Fixing devices for fixing marking material to a web with contact pre-heating of web and marking material and methods of fixing marking material to a web

A printing apparatus, comprising:

• a marking device for applying marking material to a continuous web;
• and
• a fixing device downstream from the marking device for fixing the marking material to the web, the fixing device comprising:
• a first roll including a heated outer surface;
• a second roll forming a fixing nip with the outer surface of the first roll at which the web is received;
• a third roll positioned to contact the web prior to entering the fixing nip;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism connected to the third roll, the adjustment mechanism being operable to move the third roll to vary a wrap length of the web contacting the outer surface of the first roll upstream from the fixing nip to control pre-heating of the web and marking material, the marking material being disposed on the web during the pre-heating, by contact with the heated outer surface prior to entering the fixing nip;
• wherein the first roll and second roll are operable to apply heat and pressure to the pre-heated web and the pre-heated marking material at the fixing nip to fix the marking material to the web.

A method of fixing marking material to a web, comprising:

• applying a marking material to a continuous web;
• feeding the web to a fixing nip formed by a heated outer surface of a first roll and a second roll;
• positioning a third roll on which the web is entrained upstream from the fixing nip with an adjustment mechanism connected to the third roll;
• moving with the adjustment mechanism the third roll to vary a wrap length of the web contacting the heated outer surface of the first roll upstream from the fixing nip to control pre-heating of the web and marking material by contact with the heated outer surface of the first roll prior to entering the fixing nip;
• and
• applying heat and pressure to the pre-heated web and the pre-heated marking material at the fixing nip with the first roll and second roll to fix the pre-heated marking material to the pre-heated web, the marking material being pre-heated while disposed on the web before the web enters the fixing nip.