Flatbed Printer Alignment Marks for Full Bleed Print Quality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flatbed printer assemblies face challenges in aligning front and back printed images on cut pieces of recording media, as traditional methods require time-consuming alignment and can affect print quality due to alignment marks being under the printed images, especially when cutting and printing large rigid media.
Innovation Solution
A flatbed printer assembly with a controller that selects and prints alignment marks on both sides of the recording medium before cutting, allowing for precise alignment and printing of images on cut pieces by extracting sub-images for alignment marks that are printed partially in full bleed mode, ensuring they do not interfere with the final images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If alignment marks are added on the jig and piece of recording medium to facilitate alignment, then alignment is easier, but print quality deteriorates because the alignment mark ends up under the printed image
Solution Approach 1:
The image data is segmented into two parts: the main image data and the alignment mark data. The alignment mark is generated as a separate element from the main image, allowing it to be positioned independently. This segmentation enables the alignment mark to be placed in the circumferential region outside the cut path, preventing it from appearing under the final printed image while still facilitating alignment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment mark is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the main image - specifically in the circumferential region outside the cut path rather than within the image area. This dimensional relocation allows the alignment mark to serve its function without interfering with the visual quality of the printed image.
2Manufacturing precision
If the rigid medium is cut before printing to prevent marking material chipping, then print quality is maintained, but alignment time increases when printing on both sides
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment marks are generated and positioned in advance as part of the print data preparation, before the actual printing and cutting operations. This preliminary positioning of alignment marks in the circumferential region ensures that alignment can be performed efficiently on both sides of the medium without requiring additional time-consuming adjustments after cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment mark pattern is copied to both the front and back sides of the recording medium. By having identical alignment marks on both sides positioned in the circumferential region, the system enables rapid alignment when printing on both sides without requiring complex registration procedures, thus reducing alignment time while maintaining print quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If full bleed print mode is used to print images extending to the edge, then visual quality is improved, but alignment becomes more difficult when cutting is involved
Solution Approach 1:
The print area is segmented into the main image area (full bleed) and the circumferential region (for alignment marks). This segmentation allows the main image to extend to the edges for visual quality while the alignment marks are placed in the separate circumferential region, resolving the conflict between full bleed printing and alignment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment mark acts as an intermediary element positioned in the circumferential region outside the cut path. It mediates between the full bleed image requirement and the alignment need by providing a reference point that does not interfere with the full bleed image area, allowing both objectives to be achieved simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A flatbed printer assembly includes a controller for controlling the movements of a gantry, a carriage support and the print head while moving over a medium support table. The controller is configured to receive a print job including a cut path intended to circumvent a piece of the recording medium, a first image intended to be printed on a front side of the piece of the recording medium, a second image intended to be printed on a back side of the piece of the recording medium, wherein at least one of the first and second image is intended to be printed at least partially in a full bleed print mode. Shapes are selected for a first alignment mark for the first image and a second alignment mark for the second image. A first location is determined on the front side of the recording medium according to the selected shape of the first alignment mark. The first location crosses the cut path. A second location on the back side of the recording medium is determined according to the selected shape of the second alignment mark. The second location crosses the cut path. A first sub-image is extracted from the first image which is intended to be printed on the first location of the first alignment mark. A second sub-image is extracted from the second image which is intended to be printed on the second location of the second alignment mark. The first sub-image is printed at the first location as being the first alignment mark. After the recording medium is turned upside down on the medium support table, the second sub-image is printed at the second location as being the second alignment mark.