member and has an opening section in an outer circumferential surface of the internal rotating body; a pressure reducing device which reduces pressure of the hollow portion of the absorbing member, an internal rotating body drive device which causes the internal rotating body to rotate relatively with respect to the absorbing member; a movement device which causes relative movement of the base material with respect to the absorbing member and the internal rotating body; and an internal rotating body drive control device which controls the internal rotating body drive device.

Abstract: A print data generating apparatus to generate print data which is used for printing in a printing apparatus based on image data by using a white colorant and at least one non-white colorant is provided. The print data generating apparatus comprises an image data inputting system, whereby white image data indicating white density levels of an image to be printed is inputted, a colorant data generating system, which generates white colorant data wherein color information of each of a plurality of pixels configuring the white image data is converted into the white colorant level, and a print data generating system, which generates white print data to be used for printing with the white colorant in the printing apparatus based on the white colorant data.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus has: a head which has a liquid ejection surface and performs liquid ejection in which liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection surface; an intermediate transfer body moving in a movement direction with respect to the head and having an image forming surface opposing the liquid ejection surface of the head and a rear surface which is reverse to the image forming surface and on which a line pattern constituted by pattern elements is formed, the image forming surface having an image forming region in which an image is formed by the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection surface of the head, the pattern elements being arranged equidistantly in the movement direction; a transfer device which transfers the image formed in the image forming region of the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium; a reading device which is provided on an upstream side of the head in terms of the movement direction of the intermediate transfer body and reads light reflected by the line pattern; an

Abstract: Ink composition including non-VOC liquid carrier and method of making the same are disclosed. A disclosed example ink composition has a viscosity that is below about 70.0 cps and includes non-VOC liquid carrier, dispersing agents and pigment particles having an average size of less than about 10 ?m. Also disclosed are method of use and method of making such ink composition containing non-VOC liquid carrier.

Abstract: An image forming method including: forming a liquid receiving particle layer on an intermediate transfer member using a liquid receiving particle that is capable of receiving a recording liquid including a recording material; forming an image of the recording material on a surface of the liquid receiving particle layer by applying a liquid droplet of the recording liquid to the liquid receiving particle layer on the basis of image data and holding the recording material on the surface of the liquid receiving particle layer on the intermediate transfer member; applying a transfer auxiliary liquid in at least a portion of a formation range of the image; and transferring the liquid receiving particle layer to which the recording liquid is applied to a transfer receiving member from the intermediate transfer member, such that the image is interposed between the transfer receiving member and the liquid receiving particle layer is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for ink jet printing, as well as corresponding method and system are described.

Abstract: There is provided an intermediate transfer body for transfer inkjet printing methods in which an image is formed by selectively applying image-forming ink using an inkjet device to the intermediate transfer body and then transferred from the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium to form a transferred image. The intermediate transfer body satisfies the relation E1<E2, where E1 is the compressive elastic modulus of the intermediate transfer body [Pa] measured in the direction parallel to that of the pressure generated during the compression process for image transfer, and E2 is the compressive elastic modulus of the intermediate transfer body [Pa] measured in the direction perpendicular to that of the pressure generated during the compression process for image transfer and parallel to that of conveyance of the recording medium. There is also provided a transfer inkjet printing apparatus having such an intermediate transfer body.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an intermediate transfer body; a liquid adhesion device which provides a first liquid having a viscosity not less than 15 mPa·s and not greater than 300 mPa·s at 25° C, on the intermediate transfer body; a droplet ejection device which ejects a second liquid containing a coloring material onto a region of the intermediate transfer body where the first liquid is provided by the liquid adhesion device, in a state where the first liquid on the intermediate transfer body has a thickness not less than 1.6 ?m; a viscosity raising device which raises a viscosity of the second liquid on the intermediate transfer body; and a transfer device which transfers an image including dots of the second liquid formed on the intermediate transfer body, onto a recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which forms a primary image on an intermediate transfer body and then transfers the primary image onto a recording medium, has: a movement device which moves the intermediate transfer body in a movement direction; a recess-projection forming device which forms a recess-projection shape in an image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body; a droplet ejection device which is provided on a downstream side of the recess-projection forming device in terms of the movement direction and ejects droplets of ink onto the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer body in which the recess-projection shape has been formed, to form the primary image; and a transfer recording device which is provided on a downstream side of the droplet ejection device in terms of the movement direction and applies pressure to at least one of the intermediate transfer body and the recording medium in a state where the recording medium makes contact with the primary image formed on the image formin

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming an image, which allows a high quality image to be formed on an intermediate transfer body including a surface layer with an ink-repelling property, and then to be transferred at a high transfer rate, and provides an image forming apparatus therefor. In the embodiment of the present invention, an ink image is formed on the intermediate transfer body, on the surface of which an oil and a water-soluble surfactant having surface tension in a range between more than 0 times and not more than 1.1 times of that of the oil are present. Subsequently, the formed ink image is transferred to a recording medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for metering release agent on an imaging member includes applying a release agent to a rotating imaging member at an application location and then controlling a thickness of the release agent on the imaging member with a rotating metering roll. In at least one embodiment, the method for metering a release agent includes rotating the metering roll as a counter-roll to an imaging drum such that the metering roll moves in an opposite direction from the imaging drum at a nip between the metering roll and the imaging drum. The metering roll may include an elastomer provided over the substantial portion of its outer surface which contacts the imaging drum. The metering roll may also be forcibly biased against the imaging drum. At least one wiper blade may be provided in contact with the metering roll to wipe excess release agent from the metering roll.

Abstract: A pattern forming process and a pattern forming apparatus comprising forming a liquid receptive particle layer on an intermediate transfer body in a specified area by using liquid receptive particles capable of receiving a recording liquid containing a recording material; applying a liquid droplet of the recording liquid on a specified position of liquid receptive particle layer according to specified data, trapping the recording material near the surface of the liquid receptive particle layer on the intermediate transfer body, and forming a pattern of the recording material near the surface of the liquid receptive particle layer; and removing the liquid receptive particle layer provided with the recording liquid from the intermediate transfer body so that the pattern may be positioned between the transfer object and the liquid receptive particle layer, and transferring the liquid receptive particle layer to the transfer object.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device may be attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container may be a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.

Abstract: The invention allows an image printing on a wide range of print media regardless of how much ink the print media absorb, without sacrificing a high printing flexibility of an ink jet printing system. To this end, the image forming method of this invention includes: a process of modifying a surface of an intermediate transfer body by applying energy to the surface; a process of ejecting ink onto the surface-modified intermediate transfer body by using an ink jet printing device; and a process of transferring ink from the intermediate transfer body to a print medium. With this invention, therefore, an ink image can be formed on the intermediate transfer body having a surface layer, without causing bleeding or beading, and then transferred onto the print medium in good condition.

Abstract: A heated drum assembly enables improved thermal control of a hollow drum in the heated drum assembly by integrating thermal sensing devices in the assembly.

Abstract: A spreader module for use in an imaging device includes a housing configured for insertion and removal from a docking position of an imaging device frame, a spreader drum operably supported by the housing, and a pressure roller operably supported by the housing adjacent the spreader drum to define a spreading nip through which a web of media is fed. The spreader module includes a release agent application system supported by the housing for applying a first release agent to the spreader drum. A docking slot is positioned adjacent the pressure roll that is configured to releasably secure a release agent sub-module to the housing, the release agent sub-module for applying a second release agent to the surface of the pressure roller.

Abstract: A drum maintenance system for use in an imaging device includes a sump having a bottom surface and a plurality of sidewalls which are arranged to accommodate a volume of release agent. A roller applicator is rotatably supported a first distance above the sump and partially submerged in the release agent in the sump. A foam layer is positioned on the bottom surface of the sump beneath the roller applicator that has a first thickness that is greater than the first distance such that the foam layer is compressed between the roller applicator and the bottom surface of the sump. A filter is sandwiched between the foam layer and the roller applicator. The compressed foam layer provides a compliance force that presses the filter against the roller applicator. The filter is configured to permit rotation of the roller applicator positioned on top of the foam layer while being pressed against the roller applicator by the foam layer.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, includes at least one ink stick and a coupler external to the ink stick. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto, with the memory device having stored therein electronic data associated with the ink stick. The coupler is configured to read the electronic data from the memory device. The data in the memory device may include identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to the ink stick, and the coupler and memory device may employ various means for communicating this data. Also, communication between the coupler and memory device facilitates a method for determining a quantity of marking material in the machine.

Abstract: A liquid application device includes a rotating unit for rotating an application member to apply liquid to a medium in contact with the application member, a liquid application unit including the application member, and a retention member for retaining liquid in a sealed liquid retention space formed to be in contact with the application member. The liquid application unit applies the liquid retained in the liquid retention space to the medium via the application member by rotating the application member. In addition, a control unit controls the rotating unit, wherein the control unit controls, after receiving information of instruction on applying liquid to the medium, the rotating unit to rotate, before the application member contacts the medium, the application member so that the rotating unit performs a preliminary rotation that forms a pool of the liquid in an area.

Abstract: A method is implemented by a printer to move a transfix roller selectively to clean the transfix roller. The transfix roller is moved from a transfix nip with the print drum to a position where the transfix roller remains in rolling contact with the print drum, but exerts a pressure on the print drum that is less than the transfix pressure. The transfix roller is later moved out of rolling contact with the print drum in response to the transfix roller rotating a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Provided are an image forming method and image forming apparatus capable of always stably transferring an ink image on an intermediate transfer body to a printing medium and stably obtaining an image with high quality. Formation and drying operation of the image using an inkjet method are repeated a plurality of times to obtain the image on the intermediate transfer body and the thus obtained image is transferred from the intermediate transfer body to a printing medium to form the image. At this time, a capability of the drying operation finally performed among a plurality of times of the drying operations is more lowered than those of all the drying operations except the drying operation finally performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing controlled blade engagement with an image forming machine moving surface are provided for metering a release agent onto the surface, cleaning the surface, or both. A blade engagement apparatus is provided having a controller controlling an actuator connected to a blade positioning mechanism for providing controlled engagement of the blade with the moving surface. The minimum blade load applied by the blade to the moving surface needed to prevent defects is determined and maintained for increasing the useful life of the blade. Control systems and methods utilizing single and separately operable dual blade positioning mechanisms are provided.

Abstract: A hydraulic system controls engagement of a transfix roller with an image receiving member in a printer.

Abstract: A drum maintenance system for use in an imaging device includes an applicator configured to apply a release agent to a surface of an intermediate transfer drum of an imaging device at a first flow rate, and a reservoir spaced from the applicator including a supply of the release agent for the applicator. A first fluid path fluidly couples the reservoir to the applicator for delivering release agent to the applicator; and a second fluid path fluidly couples the applicator to the reservoir for recirculating release agent back to the reservoir. A delivery pump is configured to pump release agent from the reservoir to the applicator via the first fluid path at a second flow rate; and a recirculation pump is configured to pump release agent from the applicator to the reservoir at a third flow rate. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate, and the third flow rate is greater than the second flow rate.

Abstract: An ink jet printing method and an ink jet printing apparatus are provided in an embodiment of the present invention using an intermediate transfer body. With each of the apparatus and the method, it is possible to form a high-quality image in an ink jet printing system. In the embodiment of the invention, color ink and an auxiliary liquid are supplied to ink-attracting portions each having a certain area, the ink-attracting portions being surrounded by an ink-repellent portion. Subsequently, ink dots are transferred to a printing medium, the ink dots being formed by the supplied ink and the supplied liquid. Here, the ink-attracting regions have an area in which a plurality of droplets of the ink and the liquid in total can be received.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a rotating body that holds recording medias on a circumferential surface; an image forming section that forms an image; a generating section that generates a pulse and a reference pulse; a measuring section that measures the number of pulses; a computing section that each time when predetermined number of pulses from generation of the reference pulse has been measured, divides a pulse width of a pulse before predetermined number of pulses by a first value to compute a pulse division time; and a controlling section that each time when predetermined number of pulses are measured from generation of the reference pulse, multiplies the pulse division time by a second predetermined value, thereby obtaining a forming start time, and that controls to start image formation when the forming start time has elapsed from the measurement of predetermined number of pulses.

Abstract: A single-layer seamless inkjet conveying belt including a polyimide resin or a polyamide-imide resin as a resin component and a conductive filler, the inkjet conveying belt having a volume resistivity of 1010 to 1014 ?cm. Also provided is an inkjet recording apparatus including a recording medium conveying device containing the inkjet conveying belt and a recording head that discharges ink droplets onto a recording medium.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method may provide efficient transfer of ink from a transfer belt to a recording sheet by using a transfer mechanism having a supporting member for supporting the recording sheet and a contact member. In one arrangement, the contact member may be configured to contact an inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt to bend the transfer belt and push the outer peripheral surface of the belt outward at an angle smaller than 90°. By pushing and bending the transfer belt, the an ink transfer surface of the belt and the recording sheet may be pinched together to affect transfer of the image.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a housing; a recording head which ejects droplets of one or more sorts of inks; a carriage which is provided in the housing and which carries the recording head and reciprocates in opposite directions; one or more ink supply tubes which are connected, at respective one ends thereof, to a tube connection portion of the carriage so as to supply the sorts of inks to the recording head, and is fixed, at respective fixed portions thereof, to the housing such that respective intermediate portions thereof located between the respective one ends thereof and the respective fixed portions thereof forms respective curved portions that are each convex in one of the opposite directions, wherein the ink supply tubes have respective flexibilities assuring that when the carriage reciprocates, the ink supply tubes follow reciprocation of the carriage while the respective curved portions thereof change respective shapes thereof; a pivotable support member which is supported by the housing

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a housing; a recording head which ejects droplets of ink; a carriage which is provided in the housing and which carries the recording head and reciprocates in opposite directions; an ink supply tube which is connected, at one end thereof, to a tube connection portion of the carriage so as to supply the ink to the recording head, and is fixed, at a fixed portion thereof, to the housing such that an intermediate portion thereof located between the one end thereof and the fixed portion thereof forms a curved portion convex in one of the opposite directions, wherein the ink supply tube has a flexibility assuring that when the carriage reciprocates, the ink supply tube follows reciprocation of the carriage while the curved portion thereof changes a shape thereof; a pivotable support member which is supported by the housing such that the support member is pivotable about a supporting point, wherein the support member includes an arm portion having a support portion that suppor

Abstract: An inkjet printing press is provided which can hold sheets extremely stably. In an inkjet printing press, an inkjet head 3 is provided at the outer periphery of a printing drum 1 rotated in one direction. The printing drum 1 is provided with holding claws 15 which are opened and closed to hold the leading end of the sheet S, and clamps 21 which can be opened and closed for clamping the trailing end of the sheet S. When the clamps 21 are moved from their open positions to their closed positions, the clamps 21 are moved backward with respect to the rotating direction of the printing drum 1 to impart a tensile force to the trailing end of the sheet S and tighten the sheet so that the trailing end of the sheet is held by a clamp 21 with the sheet in its tight state. Also, the clamp 21 is brought into contact with the periphery of the printing drum 1 by an attracting device to assure the holding of the sheet.

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: An inkjet recording apparatus, including: a conveyance device including an endless belt which conveys a recording medium placed on an exterior surface of the endless belt; a recording device which jets ink onto the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance device; and a cleaning device to clean the surface, including, a flexible sheet member mounted more downstream in a conveyance direction of the belt than a position where the recording device is mounted, and a top of the flexible sheet member comes into slidably contact with the surface, and an elastic supporting member mounted at a side of the flexible sheet member; wherein when the flexible sheet member bends due to running of the belt, the elastic supporting member comes into contact with the flexible sheet member, and the elastic supporting member pushes the flexible sheet member so that the flexible sheet member presses against the surface of the belt.

Abstract: An applying amount to an applying medium is controlled in a liquid applying apparatus. Specifically, before driving a pump, a circulation speed decision processing (S3) is carried out. According to this decided speed, a speed of the circulation flow generated in a liquid holding space is controlled in a pump operating process (S4). This controls a pressure in the liquid holding space. As a result, a state of flow of the applying liquid at a contact member of a liquid holding member in contact with the applying roller is changed, and an amount of the applying liquid adhering to an applying roller and going out of the contact portion is controlled. This can control the amount of the applying liquid to be applied to the applying medium.

Abstract: Herein includes an offset printing apparatus for transferring and optionally fixing a phase change ink onto a print medium including a) a phase change ink application component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image to an imaging member; b) an imaging member for accepting, transferring and optionally fixing the phase change ink image to the print medium, the imaging member having i) an imaging substrate, and thereover ii) an intermediate layer including a polyurethane, and iii) outer coating including a nitrile butadiene and a conductive filler; and c) a release agent management system for supplying a release agent to the imaging member, wherein an amount of release agent needed for transfer and optionally fixing the phase change ink image is reduced.

Abstract: On a transferring surface of a transferring body, lyophilic areas arranged in a scanning direction and in a circumferential direction of the transferring body, and a liquid repellent area which surrounds the lyophilic areas are formed. In a circumferential area between one of the lyophilic areas and the liquid repellent area, a proportion of the liquid repellent area increases progressively at positions away from a center of the lyophilic area. An ink droplet which is jetted from a nozzle, and is adhered to the circumferential area moves toward the center of the lyophilic area till a center of the liquid droplet coincides with the center of the lyophilic area. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a position shift in a final adhering position.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, includes at least one ink stick and a coupler external to the ink stick. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto, with the memory device having stored therein electronic data associated with the ink stick. The coupler is configured to read the electronic data from the memory device. The data in the memory device may include identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to the ink stick, and the coupler and memory device may employ various means for communicating this data. Also, communication between the coupler and memory device facilitates a method for determining a quantity of marking material in the machine.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, includes at least one ink stick and a coupler external to the ink stick. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto, with the memory device having stored therein electronic data associated with the ink stick. The coupler is configured to read the electronic data from the memory device. The data in the memory device may include identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to the ink stick, and the coupler and memory device may employ various means for communicating this data. Also, communication between the coupler and memory device facilitates a method for determining a quantity of marking material in the machine.

Abstract: A double-sided printer having two print engines are arranged on opposite sides of a print media path. Each print engine comprises an image transfer roller configured to operatively transfer an image onto a sheet of paper fed through the media path; an ink cartridge having an integrated printhead for printing onto said image transfer roller, said printhead spanning a width of the image transfer roller, and having an elastomeric capping seal; a cleaning station configured to clean the image transfer roller after said image is transferred to the paper; and a solenoid arrangement configured to park the elastomeric capping seal of the printhead against the transfer roller when the printer is not operational, and to move the printhead from the roller when the printer is operational. The elastomeric capping seal is provided on two sides of the printhead chip transverse to the span of the printhead.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording portion for recording an image on a recording sheet; feeding means for feeding the recording sheet through the recording portion, wherein in a both-side recording operation, a sheet inclination rectifying operation in a recording sheet feeding direction is carried out when the recording is effected on a first side of the recording sheet, and the sheet inclination rectifying operation is not carried out when the recording is effected on a second side of the recording sheet.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises: an intermediate transfer body; a releasing agent supply device that supplies a releasing agent onto the intermediate transfer body; a particle supply device that supplies hydrophilic ink-recipient particles that receive an ink, onto the releasing agent supplied onto the intermediate transfer body; an ink ejection device that ejects the ink onto the ink-recipient particles supplied onto the intermediate transfer body; and a transfer device that transfers the ink-recipient particles that received the ink, onto a recording medium from the intermediate transfer body, the releasing agent comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a silicone oil, a fluorinated oil and an organic compound having a solubility parameter (SP value) of about 11 or less.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a conveyance device which conveys an ejection receiving medium; and an ejection head which ejects and deposits droplets of liquid on the ejection receiving medium conveyed by the conveyance device, the deposited droplets of the liquid constituting an image on the ejection receiving medium, wherein the following conditions are satisfied: ?S??L; and d??{square root over (2)}×l, where ?S is a surface energy of the ejection receiving medium, ?L is a surface energy of the liquid, d is a diameter of each of the droplets of the liquid deposited on the ejection receiving medium, and l is a maximum of a resolution pitch of the image.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in solid ink printers is provided. The ink stick is for use in a solid ink delivery system for delivering ink to a melting unit to melt the solid ink. The ink stick has opposed first and second stick external surfaces. At least one of the first and second stick external surfaces is arcuate.

Abstract: The present invention provides ink receptive particles, for receiving an ink containing a recording material, the ink receptive particles comprising trap structures for trapping at least a liquid component of the ink, and a liquid absorbing resin. Using the ink receptive particles, the invention also provides a marking materials system, an ink receiving method, a recording method, a recording apparatus, and an ink receptive particle storage cartridge.

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.