Architecture for the printing of braille dots using UV gel ink

A method useful in printing, the method comprising:

• using an imaging member having at least one surface with an array of cup-shaped mesas, each of which includes a mesa surface for carrying a marking material;
• jetting the marking material using at least one ink jet print head toward the mesa surface;
• wherein the imaging member when pressed against a print substrate deposits the marking material on the print substrate producing a layer with rounded features and no sharp edges;
• wherein the marking material is a gel ink and wherein a height distance between the ink jet print head and the mesa surface is adjustable;
• wherein the height distance is adjusted as an image is built-up by the ink jet print head;
• using a UV radiation source configured to increase a jetted gel ink viscosity before the imaging member contacts the gel ink on the print substrate in a print process;
• wherein a print deposited upon the print substrate is Braille, digital embossing raised print, or a combination of regular print and one or more of Braille, digital embossing and raised print.

A system useful in printing, comprising:

• an imaging member having at least one surface with an array of cup-shaped mesas, each of which includes a mesa surface for carrying a marking material;
• wherein the imaging member when pressed against a print substrate deposits the marking material on the print substrate producing a layer with rounded features and no sharp edges;
• a processor;
• and
• a storage device coupled to the processor, wherein the storage device contains instructions operative on the processor for:
• depositing the marking material using at least one ink jet print head on at least one of the cup-shaped mesas, wherein a height distance between the ink jet print head and the mesa surface is adjustable;
• using a UV radiation source configured to cure a jetted marking material to increase its viscosity before the imaging member contacts the marking material on the print substrate in a print process;
• and
• pressing the imaging member against the print substrate to form an array of marking material mesas thereon;
• wherein a print deposited upon the print substrate is Braille, digital embossing raised print, or a combination of regular print and one or more of Braille, digital embossing and raised print;
• and, wherein the marking material is in a non-liquid state at room temperature and the marking material has a viscosity of a liquid when heated to a temperature useful in a printing method;
• wherein the marking material is a gel ink and wherein a height distance between the ink jet print head and the mesa surface is adjustable;
• wherein the height distance is adjusted as an image is built-up by the ink jet print head.