Steam-treating printed fibrous sheet material to fix ink printed on the material includes conveying the printed material into a steam chamber on a conveyor with a surface containing condensed water. At least some of the condensed water is transferred to the sheet material on the conveyor.

The inventions relates to a method for producing a decorative workpiece with a structured surface comprising the following steps: (B) applying a first liquid lacquer having a coarse structuring over the entire surface, wherein a difference in thickness between thicker regions and thinner regions is at least 50 μm, in particular at least 100 μm; (E) applying a second liquid, at least partially transparent lacquer for producing a fine structuring in some regions. Furthermore, an apparatus for performing the method and a workpiece produced by the method are claimed.

Thermal transformative variable gloss control produces selectively variable levels of gloss finish on thermoformed materials. In embodiments, the power level of LED curing lamps associated with an ink jet printer that is using thermoforming inks for printing is selectively varied depending upon a desired level of gloss in a finished substrate. Heat treating of the substrate during thermoforming or in an oven develops the glossy finish on the substrate in relation to the level of power applied to the printer LED curing lamps during printing.

A printing apparatus provides a printing path disposed along one level, the printing path having a first portion and second portion, each portion having a printhead associated therewith. The apparatus further includes a drying path along a second level, the drying path including two dryer modules. In one arrangement in which the apparatus can operate, a sheet path provides for printing in the first portion of the print path, drying in the first drying module, printing on the second side of a sheet in the second portion of the sheet path, and drying in the second drying module. In another arrangement in which the apparatus can operate, a sheet path can provide for printing in either or both portions of the sheet path, followed by drying in one or both drying modules and then exit from the apparatus, such as to a second apparatus. The architecture enables the apparatus to function by itself or as part of a multi-apparatus printing system.

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 printing apparatus, such as a large-scale ink jet printer, includes two removable, interchangeable dryer modules, which may be operated separately or in series. Each dryer module permits a sheet or web to pass therethrough in a process direction. Each dryer module includes a lamp mount, suitable for holding one or more heating or curing lamps, the lamp mount being slidably disposed within the module for easy access to the lamps. Each dryer module defines a top portion suitable for maintaining an airflow above the lamp mount, and a bottom portion suitable for maintaining an airflow below the lamp mount. A plate having a pattern of openings therein enables an airflow through the lamps.

An aqueous inkjet ink comprises a compound functionalized with at least two functional groups selected from the group consisting of a primary amine and a secondary amine, a colorant and a polymeric particle comprising an oligomer or polymer having at least 3 repeating units comprising a functional group according to general formula I, II or III general formula I general formula II general formula III

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A cationic polymer nanoparticle, functionalized with primary amines, characterized in that said nanoparticle comprises a resin having at least a) a repeating unit selected from the group consisting of an allyl amine and a vinyl amine, b) an oxalyl amide crosslinking unit and c) a repeating unit according to general formula (I) and/or general formula (II); the particle can be dispersed in an aqueous vehicle to be used in inkjet printing.

An apparatus for printing different colors on packages includes holding-and-centering units, each having a primary and a secondary part. The primary part is held at a holding position during package handling. The secondary part is mounted in the primary part to be rotatable about a vertical axis of the unit. The secondary part receives a functional element necessary for handling a package. A plurality of secondary parts adapted to different types, forms and/or sizes of packages are associated with the primary parts.

An ink set for inkjet printing comprising an aqueous liquid containing an organic resin particle comprising a first resin having at least one repeating unit functionalized with a primary amine and an aqueous inkjet ink containing a colorant and a second resin capable of reacting with the primary amine functional group of the first resin.