An automated system and method of printing designs. The system and method can manage print content by application of programmable inks to selected areas in the packaging where frequently modified designs are printed. Such an approach allows the area to be precisely activated to correspond to the target pattern of the desired design and permanently change color. In some embodiments, any change in the text on the packaging/label would then only need to be translated into a corresponding UV or heat pattern, thereby avoiding the production of a new print cylinder to print the changed design. The proposed embodiments are effective in reducing downtime during print operations as well as expanding the capacity of the print apparatus to dynamically respond to changes in print designs.

Method for applying an image built up of multiple ink layers on a face of a container A method for applying an image built up of multiple ink layers on a face of a container, in particular a cup, is provided. In the method. UV curable process colour inks are provided as primary colours of a CMYK colour system, the UV curable process colour inks having different viscosity in substantially non-overlapping viscosity ranges and the UV curable process colour inks are applied to the blanket in an order of decreasing viscosity. Also, several components of a flexographic transfer printing system which are compatible for use with the method are provided.

Method for applying an image built up of multiple ink layers on a face of a container A method for applying an image built up of multiple ink layers on a face of a container, in particular a cup, is provided. In the method. UV curable process colour inks are provided as primary colours of a CMYK colour system, the UV curable process colour inks having different viscosity in substantially non-overlapping viscosity ranges and the UV curable process colour inks are applied to the blanket in an order of decreasing viscosity. Also, several components of a flexographic transfer printing system which are compatible for use with the method are provided.

A method is provided for printing to a target. The method includes printing a first image to the target. The first image is printed with a metallic material. The method also includes printing a second image to the target over the first image. The second image is printed with a colored semi-transparent material.

A method of inkjet printing a colour image including a metallic or pearlescent colour includes the steps of applying on part of an ink receiver a layer containing a pearlescent or metallic pigment having a volume mean particle size of at least 4.0 m as measured by laser diffraction; and inkjet printing on part of the layer containing the pearlescent or metallic pigment a layer with an opaque colour inkjet ink containing a chromatic colour pigment and a white pigment.

A method of inkjet printing a colour image including a metallic or pearlescent colour includes the steps of applying on part of an ink receiver a layer containing a pearlescent or metallic pigment having a volume mean particle size of at least 4.0 m as measured by laser diffraction; and inkjet printing on part of the layer containing the pearlescent or metallic pigment a layer with an opaque colour inkjet ink containing a chromatic colour pigment and a white pigment.

In a printing press and attached onto the transfer cylinders, an anti-marking system that uniformly supports the transport and the release of the wet printed sheet from one station to the next. The anti-marking sheet consists of a two plus layer system, the outer layer being a textured surface and the inner layer being a microcellular material that is both compressible and resilient. The outer textured layer may be treated with either conductive/anti-static layers or an ink repellent layer or both. The two plus layer system is easily attached to both transfer cylinders and tracking/skeleton wheels using any combination of fixtures from Velcro, magnetic, metallic, and pressure sensitive double sided tape to elastic loops.

In a printing press and attached onto the transfer cylinders, an anti-marking system that uniformly supports the transport and the release of the wet printed sheet from one station to the next. The anti-marking sheet consists of a two plus layer system, the outer layer being a textured surface and the inner layer being a microcellular material that is both compressible and resilient. The outer textured layer may be treated with either conductive/anti-static layers or an ink repellent layer or both. The two plus layer system is easily attached to both transfer cylinders and tracking/skeleton wheels using any combination of fixtures from Velcro, magnetic, metallic, and pressure sensitive double sided tape to elastic loops.

The present invention concerns a method for manufacturing patterned porous substrates with hidden color patterns by forming hydrophobic patterns on a hydrophilic surface, wherein structural channels are formed as a pattern in a porous substrate using a hydrophobic printing solution lacking colorant, and wherein a colored area is applied on the rear surface of the porous substrate. Further, the present invention concerns said patterned porous substrate and a method for bringing said pattern into a visible state.

The present invention concerns a method for manufacturing patterned porous substrates with hidden color patterns by forming hydrophobic patterns on a hydrophilic surface, wherein structural channels are formed as a pattern in a porous substrate using a hydrophobic printing solution lacking colorant, and wherein a colored area is applied on the rear surface of the porous substrate. Further, the present invention concerns said patterned porous substrate and a method for bringing said pattern into a visible state.