Patent ID: 9555646
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: B41J

Claim:
1. A method of printing an image with a printing head on a printing surface of a base of an article of footwear, wherein the base includes a first region, a middle region and a second region, the middle region being disposed between the first and second regions, wherein the middle region includes a portion that is raised with respect to the printing surface of the base, and wherein a thickness of the second region of the base is greater than a thickness of the first region of the base, the method comprising: depressing the raised portion against the printing surface of the middle region of the base so that the raised portion extends less than about 5 mm above the printing surface of the base; tilting the first region of the base with respect to the second region of the base toward the printing head so that the printing head is spaced approximately the same distance from the printing surface in the first region and in the second region of the base; and depositing ink from the printing head on the printing surface of the first region, the middle region and the second region of the base.