Patent ID: 8430499
Filing Date: 2013-04-30
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for printing an image on a transparent medium based on a selected mode, the apparatus comprising: a transport unit that transports the transparent medium in a transport direction, a head that ejects UV curable ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles, wherein the plurality of nozzles are arranged on the print head in the transport direction at a predetermined pitch; one or more UV irradiation units and a controller that controls the head to print images by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles to form dots on the transparent medium when positioned over a platen, the controller having a non-transitory memory with programming recorded thereon configured for printing according to a first printing mode and a second printing mode, the first printing and second printing mode selectable through a user interface, wherein when the first mode is selected, the head prints a first image on the transparent medium, prints a background image on the first image, and prints a second image which is different from the first image on the background image, and wherein when the second mode is selected, the head prints a second image on the transparent medium, prints a background image on the second image, and prints a first image on the background image wherein the printhead and transport unit are configured for microfeed printing in which the transport unit transports the transparent medium in the transport direction a distance less than the pre-determined pitch of the plurality of nozzles.