Gas cushion apparatus and techniques for substrate coating

A method of providing a layer on a substrate, the method comprising:

• transferring the substrate to a coating system;
• printing a liquid coating on a specified region on a first side of the substrate while the substrate is located in a printing zone of the coating system and while the substrate is supported in the printing zone by a gas cushion provided to a second side of the substrate opposite the first side;
• conveying the substrate from the printing zone to a treatment zone of the coating system while supporting the substrate using the gas cushion provided to the second side of the substrate;
• and
• treating the liquid coating in the treatment zone to solidify the liquid coating on the specified region so as to form the layer of material, the treating occurring while supporting the substrate in the treatment zone using the gas cushion provided to the second side of the substrate.