In some examples, a gravure printing unit for printing onto a substrate includes a forme cylinder that has an image-forming pattern of recesses, and comprising an inking unit for inking the pattern of recesses on the forme cylinder. The inking unit includes a first inking unit cylinder having recesses that correspond to the recesses on the forme cylinder, an inking device, and a second inking unit cylinder that cooperates with the first inking unit cylinder. The linear recesses on the first inking unit cylinder that correspond to continuous linear recesses on the forme cylinder include at least one supporting ridge, which interrupts the recess on the first inking unit cylinder that corresponds to the continuous linear recess on the forme cylinder, and the upper surface of which lies at the level of an undisrupted and non-engraved outer cylindrical surface of the first inking unit cylinder.

In some examples, a gravure printing unit for printing onto a substrate includes a forme cylinder that has an image-forming pattern of recesses, and comprising an inking unit for inking the pattern of recesses on the forme cylinder. The inking unit includes a first inking unit cylinder having recesses that correspond to the recesses on the forme cylinder, an inking device, and a second inking unit cylinder that cooperates with the first inking unit cylinder. The linear recesses on the first inking unit cylinder that correspond to continuous linear recesses on the forme cylinder include at least one supporting ridge, which interrupts the recess on the first inking unit cylinder that corresponds to the continuous linear recess on the forme cylinder, and the upper surface of which lies at the level of an undisrupted and non-engraved outer cylindrical surface of the first inking unit cylinder.

A gravure printing unit is usable for printing onto substrate according to a gravure printing method. The gravure printing unit has a forme cylinder, which comprises, on its circumference, an image-forming pattern of recesses, and has an inking unit for inking the pattern of recesses provided on the forme cylinder. The inking unit comprises a first inking unit cylinder, which comprises recesses in a region of its outer cylindrical surface that correspond to the recesses on the forme cylinder, and which form a nip point downstream with a second inking unit cylinder, which comprises, on its circumference, ink-transferring elevations or raised areas. The recesses are formed on the outer cylindrical surface of an ink transfer forme sheath. The first inking unit comprises a cylinder body which is or which can be mounted rotatably in the inking unit and on which a circumferentially closed ink transfer forme sheath, that carries the recesses of the first inking unit cylinder on its outwardly facing surface, is or can be detachably arranged. A printing press has such a gravure inking unit. A setting up method, an ink transfer forme sheath, and a method for producing the same are also disclosed.

A printing press for printing on metal cans includes a plurality of inkers. Each inker prints a different color ink on the cans, and includes a first module, a second module, a roller and a support member. The first module has motors to drive output shafts. The second module has ink displacement units, an ink inlet to provide ink to the ink displacement units, ink channels to transfer ink from the ink displacement units to ink outlets of the second module and input shafts to removably couple to the output shafts of the first module. The roller receives ink from the ink displacement units and transfers the ink toward the cans. The support member supports the first and second modules in at least one position relative to the roller. The support member facilitates removal of the second module by a press operator for cleaning the ink channels.

A printing press for printing on metal cans includes a plurality of inkers. Each inker prints a different color ink on the cans, and includes a first module, a second module, a roller and a support member. The first module has motors to drive output shafts. The second module has ink displacement units, an ink inlet to provide ink to the ink displacement units, ink channels to transfer ink from the ink displacement units to ink outlets of the second module and input shafts to removably couple to the output shafts of the first module. The roller receives ink from the ink displacement units and transfers the ink toward the cans. The support member supports the first and second modules in at least one position relative to the roller. The support member facilitates removal of the second module by a press operator for cleaning the ink channels.

Methods, apparatuses and systems for printing an ink pattern on a moving web via die cutting are provided. A die roll including an inked pattern of die blades contacts a substrate to cut or cleave the substrate surface. While the die blades withdraw from the substrate, at least some of the ink transfers from the die blades to the cut substrate to form an ink pattern.

Methods, apparatuses and systems for printing an ink pattern on a moving web via die cutting are provided. A die roll including an inked pattern of die blades contacts a substrate to cut or cleave the substrate surface. While the die blades withdraw from the substrate, at least some of the ink transfers from the die blades to the cut substrate to form an ink pattern.

A system for printing 7 or more inks on a substrate is disclosed. The system can include: 6 or less rotating rolls disposed in operative relationship with a substrate, wherein each of the rotating rolls can comprise a vascular network configured for transporting at least one of the 7 or more inks in a predetermined path from an interior region to an exterior surface of the rotating roll. The vascular network can have at least one main artery, at least one capillary and a plurality of fluid exits on the exterior surface. At least one capillary is attached to a main artery and is in fluid communication with at least two fluid exits through a substantially radial fluid path to form a tree.

A system for printing 7 or more inks on a substrate is disclosed. The system can include: 6 or less rotating rolls disposed in operative relationship with a substrate, wherein each of the rotating rolls can comprise a vascular network configured for transporting at least one of the 7 or more inks in a predetermined path from an interior region to an exterior surface of the rotating roll. The vascular network can have at least one main artery, at least one capillary and a plurality of fluid exits on the exterior surface. At least one capillary is attached to a main artery and is in fluid communication with at least two fluid exits through a substantially radial fluid path to form a tree.

A method for printing 7 or more inks on a substrate. The method can include the steps of: providing a substrate; providing 7 or more inks; and providing a print system, the print system comprising 6 or less rotating rolls. Each of the 6 or less rotating rolls can be disposed in an operative relationship to transport at least one of the 7 or more inks to a vascular network in one of 6 or less rotating rolls. The method includes contacting the substrate with the at least one of the 7 or more inks.