Recording apparatus and recording method

Abstract

The plurality of liquid discharge portions include a plurality of ink discharge portions (41 to 46) arranged in a main scanning direction (S) for discharging ink, and a pair of treatment liquid discharge portions (71, 72) arranged on both outer sides of the plurality of ink discharge portions in the main scanning direction (S). Each of the treatment liquid discharge portions includes a front treatment liquid nozzle region (P1) capable of discharging a front treatment liquid, and a rear treatment liquid nozzle region (P2) arranged in the main scanning direction (S) from the front treatment liquid nozzle region (P1) and capable of discharging a rear treatment liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to recording devices and recording methods. Background Technology

[0002] As recording devices such as inkjet printers, recording apparatuses including a printing unit for printing on a recording medium, as described in Patent Document 1, are known. The printing unit has an ink nozzle (ink ejection section) that ejects ink for forming an image toward the recording medium. When the recording medium is a wide-width recording medium, the ink nozzle is mounted on a carriage that reciprocates along the main scanning direction. During printing, the recording medium is intermittently transported along a predetermined direction (sub-scanning direction), and ink is ejected from the ink nozzle while the carriage reciprocates along the main scanning direction during periods when the recording medium stops.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-20536 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a recording device and recording method that can suppress the adhesion of ink to the processing liquid around the ejector portion while mounting the processing liquid ejector portion and the multiple ink ejector portions of the ink ejector portion on a carriage.

[0007] One aspect of the recording apparatus disclosed herein includes a carriage and a plurality of liquid ejection sections. The carriage and the plurality of liquid ejection sections are liquid ejection units that reciprocate along a main scanning direction intersecting a predetermined transport direction for a recording medium transported along that direction and eject liquid. The carriage is movable along the main scanning direction, and the plurality of liquid ejection sections are arranged on the carriage at least along the main scanning direction. The plurality of liquid ejection sections include: a plurality of ink ejection sections arranged along the main scanning direction for ejecting ink; and at least one pair of processing liquid ejection sections arranged on either side of the plurality of ink ejection sections in the main scanning direction. Each of the at least one pair of processing liquid ejection sections includes: a pre-processing liquid nozzle region capable of ejecting pre-processing liquid; and a post-processing liquid nozzle region arranged with the pre-processing liquid nozzle region at least in the main scanning direction and capable of ejecting post-processing liquid.

[0008] Furthermore, another aspect of the recording method disclosed herein relates to a liquid ejection method for a recording medium conveyed along a predetermined transport direction, wherein a carriage is reciprocated along a main scanning direction intersecting the transport direction to eject liquid, wherein the method comprises: multiple liquid ejection sections arranged on the carriage at least along the main scanning direction; multiple ink ejection sections for ejecting ink and at least one pair of processing liquid ejection sections located on both sides of the multiple ink ejection sections in the main scanning direction; each of the at least one pair of processing liquid ejection sections being provided with a pretreatment liquid nozzle region capable of ejecting pretreatment liquid, and a region located at least along the main scanning direction. The pretreatment liquid nozzle area is arranged and capable of ejecting posttreatment liquid; during the movement of the carriage in one direction of the main scanning direction, after pretreatment liquid is ejected from the pretreatment liquid ejection area of ​​the at least one pair of processing liquid ejection sections arranged at the front end side in one direction to a predetermined target position on the recording medium, ink is ejected from at least one of the plurality of ink ejection sections to the target position, and further, posttreatment liquid is ejected from the posttreatment liquid nozzle area of ​​the at least one pair of processing liquid ejection sections arranged at the rear end side in one direction to the target position. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the overall structure of an inkjet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of line II-II.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The image shows an enlarged 3D view of the carriage.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a serial printing method used in one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a top view that schematically shows the configuration of the ink printhead and the processing liquid printhead on the carriage according to the first embodiment of this disclosure.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the nozzle region within an inkjet head according to the first embodiment of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the ink printhead and the processing liquid printhead on the carriage according to the second embodiment of this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 8This is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the ink printhead and the processing liquid printhead on the carriage according to the third embodiment of this disclosure.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the ink printhead and the processing liquid printhead on the carriage according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 10 This is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the ink printhead and the processing liquid printhead on the carriage according to the fifth embodiment of this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 11 This is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the ink printhead and the processing fluid printhead liquid on the carriage according to the sixth embodiment of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 12 This is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the ink printhead and the processing fluid printhead liquid on the carriage according to the seventh embodiment of this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 13 This is a schematic top view showing the nozzle area of ​​the ink printhead on the carriage according to the eighth embodiment of this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 14 This is a schematic top view showing the nozzle area of ​​the ink printhead on the carriage according to the ninth embodiment of this disclosure.

[0023] Figure 15 This is a schematic top view showing the nozzle area of ​​the ink printhead on the carriage according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 16A This is a schematic top view showing the nozzle area of ​​the ink printhead on the carriage according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 16B This is a schematic top view showing the nozzle area of ​​the ink printhead on the carriage according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 17 This is a schematic top view showing the nozzle area of ​​the ink printhead on the carriage according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Hereinafter, the printing unit according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these embodiments, as specific examples of an apparatus equipped with a printing unit, an inkjet printer (recording device) equipped with an inkjet printhead that ejects ink for forming an image onto a wide and elongated recording medium is illustrated. Inkjet printers are suitable for digital printing of text, patterns, and other images onto recording media made of fabrics such as textiles and woven fabrics using inkjet printing. Of course, the printing unit according to the present disclosure can also be used for printing various images onto recording media such as paper and resin sheets.

[0028] <First Implementation>

[0029] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the inkjet printer 1 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view along line II-II. The inkjet printer 1 is a printer that prints images onto a wide and elongated workpiece W (recording medium) using inkjet technology, and includes a device frame 10, a workpiece transport section 20 (transport section), and a carriage 3 assembled on the device frame 10. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the left-right direction is the main scanning direction S when printing on the workpiece W. Figure 3 The direction from the rear to the front is the secondary scanning direction (F is the conveying direction of the workpiece W, which intersects with the main scanning direction S).

[0030] The device frame 10 forms the skeleton for mounting various structural components of the inkjet printer 1. The workpiece transport section 20 is a mechanism that intermittently transports the workpiece W in the printing area where inkjet printing is performed, in a transport direction F from rear to front. In addition to mounting the inkjet printhead 4, the carriage 3 also mounts the pretreatment liquid printhead, the posttreatment liquid printhead, and the auxiliary tank 7 (described later), and reciprocates along the main scanning direction S (left-right direction) that intersects with the transport direction F of the workpiece W during the inkjet printing process.

[0031] The device frame 10 includes a central frame 111, a right frame 112, and a left frame 113. The central frame 111 forms the skeleton for mounting various structural components of the inkjet printer 1 and has a left-right width corresponding to the workpiece transport section 20. The right frame 112 and the left frame 113 are respectively erected to the right and left of the central frame 111. Between the right frame 112 and the left frame 113 is the printing area 12 for performing printing processing on the workpiece W.

[0032] The right frame 112 forms a maintenance area 13. Maintenance area 13 is the area where the carriage 3 retracts when the printing process is not being performed. Cleaning and wiping of the nozzles (ejection holes) of the ink printhead 4, pretreatment fluid printhead, and posttreatment fluid printhead are performed in maintenance area 13, and a cover is also fitted thereon. The left frame 113 forms a reversal area 14 for the carriage 3. Reversal area 14 is the area where the carriage 3, which has performed a main scan of the printing area 12 from right to left during the printing process, temporarily enters during a reverse main scan.

[0033] A carriage guide 15 for reciprocating movement of the carriage 3 in the left-right direction is assembled on the upper side of the device frame 10. The carriage guide 15 is a flat plate-shaped component that is long in the left-right direction and is disposed above the workpiece transport section 20. A timing belt 16 is assembled on the carriage guide 15 so as to be able to move around in the left-right direction (main scanning direction). The timing belt 16 is an annular belt and is driven to move around in the left or right direction.

[0034] The carriage guide 15 is equipped with a pair of upper and lower guide rails 17 extending parallel to each other in the left-right direction. These guide rails 17 hold the carriage 3 in a state where it can reciprocate along the main scanning direction S. The carriage 3 engages with the guide rails 17. In addition, the carriage 3 is fixed to the timing belt 16. The carriage 3 moves to the left or right along the carriage guide 15 while being guided by the guide rails 17, as the timing belt 16 moves around to the left or right.

[0035] Main reference Figure 2 The workpiece transport unit 20 includes a feed roller 21 for extracting the workpiece W before printing and a take-up roller 22 for winding the workpiece W after printing. The feed roller 21 is a take-up shaft located at the lower rear of the device frame 10 and serves as the feed roll WA of the workpiece W before printing. The take-up roller 22 is a take-up shaft located at the lower front of the device frame 10 and serves as the take-up roll WB of the workpiece W after printing. A first motor M1 is attached to the take-up roller 22, which drives the take-up roller 22 to rotate around its axis to perform the take-up action of the workpiece W.

[0036] The path between the feed roller 21 and the take-up roller 22, passing through the printing area 12, forms the transport path for the workpiece W. Along this transport path, starting from the upstream side, a first tension roller 23, a workpiece guide 24, a transport roller 25, a clamping roller 26, a return roller 27, and a second tension roller 28 are arranged sequentially. The first tension roller 23 applies a predetermined tension to the workpiece W upstream of the transport roller 25. The workpiece guide 24 changes the transport direction of the workpiece W from upward to forward, thus moving the workpiece W into the printing area 12.

[0037] The conveyor roller 25 is a roller that generates a conveying force to intermittently convey the workpiece W in the printing area 12. The conveyor roller 25 is driven by the second motor M2 to rotate about an axis, so that the workpiece W is intermittently conveyed in the forward direction (prescribed conveying direction F) through the printing area 12 (image forming position) opposite to the carriage 3. The clamping roller 26 is configured to face the conveyor roller 25 from above and forms a conveying clamping part with the conveyor roller 25.

[0038] The return roller 27 changes the conveying direction of the workpiece W, which has passed through the printing area 12, from forward to downward, guiding the printed workpiece W toward the take-up roller 22. The second tension roller 28 applies a predetermined tension to the workpiece W downstream of the conveyor roller 25. A pressure plate 29 is positioned below the conveying path of the workpiece W in the printing area 12.

[0039] The carriage 3 is cantilevered and supported on the guide rail 17, reciprocating along the main scanning direction S (orthogonal in this embodiment) which intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) the transport direction F. The carriage 3 includes a carriage frame 30, an ink printhead 4 mounted on the carriage frame 30, a pretreatment fluid printhead, a posttreatment fluid printhead, and a secondary tank 7. The carriage frame 30 includes a printhead support frame 31 and a back support frame 32.

[0040] The nozzle support frame 31 is a horizontal plate that holds the nozzles 4-6 as shown above. The back support frame 32 is a vertical plate extending upward from the rear end edge of the nozzle support frame 31. The rear end of the nozzle support frame 31 is cantilevered and supported by the back support frame 32. As described above, the timing belt 16 is fixed to the back support frame 32. In addition, the guide rail 17 engages with the back support frame 32.

[0041] It should be noted that the cantilever state refers to the following state, that is, in the carriage 3, the guide rail 17 holding the carriage 3 exists only on one side upstream or downstream of the center of the carriage 3 in the conveying direction F, and the side of the carriage 3 opposite to the side where the guide rail 17 exists is not held.

[0042] [Details about the carriage]

[0043] Further explanation is needed regarding carriage 3. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of the carriage 3 shown. Figure 3 The diagram shows the conveying direction F (secondary scanning direction) of workpiece W and the moving direction S (main scanning direction) of carriage 3. Figure 3The diagram illustrates an example where multiple ink nozzles 4 eject ink for forming an image onto a workpiece W, and multiple auxiliary canisters 7 supplying the ink to these nozzles 4, are mounted on a carriage 3. It should be noted that, as described later, a processing liquid nozzle ejecting a non-color-developing processing liquid is further mounted on the carriage 3. Furthermore, the carriage 3 and the multiple nozzles (liquid ejection sections) mounted on the carriage 3 constitute the liquid ejection unit of this disclosure. The liquid ejection unit reciprocates along the main scanning direction S and ejects liquid onto the workpiece W.

[0044] Each ink printhead 4 includes: multiple nozzles (ink ejection orifices) that eject ink droplets using methods such as pressure-sensitive methods using pressure-sensitive elements or thermal methods using heating elements; and an ink passage that guides ink to the nozzles. For example, water-based pigment inks containing water-based solvents, pigments, and binder resins can be used as inks. In this embodiment, the multiple ink printheads 4 are capable of ejecting different inks separately. Each printhead is mounted on the printhead support frame 31 of the carriage 3. It should be noted that the detailed configuration of each printhead will be described in detail later.

[0045] The arrangement of printheads along the main scanning direction S, consisting of ink printhead 4 and the processing liquid printhead described later, is called a column of printheads, or simply a column. Furthermore, the arrangement of printheads along the transport direction F, consisting of ink printhead 4 and the processing liquid printhead, is called a row of printheads, or simply a row.

[0046] The ink ejected by the inkjet head 4 is not particularly limited, and inks containing pigments and dyes can be used. For example, inks containing pigments and water-based media can be used. The ink may also, as needed, contain at least one selected from the group consisting of surfactants, polyols, and binder resin particles. Examples of pigments include yellow, orange, red, blue, purple, and black pigments. The ink may also contain anionic pigments. In such cases, the cationic polymer contained in the post-treatment liquid reacts with the anionic pigment on the surface of the recording object, thus inhibiting the penetration of the binder resin (binder resin) contained in the ink into the recording medium. When the recording medium is fabric, this reduces the risk of the binder resin penetrating the gaps between fibers and causing the fibers to stick together. This improves the hand feel (skin feel, etc.) of the fabric being printed.

[0047] As anionic pigments, more preferably, they are anionic pigments having anionic groups such as carboxyl, sulfonic acid, phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid, phenylsulfonic acid, and phenylcarboxyl groups. The aqueous medium contained in the ink is a medium primarily composed of water. The aqueous medium can function as a solvent or as a dispersion medium. Specific examples of aqueous media include water or a mixture of water and a polar solvent. Examples of polar solvents contained in the aqueous medium include methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, and methyl ethyl ketone. Furthermore, by containing surfactants, the wettability of the ink on the recording object is improved.

[0048] The binder resin particles contained in the ink exist in a dispersed state in an aqueous medium. These binder resin particles function as a binder, binding the printed object to the pigment. Therefore, by containing binder resin particles in the ink, printed materials with excellent pigment adhesion can be obtained. Examples of resins contained in the binder resin particles include polyurethane resins, (meth)acrylic resins, styrene-(meth)acrylic resins, styrene-maleic acid copolymers, vinylnaphthalene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymers, and vinylnaphthalene-maleic acid copolymers. Polyurethane resins are preferred as the resins contained in the binder resin particles.

[0049] The content of binder resin relative to the total weight of the ink can be 1% or more and 20% or less, or 2% or more and 10% or less. When the content of binder resin particles is 1% or more, a recording object with excellent pigment adhesion can be obtained. On the other hand, when the content of binder resin particles is 20% or less, ink can be stably ejected onto the recording object.

[0050] The pretreatment fluid nozzle sprays pretreatment fluid, used for performing the prescribed pretreatment, onto the workpiece W. The pretreatment fluid is sprayed from the pretreatment fluid nozzle to a position on the workpiece W before ink is received from the ink printhead 4. Additionally, the pretreatment fluid nozzle sprays posttreatment fluid, used for performing the prescribed posttreatment, onto the workpiece W that is already coated with ink. The posttreatment fluid is sprayed from the pretreatment fluid nozzle to a position on the workpiece W after ink has been received from the ink printhead 4.

[0051] Any pretreatment solution can be used. For example, a pretreatment solution that causes the ink pigment to agglomerate, thereby improving color development and adhesion, as described later, can be used. In addition, the pretreatment solution can also inhibit the penetration of ink into the recording medium, or conversely promote the penetration of ink into the recording medium, or thicken the print to form a three-dimensional shape, or impart gloss.

[0052] The pretreatment solution may contain, for example, a water-soluble cationic polymer, organic acid salts, and an aqueous medium. Using such a pretreatment solution, the pigments contained in the ink used for subsequent printing can react and aggregate, improving color development. Additionally, wash fastness and the hand feel of the fabric can be improved. The content of the water-soluble cationic polymer can be 0.1% by weight or more and less than 10% by weight relative to the total pretreatment solution. Sufficient wet rubbing fastness can be obtained by keeping the content of the water-soluble cationic polymer less than 10% by weight. The aqueous medium contained in the pretreatment solution can be the same aqueous medium as the ink.

[0053] Any post-processing solution can be used. For example, a post-processing solution that improves the feel, as described later, can be used. Additionally, the post-processing solution can be used for coatings such as protecting printed ink, thickening the print to create a three-dimensional shape, or imparting gloss. Furthermore, it can be used for treatments unrelated to ink printing, such as imparting hydrophobicity to the recording medium.

[0054] The post-treatment solution may also contain, for example, emulsified particles containing silicone oil; surfactants; and an aqueous medium. That is, the post-treatment solution is an emulsion in which emulsified particles are dispersed in an aqueous medium, more specifically, an oil-droplet (O / W) emulsion in water. The silicone oil may also include unmodified silicone oil. Examples of unmodified silicone oils include dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenyl silicone oil, and methyl hydrogen silicone oil. Using such a post-treatment solution can improve the feel of the surface.

[0055] As a surfactant, the surfactant may also contain: a first surfactant comprising an alkyl group having 12 to 14 carbon atoms; and a second surfactant comprising an alkyl group having 16 to 18 carbon atoms. Both may be polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers.

[0056] The water-based medium in the post-treatment solution can be the same as that used for ink. The post-treatment solution is essentially a non-color-developing solution that does not show color even when adhered to the workpiece W. It should be noted that the post-treatment solution is fundamentally different from the pre-treatment solution. Specifically, the components contained in the post-treatment solution and the pre-treatment solution are different.

[0057] The processing fluid is essentially a non-color-developing processing fluid that does not show color even when adhered to the workpiece W. Here, "non-color-developing processing fluid" means a processing fluid that, when printed alone on a recording medium, is not perceptible to the naked eye as showing color. This color also includes colors with a chroma of 0, such as black, white, and gray. Non-color-developing processing fluids are generally transparent liquids, but sometimes, for example, when viewed as a liquid in 1 liter, they are not completely transparent but appear slightly whitish. Such a color is very thin, and therefore, when printed alone on a recording medium, it is not perceptible to the naked eye as showing color. It should be noted that, depending on the type of processing fluid, sometimes when printed alone on a recording medium, changes such as gloss may occur on the recording medium, but this is not considered color development.

[0058] In this embodiment, the pretreatment liquid and posttreatment liquid can be sprayed onto approximately the entire surface of the workpiece W. The pretreatment liquid and posttreatment liquid can also be selectively sprayed in accordance with the printed image, similar to ink.

[0059] Here, we will explain the case where the pretreatment and posttreatment solutions are selectively sprayed. As described above, the pretreatment solution, ink, and posttreatment solution are sequentially sprayed onto the workpiece W, where colors are printed to match the image. In this case, the ink is a single color or multiple colors. In areas where no color is printed, i.e., areas where ink is not sprayed, the pretreatment and posttreatment solutions are also generally not sprayed. It should be noted that, in order to adjust the image quality of the printed image, the feel of the workpiece W, etc., the selection of the spraying of the pretreatment and posttreatment solutions can differ from that of the ink. For example, the pretreatment and posttreatment solutions can be printed over a slightly wider area than the ink printing area (e.g., an amount corresponding to a few pixels).

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, an opening 31H is provided at the nozzle mounting position of the printhead support frame 31. The ink printhead 4 and the liquid processing printhead are assembled to the printhead support frame 31 by being embedded in each of the openings 31H. The nozzles disposed on the lower end face of each printhead protrude from each of the openings 31H.

[0061] The auxiliary tank 7 is supported on the carriage 3 above each printhead via a concealed retaining frame. Each auxiliary tank 7 is correspondingly positioned to each printhead. Ink or processing fluid (sometimes referred to as liquid) is supplied to each auxiliary tank 7 from a concealed container or main tank containing ink and processing fluid, and then supplied to each printhead. Each auxiliary tank 7 and each printhead is connected by a... Figure 3 Piping connections are omitted from the diagram.

[0062] Each auxiliary tank 7 may also have a supply auxiliary tank and a recovery auxiliary tank. The supply auxiliary tank supplies liquid to the corresponding nozzle. The recovery auxiliary tank recovers liquid that was not ejected from the corresponding nozzle. Liquid supply and recovery are performed, for example, by applying pressure to the liquid via gas (air) present above the liquid contained in the supply and recovery auxiliary tanks. Liquid supply and recovery are performed using the pressure difference between the pressure applied to the supply auxiliary tank and the pressure applied to the recovery auxiliary tank. The pressure applied to each of them is controlled so that the pressure in the nozzle of each nozzle is approximately 0 (zero, the same as atmospheric pressure), or slightly negative or positive. As a result, the nozzle can maintain a state that retains a curved surface, and the nozzle can maintain a state that allows liquid to be ejected.

[0063] The transfer of liquid between the supply auxiliary tank, the recovery auxiliary tank, and the main tank can also be performed as follows: If the liquid level in the supply auxiliary tank decreases below the specified amount, the liquid in the recovery auxiliary tank is transferred to the supply auxiliary tank by a pump or the like. This allows the liquid to circulate among the supply auxiliary tank, the nozzle, and the recovery auxiliary tank. If the liquid level in the recovery auxiliary tank decreases below the specified amount, the liquid in the main tank is supplied to the recovery auxiliary tank by a pump or the like.

[0064] If a liquid adjusted to a constant temperature is supplied to the nozzle, the nozzle temperature can be stabilized. The liquid supplied to the nozzle reaches a separate flow path equipped with nozzles via a common flow path (manifold) within the nozzle. Regarding the recovery of liquid from the nozzle, it is possible not to recover the liquid supplied to the separate flow path, or to recover only the liquid that has passed through the common flow path. Alternatively, liquid supply and recovery can be performed on the separate flow path equipped with nozzles, making it less likely for liquid to stagnate within and around the nozzles. In this case, the liquid recovered from the separate flow path is recovered, for example, through the common flow path.

[0065] As described above, the inkjet printer 1 according to this embodiment is an integrally formed printer in which the ink printhead 4 and the processing liquid printhead are mounted on a carriage 3. According to this inkjet printer 1, in a printing and dyeing process of inkjet printing onto fabric, such as digital printing, the pretreatment liquid ejection process and the posttreatment liquid ejection process can be performed integrally. Therefore, the printing process can be simplified and the printing apparatus can be made more compact.

[0066] [Printing Method]

[0067] Next, the printing method performed by the inkjet printer 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The inkjet printer 1 prints the workpiece W in a serial printing manner. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the serial printing method. Figure 4 In the drawing, the treatment fluid nozzle is omitted and the carriage 3 is simply drawn.

[0068] When the workpiece W has a wide dimension, printing cannot be performed while continuously feeding the workpiece W. The serial printing method involves repeatedly moving the carriage 3, equipped with inkjet heads 4 of various colors, back and forth along the main scanning direction S, while the workpiece W is intermittently fed along the transport direction F. Here, the inkjet head 4 has a predetermined printing width Pw in the transport direction F. The printing width Pw is approximately equal to the length of the transport direction F of the area where the ink ejection nozzles of the inkjet head 4 are arranged. It should be noted that... Figure 4 In the diagram, the length of the conveying direction F of each nozzle is drawn to be approximately equal to the printing width Pw. However, in reality, the length of the conveying direction F of each nozzle is larger than the length of the printing width Pw and the length of the conveying direction F of the area where the nozzles are arranged.

[0069] exist Figure 4 The diagram shows the state where the carriage 3 moves in the main scanning direction S towards the path SA, and the printing of the strip image G1 with a printing width Pw is completed. During the main scanning in the path SA, the transport of the workpiece W stops. After the printing of the strip image G1, the workpiece W is transported in the transport direction F with a distance equivalent to the printing width Pw. At this time, the carriage 3 waits in the reversing area 14 on the left end side. After the workpiece W is delivered, the carriage 3 reverses in the return path direction SB along with the reverse movement of the timing belt 16. The workpiece W is in a stopped state. Then, as... Figure 4 As shown, while the carriage 3 moves in the return path direction SB, it prints a strip image G2 with a printing width Pw on the upstream side of the strip image G1. The same operation is repeated below.

[0070] The workpiece W, after printing has finished at the inkjet printer 1, can also be dried by heating with a heater (not shown) installed in the inkjet printer 1. Alternatively, the finished printing portion of the workpiece W can be conveyed to a separate dryer relative to the inkjet printer 1 instead of being wound onto the take-up roller 22, where it is dried. The heating temperature is, for example, 120°C or higher and 180°C or lower. The heating time is, for example, 1 minute or higher and 10 minutes or lower. By heating, the volatile components contained in the ink and processing liquid dry, promoting the fixation of the ink and processing liquid to the printed object P. That is, drying is not performed during the printing of the pretreatment liquid, ink, and posttreatment liquid, but is performed collectively after their printing is completed. Furthermore, the printing of the pretreatment liquid, ink, and posttreatment liquid is performed on the workpiece W that has not undergone other treatments such as coating with other pretreatment liquids and drying before printing.

[0071] [Detailed configuration of the nozzle]

[0072] Figure 5 This is a top view that schematically shows the arrangement of the ink printhead (ink ejection section) and the processing liquid printhead (processing liquid ejection section) on the carriage 3 according to this embodiment. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the nozzle region within the ink printhead according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, multiple printheads are arranged in a row along the main scanning direction S on the carriage 3, and from left to right are the processing liquid printhead 71, the first ink printhead 41, the second ink printhead 42, the third ink printhead 43, the fourth ink printhead 44, the fifth ink printhead 45, the sixth ink printhead 46, and the processing liquid printhead 72. Each printhead includes two nozzle regions (a first nozzle region and a second nozzle region) arranged along the main scanning direction S.

[0073] As for the two nozzle areas, from Figure 5 From left to right, the processing liquid nozzle 71 includes a pre-processing liquid nozzle area P1 and a first post-processing liquid nozzle area P2. The first ink nozzle 41 includes a black ink nozzle area KI and a cyan ink nozzle area CI. The second ink nozzle 42 includes a magenta ink nozzle area MI and a yellow ink nozzle area YI. The third ink nozzle 43 includes a green ink nozzle area GI and an orange ink nozzle area OI. The fourth ink nozzle 44 includes an orange ink nozzle area OI and a green ink nozzle area GI. The fifth ink nozzle 45 includes a yellow ink nozzle area YI and a magenta ink nozzle area MI. The sixth ink nozzle 46 includes a cyan ink nozzle area CI and a black ink nozzle area KI. The processing liquid nozzle 72 includes a first post-processing liquid nozzle area P2 and a pre-processing liquid nozzle area P1. Hereinafter, each nozzle area will sometimes be referred to by its designation.

[0074] Reference Figure 6 ,by Figure 5 Taking the third ink printhead 43 as an example, we will illustrate the two ink nozzle areas. It should be noted that... Figure 6 In the diagram, the length of the conveying direction F is shown in a reduced scale. Each printhead has a generally cuboid shape, and its lower surface has a rectangular printhead outline H. Furthermore, two ink nozzle regions GI and OI are arranged inside this printhead outline H. The green ink nozzle region GI is a region equipped with multiple nozzles capable of ejecting green ink, and the orange ink nozzle region OI is a region equipped with multiple nozzles capable of ejecting orange ink. In this embodiment, as... Figure 6 As shown, two rows of nozzle groups are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the conveying direction F in each nozzle area. In this case, the dimension of each nozzle group in the conveying direction F is equivalent to 300 npi (nozzlesper inch). It should be noted that, as... Figure 6As shown by the baseline RL, the nozzles of the green ink nozzle region GI and the corresponding orange ink nozzle region OI are positioned at the same location in the transport direction F, i.e., overlapping along the main scanning direction S. Using this nozzle configuration, the third ink printhead 43, when printing at 600 dpi as an inkjet printer 1, can, for example, print a 300 dpi image in one main scan, and then in another main scan, overlay a previously printed 300 dpi image by offsetting the pixel position in the transport direction F by an amount corresponding to one pixel of 600 dpi to obtain a 300 dpi image. Alternatively, the fourth ink printhead 44 can be configured with an offset relative to the third ink printhead 43 in the transport direction F by an amount corresponding to one pixel of 600 dpi, thus using two printheads to print a 600 dpi image. It should be noted that the nozzles of the two colors can also be offset in the transport direction F as described later. In this case, there is the advantage that the nozzle configuration does not need to be different from that of a printhead capable of printing at 600 dpi with a single printhead. With that configuration, if the same color ink is ejected from both nozzle areas, it is possible to print a 600dpi image using a single printhead.

[0075] It should be noted that, in Figure 6 The third ink printhead 43 has an ink flow path (not shown) as follows, which is used to collect green ink to be ejected from the green ink nozzle region GI from the outside of the third ink printhead 43, and to discharge the green ink to the outside of the third ink printhead 43 through each nozzle. Similarly, the third ink printhead 43 has an ink flow path (not shown) as follows, which is used to collect orange ink to be ejected from the orange ink nozzle region OI from the outside of the third ink printhead 43, and to discharge the orange ink to the outside of the third ink printhead 43 through each nozzle. These two ink flow paths are independently configured.

[0076] like Figure 6 As shown, two nozzle regions disposed on a single nozzle head (liquid ejection section) form a nozzle surface on the lower surface of the carriage 3, and their relationship can be represented as follows. The first nozzle region and the second nozzle region are arranged and positioned close to each other at least in the main scanning direction S. In this case, the arrangement or close positioning described above can be such that, if liquid remains on the nozzle surface due to nozzle ejection defects, the liquid from one nozzle may come into contact with the liquid from the other.

[0077] Furthermore, the arrangement described above, or the close arrangement, can be considered in situations where the nozzle area has been wiped using a wiper (not shown), and liquid has been extruded from the nozzles through cleaning, regarding the relative positional relationship of the degree to which liquid on one nozzle surface may come into contact with liquid on the other. In this case, the liquid spreads widely on the nozzle surface, so regardless of the distance between the nozzles, if the first nozzle area and the second nozzle area are on the same surface, the positional relationship described above is included. Even if the two nozzle areas are separated by a groove or the like between them, the positional relationship is included if it is conceivable that liquid will cross the groove (e.g., width and depth of about 1 mm).

[0078] It should be noted that, regarding Figure 5 Other nozzles also use the same... Figure 6 The same nozzle configuration. That is, in this embodiment, multiple nozzles have the same shape and structure. By arranging such shared nozzles on the carriage 3, multiple nozzles (areas) that spray different liquids can be formed.

[0079] Thus, in this embodiment, on the carriage 3, a plurality of printheads (liquid ejection sections) are arranged along the main scanning direction S. These printheads include: a plurality of ink printheads 41-46 that eject ink; and a pair of processing liquid printheads 71 ​​and 72, which are arranged on either side of the plurality of ink printheads in the main scanning direction S. From another perspective, ink printheads for printing are not arranged on the outer sides of the processing liquid printheads 71 ​​and 72 in the main scanning direction S.

[0080] In particular, each of the processing liquid nozzles includes: a pre-processing liquid nozzle region P1, which is capable of spraying pre-processing liquid; and a first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2, which is arranged with the pre-processing liquid nozzle region P1 in the main scanning direction S and is capable of spraying the first post-processing liquid.

[0081] In addition, each of the multiple ink printheads 41-46 includes: a first nozzle region capable of ejecting a specified ink; and a second nozzle region arranged in the main scanning direction S with the first nozzle region and capable of ejecting ink different from that of the first nozzle region.

[0082] As a result, the supply path, recovery path, and maintenance mechanism of the liquid connected to each printhead can be shared, thus simplifying the design and control of the inkjet printer 1. Furthermore, it reduces the likelihood of malfunctions caused by differences in ejection characteristics due to variations in printhead type and shape.

[0083] Furthermore, by providing two nozzle areas for each printhead as described above, the number of printheads required to eject inks and processing liquids of multiple colors can be reduced. As a result, the carriage 3 and even the inkjet printer 1 can be reduced in size. In addition, by reducing the carriage (the range of printhead configuration), the setting accuracy of each printhead can be improved, thereby also improving printing accuracy.

[0084] In addition, in this embodiment, multiple printheads are arranged in a row along the main scanning direction S, which makes the dimensions of the carriage 3 in the transport direction F compact and also reduces the size of the inkjet printer 1.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple nozzles (liquid ejection sections) are arranged at the same position in the transport direction F, which makes the dimensions of the carriage 3 in the transport direction F more compact and further reduces the size of the inkjet printer 1.

[0086] In the printhead configuration of this embodiment, as an example, during one scan in the rightward direction of the carriage 3, pretreatment liquid can be ejected from the pretreatment liquid nozzle area P1 of the processing liquid printhead 72, ink can be ejected sequentially from the sixth ink printhead 46, the fifth ink printhead 45, the fourth ink printhead 44, the third ink printhead 43, the second ink printhead 42, and the first ink printhead 41, and first posttreatment liquid can be ejected from the first posttreatment liquid nozzle area P2 of the processing liquid printhead 71. Subsequently, when the carriage 3 performs one scan in the leftward direction, the pretreatment liquid, ink, and first posttreatment liquid can be ejected in the reverse order described above.

[0087] It should be noted that, as an alternative ejection sequence, the following scheme is also possible. That is, during one scan of the carriage 3 in the right direction, pretreatment liquid is ejected from the pretreatment liquid nozzle area P1 of the processing liquid nozzle 72, and ink is ejected sequentially from the sixth ink nozzle 46, the fifth ink nozzle 45, the fourth ink nozzle 44, the third ink nozzle 43, the second ink nozzle 42, and the first ink nozzle 41. Then, during one scan of the carriage 3 in the left direction, pretreatment liquid is ejected from the pretreatment liquid nozzle area P1 of the processing liquid nozzle 71, and posttreatment liquid is ejected from the first posttreatment liquid nozzle area P2. Further, posttreatment liquid is ejected from the first posttreatment liquid nozzle area P2 of the processing liquid nozzle 72, and pretreatment liquid is ejected from the pretreatment liquid nozzle area P1.

[0088] Alternatively, during one scan of the carriage 3 to the right, pre-processing liquid is ejected from the pre-processing liquid nozzle area P1 of the processing liquid nozzle 72, first post-processing liquid is ejected from the first post-processing liquid nozzle area P2, first post-processing liquid is ejected from the first post-processing liquid nozzle area P2 of the processing liquid nozzle 71, and pre-processing liquid is ejected from the pre-processing liquid nozzle area P1. Then, during one scan of the carriage 3 to the left, ink is ejected sequentially from the first ink nozzle 41, second ink nozzle 42, third ink nozzle 43, fourth ink nozzle 44, fifth ink nozzle 45, and sixth ink nozzle 46. Then, during another scan of the carriage 3 to the right, pre-processing liquid is ejected from the pre-processing liquid nozzle area P1 of the processing liquid nozzle 72, first post-processing liquid is ejected from the first post-processing liquid nozzle area P2, first post-processing liquid is ejected from the first post-processing liquid nozzle area P2 of the processing liquid nozzle 71, and pre-processing liquid is ejected from the pre-processing liquid nozzle area P1.

[0089] It should be noted that, in the past, when multiple ink ejector sections were mounted on a carriage, a problem arose when a pretreatment liquid ejector section was to be mounted to eject the pretreatment liquid. This problem was that the ink and pretreatment liquid tended to mix and stick together around the ejector section. For example, the pretreatment liquid and ink tended to stick together when they mixed on the nozzle surface of a printhead. Therefore, it is preferable not to place the pretreatment liquid and ink in the two nozzle areas of a printhead.

[0090] Furthermore, when the nozzle areas of the pretreatment liquid and posttreatment liquid are configured only at the end of one of the multiple printheads arranged along the main scanning direction S, the order of ink contact with the pretreatment liquid and posttreatment liquid changes between the outgoing and returning paths in the main scanning direction S of the carriage 3.

[0091] To solve this problem, in this embodiment, by dispensing pretreatment liquid and posttreatment liquid spray nozzles 71 and 72 on the outer sides of ink nozzles 41-46, it is possible to prevent ink and pretreatment liquid from sticking together in the nozzle area of ​​one nozzle, and to ensure that the ink and pretreatment liquid hit the workpiece W in the same order regardless of which main scan is being performed.

[0092] It should be noted that, in the above description, the pretreatment liquid exemplified is one that primarily induces ink aggregation on the workpiece W. However, the pretreatment liquid may also contain more resin components than ink, thus possessing the characteristic of bonding the fabric and pigment. In this case, since the possibility of the pretreatment liquid clogging the ink nozzle and adhering to the nozzle surface increases, the above-described nozzle and nozzle area configuration is preferred.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in each of the pair of processing liquid nozzles 71 and 72, the pre-processing liquid nozzle region P1 is positioned further outward in the main scanning direction S than the first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2. Therefore, the possibility of pre-processing liquid mixing with ink around the nozzle periphery can be further reduced. Alternatively, as... Figure 16B Similar to region OI, region GI has an overlapping area between pretreatment liquid nozzle region P1 and first posttreatment liquid nozzle region P2 in the main scanning direction S, and pretreatment liquid nozzle region P1 is positioned outside the main scanning direction S compared to first posttreatment liquid nozzle region P2. Figure 16A Like region OI, region GI has no overlapping area in the main scanning direction S, and the pretreatment liquid nozzle region P1 is positioned outside the main scanning direction S compared to the first posttreatment liquid nozzle region P2, which can further reduce the possibility of pretreatment liquid and ink mixing around the printhead.

[0094] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the multiple ink printheads 41-46, the pair of liquid processing printheads 71 ​​and 72, and the nozzle regions contained therein are arranged in a linearly symmetrical manner with the central part of the main scanning direction S of the region where the multiple printheads are arranged as the boundary.

[0095] Regarding the above-mentioned Figure 5 In other words, among the multiple ink printheads (ink ejection sections), as a pair of nozzle areas (same-color ink nozzle areas) that are respectively arranged adjacent to a pair of processing liquid printheads 71 ​​and 72 on the inner side of the main scanning direction S and eject ink of the same color from each other, a black ink nozzle area KI of the first ink printhead 41 and a black ink nozzle area KI of the sixth ink printhead 46 are provided.

[0096] Moreover, in Figure 5 In the multiple ink printheads, relative to the center of the main scanning direction S of the multiple printheads, on one end and the other end of the main scanning direction S, in addition to the black ink nozzle area KI of the first ink printhead 41 and the black ink nozzle area KI of the sixth ink printhead 46, at least a pair of ink nozzle areas of the same color (same color ink nozzle areas) that spray ink of the same color from each other are also provided.

[0097] For example, in Figure 5In the main scanning direction S, the black and yellow ink nozzle areas are arranged sequentially from left to right on the left side of the main scanning direction S, and also sequentially from right to left on the right side of the main scanning direction S. Therefore, the printing order (hitting order) remains constant for these two colors regardless of the main scanning direction S. In other words, regardless of whether the carriage 3 faces left or right during the main scanning, the areas are arranged in the order of yellow ink nozzle area YI, black ink nozzle area KI, black ink nozzle area KI, and yellow ink nozzle area YI.

[0098] Furthermore, in the aforementioned pair of ink nozzle regions of the same color, the distance between the ink nozzle region of the same color and the processing liquid nozzle 71 (72) on one end of the main scanning direction S is the same as the distance between the ink nozzle region of the same color and the processing liquid nozzle 72 (71) on the other end of the main scanning direction S. Specifically, in Figure 5 In this design, the distance in the main scanning direction S between the magenta ink nozzle area MI of the fifth ink printhead 45 and the processing liquid printhead 72 is equal to the distance in the main scanning direction S between the magenta ink nozzle area MI of the second ink printhead 42 and the processing liquid printhead 71. It should be noted that the same positional relationship applies to the nozzle areas contained within each printhead.

[0099] The distance between the nozzles, the distance between the nozzle areas, and the distance between the nozzles and the nozzle areas are, for example, distances along the main scanning direction S, and are the distances between the closest parts of each nozzle. Alternatively, the distance between the centroids of the areas they occupy, viewed from above, along the main scanning direction S can also be considered.

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in all the ink nozzle regions of the same color included in the plurality of ink printheads, the distance between the ink nozzle region of the same color and the processing liquid printhead 71 (72) on one end of the main scanning direction S and the distance between the ink nozzle region of the same color and the processing liquid printhead 72 (71) on the other end of the main scanning direction S are the same. In other words, as described above, the plurality of ink nozzle regions are arranged in a line symmetrical manner.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there are two or more pairs of ink nozzle regions of the same color. Regarding each pair of colors in the two or more pairs of ink nozzle regions of the same color, the relationship between the distance from the processing liquid nozzle 71 to the ink nozzle region of each pair of colors on one end side is the same as the relationship between the distance from the processing liquid nozzle 72 to the ink nozzle region of each pair of colors on the other end side.

[0102] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the content includes Figure 5In the various figures, the spacing between adjacent nozzles in the main scanning direction S (the spacing between the nearest parts of each nozzle, or the spacing between the centers of each nozzle) is the same. Similarly, regarding the multi-row nozzle configuration described later, the spacing between adjacent nozzles in the transport direction F (the spacing between the centers of each nozzle) is the same.

[0103] <Second Implementation>

[0104] Figure 7 This is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the ink printhead and the processing fluid printhead on the carriage 3 according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. It should be noted that in the following embodiments, the description will focus on the differences between the embodiments and the foregoing embodiments, and the description of common points will be omitted.

[0105] In this embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, with Figure 5 The difference lies in the fact that only the fourth ink printhead 44, the fifth ink printhead 45, and the sixth ink printhead 46 are configured as ink printheads, and they are not arranged in a linearly symmetrical manner in the main scanning direction S. In this case, a processing liquid printhead 71 and a processing liquid printhead 72 are respectively arranged on the two outer sides of the main scanning direction S of the multiple ink printheads.

[0106] In this structure, the order in which each liquid hits the workpiece W can be the same between the outgoing and returning paths in the main scanning direction S. It should be noted that the ejection order of each liquid can be set, for example, when the carriage 3 moves to the right, as follows: pretreatment liquid from processing liquid nozzle 72, ink from ink nozzles 46, 45, and 44, and first posttreatment liquid from processing liquid nozzle 71; or it can be set as: pretreatment liquid from processing liquid nozzle 72, first posttreatment liquid, ink from ink nozzles 46, 45, and 44, and first posttreatment liquid from processing liquid nozzle 71.

[0107] Furthermore, in this structure, processing liquid nozzles 71 and 72 are also arranged on both outer sides of ink nozzles 44, 45, and 46, and in particular, the mixing of pretreatment liquid and ink around the nozzles is suppressed.

[0108] <Third Implementation Method>

[0109] Figure 8 This is a schematic top view showing the arrangement of the ink printhead and the processing fluid printhead on the carriage 3 according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. In the previous first and second embodiments, arrangements were described where each ink printhead has a first nozzle region and a second nozzle region; however, in this embodiment, as... Figure 8 As shown, ink printheads 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and 4F each have a nozzle area. In other words, these ink printheads each eject ink of a different color.

[0110] On the other hand, in this embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, a pair of processing liquid nozzles 71 and 72 are respectively arranged on both outer sides of the main scanning direction S of the ink printheads 4A-4F. In each processing liquid nozzle 71 and 72, pre-processing liquid can be ejected from the pre-processing liquid nozzle region P1 on the outer side of the main scanning direction S, and first post-processing liquid can be ejected from the first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2 on the inner side of the main scanning direction S. In this case, the same effect as in the first and second embodiments can be achieved. It should be noted that in Figure 8 In this configuration, the ink colors of the ink printheads 4A to 4F can also be arranged in a linearly symmetrical manner.

[0111] When using printheads with approximately the same number of nozzles, the printing resolution of pretreatment and posttreatment liquids is half that of ink. For example, the ink printing resolution is 600 dpi, and the pretreatment and posttreatment liquid printing resolution is 300 dpi. If the pretreatment and posttreatment liquids are not patterned during printing, or if they can be printed using patterning at a lower resolution than ink, then... Figure 8 That way, each ink nozzle can spray out a structure of ink of a different color.

[0112] <Fourth Implementation>

[0113] Figure 9 This is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the ink printhead and the processing fluid printhead on the carriage 3 according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure. In this embodiment, instead of the previous second embodiment ( Figure 7 The inkjet printheads 71 ​​and 72 are for processing liquid, while inkjet printheads 73 and 74 are arranged on the two outer sides of the main scanning direction S of ink printheads 44, 45 and 46.

[0114] In each of the processing liquid nozzles 73 and 74 (a pair of processing liquid ejection sections), the first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2 is positioned further outward in the main scanning direction S than the pre-processing liquid nozzle region P1. For example, the first post-processing liquid sometimes contains a higher ratio of binder and solid components compared to ink in order to create a three-dimensional shape to some extent. Furthermore, with such a composition, in order to eject it in the same way as ink, the types and amounts of solvent components and other additives are sometimes significantly different compared to the differences between inks or between ink and pre-processing liquid. In such cases, it is more necessary to separate the first post-processing liquid from the ink than to separate the pre-processing liquid from the ink. With the structure described above, mixing of ink and the first post-processing liquid at the periphery of the nozzle can be suppressed. Additionally, the reaction time between the ink and the pre-processing liquid can be maximized before the first post-processing liquid hits the nozzle.

[0115] <Fifth Implementation>

[0116] Figure 10 This is a schematic top view showing the arrangement of the ink printheads and processing liquid on the carriage 3 according to the fifth embodiment of this disclosure. In this embodiment, as a plurality of ink printheads, a seventh ink printhead 47, a fifth ink printhead 45, a sixth ink printhead 46, and an eighth ink printhead 48 are arranged from one end (left side) of the main scanning direction S. In addition, processing liquid printheads 71 ​​and 72 are arranged on both outer sides of the plurality of ink printheads in the main scanning direction S. It should be noted that the fifth ink printhead 45, the sixth ink printhead 46, the processing liquid printhead 71, and the processing liquid printhead 72 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0117] On the other hand, in the seventh ink printhead 47 and the eighth ink printhead 48, which are adjacent to the processing liquid printheads 71 ​​and 72 on the inner side of the main scanning direction S, the nozzle regions located on the outer side of the first nozzle region and the second nozzle region eject the base color ink. Specifically, the seventh ink printhead 47 has a base color ink nozzle region UI and a green ink nozzle region GI from left to right, and the eighth ink printhead 48 has an orange ink nozzle region OI and a base color ink nozzle region UI.

[0118] With this structure, when the carriage 3 moves along any path in the main scanning direction S, either the outgoing or returning path, the base color ink can be struck on the workpiece W before other colors of ink. In particular, by striking the workpiece W after the pretreatment liquid and before inks of other colors, the ink image can be stably fixed on the workpiece W, and inks other than the base color can be well developed regardless of the color of the workpiece W, which is made of cloth or the like. It should be noted that the base color is, for example, white, skin tone, etc., and in this case, white includes several white shades such as ivory.

[0119] <Sixth Implementation Method>

[0120] Figure 11 This is a schematic top view showing the arrangement of the ink printhead and processing fluid printhead liquid on the carriage 3 according to the sixth embodiment of this disclosure. In this embodiment, compared with the previous second embodiment ( Figure 7 In contrast, the configuration of the liquid processing nozzles 71 and 72 differs. Specifically, in this embodiment, the distance in the main scanning direction S between the pair of liquid processing nozzles 71 and 72 and the plurality of ink nozzles is larger than the distance in the main scanning direction S between adjacent ink nozzles among the plurality of ink nozzles.

[0121] According to this structure, compared with the previous second embodiment, the pretreatment liquid nozzle area P1 can be further away from each ink nozzle area, thus better suppressing the mixing and adhesion of ink and pretreatment liquid around the printhead.

[0122] <Seventh Implementation>

[0123] Figure 12 This is a schematic top view showing the arrangement of the ink printheads and processing fluid printheads on the carriage 3 according to the seventh embodiment of this disclosure. In this embodiment, the fifth ink printhead 45 and the sixth ink printhead 46 of the first embodiment are arranged in the center along the main scanning direction S.

[0124] Furthermore, four liquid processing nozzles 71, 72, 75, and 76 are arranged on both outer sides of the two ink printheads. Liquid processing nozzles 71 and 72 are the outermost nozzles, the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0125] On the other hand, the processing liquid nozzle 75 is disposed between the processing liquid nozzle 71 and the fifth ink nozzle 45, and the processing liquid nozzle 76 is disposed between the sixth ink nozzle 46 and the processing liquid nozzle 72. The processing liquid nozzle 75 has a second post-processing liquid nozzle region P3 and a green ink nozzle region GI from left to right. The processing liquid nozzle 76 has an orange ink nozzle region OI and a second post-processing liquid nozzle region P3 from left to right.

[0126] The second post-treatment liquid is ejected from nozzle area P3. This second post-treatment liquid is different from the first post-treatment liquid. The second post-treatment liquid has the function of essentially softening the workpiece W (cloth). Furthermore, the second post-treatment liquid may also have the function of intensifying the color on the workpiece W. Preferably, based on this function, the second post-treatment liquid essentially hits the workpiece W after the ink fixing effect by the pre-treatment liquid has ended.

[0127] On the other hand, the first post-treatment liquid ejected from the treatment liquid nozzles 71 and 72 has the function of giving the ink and the workpiece W (cloth) a firm bond. Therefore, the first post-treatment liquid can be used not only to make the ink less likely to peel off from the workpiece W, but also to increase the amount of the first post-treatment liquid hitting the surface to build up the printed surface and implement a three-dimensional shape.

[0128] Alternatively, printing can be performed by changing the ratio of the first and second post-treatment liquids while keeping the total amount of each liquid approximately the same, thereby adjusting the durability and softness of the finishing.

[0129] Thus, in this embodiment, the plurality of printheads also include a pair of processing liquid printheads 75, 76 (post-processing liquid ejection section), the pair of processing liquid printheads 75, 76 being disposed on both sides of the main scanning direction S of the plurality of ink printheads (at least printheads that eject only ink here), and including at least a second post-processing liquid nozzle region P3 (other post-processing liquid nozzle ejection region) that ejects a second post-processing liquid (other post-processing liquid) different from the first post-processing liquid.

[0130] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pair of processing liquid nozzles 75 and 76, in addition to including the second post-processing liquid nozzle region P3, also include ink nozzle ejection regions (green ink nozzle region GI, orange ink nozzle region OI) for ejecting specified ink. It should be noted that when the necessary amount or type of processing liquid increases, as... Figure 12 In a modified embodiment, the ink nozzle area of ​​the processing liquid nozzles 75 and 76 described above can be replaced by a processing liquid nozzle area that sprays pre-processing liquid or post-processing liquid.

[0131] <Eighth Implementation Method>

[0132] Figure 13 This is a schematic top view showing the arrangement of ink printheads and processing liquid printheads on the carriage 3 according to the eighth embodiment of this disclosure. In this embodiment, a fourth ink printhead 44, a fifth ink printhead 45, and a sixth ink printhead 46 are arranged as a plurality of ink printheads in the central portion of the main scanning direction S. Furthermore, a pair of processing liquid printheads 81 are arranged on each of the two outer sides of the plurality of printheads in the main scanning direction S. Each processing liquid printhead 81 has two first post-processing liquid nozzle regions P2.

[0133] Furthermore, at one end of the main scanning direction S, a processing liquid nozzle 73 is disposed between the processing liquid nozzle 81 and the fourth ink nozzle 44, and at the other end of the main scanning direction S, a processing liquid nozzle 74 is disposed between the sixth ink nozzle 46 and the processing liquid nozzle 81. The processing liquid nozzle 73 has a first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2 and a pre-processing liquid nozzle region P1 from left to right, and the processing liquid nozzle 74 has a pre-processing liquid nozzle region P1 and a first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2 from left to right.

[0134] In this structure, the order in which each processing liquid hits the ink is the same in any path, whether it is the outgoing or returning path, in the main scanning direction S of the carriage 3. In addition, three first post-processing liquid nozzle areas P2 are arranged on either one end or the other end of the main scanning direction S, so that the function of the first post-processing liquid, which imparts firmness to the ink and the workpiece W (cloth), can be fully utilized.

[0135] <Ninth Implementation Method>

[0136] Figure 14This is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the ink printhead and the processing liquid printhead on the carriage 3 according to the ninth embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 15 This is a schematic top view showing the nozzle area of ​​the ink printhead on the carriage 3 according to this embodiment.

[0137] In this embodiment, four-color ink printheads 4G and 4H are arranged along the main scanning direction S as ink printheads. The four-color ink printhead 4G has four nozzle areas: orange (OI), green (GI), yellow (YI), and magenta (MI). Conversely, the four-color ink printhead 4H has four nozzle areas: cyan (CI), black (KI), blue (BI), and red (RI). The processing liquid nozzle areas P1 and P2 of the processing liquid printheads 71 ​​and 72 can also be set to twice the size of the ink nozzle areas in the main scanning direction S, as shown in the figure. In this case, the resolution of the processing liquid can be twice that of the ink. Alternatively, the processing liquid nozzle areas P1 and P2 of the processing liquid printheads 71 ​​and 72 can be set to the same range as the ink nozzle areas. In this case, the resolution of the processing liquid can also be the same as that of the ink. In the areas of the processing liquid nozzles 71 and 72 other than the nozzle areas P1 and P2, nozzles may or may not be configured. In either case, ejection from such areas is not performed during normal printing.

[0138] Furthermore, in this embodiment, processing liquid nozzles 71 and 72 are also arranged on both outer sides of the main scanning direction S of the four-color ink printheads 4G and 4H. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, the order in which the ink and each processing liquid hits the nozzles is the same in both the outgoing and returning paths in the main scanning direction S. In addition, mixing of the processing liquids and inks around the printheads can be suppressed. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the width of the nozzle area of ​​each ink in the main scanning direction S is smaller than the width of the nozzle area of ​​each processing liquid in the main scanning direction S, thus reducing the width of the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction S while ejecting multiple colors of ink.

[0139] In addition, such as Figure 15 As shown, for example, if a four-color ink printhead 4G is used, then in the four nozzle areas—orange ink nozzle area OI, green ink nozzle area GI, yellow ink nozzle area YI, and magenta ink nozzle area MI—nozzles equivalent to 150 npi in the transport direction F are respectively arranged. Furthermore, as an example, the nozzles are offset in the transport direction F between different colors.

[0140] <Regarding modified implementations of the nozzle area>

[0141] Figure 16A , Figure 16B This is a schematic top view showing the nozzle area of ​​the inkjet head on the carriage 3 according to a modified embodiment of this disclosure. In the previous first embodiment, as described... Figure 6 As shown by the baseline RL, the nozzles of the green ink nozzle region GI and the corresponding nozzles of the orange ink nozzle region OI are arranged at the same position in the transport direction F, that is, overlapping when viewed along the main scanning direction S. This disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0142] It can also be like Figure 16A As shown, the nozzles in the nozzle area between the two colors are offset in the conveying direction F. In this case, there is an advantage that the nozzle configuration does not need to differ from the 600 npi case. Furthermore, when nozzles spraying different liquids are close together, the liquid mist generated during spraying may drift in the air or adhere to the nozzle surface and expand and flow, potentially mixing with the liquid in the nozzles spraying different liquids. With the above-described configuration, the possibility of such a phenomenon occurring can be reduced.

[0143] It can also be like Figure 16B Thus, within the printhead, one color (green ink nozzle area GI) is positioned at one end along the main scanning direction S, and another color (orange ink nozzle area OI) is positioned at the other end along the main scanning direction S, with the two nozzle areas overlapping each other along the main scanning direction S. Figure 16B In the example, two rows of nozzles of different colors are alternately arranged in the main scanning direction S.

[0144] Here, it could also be, in Figure 16B In such ink printheads, compared to other ink printheads, the difference in brightness between the ink ejected from the first nozzle area and the ink ejected from the second nozzle area is greater. For example, if it is black ink and yellow ink, the difference in brightness is greater compared to other combinations of inks. By dividing the nozzle areas of such two inks as... Figure 16B That configuration allows for the suppression of concentration differences during printing on any path in the forward and return paths along the main scanning direction S. It should be noted that this also applies to printing on... Figure 16B The four nozzle rows extending along the conveying direction F have black ink nozzles arranged in the two outer rows on the main scanning direction S, and yellow ink nozzles arranged in the two inner rows on the main scanning direction S.

[0145] Figure 17 This is a schematic top view showing the nozzle area of ​​the ink printhead on the carriage 3 according to other modified embodiments of this disclosure. In the previous first embodiment, a scheme was described in which each printhead is composed of a generally cuboid shape, and two-color ink nozzle areas are arranged within its printhead outline H in the main scanning direction S; however, this disclosure is not limited to this. Alternatively, as... Figure 17 As shown, for example, in a printhead, the magenta ink nozzle region MI and the black ink nozzle region KI are offset in both the transport direction F and the main scanning direction S. Alternatively, it is also possible that... Figure 17 In the magenta ink nozzle area MI, the magenta ink nozzles and the black ink nozzles are arranged in two columns, one for each. Figure 17 In the black ink nozzle area KI, the nozzles for magenta ink and the nozzles for black ink are each arranged in one row, while other nozzles are arranged in two rows.

[0146] The combination of ink colors ejected from each printhead is arbitrary, but a specific combination can be chosen considering the following: The time difference between different colored inks ejected from a single printhead hitting the workpiece W is smaller than the time difference between different colored inks ejected from different printheads hitting the workpiece W. This is because the distance between the nozzle region ejecting the first ink and the nozzle region ejecting the second ink (more specifically, the distance between the centers of each region along the main scanning direction S) within a single printhead is shorter than the distance between the nozzle regions ejecting the first ink and the nozzle regions ejecting the third ink (more specifically, the distance between the centers of each region along the main scanning direction S) between different printheads.

[0147] When the time difference between impacts is small, and the previously impacted ink has not yet penetrated the workpiece W, subsequent impacts can easily cause ink mixing. Therefore, when selecting inks from a single printhead that are more prone to mixing, one can choose a combination of inks that do not easily cause mixing, or a combination of inks that do not easily cause mixing.

[0148] If the inks used are arranged on the color wheel so that the inks ejected from a single printhead are groups of adjacent colors, then color mixing will be less noticeable. If, when counting the types of printheads with different color combinations, more than half of the color combinations are adjacent on the color wheel, then color mixing will be less noticeable. If the color combinations in all printheads are adjacent on the color wheel, then color mixing will be even less noticeable.

[0149] It should be noted that black, white, and gray are not colors on the color wheel. Therefore, when counting the types of printheads that combine these colors with each other and with colors on the color wheel, they are excluded from the count. Furthermore, in the case of printheads that eject three or more colors of ink, if the combination of colors ejected in one printhead is an adjacent combination on the color wheel, then color mixing can be made less noticeable. Moreover, the order of colors along the main scanning direction S within a printhead can be made to match the order of the colors on the color wheel.

[0150] In addition, unlike other colors, yellow is a color that brings a sense of brightness to people even with the same amount of ink. Therefore, it is easy to see when mixed with black, which brings a sense of darkness. Thus, yellow and black can also be configured in different printheads.

[0151] Furthermore, black conveys a sense of darkness, making color mixing with other colors more noticeable. However, by positioning the black nozzle area at the end of the ink nozzle areas arranged along the main scanning direction S, it is possible to eliminate the nozzle areas of other colors on one side. This makes black color mixing less noticeable.

[0152] Furthermore, white, like yellow, is a color that evokes a sense of brightness in human perception. Therefore, when the ink contains white, white and yellow can be combined in a single printhead. This makes the mixing of white with other colors less noticeable. It should be noted that besides being used as a color in printed images, white is also frequently used as a background color (base). Compared to its use as a base color, it is necessary to combine white and yellow in a single printhead when used as a color in printed images.

[0153] Furthermore, even with the same amount of ink, cyan produces a darker appearance. Placing cyan in the same printhead as black makes color mixing less noticeable. On the other hand, in cases where color mixing occurs due to this placement, cyan is less prominent than black and may be difficult to identify as cyan in the image. Placing cyan and black in different printheads, or placing them at greater distances from each other in the nozzle area, makes cyan easier to identify in the image.

[0154] Specifically, it can also be that, as mentioned above, the black nozzle area is located at one end of the ink nozzle areas arranged along the main scanning direction S, and the cyan nozzle area is located at the opposite end of the black nozzle area.

[0155] The ink configuration can also be determined by considering the surface tension of the inks. When different inks come into contact, the ink with the largest difference in surface tension is more prone to mixing, while the ink with the smallest difference in surface tension is less likely to mix. If the group of inks with the largest difference in surface tension is placed in different printheads, the possibility of mixing can be reduced. Furthermore, the group of inks with the second largest difference in surface tension can also be placed in different printheads. And the group of inks with the third largest difference in surface tension can also be placed in different printheads. Moreover, when inks are placed in the same printhead, adjacent inks can be selected when the inks are arranged in order of their surface tension.

[0156] Additionally, the surface tension of the post-treatment solution can also be considered. This isn't because the post-treatment solution mixes with the ink, but because mixing progresses more easily when the surface tension difference is large, and slower when the difference is small. Ideally, the post-treatment solution should act equally on all inks, but inks that are hit by the post-treatment solution at similar temporal intervals may experience a stronger effect than other inks.

[0157] When the post-treatment liquid and ink are placed in the same printhead, if the ink used has a small difference in surface tension with the post-treatment liquid, the effect of the post-treatment liquid on inks that are hit by it at similar times is weakened, thus making the effect of the post-treatment liquid on other inks more similar. Such inks can also be used where, when inks are arranged in order of their surface tension difference with the post-treatment liquid, half of the inks with the smallest difference are present. Furthermore, inks with surface tension closest to both the pre- and post-treatment liquids can also be used.

[0158] The recording method of the inkjet printer 1 in the above embodiments is a recording method in which a carriage 3 is reciprocated along a main scanning direction S intersecting the conveying direction F to eject liquid from a workpiece W being conveyed along the conveying direction F. This recording method includes the following steps: preparing a plurality of ink printheads arranged along the main scanning direction S on the carriage 3 and ejecting ink, and a pair of processing liquid printheads arranged on both sides of the plurality of ink printheads in the main scanning direction S. In the prepared plurality of printheads, each pair of processing liquid printheads includes a pre-processing liquid nozzle region P1 capable of ejecting pre-processing liquid, and a first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2 (post-processing liquid nozzle region) arranged with the pre-processing liquid nozzle region P1 in the main scanning direction S and capable of ejecting a first post-processing liquid (post-processing liquid).

[0159] Move carriage 3 in the first direction of the main scanning direction S.

[0160] During the movement of the carriage 3 in the first direction of the main scanning direction S, the following steps are performed:

[0161] Pretreatment fluid is sprayed from the pretreatment fluid nozzle area P1 of the pretreatment fluid nozzle arranged on the front end side in the first direction of the pair of pretreatment fluid nozzles toward a predetermined target position on the workpiece W.

[0162] Ink is ejected from at least one of the plurality of ink printheads toward the target location; and

[0163] The first post-treatment fluid is sprayed from the first post-treatment fluid nozzle region P2 of the post-treatment fluid nozzle arranged on the rear end side in the first direction of the pair of treatment fluid nozzles toward the target position.

[0164] Furthermore, during the process of moving the carriage 3 in a second direction opposite to the first direction after it has moved in the first direction, the following steps are also performed:

[0165] Pretreatment fluid is sprayed from the pretreatment fluid nozzle area P1 of the pretreatment fluid nozzle arranged on the front end side in the second direction of the pair of pretreatment fluid nozzles toward a predetermined target position on the workpiece W.

[0166] Ink is ejected from at least one of the plurality of ink printheads toward the target location; and

[0167] The first post-treatment fluid is sprayed from the first post-treatment fluid nozzle region P2 of the post-treatment fluid nozzle arranged on the rear end side in the second direction of the pair of treatment fluid nozzles toward the target position.

[0168] It should be noted that this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following embodiments are also possible.

[0169] (1) The ink printhead 4 is not limited to being arranged in one or two rows in the carriage 3. The ink printhead 4 may also be arranged in three or more rows.

[0170] (2) In the above embodiments, a scheme in which multiple nozzles, each comprising multiple nozzle regions, are constructed with the same structure and shape has been described. However, such generally similar nozzles (liquid ejection sections) can also have the following relationships: That is, the length of the long side of the nozzle arrangement range of each liquid ejection section can be approximately the same. Furthermore, the length of the short side of the nozzle arrangement range of each liquid ejection section can also be approximately the same. Additionally, the shape of the nozzle arrangement range of each liquid ejection section can also be approximately the same. Moreover, the planar shape of each liquid ejection section and nozzle can also be approximately the same. Furthermore, the nozzle arrangement of each liquid ejection section can also be approximately the same.

[0171] (3) In the above embodiments, a scheme in which multiple printheads are mounted on the carriage 3 and multiple nozzle regions are formed has been described. However, it is also possible to mount one printhead on the carriage 3 and form multiple nozzle regions on the lower surface of the printhead. In this case, a nozzle region including a first nozzle region and a second nozzle region may be arranged with other nozzle regions including other first nozzle regions and other second nozzle regions. That is, the liquid ejection section, ink ejection section, etc. in this disclosure do not necessarily have to be printhead units.

[0172] (4) In the above embodiments, the relationship between the first nozzle region and the second nozzle region, which can eject a liquid different from that of the first nozzle region, can be expressed as follows: The second nozzle region can independently eject a liquid different from that ejected by the first nozzle region. Here, "independently ejecting a different liquid" means that, in a printing process, for example, during a scan of the carriage 3, different liquids (inks) can be ejected from the first nozzle region and the second nozzle region.

[0173] Furthermore, the second nozzle region ejects liquid held by a second liquid holding section that exists independently of the first liquid holding section that holds the liquid ejected from the first nozzle region. These first and second liquid holding sections correspond to flow paths formed within the printhead. That is, as part of the printhead's construction, by having the same number of shared flow paths as the nozzle regions and inlet and outlet holes connected to these shared flow paths, it is possible to eject different liquids in the same number as the nozzle regions. It should be noted that the first and second liquid holding sections may also include the aforementioned auxiliary tanks, or may be limited to flow paths within the printhead. For example, a printhead may include a first nozzle region and a second nozzle region, but if the same liquid is ejected from both nozzle regions during printing, liquid can be supplied from one auxiliary tank 7 to both shared flow paths. Therefore, the auxiliary tanks 7 corresponding to the two nozzle regions can be independent or shared. It should be noted that, as described above, the above explanation is not limited to the case where a printhead has two nozzle regions; multiple nozzle regions, including the first and second nozzle regions, can also be configured in a single printhead.

[0174] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0175] 1. Inkjet printer (recording device)

[0176] 3 carriages

[0177] 4 inkjet heads

[0178] 10. Device Frame

[0179] 12 Printing Area

[0180] 13 Maintenance Area

[0181] 14 Turnaround Area

[0182] 20. Workpiece conveying section

[0183] H nozzle configuration area

[0184] W is the workpiece.

Claims

1. A recording device, wherein, The recording device includes: The conveying unit transports the recording medium along the conveying direction; The carriage reciprocates along a main scanning direction that intersects the transport direction; and Multiple liquid ejection sections are arranged on the carriage along the main scanning direction. The plurality of liquid ejection sections have: Multiple ink ejection sections, arranged along the main scanning direction, are used to eject ink; and A pair of processing liquid ejection sections are arranged on both outer sides of the plurality of ink ejection sections in the main scanning direction. Each of the pair of processing liquid ejection sections includes a pre-processing liquid nozzle region capable of ejecting pre-processing liquid, and a post-processing liquid nozzle region arranged in the main scanning direction with the pre-processing liquid nozzle region and capable of ejecting post-processing liquid.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of ink ejection portions includes: a first nozzle region capable of ejecting a specified ink; and a second nozzle region arranged with the first nozzle region at least in the main scanning direction and capable of ejecting ink different from that of the first nozzle region.

3. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, On the carriage, the multiple liquid ejection sections arranged along the main scanning direction form only one column.

4. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Each of the plurality of liquid ejection sections is positioned at the same location in the conveying direction.

5. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In each of the pair of processing liquid ejection sections, the pre-processing liquid nozzle region is positioned outside the main scanning direction than the post-processing liquid nozzle region.

6. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In each of the pair of processing liquid ejection sections, the post-processing liquid nozzle region is positioned outside the main scanning direction compared to the pre-processing liquid nozzle region.

7. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein, In the ink ejection section of the plurality of ink ejection sections that is adjacent to the processing liquid ejection section on the inner side of the main scanning direction, the nozzle area of ​​the first nozzle area and the second nozzle area located on the outer side of the main scanning direction ejects base color ink.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The distance between the pair of processing liquid ejector portions and the plurality of ink ejector portions in the main scanning direction is greater than the distance between adjacent ink ejector portions in the plurality of ink ejector portions in the main scanning direction.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plurality of ink ejection sections have a pair of ink nozzle regions of the same color that are respectively arranged adjacent to the pair of processing liquid ejection sections on the inner side of the main scanning direction and eject ink of the same color from each other.

10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plurality of ink ejection sections have at least one pair of ink nozzle regions of the same color, which are respectively arranged on one end and the other end of the main scanning direction relative to the center of the plurality of liquid ejection sections and eject ink of the same color from each other.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, In the at least one pair of ink nozzle regions of the same color, the distance between the ink nozzle region of the same color and the processing liquid ejection portion on one end side is the same as the distance between the ink nozzle region of the same color and the processing liquid ejection portion on the other end side.

12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, In all the same-color ink nozzle regions included in the at least one pair of same-color ink nozzle regions, the distance between the same-color ink nozzle region and the processing liquid ejection portion on one end side and the distance between the same-color ink nozzle region and the processing liquid ejection portion on the other end side are the same.

13. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The at least one pair of ink nozzle regions of the same color has two or more pairs. Regarding each pair of colors in the two or more pairs of ink nozzle regions of the same color, the relationship between the distance from the processing liquid ejection part to the ink nozzle region of each pair of colors on one end side is the same as the relationship between the distance from the processing liquid ejection part to the ink nozzle region of each pair of colors on the other end side.

14. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein, In at least one of the plurality of ink ejection sections, the first nozzle region and the second nozzle region are configured to overlap in the main scanning direction.

15. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, Compared with other ink ejection sections, the ink ejected from the first nozzle region has a larger difference in brightness between the ink ejected from the first nozzle region and the ink ejected from the second nozzle region.

16. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plurality of liquid ejection sections also include a pair of post-processing liquid ejection sections, which are disposed on both outer sides of the main scanning direction of the plurality of ink ejection sections, and include at least other post-processing liquid nozzle regions that eject other post-processing liquids different from the post-processing liquids.

17. The recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, The pair of post-treatment liquid ejection sections include, in addition to the other post-treatment liquid nozzle areas, an ink nozzle area for ejecting a specified amount of ink.

18. A recording method wherein, for a recording medium conveyed along a transport direction, a carriage is reciprocated and liquid is ejected along a main scanning direction intersecting the transport direction, wherein, The recording method includes the following steps: As a plurality of liquid ejection sections arranged on the carriage along the main scanning direction, a plurality of ink ejection sections arranged along the main scanning direction and ejecting ink are prepared, and a pair of processing liquid ejection sections arranged on both sides of the plurality of ink ejection sections in the main scanning direction. In the plurality of prepared liquid ejection sections, each pair of processing liquid ejection sections includes a pre-processing liquid nozzle region capable of ejecting pre-processing liquid, and a post-processing liquid nozzle region arranged with the pre-processing liquid nozzle region in the main scanning direction and capable of ejecting post-processing liquid. as well as Move the carriage in the first direction of the main scanning direction. During the movement of the carriage in the first direction of the main scanning direction, the following steps are performed: Pretreatment liquid is ejected from the pretreatment liquid nozzle area of ​​the pretreatment liquid ejection section disposed at the front end side in the first direction of the pair of pretreatment liquid ejection sections toward a predetermined target position on the recording medium. Ink is ejected from at least one of the plurality of ink ejection sections toward the target position; as well as Post-treatment fluid is ejected from the post-treatment fluid nozzle area of ​​the post-treatment fluid ejection section disposed on the rear end side in the first direction of the pair of treatment fluid ejection sections toward the target position.

19. The recording method according to claim 18, wherein, During the process of moving the carriage in a second direction opposite to the first direction after it has moved in the first direction, the following steps are also performed: Pretreatment liquid is ejected from the pretreatment liquid nozzle area of ​​the pretreatment liquid ejection section disposed at the front end side in the second direction of the pair of pretreatment liquid ejection sections toward a predetermined target position on the recording medium; Ink is ejected from at least one of the plurality of ink ejection sections toward the target position; as well as Post-treatment fluid is ejected from the post-treatment fluid nozzle area of ​​the post-treatment fluid ejection section disposed on the rear end side in the second direction of the pair of treatment fluid ejection sections toward the target position.

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