Use of a sense mark to control a printing system

摘要

A printing system includes a first imaging unit configured to print a first image and a single registration mark associated with the first image on a substrate contemporaneously during a production run, and a sensor configured to detect the registration mark at a point where the registration mark is within a second imaging unit. The printing system further includes a controller configured to calculate an offset along a width direction of the substrate based on the single registration mark and to instruct the second imaging unit to print the second image on the substrate. The second image is shifted in its entirety in accordance with the calculated offset and is printed on the same side of the substrate as the first image.

主权项

1. A printing system, comprising:
an apparatus to transport a web; a first imaging unit configured to print on the web; a controller for controlling the first imaging unit to print on the web a first image and a single registration mark associated with the first image contemporaneously during a production run; a second imaging unit configured to print on the web a second image; a sensor configured to detect the registration mark at a point where the registration mark is within a second imaging unit, and a sense mark; the controller further configured to calculate an offset along a width direction of the web based on the position of the single registration mark on the web and to instruct the second imaging unit to print the second image on the web at a location in accordance with the calculated offset and the detection of the sense mark, wherein the second image is shifted in its entirety in accordance with the calculated offset and is printed on the same side of the web as the first image.