An apparatus for coating a donor surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises an application device to apply to the donor surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounds the application device forming an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing prevents egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum excess fluid and particles. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the donor surface, leaving substantially a single particle layer adhering to the donor surface upon exiting the apparatus.

An apparatus for coating a donor surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises an application device to apply to the donor surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounds the application device forming an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing prevents egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum excess fluid and particles. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the donor surface, leaving substantially a single particle layer adhering to the donor surface upon exiting the apparatus.

An apparatus for coating a donor surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of thermoplastic particles, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises an application device to apply to the donor surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounds the application device forming an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing prevents egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum excess fluid and particles. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the donor surface, leaving substantially a single particle layer adhering to the donor surface upon exiting the apparatus.

An apparatus for coating a donor surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of thermoplastic particles, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises an application device to apply to the donor surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounds the application device forming an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing prevents egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum excess fluid and particles. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the donor surface, leaving substantially a single particle layer adhering to the donor surface upon exiting the apparatus.

The invention relates to a method of aligning magnetic flakes, which includes: coating a substrate with a carrier having the flakes dispersed therein, moving the substrate in a magnetic field so as to align the flakes along force lines of the magnetic field in the absence of an effect from a solidifying means, and at least partially solidifying the carrier using a solidifying means while further moving the substrate in the magnetic field so as to secure the magnetic flakes in the carrier while the magnetic field maintains alignment of the magnetic flakes. An apparatus is provided, which has a belt for moving a substrate along a magnet assembly for aligning magnetic flakes. The apparatus also includes a solidifying means, such as a UV- or e-beam source, and a cover above a portion of the magnet assembly for protecting the flakes from the effect of the solidifying means.

A printed substrate may include a substrate that may be a paper or a thermoplastic foil. At least one digitally printed decor and at least one patch may be provided on the substrate. The at least one patch may include at least one color reference area having at least one digital ink. The patch may be located on a part of the substrate that is substantially free of the at least one printed decor.

A method for manufacturing a printed product comprises provision (210) of a matrix comprising a matrix surface having a plurality of recesses. A first curable compound is applied (212) to the matrix surface to fill the recesses with the compound. The matrix surface and the filled recesses are covered (220) by a pickup layer of a second curable compound. The matrix is brought (230) in contact with the substrate surface and the first curable compound and the second curable compound are cured (232). The matrix surface is separated (234) from the substrate surface, leaving the pickup layer and the first curable compound on the substrate surface. The pickup layer and the first curable compound are thus transferred (240) together from the matrix surface onto a substrate surface of a substrate sheet. The first curable compound forms printed product micro features at the pickup layer covering the substrate surface.

A method of producing a printed product, wherein a formulation for production of a first layer as sealing layer is applied to the substrate and the formulation has at least one monomer, oligomer or prepolymer having at least one crosslinkable functional group. Subsequently, the first layer is cured and a second layer is applied at least to regions of the first layer, wherein the second layer has a coherent surface in the printed regions. Further, a printed product having a substrate, a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer comprise an organic crosslinked lacquer and have a coherent surface, and wherein the first layer is transparent and has a layer thickness in the range from 1 to 10 m. The second layer has been applied at least to regions of the first layer, such that the first layer is disposed between the substrate and the second layer.

A method for formulating an ink for a gravure printing press may involve digitally printing of a decor and a patch onto a substrate. The patch may include at least one color reference area. The color reference area may include at least one digital ink. The patch may be located on a part of the substrate that is substantially free of the dcor. A color of the at least one color reference area may be measured. A tone of an ink for gravure printing may be adjusted to match the color of the at least one color reference area.