# US 8,465,144 B2 · System and method for single pass printing on textiles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,144 B2 - Document ID: US8465144B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/494,421 - Filed: 2012-06-12 - Published: 2012-10-04 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2007-06-29 - Assignees: CafePress Inc. - Applicants: Robert Marino; Fred Edward Durham, III; Christopher Allen Freeman - Inventors: Robert Marino; Fred Edward Durham, III; Christopher Allen Freeman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465144B2 ## CPC - B41J 3/4078: {Printing on textile} - B41J 11/001: {Handling wide copy materials} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract Systems and methods are described for printing directly onto textiles including digitally printing an image in a single pass. The systems and methods provide for printing in one pass, thereby reducing distortion from movement of the textile or misalignment of the print head(s). The systems and methods provide for a second print head that may operate as a redundant print head. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for direct to garment printing comprising: mounting a textile on a platen; disposing at least two print heads having multiple rows of nozzles above the textile wherein the at least two print heads are positioned along a first axis to provide coverage that spans a width of an area of the textile that is to receive a wide-format image, the wide-format image being an image that is wider than a width of one of the print heads; and printing the wide-format image on the textile, wherein the printing includes moving each of the print heads relative to the textile in no more than one direction in a single pass along a second axis and dispensing ink from the multiple rows of nozzles, the first axis being substantially perpendicular to the second axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising curing the printed image. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein printing the image is performed by a controller manipulating the at least two print heads. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the printed image is cured by a curing unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the curing unit is manipulated by the controller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the controller individually manipulates the at least two print heads. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two print heads are ink jet print heads. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second axis is curved. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising pairing each of the at least two print heads with an additional print head to form at least two pairs of print heads above the textile, the additional print head including multiple rows of nozzles, the print heads in each pair being positioned such that the long side of one print head abuts the long side of the other print head, wherein the at least two pairs of print heads are positioned along the first axis to provide coverage that spans a width of an area of the textile that is to receive a wide-format image. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the printing includes dispensing ink from the multiple rows of nozzles as the platen moves in no more than one direction in the single pass relative to the at least two print heads and along the second axis, the at least two print heads remaining stationary and the movement of the platen being manipulated by a controller. ### Claim 11 A system for direct to garment printing comprising: a platen for holding a textile piece; and at least two print heads, the at least two print heads including multiple rows of nozzles for dispensing ink, the print heads being disposed directly above the platen for holding the textile piece and positioned along a first axis to provide coverage that spans a width of an area of the textile that is to receive a wide-format image, wherein the at least two print heads move relative to the textile in no more than one direction along a second axis to dispense the ink to create the wide-format image, the first axis being substantially perpendicular to the second axis, the wide-format image being an image wider than a width of one of the print heads. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, further comprising a controller to manipulate the at least two print heads. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, further comprising a curing unit located above the textile piece. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the controller manipulates the curing unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the at least two print heads are mounted on multiple controller arms that operate independently to individually manipulate each print head. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the at least two print heads are inkjet print heads. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the at least two prints heads comprise a pair of print heads each. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the second axis is curved. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein each of the at least two print heads is paired with an additional print head to form at least two pairs of print heads above the textile, the additional print head including multiple rows of nozzles, the print heads in each pair being positioned such that the long side of one print head abuts the long side of the other print head, wherein the at least two pairs of print heads are positioned along the first axis to provide coverage that spans a width of an area of the textile that is to receive a wide-format image. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein at least two print heads dispense ink from the multiple rows of nozzles as the platen moves in no more than one direction in the single pass relative to the at least two print heads and along the second axis, the at least two print heads remaining stationary and the movement of the platen being manipulated by a controller. ### Claim 21 A method for direct to garment printing comprising: mounting a textile on a platen; disposing at least two pairs of print heads above the textile, the print heads in each pair having multiple nozzles and being positioned such that the long side of one print head abuts the long side of the other print head, wherein the at least two pairs of print heads are positioned along a first axis to provide coverage that spans a width of an area of the textile that is to receive a wide-format image, the wide-format image being an image that is wider than a width of one of the print heads; and printing the wide-format image on the textile, wherein the printing includes moving each pair of print heads relative to the textile in no more than one direction in a single pass along a second axis and dispensing ink from the multiple nozzles, the first axis being substantially perpendicular to the second axis. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the second axis is curved. ### Claim 23 A system for direct to garment printing comprising: a platen for holding a textile piece; and at least two pairs of print heads disposed directly above the platen for holding the textile piece, the print heads within each pair having multiple nozzles for dispensing ink and being positioned such that the long side of one print head abuts the long side of the other print head, the at least two pairs of print heads being positioned along a first axis to provide coverage that spans a width of an area of the textile that is to receive a wide-format image, wherein the at least two pairs of print heads move relative to the textile in no more than one direction along a second axis to dispense the ink to create the wide-format image, the first axis being substantially perpendicular to the second axis, and the wide-format image being an image wider than a width of one of the print heads. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The system of claim 23, wherein the second axis is curved.