Mass customization of articles having dimensional and/or animated images

Abstract

Mass customization of articles with a customized composite or dimensional image created from one or more custom images, such as photographs, text, and the like. The customized composite image is automatically generated by interlacing, or otherwise combining, the one or more custom or personalized images, and is automatically placed or imposed in a digital template to form a print ready file. The print file is then digitally printed on a substrate and a lens is married thereto such that the composite image is viewable through the lens. Alternatively, the print ready file, or at least the customized composite image, is printed directly on the back of a lens such that the composite image is viewable through the lens.

1 . A system for customizing articles having one or more visual effects formed from a customized composite image and a lens array, the articles including variable data, the system comprising:
 a production site adapted to receive a digital data file containing a variable data set, each piece of data of the variable data set being different from another piece, wherein the production site automatically combines at least some individual pieces of the variable data set with at least a second image file or second text file to form a customized composite image, the customized composite image being adapted to produce a visual effect when coupled with a lens array, and wherein the production site further inserts the customized composite image into a field of a template to form a final print file; and   a digital printing device, wherein the printing device communicates with the production site to print the final print file on a substrate,   wherein the printed substrate is coupled to a lens array such that the composite image is viewable through the lens array, thereby producing the one or more visual effects.   
     
     
         2 - 27 . (canceled)