Controlled cooling of print media for a printing system

A method operable in a printing system, wherein the printing system includes a print engine that is operable to apply colorant onto a continuous-form medium, and a radiant dryer disposed downstream of the print engine along a media path, the method comprising:

• estimating a temperature of the medium based on a power applied to the radiant dryer;
• estimating a temperature of a drum disposed downstream of the radiant dryer along the media path, wherein the drum includes an energy source that is operable to heat the drum based on a heating power;
• and
• adjusting the heating power based on the estimate to maintain the temperature of the drum below the temperature of the medium within a threshold amount.

A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions executable by a processor of a printing system, wherein the printing system includes a print engine that is operable to apply colorant onto a continuous-form medium, and a radiant dryer disposed downstream of the print engine along a media path, the instructions directing the processor to:

• estimate a temperature of the medium based on a power applied to the radiant dryer;
• estimate a temperature of a drum disposed downstream of the radiant dryer along the media path, wherein the drum includes an energy source that is operable to heat the drum based on a heating power;
• and
• adjust the heating power based on the estimate to maintain the temperature of the drum below the temperature of the medium within a threshold amount.