Patent ID: 8534824

Claim:
An apparatus for forming an image on a substrate in printing, comprising: a first marking station for applying a first radiation-curable gel ink having a first color to a surface of a substrate; a first partial-curing station downstream from the first marking station including at least one first array of first light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for irradiating the first ink on the surface of the substrate with first radiation to partially-cure, and adjust gloss of, the first ink, each first LED of each first array of first LEDs being individually addressed to vary intensity of the first radiation emitted therefrom as the substrate is passed by the at least one first array of first LEDs; a second marking station downstream from the first partial-curing station for applying a second radiation-curable gel ink having a second color to the surface of the substrate; a second partial-curing station downstream from the second marking station including at least one second array of second LEDs for irradiating the first ink and the second ink on the surface of the substrate with second radiation to further partially-cure the first ink and to partially-cure the second ink to adjust gloss of the first ink and the second ink, each second LED of each second array of second LEDs being individually addressed to vary intensity of the second radiation emitted therefrom as the substrate is passed by the at least one second array of second LEDs; a leveling device configured to apply pressure to the substrate and the partially-cured first ink and second ink to level the first ink and second ink on the surface of the substrate whereby as-leveled first ink and second ink is formed on the surface of the substrate; and a post-leveling curing device configured to irradiate the as-leveled first ink and second ink on the surface of the substrate to substantially-fully cure the first ink and the second ink.