A printing apparatus provides a conveyance operation in which a conveyance unit conveys a print medium in a conveyance direction, and includes a control unit to control a printing unit such that, in a case where an image is to be printed onto a print medium of a first type in a first state in which the print medium of the first type is supported by a first conveyance member and not supported by a second conveyance member, the printing unit uses a printing element included in a first region from which a distance to the print medium of the first type in a height direction perpendicular to a surface where the printing elements are arrayed is a first distance, and does not use a printing element included in a second region from which a distance to the print medium of the first type in the height direction is a second distance greater than the first distance.

The techniques described herein relate generally to reconfigurable support pads for fabric image transfers. Specifically, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, reconfigurable support pads are provided for fabric image transfers (e.g., silk screening, heat transfer, direct-to-garment printing, etc.). In particular, the techniques herein provide for various adjustable configurations of portions of the fabric substrate support, which may be changed for different thicknesses of garments, and more particularly, that allow for varied thicknesses found on the same garment. For example, by configuring the support in a first “flat” configuration, a plain tee shirt may lay flat, and then configuring the support in a second “two-tiered” configuration, with one portion lower (or higher) than the other, allows for a hoodie with a thicker pocket portion at the “belly” of the garment to also lay flat. Other configurations are also available, whether manually adjusted or else dynamically controlled (e.g., using actuators) based on the type of garment selected on an associated control system.

The techniques described herein relate generally to reconfigurable support pads for fabric image transfers. Specifically, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, reconfigurable support pads are provided for fabric image transfers (e.g., silk screening, heat transfer, direct-to-garment printing, etc.). In particular, the techniques herein provide for various adjustable configurations of portions of the fabric substrate support, which may be changed for different thicknesses of garments, and more particularly, that allow for varied thicknesses found on the same garment. For example, by configuring the support in a first “flat” configuration, a plain tee shirt may lay flat, and then configuring the support in a second “two-tiered” configuration, with one portion lower (or higher) than the other, allows for a hoodie with a thicker pocket portion at the “belly” of the garment to also lay flat. Other configurations are also available, whether manually adjusted or else dynamically controlled (e.g., using actuators) based on the type of garment selected on an associated control system.

The techniques described herein relate generally to reconfigurable support pads for fabric image transfers. Specifically, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, reconfigurable support pads are provided for fabric image transfers (e.g., silk screening, heat transfer, direct-to-garment printing, etc.). In particular, the techniques herein provide for various adjustable configurations of portions of the fabric substrate support, which may be changed for different thicknesses of garments, and more particularly, that allow for varied thicknesses found on the same garment. For example, by configuring the support in a first “flat” configuration, a plain tee shirt may lay flat, and then configuring the support in a second “two-tiered” configuration, with one portion lower (or higher) than the other, allows for a hoodie with a thicker pocket portion at the “belly” of the garment to also lay flat. Other configurations are also available, whether manually adjusted or else dynamically controlled (e.g., using actuators) based on the type of garment selected on an associated control system.

A drop-on-demand plastic card printer includes a tray disposed underneath the plastic card during drop-on-demand printing to catch any overspray that may occur during printing on the plastic card. The tray may be disposable so that the tray is intended to be removed and disposed of. An ink absorbent pad can be disposed in the tray to absorb the oversprayed ink. The ink absorbent pad can be disposed of along with the tray or disposed of separately from the tray.

An inkjet printing machine for printing individual sheets comprises at least one printing station and a transport system defining a transport track (101) for transporting the individual sheets through the printing station, along a transport direction. The transport system comprises a plurality of gripper conveyors (150) running along the transport track (101) for holding the individual sheets during a printing process in the printing station. At least one of the plurality of gripper conveyors (150) comprises a gripper mechanism (175) for gripping a leading edge of one of the individual sheets and at least one of the plurality of gripper conveyors comprises a gripper mechanism (175) for gripping a trailing edge of the individual sheet. The transport system further comprises a linear motor (116, 165) being controllable in such a way that movement of each of the gripper conveyors (150) along the transport track (101) is individually controllable. The printing machine allows for efficient and flexible handling of individual sheets, in particular large format sheets of materials such as corrugated cardboard or other materials that have a certain degree of inherent stability.

An inkjet printing machine for printing individual sheets comprises at least one printing station and a transport system defining a transport track (101) for transporting the individual sheets through the printing station, along a transport direction. The transport system comprises a plurality of gripper conveyors (150) running along the transport track (101) for holding the individual sheets during a printing process in the printing station. At least one of the plurality of gripper conveyors (150) comprises a gripper mechanism (175) for gripping a leading edge of one of the individual sheets and at least one of the plurality of gripper conveyors comprises a gripper mechanism (175) for gripping a trailing edge of the individual sheet. The transport system further comprises a linear motor (116, 165) being controllable in such a way that movement of each of the gripper conveyors (150) along the transport track (101) is individually controllable. The printing machine allows for efficient and flexible handling of individual sheets, in particular large format sheets of materials such as corrugated cardboard or other materials that have a certain degree of inherent stability.

A printing apparatus includes: a head configured to discharge an ink onto a continuous sheet to form an image; a platen including a support face that supports the continuous sheet; a star-wheel-unit holding unit disposed at a position that is downstream of the head in a transport direction of the continuous sheet and is opposed to the support face; and a star wheel unit configured to be attachable to and detachable from the star-wheel-unit holding unit and to support a plurality of star wheels configured to press the continuous sheet on a side of the support face.

A printing apparatus includes: a head configured to discharge an ink onto a continuous sheet to form an image; a platen including a support face that supports the continuous sheet; a star-wheel-unit holding unit disposed at a position that is downstream of the head in a transport direction of the continuous sheet and is opposed to the support face; and a star wheel unit configured to be attachable to and detachable from the star-wheel-unit holding unit and to support a plurality of star wheels configured to press the continuous sheet on a side of the support face.

A direct heat vacuum platen having a main case with an open top portion, a print surface having a main top configured to fit over the open top portion of the main case, the main top having a rectangular arrangement of suction ports configured to secure an above print substrate using suction provided from vacuum fans attached to the main case, heating elements attached to a bottom portion of the main top, a thermoregulator having a thermostat controller attached to temperature sensors and the heating elements within the main case, and a power controller having a power slot attached to a power switch and main fuse holder, a fan fuse holder, the thermostat controller and the suction fans. The suction ports are configured to hold a print substrate of a desired size. The usage of the internal vacuum fans reduces noise and power usage when compared to external vacuum apparatuses.