# US 2019/0168854 A1 · Sail printing process > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168854 A1 - Document ID: US20190168854A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/267,076 - Filed: 2019-02-04 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-15 - Inventors: DANIEL GOHSTAND - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168854A1 ## CPC - B63H 9/067: Sails characterised by their construction or manufacturing process - B41M 3/00: Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns ({printing apparatus or machines of special type or for particular purposes B41F17/00;} special designs or pictures per se B44F; manufacturing printed circuits using printing techniques H05K3/12 {; manufacturing organic semiconductor devices using printing techniques H10K71/13}) - B41M 5/0047: {by ink-jet printing} - D06P 5/005: {on resin-treated fibres} - G09F 21/18: by ships or other floating means - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P) - D06P: DYEING OR PRINTING TEXTILES; DYEING LEATHER, FURS OR SOLID MACROMOLECULAR SUBSTANCES IN ANY FORM - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS ## Abstract A process of printing an image or images on the sails of a watercraft or other wind powered objects without altering or compromising the efficacy of the sails is described. The process employs a method of printing large-scale, single or multiple panel, continuous, high-resolution photographic and graphic images on wind-catching fabrics. The dynamics and curvatures of a sail are integrated into the manufacturing process when employed for sails, though the process may be applied to any large-scaled fabric print. The process of the present invention produces printed sails providing for the highest resolution photographic, art, and graphic printing with virtually no weight gain, nor effect on the sail's original performance. Modern equipment is employed to achieve printing of realistic, high quality images directly on to the fabric of sails without compromising flexibility or durability, as well as without infringing on the speed and agility of the sailing craft. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for printing high-resolution images to wind-catching fabrics without compromising the performance of the wind-catching fabrics comprising: identifying the size and shape of the wind-catching fabric; selecting at least one image to print to the wind-catching fabric; using image editing software to size the image to the proportions of the wind-catching fabric; using image editing software to edit and prepare the image for three-dimensional software editing; exporting a two-dimensional copy of the at least one image from the image editing software; importing a three-dimensional image file with all geometric features of the wind-catching fabric, including a 1:1 dimension ratio and curvature of the wind-catching fabric; importing the two-dimensional copy of the at least one image on the three-dimensional image file corresponding to the dimensions of the wind-catching fabric; defining the size of the panels to include overlapping sections and margins for printing; placing key lines on the at least one image; exporting the panels as individual digital image files; printing the image of the individual digital image files to the wind-catching fabric using a large-format digital printer, forming printed panels; cutting the printed panels; and sewing the panels together with a sailmaker's loom. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: printing corner reinforcements with a duplicate image; and printing battens with a duplicate image. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: embedding one of the following into the image: a logo, a brand name, text. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein printing is performed by at least one of the following: direct digital inkjet printing with latex, UV curable, or solvent, pigment-based ink. ### Claim 5 A method for printing a high definition image to a functional wind-catching fabric comprising: identifying the size and shape of the wind-catching fabric; selecting an image to print to the wind-catching fabric; printing the image of the individual digital image files to the wind-catching fabric using a large-format digital printer, forming printed panels; cutting the printed panels; and joining the panels together. ### Claim 6 A method for permanently printing high-resolution images to a durable wind-catching fabric without compromising its performance, comprising: identifying the size and shape of the wind-catching fabric; creating or selecting an image to print to the wind-catching fabric; importing a sailmaker design file and at least one image file into an image editing program for scaling of the wind-catching fabric and at least one image to full-size; using image editing software to edit and prepare the image; optionally embedding one of the following into the image: a logo, a brand name, text; exporting a two-dimensional copy of the image to a three-dimensional software; using the three-dimensional software to divide the image into panels for printing unless the wind-catching fabric to be printed is small enough to print as a singular piece of fabric; placing key lines on the image; saving the panels as individual digital image files; exporting the saved panels as individual digital image files; printing the images of the individual digital image files to the wind-catching fabric using a large-format digital printer forming printed panels unless the wind-catching fabric is small enough to print on a singular piece of fabric wherein a single printed panel is formed; printing corner reinforcements with a duplicate image; printing battens with a duplicate image; and cutting the printed panels. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising: joining the printed panels together by plastic welding. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising: sewing the panels together with a sailmaker's loom. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein printing is performed by inkjet printing with latex pigment-based inks. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein printing is performed by inkjet printing with UV curable pigment-based inks. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein printing is performed by inkjet printing with solvent pigment-based inks. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the printed panels are numbered consecutively to facilitate joining of the panels together in series in the correct order to construct the at least one image on a large scale. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising: adding a white barrier if the text is disposed in correspondingly-aligned, mirrored locations on both sides of the wind-catching fabric.