PRINTING ON A HEATED SUBSTRATE

1 . An ink jet system comprising:

an ink jet printhead for printing solvent ink onto a substrate; and

a heater positioned relative to the substrate sufficient for heating a substrate to a predetermined temperature to slow drop spread of the solvent ink.

2 . The ink jet system of claim 1 , wherein the heater is positioned relative to the printhead.

3 . The ink jet system of claim 1 , wherein the solvent ink comprises a solvent with a boiling point of about 308K to about 464K.

4 . The ink jet system of claim 3 , wherein the heater for heating a substrate heats the substrate to a temperature about ±25% of the boiling point of the solvent.

5 . The ink jet system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller in electrical communication with the heater.

6 . The ink jet system of claim 5 , wherein the controller stores information on material properties of solvent inks and substrates.

7 . The ink jet system of claim 5 , further comprising a fan positioned relative to the substrate.

8 . The ink jet system of claim 7 , wherein the fan electrically communicates with the controller.

9 . The ink jet system of claim 1 , wherein the heater includes a sensor for sensing temperature of the heater.

10 . The ink jet system of claim 5 , further comprising a conveyor for moving a substrate relative to the printhead.

11 . The ink jet system of claim 10 , wherein the conveyor electrically communicates with the controller.

12 . The ink jet system of claim 1 , wherein the heater includes a platen.

13 . The ink jet system of claim 12 , wherein the platen includes openings in communication with a vacuum source.

14 . The ink jet system of claim 1 , wherein the heater is a radiant heat source.

15 . The ink jet system of claim 1 , wherein the heater is a cartridge heater.

16 . The ink jet system of claim 1 , wherein the heater is a hot air source.

17 . An ink jet system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate has a thermal conductivity of about 0.001 W/cmK or greater.

18 . An ink jet system comprising:

an ink jet printhead for printing a solvent ink onto a substrate, the solvent ink comprising a solvent having a boiling point;

a heater positioned relative to the printhead and substrate for heating the substrate to about the boiling point of the solvent; and

a controller in electrical communication with the heater for adjusting temperature of the heater.

19 . A method of printing comprising:

heating a substrate to a predetermined temperature to slow drop spread of a solvent ink; and

printing the solvent ink on the substrate.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising printing the solvent ink with an ink jet printer.

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the solvent ink comprising a solvent having a boiling point, and heating the substrate to about the boiling point of the solvent.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the boiling point of the solvent is about 308K to about 464K.

23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein heating the substrate to about ±25% of the boiling point of the solvent.

24 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising moving a substrate along a conveyor.

25 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising sensing temperature of the heater.

26 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising heating the substrate for about 15 seconds or less.

27 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising heating the substrate with a cartridge heater.

28 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising heating the substrate with a radiant heat source.

29 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising heating the substrate prior to printing the solvent ink on the substrate.

30 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising heating the substrate after printing the solvent ink on the substrate.

31 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising heating a substrate on a platen with openings in communication with a vacuum source.

32 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising adjusting the heating of the heater.