A printing apparatus includes a transport unit for transporting a continuous sheet, a printing unit for printing by discharging ink to the continuous sheet, and a drying unit for drying the ink deposited on the continuous sheet. The drying unit includes a first heater unit for heating a printed surface of the continuous sheet and a second heater unit for heating the opposite surface of the continuous sheet to the printed surface. The first heater unit includes a plurality of first heaters that are disposed at the same position in a transport direction and that are arranged in width directions. The second heater unit includes a plurality of second heaters that are disposed at a position superposed on the first heater unit in the transport direction and that are disposed at positions between adjacent ones of first heating elements of the first heaters in the width directions.

A printing apparatus includes a transport unit for transporting a continuous sheet, a printing unit for printing by discharging ink to the continuous sheet, and a drying unit for drying the ink deposited on the continuous sheet. The drying unit includes a first heater unit for heating a printed surface of the continuous sheet and a second heater unit for heating the opposite surface of the continuous sheet to the printed surface. The first heater unit includes a plurality of first heaters that are disposed at the same position in a transport direction and that are arranged in width directions. The second heater unit includes a plurality of second heaters that are disposed at a position superposed on the first heater unit in the transport direction and that are disposed at positions between adjacent ones of first heating elements of the first heaters in the width directions.

An image forming method includes: applying a resin powder to a first area of an object to be subjected to image forming; applying a water-based ink comprising pigments to a second area of the object by an inkjet method to form an image, the first area and the second area at least partially overlapping each other; and heating the first area and the second area to fix the resin powder and the water-based ink to the object. By contact with the resin powder, the water-based ink either thickens, or causes an aggregation of the pigments.

An image forming method includes: applying a resin powder to a first area of an object to be subjected to image forming; applying a water-based ink comprising pigments to a second area of the object by an inkjet method to form an image, the first area and the second area at least partially overlapping each other; and heating the first area and the second area to fix the resin powder and the water-based ink to the object. By contact with the resin powder, the water-based ink either thickens, or causes an aggregation of the pigments.

A printing apparatus includes a transport unit for transporting a continuous sheet, a printing unit for printing by discharging ink to the continuous sheet, and a drying unit for drying the ink deposited on the continuous sheet. The drying unit includes a first heater unit for heating a printed surface of the continuous sheet and a second heater unit for heating the opposite surface of the continuous sheet to the printed surface. The first heater unit includes a plurality of first heaters that are disposed at the same position in a transport direction and that are arranged in width directions. The second heater unit includes a plurality of second heaters that are disposed at a position superposed on the first heater unit in the transport direction and that are disposed at positions between adjacent ones of first heating elements of the first heaters in the width directions.

A printing apparatus includes a transport unit for transporting a continuous sheet, a printing unit for printing by discharging ink to the continuous sheet, and a drying unit for drying the ink deposited on the continuous sheet. The drying unit includes a first heater unit for heating a printed surface of the continuous sheet and a second heater unit for heating the opposite surface of the continuous sheet to the printed surface. The first heater unit includes a plurality of first heaters that are disposed at the same position in a transport direction and that are arranged in width directions. The second heater unit includes a plurality of second heaters that are disposed at a position superposed on the first heater unit in the transport direction and that are disposed at positions between adjacent ones of first heating elements of the first heaters in the width directions.

A method for controlling the temperature of a sheet in a printing machine includes measuring initial temperatures in zones on the sheet. Segments of an emitter are actuated in different ways as a function of the measured initial temperatures for irradiating cooler zones to a greater extent and warmer zones to a lesser extent or not at all. A common final temperature or at least a homogenization of the temperature is therefore achieved in the zones.

A method for controlling the temperature of a sheet in a printing machine includes measuring initial temperatures in zones on the sheet. Segments of an emitter are actuated in different ways as a function of the measured initial temperatures for irradiating cooler zones to a greater extent and warmer zones to a lesser extent or not at all. A common final temperature or at least a homogenization of the temperature is therefore achieved in the zones.

A method of heating a print zone disposed between a print-head and a media support device of a printing system includes supplying a first amount of power to a heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a first temperature range to the print zone of the printing system. The method also includes determining whether a temperature of the printhead is within a warning temperature range and, if so, supplying a second amount of power that is less than the first amount of power to the heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a second temperature range to the print zone. Otherwise, the first amount of power is continued to be supplied to the heating assembly.

A method of heating a print zone disposed between a print-head and a media support device of a printing system includes supplying a first amount of power to a heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a first temperature range to the print zone of the printing system. The method also includes determining whether a temperature of the printhead is within a warning temperature range and, if so, supplying a second amount of power that is less than the first amount of power to the heating assembly to form and direct heated air in a second temperature range to the print zone. Otherwise, the first amount of power is continued to be supplied to the heating assembly.