B41M5/00

NETWORKED DIGITAL IMAGING CUSTOMIZATION

A geographically remote computing device transmits an image to a central computing device. The geographically remote computing device also communicates specifications of a substrate or substrates to be imaged to the central computing device. The central computing device selects a geographically remote fulfillment printer. A local, but geographically diverse distribution system is available according to the invention. The central computing device chooses the geographically remote fulfillment printer as a function of factors such as the selected image and substrate, printer capabilities, and the consumer's location. Image quality and consistency is maintained by the central computer selecting an appropriate geographically remote computing device and providing printer the appropriate instructions, rather than the instructions for printing being determined locally at the printer.

ARTICLE INCLUDING A HEAT-STABLE COATING PROVIDED WITH AN AT LEAST TWO-COLOR DECORATION HAVING CONTINUOUS TONES
20180008081 · 2018-01-11 ·

A heating article includes a substrate having two opposite surfaces, at least one of which is opaque, and a heat-stable coating arranged on the opaque surface. The heat-stable coating includes an at least two-color decoration having continuous tones and being provided in the form of a continuous or discontinuous layer.

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING PIGMENT-CONTAINING MODIFIED POLYMER PARTICLES
20180009988 · 2018-01-11 · ·

The present invention relates to [1] a process for producing pigment-containing modified polymer particles, including the step of reacting pigment-containing polymer particles (A) containing a functional group and a compound (B) containing a reactive group capable of reacting with the functional group of the polymer particles (A) in a medium under such a condition that a ratio [(B)/(A)] of total moles of the reactive group of the compound (B) to total moles of the functional group of the polymer particles (A) is from 0.10 to 0.62; [2] a pigment water dispersion including an aqueous medium and the modified polymer particles produced by the aforementioned process which are dispersed in the aqueous medium; and [3] an ink including the aforementioned pigment water dispersion and an organic solvent. The modified polymer particles are free from formation of coarse particles upon production of pigment particles, so that an ink obtained by using the modified polymer particles can be prevented from suffering from increase in viscosity thereof when the ink is being concentrated by evaporation of water from the ink, and is excellent in rub fastness when printed on a low-water absorbing recording medium.

WATER DISPERSION OF GEL PARTICLES, PRODUCING METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD
20180009927 · 2018-01-11 ·

A water dispersion of gel particles, in which the gel particles having a polymerizable group, having a three-dimensional crosslinked structure including at least one bond selected from a urethane bond and a urea bond, and including at least a photopolymerization initiator and a resin are dispersed in water, a method of producing the water dispersion, and an image forming method using the water dispersion.

FLUID SETS FOR INKJET IMAGING

The present disclosure is drawn to a fluid set for inkjet imaging which includes a white inkjet ink and a fixer fluid. The white ink can include an aqueous ink vehicle, from 5 wt % to 50 wt % of a white metal oxide pigment having an average particulate size from 100 nm to 2,000 nm, and from 0.1 wt % to 4 wt % of anionic oxide particulates having an average particulate size from 1 nm to 100 nm. The white ink can also include a non-ionic or predominantly non-ionic dispersant having an acid number not higher than 100 mg KOH/g based on dry polymer weight. The fixer fluid can include an aqueous fixer vehicle and from 0.1 wt % to 25 wt % cationic polymer.

PRINT MEDIA

The present disclosure is drawn to print media, laminated decor products, and methods of making the same. In one example, a print medium can include an open paper substrate and a multivalent metal salt treatment applied to the open paper substrate at a multivalent metal salt loading into the open paper substrate at from 0.5 gsm to 5 gsm. The open paper substrate can include wood fiber including softwood fiber, hardwood fiber, or a blend of softwood fiber and hardwood fiber; binder including starch, protein, or hydrophilic polymer; and from 20 wt % to 50 wt % of TiO.sub.2.

METHOD FOR PRINTING COMPONENT WITH ANTI-COUNTERFEIT FEATURES
20180009159 · 2018-01-11 · ·

An additively manufactured component has a plurality of overlapping layers bonded to each other. The plurality of overlapping layers includes at least a first subset of layers, and at least one layer of the at least a first subset of layers includes adjacent tracks bonded to each other. At least one of the adjacent tracks has a tool path pattern that is encoded with information.

Method and apparatus for digital printing

A method of indirect digital printing is disclosed herein. The method employs (i) first (e.g. transparent) and second aqueous ink components (comprising colorant particles) and (ii) a target surface (e.g. hydrophobic) of an intermediate transfer member (ITM). A quantity of first ink component is deposited (e.g. by ink-jetting) onto the target surface and partially dried to produce a partially-dried layer thereon. Droplets of the second ink component are deposited onto the partially-dried layer of first ink component to form a wet, colored ink-image. Upon deposition of the droplets of the second ink component, the colorant particles from the second component penetrate into the partially-dried layer of the first ink component. The wet, colored image is dried into a tacky ink-image-bearing residue film which is transferred to the substrate. Physical and/or chemical properties of the first and second ink components as provided by various embodiments are disclosed herein.

Method of improving actinic cure of coatings

A method for printing on a substrate comprises two steps. The first step consists essentially of: applying onto a substrate one or more layers of an energy curable ink and applying one or more layers of a water-based coating over the top of the one or more layers of energy curable ink. The second step comprises the steps of, in any order: a) drying the one or more layers of water-based coating, and b) actinically or electron beam curing simultaneously all the energy curable ink layers.

Digital printing process and resulting packaging material

A digital printing process for printing an image (I) including a white area (W) and/or a coloured area (C) on a packaging material includes selecting a packaging material with a substantially white side, and preparing print data to be sent to a printing means taking into account that the side of the packaging material is substantially white. The print data represents one or more first image areas (A1) representing the image (I), and one or more second image areas (A2) representing a packaging look (L), to be printed on the substantially white side of the packaging material, outside the one or more first image areas (A1) where the image (I) is to be located. The method further includes printing by the printing means on the substantially white side of the packaging material using the print data.