This disclosure describes substrate(s) formed with a three-dimensional (3D) feature thereon, and method(s) of printing the same. One method includes identifying a plurality of locations on a substrate surface where the three-dimensional feature will be formed, determining a height value of the three-dimensional feature at each location, assigning a grayscale value to each location based on the height value, and applying ink to the substrate surface at each location according to the assigned grayscale value.

A detection segment for use in a device for printing on containers includes an image-capturing device that optically detects a container feature and a sensor interface that interfaces with a sensor that uses a code provided on a retaining-and-centering unit that holds a container to determine a rotational position of that container. A computer connects to the image-capturing device and the sensor unit. The computer determines an alignment variable based on the code and the detected container feature and then forwards this alignment variable to a printer segment on a printer module.

A method is described for radiation-cured relief printing onto containers, where at least two print layers are applied one on top of the other onto a container surface by way of an ink jet and are cured successively by way of irradiation in such a way that the print layers, in particular edge regions thereof, can run over one another and/or alongside one another. As a result, the height and contours of relief-like printed images can be adjusted flexibly and efficiently by radiation-induced limited smoothing.

A can body that has been subjected to outer surface painting (OV), inner surface painting (INS), and a neck process (SDN) but that has not been subjected to image formation is manufactured in a canning factory. The can body that has not been subjected to image formation is shipped to a beverage can manufacturing factory. At the beverage can manufacturing factory, an image formation process using a printer (PR) is performed. Specifically, ink is ejected from an inkjet head toward the can body, to thereby form an image on the outer circumferential surface of the can body. Thereafter, the can body is filled with beverage in a filler (FL), and then a can lid is attached to the can body in a seamer (SM).

The present invention is directed to a glass container having an outer glass surface with an inkjet printed image provided on said surface, characterized in that a CEC with a thickness between 0 to 20 nm is present between the outer glass surface and the inkjet printed image. Such glass container is preferably a one-way beverage bottle. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method of inkjet printing an image on a glass container comprising the steps of: a) manufacturing a glass container having a CEC layer; b) removing at least part of the CEC layer to a level wherein the remaining CEC layer has a thickness of 0 to 20 nm; c) inkjet printing an image on the glass container

An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket. Optionally, the decorator may include two or more support elements.

A printing device including: a print head that performs printing on a printing target; a mount on which the printing target is placed; and a lift that positions a nail of a finger placed on the mount at a proper position appropriate for the printing by lifting the mount, and positions a printing medium other than the nail of the finger placed on the mount at a proper position appropriate for the printing by lifting the mount, wherein the mount includes a nail mount on which the finger or the nail is placed when the printing target is the nail of the finger and a medium mount on which the printing medium is placed when the printing target is the printing medium, and at least one of the nail mount and the medium mount is able to be attached and detached selectively according to the printing target.

A method for producing a relief-like printed image on containers is described in which print layers are layered onto one another by way of jet application of a printing paint, an ink, a varnish, or an adhesive from at least one print head onto a container, thereby producing elevated regions of the printed image. Due to the fact that the print layers are each applied in full tone printing, optical and haptic effects can be created on container surfaces with low equipment complexity and a minimal number of printing steps.

Provided is an object to be printed which can improve the quality of a printed image in inkjet printing on the object to be printed, regardless of the resolution of an inkjet image. In a method for producing an object to be printed having an area to be printed on a surface thereof, a surface of the area to be printed is adjusted so that the area to be printed has a surface energy E (mN/m) of 30 or more and 50 or less. The object to be printed is selected from a can and a film for containers.

Provided is a printer capable of efficiently printing an image on a cylindrical recording medium with simple control.

A plurality of printing start positions are set on an outer circumferential surface of a recording medium. A processor performs transport control of the recording medium for a transport unit and printing control of the recording medium for a printing unit provided in each station. In the transport control, control for the transport unit is performed such that the recording medium is rotated at a constant speed, movement of the recording medium is stopped each time the recording medium arrives at the station, and the movement of the recording medium is restarted after printing at the station is completed. In the printing control, control for the printing unit of each station is performed such that image printing is started from the printing start position that first reaches the printing position.