Systems and methods for in-line gel ink mixing

A method for media-specific ink content control for delivering ink having a selected component concentration to a print head for printing on a specific media type, the method comprising:

• determining whether ink content setpoints for the media type are stored in memory;
• and
• acquiring selected media characteristics if setpoints are not stored in memory.

A computer readable recording medium having computer readable instructions, comprising:

• determining whether ink content setpoints for a selected media type are stored in memory;
• acquiring selected media characteristics if setpoints are not stored in memory;
• delivering ink having a selected gel concentration to a print head, the selected gel concentration being based on the setpoints or the acquired media characteristics.

An ink content control system for controlling ink content in accordance with media type, comprising:

• an ink mixing and delivery system configured for delivering ink having a selected ink component concentration to a print head, the ink delivered to the print head being mixed in-line to achieve the selected ink component concentration;
• and
• at least one controller for determining whether ink content setpoints for a selected media type are stored in memory and acquiring selected media characteristics if setpoints are not stored in memory, the selected ink component concentration being based on the setpoints or the acquired media characteristics.

The method of claim 25, the measuring the first ink component comprising weighing the mixing pot to determine a first mixing pot weight;

• delivering the first ink component to the mixing pot until a desired second mixing pot weight is reached;
• and
• delivering the second ink component to the mixing pot until a desired third mixing pot weight is reached.