Patent ID: 7846509

Claim:
A method for forming and finishing a continuous fabric web in a single operation to produce a printing substrate, said method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a continuous warp knit fabric web at a fabric web forming station; (b) receiving said continuous fabric web directly from said fabric web forming station and providing a finishing treatment to said continuous fabric web at a finishing station, said finishing station including: an applicator having (i) a liquid, print receptive coating supply; (ii) an elongated pan extending across the width of said fabric web for containing said liquid coating; and (iii) an elongated knurled roller positioned in said pan in direct contact with said liquid coating and in direct contact with the bottom surface of said fabric web, whereby the rotation of said knurled roller transfers a predetermined amount of said liquid coating to said fabric web, thereby forming a printing substrate having a single fabric layer; and (c) printing directly onto said printing substrate.