Absorbent articles having variable data thereon and systems and methods for printing such articles

Abstract

Printed articles having unique data thereon, and flexible substrate printing systems and methods that allow for customization of flexible, absorbent substrates. Customization is accomplished by printing variable data on substrate stock in a single run or production pass such that at least some of the articles in a set of articles contains printed matter different from printed matter on other articles in the same set. The substrate stock can include napkin material, toilet tissue material, paper towel material, or any other similar substrate. One or more print engines are configured to receive substrate stock from the conveyor and print variable matter on the substrate stock. The methods and systems allow for economical and efficient production of small or large customer orders without the need to produce individual printing dies or plates.

1 . A system for customizing at least one individual napkin in a set of napkins, the system comprising:
 a database or files containing a set of data to be printed on a set of napkins in a single run, wherein the set of data comprises variable data to be printed on a napkin or napkins within the set of napkins in a single run;   napkin stock comprising a plurality of napkins;   at least one digital printing engine adapted to print the napkin stock with the set of variable data, wherein the at least one digital printing unit is plateless or dieless; and   means for transporting the napkin stock to and from the at least one digital printing engine,   wherein at least one of the individual napkins in the set of napkins printed in a single run contains printed data different from the printed data on other individual napkins in the set of napkins printed in the single run.