Methods for manufacturing printed laminates

A method for manufacturing a printed laminate on an absorbent article manufacturing line, the method comprising:

• conveying a first extensible material toward a point of joinder in a machine direction while straining the first material in the machine direction at a first strain, wherein the first extensible material comprises a plurality of repeating graphic sets, and wherein the plurality of repeating graphic sets each comprise a repeating graphic set length;
• separately, conveying a second extensible material toward the point of joinder in the machine direction while straining the second material in the machine direction at a second strain, wherein the second strain is different than the first strain;
• measuring at least some of the plurality of repeating graphic set lengths using a sensor upstream of the point of joinder while the first extensible material is under the first strain;
• comparing the repeating graphic set length to a predetermined laminate pitch;
• adjusting the first strain until the repeating graphic set length corresponds to the predetermined laminate pitch;
• conveying a plurality of elastic strands toward the point of joinder;
• joining the first material and the second material at the point of joinder to form a printed elastic laminate comprising the first extensible material, the second extensible material, and the plurality of elastic strands, wherein the plurality of elastic strands are positioned intermediate the first extensible material and the second extensible material;
• and
• joining the printed elastic laminate with a portion of an absorbent article chassis downstream of the point of joinder.

A method for manufacturing a printed laminate on an absorbent article manufacturing line, the method comprising:

• conveying a first extensible nonwoven material toward a point of joinder in a machine direction while straining the first material in the machine direction at a first strain, wherein the first extensible nonwoven material comprises a plurality of repeating graphic sets, and wherein the plurality of repeating graphic sets each comprise a repeating graphic set length;
• separately, conveying a second extensible nonwoven material toward the point of joinder in the machine direction while straining the second material in the machine direction at a second strain, wherein the second strain is greater than the first strain, and wherein the second strain is constant, and wherein the second strain is in the range of about 0.5% to about 3%;
• measuring at least some of the plurality of repeating graphic set lengths using a sensor upstream of the point of joinder while the first extensible material is under the first strain;
• comparing the repeating graphic set length to a predetermined laminate pitch;
• adjusting the first strain until the repeating graphic set length corresponds to the predetermined laminate pitch;
• conveying a plurality of elastic strands toward the point of j oinder;
• and
• joining the first material and the second material at the point of joinder to form a printed elastic laminate comprising the first extensible material, the second extensible material, and the plurality of elastic strands, wherein the plurality of elastic strands are positioned intermediate the first extensible material and the second extensible material.