Process and Device for Printing a Substrate

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for printing a substrate. The printable substrate is moved through at least one printing mechanism in order to print a static or non-variable printing image. According to the invention, the printable substrate is moved through at least one printing device, which is coupled in-line to the printing mechanism to individualize the static pattern with at least one dynamic or variable printing image.

1 . A method for printing on a substrate, comprising:
 printing a static or unchanging image on the substrate and to receive a data stream containing data for the static or unchanging image;   individualizing the static or unchanging image by adding at least one dynamic or changing image to the substrate, including printing the at least one dynamic or changing image after receiving a data stream containing data for the at least one dynamic or changing image, by printing at least one of fragrances, varnishes, electrical conductors and semiconductor circuits,   wherein image information from a plurality of data streams is printed inline on the substrate in a single workflow.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the static or unchanging image is printed by one of an offset printing unit, a gravure printing unit and a flexographic printing unit. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dynamic or changing image is printed by two ink-jet printing devices. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dynamic or changing image is printed by electrophotography, magnetography, electrocoagulation and ionography. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an open-loop or closed-loop control unit manually or automatically controls at least one printing unit configured to print the static or unchanging image and at least one printing device configured to print the at least one dynamic or changing image to guarantee an integrated data flow. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of data streams comprises three data streams, one data stream corresponding the static or unchanging image and the other two data streams corresponding to two dynamic or changing images printed by the two ink-jet printing devices. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the printing step of at least one of the fragrances, varnishes, electrical conductors and semiconductor circuits includes printing of at least one of individual text data and image data. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the printing step further includes printing of individual logistics data in addition to the at least one of individual text data and image data. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a first ink-jet printing device of the two ink-jet printing devices prints a first dynamic or changing image and a second ink-jet of the two ink-jet printing devices prints a second dynamic or changing image, the first dynamic or changing image partially individualizing the copies in that a partial quantity of the total copies have the same of the first dynamic or changing image, the second dynamic or changing image completely individualizing the copies in that each second dynamic or changing image on each of the copies is unique. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first dynamic or changing image is formed of the at least one of printed fragrances, printed varnishes, printed electrical conductors and printed semiconductor circuits. 
     
     
         11 . A printed substrate, comprising a plurality of copies of a printed object, each of the copies including:
 a static or unchanging image on the substrate that is the same for each of the copies; and   at least one dynamic or changing image that individualizes the copies and is formed of at least one of individual text data, individual image data, individual logistics data, printed fragrances, printed varnishes, printed electrical conductors and printed semiconductor circuits.   
     
     
         12 . The printed substrate of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one dynamic or changing image comprises a first dynamic or changing image and a second dynamic or changing image, the first dynamic or changing image partially individualizing the copies in that a partial quantity of the total copies have the same of the first dynamic or changing image, the second dynamic or changing image completely individualizing the copies in that each second dynamic or changing image on each of the copies is unique. 
     
     
         13 . The printed substrate of  claim 12 , wherein the first dynamic or changing image is formed of at least one of printed fragrances, printed varnishes, printed electrical conductors and printed semiconductor circuits.