A method and apparatus for printing on an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include the generation of a virtual mask that can designate areas for printing and/or designate areas to exclude from printing. A method may include utilization of the virtual mask during either 2D or 3D printing such that a print design is printed in areas designated for printing by the virtual mask.

A method and apparatus for printing on an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include the generation of a virtual mask that can designate areas for printing and/or designate areas to exclude from printing. A method may include utilization of the virtual mask during either 2D or 3D printing such that a print design is printed in areas designated for printing by the virtual mask.

A method for printing a three-dimensional object includes printing a first color layer having a first color in a first region of a three-dimensional object, printing a second color layer having a second color in a second region of the three-dimensional object, printing a first structural layer directly onto the first color layer, the first structural layer having a first structural thickness which in combination with a first color thickness forms a first target thickness, and printing a second structural layer directly onto the second color layer, the second structural layer having a second structural thickness which in combination with a second color thickness forms the first target thickness. The first color thickness and the second color thickness are different, and the first structural thickness and the second structural thickness are different.

A method for printing a three-dimensional object includes printing a first color layer having a first color in a first region of a three-dimensional object, printing a second color layer having a second color in a second region of the three-dimensional object, printing a first structural layer directly onto the first color layer, the first structural layer having a first structural thickness which in combination with a first color thickness forms a first target thickness, and printing a second structural layer directly onto the second color layer, the second structural layer having a second structural thickness which in combination with a second color thickness forms the first target thickness. The first color thickness and the second color thickness are different, and the first structural thickness and the second structural thickness are different.

A method and apparatus for printing on an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include the generation of a virtual mask that can designate areas for printing and/or designate areas to exclude from printing. A method may include utilization of the virtual mask during either 2D or 3D printing such that a print design is printed in areas designated for printing by the virtual mask.

A method and apparatus for printing on an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include the generation of a virtual mask that can designate areas for printing and/or designate areas to exclude from printing. A method may include utilization of the virtual mask during either 2D or 3D printing such that a print design is printed in areas designated for printing by the virtual mask.

A method of printing a three-dimensional structure onto a base having irregularities on the surface is disclosed. A sensing device determines the depth of the irregularity on the surface. A computing system receives an image file including a predetermined thickness of a layer to be printed onto the base. The predetermined thickness is adjusted based on the depth of the irregularity. A printing device prints a layer onto the base having the adjusted predetermined thickness print on the irregularity to make the surface substantially smooth.

A method for printing a three-dimensional object includes printing a first color layer having a first color in a first region of a three-dimensional object, printing a second color layer having a second color in a second region of the three-dimensional object, printing a first structural layer directly onto the first color layer, the first structural layer having a first structural thickness which in combination with a first color thickness forms a first target thickness, and printing a second structural layer directly onto the second color layer, the second structural layer having a second structural thickness which in combination with a second color thickness forms the first target thickness. The first color thickness and the second color thickness are different, and the first structural thickness and the second structural thickness are different.

A method for printing a three-dimensional object includes printing a first color layer having a first color in a first region of a three-dimensional object, printing a second color layer having a second color in a second region of the three-dimensional object, printing a first structural layer directly onto the first color layer, the first structural layer having a first structural thickness which in combination with a first color thickness forms a first target thickness, and printing a second structural layer directly onto the second color layer, the second structural layer having a second structural thickness which in combination with a second color thickness forms the first target thickness. The first color thickness and the second color thickness are different, and the first structural thickness and the second structural thickness are different.

Methods and systems are provided for color printing. A three-dimensional object can be printed onto an article using the methods and systems. The three-dimensional object can include a lower color graphic layer printed onto an article, one or more transparent structural layers printed onto the lower color graphic layer, and an upper color graphic layer printed onto an uppermost layer of the one or more transparent structural layers. The upper color graphic layer and the lower color graphic layer collectively visually depict a color graphic image.