Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of jigs (broadly, inserts) for use when sublimation printing on socks, production ready sublimation printable socks with preinstalled jigs therein, and related systems and methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a jig includes an upper portion and a lower portion. A first transition or rounded shoulder portion is along a first side of the jig between the upper portion and the lower portion. A second transition or rounded shoulder portion is along a second side of the jig between the upper portion and the lower portion.

A mounting device for holding a hollow cylindrical object, particularly a screw cap, in a printing system, comprises a support member, and a mandrel for receiving a hollow cylindrical object arranged at the support member, and a heating device for heating the hollow cylindrical object mounted at the mandrel. A printing system for printing on hollow cylindrical objects, preferably screw caps, comprises at least one mounting device, and at least one printhead configured to print on surfaces of cylindrical objects, preferably screw caps.

A mounting device for holding a hollow cylindrical object, particularly a screw cap, in a printing system, comprises a support member, and a mandrel for receiving a hollow cylindrical object arranged at the support member, and a heating device for heating the hollow cylindrical object mounted at the mandrel. A printing system for printing on hollow cylindrical objects, preferably screw caps, comprises at least one mounting device, and at least one printhead configured to print on surfaces of cylindrical objects, preferably screw caps.

An automated loading and unloading system for textile printing is disclosed. An example system includes a pallet configured with a label printing portion outside of a frame on an image screen when loaded onto the printing machine. The example system also includes a loading device configured to automatically lift a label area of a textile into position on the label printing portion of the pallet in preparation for a printing operation on the textile. The example system also includes an unloader device configured to automatically remove the label area of the textile from the label printing portion of the pallet following the printing operation on the textile. In an example, a printhead adapter is configured to reach the label printing portion of the pallet for printing on the label area of the textile.

A printer includes a spindle that rotates a fibrous object opposite a plurality of printheads while a forced air heater directs heated air toward the surface of the fibrous object. The plurality of printheads eject drops of solid ink onto the surface of the fibrous object to form a solid ink image on the fibrous object and the heated air affixes the solid ink image to the surface of the fibrous object without requiring pressure to affix the solid ink image to the fibrous object.

The present invention relates to a method for decorating a drinking or eating vessel, the method comprising: a. providing: i. a drinking or eating vessel, wherein the vessel comprises an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving a liquid or a solid food and an outer surface comprising a polymeric coating; and ii. a transfer sheet, wherein the transfer sheet comprises a printed decoration; and iii. a supporting means comprising a recess for receiving the vessel; and b. arranging the vessel within the recess of the supporting means thereby defining a lower portion of the outer surface of the vessel occluded from contact with the transfer sheet and an upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel for contacting the transfer sheet; and contacting the upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel and the supporting means with the transfer sheet under at least a partial vacuum, wherein the printed decoration is transferred from the transfer sheet to the upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel, and wherein the supporting means reduces stretching of the transfer sheet from the upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel to the lower portion of the outer surface of the vessel. Also described are associated uses, an apparatus, and drinking or eating vessels obtainable by the methods of the invention.

A pretreatment assembly includes a product support assembly and a pretreatment device. The product support assembly includes a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly. The primary drive assembly is operatively coupled to the primary support assembly. The primary drive assembly imparts a generally constant motion to the primary support assembly. Each secondary support assembly is structured to support a number of work pieces. Each secondary support assembly is movably coupled to the primary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly is operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. The pretreatment device is disposed adjacent the product support assembly.

A printer includes a spindle that rotates a fibrous object opposite a plurality of printheads while a forced air heater directs heated air toward the surface of the fibrous object. The plurality of printheads eject drops of solid ink onto the surface of the fibrous object to form a solid ink image on the fibrous object and the heated air affixes the solid ink image to the surface of the fibrous object without requiring pressure to affix the solid ink image to the fibrous object.

The present invention relates to a method for decorating a drinking or eating vessel, the method comprising: a. providing: i. a drinking or eating vessel, wherein the vessel comprises an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving a liquid or a solid food and an outer surface comprising a polymeric coating; and ii. a transfer sheet, wherein the transfer sheet comprises a printed decoration; and iii. a supporting means comprising a recess for receiving the vessel; and b. arranging the vessel within the recess of the supporting means thereby defining a lower portion of the outer surface of the vessel occluded from contact with the transfer sheet and an upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel for contacting the transfer sheet; and contacting the upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel and the supporting means with the transfer sheet under at least a partial vacuum, wherein the printed decoration is transferred from the transfer sheet to the upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel, and wherein the supporting means reduces stretching of the transfer sheet from the upper portion of the outer surface of the vessel to the lower portion of the outer surface of the vessel. Also described are associated uses, an apparatus, and drinking or eating vessels obtainable by the methods of the invention.

A system for printing on containers or vessels, such as plastic cups, may use one or more inkjet printer head to produce an image on the exterior of a vessel. A planar digital image may be transposed to a surface corresponding to the surface of a vessel being printed upon. A dial driven by an indexer may bear a plurality of mandrels through stations within the system to print, cure, and process images and/or the vessel surface. Each mandrel may receive a vessel and then transport the vessel to at least one printing station and at least one curing station before the vessel is removed from the mandrel.