DE102013009812A1 - Intermediate medium of printing device e.g. sheet-fed offset printing machine, has single-colored printing units or print heads that are provided to generate multi-color print image on intermediate carrier provided with plates - Google Patents

Abstract

The intermediate medium has single-colored printing units (1a-1e) or print heads that are provided to generate a multi-color print image on an intermediate carrier. The multi-color print image is transferred from the intermediate carrier to a print material. The intermediate carrier is made of one or more plates (11a-11d) made of metal, plastic or composite materials. The plates are coated with paint or ink or re-emitting material such as rubber, silicone rubber and Teflon (RTM: PTFE). The plates are provided with metallic or metal-oxide surfaces. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a printing device; and (2) an indirect printing method.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for the indirect printing of printing substrates by means of an intermediate carrier, on which a multicolored print image of a plurality of single-color printing units or printheads is generated and then transmitted from the intermediate carrier to the printing substrate. Such indirect printing methods are known both in offset printing but also in digital printing. That's how it describes DE 3901174 a printing device with an endlessly circulating rubber band or band, are mounted on the blanket pieces and are used to collect the composite of several plate cylinders for each color then multicolor print image. In the US 2008/0166495 A1 a similar machine for indirect inkjet printing is disclosed. This comprises a central circulating transfer belt as an intermediate for the inks, which are jetted by four printheads on the tape. Subsequently, the transfer of the inks or the printed image takes place in a heated printing nip on a substrate web, on which the ink is finally heat treated again.

The use of a tape as an intermediate carrier, however, has disadvantages. Thus, on the one hand, the band must be soft and yielding, in order to ensure the transfer of the printed image in the printing nip, on the other hand also sufficiently rigid to be able to be guided accurately enough and, in turn, flexible enough to be able to follow the drive and deflection rollers. Such bands are therefore usually made of textile-reinforced rubber. On the other hand, this material is not well suited to withstand the temperature required to dry the printed image or to supply or dissipate the heat energy.

It is also already known to conceive intermediate carriers for indirect printing processes in the form of cylinders. So is in the US 2004/0060921 a printing machine for indirect inkjet printing, which has a central transfer cylinder instead of a belt. This transfer cylinder is heated by a heating device arranged in the interior of the cylinder. In many indirect printing processes, however, a whole series of different process steps are required, starting with the pretreatment of the surface of the intermediate carrier, the printing of the monochrome images, drying, transfer to the substrate, optionally the cleaning of the surface, etc. When using a cylinder as an intermediate carrier The corresponding auxiliary devices are all to be arranged on the periphery, whereby such printing machines build very voluminous.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for indirect printing, in which at least some of the above-mentioned problems are avoided or can be solved in a simpler manner.

This object is achieved with the measures specified in claims 1 and 15, respectively.

According to the invention, the intermediate carrier for the indirect printing process consists of one or more plates. As far as there are several plates these can be conveniently performed on a continuous web circulating through the printing units or passed under the printheads. As far as the intermediate carrier is a plate, it can also be moved cyclically between the printing units on the one hand or printheads and the contact area with the printing substrate or printing material on the other hand.

The formation of the intermediate carrier as a plate has several advantages. So this can be carried out sufficiently rigid and thus ensure that the individual colors are collected in register on the plate surface and transferred to the printing substrate. Furthermore, a plate-shaped intermediate carrier is subject to less wear than an endless rubber band. And of course, for example, a metal-made intermediate support plate, even if it bears on the surface of a rubber coating, better heat, even from the inside and is more resistant to heat than a textile-reinforced rubber band. It is therefore expedient, designed as a plate intermediate carrier made of metal, for. As aluminum as stainless steel, or a hard plastic preferably a composite material such. B. CFRP, wherein the surfaces of the plate to optimize the ink-accepting / ink-dispensing properties and to achieve a certain elasticity when transferring the printed image on the substrate z. B. by rubber, silicone rubber o. Ä. Materials can be coated. For the drive of the plate-shaped intermediate carrier linear motors can be used with advantage, of which the plates are preferably performed on both sides on an endless path between the printing units through or under the printheads through to the contact point with the substrate. Optionally, the plates are passed over to driers on the way there and, if appropriate, thereafter and before re-printing brought into contact with cleaning devices.

Advantageously, for this purpose, for example, in the DE 10047395 A1 or the US 6923119 B1 , of the EP 0907515 B1 or the EP 1529639 B1 described double-sided linear drive can be used for sheet guiding in a printing press. On the revelation content of mentioned documents will be expressly incorporated herein by reference. When using the in the EP 1529639 B1 described linear drive, it is also possible auszuschleusen the rotating, plate-shaped intermediate carrier and re-inject what may be immensely valuable for maintenance or repair purposes or for the cleaning of the intermediate carrier. Of course, chain drives can be used instead of linear motors.

The guideways on which revolve the two-sided drives of the plate-shaped intermediate carrier, are advantageously assigned auxiliary guides in the deflection, in which the path of movement is curved. In conjunction with cams or pins on the plate-shaped intermediate carriers, it is thus ensured that the movement reversal and / or turning of the intermediate carrier plates takes place while optimizing the acceleration forces acting on them.

The plate-shaped intermediate carrier can also be connected laterally via hinges with scales of the linear drive, wherein the hinges can be controlled driven self-controlled. Also in this way it is possible to perform the turn and the reversal of motion of the plate-shaped intermediate carrier acceleration optimized. Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to FIG 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic view of a novel sheet-fed offset printing machine with plate-shaped intermediate carriers according to the invention,

2 shows one of the in 1 used plate-shaped intermediate carrier 11 on an enlarged scale its thickness for clarity compared to 1 is shown exaggerated,

2a . 2 B represent another embodiment of the intermediate carrier on one side when passing through the gap between plate cylinder ( 1a ) and impression cylinder ( 2a ) is perpendicular in section ( 2a ) and parallel ( 2 B ) to the plate level,

3 shows in a highly simplified schematic representation of a sheet-fed printing machine for indirect inkjet printing using intermediate carriers according to the invention.

In the 1 illustrated sheetfed offset printing machine 10 owns a feeder 16 from which the on the feeder pile 15 stacked to be printed sheet fed in sheet-fed offset printing machines per se known manner a sheet transport system, and at the other end of the machine a boom 18 in which the means of gripper bridges 13 Bends held by a chain conveyor 9 over the discard pile 17 transported and stored there after they have been printed. The chain guide system 9 runs endlessly and is over three sprocket pairs 6 . 7 and 8th placed, of which at least one is driven. Between the feed table 16 and the arcs at the location of the sprocket pair 5 taking over chain conveyor 9 is only a single impression cylinder 5b arranged the sheets to be printed by a cylindrical pre-gripper 5a gets passed and she after passing through the pressure nip 19 to one of the gripper bridges 13 , b, c ... of the chain gripper 9 passes. Thus, the sheet to be printed undergoes only three gripper transfers between the feed table 16 and the delivery pile 17 namely the gripping of the grippers in the pre-gripper 5a passing on to the grippers of the impression cylinder 5b and finally the delivery to one of the gripper bars 13 , b, c ... of the chain conveyor 9 , In contrast, in conventional sheet-fed offset printing machines usually a double-digit range of gripper transfers is required until the printed sheet is on the delivery pile.

In the printing gap 19 the sheets to be printed are printed simultaneously with all the colors provided for the printed image, in the illustrated embodiment, these are the four colors YCMK and a special color, from which the printed image is composed. These are in the printing press five plate cylinder 1a . 1b . 1c . 1d and 1e provided in which the spanned printing plates of four application rolls of an inking unit shown schematically is colored. The remaining components of the respective offset printing units such as dampeners, ink pans, ink lifters, friction rollers, their drive, etc. are not shown in the schematic representation, but nevertheless available. In contrast to a conventional sheet-fed offset printing unit, however, the five single-color printing units do not have blanket cylinders to which the printed image of the inked printing plates is transferred. Instead, they are below the plate cylinder 1a to 1e associated with them impression cylinder 2a to 2d at a distance of about 5 to 10 mm from surface to surface.

Through this column are now flat, relatively rigid plate-shaped intermediate carrier in the course of a printing operation 11a , B, c ... transported through, the thickness of which, taking into account the required pressure corresponds approximately to this distance. In the enlarged view 2 its structure is apparent. The flat plate-shaped intermediate carrier 11 are self-supporting and consist of a hard inner core 13 , for example Made of stainless steel, aluminum, CFRP or another lightweight material and a soft rubber layer on both sides 12 that with the core 13 firmly connected, for example, glued or vulcanized. The rubber layer 12 can also consist of several individual layers with different elasticity. Each of the plates 11a , b, c ... carries at its lateral end faces two pins 14a and 14b in each case in the front and middle region of the plate-shaped intermediate carrier 11 about which the plates 11 are connected to a drive system or in an auxiliary guide 3a . 3b run (the cones 14b ). The auxiliary guides are in terms of curvature and distance to the guides of the drives, in which the pins 14a intervene, so dimensioned that the plates 11 at the moving direction reversing ends of the disk guide track are "folded over" with respect to acceleration forces optimized motion profile, as that for the plates 11g and 11m in the 1 is shown. For driving the plates 11 Linear motors can be used which run on both sides of the plates on guideways, much as in the aforementioned publications of the applicant, namely the DE 10047395 A1 or the US 6923119 B1 , of the EP 0907515 B1 or the EP 1529639 B1 for the transport of printed sheets is described.

In the 2a and 2 B is shown in a detailed embodiment, such as a plate-shaped intermediate carrier 11b on his way, here on the passage through the gap between the plate cylinder 1a and the impression cylinder 2a is held and managed. There is only one side along the arrow 25 moving subcarrier 11b shown, the other, not shown side has a same mirror-symmetrical structure.

At its front end is the intermediate carrier 11b in a clip that includes him 22a used a pin 14a wearing. This pin 14a sits in a hole receiving it in the drive carriage 21 a linear motor, this along a guide 23 on the side wall 24 the printing press 10 attached, which are also the electromagnetic coils for driving the carriage 21 of the linear motor carries. In the sidewall 24 are also the plate cylinder 1a and the impression cylinder 2a stored.

From the double-sided drive carriage 21 becomes the subcarrier 11b in the direction of the arrow 25 drawn. Approximately centered on the length of the plate-shaped intermediate carrier 11b this is on the sides by a second bracket 22b edged, in turn, a pin 14b with a role set on it 24 is. The role 24b is offset from the plate plane to the opposite of the main guide 23 upwardly offset auxiliary guide 3a to be able to follow. This role 24b runs in the auxiliary guide 3a , which, when passing through the printing units, are parallel to the main guide 23 is arranged. In the places where a reversal of movement of the intermediary 11b takes place, but deviates from this parallel path and is designed so that a low-acceleration folding the plate 11b is reached.

The so from the on the plate cylinders 1a to 1d attached printing plates with the four colors CMYK printed rubber surfaces of the plate-shaped intermediate carrier 11 Now give the composite of the individual colors multicolored image in the nip 19 between the impression cylinder 5b and a pressure cylinder 4 through which the plates 11 pass through, to the surface of the on the impression cylinder 5b passed by printed sheet.

It is avoided here that the maintenance of registration accuracies in the "paper path" between the printing of a plurality of monochrome images in the individual printing gaps, as is usual in conventional sheet-fed offset printing machines, is avoided since the multicolored printed image is transferred to the paper in a single pass. It is only necessary to ensure that the single-color printed images of the printing plates on the plate cylinders 1a to 1d precise registration on the surface of the plate-shaped intermediate carrier 11 be applied. However, this is much easier to ensure since the plates 11 Compared to the very soft substrates such. B. paper or foil can be performed much more accurately on their trajectory.

In the sheetfed offset printing machine according to the invention, the paper does not lead to duplication and also a rolling out of the paper associated with a broadening of the printed image due to multiple passage through pressure gaps does not occur, since only a single pressure gap 19 to transfer the multicolor print image is required. In addition, the guidance of the signatures is very easy to implement, because between the feed table 16 and the chain conveyor 9 for the display is only a single impression cylinder with optionally a pre-gripper, but no variety of sheet transport cylinders as is common in conventional sheet-fed offset printing machines.

Even waste can be much easier to avoid with the sheetfed offset printing machine according to the invention. For this purpose, a cleaning device can be used, which consists of a counter-pressure roller 6a and a squeegee 6b consists. This cleaning device can be switched on at the beginning of the printing and removes the printed image from the passing through them plates 11 while the impression cylinder 5b is still "turned off", so that no paper is printed. Only when the inking is stable and the printed image on the plates 11 of the subcarrier perfect, the paper run is turned on and the impression cylinder 5b switched to "pressure on", ie in the direction of the counter-pressure roller 4 relocated and the cleaning device 6a / b switched off instead. In this way, no start-up waste.

Of course, not only a sheet-fed offset printing machine can be provided with the plate-shaped intermediate carriers according to the invention, but these plates can also be used in web offset printing machines and other indirect printing methods such. B. the indirect flexographic printing or, as will be described below, use indirect digital printing method.

In the embodiment according to 3 a sheet-fed printing machine is described which operates according to the method of indirect inkjet printing. This printing press 100 includes two endless, circulating toothed belts 102 which are two pairs of gears 103 and 104 as well as laterally in two guides 105 are guided. At least one of the two pairs of gears is powered by a motor 6 powered and in turn drives the timing belt 102 at. The lateral guides 105 serve to stabilize the timing belt 102 in the area of the print job.

To the timing belt 102 are not shown in the figure, a plurality of consecutively arranged plate-shaped intermediate carrier 111 , b ... fastened, which are similar to the plates 111 out 2 , They grip with their front pins 114a in the shots on the timing belt 102 one and with the cones 14b in auxiliary guides 102b one. The movement of the plates then corresponds to that in the embodiment in 1 ie front of the timing belt 102 pulled and centered in the auxiliary guides 102b the plates are guided 111 in the direction reversal in the field of gear pairs 103 and 104 turned.

The substrate is in the form of individual sheets of a plant stack 107 to a delivery pile 108 transported. The transport is over as lines 109 and 110 simplified illustrated bow guides (in fact, it can be one or more transport cylinder) and by means of the sheet transport cylinder 111 . 112 and 113 , The latter have gripper systems 142 for the printing material sheets 143 on. Every single sheet 143 goes through a pressure gap 144 between the cylinder 113 and an attached to this Andrückwalze 114 as will be described below. The drive of this sheet transport system via at least one motor 115 ,

Above the trajectory of the timing belt 102 driven plates 111 of the subcarrier are multiple printheads 116a to 116d arranged consecutively, e.g. B. Printheads for the common colors cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Each printhead produces ink drops 145 on the surface of the plates 111 be jetted and create there color points. In this way, multicolored rasterized printed images can be created. However, it can also be provided that the ink droplets of a paint run at least in places into each other and therefore form closed color surfaces. Since the printheads are arranged consecutively in the direction of the tape, the different color dots come to lie partly on each other. It can be provided that the printheads 116a to 116d a device 116e for post-treatment, z. B. is arranged downstream of the application of an adhesive layer, which ensures that serving as the intermediate carrier plates 111 Applied print image completely on the signatures 143 stores.

Also above the plane of movement of the plates 111 is a device 117 for plasma treatment, arranged. By means of the plasma or a corona discharge, the surface of the plates 111 be cleaned and placed in a defined for application of liquid media starting state with respect to the surface energy. Furthermore, there is a device 18 intended for applying conditioner. The conditioner ensures that the surface of the plates 111 the ink 145 assume that the ink does not undesirably spread or bead on the disk surface, causing the ink to adhere to the surface of the disks during tape transport 111 adheres and that the evaporated or dried ink in the nip 144 as a color layer on the substrate 144 can be transferred.

That on the surface of the plates 111 applied print image 46 is by a hot air jet of a hot air dryer 119 at least partially dried by evaporating water and / or solvent from the ink. The hot air is supplied via a feeder 120 supplied and the steam resulting from the drying is via a in a housing 121 integrated air extraction 122 dissipated. This dryer 119 However, it can also be supplemented by an induction dryer, which covers the metallic core of the plates 111 By magnetic induction heats and in this way a high thermal base load in the plates 111 couples. Prerequisite is that the plates 111 ferromagnetic material contained by the core 113 z. B. consists of stainless steel. This can optionally also by a two-layer structure of the metal layer of a ferromagnetic base layer and an overlying in terms of ink acceptance / delivery or the application of conditioning fluid 147 optimized z. B. metal oxide can be achieved.

For further treatment is another dryer 123 , Preferably, an infrared dryer, provided, which the printed image 146 , the conditioner 147 and / or the plates 111 immediately before and / or in the area of the pressure gap 144 heating up. By this heating and the concomitant influence on the adhesion of the evaporated ink, ie the ink on the plates 111 and on the printing material sheet 144 is achieved that the ink and thus the print image substantially completely from the surface of the plates 111 detached and deposited on the substrate. Optionally, another, the pressure nip 144 downstream dryer 124 be provided, which further heats the transferred ink and thereby finally dries and / or hardens.

A device 129 , z. As a camera, to inspect the image is also adjacent to the tape 102 arranged. With it can be determined via an image acquisition and evaluation, whether that on the plates 111 generated print image 146 meets the quality requirements or z. B. has undesirable errors. The resulting knowledge can be used to improve the printing process, eg. B. the order of the conditioner 147 , the order of the ink drops 145 and / or the performance of the dryer 119 adapt or regulate.

Optionally, between the printheads 116a to 116d or immediately downstream of each devices 130a to 130d for intermediate inspection, z. As cameras, or intermediate treatment, for. As drying, be provided. Furthermore, optionally in the field of sheet feeding or removal devices 131 and 132 for inspecting the bow and / or a device 133 for the pretreatment of the bow, z. B. by a primer application, and / or a device 134 for the aftertreatment of the sheet, z. B. by further drying, provided.

A device 135 for cleaning the surface of the plates 111 is in the direction of movement of the plates 111 behind the pressure gap 144 is arranged and used to remove possible contamination on the plate surface. These can be from residues of the primer, the printing material 144 , the conditioner 147 and / or the printing inks. The cleaning device 135 can be similar to the one in 1 be constructed or comprise a cleaning roller or a cleaning cloth with a cleaning liquid supply, wherein a pressure cylinder 135a the passing plates 111 against the cleaning device 135 suppressed.

The in the digital printing press 100 intended for consumption liquids are provided in respective storage containers: reservoir 136 for cleaning fluid, reservoir 137 for conditioning fluid, reservoir 138 for several hydraulic fluids, eg. As inks, and reservoir 139 for primer fluid. The containers and the associated application devices are connected via supply lines, not shown.

A device 140 , z. As a central computer, to control the device 101 controls the individual components of the device, in particular the printheads 116a to 116d and the dryers 119 and 123 , The control device is preferably connected to all controllable components via data lines not shown in connection.

The printing press 100 for indirect inkjet printing has as an intermediate carrier self-supporting, flat plates 111 on. These plates may have a metallic core and a coating of silicone rubber or PTFE, which allows, without color separation, the jetted and dried or dried ink layer of the printed image 146 completely ie 100% on the printed sheet 143 transferred to. However, it is also possible the plates 111 For example, CFRP plates or stainless steel plates, with a suitable metallic, optionally treated metal or metal oxide surface for receiving the applied ink droplets 145 equip. This metallic or metal oxide coating, for example, by vapor deposition on the cores 113 the plates 111 respectively.

Then the device 118 a liquid release agent 47 in the form of a molecular assignment of z. B. amphiphilic substances on the metallic or metal oxide coating the surface of the plates 111 muster. The molecular assignment has the advantage that on the one hand very little medium is used and therefore costs and cleaning costs can be reduced. On the other hand, however, it also has the advantage that sufficient but relatively little medium with a separating effect in the printing fluid or on the substrate passes through a molecular assignment and thereby possibly reduces the print quality. The amount of medium at a molecular occupancy is essentially negligible. The application of a molecular coating can be carried out by placing the molecules in an aqueous solution on the metallic surface of the plates 111 are applied and then the aqueous solution by coupling heat energy, for example by induction heating of the plates 111 or evaporated by incident infrared radiation. Also, rolling over the aqueous solution with a drying roller is possible. Thus, the molecular coverage is applied in aqueous solution and immediately reduced to a nanoscopic, especially less than 50 or less than 10 nanometers thick layer.

Then carry the printheads 116a to 116d the ink 145 According to the printed image only at the printing sites on the metallic coating of the intermediate carrier 102 on, wherein the molecular occupancy with amphiphilic substances such as phosphoric acid or hydroxamic acid, the spreading of the ink droplets 145 on the surfaces of the plates 111 promotes and ensures a closed print image with sufficiently high surface coverage. Thus, while in the prior art of printing with reimageable metallic surfaces, the molecular coverage is imaged by laser radiation using image data, e.g. B. at the non-printing sites, the molecular assignment of amphiphilic molecules, such as phosphoric acid or hydrosulfuric acid, is removed, the molecular occupancy itself is not structured here and instead the order of the printing fluid in a structured manner, ie a printed image performed.

In the above example, a plate-type subcarrier-equipped digital printing machine has been described as being an inkjet printing device using preferably water-based inks.

However, it is also possible to use the plate-shaped intermediate carrier in other indirect digital printing methods such. As electrophotographic printing processes that work with solid or liquid toner.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1a-e

plate cylinder

2a-e

Impression cylinder disk drive

3

guideway

3a, 3b

auxiliary guide

4

pressure cylinder

5a

pregrippers

5b

Counter-pressure cylinder paper feed

6, 7, 8

sprocket pairs

6a

Counter-pressure roller

6b

wiping blade

9

chain conveyors

10

press

11, 11a-m

Intermediate carrier, plate

12

rubber layer

13

Core of the plate 11

14a, b

spigot

15

feeder pile

16

feed table

17

delivery pile

18

Boom / device

19

nip

26a, b, c

cleaning device

100

Digital press

102

Timing Belt / subcarrier

103, 104

gear pairs

105

Tours / continuous web

107

system stack

108

delivery pile

109, 110

lines

111

plates

111a, b

subcarrier

111, 112, 113

Sheet transfer cylinder

113

core

114

pressure roller

114a, 114b

spigot

115

engine

116a-116d

printheads

116e

contraption

119

Hot air dryer

120, 123

heaters

121

casing

122

air extraction

130a-d

Devices for image inspection

129, 131, 132

Devices for image inspection

133

Device for sheet pretreatment

134

Device for sheet aftertreatment

135

cleaning device

135a

pressure cylinder

136, 137, 138, 139

reservoir

140

control device

142

gripper system

143

Spreads / printing material

144

Nip / Substrate

145

ink drops

146

print image

147

conditioner

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 3901174 [0001]
• US 2008/0166495 A1 [0001]
• US 2004/0060921 [0003]
• DE 10047395 A1 [0008, 0017]
• US 6923119 B1 [0008, 0017]
• EP 0907515 B1 [0008, 0017]
• EP 1529639 B1 [0008, 0008, 0017]

Claims (17)

Intermediate carrier for indirect printing processes in which a multicolored print image of several single-color printing units ( 1a -E) or printheads ( 16a -D) is generated on the intermediate carrier and transferred from the intermediate carrier to the printing material, characterized in that the intermediate carrier consists of one or more plates ( 11 . 111 ) consists. Intermediate carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (s) ( 11 . 111 ) are self-supporting and are preferably made of metal, plastic or composite materials in lightweight construction. Intermediate carrier according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the plate (s) ( 11 . 111 ) are coated, preferably from a color or ink good accepting or releasing material such as rubber, silicone rubber, Teflon etc. Intermediate carrier according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the plate (s) have a metallic or metal oxide surface which carries a molecular occupancy with an amphiphilic organic compound. Intermediate carrier according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ends of the plate (s) ( 11 ) are flattened and / or rounded. Intermediate carrier according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the plate (s) have in their interior a preferably consisting of individually switchable segments heater. Printing device with an intermediate carrier according to one of Claims 1 to 6 for the printed image, characterized by a device ( 102 ), which has several plates ( 11 . 111 ) on a continuous track ( 3 . 105 ) circulating through the printing units ( 1a -E) or under the printheads ( 16a -D) passes. Printing device with an intermediate carrier according to one of claims 1 to 6 for the printed image, characterized by a device which moves the plate-shaped intermediate carrier cyclically between the printing units or printheads and a support for the printing substrate back and forth. Printing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the printing device one or more linear motors for driving the intermediate carrier ( 11 ) having. Printing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the printing device has guides for the movement path of the intermediate carrier or its drives and at least in curved sections of the guide track auxiliary guides ( 3a . 3b ; 102 . 102b ), into the cams ( 14b ) of the plate-shaped intermediate carrier ( 11 . 111 ) intervene. Printing device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized by a cleaning device ( 26a , b; 135 . 135a ) for the subcarrier ( 11 . 111 ), which in the direction of movement of the intermediate carrier in front of or behind the contact area ( 44 ) of the intermediate carrier ( 11 . 111 ) with the printing material ( 43 ) is arranged. Printing device according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized by heating devices ( 120 . 123 ) in the area of the trajectory ( 102 ) of the intermediate carrier ( 111 ) between the printheads ( 116a -D) or printing units ( 1a -E) on the one hand and the contact area ( 19 . 144 ) with the printing material ( 43 . 143 on the other hand, wherein the heaters the intermediate carrier ( 11 . 111 ) with the aid of radiation, preferably infrared radiation and / or by induction heating. Printing device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is in the printing units ( 1a -E) is offset, flexographic, gravure, screen or high pressure. Printing device according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that it is in the printheads ( 16a -D) are inkjet printheads or electrophotographic printheads for dry toner or liquid toner. Indirect printing method in which a multicolored printed image is produced by a plurality of single-color printing units or printheads on an intermediate carrier and transferred from the intermediate carrier to the printing material, characterized in that the multicolored printed image is formed on one or more flat plates ( 11 . 111 ) is produced. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that water-based or solvent-based printing inks are used to produce the printed image and the water or solvent by heating the plate (s) ( 111 ) is expelled before the thus solidified ink film on the substrate ( 143 ) is transmitted. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that the plate-shaped intermediate carrier targeted to the with the printed image ( 146 ) provided If necessary, places with high ink coverage are additionally heated.

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