WO2016171684A1

WO2016171684A1 - Direct-to-garment printer

Info

Publication number: WO2016171684A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/027071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brett Weibel; Mark Mombourquette
Original assignee: BelQuette Inc
Current assignee: BelQuette Inc
Priority date: 2015-04-22
Filing date: 2015-04-22
Publication date: 2016-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2017-10-22

Abstract

A printer for printing directly to a garment or other textile includes a base, a substrate carrier for supporting the garment, and a printhead assembly. The substrate carrier and the print head assembly are supported on the base for movement in opposite directions. The print head assembly includes a print head for applying ink to the garment supported on the substrate carrier. The print head moves in a direction transverse to the directions of movement of the substrate carrier and the print head assembly.

Description

DIRECT-TO-GARMENT PRINTER

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to printing devices, and more particularly to a printer for printing directly to garments and other textiles.

Background

[0002] Printers for applying graphics, designs, or other decorative elements to garments and other textiles have developed as an alternative to screen printing and other methods for applying print inks to textiles. While conventional direct-to- garment printers provide effective alternatives to these other methods of applying ink to textiles, several areas for improvement remain. For example, the size of garments or other textiles that can be printed without repositioning of the garments is limited by the size of the printing machines. Large printing machines necessarily require more floor space in a printing facility, and may be difficult to move into and out of the printing facility without requiring the removal of doors or disassembly of the machines. Direct-to garment printers also require precise control of the pressure of ink supplied to the print heads in order to achieve optimal print quality. Conventional printers suffer from an inability to provide adequate control of ink pressures for maintaining consistent printing quality during use.

[0003] Many garment printing applications require several passes of a print head over the garment to apply inks. In such situations, previously applied ink layers can affect the lie of the garment on a printing platen, which can result in undesirable conditions wherein a print head comes in contact with the garment. Conventional printers are generally configured to only verify the relative positions of a garment and the print head prior to the start of a print cycle and do not sense the proximity of a garment to the print head during printing.

[0004] In another aspect, it is desirable to provide for efficient cleaning of the print head and associated mechanisms to ensure consistent print quality while avoiding unnecessary waste of printing inks. A direct-to-garment printer in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure overcomes these and other drawbacks of conventional printers.

Summary

[0005] The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other

shortcomings and drawbacks of conventional direct-to-garment printers heretofore known for use in printing inks to garments and other textiles. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the principles of the present disclosure, a printer for printing directly to a garment or other textile includes a base, a substrate carrier for supporting the garment, and a printhead assembly. The substrate carrier and the print head assembly are supported on the base for movement in opposite directions. The print head assembly includes a print head for applying ink to the garment supported on the substrate carrier. The print head moves in a direction transverse to the directions of movement of the substrate carrier and the print head assembly. [0007] In accordance with another aspect of the principles of the present disclosure, a printer for printing directly to a garment or other textile includes a primary ink reservoir and at least one adjustable ink reservoir in communication with the primary ink reservoir. The adjustable ink reservoir is adjustable to vary a volume and/or pressure of the adjustable ink reservoir such that the pressure of ink provided to a print head of the printer can be varied.

[0008] In accordance with yet another aspect of the principles of the present disclosure, a printer for printing directly to a garment or other textile includes a sensor assembly disposed beneath a print head of the printer to detect a position of the garment or other textile supported on a substrate carrier relative to the print head. The printer may further include a controller that receives signals related to the relative position of the garment or textile, whereby the controller may vary a height of the substrate support in response to the received signals.

[0009] In accordance with yet another aspect of the principles of the present disclosure, a printer for printing directly to a garment or other textile includes a test surface for receiving ink dispensed by a print head. An optical sensor positioned adjacent the test surface captures image data related to the ink on the text surface. A controller may receiving signals from the optical device related to the captured image data, and may take action based on the received signals. The printer may further include a wiper for clearing ink from the test surface following the capture of image data by the optical device.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[001 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary direct-to-garment printer in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer of FIG. 1 illustrating internal components of the printer unit.

[0013] FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 .

[0014] FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view of the printer of FIG. 1 , similar to FIG. 3A.

[0015] FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of the printer of FIG. 1 , taken along line 4-4.

[0016] FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of the printer of FIG. 4A, illustrating movement of the printer unit and substrate carrier.

[0017] FIG. 4C is a partial cross-sectional view of the printer of FIG. 4A, illustrating further movement of the printer unit and substrate carrier.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the print head assembly illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0019] FIG. 5A is an enlarged perspective view of the enclosed area of FIG. 5.

[0020] FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of the flow paths selectable by an adjustable valve of the printer.

[0021] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an end of the printer unit, illustrating a secondary ink reservoir.

[0022] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a receptacle of the secondary ink reservoir depicted in FIG. 6. [0023] FIGS. 8A-8B are partial end views of the secondary ink reservoir of FIG. 7, taken along line 8-8.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a partial elevation view of the printer unit of FIG. 6 taken generally along line 9-9, illustrating a height sensing and control assembly of the printer.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the printer unit of FIG. 2, taken generally along line 10-10.

Detailed Description

[0026] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an exemplary direct-to-garment printer 10 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The printer 10 includes a base 12 for supporting the printer 10 on a counter or other suitable surface. The base 12 supports a printer unit 14 and a substrate carrier 16 for movement relative to the base 12 and one another. The printer unit 14 includes first and second oppositely disposed legs 18, 20 straddling the base 12 and engaging corresponding guide surfaces 22, 24 to facilitate movement of the printer unit 14 in a machine direction that is generally illustrated in FIG. 1 by a double-headed arrow 26. With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and referring further to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the substrate carrier 16 is supported on the base 12 by a substrate carriage 30 for movement along the base 12 in directions parallel to the machine direction 26. In the embodiment shown, the printer unit 14 and the substrate carriage 30 are coupled to a belt drive 32 for movement back and forth along the base 12 in directions parallel to the machine direction 26. The belt drive 32 includes first and second endless loop belts 34 driven by a motor 38. The printer unit 14 and the substrate carriage 30 are coupled with the belts 34 by respective couplings 40, 42 such that movement of the belts 34, driven by the motor 38, moves the printer unit 14 and substrate carriage 30 simultaneously and in opposite directions.

[0027] For example, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, the printer unit 14 is coupled to a lower portion of the drive belts 34 by couplings 40, while the substrate carriage 30 is coupled to an upper portion of the drive belts 34 by couplings 42. As the motor 38 turns the belts 34 in the direction indicated by the arrows 44, the substrate carriage 30 and substrate carrier 16 move in a direction from left to right, while the printer unit 14 moves from right to left, as viewed in FIGS. 3A-3B. The simultaneous and oppositely directed motions of the printer unit 14 and substrate carriage 30 enable the printer 10 to apply printing inks to a relatively large area of a garment without requiring repositioning of the garment on substrate carrier 16, while printer 10 itself occupies a comparatively small footprint.

[0028] For accurate application of printing inks to a garment, the printer 10 includes a position sensor and control system configured to maintain precise positioning of the printer unit 14 and substrate carrier 16 relative to one another. In the embodiment shown, the position sensor and control system includes a linear encoder assembly comprising an encoder strip 50 coupled with the printer unit 14, and a pair of encoder sensors 52, 54 carried on a guide rail 56 that is also coupled with the printer unit 14, as depicted in FIGS. 4A-4C. In the embodiment shown, the first and second encoder sensors 52, 54 are slidably coupled to the guide rail 56 for movement in directions parallel to the machine direction 26. A bracket 58 coupled to the substrate carriage 30 moves with the substrate carriage 30 and has first and second end stops 60, 62 positioned on oppositely disposed ends of the bracket 58 to engage the encoder sensors 52, 54 during movement along the guide rail 56. First and second magnets 64, 66 are located at the first and second end stops 60, 62, respectively, and cooperate with the encoder sensors 52, 54 to pull the sensors 52, 54 along the guide rail 56 in the same direction as the substrate carriage 30.

[0029] The guide rail 56 also includes first and second end stops 68, 70 located at distal ends of the guide rail 56 and positioned to engage the encoder sensors 52, 54, whereby the sensors 52, 54 may be engaged by the end stops 68, 70 and pushed along the guide rail 56 in the direction of travel of the printer unit 14. The locations of the end stops 60, 62 on the substrate carriage bracket 58 and the end stops 68, 70 located at the distal ends of the guide rail 56 are arranged so that the guide rail 56 and the carriage bracket 58 cooperate to move the sensors 52, 54 relative to the encoder strip 50 on the printer unit 14 so that the relative positions of the printer unit 14 and the substrate carriage 30 can be determined by the output of the encoder sensors 52, 54.

[0030] With continued reference to FIGS. 4A-4C, operation of the position sensor and control system utilizing the encoder sensors 52, 54 and encoder strip 50 is described. In FIG. 4A, the printer unit 14 and guide rail 56 are moving generally in a left to right direction as indicated by arrows 72, while the substrate carriage 30 and substrate carrier 16, together with the substrate bracket 58, are moving in a direction from right to left as indicated by arrows 74. The first encoder sensor 52 is magnetically attracted to the first magnet 60 at the first distal end of the substrate carriage bracket 58 and moves with the bracket 58 and substrate carriage 30 in a direction from right to left. The second encoder sensor 54, which was previously moved by the second end stop 70 on the guide rail 56, remains in position until it is contacted by the second end stop 62 on the carriage bracket 58 as the carriage bracket 58 moves from right to left, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. After being engaged by the second end stop 62 of the carriage bracket 58, the second encoder sensor 54 thereafter moves from right to left with the carriage bracket 58. The first encoder sensor 52 remains engaged with the first magnet 64 and also moves from right to left with the carriage bracket 58.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 4C, continued movement of the carriage bracket 58 from right to left, and movement of the printer unit 14 from left to right, causes the first end stop 68 on the guide rail 56 to engage the first encoder sensor 52 so that the first encoder sensor 52 is disengaged from the first magnet 64 and now moves in a direction from left to right together with the guide rail 56 and the printer unit 14. The second encoder sensor 54 continues to be pushed in a direction from right to left by the second end stop 62 of the carriage bracket 58 until the substrate carriage 30 reaches its limit of travel or the directions of printer unit 14 and substrate carriage 30 are changed by the belt drive motor 38 under the command of printer control 76. When the direction of the belts 34 is changed, the second encoder sensor 54 will move with the carriage bracket 58, being pulled from left to right by the second magnet 66 until the second encoder sensor 54 is engaged by the second end stop 70 of the guide rail 56.

[0032] It will be appreciated that, during movement of the printer unit 14 and the substrate carriage 30, one or both of the encoder sensors 52, 54 will be moved along the guide rail 56, during which time the encoder sensors 52, 54 read the encoder strip 50 and generate signals that are transmitted to printer controller 76. Depending on whether one or both encoder sensors 52, 54 are moving, and depending on the relative directions of travel, the printer controller 76 is able to determine the position of the printer unit 14 relative to the substrate carrier 30 supported on the substrate carriage 30 from the signals generated by the encoder sensors 52, 54 reading the encoder strip 50. This arrangement allows the encoder strip 50 to be shorter in length than the total length of relative travel of the printer unit 14 and substrate carrier 16, resulting in a smaller overall size of the printer 10.

[0033] With reference to FIG. 2, the printer unit 14 includes a print head assembly 80 including a print head carriage 82 supported for movement thereon in directions substantially traverse to the machine direction 26. In the embodiment shown, the print head carriage 82 is driven for movement in the transverse direction by a print head drive system 84 which is not described in further detail. Movement of the print head assembly 80 in the transverse direction is coordinated by controller 76 with movements of the printer unit 14 and substrate carrier 30 in directions parallel to the machine direction 26 to thereby facilitate the application of inks to a garment supported on the substrate carrier 16 as desired.

[0034] With continued reference to FIG. 2, and referring further to FIG. 5, the print head carriage 82 supports first and second print heads 86, 88 which

communicate with a supply of ink coupled thereto by a plurality of conduits. A primary ink reservoir 90 includes a plurality of ink receptacles 92 for receiving ink containers, generally in the form of flexible bags 94, as depicted in FIG. 1 . Each bag 94 is engaged by a valve mechanism 96 for transferring ink from the bag 94 to components of the printer 10. Inks from the receptacles 92 of the primary ink reservoir 90 communicate with a secondary ink reservoir 100 that holds the ink for subsequent supply to the print heads 86, 88. FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary secondary ink reservoir 100 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The secondary ink reservoir 100 is positioned relative to the print heads 86, 88 at a height that is selected to maintain a desired static pressure of ink at the print heads 86, 88. [0035] With continued reference to FIG. 6, and referring further to FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B, the secondary ink reservoir 100 comprises a plurality of receptacles 102 communicating with the corresponding receptacles 92 of the primary ink reservoir 90 by respective conduits. In the embodiment shown, each receptacle 102 of the secondary ink reservoir 100 is defined by first and second oppositely disposed fixed walls 104, 106. First and second movable walls 108, 1 10 are disposed between the fixed walls 104, 106 within each of the receptacles 102. Within each receptacle 102, a flexible ink reservoir, illustrated in the form of a flexible bag 1 12, receives ink from the primary reservoir 90 through an ink inlet 1 14, and directs ink through an ink outlet 1 16 in a direction toward the print heads 86, 88.

[0036] The secondary ink reservoir 100 further includes pressure adjusting devices 120 disposed in each receptacle 102 for engaging a corresponding ink bag 1 12 to thereby vary a pressure and/or volume of the bag 1 12. With reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8A, and 8B, each pressure adjusting device 120 comprises an inflatable bladder 122 positioned adjacent a corresponding ink bag 1 12 and coupled by air conduits 124 to an air generator 126, whereby the pressure adjusting devices 120 may be varied between at least a first inflation condition, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, and a second inflation condition generally illustrated in FIG. 8B. In the second inflation condition depicted in FIG. 8B, the inflatable bladder 122 compresses the ink bag 1 12, thereby reducing the volume available for holding ink and increasing pressure in the ink bag 1 12 to force ink through the outlet conduit 1 16 in a direction toward the print heads 86, 88. In this manner, the pressure adjusting devices 120 of the secondary ink reservoir 100 facilitate control of the pressure of ink provided to the print heads 86, 88. [0037] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 5A, ink from the bags 1 12 of the secondary reservoir 100 are directed via conduits to the print heads 86, 88. The ink is received at the print heads 86, 88 through respective inlets 130 to ink dampers 132 that are carried on the print head carriage 82. Ink exits the dampers 132 and is directed to corresponding inlets 134 of the print heads 86, 88 which operate to dispense ink to a garment supported on the substrate carrier 16 beneath the print heads 86, 88. Unused ink exits the print heads 86, 88 through corresponding outlets and is routed through pinch valve assemblies 140 and conduits 142to a recirculation path in a direction back to the primary ink reservoir 90.

[0038] With particular reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the print head assembly 80 includes a plurality of valves 144 positioned before the inlets 134 to the print heads 86, 88. The valves 144 are adjustable between a first condition wherein ink from the supply is directed to the print heads 86, 88, and a second condition wherein ink from the supply is prevented from entering the print heads 86, 88 and the inlets 134 to the print heads 86, 88 are instead fluidly connected with a cleaning/flushing fluid. In the second condition of the valves 144, the cleaning/flushing fluid is circulated through the print heads 86, 88 to reduce or eliminate clogs which may be caused by ink settling or clumping inside the print heads 86, 88. Because the cleaning/flushing fluid is introduced just prior to the print heads 86, 88, the amount of ink which may be wasted during a cleaning operation is minimized.

[0039] In another embodiment, the valves 144 may be adjustable to a third condition wherein ink from the supply is directed to the recirculation path prior to entering the print heads 86, 88. Recirculation of the ink in this manner facilitates the agitation of inks, particularly inks having heavy pigments which are desired to be kept in suspension. [0040] In another aspect, an exemplary printer 10 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure may include one or more diagnostic functions for monitoring the quality of the printer 10 and/or the condition of various components of the printer 10. In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the printer 10 may include a system for optically evaluating the performance of the printer 10. The system includes a translucent test plate 150 upon which ink may be printed by the print heads 86, 88. A test pattern 152 is provided on or adjacent the test plate 150, and an optical sensor 154, such as a CCD camera or similar device, is disposed at a position to facilitate viewing the test pattern 152 after ink has been applied. Results of the test using the optical sensor 154 may be communicated to the printer controller 76 or other devices for evaluating the condition of the print heads 86, 88. Moreover, information related to the results of the test may be provided to a display 156 for indication to a user. After the results of a test have been obtained, the test plate 150 may be cleaned by a wiper 158 so that the test plate 150 is ready for subsequent testing.

[0041] In another embodiment, the printer 10 may include sensors for detecting the condition of various components of the printer 10. For example, pressure sensors 160 may be located on inlet and outlet sides of the ink dampers 132 to determine a pressure differential across the dampers 132, as depicted in FIG. 5. The placement of such sensors 160 is facilitated by the location of the valves 144 immediately after the ink delivery components and before entry to the print heads 86, 88. Detection of the pressure differential across the ink dampers 132 can be communicated to the printer controller 76 or other devices for evaluation of the condition of the dampers 132 and to identify when replacement of the dampers 132 may be required. [0042] In another aspect in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the printer 10 may include an onboard heat source for exposing a garment or other material supported on the substrate carrier 16 to heat for facilitating drying of inks applied to a garment. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the heat source comprises a quartz lamp 170 supported on the printer unit 14. The lamp 170 extends between the first and second legs 18, 20 of the printer unit 14 and is located above the substrate carrier 16. In another aspect, information related to the graphics to be printed on a garment may be provided to the printer controller 76 prior to a printing operation. Based on the information provided to the controller 76, the controller 76 controls operation of the lamp 170, as may be desired, to achieve various outcomes or performance of the printer 10. For example, the controller 76 may vary power to the lamp 170 depending upon the amount of ink to be deposited onto a garment. Such control may be advantageous, for example, when multiple layers of ink are applied to a garment so that a first layer can be prepared for application of a second layer of ink without requiring excessive drying times between the application of successive layers.

[0043] In another aspect in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the controller 76 may be configured for networking capabilities with other printing machines or computers. Such communication capability allows the printer 10 to be used in coordination with other printing machines in the manner of an integrated work cell.

[0044] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the printer 10 is configured to monitor the position of a garment supported on the substrate carrier 16 relative to the print heads 86, 88 to insure optimal printing while avoiding contact between the garment and the print heads 86, 88. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10, the printer 10 includes a plurality of beam emitters positioned on one side of the substrate carrier 16, and a corresponding plurality of beam receivers positioned opposite the beam emitters, on the other side of the substrate carrier 16. In this embodiment, the beam emitters are laser devices 180 that are supported on the first leg 18 of the printer unit 14, and the beam receivers 182 are positioned on the second leg 20 of the printer unit 14, opposite the corresponding laser devices 180.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, the beam emitters include first and second groups 184, 186 each having three laser devices 180, and corresponding first and second groups 188, 190 of receivers 182. The first group 184 of three laser devices 180a, 180b, 180c is positioned adjacent a first distal end of the first leg 18, at a location generally forward of the print heads 86, 88, and the second group 186 of three laser devices 180d, 180e, 180f is spaced a distance from the first group such that the second group 186 of laser devices 180 is located generally behind the print heads 86, 88. The beam receivers 182 associated with the corresponding laser devices 180 are positioned directly across the printer unit 14 where apertures 192 in the second leg 20 of the printer unit 14 allow the corresponding beams to pass through to the receivers 182. For illustration purposes, only the first group 188 of beam receivers 182 and apertures 192 are shown in FIG. 10. The second group 190 of beam receivers 182 is similarly arranged on the second leg 20, directly opposite the second group 186 of laser devices 180, as generally depicted in FIG. 2.

[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the laser devices 180 and beam receivers 182 in each group are offset from one another in a vertical direction, whereby the beams emitted by the first and second lower most laser devices 180a, 180b, 180d, 180e define a desired print height zone relative to the position of the print heads 86, 88. In this regard, the first, lower-most beams represent a maximum desired gap between the print heads 86, 88 and a garment 194, and the second, intermediate-height beams represent a minimum desired gap between the print heads 86, 88 and the garment 194. The third, upper-most beams define the maximum position of the garment 194 relative to the print heads 86, 88, whereafter the garment 194 would otherwise contact the print heads 86, 88.

[0047] During operation, signals from the beam receivers 182 are

communicated to the controller 76 as the print head assembly 80 moves in the transverse direction, and the printer unit 14 and substrate carrier 16 move in directions parallel to the machine direction 26 while inks are applied to a garment by the print heads 86, 88. The controller 76 evaluates the signals received from the beam receivers 182 and, if necessary, controls the operation of linear height adjusting devices supporting the substrate carrier 16 above the substrate carriage 30. In the embodiment shown, the printer 10 includes four linear height adjusting devices 196 for controlling the height of the substrate carrier 16 relative to the print heads 86, 88. It will be appreciated, however, that the substrate carrier 16 may be adjustably supported above the substrate carriage by a different number of linear height adjusting devices 196, or by various other structure and methods suitable for controlling the height of the substrate carrier 16 relative to the print heads 86, 88.

[0048] When no garment is supported on the substrate carrier 16, the relative height of the substrate carrier 16 relative to the print heads 86, 88 may be adjusted to a default position, and the plane of the substrate carrier 16 may be calibrated to be substantially flat relative to the print heads 86, 88. To facilitate calibration, the print head carriage 82 may include one or more touch points configured to engage the substrate carrier 16. During calibration, the print head carriage 82 may be moved to predetermined locations relative to the substrate carrier 16 and the height adjusting devices 196 may be controlled to raise the substrate carrier 16 until contact between the substrate carrier 16 and the touch points are made. Once the height adjusting devices 196 are calibrated, the controller 76 may adjust the substrate carrier 16 using the height adjusting devices such that the substrate carrier 16 is positioned so that a garment placed on the substrate carrier 16 will be in the desired height zone for printing.

[0049] While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments, and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features shown and described herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative example shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit and scope of the general inventive concept.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

Claims

1 . A printer for printing directly to a textile, the printer comprising: a base;

a substrate carrier supported on the base for movement in a first direction parallel to a machine path;

a print head assembly supported on the base for movement with the substrate carrier parallel to the machine path and in a second direction opposite the first direction; and

a print head supported on the print head assembly for movement along a direction transverse to the machine path.

2. The printer of claim 1 , further comprising:

a drive assembly including at least a first belt;

wherein the substrate carrier is operatively coupled with the first belt for movement in the first direction; and

wherein the print head assembly is operatively coupled with the first belt for movement in the second direction.

3. The printer of claim 2, wherein the at least one first belt is formed into an endless loop defining a first loop leg and a second loop leg, and wherein the substrate carrier is operatively coupled with the first loop leg, and the print head assembly is operatively coupled with the second loop leg.

4. The printer of claim 1 , further comprising:

an encoder strip on the print head assembly for movement therewith; and at least two encoder pickups supported on the substrate carrier.

5. The printer of claim 4, further comprising:

a linear guide coupled with the substrate carrier;

wherein the at least two encoder pickups are coupled with the linear guide for sliding movement therealong.

6. The printer of claim 5, further comprising:

at least one magnet associated with the substrate carrier;

the at least one magnet operatively engaging at least one of the encoder pickups and controlling a position of the encoder pickup along the linear guide such that the relative positions of the print head assembly and the substrate carrier can be determined by sensing of the encoder strip by the encoder pickups.

7. A printer for printing directly to a textile, the printer comprising:

at least one adjustable ink reservoir communicating with a primary ink reservoir for providing ink to a print head of the printer;

the adjustable ink reservoir adjustable to vary at least one of a volume or pressure thereby varying a pressure at a the print head.

8. The printer of claim 7, wherein the adjustable ink reservoir is adjustable to vary a pressure of the reservoir, and wherein the printer further comprises a pressure adjusting device cooperating with the adjustable ink reservoir to thereby vary the pressure.

9. The printer of claim 8, wherein the pressure adjusting device comprises a pressurizable bladder that is adjustable between at least a first inflation condition and a second inflation condition to thereby vary the pressure of the adjustable ink reservoir.

10. The printer of claim 8, wherein the pressure adjusting device is operable to engage the adjustable ink reservoir such that ink is agitated or circulated through at least a portion of the printer during at least a period of non-printing operation of the printer.

1 1. A printer for printing directly to a textile, the printer comprising:

a base;

a substrate carrier supported on the base and configured to support the textile thereon;

a print head assembly supported on the base, the print head assembly including a print head supported for movement relative to the substrate carrier;

a sensor assembly disposed beneath the print head and operable to detect a position of the textile supported on the substrate carrier relative to the print head; a height adjustment assembly cooperating with the substrate carrier and operable to vary a height of the substrate carrier relative to the print head; and

a controller receiving signals from the sensor assembly related to the detected position of the textile and controlling the height adjustment assembly to vary the height of the print head in response to the detected position of the textile.

12. The printer of claim 1 1 , wherein the height adjustment assembly comprises at least one linear adjuster supporting at least a portion of the substrate carrier.

13. The printer of claim 1 1 , wherein the sensor assembly comprises at least three beam emitters disposed on a first side of the printer, and at least three beam sensors disposed on a second, opposite side of the printer and aligned with a respective one of the beam emitters;

wherein a first one of the beam emitters and a second one of the beam emitters cooperate with the respectively associated beam sensors to define a safe operating zone for the position of the textile relative to the print head; and

the third emitter and associated beam sensor define a maximum position of the textile supported on the substrate support relative to the print head.

14. The printer of claim 13, wherein the controller controls the height adjusting assembly to vary a height of the substrate carrier relative to the print head based on the position of the textile detected by at least one of the first and second beam emitters and the respectively associated beam sensors.

15. A printer for printing directly to a textile, the printer comprising: a print head assembly including a print head supported for movement relative to a substrate carrier; and

at least one valve located in an ink supply path before the print head, the valve adjustable between at least a first condition wherein ink from the ink supply path is directed to the print head, and a second condition wherein the flow of ink to the print head from the ink supply path is stopped and a cleaning/flushing fluid is introduced to the print head.

16. The printer of claim 15, wherein the at least one valve is adjustable to a third condition wherein ink is directed from the ink supply path to a recirculation path.

17. The printer of claim 15, wherein the print head includes at least one damper in the ink supply path, and the at least one valve is located between the damper and the print head.

18. A printer for printing directly to a textile, the printer comprising:

a print head assembly including a print head;

a test surface positioned to receive ink from the print head;

an optical device capturing image data related to ink printed on the test surface; and

a controller receiving signals from the optical device related to the captured image data.

19. The printer of claim 15, further comprising a wiper positioned proximate the test surface, the wiper clearing ink from the test surface following the capture of image data by the optical device.

20. A printer for printing directly to a textile, the printer comprising:

a substrate carrier for supporting the textile thereon;

a print head assembly including a print head supported for movement relative to the substrate carrier; and

a heating source positioned above the substrate carrier and heating the textile supported on the substrate carrier during printing of ink onto the textile by the print head.

21. The printer of claim 20, further comprising:

a controller communicating with the heat source;

the controller controlling power to the heat source based on information related to ink to be printed onto the textile.