Method of decorating a watch dial and watch dial

Abstract

A method of decorating a dial plate and a dial plate capable of printing a pattern on a surface side of a base and capable of achieving a complex design. The method of decorating a dial plate of the present invention has a base forming step of forming a pattern on a base material as a base, and a print layer forming step of forming a print layer on a surface side of the base, the print layer forming step forming the print layer by printing the pattern by changing the density of dots of ink ejected by an inkjet method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method of decorating a watch dial and to a watch dial itself. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a watch dial comprising a support body and a mother-of-pearl sheet. The mother-of-pearl sheet has a front surface and a back surface, with the back surface facing the support body and a pattern printed thereon. The thickness of the mother-of-pearl sheet is 50 μm to 100 μm, so that the pattern printed on the back surface of the mother-of-pearl sheet is visible through the mother-of-pearl sheet under normal lighting conditions.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-510820

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a watch dial with a pattern printed on the back surface of a mother-of-pearl substrate using methods such as screen printing, photolithography, or inkjet printing. However, the printed pattern is visible through the substrate, making it difficult for the user to see clearly. Therefore, a decorative method and watch dial capable of printing patterns on the surface of a substrate to achieve complex designs are desired. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The dial decoration method of the present invention is characterized by having: a substrate forming step, wherein a pattern is formed on a substrate to serve as a substrate; and a printing layer forming step, wherein a printing layer is formed on the surface side of the substrate, wherein the printing layer forming step forms the printing layer by printing a pattern by changing the density of ink dots ejected by inkjet.

[0006] The dial of the present invention is characterized by having: a substrate having a pattern formed on its surface to form a base; and a printing layer formed on the surface side of the substrate, the printing layer having the pattern printed by changing the density of the dots of ink ejected by inkjet. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing the layer structure of the dial according to an embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for decorating a dial according to an embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram showing the reflected light when the dial of the embodiment is viewed from the front.

[0010] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing the reflected light when viewing the dial in an oblique orientation.

[0011] Figure 5 It is an explanatory diagram showing the dial viewed from the front, at a 50-degree angle, and at an 80-degree angle.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the first decorative example of the dial.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the second decorative example of the dial.

[0014] Label Explanation

[0015] 1. 1B, 1C dial; 2. 2B, 2C substrate; 3. Transparent layer; 4. Hydrophobic layer; 5. 5B, 5C printing layer; 21. 21B, 21C pattern; 50 ink; 51. 51B, 51C pattern; S1 substrate formation process; S2 transparent layer formation process; S3 hydrophobic treatment process; S4 printing layer formation process; S5 drying process. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Reference Figures 1-5 The method of decorating the dial according to the embodiment and the dial itself will be described.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view showing the layer structure of dial 1.

[0018] The dial 1 comprises: a substrate 2 on which a pattern 21, serving as a base, is formed; a light-transmitting layer 3 laminated on the surface of the substrate 2; a liquid-repellent layer 4 formed by performing a liquid-repellent treatment on the surface of the light-transmitting layer 3; and a printing layer 5 formed by ink 50 sprayed onto the surface of the liquid-repellent layer 4 by an inkjet printer. The printing layer 5 is formed by printing the pattern 51 by changing the density of the ink dots 50. That is, the pattern 51 of the printing layer 5 is formed by a dot pattern that serves as the spray pattern of the ink 50.

[0019] Next, refer to Figure 2 The flowchart illustrates the decorative method of forming patterns on dial 1.

[0020] After the decoration method of dial 1 is started, the base forming process S1 is first implemented. In the base forming process S1, a pattern 21 is formed on the surface of the substrate 2 of dial 1 by electroplating, engraving, coating and other processes to serve as the base. The substrate 2 can be made of metal plates such as brass, zinc-copper alloy, aluminum, stainless steel or rigid plastic plates, ceramic plates, etc. In particular, if the substrate 2 is made of metal plates, a more high-end design can be formed compared with the case of using plastic plates, which can further enhance the design of the combination of the pattern 21 of the substrate 2 and the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5.

[0021] Furthermore, when the pattern 21 is formed by creating uneven surfaces on the surface of the substrate 2 through engraving or the like, the uneven surfaces of the substrate 2 constitute the base on which the pattern 21 is formed. When the pattern 21 is formed on the surface of the substrate 2 by electroplating or coating or the like, the electroplated or coated layer constitutes the base.

[0022] After performing the substrate formation step S1, a light-transmitting layer formation step S2 is performed. In the light-transmitting layer formation step S2, a light-transmitting resin is coated on the surface of the substrate 2 to form a light-transmitting layer 3. The light-transmitting resin can be a transparent, pearl-based, or colored transparent resin material, such as acrylic resin or epoxy resin. The thickness of the light-transmitting layer 3 is, for example, 40 μm to 100 μm.

[0023] Regarding the method of coating the surface of the substrate 2 with a transparent resin, methods such as coating by spraying or coating by inkjet can be used.

[0024] After the light-transmitting layer formation step S2, a liquid-repellent treatment step S3 is performed to treat the surface of the light-transmitting layer 3 with liquid. The liquid-repellent treatment can be performed, for example, by using atmospheric pressure plasma to replace a portion of the molecular structure of the resin exposed on the surface of the light-transmitting layer 3 with fluorine. Through this liquid-repellent treatment, a liquid-repellent layer 4 with liquid-repellent properties is formed on the surface of the light-transmitting layer 3.

[0025] After performing the hydrophobic treatment step S3, a printing layer forming step S4 is performed to form a printing layer 5 by printing a pattern 51 on the surface of the hydrophobic layer 4 using an inkjet printing method. The ink 50 sprayed by the inkjet printing method to form the printing layer 5 can be water-based ink, solvent-based ink, UV-curable ink, etc. The ink 50 is an ink in which pigments, dyes, microparticles, resins, etc. are dispersed in a solvent. For example, silver nanoparticle ink as a water-based ink, epoxy resin ink as a solvent-based transparent ink, titanium dioxide ink as a solvent-based white ink, and carbon ink as a solvent-based black ink can be used. In addition, ink 50 can be a transparent ink such as titanium dioxide ink, or a non-transparent ink such as silver nanoparticle ink.

[0026] Here, when the printing layer 5 is formed from silver nanoparticle ink, it is preferable that the substrate 2 is formed from a dark color. Dark colors are black, green, dark blue, purple, etc., which are far from white due to their brightness or chroma. Therefore, the silver nanoparticle ink, as silver ink, is easily visible, and the pattern of the printing layer is also visible.

[0027] Furthermore, when the printing layer 5 is formed from a translucent ink, the substrate 2 is preferably formed from a color of the same color family as the translucent ink. For example, when the printing layer 5 is formed from titanium dioxide ink, which is a translucent ink, since titanium dioxide ink is a solvent-based white ink, it is preferable that the substrate color is also white. By forming the substrate and ink from the same color family, the substrate color and the translucent ink color appear to overlap, thereby enabling the creation of a sophisticated pattern that blends two textures. Additionally, the translucent ink can be any ink other than titanium dioxide ink, which is white; particularly considering the ease with which the substrate pattern can be seen, a high-brightness ink is preferred. Furthermore, the printing layer 5 can also use multiple inks to print patterns of multiple colors. Multiple translucent inks can be used, and areas for printing translucent ink and areas for printing non-translucent ink can be distinguished; non-translucent inks can also be printed in different areas.

[0028] The ink dots 50, which are sprayed by inkjet and adhere to the surface of the hydrophobic layer 4, form a circular shape when viewed from the front in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the dial 1. The diameter of the ink dots 50 is between 10 μm and 70 μm, and is particularly preferably between 20 μm and 50 μm. If the diameter of the ink dots 50 is 70 μm or less, each dot is printed at a size invisible to the naked eye, and therefore, when the user observes the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5, it is perceived as an aggregate of dots, i.e., a dot pattern. Furthermore, if the diameter of the ink dots 50 is 10 μm or more, the ink 50 can be sprayed stably to precise positions by inkjet. Therefore, for example, ink 50 can be sprayed overlappingly to the same positions.

[0029] The thickness of the printed layer 5 is, for example, greater than 0.1 μm and less than 10 μm.

[0030] After the printing layer formation process S4, a drying process S5 is performed to dry the ink 50 of the printing layer 5. The drying process S5 uses a heating plate, oven, far-infrared heating furnace, vacuum dryer, etc., to dry the ink 50. Furthermore, if the ink 50 is a UV-curable ink, it is cured by UV irradiation in the drying process S5. In other words, the drying process S5 is a process that fixes the ink 50 adhering to the surface of the hydrophobic layer 4 to the surface of the hydrophobic layer 4 through drying and curing.

[0031] [Visual effects of the watch face]

[0032] Reference Figures 3 to 5The appearance of the pattern on the dial 1 after being decorated through the above processes is explained. In this embodiment, the dial 1 is provided with a pattern 21 formed on the surface of the substrate 2 and a pattern 51 formed by the ink 50 of the printing layer 5, i.e., a dot pattern. Furthermore, comparing the front view of the dial 1 from a direction perpendicular to the surface, i.e., a 0-degree direction, and the oblique view of the dial 1 from an inclined direction, the pattern 21 of the substrate 2 is more visible when viewed from the front than when viewed from the oblique direction. Conversely, the pattern 51 of the printing layer 5 is more visible when viewed from the oblique direction than when viewed from the front.

[0033] This visual effect is based on the following three reasons. The first reason is that, in printing layer 5, if the brightness of the reflected light Rs1 in the 0-degree direction is set to Ls1 and the brightness of the reflected light Rs2 in the tilted direction is set to Ls2, then Ls1... <Ls2。

[0034] The second reason is that when the brightness of the printed layer 5 is set to Ls and the brightness of the substrate 2 is set to Lu, Ls / Lu is larger when viewed at an angle than when viewed from the front.

[0035] The third reason is that the area occupied by the dots of ink 50 relative to the exposed area of ​​substrate 2 is larger when viewed at an angle than when viewed from the front.

[0036] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the brightness of the reflected light from the printed layer 5 is lower in the 0-degree direction than in the tilted direction. That is, if we define the brightness of the reflected light Rs1 (when viewed from the front) from the 0-degree direction of the printed layer 5 as Ls1, and the brightness of the reflected light Rs2 (when viewed at an angle) from the tilted direction as Ls2, then Ls1... <Ls2。

[0037] Furthermore, the amount of light reflected by the substrate 2, which is made of a metal plate or the like, is much greater than the amount of light reflected by the printed layer 5. For example, if the brightness of the reflected light Ru1 in the 0-degree direction of the substrate 2, i.e., the brightness when viewed from the front, is set as Lu1, then Ls1 < <Lu1。

[0038] Therefore, the amount of light reflected from the substrate 2 is sufficient, so the pattern 21 formed on the surface of the substrate 2 is easily visible when viewed from the front. On the other hand, the amount of light reflected from the printed layer 5 is relatively small, so the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 is not easily visible when viewed from the front.

[0039] In addition, the luminance Lu2 of the reflected light Ru2 in the tilting direction of the base material 2 is lower than the luminance Lu1 of the reflected light Ru1 in the 0-degree direction. That is, Lu1 > Lu2. This is because the light reflected in the tilting direction in the base material 2 is weakened due to reflection between the base material 2 and the light-transmissive layer 3, attenuation caused by the unevenness of the surface of the base material 2, etc. Therefore, the amount of light reflected obliquely by the printed layer 5 becomes relatively larger, and the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 is more easily visible. That is, when the luminance of the reflected light Rs2 in the tilting direction of the printed layer 5 is set as Ls2 and the luminance of the reflected light Ru2 in the tilting direction of the base material 2 is set as Lu2, Ls2 < Lu2, but the difference in luminance is smaller than the difference in luminance between Ls1 and Lu1.

[0040] Therefore, Ls2 / Lu2 > Ls1 / Lu1. When observing the dial 1 from the tilting direction, compared with the case of observing from the front, the luminance of the printed layer 5 becomes larger relative to the luminance of the base material 2. Therefore, the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 is more easily visible.

[0041] And, as Figure 5 shown, comparing the case of frontal observation from the 0-degree direction orthogonal to the surface of the dial 1, the case of 50-degree oblique viewing from a direction tilted 50 degrees relative to the orthogonal direction, and the case of 80-degree oblique viewing from a direction tilted 80 degrees, the exposed area of the ink 50 relative to the exposed area of the base material 2 is the smallest in the case of frontal observation and the largest in the case of 80 degrees. Therefore, in the case of 80 degrees, compared with frontal observation, the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 is more easily visible.

[0042] At this time, the interval between the dots of the ink 50 forming the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 is preferably more than 1 times and less than 3 times the diameter of the dots. That is, when the dot interval is 1 time or less the diameter of the dots, since the gap between the dots is small, especially when using non-transmissive ink, it is difficult to see the pattern 21 of the base material 2. On the other hand, when the dot interval is 3 times or more the diameter of the dots, the gap between the dots is large. Therefore, even when obliquely viewing the dial 1, there are cases where the pattern 51 becomes unclear due to dot separation. In contrast, if the dot interval is more than 1 times and less than 3 times the diameter of the dots, the pattern 21 of the base material 2 can be seen when observing the dial 1 from the front, and the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 can be clearly seen when obliquely viewing the dial 1.

[0043] In addition, the angle at which the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 can be clearly seen when obliquely viewing the dial 1 is affected by the dot interval. For example, Figure 5The example shown illustrates the case where the dot spacing is twice the diameter of the dots. In this case, when viewed from an angle of 50 degrees or more relative to the orthogonal direction, the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 tends to be clearly visible. Furthermore, when the dot spacing is one time the diameter of the dots, the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 tends to be clearly visible when viewed from an angle of 30 degrees or more relative to the orthogonal direction. Similarly, when the dot spacing is three times the diameter of the dots, the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 tends to be clearly visible when viewed from an angle of 70 degrees or more relative to the orthogonal direction. In other words, when the dot spacing decreases relative to the diameter of the dots, the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 becomes clear even when the angle of oblique viewing relative to the orthogonal direction of the dial 1 decreases; conversely, when the dot spacing increases, the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 becomes unclear unless the angle of oblique viewing relative to the orthogonal direction of the dial 1 is increased.

[0044] The light-transmitting layer 3 and the hydrophobic layer 4 formed on the surface of the substrate 2 can be formed on the entire surface of the substrate 2 or partially. In addition, the printed layer 5 formed on the surface of the hydrophobic layer 4 can be formed on the entire surface of the hydrophobic layer 4 or partially.

[0045] [Decorative Example]

[0046] As the first decorative example, Figure 6 The dial 1B is shown with a printed layer 5B laminated on the surface side of the substrate 2B. Figure 6 In the example, a radial pattern 21B is formed on the substrate 2B as a base. The pattern 51B of the printing layer 5B is set by the dot pattern of the ink 50, which is set such that the density of the dots is low in the center and increases towards the periphery.

[0047] Therefore, when the printed layer 5 is formed on the surface side of the substrate 2B, such as Figure 6 As shown in the dial 1B, the pattern 21B of the substrate 2B is displayed in the center of the dial 1B due to the low density of the ink dots 50, while the pattern 21B of the substrate 2B is not obvious in the peripheral part of the dial 1B due to the high density of the dots, and the pattern 51B of the printing layer 5B is obvious.

[0048] Furthermore, when using a transparent ink as ink 50, the pattern 21B of the base can be seen through the ink 50 at the periphery of the dial 1B, thus enabling a design that combines the pattern 21B and the pattern 51B.

[0049] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, as a second decorative feature, a dial 1C is depicted with a printed layer 5C laminated on the surface side of a substrate 2C. Figure 7 In the example, a pattern 21C with circular protrusions and recesses is formed on the substrate 2C. The pattern 51C of the printing layer 5C is formed by the dot pattern of ink 50. Figure 7 In the middle, a pattern is set by the density of points changing in the vertical direction and in a continuous band in the horizontal direction.

[0050] Therefore, when a printed layer 5C is formed on the surface side of the substrate 2C, such as Figure 7 As shown on dial 1C, the pattern 21C of substrate 2C is prominent in areas with low dot density of ink 50, while in areas with high dot density of ink 50, the pattern 21C of substrate 2C is not prominent, but the pattern 51C is prominent. Furthermore, the printing layer 5C is partially printed on the surface of substrate 2C, and the pattern 21B of substrate 2C is directly visible in areas where the printing layer 5C is not printed.

[0051] In these patterns 51B and 51C, the spacing of the ink dots 50 varies. In areas with high dot density, there are portions that are less than one times the diameter of the dots, while in areas with low dot density, there are portions that are more than three times the diameter of the dots. That is, the dot spacing is set according to the dot pattern when forming the pattern of the printing layer 5.

[0052] [Effects of the Implementation Method]

[0053] According to this embodiment, the patterns 51, 51B, and 51C of the printing layers 5, 5B, and 5C are printed by varying the density of the ink dots 50. Therefore, the patterns 21, 21B, and 21C of the substrate are easily visible in areas of low density. On the other hand, the patterns 21, 21B, and 21C of the substrate are not easily visible in areas of high density, but the patterns 51, 51B, and 51C of the printing layers 5, 5B, and 5C are easily visible. Therefore, complex designs can be represented by the patterns 21, 21B, and 21C of the substrate and the patterns 51, 51B, and 51C of the printing layers 5, 5B, and 5C, thereby improving the design sophistication of the dials 1, 1B, and 1C.

[0054] The ink 50 of the printing layer 5 is ejected by inkjet printing, so various inks 50 can be used to form the printing layer 5. Therefore, by using the transparent ink 50, the patterns 21, 21B, and 21C of the substrate are easily visible not only in the areas with low ink dot density but also in the areas with high density, and complex designs that further utilize the patterns 21, 21B, and 21C of the substrate can be expressed.

[0055] The patterns 51, 51B, and 51C of the printing layer 5 are formed by inkjet printing 50. Therefore, various patterns 51, 51B, and 51C can be printed using dot patterns. Thus, as with the patterns 51B and 51C of the dials 1B and 1C, by increasing the dot density, areas where the patterns 51, 51B, and 51C of the printing layer 5 are easily visible can be formed; by decreasing the dot density, areas where the base pattern 21, 21B, and 21C are easily visible can be formed. Furthermore, by appropriately setting the dot spacing, for example, by making it greater than 1 times but less than 3 times the dot diameter, patterns that are inconspicuous when viewed from the front but clearly visible when viewed from an angle can be formed.

[0056] In the watch dial 1, a hydrophobic layer 4 is formed by applying a hydrophobic treatment to the surface of the light-transmitting layer 3. This allows ink 50, sprayed onto the hydrophobic layer 4 via inkjet printing, to adhere with a stable diameter without significant diffusion, thus clearly displaying the patterns 51, 51B, and 51C of the printed layer 5. Furthermore, by preventing the ink 50 of the printed layer 5 from being absorbed by the light-transmitting layer 3, a distance can be established between the printed layer 5 and the substrate 2, allowing patterns to be formed on both the printed layer 5 and the substrate 2. Therefore, complex designs with a three-dimensional and depth-like effect can be displayed on the dial 1, enhancing its design appeal.

[0057] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0058] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be implemented within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0059] For example, in the above embodiment, a printing layer 5 is stacked on the surface of the substrate 2 through the light-transmitting layer 3 and the liquid-repellent layer 4. However, the printing layer 5 can also be formed by directly spraying ink 50 onto the surface of the substrate 2 without providing the light-transmitting layer 3 and the liquid-repellent layer 4.

[0060] Alternatively, a translucent resin can be further laminated onto the surface of the printed layer 5. In this case, the translucent resin can be used to protect the printed layer 5.

[0061] Furthermore, a hydrophobic layer can be formed on the surface of the translucent resin, and ink can be sprayed onto the surface of the hydrophobic layer to form a printing layer, with the translucent layer sandwiched between the two printing layers. In this case, in addition to the pattern of the substrate 2, the patterns of each printing layer can be overlapped, thus enabling more complex designs with a sense of three-dimensionality and depth.

[0062] In the dial, the combination of the color or pattern of the substrate 2 (which serves as the base) and the color or pattern of the printed layer 5 can be appropriately set according to the dial design. Therefore, when silver nanoparticle ink is used as ink 50, the color of the base is not limited to dark colors, and when a transparent ink such as titanium dioxide ink is used, the color of the base is not limited to a color of the same color family as the ink.

[0063] Alternatively, a hydrophilic treatment can be performed on the surface of the light-transmitting layer 3 before hydrophobic treatment. Hydrophilic treatment can be performed, for example, by irradiation with ultraviolet light or by atmospheric pressure plasma using oxygen. If a hydrophilic treatment is performed, the surface of the light-transmitting layer 3 can be cleaned, thus forming a uniform hydrophobic layer 4.

[0064] The thickness of the light-transmitting layer 3 can also be appropriately set during implementation. Depending on the thickness of the light-transmitting layer 3, the distance between the pattern 21 of the substrate 2 and the pattern 51 of the printed layer 5 changes, thus allowing for adjustment of the three-dimensionality and depth.

[0065] [Summary of this invention]

[0066] The dial decoration method of the present invention is characterized by having: a substrate forming step, wherein a pattern is formed on a substrate to serve as a substrate; and a printing layer forming step, wherein a printing layer is formed on the surface side of the substrate, wherein the printing layer forming step forms the printing layer by printing a pattern by changing the density of ink dots ejected by inkjet.

[0067] According to the present invention, the pattern of the printed layer is printed by varying the density of ink dots. Therefore, the pattern of the base is easily visible in areas with low density, while the pattern of the base is not easily visible in areas with high density, but the pattern of the printed layer is easily visible. Thus, complex designs can be expressed through the patterns of the base and the printed layer, thereby improving the design of the dial.

[0068] In the dial decoration method of the present invention, it is preferable that, in the printing layer forming process, ink with permeability is sprayed to form the printing layer.

[0069] According to the present invention, by using a transparent ink as the ink of the printing layer, the pattern of the substrate is easily visible not only in the areas with low ink dot density but also in the areas with high density, and complex designs obtained by further effectively utilizing the pattern of the substrate can be expressed.

[0070] In the dial decoration method of the present invention, it is preferred that the spacing between the ink dots is greater than 1 times and less than 3 times the diameter of the dots.

[0071] According to the present invention, by making the spacing between dots greater than 1 times and less than 3 times the dot diameter, the pattern of the printed layer can be seen more clearly when tilted at a predetermined angle from a direction orthogonal to the surface of the dial.

[0072] Furthermore, the spacing between the dots is greater than one times the dot diameter, so the pattern of the base layer can be seen even when using non-transparent ink. Conversely, the spacing between the dots is less than three times the dot diameter, thus enabling the identification of dot-based patterns.

[0073] In the dial decoration method of the present invention, it is preferred that the translucent ink is titanium oxide ink.

[0074] According to the present invention, by using titanium dioxide ink, the patterns on the substrate can also be seen through transmission. In particular, titanium dioxide ink is a white, translucent ink, so even in areas with high ink dot density, the patterns on the substrate can be easily seen, and the patterns on the substrate and the printed layer appear to overlap, enabling the representation of complex designs.

[0075] In the dial decoration method of the present invention, it is preferred that the ink is silver nanoparticle ink or titanium oxide ink.

[0076] According to the present invention, silver nanoparticle ink or titanium oxide ink is used, thus enabling the use of inks that are practically applicable as piezoelectric inkjet printers, and enabling the decoration method to be realized at low cost.

[0077] The dial of the present invention is characterized by having: a substrate having a pattern formed on its surface to form a base; and a printing layer formed on the surface side of the substrate, the printing layer having the pattern printed by changing the density of the dots of ink ejected by inkjet.

[0078] According to the present invention, the pattern of the printing layer is printed by changing the density of ink dots. Therefore, the pattern of the substrate is easily seen in areas with lower density and not easily seen in areas with higher density. Thus, complex designs can be expressed through the pattern of the substrate and the pattern of the printing layer.

[0079] In the dial of the present invention, preferably, the substrate is formed of a dark color, the printing layer is formed of silver nanoparticle ink, and the spacing between the dots of the silver nanoparticle ink is greater than 1 times and less than 3 times the diameter of the dots.

[0080] According to the present invention, a base is formed with a dark color such as black or navy blue, that is, a color that deviates from white according to brightness or chroma. Therefore, the silver nanoparticle ink, which is silver ink, becomes easily visible, and the pattern of the printed layer is also easily visible. In addition, the silver nanoparticle ink is an opaque ink, but by setting the spacing between the dots to an area that is greater than 1 times but less than 3 times the diameter of the dots, the pattern of the base layer can be seen using the spacing between the dots, and the pattern formed by the silver nanoparticle ink can be easily seen when the dial is viewed at an angle.

[0081] In the dial of the present invention, preferably, the printed layer is formed of a translucent ink, the substrate is formed of a color of the same color family as the translucent ink, and the printed layer is partially formed on the surface of the substrate.

[0082] According to the present invention, the base and ink are formed in the same color family, so the color of the base and the color of the translucent ink appear to overlap, thereby enabling the expression of a high-end pattern that blends two textures. In addition, since the printing layer is partially formed on the surface of the base and the base and ink are in the same color family, the hues of the parts of the base exposed without the printing layer and the parts of the base and ink overlapping with the printed layer can also be similar, thus enabling the expression of a high-end pattern.

Claims

1. A method for decorating a watch dial, characterized in that, have: The substrate forming process involves forming patterns on a substrate to serve as the substrate; The process of forming a light-transmitting layer involves forming a light-transmitting layer on the surface of the substrate; and In the printing layer formation process, a printing layer is formed on the surface side of the light-transmitting layer. The printing layer forming process forms the printing layer by changing the arrangement density of dots in the ink ejection pattern of the ink ejected by inkjet printing, thereby printing the pattern formed by the ejection pattern. Viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, the pattern formed on the substrate overlaps with the pattern formed by the sprayed pattern. The diameter of the ink dots is between 10 μm and 70 μm. The pattern formed by the ejected pattern has a first region and a second region with a higher density of dots than the first region. The first region is more likely to show the pattern formed on the substrate than the second region.

2. The method for decorating a watch dial according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the printing layer forming process, ink with permeability is sprayed out to form the printing layer.

3. The method for decorating a dial according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spacing between the ink dots is greater than 1 times and less than 3 times the diameter of the dots.

4. The method for decorating a watch dial according to claim 2, characterized in that, The permeable ink is titanium dioxide ink.

5. The method for decorating a dial according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ink is either silver nanoparticle ink or titanium dioxide ink.

6. A dial, characterized in that, It has the following characteristics: The substrate has a pattern formed on its surface that serves as a base. A light-transmitting layer, which is formed on the surface of the substrate; and A printed layer is formed on the surface side of the light-transmitting layer. The printed layer is printed with patterns formed by the ink ejection pattern by changing the density of dots in the ejection pattern of the ink ejected by inkjet. Viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, the pattern formed on the substrate overlaps with the pattern formed by the sprayed pattern. The diameter of the ink dots is between 10 μm and 70 μm. The pattern formed by the ejected pattern has a first region and a second region with a higher density of dots than the first region. The first region is more likely to show the pattern formed on the substrate than the second region.

7. The dial according to claim 6, characterized in that, The base is formed of dark colors. The printed layer is formed of silver nanoparticle ink. The spacing between the dots in the silver nanoparticle ink is greater than 1 times and less than 3 times the diameter of the dots.

8. The dial according to claim 6, characterized in that, The printed layer is formed of permeable ink. The base is formed of a color in the same color family as the translucent ink. The printed layer is partially formed on the surface of the substrate.

Images