Method and apparatus for load-locked printing

A printing system comprising:

• at least one print-head;
• a housing comprising a sealable print-head chamber enclosing the at least one print head, the print-head chamber disposed between a sealable inlet chamber and a sealable outlet chamber, the print-head chamber configured to be sealed prior to deposition of a quantity of organic material onto the substrate;
• an inlet sealing partition and an outlet sealing partition disposed in communication with said print-head chamber, the sealing partitions adapted for receiving and dispatching the substrate, respectively;
• an inert gas input in communication with the print-head chamber, the inert gas input configured to provide an inert gas environment within the print-head chamber;
• a floatation system configured to floatingly support the substrate in and through the chambers, the floatation system comprising a plurality of fluid nozzles configured for floating support of the substrate via a plurality of inlet pressure ports and vacuum outlet ports while the print head delivers the quantity of organic material onto the substrate;
• and
• a controller in communication with the print head, the chambers, the partitions, and the floatation system, the controller configured to:
• operate the inlet sealing partition such that the substrate can be transported into the print-head chamber,
• energize the print-head to deposit the quantity of the material onto the substrate when the substrate is at a controlled height in the print-head chamber via control of pressure inlet and vacuum outlet ports of the floatation system, and
• operate the outlet sealing partition such that the substrate can be transported from the print-head chamber.