PRE-TREATMENT METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTACT LEVELING RADIATION CURABLE GEL INKS

摘要

A radiation curable gel ink printing system includes a radiation source that is configured to emit UV light having short wavelength components. The system is configured to transport a substrate having radiation curable gel ink deposited thereon to the radiation source to expose the ink to the radiation source; the exposure may be continuous or pulsed as appropriate. The radiation source may be configured a distance away from the ink on the substrate. The radiation source is configured to pre-treat the ink before spreading the ink at a contact-leveling nip wherein a contact member applies pressure to the ink against the substrate. The ink is preferentially cured to allow spreading of the ink by the contact member while limiting offset of the ink onto the contact member.