Apparatus and method for applying a release agent to a substrate having a print image

An apparatus useful in printing, comprising:

• a donor roll to advance a substrate and to cause release agent application onto a first surface of the substrate, wherein the substrate has a first surface and a second surface;
• a release agent applicator to apply release agent to the donor roll;
• a release agent supply device including a plurality of holes, wherein each hole is adapted to dispense by dripping a release agent on the release agent applicator;
• a release agent metering device configured to control an amount of release agent to be applied to the substrate, wherein the metering device may be adjusted or preset to cause an amount of release agent applied to the donor roll to remain on the donor roll for application to the substrate;
• a drip tray located below the release agent metering device so that excess release agent from the donor roll may be gravity fed to the drip tray;
• wherein the donor roll is configured to accommodate the substrate under a tension over at least a portion of a circumference of the donor roll such that a pressure is exerted between the donor roll and the first surface of the substrate;
• wherein the release agent supply device is a drip tube configured to supply the release agent applicator with release agent to be applied to the first surface of the substrate by way of plurality of holes along a length of the drip tube;
• wherein the release agent supply device and the release agent applicator are configured to apply release agent an entirety of the first surface of the substrate that corresponds to one or more determined locations of one or more images applied to the substrate.