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 screen printing positionally synchronizes a plurality of pallet assemblies on a first screen printing machine with a plurality of pallet assemblies on a second screen printing machine. A screen printed garment having a properly aligned first image received from the first screen printing machine is transferred on a portion of one of the pallet assemblies on the first screen printing machine to one of the plurality of pallet assemblies on the second printing machine. The properly aligned first image on the garment is in proper positional alignment with a screen printing head on the second screen printing machine such that a second image complimentary to the first image is printed on the garment in proper position on the garment relative to the first image without user intervention to positionally locate the first image relative to the screen printing head on the second machine.

A method of screen printing positionally synchronizes a plurality of pallet assemblies on a first screen printing machine with a plurality of pallet assemblies on a second screen printing machine. A screen printed garment having a properly aligned first image received from the first screen printing machine is transferred on a portion of one of the pallet assemblies on the first screen printing machine to one of the plurality of pallet assemblies on the second printing machine. The properly aligned first image on the garment is in proper positional alignment with a screen printing head on the second screen printing machine such that a second image complimentary to the first image is printed on the garment in proper position on the garment relative to the first image without user intervention to positionally locate the first image relative to the screen printing head on the second machine.

An article of apparel including a tubular knit textile region is provided, as well as an apparel printing system for printing on regions of the tubular knit textile region and related methods. The article of apparel can include a tubular knit textile region having an internal side and an opposite external side configured to be exposed during use, a plurality of yarns in an arrangement of interlocked loops forming parallel rows and channels therebetween, and a printed ink design on its external side. The printed ink design can be formed from ink applied to the parallel rows of loops and to the channels. An apparel printing system for printing on the article of apparel can include a textile printer having a print head and a tubular platen that includes features on the platen surface to retain and register the tubular knit textile on the platen surface during printing.

A printing apparatus includes a removal portion that removes attached materials attached to a printing surface by coming in contact with the printing surface of a printing medium; a pressing portion that presses the printing surface with which the removal portion is in contact; and a liquid ejecting portion that performs printing by ejecting a liquid with respect to the printing surface pressed by the pressing portion.

A printing apparatus includes a removal portion that removes attached materials attached to a printing surface by coming in contact with the printing surface of a printing medium; a pressing portion that presses the printing surface with which the removal portion is in contact; and a liquid ejecting portion that performs printing by ejecting a liquid with respect to the printing surface pressed by the pressing portion.

An endcap for a cylinder for use in a customization system for tubular articles. The endcap has a minimized geometry to maximize the surface area of the tubular article available for printing. The endcap may be limited in size so that the endcap is limited to an endface of the cylinder. The endcap may also have a shape that limits the amount of material in the endcap, such as an X-shape. The endcap may include a fast connection system such as a plurality of magnets for rapid loading and unloading of the articles on the cylinder.

A screen printing system includes a screen printing machine. The screen printing machines includes a screen printing unit with a screen. A platen arm assembly includes a platen configured to move in a telescoping direction from at least a first position where the platen is positioned under the screen to a second position that is different from the first position.

A screen printing system includes a screen printing machine. The screen printing machines includes a screen printing unit with a screen. A platen arm assembly includes a platen configured to move in a telescoping direction from at least a first position where the platen is positioned under the screen to a second position that is different from the first position.

A printing jig system that includes a maintaining jig able to maintain an article for a first processing step and that is also used to maintain and align the article for a subsequent printing process step. In order to effectively be used for a first processing step and a second printing process step, a support portion supports the article in locations otherwise left unsupported by a processing aperture of the maintaining jig. The processing aperture is configured to facilitate the first processing step, such as steaming of the article. The print support portion is configured to extend through the processing aperture of the maintaining jig The maintaining jig and the print support portion are aligned and maintained relative to each other and a printing machine by a base plate adapted to removeably secure and align the maintaining jig and the print support portion.