Systems and methods for monitoring overprint orientation

A method of monitoring orientation of an overprint on a substrate, comprising:

• mechanically printing a fixed field on the substrate at a first speed;
• mechanically printing one or more orientation indicators in a blank field on the substrate at the first speed;
• digitally overprinting the blank field at a second speed;
• and
• determining if the one or more orientation indicators are visible.

An overprint orientation system for printing on a film or a printable or décor-able substance, comprising:

• a mechanical printer for printing at a first speed a fixed field and one or more orientation indicators within a blank field;
• a digital printer for overprinting at a second speed the blank field to create a variable field;
• and
• an orientation sensor;
• the orientation sensor determining whether the one or more orientation indicators are visible such that a misaligned variable field may be determined.

An overprint label, comprising:

• a plurality of fields;
• an overlap area adjacent to the plurality of fields;
• a first ink printed on a first field;
• an orientation indicator printed in the overlap area in the first ink;
• a second ink printed on the first field;
• and
• an eye mark printed in the overlap area in the second ink;
• wherein the first ink and the second ink are properly aligned if the orientation indicator is not visible.