A printing apparatus includes a head configured to project a plurality of pins to perform printing on a printing medium, a carriage mounted with a head and configured to move, a roller mounted on the carriage and capable of coming into contact with the printing medium, a platen provided in a position opposed to the head and capable of moving in each of a direction in which the platen approaches the head and a direction in which the platen moves away from the head, and a pressing mechanism configured to press the platen toward the head. The pressing mechanism includes an elastic section configured to press the platen toward the head with an elastic force and a moving section configured to move the elastic section in each of a direction in which the elastic force of the elastic section increases and a direction in which the elastic force of the elastic section decreases.

An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use with a printing system, the ITM having (a) a support layer; and (b) a release layer having an ink reception surface and a second surface opposing the ink reception surface, the second surface attached to the support layer, the release layer formed of an addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material, wherein the release surface of the release layer has relatively hydrophilic properties with respect to the addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material.

An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use with a printing system, the ITM having (a) a support layer; and (b) a release layer having an ink reception surface and a second surface opposing the ink reception surface, the second surface attached to the support layer, the release layer formed of an addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material, wherein the release surface of the release layer has relatively hydrophilic properties with respect to the addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material.

There is disclosed a method of manufacturing a multi-layered article including a finished outer surface optionally having particular surface properties. The article can be a self-supported strip having a smooth outer surface. The method is, for example, suitable for the preparation of multi-layered articles such as a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use in an indirect printing system. Uses of such articles are also disclosed.

A temperature acquisition section (acquisition module) acquires a temperature of an environment in which a printer device is used. A printing condition acquisition section (acquisition module) acquires information relating to printing conditions of the printer device. A conveyance load estimation section (estimation module) estimates a conveyance load when a stepping motor (motor) provided in the printer device conveys a printing paper (print medium) based on the information acquired by the temperature acquisition section and the printing condition acquisition section. A current value setting section (setting module) sets a current value to be applied to the stepping motor based on the conveyance load estimated by the conveyance load estimation section. A motor control section (control module) controls the stepping motor by applying the current value set by the current value setting section to the stepping motor.

An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use with a printing system, the ITM having (a) a support layer; and (b) a release layer having an ink reception surface and a second surface opposing the ink reception surface, the second surface attached to the support layer, the release layer formed of an addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material, wherein the release surface of the release layer has relatively hydrophilic properties with respect to the addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material.

An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use with a printing system, the ITM having (a) a support layer; and (b) a release layer having an ink reception surface and a second surface opposing the ink reception surface, the second surface attached to the support layer, the release layer formed of an addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material, wherein the release surface of the release layer has relatively hydrophilic properties with respect to the addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material.

There is disclosed a method of manufacturing a multi-layered article including a finished outer surface optionally having particular surface properties. The article can be a self-supported strip having a smooth outer surface. The method is, for example, suitable for the preparation of multi-layered articles such as a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use in an indirect printing system. Uses of such articles are also disclosed.

A printer includes a feeding roller, a sheet conveyer, and a handle. The feeding roller is configured to feed a single slip and a continuous sheet conveyed through first and second conveyance paths, respectively, to a printing head. The sheet conveyer is at the second conveyance path. The handle is mechanically engaged with a shaft of the feeding roller and configured to rotate the shaft. The handle is manually movable along an axis direction of the shaft between first and second positions. At the first position, the handle is mechanically disengaged with a driving mechanism of the sheet conveyer. At the second position, the handle is mechanically engaged with the driving mechanism and capable of moving the sheet conveyer. An urging mechanism is urging the handle toward the first position. A stopper is configured to prevent the handle at the second position from moving toward the first position.

A printer includes a feeding roller, a sheet conveyer, and a handle. The feeding roller is configured to feed a single slip and a continuous sheet conveyed through first and second conveyance paths, respectively, to a printing head. The sheet conveyer is at the second conveyance path. The handle is mechanically engaged with a shaft of the feeding roller and configured to rotate the shaft. The handle is manually movable along an axis direction of the shaft between first and second positions. At the first position, the handle is mechanically disengaged with a driving mechanism of the sheet conveyer. At the second position, the handle is mechanically engaged with the driving mechanism and capable of moving the sheet conveyer. An urging mechanism is urging the handle toward the first position. A stopper is configured to prevent the handle at the second position from moving toward the first position.