Printing systems and methods
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsOmer Gila, Napoleon J. Leoni
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and associated methods of printing using ink-jet technology and offset printing capabilities are provided. The method can comprise jetting an ink onto a printing blanket, where the ink comprises a carrier and a pigment colorant, and where the carrier substantially free of polymers. Additional steps include developing the ink to create a print image on the printing blanket; applying a layer of wetting fluid to a surface of a print medium, where the surface includes a coating comprising a polymer; heating the surface to a print-receptive temperature that is lower than the softening temperature of the polymer, causing softening of the polymer; and transferring the print image from the printing blanket to the surface.
Claims10
A system for printing, comprising:
- an ink comprising a carrier and a colorant, said carrier being substantially free of polymer;
- a printing blanket configured to receive a printed image formed by jetting the ink;
- a paper medium having a surface coated with a polymer, wherein said polymer has a softening temperature;
- a wetting unit configured to apply a layer of wetting fluid to the surface;
- a heating unit configured to heat the surface to a print-receptive temperature that softens the polymer, wherein the print-receptive temperature is lower than the softening temperature;
- and
- a transfer unit configured to place the paper medium in contact with the printed image so that the printed image is transferred onto the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.