This disclosure relates to a spindle cover comprising a non-thermoplastic polyimide, wherein the spindle cover has a wall thickness in a range from about 1 mm to about 10 mm.

A method for ink-based digital printing includes applying a uniform layer of dampening fluid to a surface of an imaging member; laser patterning the dampening fluid layer by selectively removing portions of the dampening fluid according to digital image data; and inking the laser-patterned dampening fluid layer on the imaging member surface with a aqueous heterogeneous ink to form an ink image, wherein the aqueous heterogeneous ink self-coalesces before the ink is transferred from the imaging member surface.

An apparatus and method for printing directly onto print media including smooth non-absorbent media substrates (e.g., polymer films) inks having a wide range in viscosity, so that flexographic, gravure, and lithographic inks can all be contemplated. The proposed method is able to print with variable data/imaging. Dampening fluid may be patterned onto an imaging roll by coating the imaging roll with a layer of the dampening fluid and selectively evaporating off a patterned portion via a laser imaging device. The imaging roll then contacts the print substrate and transfers the patterned dampening fluid onto the substrate via film splitting. The substrate then passes through an inker station where ink is deposited directly to the substrate for attachment thereto except where rejected by the dampening fluid.

A doctor blade (5, 7) for contact with an anilox roller (15) comprises a flat, elongate base element having a thickness of less than about 0.3 mm, which, along a longitudinal region of the doctor blade adapted for contact with said anilox roller, is provided with a coating (43). The coating comprises a metal matrix and at least about 65% by weight of one or more ceramic(s). The coating comprises 0 to 65% by weight of chromium carbide. An inking arrangement comprises an anilox roller and a doctor blade. A doctor blade is used in flexographic printing.

The present disclosure relates to formulations for use with an intermediate transfer members of indirect printing systems and printing methods utilizing same. The present disclosure further relates to intermediate transfer members having a release layer surface covered with the formulations of the invention. The present disclosure also relates to printed substrates, printed articles and printed patterns produced using the formulations of the invention and to kits comprising the formulations.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of indirect printing with an aqueous ink formulation applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer member. Related apparatus, systems and treatment formulations are disclosed herein.

Provided herein is an imaging blanket for variable data lithography comprising (i) a substrate and (ii) a thermally-conductive composition disposed on the substrate comprising a silicone elastomer and a thermally-conductive filler selected from metal oxides, wherein the thermally-conductive composition has a thermal conductivity ranging from about 0.6 W/m.sup.2 to about 1.6 W/m.sup.2. Further provided herein a method of making the imaging blanket, as well as a printing system comprising the imaging blanket, wherein the imaging blanket has improved thermal conductivity.

A multilayer imaging blanket for a variable data lithography system, including a multilayer base including a sulfur-containing layer; and a cured topcoat layer including a polyurethane in contact with the sulfur-containing layer of the multilayer base.

A printing process is disclosed which comprises directing droplets of an ink onto an intermediate transfer member to form an ink image, the ink including an organic polymeric resin and a coloring agent in an aqueous carrier, and the transfer member having a hydrophobic outer surface so that each ink droplet in the ink image spreads on impinging upon the intermediate transfer member to form an ink film. The ink is dried while the ink image is being transported by the intermediate transfer member by evaporating the aqueous carrier from the ink image to leave a residue film of resin and coloring agent. The residue film is then transferred to a substrate. The chemical compositions of the ink and of the surface of the intermediate transfer member are selected such that attractive intermolecular forces between molecules in the outer skin of each droplet and on the surface of the intermediate transfer member counteract the tendency of the ink film produced by each droplet to bead under the action of the surface tension of the aqueous carrier, without causing each droplet to spread by wetting the surface of the intermediate transfer member.

A printing process is disclosed which comprises directing droplets of an ink onto an intermediate transfer member to form an ink image, the ink including an organic polymeric resin and a coloring agent in an aqueous carrier, and the transfer member having a hydrophobic outer surface so that each ink droplet in the ink image spreads on impinging upon the intermediate transfer member to form an ink film. The ink is dried while the ink image is being transported by the intermediate transfer member by evaporating the aqueous carrier from the ink image to leave a residue film of resin and coloring agent. The residue film is then transferred to a substrate. The chemical compositions of the ink and of the surface of the intermediate transfer member are selected such that attractive intermolecular forces between molecules in the outer skin of each droplet and on the surface of the intermediate transfer member counteract the tendency of the ink film produced by each droplet to bead under the action of the surface tension of the aqueous carrier, without causing each droplet to spread by wetting the surface of the intermediate transfer member.