Edge hold down (EHD) systems are described herein that enable high print quality to be achieved more consistently, particularly when using substrates that are rigid or include one or more defects. Each EHD system includes a tensioned band for holding down an edge of a substrate as it passes through a printer assembly without impacting the print area. The tensioned band can be affixed between an entry tension assembly and an exit tension assembly disposed downstream of the entry tension assembly in the media feed direction. The tensioned band holds the substrate substantially flat against a transfer belt during printing by applying pressure to the surface of the substrate. The tensioned band generally contacts the surface of the substrate substantially proximate to an outer edge that is parallel to the media feed direction.

A system for printing at least one stretchable ink on a thermoformable substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the system including an unwinder arranged to feed the thermoformable substrate from a first roll into a web drive subsystem, a surface energy modification device arranged to alter a substrate surface energy of the first surface to enhance wetting and adhesion of the at least one stretchable ink to the thermoformable substrate, at least one first full width printhead array arranged to deposit a first portion of the at least one stretchable ink on the first surface of the thermoformable substrate, at least one second full width printhead array arranged to deposit a second portion of the at least one stretchable ink on the first surface of the thermoformable substrate, at least one radiation pinning device positioned proximate the first surface and arranged to partially cure the first portion of the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate prior to the second portion of the at least one stretchable ink being deposited on the thermoformable substrate, at least one radiation curing device arranged to cure the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate, a full width array sensor arranged to monitor the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate, and a rewinder arranged to receive the thermoformable substrate and to form the thermoformable substrate into a second roll.

A pinion gear is coaxially attached to vicinity of an end of an inner bar. The pinion gear is engaged with a rack gear and rotates in response to upward and downward movements of the tension bar. When the pinion rotates, the inner bar correspondingly rotates. The inner bar and an outer bar, which is a tension applying bar, are connected to each other so as to freely rotate. When the pinion rotates, the inner bar correspondingly rotates, while the outer bar remains unrotated.

A pinion gear is coaxially attached to vicinity of an end of an inner bar. The pinion gear is engaged with a rack gear and rotates in response to upward and downward movements of the tension bar. When the pinion rotates, the inner bar correspondingly rotates. The inner bar and an outer bar, which is a tension applying bar, are connected to each other so as to freely rotate. When the pinion rotates, the inner bar correspondingly rotates, while the outer bar remains unrotated.

A system for printing at least one stretchable ink on a thermoformable substrate including an unwinder arranged to feed the thermoformable substrate from a first roll into a web drive subsystem, a surface energy modification device arranged to alter a substrate surface energy to enhance wetting and adhesion of the at least one stretchable ink to the thermoformable substrate, at least one full width printhead array arranged to deposit the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate, at least one radiation curing device arranged to cure the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate, a full width array sensor arranged to monitor the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate, and a rewinder arranged to receive the thermoformable substrate and to form the thermoformable substrate into a second roll.

A roll to roll printing method in which a web of a recording medium is withdrawn from a first roll, a number of images are printed on the web and the printed web is wound on a second roll, wherein a representation of the printed images is printed on a part of the web which is to form a trailing end of the web on the second roll.

A roll to roll printing method in which a web of a recording medium is withdrawn from a first roll, a number of images are printed on the web and the printed web is wound on a second roll, wherein a representation of the printed images is printed on a part of the web which is to form a trailing end of the web on the second roll.

A printing system for printing images onto a medium supplied as feed-stock, said system comprising a printer, a control computer and data inputting means, a printer head, a cutter, at least one rewinder and a taper; the print head for printing individual work-pieces onto the medium; the cutter for cutting the medium into individual work-pieces, and the at least one rewinder for rewinding the work-pieces into coreless-rolls, and the taper comprising a tape dispenser and printer for printing identifying data onto a piece of tape applied to fasten each coreless roll closed wherein the cutter and the printing of the tape is controlled by the control computer, wherein the cutter is configured to section the work-piece from the feedstock after it has started to be fed into the rewinder.

A target transport apparatus includes a transport roller pair that has a plurality of segmented roller members disposed at intervals in a width direction that intersects with a transport direction of continuous paper and that imparts a transport force on the continuous paper by the segmented roller members pinching the continuous paper; and an image capturing unit, disposed in a location that corresponds to a pinched area in the width direction of the continuous paper that is pinched by the segmented roller members and to the pinched area along the transport direction, that detects, without making contact with the continuous paper, an amount by which the continuous paper is transported by the transport roller pair.

A target transport apparatus includes a transport roller pair that has a plurality of segmented roller members disposed at intervals in a width direction that intersects with a transport direction of continuous paper and that imparts a transport force on the continuous paper by the segmented roller members pinching the continuous paper; and an image capturing unit, disposed in a location that corresponds to a pinched area in the width direction of the continuous paper that is pinched by the segmented roller members and to the pinched area along the transport direction, that detects, without making contact with the continuous paper, an amount by which the continuous paper is transported by the transport roller pair.