Patent ID: 7017486

Claim:
A method of printing a web comprising the steps of: providing at least one printing station, wherein said web enters said station at an intake speed and exits said station at an exit speed; moving the web in a direction towards said at least one printing station at an intake speed; providing a transfer cylinder, wherein said cylinder includes a periphery, said periphery having a portion which is in contact with said web for less than a full 360° revolution of said cylinder; applying at least one printing image to said web in said at least one printing station from said transfer cylinder; moving the web in said printing station at a rate which is higher than said intake speed during a printing operation; providing an impression cylinder which is operatively associated with said transfer cylinder, said impression cylinder having a periphery, and wherein said impression cylinder contacts said web and causes said web to move; altering the movement of said web in said at least one printing station to position said web relative to said transfer cylinder for a following printing operation, wherein said alteration is implemented by a change in the rotational direction of said impression cylinder; providing a first compensation device; allowing the first compensation device to adjust the movement of said web to compensate for differences between the intake speed of said web and the movement of said web caused by said change in rotation of said impression cylinder.