Abstract: Examples describe maintenance scheduling of printhead in an image forming device by monitoring image data processed by an image forming device, determining that the image data processed by the image forming device comprises color image data, and generating a firing signal based on a mode of the image forming device.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of splitting droplets containing magnetically responsive beads in a droplet actuator. A droplet actuator having a plurality of droplet operations electrodes configured to transport the droplet, and a magnetic field present at the droplet operations electrodes, is provided. The magnetically responsive beads in the droplet are immobilized using the magnetic field and the plurality of droplet operations electrodes are used to split the droplet into first and second droplets while the magnetically responsive beads remain substantially immobilized.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus configured to generate, using a target image data, multiple pieces of partial print data respectively for multiple partial printings such that, in a particular case where the color difference indicated by the evaluation value of the each of the partial images is larger than a particular reference value, a controller causes the image processing apparatus to identify, using the difference information, compensation target pixels including a pixel causing the color difference from among multiple pixels within the particular partial image, perform, using the difference information, a compensating process of converting a color of the compensation target pixel to a color of which color difference is small, and generate the partial print data using the particular partial image data to which the compensating process has been applied.

Abstract: An image recording method is provided. The image recording method includes the steps of: applying a treatment liquid containing a pore forming material onto a recording medium to form a porous layer; and applying a metallic ink containing a metallic pigment onto the porous layer. A surface tension of the metallic ink at 23° C. is equal to or greater than a surface tension of the treatment liquid at 23° C. The surface tension of the metallic ink at 23° C. is 19 mN/m or more and 28 mN/m or less.

Abstract: A cleaning device cleans a surface of a sheet conveyance member that conveys a sheet in an image forming apparatus which executes image forming processing, using a liquid recording material. The cleaning device includes a cleaning member having a contact surface configured to be brought into contact with the surface of the sheet conveyance member. A contact angle of the contact surface with the recording material is smaller than a contact angle of the surface of the sheet conveyance member with the recording material.

Abstract: A method of printing on a printable medium is disclosed. The method of printing may use a print head having a plurality of nozzles. The printable medium may have a leading edge and a defined zone adjacent to the leading edge. The print head may deposit print agent onto the printable medium via the plurality of nozzles during successive printing passes. The method may comprise printing outside, and not within, the defined zone on the printable medium using a first subset of nozzles of the plurality of nozzles. The method may further comprise printing within, and not outside, the defined zone on the printable medium using a second subset of nozzles of the plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: There is provided a water-based ink for ink-jet recording, including: a dye; water; and a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein in the formula (1), X3 represents a group represented by the following formula (2) and Y3 represents a hydrogen atom, or the X3 represents a group represented by the following formula (3) and the Y3 is an ethyl group; and in the formula (2), R3 represents a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl group having 12 to 14 carbons.

Abstract: A liquid discharging device includes a first head including a first nozzle formed on a first surface of the first head, the first head being configured to discharge a first ink containing a metal oxide from the first nozzle, a second head including a second nozzle formed on a second surface of the second head, the second head being configured to discharge a second ink containing a coloring material from the second nozzle, a recording medium holding unit configured to hold a recording medium, and a heating device configured to heat the recording medium, wherein the first head discharges the first ink in a state where a first distance between the first surface and the recording medium holding unit is 4.0 mm or more.

Abstract: A method is provided which enables the printing of a desired design on a flag or other textile material having a previously existing design thereon or that which does not. Providing a textile material, such as a flag; treating the textile material by removing any excess thread and hemming; preparing at least one printing paste; printing the printing paste on the textile material in a desired design through digital printing, screen printing, or heat transfer printing; and then fixing the desired design on the textile material, in accordance with embodiments of the method, may allow versatility and customization of flags and further allow consumers to personalize known flag designs.

Abstract: Provided are an ink jet recording method including a colored ink jetting step of jetting a colored ink including a coloring agent and an organic solvent from an ink jet head onto a recording medium, a colored ink heating step of heating the colored ink jetted onto the recording medium by maintaining a surface temperature of the recording medium at 40° C. or higher, a colorless ink jetting step of jetting a colorless ink including a polymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator, and an organic solvent from the ink jet head onto the colored ink after the heating, a colorless ink heating step of heating the colorless ink jetted onto the colored ink after the heating by maintaining the surface temperature of the recording medium at 40° C. or higher, and a colorless ink curing step of curing the colorless ink by irradiating the heated colorless ink with an active energy ray and an ink jet recording device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to microfluidics and labeled nucleic acids. For example, certain aspects are generally directed to systems and methods for labeling nucleic acids within microfluidic droplets. In one set of embodiments, the nucleic acids may include “barcodes” or unique sequences that can be used to distinguish nucleic acids in a droplet from those in another droplet, for instance, even after the nucleic acids are pooled together. In some cases, the unique sequences may be incorporated into individual droplets using particles and attached to nucleic acids contained within the droplets (for example, released from lysed cells). In some cases, the barcodes may be used to distinguish tens, hundreds, or even thousands of nucleic acids, e.g., arising from different cells or other sources.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus including a print head that has a color nozzle row for applying ink to a roll paper and a working liquid nozzle row, a main scanning unit that relatively moves the print head with respect to the roll paper in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction), a sub-scanning unit that relatively moves the roll paper in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) intersecting the main scanning direction (X-axis direction) with respect to the print head, and a control device that controls a relative position between a use area of the nozzle included in the color nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) and a use area of the nozzle included in a working liquid nozzle row, based on the attribute information of the roll paper.

Abstract: A radiation-curable ink jet composition contains monomer A represented by formula (1), a mono-, bi-, or trifunctional urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, and an N-vinyl compound: CH2?CR1—COOR2—O—CH?CH—R3??(1) where R1 denotes —H or —CH3, R2 denotes an organic residue having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and R3 denotes a hydrogen atom or an organic residue having 1 to 11 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An image recording method including the steps of applying an ink containing a pigment to a recording medium and applying a treatment liquid containing an organic acid to the recording medium so as to overlap at least a part of a region to which the ink is applied. The treatment liquid contains at least one organic compound having an anionic group, and an amino group or quaternary ammonium in its molecular structure and having surface-activating capability.

Abstract: The present application provides a sublimation ink which is capable of being transferred to natural fiber fabrics, such as cotton and linen, in addition to synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, etc., and shows significantly improved color fastness. The sublimation ink may include a resin containing at least one active hydrogen, a crosslinking agent having at least two isocyanate (—NCO) groups, and one or more colorants. The sublimation ink may also include one or more carriers, binders, thickeners, and/or solvents. An image can be printed on a transfer medium (e.g. paper) at room temperature with the sublimation ink using conventional offset printer so that the sublimation ink remains inactive. The image can be subsequently transferred onto any desired fabrics under heat and pressure, in which the sublimation ink is activated and bonds the colorant to the fabrics with excellent color effect.

Abstract: There is provide an ink-jet recording apparatus including: an ink containing a resin dispersion type pigment; an ink-jet head configured to discharge the ink; an absorber which is arranged in an area facing a discharge surface of the ink-jet head, and which is configured to absorb the ink discharged from the ink-jet head; and a liquid agent which contains a water-soluble organic solvent, and which is absorbed in the absorber, wherein a surface tension of an aqueous solution containing the liquid agent at concentration of 5% by weight is not more than 50 mN/m; and a blending percentage by weight of the water-soluble organic solvent in the liquid agent is not less than seven times a blending percentage by weight of the resin dispersion type pigment in the ink.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first carriage movement mode, in which a stop position of a carriage in movement of this time is determined to be at a given position in a width direction on the basis of a size in the width direction of a liquid-ejected medium, and a second carriage movement mode, in which the stop position of the carriage in the movement of this time is determined on the basis of at least one of the liquid ejection data in the movement of this time or the liquid ejection data in the movement of the next time, and liquid ejection is carried out with one of the first carriage movement mode and the second carriage movement mode selected in accordance with the type of liquid-ejected medium.

Abstract: An ink set includes a recording ink and a displacement ink. The recording ink contains a pigment, a resin, water, and a first surfactant and is substantially free of alkyl polyols with a normal boiling point of 280° C. or more. The displacement ink contains water, a second surfactant, an aprotic polar solvent, and an alkyl polyol with a normal boiling point of 280° C. or more. Each of the first surfactant and the second surfactant includes a silicone surfactant and/or a fluorosurfactant. The resin includes a water-soluble resin and/or a resin emulsion. The recording ink has a higher surface tension than that of the displacement ink.

Abstract: A method for improving durability of aqueous ink deposited on a substrate having multivalent metal salt present at the surface of the substrate is disclosed. The method includes depositing aqueous ink on the surface of the substrate, wherein the aqueous ink is an anionically stabilized pigment ink, drying the substrate to substantially remove the water from the deposited aqueous ink, applying substantially pure water and heat to the dried substrate with deposited aqueous ink, and removing the applied water and heat to return the dried substrate to an ambient temperature and moisture content. The applied substantially pure water and heat are sufficient to cause a significant improvement of the durability of the deposited ink on the substrate.

Abstract: The present application is directed to articles useful as graphic films. Specifically, the present application is directed to an article comprising a film layer, the film layer comprising a polymer blend comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and a cellulose ester, and an ink layer adjacent to at least one surface of the film. In some embodiments, the cellulose ester is a cellulose acetate butyrate. In some embodiments, the cellulose ester is a cellulose acetate propionate.

Abstract: A printing device includes a print head configured to execute printing on one surface of a long-size medium to be printed, on the other surface of which a plurality of oblique lines of the same angle of obliquity are formed at regular intervals, a conveying section configured to convey the medium to be printed, a sensor configured to detect the oblique lines, and a control section configured to control the print head to execute printing while changing a position of printing on the medium to be printed in accordance with an interval between the oblique lines in a conveying direction of the medium to be printed detected by the sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming method including at least applying an ink composition to a recording medium to form an image, the recording medium having an absorption amount of the ink composition, within 20 msec1/2 from a start of contact of the ink composition with the recording medium, of 20 ml/m2 or larger according to the Bristow method and being conveyed in a feed direction at a conveying speed of 80 m/min or higher, and the ink composition containing at least a pigment, a compound represented by the following Formula (1), wax and water. In Formula (1), each of l, m, and n independently represents an integer of 1 or more; the sum of l, m, and n is from 3 to 15; and each AO of (AO)l, (AO)m, and (AO)n independently represents an ethyleneoxy group or a propyleneoxy group.

Abstract: An inkjet treatment liquid including: a water-soluble coagulating agent; a water-soluble organic solvent; a fluorochemical surfactant; a foam inhibitor; and water, wherein the foam inhibitor is a compound represented by General Formula (I), and the fluorochemical surfactant contains a compound represented by General Formula (II): HOR1R3C—[CH2]n—CR2R4OH General Formula (I) in General Formula (I), R1 and R2 each denote an alkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; R3 and R4 each denote an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms; and n denotes an integer of 1 to 6; and Rf-Q-Z General Formula (II) in General Formula (II), Rf denotes a perfluoroalkyl group; Q denotes a bonding group; and Z denotes a hydrophilic group containing —(CH2CH2O)n—, —COO?, —SO3?, —SO4?, or —PO4?; and n denotes an integer of 1 to 50.

Abstract: The nonaqueous ink composition for ink jet printing contains a compound represented by General Formula (1) below, and a heterocyclic compound selected from lactones and lactams. (In Formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R2 and R3 represent a methyl group or an ethyl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to [1] an ink-jet printing method including the steps of applying an ink (A) having a static surface tension of from 23 to 70 mN/m and containing a poly(N-acylalkylene imine)-modified silicone and a cationic polymer onto a recording medium, and then applying by ink-jet printing, a water-based ink (B) onto the recording medium; [2] a recording paper for ink-jet printing which is obtainable by applying an ink (A) having a static surface tension of from 23 to 70 mN/m and containing a poly(N-acylalkylene imine)-modified silicone and a cationic polymer onto a recording medium; and [3] a water-based ink set including an ink (A) having a static surface tension of from 23 to 70 mN/m and containing a poly(N-acylalkylene imine)-modified silicone and a cationic polymer, and a water-based ink (B) containing an anionic colorant.

Abstract: An ink composition of the present invention includes: cross-linked particles containing a quinacridone solid solution pigment including at least two types of quinacridone-based compound; a water-soluble polymerizable compound; a polymerization initiator; and water. By selectively using cross-linked solid solution pigments as pigments (colorants), along with excellent adhesion of the image, the stability over time of the ink composition itself is excellent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inkjet recording apparatus 100 capable of performing recording continuously on both surfaces of a web 1, including a plurality of recording heads H1 to H8 disposed on a substrate, driers 5a and 5b for drying the web 1 recorded by the recording heads H1 to H8, and guide rollers A1 to A8, B1 to B8, and G1 to G8 for guiding the web 1, in which a traveling path of the web 1 is switchable so that the web 1 passes between any selected adjacent ones of the recording heads H1 to H8, the recording head upstream of the position where the web passes performs recording on one surface 1a of the web 1, and the recording head downstream of the position where the web 1 passes performs recording on the other surface 1b of the web 1, and an inkjet recording method using the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aqueous ink composition, including an aqueous solvent, a coloring agent dissolved or dispersed in the aqueous solvent, an ABA-type amphipathic polymer including a hydrophobic segment A and a hydrophilic segment B, and an anionic surfactant configured to dissolve or disperse the ABA-type amphipathic polymer in the aqueous solvent, wherein a viscosity of the aqueous ink composition is changed depending on a pH thereof.

Abstract: An inkjet printing method includes, in order, the steps of a) providing to an inkjet printer at least two or more colorless liquids having a different composition and at least one color inkjet ink; b) mixing the color inkjet ink in a controlled amount with the two or more colorless liquids; and c) printing the ink-mixture of the color inkjet ink and the two or more colorless liquids with the inkjet printer onto an ink-receiver.

Abstract: A liquid jetting device treatment liquid containing no colorant including a N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone represented by the following General Formula 1: General Formula 1 where R represents an alkyl group having 8 to 11 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A free radical radiation curable inkjet ink containing a photoinitiator and polymerizable compounds includes at least 45 wt % of a mixture of monomers consisting of: a) 10 to 35 wt % of one or more cyclic monofunctional acrylates wherein the homopolymer thereof has a Tg larger than 20° C.; b) 10 to 30 wt % of a N-vinyl lactam and/or a vinylether acrylate; c) 10 to 30 wt % of an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated polyacrylate having a molecular weight of at least 450; wherein all wt % are based on the total weight of the inkjet ink; and wherein the Tg is determined by the DSC method in ISO 11357-2:1999.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for inkjet printing color images on various substrates using a formaldehyde-free crosslinking agent in the ink composition, which is therefore devoid of formaldehyde emission and suitable for health-aware manufacturing practices, as well as objects having images and designs printed thereon which are devoid of formaldehyde and therefore suitable for use by infants.

Abstract: An inkjet printing method includes the steps of a) providing a white inkjet ink and at least one color inkjet ink to an inkjet printer; and b) jetting the white inkjet ink at a higher temperature than the color inkjet ink onto an ink-receiver. The difference in jetting temperature between the white inkjet ink and the color inkjet ink is at least 5° C. Inkjet ink sets and inkjet printers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fixer composition is disclosed herein. An example of the fixer composition includes from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt % of a co-solvent, from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % of a calcium salt, from about 0.01 wt % to about 0.6 wt % of a sulfonated chelating agent, and a balance of water.

Abstract: An image recording composition including a curable material that is cured upon application of an external stimulus, water-absorbing resin particles, and a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for printing a cancellation mark on a ticket using inks having thermo-reactive properties. One embodiment of the present method for printing a cancellation mark onto a ticket involves the following. A ticket, which has a security mark printed thereon, is received into a slot of a housing of a device which contains therein an inkjet printhead. The received ticket portion comes into proximity with an inkjet printhead configured to print a cancellation mark on the ticket using the thermo-reactive ink. The cancellation mark is printed to at least partially overlap the security mark. In one embodiment, a user activates a switch which causes the inkjet printhead to print the cancellation mark on the ticket upon the ticket having been inserted into the slot. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method includes forming a glittering image on a recording medium by ejecting a glittering ink containing silver onto the recording medium by an ink jet method, applying a protective ink containing a resin and substantially no coloring material onto the glittering image, and forming a color image by ejecting a color ink containing a coloring material to the glittering image by an ink jet method. The protective ink is applied between the glittering image and the color image.

Abstract: Provided is a transfer ink jet recording method, which provides satisfactory transferability and satisfactory wet scratch resistance of a final image even at high printing duty. The transfer ink jet recording method includes using an aggregation liquid, in which the aggregation liquid includes a polymer compound including one of a polyamino acid and a polyamino acid salt each having an amino group, each of which is obtained by polymerization of an amino acid compound represented by the general formula (1).

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes: a conveyance device which conveys paper; an inkjet head which ejecting droplets of colored ink onto the paper conveyed by the conveyance device so as to form an image on the paper; a transparent liquid deposition device which deposits a transparent liquid onto a blank background portion of the paper conveyed by the conveyance device; a transparent liquid deposition volume determination device which determines a deposition volume of the transparent liquid to be deposited onto the paper, according to printing information that is required for printing the image on the paper; and a transparent liquid deposition control device which controls the transparent liquid deposition device in such a manner that the transparent liquid with the deposition volume determined by the transparent liquid deposition volume determination device is deposited onto the blank background portion of the paper.

Abstract: An ink jet ink containing a coloring material and a polymer particle, wherein the polymer particle has a core portion and a shell portion, the shell portion contains a copolymer A having a unit derived from a compound (a1) represented by a general formula (1) of R1—(C2H4O)n—R2 where R1 is at least one selected from a vinyl group, an allyl group, an acryloyl group and a methacryloyl group, R2 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and n is 30-100, and a unit derived from an ?,?-unsaturated hydrophobic compound (a2), a proportion of the unit derived from the compound (a1) to the copolymer A is 50-90% by mass or less, a proportion of the unit derived from the compound (a2) to the copolymer A is 10-50% by mass or less, and the core portion contains a polymer of an ?,?-unsaturated hydrophobic compound (b).

Abstract: An image recording method including the steps of applying a liquid composition to a recording medium and applying an ink containing a pigment to the recording medium so as to overlap at least with a part of a region of the recording medium to which the liquid composition is applied. The water absorption amount of the recording medium at a contact time of 1 second according to the Bristow's method is 15 ml/m2 or less. The ink contains a compound having a polyoxyalkylene unit. The liquid composition contains a tannin compound.

Abstract: An inkjet ink including water, a pigment, a polymer, and a hydrazine compound. The polymer does not include an anionic unit and includes a first unit having a carbonyl group capable of reacting with a hydrazino group, and a second unit having at least one of an amino group, a dimethylamino group, and a diethylamino group. The content of the first unit is from 40% to 90% by weight based on the weight of the polymer, and the inkjet ink has a pH of not less than 9.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method includes preparing a bright image and improving the lightness, or the L* value, of the bright base image. More specifically, a bright image is formed using a bright pigment, and then an ink jet process is performed to discharge a white ink composition containing a white pigment onto the bright image with a weight per unit area (g/cm2) in a range of 0.01 to 0.5, inclusive.

Abstract: An energy curable inkjet ink includes a nitroxy inhibitor, a compound having an ethylenic unsaturated bond, a photoinitiator, a coloring agent, and a stray light resistance index of at least 7. A method of preparing an energy curable inkjet ink with stray light resistance includes providing a nitroxy inhibitor; providing a mixture of a compound having an ethylenic unsaturated bond, and a photoinitiator, and a coloring agent; combining the nitroxy inhibitor and the mixture to obtain the energy curable inkjet ink and thereby to increase a stray light resistance index of the energy curable inkjet ink to at least 7.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involves the use of a gating agent that blocks the substance from or attracts the substance to the substrate. The apparatus may utilize ink jet technology to apply the gating agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The gating agent includes a nonionic surfactant, and water. The gating agent does not contain a discernable amount of dye, pigment or other colorant agent.

Abstract: To provide an image forming method, which contains: treating a surface of a recording medium with acid, an oxazoline group-containing polymer, and adipic acid dihydrazide.

Abstract: An image forming method of the present invention including applying a pretreatment liquid to a recording medium, and discharging an inkjet recording ink dropwise according to an image signal to form an image on the recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied, wherein the recording medium is regular paper which has no coat layer, the pretreatment liquid contains a cationic polymer compound, a surfactant A, water and a water-soluble organic acid, and the inkjet recording ink contains a water-dispersible colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant B, a penetrating agent and water, and wherein the pretreatment liquid has a static surface tension of 20 mN/m to 30 mN/m.

Abstract: An ink composition includes: (Component a) a polymerizable compound having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond; (Component b) a polymerization initiator; (Component c) water; and (Component d) a polyhydric alcohol having an alkyleneoxy chain, wherein the (Component a) polymerizable compound includes a monofunctional polymerizable monomer having a (meth)acrylamide structure, and a content of the monofunctional polymerizable monomer is 5% by mass or more with respect to a total content of the (Component a) polymerizable compound.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method includes delivering a non-aqueous light-curable ink composition stored in an ink container from the ink container to a head via an ink delivery path and discharging the ink composition from the head toward a recording medium. The non-aqueous light-curable ink composition contains a radically-polymerizable compound and has a surface tension of 25 mN/m or less. The non-aqueous light-curable ink composition stored in the ink container has a dissolved air content of 7 ppm or more. The non-aqueous light-curable ink composition has a dissolved air content of 30 ppm or less at delivery from the ink delivery path to the head.

Abstract: An ink jet composition which contains a pigment selected from the group consisting of a self-dispersing pigment and a resin-coated pigment in which at least a portion of a surface of a pigment particle is coated with a water-insoluble resin; at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol, the content of which is from 0.01% by mass to less than 1.00% by mass based on the total mass of the composition; a resin particle that is insoluble or hardly soluble in water; a wax particle that is insoluble or hardly soluble in water; and water.