Correcting distortions in digital printing by implanting dummy pixels in a digital image

An apparatus for correcting distortion in image printing, the apparatus comprising:

• an interface, which is configured to receive a digital image acquired from a printed image;
• and
• a processor, which is configured to:
• estimate, based on the digital image, a geometric distortion having a wave-shaped pattern of features formed in the printed image along both a first axis and a second axis, different from the first axis;
• calculate one or more pixel locations that, when multiple dummy pixels are implanted along both the first axis and the second axis, compensate for the wave-shaped pattern of the estimated geometric distortion along both the first and second axes;
• and
• correct the geometric distortion in a subsequent digital image to be printed, by implanting the dummy pixels at the one or more calculated pixel locations along the first and second axes in the subsequent digital image.

A printing system, comprising:

• a printing subsystem comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) configured to receive ink droplets from an image forming station to form an ink image thereon, and to form a printed image by transferring the ink image to a target substrate;
• and
• a processor, which is configured to:
• receive a digital image acquired from the printed image;
• estimate, based on the digital image, a geometric distortion having a wave-shaped pattern of features formed in the printed image along both a first axis and a second axis, different from the first axis;
• calculate one or more pixel locations that, when multiple dummy pixels are implanted along both the first axis and the second axis, compensate for the wave-shaped pattern of the estimated geometric distortion along both the first and second axes;
• and
• correct the geometric distortion in a subsequent digital image to be printed, by implanting the dummy pixels at the one or more calculated pixel locations along the first and second axes in the subsequent digital image,
• wherein the printing subsystem is configured to print the subsequent digital image having the corrected geometric distortion.