Printer and printing method

Abstract

To provide a printer and a printing method, which reduce the possibility of deterioration of printing quality while improving productivity.SOLUTION: A printer includes: a conveyance section; a support section 17 which has a support surface 18; a head 27; a carriage 26; and a control section. The carriage is configured to be displaced to an approach position Q1 and a retreat position Q2 by scanning a medium and moving in a direction perpendicular to the support surface. The control section forms a printing region PA in a printing portion PP by discharging liquid to the head while moving the carriage in one direction, starts the conveyance of the medium by the conveyance section after the printing region is formed in the printing portion and before the carriage moving in the one direction is stopped, starts the movement of the carriage in an opposite direction before the conveyance of the medium by the conveyance section is completed, and displaces the carriage from the approach position to the retreat position after the printing region is formed in the printing portion and before the head overlaps the printing region on the support section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a printing device that includes a head that ejects liquid onto a medium, a carriage that mounts the head, and a transport unit that transports the medium intermittently. The printing device alternates between transporting the medium by the transport unit and scanning the carriage. While the medium is stationary, the printing device prints onto the medium by ejecting liquid from the head while scanning the carriage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-152957 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such printing devices, in order to improve productivity, the period during which the medium is transported and the period during which the carriage scans may overlap. At this time, the head may pass over a printing area formed on the medium. Since both the medium and the head move, the head is likely to come into contact with the printing area. If the head comes into contact with the printing area, there is a risk of a decrease in print quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A printing device that solves the above problem includes a transport unit that transports a medium intermittently, a support unit having a support surface that supports the medium, a head that prints by ejecting liquid onto the medium supported by the support unit while transport of the medium by the transport unit is stopped, a carriage that carries the head, and a control unit, the carriage is configured to scan the medium by moving in one direction and in a direction opposite to the one direction, and to be displaced between an approach position and a retracted position by moving in a direction perpendicular to the support surface, the approach position is a position where the head ejects liquid onto the medium, and the retracted position is a position where the distance between the head and the support surface is greater than when the head is located at the approach position, and The head forms a printing area on the medium by ejecting liquid onto a printing portion of the medium that is located on the support surface, and the control unit forms the printing area on the printing portion by causing the head to eject liquid while moving the carriage in the one direction, starts transporting the medium by the transport unit after the printing area is formed on the printing portion and before the carriage moving in the one direction stops, starts moving the carriage in the opposite direction before transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed, and displaces the carriage from the approach position to the retracted position after the printing area is formed on the printing portion and before the head overlaps with the printing area on the support unit.

[0006] A printing method that solves the above problem includes forming a printing area on a printing portion of a medium that is located on a support surface of a support unit by ejecting liquid from a head while moving a carriage in one direction; starting transport of the medium by the transport unit after the printing area is formed on the printing portion and before the carriage moving in the one direction stops; starting movement of the carriage in a direction opposite to the one direction before transport of the medium by the transport unit is completed; and displacing the carriage from an approach position to a retracted position by moving the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the support surface after the printing area is formed on the printing portion and before the head overlaps with the printing area on the support unit, wherein the retracted position has a greater distance between the head and the support surface than when the carriage is in the approach position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a printing device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the support portion as viewed from above. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the approach position and the retracted position of the carriage. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a printing operation. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the head and the printing area overlapping on the support portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the carriage waiting at the first position in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed on the forward pass. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the printing process in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed on the forward pass. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view after printing in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed on the forward pass. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of the carriage when it is located at the second position in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed on the forward pass. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a side view of the carriage returning from the second position to the first position in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed on the forward pass. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view of the head when it passes over the printing area in unidirectional printing where printing is performed on the forward pass. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view of the carriage waiting at the second position in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed on the return path. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view during printing in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed on the return pass. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view after printing in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed in the return pass. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a side view of the carriage when it is located at the first position in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed on the return path. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a side view of the carriage returning from the first position to the second position in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed on the return path. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a side view of the head when it passes over the support surface in unidirectional printing in which printing is performed on the return pass. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] An embodiment of a printing device will be described below with reference to the drawings. The printing device is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints images such as characters and photographs by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper or fabric. The printing device is, for example, a label printer.

[0009] <Printing device> As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 11 includes a housing 12. The printing device 11 includes a payout unit 13. The payout unit 13 is configured to pay out a medium 99. The payout unit 13 is housed in, for example, a housing 12. The payout unit 13 has a payout spindle 14. The payout spindle 14 rotatably holds a roll body 100 on which the medium 99 is wound up. The payout spindle 14 holds the medium 99 before printing. As the payout spindle 14 rotates, the medium 99 is paid out from the payout unit 13. The payout spindle 14 may be driven to rotate by a motor, or may be rotated by being pulled by the medium 99.

[0010] The printing device 11 includes a winding unit 15. The winding unit 15 is configured to wind up the medium 99. The winding unit 15 is housed in, for example, the housing 12. The winding unit 15 has a winding shaft 16. The winding shaft 16 rotatably holds the roll body 100, similar to the payout shaft 14. The winding shaft 16 holds the medium 99 after printing. As the winding shaft 16 rotates, the winding unit 15 winds up the medium 99. The winding shaft 16 is driven to rotate by, for example, a motor.

[0011] The printing device 11 includes a support unit 17. The support unit 17 supports the medium 99. The support unit 17 is housed in the housing 12, for example. The support unit 17 supports the medium 99, for example, from below. The support unit 17 supports the medium 99 from the time the medium 99 is paid out from the pay-out unit 13 to the time the medium 99 is taken up by the winding unit 15.

[0012] 2, the support portion 17 has a support surface 18. The support surface 18 is a surface of the support portion 17 that comes into contact with the medium 99. The support portion 17 supports the medium 99 with the support surface 18. The support surface 18 faces upward in the support portion 17, for example. When the support portion 17 is viewed from a position facing the support surface 18, that is, when the support portion 17 is viewed from above the support portion 17, the support surface 18 overlaps with the medium 99.

[0013] The portion of medium 99 that is supported by support portion 17 is the printed portion PP. That is, the printed portion PP is the portion of medium 99 that is located on support surface 18. More specifically, the printed portion PP is the portion of medium 99 that overlaps with support surface 18 when viewed from a position facing support surface 18.

[0014] In the printing device 11, printing is performed on the printing portion PP of the medium 99. A printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP. The printing area PA is a printed area. In other words, the printing area PA is an area in which an image is formed. In FIG. 2, the printing area PA is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The printing area PA may be formed in the entire printing portion PP, or may be formed in a part of the printing portion PP.

[0015] The support portion 17 may have one or more through holes 19. The through holes 19 open to the support surface 18. The through holes 19 are, for example, blocked by a medium 99 located on the support surface 18. The multiple through holes 19 may be positioned regularly or irregularly on the support surface 18.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 11 includes an adsorption unit 21. The adsorption unit 21 is configured to adsorb the medium 99 to the support unit 17. The adsorption unit 21 adsorbs the medium 99 to the support unit 17, for example, by sucking the medium 99 through the support unit 17. The adsorption unit 21 includes, for example, a suction pump. The adsorption unit 21 sucks the medium 99 through the through hole 19. This causes the medium 99 to be adsorbed to the support surface 18. The adsorption unit 21 may adsorb the medium 99 to the support unit 17, for example, by generating static electricity.

[0017] The suction unit 21 can change the suction force by, for example, controlling the suction force. The suction unit 21 changes the suction force in accordance with, for example, the transport of the medium 99. For example, when the medium 99 is transported, the suction unit 21 reduces the suction force compared to when the transport of the medium 99 is stopped. When the medium 99 is transported, the suction unit 21 relatively reduces the suction force. When the medium 99 is transported, the suction force of the suction unit 21 becomes relatively smaller, which makes it easier for the medium 99 to move on the support unit 17. When printing is performed on the medium 99, that is, when the transport of the medium 99 is stopped, the suction unit 21 relatively increases the suction force. When ... force of the suction unit 21 becomes relatively larger, which makes it harder for the position of the medium 99 to shift on the support unit 17.

[0018] The printing device 11 includes a transport unit 22. The transport unit 22 is configured to transport a medium 99. The transport unit 22 is housed in, for example, the housing 12. The transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 from the payout unit 13 toward the winding unit 15.

[0019] The transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 from the pay-out unit 13 toward the support unit 17. In one example, the transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 from a position below the support unit 17 toward the support unit 17. The transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 so that the medium 99 passes over the support unit 17. The transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 along the support surface 18. The transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 from the support unit 17 toward the winding unit 15. In one example, the transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 from the support unit 17 toward a position below the support unit 17. That is, the printed portion of the medium 99 is transported from the support unit 17 toward a position below the support unit 17.

[0020] The transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 intermittently. That is, the transport unit 22 repeatedly starts transporting and stops transporting. The transport unit 22 stops transporting the medium 99 when printing on the medium 99 is being performed. The transport unit 22 starts transporting the medium 99 when printing on the medium 99 is not being performed, for example, when printing on the medium 99 is completed. In the printing device 11, printing on the medium 99 and transporting the medium 99 are alternately repeated. Note that when printing on the medium 99 is completed means when the printing unit 25 described later completes printing on the printing portion PP during a period when the medium 99 is stopped during intermittent transport.

[0021] The transport unit 22 has one or more transport rollers 23. The transport rollers 23 are located, for example, inside the housing 12. The transport rollers 23 transport the medium 99 by rotating. The medium 99 is wound around the transport rollers 23. The transport rollers 23 may sandwich the medium 99. The medium 99 is transported by the rotation of the transport rollers 23. The transport rollers 23 include, for example, a roller that is driven to rotate by a motor. The transport rollers 23 are located, for example, below the support surface 18.

[0022] The printing device 11 includes a drying unit 24. The drying unit 24 is configured to dry the printed medium 99. The drying unit 24 dries the medium 99 in the process of the medium 99 being transported from the support unit 17 to the winding unit 15. The drying unit 24 is located, for example, inside the housing 12. In one example, the drying unit 24 is located directly below the support unit 17. The drying unit 24 may include a heater that heats the medium 99. The drying unit 24 may include a fan that blows gas onto the medium 99. The drying unit 24 dries the medium 99 by heating the medium 99 or blowing gas onto the medium 99.

[0023] The printing device 11 includes a printing unit 25. The printing unit 25 is configured to print on a medium 99. The printing unit 25 prints on the medium 99 by ejecting liquid onto the medium 99. The printing unit 25 prints on a printing portion PP. The printing unit 25 is housed in the housing 12, for example.

[0024] The printing unit 25 has a carriage 26 and a head 27. The carriage 26 and the head 27 pass over the support unit 17. The carriage 26 and the head 27 face the support unit 17. In one example, the carriage 26 and the head 27 are located above the support unit 17.

[0025] The carriage 26 carries the head 27. The carriage 26 holds the head 27 so that the head 27 faces the support portion 17. The carriage 26 is configured to move relative to the medium 99. When the carriage 26 moves, the head 27 also moves.

[0026] The carriage 26 is configured to move in one direction and the opposite direction. More specifically, the carriage 26 is configured to move in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. The carriage 26 scans the medium 99 by moving in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are directions along the support surface 18. In one example, the first direction D1 coincides with the direction in which the medium 99 moves on the support surface 18 by the transport unit 22. The second direction D2 is a direction opposite to the first direction D1.

[0027] The carriage 26 scans the printing portion PP by moving in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. That is, the carriage 26 scans over the support portion 17. When viewed from a position facing the support surface 18, the carriage 26 scans so as to pass through the printing portion PP.

[0028] The carriage 26 is displaced to a plurality of positions by scanning. The carriage 26 is displaced to, for example, a first position P1, a second position P2, and a home position P3 by moving in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2.

[0029] The first position P1 and the second position P2 are positions through which the carriage 26 passes during printing. The first position P1 is a position shifted in the second direction D2 from the support portion 17. Therefore, the carriage 26 passes over the support portion 17 by moving from the first position P1 in the first direction D1. The second position P2 is a position shifted in the first direction D1 from the support portion 17. Therefore, the carriage 26 passes over the support portion 17 by moving from the second position P2 in the second direction D2. The carriage 26 reciprocates between the first position P1 and the second position P2 during printing. The carriage 26 passes over the support portion 17 in the process of being displaced from the first position P1 to the second position P2 and in the process of being displaced from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0030] One of the first position P1 and the second position P2 is a start position where printing begins. The other of the first position P1 and the second position P2 is a return position where printing turns around. The carriage 26 waits at the start position before printing starts. When printing starts, the carriage 26 moves from the start position to the return position. When the carriage 26 reaches the return position, it turns back from the return position to the start position. That is, in the movement path of the carriage 26, the path from the start position to the return position is the outgoing path. In the movement path of the carriage 26, the path from the return position to the start position is the return path.

[0031] The home position P3 is a position where the carriage 26 waits. The carriage 26 usually waits at the home position P3. For example, the carriage 26 is located at the home position P3 when the printing unit 25 does not print on the medium 99. In one example, the home position P3 is a position shifted in the second direction D2 from the support unit 17. In more detail, the home position P3 is a position shifted in the second direction D2 from the first position P1. The home position P3 may be a position shifted in the first direction D1 from the second position P2. The carriage 26 moves from the home position P3 to the start position before printing starts.

[0032] The carriage 26 is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the support surface 18. More specifically, the carriage 26 is configured to move in a third direction D3 and a fourth direction D4. The carriage 26 changes the distance between the head 27 and the support portion 17 by moving in the third direction D3 and the fourth direction D4. In one example, the third direction D3 is a vertical direction. The fourth direction D4 is a direction opposite to the third direction D3. The third direction D3 and the fourth direction D4 are directions different from the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 26 is displaced between an approach position Q1 and a retracted position Q2 by moving in a third direction D3 and a fourth direction D4. The approach position Q1 is a position where the head 27 approaches the support portion 17. The approach position Q1 is a position where the head 27 ejects liquid onto the medium 99. The approach position Q1 is a position of the carriage 26 shown by a solid line in FIG. 3. The retracted position Q2 is a position where the head 27 moves away from the support portion 17. The retracted position Q2 is a position of the carriage 26 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3. The distance between the head 27 located at the retracted position Q2 and the support portion 17 is greater than the distance between the head 27 located at the approach position Q1 and the support portion 17. In other words, the retracted position Q2 is a position where the distance between the head 27 and the support surface 18 is greater than when the head 27 is located at the approach position Q1. The carriage 26 changes the gap between the head 27 and the support portion 17 by moving in the third direction D3 and the fourth direction D4.

[0034] The carriage 26 can be displaced to the approach position Q1 and the retracted position Q2 regardless of its position in the first direction D1. The carriage 26 can be displaced to the approach position Q1 and the retracted position Q2 when located at the first position P1. The carriage 26 can be displaced to the approach position Q1 and the retracted position Q2 when located at the second position P2. The carriage 26 can be displaced to the approach position Q1 and the retracted position Q2 when located at the home position P3. The carriage 26 can be displaced to the approach position Q1 and the retracted position Q2 while moving in the first direction D1. The carriage 26 can be displaced to the approach position Q1 and the retracted position Q2 while moving in the second direction D2.

[0035] The carriage 26 may be configured to move in a fifth direction D5 and a sixth direction D6. The carriage 26 may, for example, perform a line feed on the medium 99 by moving in the fifth direction D5 and the sixth direction D6. The carriage 26 may repeat scanning and line feed on the medium 99. The fifth direction D5 and the sixth direction D6 are directions along the support surface 18. The fifth direction D5 and the sixth direction D6 are directions different from the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In one example, the fifth direction D5 and the sixth direction D6 are directions that indicate the width of the medium 99.

[0036] Because the direction in which the medium 99 moves on the support surface 18 coincides with the first direction D1, the printing device 11 is a lateral printer. The direction in which the medium 99 moves on the support surface 18 may coincide with the second direction D2. The printing device 11 may also be a serial printer. In this case, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 do not coincide with the direction in which the medium 99 moves on the support surface 18. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are directions that serve as indicators of the width of the medium 99.

[0037] The head 27 has a nozzle surface 29 in which one or more nozzles 28 open. The nozzle surface 29 is a surface of the head 27 that faces the support surface 18. In one example, the nozzle surface 29 faces a third direction D3. The head 27 ejects liquid from the nozzles 28. The head 27 ejects liquid onto a medium 99 supported by the support unit 17. More specifically, the head 27 ejects liquid onto a printing portion PP. The head 27 forms a printing area PA in the printing portion PP. The head 27 ejects liquid onto the medium 99 while the transport unit 22 stops transporting the medium 99.

[0038] The head 27 moves relative to the support unit 17 together with the carriage 26. The head 27 ejects liquid onto the medium 99 while scanning together with the carriage 26. In particular, the head 27 ejects liquid onto the medium 99 while moving in one direction together with the carriage 26. The head 27 may eject liquid onto the medium 99 while moving in a first direction D1 together with the carriage 26, or may eject liquid onto the medium 99 while moving in a second direction D2 together with the carriage 26. That is, the head 27 may eject liquid onto the medium 99 on the outbound path, and may eject liquid onto the medium 99 on the return path. The head 27 may eject liquid onto the medium 99 on both the outbound path and the return path.

[0039] The width of the head 27 may be the same as the width of the medium 99, or may be greater than the width of the medium 99. In one example, the head 27 is a line head capable of ejecting liquid simultaneously across the entire width of the medium 99. This allows the head 27 to eject liquid over the entire area of ​​the printing portion PP by simply moving once in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 together with the carriage 26. In other words, the head 27 can print over the entire area of ​​the printing portion PP without the carriage 26 having to break lines in the fifth direction D5 and the sixth direction D6.

[0040] The width of the head 27 may be smaller than the width of the medium 99. In this case, the head 27 can eject liquid over the entire width of the medium 99 by scanning and line feed. In more detail, the head 27 prints over the entire width of the medium 99 by alternately repeating scanning and line feed.

[0041] The printing unit 25 prints the printing portion PP in a predetermined number of passes. The number of passes refers to the number of times the head 27 moves on the support unit 17 to complete printing on the printing portion PP, i.e., to form a printing area PA on the printing portion PP. The number of passes refers to the number of times the carriage 26 moves on the printing portion PP while the head 27 ejects liquid. The printing unit 25 prints on the printing portion PP in one pass, for example. In this case, printing by the head 27 is completed by the carriage 26 passing over the printing portion PP once. In other words, printing by the head 27 is completed by the carriage 26 moving in the forward or backward direction. The printing unit 25 may print on the printing portion PP in multiple passes. In this case, printing by the head 27 is completed by the carriage 26 passing over the printing portion PP multiple times.

[0042] The printing unit 25 may perform unidirectional printing on the medium 99. Unidirectional printing is a printing method in which the carriage 26 moves in a single direction, accompanied by the ejection of liquid by the head 27. In unidirectional printing, the printing unit 25 ejects liquid onto the medium 99 as it moves in a first direction D1, or ejects liquid onto the medium 99 as it moves in a second direction D2. In other words, unidirectional printing is a printing method in which the head 27 ejects liquid on either the outward or return path of the carriage 26 as it moves back and forth relative to the medium 99.

[0043] The printing unit 25 may perform bidirectional printing on the medium 99. Bidirectional printing is a printing method in which the carriage 26 moves in multiple directions, accompanied by the ejection of liquid by the head 27. In bidirectional printing, the printing unit 25 ejects liquid onto the medium 99 as it moves in a first direction D1, and ejects liquid onto the medium 99 as it moves in a second direction D2. In other words, bidirectional printing is a printing method in which the carriage 26 moves back and forth relative to the medium 99, and ejects liquid by the head 27 on both the outward and return paths.

[0044] 1, the printing device 11 includes a control unit 30. The control unit 30 controls the printing device 11 in an overall manner. The control unit 30 controls, for example, the suction unit 21, the transport unit 22, the printing unit 25, and the like. The control unit 30 controls the transport of the medium 99 and printing on the medium 99. The control unit 30 alternately executes the transport of the medium 99 and printing on the medium 99.

[0045] The control unit 30 may be configured with one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program. The control unit 30 may be configured with one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as application specific integrated circuits, that execute at least some of the various processes. The control unit 30 may be configured with a circuit including a combination of a processor and a hardware circuit. The processor includes a CPU and memory, such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0046] <Printing operation> Next, the printing operation will be described. The printing operation is performed by the control unit 30. The printing operation is an operation of printing on the medium 99. The printing operation is performed, for example, by inputting a print instruction from the user. In the printing operation, the control unit 30 controls the timing of transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 and the timing of movement of the carriage 26.

[0047] During the printing operation, the control unit 30 controls the transport unit 22 to control the start and stop of transport. The control unit 30 controls the timing of transport of the medium 99 in accordance with printing by the printing unit 25. In particular, the control unit 30 controls the timing of transport of the medium 99 so that the period during which the carriage 26 scans and the period during which the medium 99 is transported overlap. This improves the productivity of the printing device 11, for example, compared to a case in which transport of the medium 99 starts after the scanning of the carriage 26 is completed.

[0048] In the printing operation, the control unit 30 controls the printing unit 25 to control the start and stop of movement of the carriage 26. More specifically, the control unit 30 controls the timing of movement in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The control unit 30 controls the timing of movement of the carriage 26 in accordance with the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22. More specifically, the control unit 30 controls the timing of movement of the carriage 26 so that the period during which the carriage 26 scans and the period during which the medium 99 is transported overlap. This improves the productivity of the printing device 11, for example, compared to a case in which the scanning of the carriage 26 starts after the transport of the medium 99 is completed.

[0049] 4, in step S11, the control unit 30 forms a printing area PA in the printing portion PP. In detail, the control unit 30 forms the printing area PA in the printing portion PP by causing the head 27 to eject liquid while moving the carriage 26 in one direction. The control unit 30 forms the printing area PA in the printing portion PP by causing the head 27 to eject liquid while moving the carriage 26 in a first direction D1, and by causing the head 27 to eject liquid while moving the carriage 26 in a second direction D2.

[0050] In step S12, the control unit 30 starts transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22. At this time, the control unit 30 starts transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the carriage 26 moving in one direction stops. In other words, the control unit 30 starts transport of the medium 99 after printing on the printing portion PP is completed and before the scanning carriage 26 stops. This causes the period during which the carriage 26 scans to overlap with the period during which the medium 99 is transported. As a result, transport of the medium 99 starts quickly.

[0051] In step S13, the control unit 30 returns the carriage 26 to the start position. At this time, the control unit 30 starts moving the carriage 26 in the opposite direction before the transport unit 22 completes transport of the medium 99. That is, the control unit 30 starts returning the carriage 26 before the transport unit 22 completes transport of the medium 99. This causes the period during which the carriage 26 scans to overlap with the period during which the medium 99 is transported. As a result, the carriage 26 can be quickly returned to its original position.

[0052] In step S13, the control unit 30 may move the carriage 26 in the opposite direction at a speed faster than the transport speed of the medium 99. In step S13, since the head 27 does not eject liquid, the carriage 26 can return to the start position at a high speed.

[0053] In step S14, the control unit 30 determines whether or not to continue printing. That is, the control unit 30 determines whether or not to form a print area PA in the next print portion PP. If the control unit 30 determines to continue printing, it returns the process to step S11. The control unit 30 repeats steps S11 to S13 to sequentially form print areas PA in the print portion PP. If the control unit 30 does not determine to continue printing, it ends the printing operation.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, when the period during which the carriage 26 scans overlaps with the period during which the medium 99 is transported, the productivity is improved, but the carriage 26 may pass over the printing area PA on the support unit 17. For example, if the carriage 26 located at the second position P2 starts moving in the second direction D2 before the transport unit 22 completes the transport of the medium 99, the head 27 may overlap the printing area PA on the support unit 17. In this case, the head 27 may come into contact with the printing area PA. In particular, when the medium 99 is transported, the suction force of the suction unit 21 becomes smaller, so that the medium 99 is likely to float up from the support unit 17. In addition, the printing area PA swells due to the liquid. Therefore, when the head 27 overlaps with the printing area PA on the support unit 17, the head 27 is likely to come into contact with the printing area PA. If the head 27 comes into contact with the printing area PA, the print quality may be reduced.

[0055] When the carriage 26 passes over the support part 17 while positioned at the approach position Q1, there is a high possibility that the head 27 will come into contact with the printing area PA. On the other hand, when the carriage 26 passes over the support part 17 while positioned at the retracted position Q2, there is a low possibility that the head 27 will come into contact with the printing area PA. Therefore, during the printing operation, the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retracted position Q2 after the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the head 27 overlaps with the printing area PA on the support part 17.

[0056] 4, in the printing operation, the control unit 30 executes step S15 after completing step S11. In step S15, the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retracted position Q2. In detail, the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retracted position Q2 after the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the head 27 overlaps with the printing area PA on the support unit 17. The control unit 30 starts the movement of the carriage 26 in the fourth direction D4 before the head 27 overlaps with the printing area PA on the support unit 17.

[0057] The control unit 30 may displace the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retract position Q2 after the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the carriage 26 moving in one direction stops. The control unit 30 may displace the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retract position Q2 in a state in which the carriage 26 is stopped at the return position. The control unit 30 may displace the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retract position Q2 before the head 27 overlaps with the printing area PA on the support unit 17 after the carriage 26 starts moving in the opposite direction. This reduces the risk that the head 27 will overlap with the printing area PA on the support unit 17 when the carriage 26 is located at the approach position Q1. Therefore, the risk that the head 27 will come into contact with the printing area PA is reduced.

[0058] In step S13, the control unit 30 returns the carriage 26, which is located at the retracted position Q2, to the start position. At this time, the movement speed of the carriage 26 is faster than the transport speed of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22. This allows the carriage 26 to be quickly returned to the start position while reducing the risk of the head 27 coming into contact with the printing area PA. Before starting printing again, the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the retracted position Q2 to the approach position Q1.

[0059] Next, a printing operation by unidirectional printing will be described. The control unit 30 performs unidirectional printing on the medium 99 by controlling the transport unit 22, the carriage 26, and the head 27. First, a case where the printing unit 25 prints on the outward path will be described.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 6, before printing starts, the control unit 30 causes the carriage 26 to wait at a start position, for example, the first position P1. At this time, the carriage 26 is located at the approach position Q1. The control unit 30 then moves the carriage 26 from the start position to the return position. That is, the control unit 30 moves the carriage 26 in the first direction D1 from the first position P1 toward the second position P2. As a result, the carriage 26 and the head 27 move on the outward path. At this time, the control unit 30 starts moving the carriage 26 with the medium 99 stopped.

[0061] 7, the control unit 30 causes the head 27 to eject liquid as the carriage 26 moves over the printing portion PP. This causes the printing area PA to be printed on the printing portion PP. The control unit 30 causes the head 27 to eject liquid while moving the carriage 26 relative to the printing portion PP.

[0062] 8 and 9, the control unit 30 starts the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the carriage 26 moving in the first direction D1 stops. The control unit 30 starts the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22, for example, after the head 27 has completed discharging the liquid and before the carriage 26 reaches the second position P2. That is, the period during which the carriage 26 moves and the period during which the medium 99 is transported overlap. This improves the productivity of the printing device 11 compared to when transport of the medium 99 starts after the carriage 26 has stopped.

[0063] The control unit 30 may start the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the liquid last discharged by the head 27 lands on the medium 99 and before the carriage 26 stops. The control unit 30 detects that the last liquid has landed on the medium 99 by, for example, counting the time that has elapsed since the head 27 discharged the last liquid. The control unit 30 may start the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the head 27 discharged the last liquid and before the carriage 26 stops. If the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 starts before the liquid discharged from the head 27 lands on the medium 99, there is a risk that the landing position of the liquid will be shifted. In response to this, by starting the transport of the medium 99 after the last liquid discharged by the head 27 lands on the medium 99, the productivity of the printing device 11 is improved while suppressing a decrease in print quality. Furthermore, the control unit 30 may start transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the last droplet of liquid ejected by the head 27 has landed on the medium 99, after the head 27 has passed the position where the last droplet of liquid has landed on the medium 99, and before the carriage 26 stops. This reduces the risk of contact between the printing area PA and the head 27.

[0064] The liquid last ejected by the head 27 refers to the liquid ejected most recently by the head 27 before starting to transport the medium 99. In the printing device 11, transport of the medium 99 and printing on the medium 99 are performed alternately. Therefore, the ejection of liquid performed immediately before starting to transport the medium 99 is the final ejection of liquid in one printing.

[0065] The control unit 30 may start the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has passed the printing area PA and before the carriage 26 has stopped. In particular, the control unit 30 may start the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has passed over the printing area PA and before the carriage 26 has stopped, when viewed from a position facing the support surface 18. Thereby, for example, when printing is performed only on a part of the printing portion PP, the timing at which the transport of the medium 99 starts can be made earlier than when the transport by the transport unit 22 starts after the head 27 has passed the printing portion PP. This improves the productivity of the printing device 11.

[0066] The control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retracted position Q2 after the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the head 27 overlaps with the printing area PA on the support unit 17. In one example, the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retracted position Q2 after the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the carriage 26 moving in the first direction D1 stops.

[0067] 9, the control unit 30 stops the carriage 26 at the return position. More specifically, the control unit 30 stops the carriage 26 when it reaches the second position P2. At this time, the transport of the medium 99 continues. Because the medium 99 is transported downward from the support unit 17, there is little risk of the medium 99 coming into contact with the head 27 that has passed over the support surface 18.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 30 starts the movement of the carriage 26 in the second direction D2 before the conveyance of the medium 99 by the conveyance unit 22 stops. That is, the control unit 30 starts the return of the carriage 26 to the start position before the conveyance of the medium 99 by the conveyance unit 22 stops. The control unit 30 may move the carriage 26 in the second direction D2 at a speed faster than the conveyance speed of the medium 99. The control unit 30 moves the carriage 26 in the second direction D2 from the second position P2 toward the first position P1 before the conveyance of the medium 99 by the conveyance unit 22 stops. At this time, the carriage 26 and the head 27 move on the return path. As a result, the period during which the carriage 26 moves and the period during which the medium 99 is conveyed overlap. As a result, the productivity of the printing device 11 is improved compared to a case in which the movement of the carriage 26 in the second direction D2 starts after the conveyance of the medium 99 by the conveyance unit 22 is completed.

[0069] As the carriage 26 moves in the second direction D2 while the medium 99 is being transported, the head 27 overlaps the printing area PA on the support part 17. At this time, the carriage 26 is located at the retracted position Q2, reducing the risk of the head 27 coming into contact with the printing area PA.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the retracted position Q2 to the approach position Q1 after the head 27 passes over the printing area PA. For example, the control unit 30 causes the carriage 26 to start moving in the third direction D3 after the head 27 passes over the printing area PA. In this example, the head 27 passes over the printing area PA on the support unit 17. Therefore, the carriage 26 can be displaced to the approach position Q1 on the support unit 17 after the head 27 passes over the printing area PA. In this case, the carriage 26 can be displaced to the approach position Q1 more quickly than when the carriage 26 is displaced to the approach position Q1 after the head 27 passes over the support surface 18.

[0071] Next, a case where the printing unit 25 prints on the return pass will be described. 12, before printing starts, the control unit 30 causes the carriage 26 to wait at a start position, for example, the second position P2. At this time, the carriage 26 is located at the approach position Q1. The control unit 30 then moves the carriage 26 from the start position to the return position. That is, the control unit 30 moves the carriage 26 in the second direction D2 from the second position P2 toward the first position P1. As a result, the carriage 26 and the head 27 move on the return path. At this time, the control unit 30 starts moving the carriage 26 with the medium 99 stopped.

[0072] 13, the control unit 30 causes the head 27 to eject liquid as the carriage 26 moves over the printing portion PP. This causes the printing area PA to be printed on the printing portion PP. The control unit 30 causes the head 27 to eject liquid while moving the carriage 26 relative to the printing portion PP.

[0073] 14 and 15, the control unit 30 starts the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the carriage 26 moving in the second direction D2 stops. The control unit 30 starts the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22, for example, after the head 27 has completed discharging the liquid and before the carriage 26 reaches the first position P1. That is, the period during which the carriage 26 moves and the period during which the medium 99 is transported overlap. This improves the productivity of the printing device 11 compared to when transport of the medium 99 starts after the carriage 26 has stopped.

[0074] The control unit 30 may start the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the last liquid discharged by the head 27 lands on the medium 99 and before the carriage 26 stops. The control unit 30 may start the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the head 27 last discharged liquid and before the carriage 26 stops. The control unit 30 may start the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the last liquid discharged by the head 27 lands on the medium 99, after the head 27 passes the position where the last liquid landed on the medium 99, and before the carriage 26 stops. This reduces the risk of contact between the print area PA and the head 27.

[0075] The control unit 30 may start the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has passed the printing area PA and before the carriage 26 has stopped. In particular, the control unit 30 may start the transport of the medium 99 by the transport unit 22 after the head 27 has passed over the printing area PA and before the carriage 26 has stopped, when viewed from a position facing the support surface 18. Thereby, for example, when printing is performed only on a part of the printing portion PP, the timing at which the transport of the medium 99 starts can be made earlier than when the transport by the transport unit 22 starts after the head 27 has passed the printing portion PP. This improves the productivity of the printing device 11.

[0076] The control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retracted position Q2 after the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the head 27 overlaps with the printing area PA on the support unit 17. In one example, the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retracted position Q2 after the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the carriage 26 moving in the second direction D2 stops.

[0077] 15, the control unit 30 stops the carriage 26 at the return position. More specifically, the control unit 30 stops the carriage 26 when it reaches the first position P1. At this time, the transport of the medium 99 continues. Since the medium 99 is transported toward the support unit 17 from below the support unit 17, there is little risk of the medium 99 coming into contact with the head 27 passing over the support surface 18.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 30 starts the movement of the carriage 26 in the first direction D1 before the conveyance unit 22 stops conveying the medium 99. That is, the control unit 30 starts the return of the carriage 26 to the start position before the conveyance unit 22 stops conveying the medium 99. The control unit 30 moves the carriage 26 in the first direction D1 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 before the conveyance unit 22 stops conveying the medium 99. At this time, the carriage 26 and the head 27 move on the forward path. As a result, the period during which the carriage 26 moves and the period during which the medium 99 is conveyed overlap. As a result, the productivity of the printing device 11 is improved compared to a case in which the movement of the carriage 26 in the first direction D1 starts after the conveyance unit 22 completes conveying the medium 99.

[0079] The control unit 30 moves the carriage 26 in the first direction D1 at a speed faster than the transport speed of the medium 99. This may cause the head 27 to reach the printing area PA on the support unit 17. That is, the head 27 may overlap the printing area PA on the support unit 17. Even in this case, the carriage 26 is located at the retracted position Q2, so there is little risk that the head 27 will come into contact with the printing area PA.

[0080] 17, the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the retracted position Q2 to the approach position Q1 after the head 27 has passed over the support surface 18. For example, the control unit 30 starts the movement of the carriage 26 in the third direction D3 after the head 27 has passed over the printing area PA. In this case, the carriage 26 can be displaced to the approach position Q1 more quickly than when the carriage 26 is displaced from the retracted position Q2 to the approach position Q1 after being positioned at the second position P2.

[0081] <Action and Effects> Next, the operation and effects of the above embodiment will be described. (1) The control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retracted position Q2 after the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the head 27 overlaps with the printing area PA on the support unit 17. With the above configuration, the period during which the transport unit 22 transports the medium 99 overlaps with the period during which the carriage 26 scans. This improves productivity. Also, the head 27 passes over the printing area PA while the carriage 26 is positioned at the retracted position Q2. This reduces the risk of the head 27 coming into contact with the printing area PA. This improves productivity while suppressing a decrease in print quality.

[0082] (2) After the printing area PA is formed in the printing portion PP and before the carriage 26 stops, the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the approach position Q1 to the retracted position Q2. With the above configuration, the carriage 26 is displaced to the retracted position Q2 at a relatively early stage. This reduces the risk of the head 27 coming into contact with the printing area PA.

[0083] (3) The movement speed of carriage 26 when positioned at retracted position Q2 is faster than the transport speed of medium 99 by transport unit 22. When carriage 26 is positioned at retracted position Q2, head 27 is less likely to come into contact with printing area PA. Therefore, even if carriage 26 moves quickly, there is little risk of head 27 coming into contact with printing area PA. Therefore, the above configuration improves productivity.

[0084] (4) The control unit 30 performs unidirectional printing on the medium 99 by controlling the head 27 and the carriage 26. The control unit 30 causes the head 27 to eject liquid when the carriage 26 moves in the forward direction. According to the above configuration, productivity is improved when the head 27 ejects liquid in the forward direction in unidirectional printing.

[0085] (5) The control unit 30 performs unidirectional printing on the medium 99 by controlling the head 27 and the carriage 26. The control unit 30 causes the head 27 to eject liquid when the carriage 26 moves in the return path. According to the above configuration, productivity is improved when the head 27 ejects liquid in the return path in unidirectional printing.

[0086] (6) After the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 to the retracted position Q2 and after the head 27 passes over the printing area PA, the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the retracted position Q2 to the approach position Q1. According to the above configuration, the carriage 26 can be displaced to the approach position Q1 at an earlier timing than when the carriage 26 is displaced after passing over the support surface 18.

[0087] (7) After displacing the carriage 26 to the retracted position Q2 and after the head 27 has passed over the support surface 18, the control unit 30 displaces the carriage 26 from the retracted position Q2 to the approach position Q1. This configuration reduces the risk that the head 27 will come into contact with the printing area PA.

[0088] <Example of change> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0089] The liquid ejected by the head 27 is not limited to ink, and may be, for example, a liquid in which particles of a functional material are dispersed or mixed in the liquid. For example, the head 27 may eject a liquid containing, in a dispersed or dissolved form, an electrode material or a pixel material used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescence displays, and surface-emitting displays.

[0090] <Technical philosophy> The technical ideas and effects obtained from the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples will be described below.

[0091] (A) A printing device includes a transport unit that transports a medium intermittently, a support unit having a support surface that supports the medium, a head that prints by ejecting liquid onto the medium supported by the support unit while transportation of the medium by the transport unit is stopped, a carriage that carries the head, and a control unit, the carriage is configured to scan the medium by moving in one direction and in a direction opposite to the one direction, and to be displaced between an approach position and a retracted position by moving in a direction perpendicular to the support surface, the approach position is a position where the head ejects liquid onto the medium, and the retracted position is a position where the distance between the head and the support surface is greater than when the head is located at the approach position, and the head The head forms a printing area on the medium by ejecting liquid onto a printing portion of the medium located on the support surface, and the control unit forms the printing area on the printing portion by ejecting liquid from the head while moving the carriage in the one direction, starts conveying the medium by the conveying unit after the printing area is formed on the printing portion and before the carriage moving in the one direction stops, starts moving the carriage in the opposite direction before the conveying unit completes conveying the medium, and displaces the carriage from the approach position to the retracted position after the printing area is formed on the printing portion and before the head overlaps with the printing area on the support. According to the above configuration, the period during which the conveying unit conveys the medium and the period during which the carriage scans overlap. Therefore, productivity is improved. In addition, the head passes over the printing area while the carriage is in the retracted position. Therefore, the risk of the head coming into contact with the printing area is reduced. Therefore, a decrease in printing quality is suppressed while improving productivity.

[0092] (B) In the printing device, the control unit may displace the carriage from the approach position to the retracted position after the printing area is formed in the printing portion and before the carriage moving in the one direction stops. With the above configuration, the carriage is displaced to the retracted position at a relatively early stage. This reduces the risk of the head coming into contact with the printing area.

[0093] (C) In the above printing device, the movement speed of the carriage when located at the retracted position may be faster than the speed at which the medium is transported by the transport unit. When the carriage is located at the retracted position, the head is less likely to come into contact with the printing area. Therefore, even if the movement speed of the carriage is fast, there is little risk of the head coming into contact with the printing area. Therefore, with the above configuration, productivity is improved.

[0094] (D) In ​​the printing device, the control unit may perform unidirectional printing on a medium by controlling the head and the carriage, and cause the head to eject liquid when the carriage moves in a forward path. With the above configuration, productivity is improved when the head ejects liquid in a forward path in unidirectional printing.

[0095] (E) In the printing device, the control unit may perform unidirectional printing on a medium by controlling the head and the carriage, and cause the head to eject liquid when the carriage moves back. With the above configuration, productivity is improved when the head ejects liquid on the return path in unidirectional printing.

[0096] (F) In the printing device, the control unit may displace the carriage from the retracted position to the approach position after the head has passed over the printing area. With the above configuration, the carriage can be displaced to the approach position at an earlier timing than when the carriage is displaced after passing over a support surface.

[0097] (G) In the printing device, the control unit may displace the carriage from the retracted position to the approach position after the head has passed over the support surface. With the above configuration, the risk of the head coming into contact with the printing area is reduced.

[0098] (H) A printing method includes forming a printing area on a printing portion of a medium located on a support surface of a support by discharging liquid from a head while moving a carriage in one direction, starting transport of the medium after the printing area is formed on the printing portion and before the carriage moving in the one direction stops, starting movement of the carriage in a direction opposite to the one direction before the transport of the medium is completed, and displacing the carriage from an approach position to a retracted position by moving the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the support surface after the printing area is formed on the printing portion and before the head overlaps with the printing area on the support, wherein the retracted position has a larger distance between the head and the support surface than when the carriage is located at the approach position. According to the above method, an effect similar to that of the above-mentioned printing device can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 11...printing device, 12...housing, 13...feed-out section, 14...feed-out shaft, 15...winding section, 16...winding shaft, 17...support section, 18...support surface, 19...through hole, 21...suction section, 22...transport section, 23...transport roller, 24...drying section, 25...printing section, 26...carriage, 27...head, 28...nozzle, 29...nozzle surface, 30...control section, 99...medium, 100...roll body, D1...first direction, D2...second direction, D3...third direction, D4...fourth direction, D5...fifth direction, D6...sixth direction, P1...first position, P2...second position, P3...home position, PA...printing area, PP...printing portion, Q1...approach position, Q2...retraction position.

Claims

1. A transport unit that transports the medium intermittently; A support portion having a support surface for supporting a medium; a head that prints by ejecting liquid onto the medium supported by the support section while the transport section is halting transport of the medium; a carriage on which the head is mounted; A control unit, The carriage includes: scanning the medium by moving in one direction and in a direction opposite to the one direction; The support member is configured to be displaced between an approach position and a retracted position by moving in a direction perpendicular to the support surface, the approach position is a position where the head ejects liquid onto a medium, the retracted position is a position where a distance between the head and the support surface is greater than when the head is located at the approach position, the head forms a printing area on the medium by ejecting liquid onto a printing portion of the medium that is located on the support surface; The control unit is forming the printing area on the printing portion by discharging liquid from the head while moving the carriage in the one direction; after the printing area is formed in the printing portion and before the carriage moving in the one direction stops, the transport unit starts transporting the medium; before the transport unit completes transport of the medium, the movement of the carriage in the opposite direction is started; A printing device characterized in that the carriage is displaced from the approach position to the retracted position after the printing area is formed in the printing portion and before the head overlaps the printing area on the support part.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit displaces the carriage from the approach position to the retracted position after the printing area is formed in the printing portion and before the carriage moving in the one direction stops.

3. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein a moving speed of the carriage when in the retracted position is faster than a transport speed of the medium by the transport unit.

4. The control unit is performing unidirectional printing on a medium by controlling the head and the carriage; 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the carriage moves along a forward path, liquid is ejected from the head.

5. The control unit is performing unidirectional printing on a medium by controlling the head and the carriage; 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the carriage moves on a return path, liquid is ejected from the head.

6. 5. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit displaces the carriage from the retracted position to the approach position after the head has passed over the printing area, after displacing the carriage to the retracted position.

7. The printing device according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit displaces the carriage from the retracted position to the approach position after the head has passed over the support surface after displacing the carriage to the retracted position.

8. forming a printing area on a printing portion of the medium that is located on a support surface of a support part by discharging liquid from the head while moving the carriage in one direction; starting transportation of the medium after the printing area is formed in the printing portion and before the carriage moving in the one direction stops; before the transport of the medium is completed, starting the movement of the carriage in a direction opposite to the one direction; after the printing area is formed on the printing portion and before the head overlaps the printing area on the support portion, the carriage is displaced from the approach position to a retracted position by moving the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the support surface, A printing method, characterized in that in the retracted position, a distance between the head and the support surface is greater than when the carriage is located at the approach position.

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