Recording method and recording apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a recording method and a recording apparatus capable of suppressing reduction of recording quality. A method for recording on a fabric, the method comprising: adhering droplets of a treatment liquid (38) containing a coagulant for aggregating an ink composition (37) containing a pigment and an outer coating liquid containing a resin to a fabric; adhering droplets of the ink composition (37) to the fabric; and adhering the coating liquid to the fabric, in which the amount of treatment droplets is equal to or less than the amount of ink droplets, the amount of treatment droplets being the weight of the droplets of the treatment liquid (38), and the amount of ink droplets being the weight of the droplets of the ink composition (37).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording method and a recording apparatus. Background Art

[0002] For example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is an inkjet printing method as an example of a recording method for performing recording on a fabric by an inkjet method. In the inkjet printing method, a pretreatment liquid as an example of a treatment liquid is attached to the fabric, and then an ink composition is attached to the fabric. The ink composition contains a pigment and a resin. The ink composition agglutinates by reacting with the pretreatment liquid.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-089288

[0004] The resin contained in the ink composition of Patent Document 1 improves the adhesion between the pigment and the fabric. However, the ink composition containing the resin has a high viscosity. When ejecting an ink composition with a high viscosity from a nozzle, nozzle clogging is likely to occur. If the nozzle is clogged, the recording quality deteriorates.

[0005] The resin can also be separated from the ink composition. For example, the resin can also be contained in an overcoat liquid. The viscosity of the ink composition can be reduced because it does not contain the resin. However, an ink composition with a low viscosity easily penetrates inside the fabric. If the ink composition agglutinates inside the fabric, the color development property deteriorates and the recording quality deteriorates. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A recording method for solving the above technical problem is a recording method for a fabric, including: attaching droplets of a treatment liquid containing a flocculant, the flocculant causing an ink composition containing a pigment and an overcoat liquid containing a resin to agglutinate; attaching droplets of the ink composition to the fabric; and attaching the overcoat liquid to the fabric, wherein the treatment droplet amount is equal to or less than the ink droplet amount, the treatment droplet amount is the weight of the droplets of the treatment liquid, and the ink droplet amount is the weight of the droplets of the ink composition.

[0007] A recording apparatus for solving the above technical problem includes: an ejection unit capable of ejecting droplets of an ink composition containing a pigment, the ejection unit capable of ejecting droplets of a treatment liquid containing a flocculant, the flocculant causing the ink composition and an overcoat liquid containing a resin to agglutinate, wherein the treatment droplet amount is equal to or less than the ink droplet amount, the treatment droplet amount is the weight of the droplets of the treatment liquid, and the ink droplet amount is the weight of the droplets of the ink composition, and the recording apparatus attaches the treatment liquid, the ink composition, and the overcoat liquid to the fabric in this order. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the recording apparatus.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a top view schematic diagram of the liquid ejection unit.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the thread constituting the fabric.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the thread with the treatment liquid attached.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the thread with the ink composition attached.

[0013] Explanation of reference numerals

[0014] 11: Recording device; 12: Housing; 13: Control unit; 15: Conveyor belt; 16: Drying unit; 17: Liquid ejection unit; 18: Wiping unit; 19: Capping unit; 22: Fabric; 25: Carriage; 26: Ejection part; 27: Nozzle head; 27a - 27k: First nozzle head - Eleventh nozzle head; 28: Nozzle surface; 29: Nozzle; 30: Nozzle group; 31: Wiping part; 32: Cover; 35: Nozzle row; 37: Ink composition; 38: Treatment liquid; 39: Outer coating liquid; 41: Thread; 42: Fiber; MA: Maintenance area; PA: Recording area; X: Scanning direction; Y: Conveying direction; Z: Ejection direction. Detailed implementation manners

[0015] First implementation manner

[0016] Next, a first implementation manner of the recording method and the recording device will be described with reference to the drawings. The recording device is, for example, an inkjet printer that records images such as characters and photos by ejecting an ink composition onto a fabric.

[0017] In the drawings, it is assumed that the recording device 11 is located on a horizontal plane, the Z - axis represents the direction of gravity, and the X - axis and Y - axis represent directions along the horizontal plane. The X - axis, Y - axis, and Z - axis are mutually orthogonal.

[0018] Recording device

[0019] As Figure 1 shown, the recording device 11 may include a housing 12. The housing 12 houses various components included in the recording device 11.

[0020] The recording device 11 may further include a control unit 13. The control unit 13 comprehensively controls the driving of each mechanism in the recording device 11. The control unit 13 controls various operations performed by the recording device 11.

[0021] The control unit 13 can be configured to include α: one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program, β: one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least a part of the various processes, or γ: a combination circuit thereof. The hardware circuit is, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit. The processor includes a CPU, a memory such as a RAM and a ROM, and the memory stores program codes or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., the computer-readable medium, includes all readable media accessible by a general or dedicated computer.

[0022] The recording device 11 may also include a conveyor belt 15, a drying unit 16, a liquid ejection unit 17, a wiping unit 18, and a capping unit 19.

[0023] The conveyor belt 15 and the drying unit 16 may also be provided in the recording area PA. The recording area PA is an area where recording is performed on the fabric 22. The wiping unit 18 and the capping unit 19 may also be provided in the maintenance area MA. The maintenance area MA is an area where maintenance of the liquid ejection unit 17 is performed. The recording area PA and the maintenance area MA are arranged in the scanning direction X. The scanning direction X may be a direction parallel to the X-axis.

[0024] The conveyor belt 15 is configured to support the fabric 22. The conveyor belt 15 is, for example, an endless belt. The conveyor belt 15 conveys the fabric 22 in the conveying direction Y by rotating. The conveying direction Y may be a direction parallel to the Y-axis.

[0025] The drying unit 16 may be provided at least at one of a position upstream and a position downstream of the liquid ejection unit 17 in the conveying direction Y. The drying unit 16 dries the recorded fabric 22. The drying unit 16 may include a heater (not shown). The drying unit 16 may heat the fabric 22. The drying unit 16 may promote the drying of the recorded fabric 22 by preheating the fabric 22 before recording. The drying unit 16 may heat the recorded fabric 22. The drying unit 16 may heat at least one of the front and back surfaces of the fabric 22. The drying unit 16 may also blow warm air onto the fabric 22.

[0026] The liquid ejection unit 17 is capable of ejecting liquid onto the conveyed fabric 22. The liquid ejection unit 17 may include a carriage 25 and an ejection unit 26. The ejection unit 26 is mounted on the carriage 25.

[0027] The carriage 25 may reciprocate in the scanning direction X. The carriage 25 moves the ejection unit 26 between the recording area PA and the maintenance area MA.

[0028] The ejection unit 26 may also include one or more nozzles 27. The nozzle 27 has a nozzle surface 28. A plurality of nozzles 29 are formed in the nozzle surface 28. The ejection unit 26 can eject liquid from each nozzle 29 in the ejection direction Z. The ejection direction Z may be a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface 28. The ejection direction Z may also be a direction parallel to the Z axis.

[0029] A group of nozzles 29 that eject the same type of liquid among the plurality of nozzles 29 is also referred to as a nozzle group 30. The liquid ejection unit 17 includes a plurality of nozzle groups 30. The plurality of nozzle groups 30 may eject different liquids respectively. Among the plurality of nozzle groups 30, at least two may eject the same liquid.

[0030] The wiping unit 18 is configured to wipe the nozzle surface 28. The wiping unit 18 may also include a wiping portion 31. The wiping portion 31 may wipe each of the plurality of nozzles 27 one by one or wipe them collectively. The wiping portion 31 may be, for example, a belt-shaped member capable of absorbing liquid. The wiping unit 18 may also perform wiping by reciprocating the wiping portion 31 in the conveyance direction Y.

[0031] The capping unit 19 includes one or more caps 32. The capping unit 19 may include a plurality of caps 32 for one nozzle 27. The capping unit 19 may include the same number of caps 32 as the nozzles 27, or may include one cap 32 for a plurality of nozzles 27.

[0032] The capping unit 19 moves the cap 32 to Figure 1 the shown separation position and an unillustrated capping position. The capping position is a position where the cap 32 covers the nozzle 27.

[0033] The nozzle 27 is configured to eject liquid. The nozzle 27 scans the fabric 22. The nozzle 27 records on the fabric 22 in the recording area PA. The nozzle 27 records on the fabric 22 supported by the conveyor belt 15 by ejecting liquid while moving along the scanning direction X. The nozzle 27 ejects liquid onto the fabric 22 in a state where the conveyance is stopped. The recording device 11 of the present embodiment is a serial printer.

[0034] As Figure 2 shown, the liquid ejection unit 17 of the present embodiment includes 11 nozzles 27. When distinguishing the plurality of nozzles 27, they are also referred to as the first nozzle 27a to the eleventh nozzle 27k. The first nozzle 27a to the ninth nozzle 27i may be arranged in the scanning direction X. The tenth nozzle 27j and the eleventh nozzle 27k may be arranged in the scanning direction X. The tenth nozzle 27j to the eleventh nozzle 27k may be provided downstream in the conveyance direction Y from the first nozzle 27a to the ninth nozzle 27i. The first nozzle 27a and the tenth nozzle 27j may be arranged in the conveyance direction Y. The ninth nozzle 27i and the eleventh nozzle 27k may be arranged in the conveyance direction Y.

[0035] The nozzle group 30 may also have more than one nozzle row 35. The nozzle row 35 is composed of a plurality of nozzles 29 arranged along the conveying direction Y. In the present embodiment, the nozzle group 30 is composed of four nozzle rows 35. The four nozzle rows 35 constituting one nozzle group 30 are located at staggered positions in the scanning direction X and the conveying direction Y.

[0036] For example, the first nozzle head 27a to the fourth nozzle head 27d and the sixth nozzle head 27f to the ninth nozzle head 27i can respectively eject Figure 4 the droplets of the ink composition 37 shown. For example, the fifth nozzle head 27e can eject Figure 3 the droplets of the treatment liquid 38 shown. For example, the tenth nozzle head 27j and the eleventh nozzle head 27k can eject Figure 5 the droplets of the outer coating liquid 39 shown. That is, the ejection part 26 can respectively eject the droplets of the treatment liquid 38, the ink composition 37, and the outer coating liquid 39.

[0037] The ejection part 26 can change the weight of the ejected droplets. The ejection part 26 can change the weight of the droplets step by step. The ejection part 26 of the present embodiment can eject three types of droplets: small dots, medium dots, and large dots. The droplets of small dots are smaller in weight than the droplets of medium dots. The droplets of large dots are larger in weight than the droplets of medium dots.

[0038] Ink composition

[0039] The ink composition 37 contains pigments. Pigments are a type of coloring matter. The ink composition 37 is a liquid for coloring the fabric 22. The ejection part 26 can, for example, eject a variety of ink compositions 37 with different colors. Each nozzle head 27 can eject a variety of ink compositions 37. The pigments contained in the ink composition 37 can be different according to the type. The color of the ink composition 37 can be arbitrarily selected, for example, black, white, cyan, magenta, yellow, green, red, and orange, etc.

[0040] As pigments, for example, inorganic pigments and organic pigments can be used.

[0041] As inorganic pigments, for example, there are carbon black types and white inorganic oxides. As carbon black, furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, channel black, etc. can be cited. As white inorganic oxides, iron oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon dioxide, etc. can be cited.

[0042] Examples of organic pigments include quinacridone pigments, quinacridonequinone pigments, dioxazine pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, anthrapyrimidine pigments, anthraquinone pigments, indanone pigments, flavanone pigments, perylene pigments, diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments, perinone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, thioindigo pigments, benzimidazolone pigments, isoindolinone pigments, azomethine pigments, or azo pigments, etc.

[0043] Treatment liquid

[0044] The treatment liquid 38 contains a flocculant. The flocculant causes the ink composition 37 and the overcoat liquid 39 to flocculate. The treatment liquid 38 is a liquid that solidifies or thickens the ink composition 37 and the overcoat liquid 39.

[0045] The treatment liquid 38 of the present embodiment contains a polyvalent metal salt as a flocculant. The polyvalent metal salt is composed of polyvalent metal ions of divalent or higher and anions that bind to these polyvalent metal ions. The polyvalent metal salt is a water-soluble compound. Specifically, as the polyvalent metal salt, calcium salts, magnesium salts, etc. can be used.

[0046] Overcoat liquid

[0047] The overcoat liquid 39 contains a resin. The overcoat liquid 39 is a liquid containing components that protect the image recorded on the fabric 22. The overcoat liquid 39 improves the adhesion between the ink composition 37 and the fabric 22.

[0048] For example, the overcoat liquid 39 contains anionic resin particles. Examples of the anionic resin particles include resin particles having anionic properties among resin particles composed of polyurethane resins, acrylic resins, fluorene resins, polyolefin resins, rosin-modified resins, terpene resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, epoxy resins, vinyl chloride resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate resins, silicone-acrylic resins, etc. The acrylic resin can also be a styrene-acrylic resin.

[0049] Fabric

[0050] As Figure 3 shown, the fabric 22 is composed of multiple threads 41. For example, the fabric 22 is a fabric formed by combining multiple threads 41 vertically and horizontally. One thread 41 is composed of multiple fibers 42. For example, the thread 41 is spun by twisting multiple fibers 42.

[0051] Method of recording on the fabric

[0052] When recording on the fabric 22, the control unit 13 reciprocates the carriage 25 in the scanning direction X. The control unit 13 causes droplets of the treatment liquid 38, the ink composition 37, and the overcoat liquid 39 to be ejected from the moving ejection unit 26. The control unit 13 may also convey the fabric 22 at the timing when the carriage 25 turns back.

[0053] The ejection unit 26 records an image on the fabric 22 by ejecting droplets to a plurality of locations on the fabric 22. The ejection unit 26 causes the treatment liquid 38, the ink composition 37, and the overcoat liquid 39 to adhere to each location on the fabric 22. The ejection unit 26 causes droplets of the treatment liquid 38, the ink composition 37, and the overcoat liquid 39 to adhere to the fabric 22 in sequence.

[0054] Function of the first embodiment

[0055] The function of the first embodiment will be described.

[0056] As Figure 3 shown, the ejection unit 26 causes droplets of the treatment liquid 38 to adhere to the fabric 22. At this time, the ejection unit 26 ejects the treatment liquid 38 in small dots. The treatment droplet amount, which is the weight of the droplets of the treatment liquid 38, may also be kept constant regardless of the image. That is, the ejection unit 26 causes droplets of the small dots of the treatment liquid 38 to adhere to each location on the fabric 22 regardless of the image.

[0057] As Figure 4 shown, the droplets of the small dots of the treatment liquid 38 are difficult to penetrate into the fabric 22. Therefore, the treatment liquid 38 stays on the surface of the fabric 22.

[0058] Next, the ejection unit 26 causes droplets of the ink composition 37 to adhere to the fabric 22. At this time, the ejection unit 26 ejects the ink composition 37 in any one of small dots, medium dots, and large dots. The ink droplet amount, which is the weight of the droplets of the ink composition 37, can be changed according to the image of the object to be recorded. For example, it is also possible to cause small dots of droplets with a small ink droplet amount to adhere to the bright part of the image. It is also possible to cause large dots of droplets with a large ink droplet amount to adhere to the dark part of the image. The ejection unit 26 ejects with the ink droplet amount set to be equal to or greater than the treatment droplet amount. In other words, the ejection unit 26 ejects with the treatment droplet amount set to be less than or equal to the ink droplet amount.

[0059] As Figure 5 shown, the ink composition 37 adhering to the fabric 22 reacts with the treatment liquid 38 staying on the surface of the fabric 22. Therefore, the ink composition 37 agglutinates near the surface of the fabric 22. The fluidity of the agglutinated ink composition 37 decreases. Therefore, even if the ink droplet amount is large, the ink composition 37 is not easily penetrated into the fabric 22.

[0060] The ejection unit 26 causes the overcoat liquid 39 to adhere to the fabric 22 to which the treatment liquid 38 and the ink composition 37 are adhered. At this time, the ejection unit 26 ejects the overcoat liquid 39 in small dots. The coating droplet amount, which is the weight of the droplets of the overcoat liquid 39, may also be equal to or less than the ink droplet amount.

[0061] The overcoat liquid 39 adhering to the fabric 22 reacts with the treatment liquid 38 staying on the surface of the fabric 22. Therefore, the overcoat liquid 39 agglutinates near the surface of the fabric 22. The fluidity of the agglutinated overcoat liquid 39 decreases. Therefore, the overcoat liquid 39 easily stays on the surface of the fabric 22.

[0062] The drying unit 16 evaporates the moisture contained in the treatment liquid 38, the ink composition 37, and the overcoat liquid 39. The drying unit 16 dissolves the resin contained in the overcoat liquid 39. The resin cools and solidifies after drying, thereby covering the image recorded on the fabric 22. Thereby, the image recorded on the fabric 22 can be protected from loads such as friction.

[0063] Effects of the First Embodiment

[0064] The effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0065] (1-1) The recording device 11 uses the overcoat liquid 39 containing resin. Thereby, an ink composition 37 with a low viscosity can be used, and thus clogging of the nozzle 29 for ejecting the ink composition 37 can be suppressed. The treatment droplet amount is equal to or less than the ink droplet amount. Droplets with a small weight are more likely to stay on the surface of the fabric 22 than droplets with a large weight. Therefore, the ink composition 37 and the overcoat liquid 39 can be caused to agglutinate near the surface of the fabric 22 by the treatment liquid 38 staying near the surface. Thereby, a decrease in the adhesion and color development property of the pigment to the fabric 22 can be suppressed. Therefore, a decrease in the recording quality can be suppressed.

[0066] (1-2) As an example of the aggregating agent, an organic acid may corrode metals, so it is difficult to handle. In this regard, the treatment liquid 38 contains a polyvalent metal salt. Since the polyvalent metal salt is a stable salt, it can be easily handled.

[0067] (1-3) The coating droplet amount is equal to or less than the ink droplet amount. By making the overcoat liquid 39 easily stay near the surface of the fabric 22, the treatment liquid 38 and the ink composition 37 can be easily covered with the overcoat liquid 39.

[0068] (1-4) By changing the ink droplet amount according to the image, gradation can be easily expressed. By keeping the droplet weight of the treatment liquid 38 constant regardless of the image, the control load can be reduced.

[0069] Second Embodiment

[0070] Next, a second embodiment of the recording method and the recording apparatus will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that this second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the ejection method of the processing liquid. And in other aspects, it is substantially the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same structures, and the repeated description is omitted.

[0071] The processing droplet volume can also be changed. The processing droplet volume can be changed within a range not exceeding the ink droplet volume. Therefore, the processing droplet volume is not more than the ink droplet volume. For example, the processing droplet volume can also be changed according to at least one of the ink droplet volume and the coating droplet volume.

[0072] The processing droplet volume can be changed according to the image of the object to be recorded. Also, droplets of the processing liquid 38 for small dots and droplets of the ink composition 37 for small dots can be attached to the brighter part of the image. Also, droplets of the processing liquid 38 for medium dots and droplets of the ink composition 37 for large dots can be attached to the darker part of the image.

[0073] When the ejection unit 26 ejects the outer coating liquid 39 in small dots, the droplets of the processing liquid 38 can be set as small dots. When the ejection unit 26 ejects the outer coating liquid 39 in medium dots, the droplets of the processing liquid 38 can be set as medium dots.

[0074] The drying unit 16 can also dry the recorded fabric 22 under drying conditions corresponding to the processing droplet volume. For example, when the processing droplet volume is small, the drying unit 16 can lower the drying temperature or shorten the drying time compared to the case where the processing droplet volume is large. When the processing droplet volume is small, the drying unit 16 can shorten the drying time compared to the case where the processing droplet volume is large.

[0075] Function of the Second Embodiment

[0076] The function of this embodiment will be described.

[0077] Compared with the droplets of the processing liquid 38 for large dots, the droplets of the processing liquid 38 for medium dots are less likely to penetrate into the fabric 22. Therefore, the ink composition 37 and the outer coating liquid 39 aggregate at a position closer to the surface of the fabric 22.

[0078] Effect of the Second Embodiment

[0079] The effect of this embodiment will be described.

[0080] (2-1) The drying unit 16 changes the drying conditions according to the processing droplet volume. For example, when the processing droplet volume is small, the drying time can be shortened or the drying temperature can be lowered. By shortening the drying time, the time required for recording can be shortened. By lowering the drying temperature or shortening the drying time, the load applied to the fabric 22 can be reduced.

[0081] When the amount of the treatment liquid 38 is insufficient relative to the ink composition 37 and the overcoat liquid 39, the ink composition 37 and the overcoat liquid 39 may not be sufficiently aggregated. The unaggregated ink composition 37 and overcoat liquid 39 may penetrate into the interior of the fabric 22. In this regard, the treatment droplet amount can be changed according to at least one of the ink droplet amount and the coating droplet amount. Therefore, by ejecting the treatment liquid 38 in accordance with the amounts of the ink composition 37 and the overcoat liquid 39, the risk of the ink composition 37 and the overcoat liquid 39 penetrating into the interior of the fabric 22 can be reduced.

[0082] Modification example

[0083] The present embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The present embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - contradictory range.

[0084] The treatment droplet amount can also be changed according to the type of the fabric 22. For example, depending on the twisting strength of the thread 41, the ease of liquid penetration of the fabric 22 changes. The thread 41 with a large twisting strength is more difficult to penetrate than the thread 41 with a small twisting strength. The treatment droplet amount attached to the fabric 22 where liquid easily penetrates can also be smaller than the treatment droplet amount attached to the fabric 22 where liquid is difficult to penetrate.

[0085] The drying unit 16 can also dry the fabric 22 under drying conditions corresponding to the type of the fabric 22. For example, when the fabric 22 is heat - intolerant, the drying temperature can be lowered.

[0086] The ink droplet amount can also be kept constant regardless of the image.

[0087] The coating droplet amount can also be larger than the ink droplet amount.

[0088] The recording device 11 can also have a mechanism for attaching the overcoat liquid 39 to the fabric 22 separately from the ejection unit 26. For example, the recording device 11 can have a coating unit for coating the overcoat liquid 39 on the fabric 22. The recording device 11 can also have a spraying unit for spraying the overcoat liquid 39 onto the fabric 22.

[0089] The treatment liquid 38 can also contain an organic acid as a flocculant. In this case, the treatment liquid 38 may not contain a polyvalent metal salt. As the organic acid, for example, phosphoric acid, polyacrylic acid, acetic acid, glycolic acid, malonic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, ascorbic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, sulfonic acid, orthophosphoric acid, pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid, pyran - carboxylic acid, pyrrole - carboxylic acid, furan - carboxylic acid, pyridine - carboxylic acid, coumaric acid, thiophene - carboxylic acid, nicotinic acid, or derivatives of these compounds, or salts thereof, etc. are preferably listed.

[0090] The fabric 22 can be, for example, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a felt, a non - woven fabric, etc.

[0091] The recording device 11 may also be a line printer capable of ejecting liquid in the entire width direction of the fabric 22. The recording device 11 may also be a clothing printer that reciprocates the ejection unit 26 in the scanning direction X and the conveyance direction Y.

[0092] Definition

[0093] As used in this specification, the expression "at least one" means "more than one" of the desired options. As an example, when the number of options is two, the expression "at least one" used in this specification means "only one option" or "both of the two options". As other examples, when the number of options is three or more, the expression "at least one" used in this specification means "only one option", "a combination of any two options", or "a combination of any three or more options".

[0094] Supplementary Note

[0095] Hereinafter, the technical idea and its effects grasped from the above-described embodiments and modification examples will be described.

[0096] (A) The recording method is a recording method for a fabric, including: attaching droplets of a treatment liquid containing a flocculant that flocculates an ink composition containing a pigment and an outer coating liquid containing a resin to the fabric; attaching droplets of the ink composition to the fabric; and attaching the outer coating liquid to the fabric, wherein the treatment droplet amount is equal to or less than the ink droplet amount, the treatment droplet amount is the weight of the droplets of the treatment liquid, and the ink droplet amount is the weight of the droplets of the ink composition.

[0097] According to this method, an outer coating liquid containing a resin can be used. As a result, an ink composition having a low viscosity can be used, and thus clogging of the nozzle for ejecting the ink composition can be suppressed. The treatment droplet amount is equal to or less than the ink droplet amount. Droplets having a small weight are more likely to stay on the surface of the fabric than droplets having a large weight. Therefore, the ink composition and the outer coating liquid can be flocculated near the surface of the fabric by the treatment liquid staying near the surface. As a result, a decrease in the adhesion and color development between the pigment and the fabric can be suppressed. Therefore, a decrease in the recording quality can be suppressed.

[0098] (B) In the recording method, the treatment liquid may contain a polyvalent metal salt.

[0099] As an example of the flocculant, an organic acid is likely to corrode metal and is thus difficult to handle. In this regard, according to this method, the treatment liquid contains a polyvalent metal salt. Since the polyvalent metal salt is a stable salt, it can be easily handled.

[0100] (C) In the recording method, the coating droplet amount may be equal to or less than the ink droplet amount, and the coating droplet amount is the weight of the droplets of the outer coating liquid adhering to the fabric.

[0101] According to this method, the coating droplet amount is equal to or less than the ink droplet amount. By making it easy for the outer coating liquid to stay near the surface of the fabric, it is possible to easily cover the treatment liquid and the ink composition with the outer coating liquid.

[0102] (D) In the recording method, the ink droplet amount may be changed according to the image of the object to be recorded, and the treatment droplet amount may also be kept constant regardless of the image.

[0103] According to this method, by changing the ink droplet amount according to the image, it is possible to easily represent gradation. By keeping the droplet weight of the treatment liquid constant regardless of the image, the control load can be reduced.

[0104] (E) In the recording method, the treatment droplet amount can be changed, and the recording method may further include drying the recorded fabric under drying conditions corresponding to the treatment droplet amount.

[0105] According to this method, the drying conditions are changed according to the treatment droplet amount. For example, when the treatment droplet amount is small, the drying time can be shortened or the drying temperature can be lowered. By shortening the drying time, the time required for recording can be shortened. By lowering the drying temperature or shortening the drying time, the load applied to the fabric can be reduced.

[0106] (F) The recording apparatus includes: a discharging unit that can discharge droplets of an ink composition containing a pigment, and the discharging unit can discharge droplets of a treatment liquid containing a flocculant that flocculates the ink composition and an outer coating liquid containing a resin. The treatment droplet amount is equal to or less than the ink droplet amount, the treatment droplet amount is the weight of the droplets of the treatment liquid, the ink droplet amount is the weight of the droplets of the ink composition, and the recording apparatus sequentially attaches the treatment liquid, the ink composition, and the outer coating liquid to the fabric.

[0107] According to this configuration, the same effects as the above-described recording method can be achieved.

Claims

1. A recording method, characterized in that: It is a method of recording cloth, including: allowing droplets of a treatment liquid containing a coagulant to adhere to the fabric, the coagulant aggregating an ink composition containing a pigment and an overcoat liquid containing a resin; allowing droplets of the ink composition to adhere to the fabric; and allowing the outer coating liquid to adhere to the fabric, The treatment droplet amount is less than the ink droplet amount, the treatment droplet amount is the weight of the droplets of the treatment liquid, and the ink droplet amount is the weight of the droplets of the ink composition.

2. The recording method according to claim 1, characterized in that The treatment solution includes a multivalent metal salt.

3. The recording method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The coating droplet amount is less than the ink droplet amount, and the coating droplet amount is the weight of the droplet of the overcoat liquid attached to the fabric.

4. The recording method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The ink droplet amount is changed according to the image of the object to be recorded. The treatment drop volume remained constant regardless of the image.

5. The recording method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The treatment drop volume can be changed. The recording method further includes drying the recorded cloth under a drying condition corresponding to the treatment droplet amount.

6. A recording device, characterized in that: have: The ejection unit is capable of ejecting droplets of an ink composition containing a pigment, The ejection unit is capable of ejecting droplets of a treatment liquid containing a coagulant. The aggregating agent aggregates the ink composition and the overcoating liquid containing a resin. The treatment droplet amount is less than the ink droplet amount, the treatment droplet amount is the weight of the droplet of the treatment liquid, and the ink droplet amount is the weight of the droplet of the ink composition. The recording device allows the treatment liquid, the ink composition, and the overcoat liquid to adhere to the fabric in this order.

Images