Web printer for printing a pattern according to a sample

1. A web printer for printing patterns on continuous print media, the web printer comprising:

a cabinet;

one or more print media cartridges mounted, in a releasable manner, within the cabinet and each carrying a wound length of print media;

one or more ink reservoirs mounted, in a releasable manner, within the cabinet and each storing ink to be printed;

a data capture device configured to capture the identity of identifiers carried by a printed collection of patterns, the printed identifiers uniquely identifying each pattern of the collection;

a processor storing the collection of patterns in digital form, each stored pattern being identified by said identities; and

a stationary printhead mounted within the cabinet to extend transverse to the print media, and configured to receive patterns from the processor for printing and to print a pattern upon the print media with the ink corresponding to the pattern having the identity captured by the data capture device.

2. A web printer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the data capture device comprises a barcode scanner which is tethered to the cabinet and the identifier comprises a barcode which can be read by the barcode scanner.

3. A web printer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the data capture device comprises a touch screen display so that a user can enter the identity in the form of a visible alphanumeric code borne by the identifier.

4. A web printer as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the touch screen display is pivotally mounted with respect to the cabinet so that the touch screen can be tilted by the user.

5. A web printer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cabinet defines a slot through which the printed print media is dispensed and the web printer further comprises a transverse knife located within the cabinet which can be used to separate the dispensed print media from the remaining wound length of print media.

6. A web printer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cabinet defines an upper vent area to facilitate discharge of moist or heated air from within the cabinet.

7. A web printer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cabinet defines a winding well and the web printer further comprises a pair of opposed spindles located in the well operatively to engage with a former upon which the printed print media can be wound, the web printer further comprising a motor for driving at least one of the spindles.

8. A web printer as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising a tape dispenser configured to dispense a portion of adhesive tape by which the printed print media can be affixed to the former.