Print surface positioning system for food product printer

A sensor system for positioning a food product with respect to a print head for printing on a surface thereof, the system comprising:

• an emitter comprising a plurality of light sources arranged in a linear array;
• a sensor for receiving at least a portion of light emitter from the plurality of light sources;
• and
• a filter positioned between the emitter and sensor and configured to filter out ambient light, selected wavelengths of light, or a combination thereof;
• wherein the sensor system is configured for detecting a position of a surface of the food product positioned on a moveable support surface with respect to the print head and wherein the sensor provides a signal to the printer indicative of a position of the surface of the food product and wherein the moveable support surface is adjustable in response thereto.

A method of detecting and adjusting a position of a print surface of a food product for printing content thereon, the method comprising

• retracting a support surface holding a food product thereon into a printer for positioning the food product below a print head of the printer;
• detecting a position of a print surface of the food product below the print head of the printer;
• and
• printing content directly on a surface of the food product.