Some embodiments relate to printing system is described that has an intermediate transfer member (ITM) in the form of a seamed endless belt for transporting an ink image from an image forming station, at which an ink image is deposited on ITM, to an impression station, where the ink image is transferred onto a printing substrate. Two drive members are provided for movement in synchronism with one another. Rotation of the drive members during installation of a new ITM serves to thread the strip through the printing system by pulling the strip from its leading end. Alternatively or additionally, indirect printing system comprising the ITM and an image forming station at which droplets of ink are applied to the ITM to form ink images thereon is disclosed. One or more blowing mechanisms (e.g. associated with the image forming station) are disclosed herein.

Some embodiments relate to printing system is described that has an intermediate transfer member (ITM) in the form of a seamed endless belt for transporting an ink image from an image forming station, at which an ink image is deposited on ITM, to an impression station, where the ink image is transferred onto a printing substrate. Two drive members are provided for movement in synchronism with one another. Rotation of the drive members during installation of a new ITM serves to thread the strip through the printing system by pulling the strip from its leading end. Alternatively or additionally, indirect printing system comprising the ITM and an image forming station at which droplets of ink are applied to the ITM to form ink images thereon is disclosed. One or more blowing mechanisms (e.g. associated with the image forming station) are disclosed herein.

An apparatus is disclosed comprising a print engine in a print zone. A platen opposes the print engine to support print media. The platen includes a plurality of openings in communication with at least one vacuum source. The platen includes a non-vacuum region, comprising a surface devoid of openings in communication with the at least one vacuum source. The non-vacuum region underlies at least a portion of the print zone.

A recording system includes a recording device including a recording unit that performs recording onto a medium, a transporting belt that includes an adhesive layer and transports the medium stuck on the adhesive layer, a drive unit that drives the transporting belt, a control unit that includes a detection unit for detecting a load current flowing in the drive unit and that controls the drive unit. The recording system further includes a peeling device that peels the medium from the transporting belt, and a notification device that provides a notification. The control unit causes the notification device to provide a notification on a time to replace the adhesive layer, based on a detection result of the detection unit.

A recording system includes a recording device including a recording unit that performs recording onto a medium, a transporting belt that includes an adhesive layer and transports the medium stuck on the adhesive layer, a drive unit that drives the transporting belt, a control unit that includes a detection unit for detecting a load current flowing in the drive unit and that controls the drive unit. The recording system further includes a peeling device that peels the medium from the transporting belt, and a notification device that provides a notification. The control unit causes the notification device to provide a notification on a time to replace the adhesive layer, based on a detection result of the detection unit.

Provided is a liquid ejecting device that includes an endless transporting belt that is stretched over a plurality of rollers and transports a medium in a transport direction by rotating while supporting the medium at a support surface that is a surface on an opposite side from a contact surface with the rollers, and a liquid ejecting unit that ejects a liquid onto the medium supported by the support surface. At the contact surface, recesses and protrusions are regularly formed in the circumferential direction of the transporting belt.

The invention comprises a printing method, comprising the steps of: marking a markable surface with a graphical code; loading into a plotter system the markable surface; receiving a print job related to the graphical code; and plotting the set of vectors on the markable surface, such as by identifying a particular media type of the markable surface with the graphical code, receiving into the plotter system a print job, the print job comprising: (1) the set of vectors; and (2) a printable media requirement; scanning, with the plotter system, the printable media code; and confirming the printable media requirement matches the particular media type.

An image forming apparatus includes: a rotating body having a recess in an outer peripheral surface thereof; a sprocket provided coaxially with the rotating body to rotate integrally with the rotating body; a chain having plural links, the chain being wound around the sprocket to circulate in a circulating direction so as to shift from a rotary movement in which the chain rotates in an arc shape conforming to an outer periphery of the sprocket along with the sprocket, to a linear movement; a holder fixed to at least one link of the links of the chain, the holder being configured to hold a leading end portion of a recording medium, the holder being configured to transport the recording medium by performing the rotary movement along with the rotating body and the chain in a state of (i) holding the leading end portion of the recording medium placed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body and (ii) being located in the recess, and then shifting to the linear movement along with the chain; and an image forming unit configured to form an image on the recording medium placed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, in which a holding position where the holder holds the recording medium is arranged downstream of an upstream roller of rollers of a most downstream link in the circulating direction among the at least one link to which the holder is fixed.

A sheet conveyor includes a conveyance belt configured to convey a sheet on a first surface of the conveyance belt in a conveyance direction, a suction device configured to suck the sheet onto the conveyance belt via the conveyance belt, and multiple supports between the conveyance belt and the suction device in a vertical direction, the multiple supports configured to support a second surface of the conveyance belt. A longitudinal direction of each of the multiple supports is parallel to a direction intersecting the conveyance direction, and the multiple supports are arrayed in the conveyance direction.

Some embodiments relate to printing system is described that has an intermediate transfer member (ITM) in the form of a seamed endless belt for transporting an ink image from an image forming station, at which an ink image is deposited on ITM, to an impression station, where the ink image is transferred onto a printing substrate. Two drive members are provided for movement in synchronism with one another. Rotation of the drive members during installation of a new ITM serves to thread the strip through the printing system by pulling the strip from its leading end. Alternatively or additionally, indirect printing system comprising the ITM and an image forming station at which droplets of ink are applied to the ITM to form ink images thereon is disclosed. One or more blowing mechanisms (e.g. associated with the image forming station) are disclosed herein.