A conveyer mechanism (110) may include one or more composition inspection units provided along the intended product transport path. The product's composition, e.g., it's ink composition, is compared with a predetermined standard, to determine whether the product is acceptable. A bar code (48, 45.1, 47.1, 85) may be provided to an external surface of the article for identification/traceability purposes.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for templated pattern-based self-directed garment assembly. In an embodiment of the invention, a self-directed garment assembly method includes loading into memory a template of patterns forming a garment and retrieving from memory, at least one data record specifying at least one assembly instruction for assembling the garment from the patterns of the template. Thereafter, the assembly instruction may be embedded in the template adjacent to at least one of the patterns. Finally, the template is printed on a large format printer with the at least one assembly instructions onto fabric selected as a basis for the garment.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for templated pattern-based self-directed garment assembly. In an embodiment of the invention, a self-directed garment assembly method includes loading into memory a template of patterns forming a garment and retrieving from memory, at least one data record specifying at least one assembly instruction for assembling the garment from the patterns of the template. Thereafter, the assembly instruction may be embedded in the template adjacent to at least one of the patterns. Finally, the template is printed on a large format printer with the at least one assembly instructions onto fabric selected as a basis for the garment.

A printing apparatus includes a pattern extracting unit for, based on a comparison between first image data representing a pattern and second image data generated by imaging a fabric transported, extracting a pattern region from the second image data, a printing image generation unit for arranging third image data representing an image to be printed overlaid on the pattern so that the third image data matches the pattern region to generate printing image data, and a printing control unit for causing a printing unit to print the printing image data on the fabric transported.

A liquid electrophotographic (LEP) printing device that includes a photo-imaging plate (PIP) to receive a liquid printing fluid, the liquid printing fluid including a pigment incorporated into a resin, a charge conductor, and a carrier liquid, and a transfer roller to transfer the liquid printing fluid from the PIP to a fabric substrate while wet.

A liquid electrophotographic (LEP) printing device that includes a photo-imaging plate (PIP) to receive a liquid printing fluid, the liquid printing fluid including a pigment incorporated into a resin, a charge conductor, and a carrier liquid, and a transfer roller to transfer the liquid printing fluid from the PIP to a fabric substrate while wet.

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.

An automated loading and unloading system for textile printing is disclosed. An example system includes a pallet configured with a label printing portion outside of a frame on an image screen when loaded onto the printing machine. The example system also includes a loading device configured to automatically lift a label area of a textile into position on the label printing portion of the pallet in preparation for a printing operation on the textile. The example system also includes an unloader device configured to automatically remove the label area of the textile from the label printing portion of the pallet following the printing operation on the textile. In an example, a printhead adapter is configured to reach the label printing portion of the pallet for printing on the label area of the textile.

An automated loading and unloading system for textile printing is disclosed. An example system includes a pallet configured with a label printing portion outside of a frame on an image screen when loaded onto the printing machine. The example system also includes a loading device configured to automatically lift a label area of a textile into position on the label printing portion of the pallet in preparation for a printing operation on the textile. The example system also includes an unloader device configured to automatically remove the label area of the textile from the label printing portion of the pallet following the printing operation on the textile. In an example, a printhead adapter is configured to reach the label printing portion of the pallet for printing on the label area of the textile.