Printer component mounting and alignment system

A printing system for printing on a media web moving along a media path comprising:

• a frame that guides the media web along the media path in a direction of media travel;
• a first printer component mounted to the frame adjacent to the media web at a location along the media path;
• a second printer component compliantly mounted to the frame adjacent to the media web at a different location along the media path by a compliant mount, the second printer component being spaced apart from the media web, the compliant mount allowing the second printer component to freely move in a plane including freely moving in the direction of media travel, the compliant mount impeding motion of the second printer component perpendicular to the plane such that changes in the spacing of the second printer component and the media are inhibited;
• and
• a first alignment mechanism and a second alignment mechanism that defines the spacing between the first printer component and the second printer component, the first alignment mechanism being coupled to the first printer component with a zero backlash coupling that allows the first alignment mechanism to pivot freely, within a range of angles, relative to the first printer component and coupled to the second printer component with a zero backlash coupling that allows the first alignment mechanism to pivot freely, within a range of angles, relative to the second printer component, the second alignment mechanism being coupled to the first printer component with a zero backlash coupling that allows the second alignment mechanism to pivot freely, within a range of angles, relative to the first printer component and coupled to the second printer component with a zero backlash coupling that allows the second alignment mechanism to pivot freely, within a range of angles, relative to the second printer component.