Method, apparatus and storage medium for simulating cold blocking using a digital inkjet printing device

Abstract

The application discloses a method, device and storage medium for simulating cold stamping by using a digital inkjet printing device. The method comprises the following steps: obtaining thickness value, gloss value and chroma value of metal ink of a gold stamping sample; setting first printing data of the digital inkjet printing device according to the thickness value and the gloss value; wherein the first printing data comprises silver ink layer number and silver ink inkjet amount; setting a printing position of a printing substrate in the digital inkjet printing device and printing a sample; wherein, if the chroma value is zero, the sample printing comprises the following steps: placing the printing substrate at the printing position, printing a silver ink layer according to the first printing data to obtain a first sample; and placing the first sample at the printing position again and printing a pattern layer. In the application, the gold stamping and the printing process are continuously completed in the digital inkjet printing device, the production capacity of the gold stamping device and the printing machine is released, the gold stamping plate manufacturing process and the like can be omitted, the sample making cycle is shortened, and the overall sample making efficiency is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the printing technical field, and in particular to a method and device for simulating cold stamping by using a digital inkjet printing equipment and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] There are two common cold stamping processes at present: one is to use a large UV printing machine for cold stamping online; and the other is to use a stamping equipment for cold stamping offline and then to use a UV printing machine for printing. From the making of a gold stamping plate to the printing on the machine, the whole printing cycle involves many processes, resulting in a long printing cycle and low printing efficiency. The offline cold stamping printing mode causes poor register accuracy between the stamping layer and the printing layer due to the positioning problem between the stamping equipment and the printing equipment. Moreover, whether it is offline cold stamping or online cold stamping, the UV printing machine capacity needs to be occupied, resulting in a substantial increase in printing cost. In addition, if a digital inkjet printing system is used according to the conventional printing output process, silver ink can only be output on the uppermost layer, and the underlying graphic content cannot be covered, which cannot achieve the expected cold stamping effect.

[0003] The contents of the background section merely represent the knowledge of the inventors, and do not necessarily represent the existing technology in the field. SUMMARY

[0004] To solve at least one of the above problems, the first aspect of the present application provides a method for simulating cold stamping by using a digital inkjet printing equipment.

[0005] The method for simulating cold stamping by using a digital inkjet printing equipment provided by the present application comprises the following steps.

[0006] Obtaining the thickness value, the glossiness value and the chroma value of the metal ink of a gold stamping sample;

[0007] Setting first printing data of the digital inkjet printing equipment according to the thickness value and the glossiness value; wherein the first printing data comprises the number of silver ink layers and the inkjet amount of silver ink;

[0008] Setting the printing position of a printing substrate in the digital inkjet printing equipment and printing a sample sheet;

[0009] If the chroma value is zero, the printing of the sample sheet comprises the following steps.

[0010] Placing the printing substrate at the printing position, printing the silver ink layer according to the first printing data, and obtaining a first sample sheet;

[0011] Placing the first sample sheet again at the printing position, and printing a pattern layer.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, if the chroma value is not zero, second printing data of the digital inkjet printing device is generated based on the chroma value; and

[0013] Proof printing includes:

[0014] The substrate is placed at the printing position, and the silver ink layer is printed according to the first printing data to obtain the first copy;

[0015] The first sample is placed back in the printing position, and the color layer is printed according to the second printing data to obtain the second sample;

[0016] The second sample is placed back in the printing position to print the pattern layer.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present invention, the number of silver ink layers is determined based on the thickness value, and the amount of silver ink ejected is determined based on the gloss value.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present invention, the printing position includes the position of any portion of the substrate in the digital inkjet printing device when not printing.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present invention, placing the substrate at the printing position and printing the silver ink layer according to the first printing data to obtain a first print includes:

[0020] The substrate is placed at the printing position, and the silver ink layer is printed according to the first printing data to obtain the first printed sample.

[0021] Detect the first thickness value and the first gloss value of the silver ink layer on the first printed sample;

[0022] If the difference between the first thickness value and the thickness value of the hot stamping sample is not within the first set range, and / or the difference between the first gloss value and the gloss value of the hot stamping sample is not within the second set range, adjust the first printing data and print again until the difference between the first thickness value and the thickness value is within the first set range, and the difference between the first gloss value and the gloss value is within the second set range, and obtain the first sample.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first sample is placed back at the printing position, and the color layer is printed according to the second printing data to obtain the second sample, including:

[0024] The first sample is placed back in the printing position, and the color layer is printed according to the second printing data to obtain the second printed sample;

[0025] Detect the first chroma value of the second printed sample;

[0026] If the difference between the first chroma value and the chroma value of the metallic ink is not within the third set range, adjust the second printing data and print again until the difference between the first chroma value and the chroma value is within the third set range, and obtain the second sample.

[0027] A second aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus comprising:

[0028] Processor; and

[0029] The memory stores computer instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the method described above.

[0030] A third aspect of the present invention provides a non-transitory computer storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the processors to perform the above-described method.

[0031] The method for simulating cold foil stamping using digital inkjet printing equipment provided by this invention allows for customization of stamping thickness, gloss, and chroma according to different needs, achieving a variety of cold foil stamping effects. Compared with offline cold foil stamping, by positioning the substrate at the printing position during printing, more precise registration between hot foil stamping and printing can be achieved. The hot foil stamping and printing processes are completed continuously in the digital inkjet printing equipment, freeing up the capacity of the hot foil stamping equipment and printing press, while also eliminating processes such as hot foil stamping plate making, shortening the proofing cycle, and thus improving the overall proofing efficiency.

[0032] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this disclosure, are used to provide a further understanding of this disclosure. The illustrative embodiments of this disclosure and their descriptions are used to explain this disclosure and do not constitute an undue limitation of this disclosure. In the drawings:

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a process for simulating cold foil stamping using a digital inkjet printing device, provided as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a process for simulating cold foil stamping using a digital inkjet printing device, provided as another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a hot stamping sample pattern used in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 4 (1) and (2) are respectively the sample pattern to be printed and the final printed sample pattern obtained in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] In the following description, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the drawings and description are considered to be exemplary in nature and not restrictive.

[0039] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of the invention. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. In addition, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided in this invention, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0040] In this invention, the terms "first," "second," and other ordinal numbers are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0041] It should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between the components; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0042] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples, so as to better understand the solution of the present invention and its advantages in various aspects. However, the specific embodiments and examples described below are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0043] Figure 1An embodiment of the present invention illustrates a method for simulating cold foil stamping using a digital inkjet printing device, which includes the following steps S100-S400.

[0044] S100: Obtain the thickness, gloss, and chroma values ​​of the metallic ink in the hot stamping sample.

[0045] The metallic ink in the hot stamping sample referred to in this invention may consist only of silver ink, or it may be prepared by mixing silver ink with other colored pigments. When the chroma value is zero, it means that the metallic ink consists only of silver ink; when the chroma value is not zero, it means that the metallic ink includes silver ink and other colored pigments. The chroma value can be directly measured by an instrument or calculated using Lab values.

[0046] S200: Sets the first printing data for the digital inkjet printer based on the thickness and gloss values.

[0047] The first print data contains the number of silver ink layers and the amount of silver ink to be printed.

[0048] Optionally, in this step, the number of silver ink layers to be printed can be determined by detecting the thickness value of the hot stamping sample. The thickness of one layer of silver ink is fixed during printing, so the number of silver ink layers (i.e., the number of silver ink layers) to be set during printing can be determined by the thickness value of the hot stamping sample.

[0049] Optionally, in this step, the amount of silver ink ejected during printing can be determined by detecting the gloss value of the hot stamping sample. The amount of silver ink determines the gloss, therefore the amount of silver ink ejected can also be determined by the gloss value.

[0050] S300: Set the printing position of the substrate in the digital inkjet printer.

[0051] Optionally, the printing position includes the position of any part of the substrate on the digital inkjet printer when not being printed. For example, when the substrate is paper, the position of one end of the paper on the digital inkjet printer when it is to be printed, or the position of the center of the paper on the digital inkjet printer. Once this printing position is determined, the substrate (or sample) is placed on this printing position for each print job, thereby ensuring more precise registration between hot stamping and printing.

[0052] S400: Print sample prints.

[0053] Optionally, if the aforementioned chroma value is zero, step S400 includes:

[0054] S410: Place the substrate in the printing position, print the silver ink layer according to the first printing data, and obtain the first copy;

[0055] S420: Place the first copy back in the printing position and print the pattern layer.

[0056] Optionally, if the aforementioned chroma value is not zero, such as Figure 2 As shown, the method further includes step S500: setting the second printing data of the digital inkjet printer according to the chroma value.

[0057] The second print data is the data required to give the silver ink a colored appearance during printing.

[0058] If the aforementioned chroma value is not zero, step S400 includes:

[0059] S410': Place the substrate in the printing position, print the silver ink layer according to the first printing data, and obtain the first copy;

[0060] S420': Place the first sample back in the printing position and print the color layer according to the second printing data to obtain the second sample;

[0061] S430': Place the second sample back in the printing position and print the pattern layer.

[0062] Steps S410 and S410' are essentially the same. Steps S420 and S430' differ only in the sample used for printing (step S420 uses the first sample, while step S430' uses the second sample); otherwise, they are identical.

[0063] Optionally, steps S410 and S410' may include the following sub-steps:

[0064] Place the substrate in the printing position and print the silver ink layer according to the first printing data to obtain the first printed sample;

[0065] Detect the first thickness value and the first gloss value of the silver ink layer on the first printed sample;

[0066] If the difference between the first thickness value and the thickness value of the hot stamping sample is not within the first set range, and / or the difference between the first gloss value and the gloss value of the hot stamping sample is not within the second set range, adjust the first printing data and print again until the difference between the first thickness value and the thickness value is within the first set range, and the difference between the first gloss value and the gloss value is within the second set range, and obtain the first sample.

[0067] Through the above steps, the thickness and gloss of the silver ink layer obtained in the first sample are not much different from the thickness and gloss of the silver ink in the selected hot stamping sample, thus better simulating the cold stamping effect.

[0068] Optionally, step S420' includes the following sub-steps:

[0069] Place the first sample back in the printing position and print the color layer according to the second printing data to obtain the second printed sample;

[0070] Detect the first chroma value of the second printed sample;

[0071] If the difference between the first chroma value and the chroma value of the metallic ink is not within the third setting range, adjust the second printing data and print again until the difference between the first chroma value and the chroma value is within the third setting range, and obtain the second sample.

[0072] The above steps can give silver ink a colored appearance. The chroma value of the second sample is not much different from the chroma value of the metallic ink of the selected hot stamping sample, thus better simulating the cold stamping effect.

[0073] After step S410 or steps S410'-S420', the printing of the hot stamping layer (i.e., including the silver ink layer, or the silver ink layer and the color layer) is completed.

[0074] Steps S420 and S430' are used to print the pattern layer (i.e., the printing layer made by a printing press in the traditional cold foil stamping process). In steps S420 and S430', only the CMYK channels need to be retained in the digital inkjet printer to print the pattern layer.

[0075] Of course, corrections can also be made when printing the pattern layer in steps S420 and S430'. If the printed pattern differs from the sample pattern, the relevant data of the digital inkjet printer can be adjusted so that the difference between the printed pattern layer and the sample pattern is within a predetermined range, thereby obtaining a better product.

[0076] The method for simulating cold foil stamping using digital inkjet printing equipment provided by this invention allows for customization of stamping thickness, gloss, and chroma according to different needs, achieving a variety of cold foil stamping effects. Compared with offline cold foil stamping, by positioning the substrate at the printing position during printing, more precise registration between hot foil stamping and printing can be achieved. The hot foil stamping and printing processes are completed continuously in the digital inkjet printing equipment, freeing up the capacity of the hot foil stamping equipment and printing press, while also eliminating processes such as hot foil stamping plate making, shortening the proofing cycle, and thus improving the overall proofing efficiency.

[0077] The following describes the use of digital inkjet printing equipment to simulate cold foil stamping in this invention, with reference to specific embodiments. The process conditions described in the following embodiments are exemplary; for process parameters not specifically noted, conventional techniques can be used. Unless otherwise specified, the detection methods used in the following embodiments are conventional detection methods in the industry. Unless otherwise indicated, the reagents and instruments used in the technical solutions provided by this invention can be purchased from conventional channels or the market.

[0078] Example

[0079] This embodiment provides a method for simulating cold foil stamping using a digital inkjet printer. This embodiment uses Huaxia Sun 300g white cardstock, CGS FLEX PACK software, and an EPSON S8060 printer.

[0080] Specifically, the steps are as follows:

[0081] 1. Obtain the thickness, gloss, and chroma values ​​of the metallic ink in the hot stamping sample.

[0082] The hot stamping sample pattern used in this embodiment is shown below. Figure 3 .

[0083] The thickness of the foil stamping sample booklet paper and the thickness of the foil stamping area were measured using a micrometer. The difference between the two measurements yielded the thickness value of the foil stamping sample. The chroma of the sample booklet was measured using an X-Rite SP62 instrument, and the gloss was measured using a gloss meter. The measured thickness was 0.11 mm, and the gloss values ​​were 126 Gs, L: 52.47, a: 5.98, b: 25.37. The calculated chroma value was not zero.

[0084] 2. Select the sample pattern to be printed and set the print data and print position for the EPSON S8060 printer.

[0085] Please see the sample pattern to be printed. Figure 4 (1).

[0086] The first printing data related to the printing of the silver ink layer is set based on the thickness value and the gloss value, that is, the number of silver ink layers is set based on the thickness value, and the amount of silver ink jetted is set based on the gloss value. In this embodiment, the number of silver ink layers is three, and the amount of silver ink jetted is set to 100%.

[0087] Set the second print data related to color based on the chroma value.

[0088] Set a printing position at the paper inlet of the EPSON S8060 printer.

[0089] 3. Print sample sheets

[0090] (1) Printing silver ink layer

[0091] Place the white cardstock in the printing position of the EPSON S8060 printer. In the CGS FLEX PACK printing software, turn off the image layer and color layer, and drive the EPSON S8060 printer to print the silver ink layer according to the first printing data mentioned above.

[0092] After printing, the thickness and gloss values ​​of the obtained sample are checked to see if the differences between them and the thickness and gloss values ​​of the hot stamping sample pattern are within acceptable ranges. In this embodiment, the measured thickness and gloss values ​​are 0.12 mm and 125 Gs, respectively, which meet the standards.

[0093] (2) Print color layers

[0094] The qualified sample obtained in the previous step is placed again in the printing position of the EPSON S8060 printing device. The silver ink layer and pattern layer are turned off, and the EPSON S8060 printing device is driven only to print the color layer according to the second printing data described above. After printing, the difference between the chromaticity values ​​of the obtained sample and the chromaticity values ​​of the hot stamping sample pattern is checked to see if it is within an acceptable range. In this embodiment, the measured L52.60, a:6.2, and b:25.2 meet the standard.

[0095] (3) Print image layers

[0096] Place the qualified sample obtained in the previous step back into the printing position of the EPSON S8060 printer, turn off the silver ink layer and color layer, and drive the EPSON S8060 printer only to print the pattern layer.

[0097] This completes the simulated hot foil stamping process. Please see the final printed sample image below. Figure 4 (2).

[0098] contrast Figure 4 As can be seen from (1) and (2), the method provided by the present invention can effectively simulate hot stamping printing, and the process is simple, which can improve the overall efficiency of prototyping.

[0099] The method of simulating cold foil stamping using digital inkjet printing equipment of the present invention can be implemented by a device or a non-transient computer storage medium.

[0100] The device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores computer instructions. When the processor executes the computer instructions, it causes the processor to perform the method described above.

[0101] The non-transitory computer storage medium includes a computer program stored thereon. When the computer program is executed by one or more processors, the processors perform the methods described above.

[0102] It should be understood that the above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, and the device of this application can also be implemented in other ways. For example, the division of units / modules described in the above embodiments is only a logical functional division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units, modules, or components may be combined, or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed.

[0103] The units or modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components described as units or modules may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one device or distributed across multiple devices. The solutions in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by selecting some or all of the units according to actual needs.

[0104] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the functional units / modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one unit / module, or each unit / module can exist physically separately, or two or more units / modules can be integrated together. The integrated units / modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software program modules.

[0105] If the integrated unit / module is implemented in hardware, the hardware can be digital circuits, analog circuits, etc. The physical implementation of the hardware structure includes, but is not limited to, transistors, memristors, etc. Unless otherwise specified, the processor can be any suitable hardware processor, such as a CPU, GPU, FPGA, DSP, and ASIC, etc. Unless otherwise specified, the storage unit can be any suitable magnetic or magneto-optical storage medium, such as resistive random access memory (RRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), enhanced dynamic random access memory (EDRAM), high-bandwidth memory (HBM), hybrid memory cube (HMC), etc.

[0106] If the integrated unit / module is implemented as a software program module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage device (CMD). Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a memory and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned memory includes various media capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), portable hard drive, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0107] Finally, it should be noted that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for simulating cold foil stamping using a digital inkjet printing device, characterized in that, include: Obtain the thickness, gloss, and chroma values ​​of the metallic ink in the hot stamping sample; The first printing data of the digital inkjet printer is set according to the thickness value and the gloss value; wherein the first printing data includes the number of silver ink layers and the amount of silver ink jetted. Set the printing position of the substrate in the digital inkjet printer and print a sample print; Wherein, if the chroma value is zero, sample printing includes: The substrate is placed at the printing position, and the silver ink layer is printed according to the first printing data to obtain the first copy; The first sample is placed back in the printing position for printing the pattern layer.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the chroma value is not zero, the second printing data of the digital inkjet printer is set according to the chroma value; and Proof printing includes: The substrate is placed at the printing position, and the silver ink layer is printed according to the first printing data to obtain the first copy; The first sample is placed back in the printing position, and the color layer is printed according to the second printing data to obtain the second sample; The second sample is placed back in the printing position to print the pattern layer.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of silver ink layers is determined based on the thickness value; The amount of silver ink jetted is determined based on the gloss value.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing position includes the position of any portion of the substrate in the digital inkjet printing device when it is not printing.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Placing the substrate at the printing position and printing the silver ink layer according to the first printing data to obtain the first print includes: The substrate is placed at the printing position, and the silver ink layer is printed according to the first printing data to obtain the first printed sample. Detect the first thickness value and the first gloss value of the silver ink layer on the first printed sample; If the difference between the first thickness value and the thickness value of the hot stamping sample is not within the first set range, and / or the difference between the first gloss value and the gloss value of the hot stamping sample is not within the second set range, adjust the first printing data and print again until the difference between the first thickness value and the thickness value is within the first set range, and the difference between the first gloss value and the gloss value is within the second set range, and obtain the first sample.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first sample is placed back at the printing position, and the color layer is printed according to the second printing data to obtain the second sample, including: The first sample is placed back in the printing position, and the color layer is printed according to the second printing data to obtain the second printed sample; Detect the first chroma value of the second printed sample; If the difference between the first chroma value and the chroma value of the metallic ink is not within the third set range, adjust the second printing data and print again until the difference between the first chroma value and the chroma value is within the third set range, and obtain the second sample.

7. An apparatus comprising: processor; as well as A memory storing computer instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1-6.

8. A non-transitory computer storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the processors to perform the method of any one of claims 1-6.

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