Printing system and control method for printer

Abstract

To reduce positional deviation of a plurality of ink layers, when drawing-back printing of a medium is performed.SOLUTION: A printing data creation part 13 of an information processor 10 forms an ink layer L2 by a head 36 on printing data PDb for forming the ink layer L2 by the head 36 when an image in which an ink layer L1 formed by the head 35 is superposed on the ink layer L2 formed by the head 36 is printed, then returns the ink layer L2 to a position of the head 35 on the upstream side in a conveyance direction by a delivery mechanism 41, and adds control data CDa for drawing-back printing for detecting a mark mk by a sensor. A correction part 14 corrects image data according to positional information on the mark mk detected by a sensor 38. The printing data creation part 13 creates printing data PDa for forming the ink layer L1 by a head 35, using the image data corrected by the correction part 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system and a control method for a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a printing device, an image in which multiple ink layers are superimposed may be printed on a medium (for example, see Patent Document 1). When the printing device has multiple heads arranged at staggered positions in the transport direction of the medium, the printing device ejects ink from one head to form an ink layer, and then transports the formed ink layer to the position of another head, where ink is ejected from the other head to superimpose the ink layers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-111257 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the specifications of the image to be printed, the printing device may overlay an ink layer formed by a head located upstream in the transport direction on an ink layer formed by a head located downstream in the transport direction. In this case, the printing device performs an operation of pulling the media back from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction. In the printing device, the media is transported in a fixed direction, but the pulling back may cause the media to become slightly tilted. If ink layers are overlaid on the media while it is tilted, the multiple ink layers may not overlap properly and may become misaligned, which may affect the print quality.

[0005] In a printing device, when performing pull-back printing on a medium, it is required to reduce misregistration of the ink layer and reduce the effect on print quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is (1) A printing device capable of printing an image having multiple ink layers on a medium; A printing system including a control device that controls an operation of the printing device, The printing device includes: a transport mechanism for transporting the medium; a first head having nozzles for ejecting ink onto the medium; a second head including nozzles that eject ink onto the medium, the second head being shifted downstream in a transport direction of the medium with respect to the first head; a sensor for detecting marks printed on the medium; The control device includes: a print data creation unit that creates print data for controlling the operation of the printing device based on the image data; a correction unit that corrects data of the image based on position information of the mark detected by the sensor, When printing the image in which an ink layer formed by the first head is superimposed on an ink layer formed by the second head, the print data creation unit adding control data to second print data for forming the ink layer with the second head, for returning the ink layer to a position of the first head on the upstream side in the transport direction by the transport mechanism after the ink layer has been formed by the second head, and for detecting the mark with the sensor; First print data for forming the ink layer with the first head is created using the data of the image corrected by the correction unit.

[0007] (2) In the printing system according to (1), The print data creation unit determines whether to add the control data to the second print data based on a layering order of a plurality of ink layers that form the image.

[0008] (3) In the printing system according to (2), when an ink layer is formed by the first head after an ink layer is formed by the second head in the stacking order, the print data creation unit adds the control data to the second print data for forming an ink layer by the second head; In the stacking order, if an ink layer is formed by the first head and then an ink layer is formed by the second head, the control data is not added to the second print data for forming the ink layer by the second head.

[0009] (4) In any one of the printing systems (1) to (3), When the stacking order of the multiple ink layers constituting the image includes a stacking order in which an ink layer is formed by the first head after an ink layer is formed by the second head, the print data creation unit adds control data to the print data for forming the first ink layer for printing the mark on the media by the first head or the second head.

[0010] (5) In any one of the printing systems (1) to (4), the print data includes information for designating an ejection position of the ink on the medium; The correction unit corrects data of the image by tilting the image in accordance with the tilt angle of the mark detected by the sensor.

[0011] (6) In any one of the printing systems (1) to (5), the sensor is disposed on a carriage that carries the first head and the second head and is movable in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction; The printing device detects the mark printed on the medium with the sensor while moving the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0012] (7) In any one of the printing systems (1) to (6), The printing device causes the first head or the second head to print the mark at a position surrounding the first layer of ink formed by the second head.

[0013] (8) In any one of the printing systems (1) to (7), the second head is capable of ejecting adhesive ink onto the medium; The printing device includes: a transfer unit that is disposed downstream of the second head in the transport direction and that presses a foil transfer sheet having a foil formed on a base material against the medium to transfer the foil to the portion of the medium onto which the adhesive ink is ejected; When the print data creation unit prints the image by overlaying an ink layer formed by the first head or the second head on a foil transfer layer formed by transferring the foil to the adhesive ink ejected by the second head in the transfer unit, adding control data to foil transfer data for forming the foil transfer layer, for printing the mark with the first head or the second head, transferring the foil with the transfer unit, and then pulling the foil transfer layer back to the position of the first head or the second head on the upstream side in the transport direction with the transport mechanism, and detecting the mark with the sensor; The first print data or the second print data for forming the ink layer by the first head or the second head is created using the data of the image corrected by the correction unit.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention is (9) A method for controlling a printing device capable of printing an image having multiple ink layers on a medium, comprising the steps of: The printing device includes: a transport mechanism for transporting the medium; a first head having nozzles for ejecting ink onto the medium; a second head including nozzles that eject ink onto the medium, the second head being shifted downstream in a transport direction of the medium with respect to the first head; a sensor for detecting marks printed on the medium; a print data creating step of creating print data for controlling an operation of the printing device based on the image data; a correction step of correcting data of the image based on position information of the mark detected by the sensor, In the printing device, when the image is printed by overlapping an ink layer formed by the first head on an ink layer formed by the second head, In the print data creation step, adding control data to second print data for forming the ink layer with the second head, for printing the mark with the first head or the second head, forming the ink layer with the second head, and then returning the ink layer to a position of the first head on the upstream side in the transport direction with the transport mechanism, and detecting the mark with the sensor; First print data for forming the ink layer with the first head is created using the data of the image corrected by the unit in the correcting step. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, when performing pull-back printing on a medium, it is possible to reduce misalignment of the ink layer and reduce the effect on print quality. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a head unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of a printed image in which multiple ink layers are superimposed, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a printing method for the image in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing another example of a printed image in which a plurality of ink layers are superimposed, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a printing method of the image in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list. [Figure 9] 11 is a diagram illustrating a process flow of the printing system when executing a combination job including pullback printing. [Figure 10] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing the inclination of the ink layer caused by pulling back the medium, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of correction of image data. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a printed image in which three or more ink layers are superimposed. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the information processing device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to a first modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of an image printed using a transfer unit, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a printing method of the image in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a process flow of the printing system when executing a combination job in Modification 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a printing device 2 that prints an image by ejecting ink onto a medium M, and an information processing device 10 (control device) that controls the operation of the printing device 2. In the following explanation, the direction from the front side (left side in Fig. 1) to the rear side (right side in Fig. 1) of the printing device 2 is referred to as the "X direction." The direction perpendicular to the X direction, which is the left-right direction of the printing device 2 (the direction from the front side to the back side of the paper in Fig. 1), is referred to as the "Y direction." The direction perpendicular to the X direction, which is the vertical line direction (up-down direction) when the printing device 2 is placed on a horizontal surface, and which is perpendicular to the X and Y directions, is referred to as the "Z direction."

[0018] The printing device 2 according to this embodiment is an inkjet printing device, which prints an image by ejecting ink droplets onto the medium M. The medium M is not limited to a specific one, but may be, for example, paper, cloth (woven fabric, nonwoven fabric), or a resin sheet such as polyvinyl chloride or polyester. The image printed on the medium M may include, for example, characters, figures, patterns, colors, and combinations thereof.

[0019] 1, the printing device 2 includes a printing unit 3, a platen 4, and a stand 5 that supports the printing unit 3 and the platen 4. The printing device 2 includes a controller 8 that controls the operation of each part of the printing device 2. The stand 5 is disposed on the floor surface, and the printing unit 3 and the platen 4 are supported on the upper part of the stand 5.

[0020] The printing unit 3 includes a housing 31, and a carriage 32 and a guide rail 33 housed inside the housing 31. A head unit 34 that ejects ink and a sensor 38 for detecting marks, which will be described later, are mounted on the carriage 32. Although not shown, when ultraviolet-curable ink is used, an ultraviolet irradiation unit may be mounted on the carriage 32. The guide rail 33 is disposed along the Y direction. The carriage 32 is driven by a driving mechanism (not shown) and is movable in the Y direction along the guide rail 33. As the carriage 32 moves, the head unit 34 and the sensor 38 mounted on the carriage 32 also move in the Y direction. The controller 8 can be mounted, for example, on the housing 31. The controller 8 can include an operation panel that displays information related to printing to the user and accepts operation inputs from the user.

[0021] The head unit 34 is provided with a gap between it and the upper surface of the platen 4. Although not shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of nozzles which are ink ejection ports are arranged on the surface of the head unit 34 facing the platen 4.

[0022] 1, media M is wound around the upper surface of platen 4 in a direction transverse to the X direction. A feed mechanism 41 that transports media M in the X direction is provided on the platen 4 behind the head unit 34. Media M is arranged such that its longitudinal direction runs along the X direction and its width direction runs along the Y direction. Although not shown, when using ink that requires drying, such as thermosetting ink, solvent ink, or resin ink, the platen 4 may have a built-in heater for heating the ink ejected onto the medium M.

[0023] The delivery mechanism 41 has a pair of rollers that vertically grip the media M. The delivery mechanism 41 has a drive mechanism (not shown) that rotates at least one of the rollers. The medium M held by the pair of rollers is sent out in a direction (front or rear in the X direction) according to the rotation direction of the rollers by the rotation of the rollers. In other words, the sending-out mechanism 41 functions as a transport mechanism for the medium M. That is, the transport direction of the medium M is along the X direction. During normal printing, the sending-out mechanism 41 sends out the medium M from the rear side to the front side of the printing device 2. Therefore, in the following description, the "transport direction" refers to the direction from the rear side to the front side in the X direction. The "upstream side in the transport direction" refers to the rear side of the printing device 2, and the "downstream side in the transport direction" refers to the front side of the printing device 2.

[0024] 1, the printing device 2 has a feeding unit 6 for media M and a winding unit 7 for media M. The feeding unit 6 winds up the media M before printing, and pays out the media M towards the printing unit 3 by driving a delivery mechanism 41. The winding unit 7 winds up the media M printed by the printing unit 3 into a roll. The unwinding unit 6 is disposed on the rear side in the X direction relative to the stand 5 that supports the printing unit 3 and the platen 4, and the winding unit 7 is disposed on the front side. The unwinding unit 6 and the winding unit 7 are located below the printing unit 3 and the platen 4. The unwinding unit 6 includes a shaft 61 that supports the medium M wound in a roll, and a roller 62 that guides the medium M unwound from the shaft 61 between the printing unit 3 and the platen 4. The shaft 61 is rotatable about a central axis Y1. A core material is fitted onto the shaft 61, and the medium M is wound around the outer periphery of the core material.

[0025] The winding unit 7 includes a shaft 71 for winding the printed medium M into a roll, and a roller 72 for guiding the medium M that has passed between the printing unit 3 and the platen 4 toward the shaft 71. The shaft 71 is rotatable about a central axis Y2. The central axis Y2 of the shaft 71 extends parallel to the central axis Y1 of the shaft 61 on the side of the payout unit 6. A core material is inserted around the shaft 71, and the media M is wound around the outer periphery of the core material.

[0026] The printing device 2 drives the delivery mechanism 41 to pay out the medium M from the pay-out unit 6 and supply it between the platen 4 and the printing unit 3. The printing device 2 prints on the medium M by repeating an operation of transporting the medium M a predetermined distance in the transport direction and an operation of moving the head unit 34 mounted on the carriage 32 in the Y direction and ejecting ink at a specified position on the printing surface of the medium M. After printing, the medium M is transported further downstream in the transport direction and taken up by the winding unit 7.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the head unit 34. Fig. 2 shows the head unit 34 as viewed from below. As shown in Fig. 2, the head unit 34 includes two inkjet heads 35, 36 (hereinafter simply referred to as "heads 35, 36"). The heads 35, 36 are arranged in a so-called staggered arrangement, and are arranged with their positions shifted in the X and Y directions. When viewed from above the printing device 2 (see Fig. 4), the head 36 is arranged on the left side of the head 35 in the Y direction, and is arranged in front of the printing device 2 in the X direction (see Fig. 1). In other words, the head 36 is located downstream of the head 35 in the transport direction of the medium M. It should be noted that the head 36 may also be arranged on the right side of the head 35 in the Y direction.

[0028] Head 35 (first head) has four nozzle portions 351-354 aligned in the Y direction. Head 36 (second head) also has four nozzle portions 361-364 aligned in the Y direction. For ease of understanding, in FIG. 2, nozzle portions 351-354 are cross-hatched, and nozzle portions 361-364 are hatched. Nozzle portions 351-354 and 361-364 are provided on the lower surfaces (surfaces facing media M) of heads 35 and 36, respectively.

[0029] As shown in the enlarged area of ​​Figure 2, each nozzle section is made up of multiple nozzle rows Nq. Each nozzle row Nq is made up of multiple nozzles N arranged at regular intervals in the X direction. These multiple nozzle rows Nq are arranged at intervals in the Y direction to form one nozzle section. Although not shown in the drawings, the heads 35 and 36 are provided with piezoelectric elements corresponding to the nozzles of the nozzle portions 351 to 354 and the nozzle portions 361 to 364. When the piezoelectric elements of the nozzles are driven, ink is ejected from the nozzles.

[0030] The nozzle portions 351 to 354 and 361 to 364 are each supplied with ink from an ink supply mechanism (not shown). The ink supply mechanism can supply different types of ink to the nozzle portions 351-354 and 361-364 according to the settings of the printing device 2. The inks can be, for example, C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) process color inks (hereinafter referred to as "color inks"). The ink may alternatively be a special ink such as LC (light cyan), LM (light magenta), Gy (gray), W (white), CL (clear), Pr (primer), O (orange), violet, metallic colors (gold, silver), fluorescent colors, etc.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows an example in which the nozzle portion of the head 35 is supplied with color ink, and the nozzle portion of the head 36 is supplied with special color ink. In the example of FIG. 2, M (magenta) ink is supplied to nozzle portion 351 of head 35, C (cyan) ink to nozzle portion 352, Y (yellow) ink to nozzle portion 353, and K (black) ink to nozzle portion 354. In the example of FIG. 2, the nozzle portions 361 and 362 of the head 36 are supplied with CL (clear) ink, and the nozzle portions 363 and 364 are supplied with W (white) ink.

[0032] Note that FIG. 2 is merely an example, and settings such as the number and arrangement of heads, the nozzle portion of each head, the nozzle rows, the number and arrangement of nozzles, and the allocation of ink colors to each nozzle portion can be changed as appropriate.

[0033] The printing device 2 is capable of printing images with multiple overlapping ink layers. FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of a printed image in which a plurality of ink layers are superimposed, and FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3(a). In the print example of Fig. 3, an ink layer L2 formed with a special color ink (clear ink) from a head 36 is overlaid on an ink layer L1 formed with a color ink from a head 35. Note that in Fig. 3(b), the thicknesses of the ink layers L1 and L2 are exaggerated for ease of understanding. By overlaying an ink layer L2 made of clear ink on an ink layer L1 made of color ink, it is possible to impart a glossy appearance to the image. Furthermore, when printing on a transparent medium M, an ink layer L2 made of white ink may be overlaid on an ink layer L1 made of color inks. In this case, the image is viewed from the side opposite the printed side of the medium M, and the white ink of the ink layer L2 serves as a base, allowing the color ink of the ink layer L1 to be clearly visible. In addition, Figure 3 shows an example in which the ink layer L1 and the ink layer L2 have the same shape and size, and the ink layer L2 overlaps the entire ink layer L1, but the multiple ink layers may have different shapes or sizes and may partially overlap each other.

[0034] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for printing the image in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows the printing device 2 as viewed from above. Note that Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram, and the sizes of the heads 35, 36 are exaggerated relative to the medium M. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the printing device 2 moves the carriage 32 in the Y direction and ejects color inks from the head 35 to form an ink layer L1.

[0035] 4(b), the printer 2 sends the printing area PA of the ink layer L1 on the medium M to the position of the head 36 downstream in the transport direction. The printing area PA is an area that includes the ink layer L1 and its surroundings, and can be set appropriately based on the specifications of the image data created by the information processing device 10 (described below) and the specifications of the printer 2. The printer 2 moves the carriage 32 in the Y direction and ejects clear ink from the head 36 to form an ink layer L2 on the ink layer L1. Note that the illustrated example shows an example in which ink layer L1 and ink layer L2 can be formed by one reciprocating movement (one pass) in the Y direction of heads 35, 36. Depending on the size of the image, the printing device 2 can form ink layer L1 and ink layer L2 by alternately repeating an operation of feeding the medium M a predetermined distance downstream in the transport direction and an operation of moving the carriage 32 in the Y direction to eject color ink from the head 35.

[0036] FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing another example of a printed image in which a plurality of ink layers are superimposed, and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 5(a). In the print example of Fig. 5, an ink layer L1 formed with color ink from the head 35 is superimposed on an ink layer L2 formed with a special color ink (white ink) from the head 36. Note that in Fig. 5(b), the thicknesses of the ink layer L1 and the ink layer L2 are exaggerated. This type of printing is performed, for example, when white ink is used as a base. For example, when the medium M is a dark color, even if color inks are directly ejected onto the medium M to print an image, the color of the image may not be properly recognized due to the influence of the color of the medium M. Therefore, by overlapping an ink layer L1 of color ink on an ink layer L2 formed with white ink as a base, the influence of the color of the medium M is reduced, and the color of the image is easily properly recognized. The ink layer L1 of the special color ink may be formed, for example, with Pr (primer). The primer ink can be used, for example, as a base for other inks. If the primer ink has adhesive properties, it can be used as a glue to adhere color inks, foils, etc. to media.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method for printing the image in Fig. 5. Note that Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram, and the size of the heads 35, 36 is exaggerated relative to the medium M. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the printing device 2 moves the carriage 32 in the Y direction and ejects white ink from the head 36 to print an ink layer L2. 6(b), the printer 2 then pulls back the printing area PA of the ink layer L2 on the medium M to the position of the head 35 on the upstream side in the transport direction. The printer 2 moves the carriage 32 in the Y direction and ejects color inks from the head 35 to form the ink layer L1 on top of the ink layer L2. In this way, when ink layer L1 is first printed by head 36 and then ink layer L1 is printed by head 35, an operation of pulling medium M back upstream in the transport direction occurs after printing of ink layer L2. Printing that includes an operation of pulling medium M back upstream in the transport direction in this way is hereinafter referred to as "pull-back printing." When pulling the media M back to the upstream side in the transport direction, it is necessary to reverse the rotation of the rollers of the delivery mechanism 41 (see FIG. 1) and wind the media M around the pay-out unit 6. In the printing device 2, the media M is transported with its longitudinal direction aligned with the X direction, but when the media M is wound around the pay-out unit 6, the media M may be slightly tilted with respect to the X direction. When the media M is tilted, the ink layer L2 formed on the media M also becomes tilted. As shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 6, when performing pull-back printing, the printing device 2 prints marks mk on the medium M for detecting the inclination of the ink layer L2 that was formed first.

[0038] As described above, the carriage 32 is equipped with a sensor 38 for detecting the mark mk. The sensor 38 may be, for example, a reflective optical sensor. Although not shown in the drawings, the optical sensor includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the medium M. The sensor 38 is disposed in a position where it can detect the mark mk when the medium M is pulled back upstream in the transport direction. The sensor 38 can be disposed, for example, below the carriage 32, near the head 35, as shown in (a) of Figure 6. In this case, the sensor 38 can detect the mark mk printed on the medium M by scanning the printing surface of the medium M while moving the carriage 32 in the Y direction. The sensor 38 may be disposed at a location separate from the carriage 32. In that case, the sensor 38 may be provided with a drive mechanism separate from the drive mechanism of the carriage 32. Alternatively, the sensor 38 may be a camera that captures image information of the medium M.

[0039] As shown in (a) of Fig. 5, the mark mk is printed near the ink layer L2. The mark mk can be printed, for example, at the four corners of the printing area PA of the ink layer L2 so as to surround the ink layer L2. Note that at least a part of the mark mk may extend inside the printing area PA as long as it does not affect the image. For example, as shown in the enlarged area of ​​FIG. 5(a), the mark mk may include a line segment S1 extending in one direction and a line segment S2 extending in a direction perpendicular to the line segment S1. The example of FIG. 5(a) shows a mark mk in which one end of the line segment S2 is connected to one end of the line segment S1. The shape of the mark mk is not limited to this. For example, the mark mk may be a cross shape in which the line segment S1 and the line segment S2 intersect. For example, the mark mk may be only the line segment S1 or only the line segment S2.

[0040] When the medium M is not tilted, the line segment S1 of the mark mk is aligned along the X direction, and the line segment S2 is aligned along the Y direction. If the medium M is tilted during the pullback printing described above, the line segments S1 and S2 of the mark mk will be tilted relative to the X and Y directions, respectively. In other words, the tilt of the line segments S1 and S2 can be considered as the tilt of the ink layer L2.

[0041] It should be noted that the marks mk may be any marks that can be detected by the sensor 38, and the number, shape, and arrangement of the marks mk are not limited to the illustrated example and can be modified as appropriate. The marks mk can also be used as marks that indicate the cutting position of the medium M after printing. For example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), if the marks mk are printed so as to surround the ink layer L2 and the medium M is cut at the position of the marks mk, the marks mk will not remain on the medium M after cutting. This makes it possible to prevent the marks mk from affecting the finish of the printed matter.

[0042] The mark mk can be printed with ink that can be detected by the sensor 38. For example, if the medium M is white and the spot color ink ejected by the head 36 is white or clear, the mark mk printed with these inks will be difficult for the sensor 38 to detect. In such a case, the mark mk can be printed with any of the CMYK (black) color inks ejected by the head 35. In this case, as shown in (a) of FIG. 6, the printing device 2 prints the mark mk in the printing area PA of the ink layer L2 with the head 35 on the upstream side in the transport direction, and then sends the printing area PA to the position of the head 36, so that the ink layer L2 can be formed by the head 36.

[0043] Alternatively, if the spot color ink ejected by the head 36 can be detected by the sensor 38, the mark mk may be printed by the head 36. In this case, the printing device 2 can feed the medium M to the position of the head 36 and print the mark mk together with the ink layer L2 by the head 36.

[0044] For example, if an optical sensor 38 is mounted on the carriage 32, after printing the ink layer L2, the printer 2 moves the carriage 32 in the Y direction while pulling the medium M back upstream in the transport direction using the delivery mechanism 41, and detects the mark mk using the sensor 38. The sensor 38 inputs position information (XY coordinates) of the detected mark mk to the controller 8 (see FIG. 1).

[0045] The controller 8 can be configured, for example, from a microcomputer equipped with a processor and a memory. The controller 8 is communicatively connected to the information processing device 10 via a LAN cable or the like. The controller 8 receives print data for controlling the operation of the printing device 2 from the information processing device 10. Based on the print data, the controller 8 controls operations such as the movement of the carriage 32 by the drive mechanism, the transportation of the medium M by the delivery mechanism 41, the ejection of ink from the heads 35 and 36, and the detection of the marks mk by the sensor 38. The controller 8 also transmits the position information of the mark mk detected by the sensor 38 to the information processing device 10 .

[0046] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 10. As shown in FIG. The information processing device 10 may be a general-purpose information processing device 10 such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, or a tablet terminal. Although not shown in the figure, the information processing device 10 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). Various software required for the operation of the information processing device 10 is installed in the memory. As an example, software (image creation software) for creating and editing data (image data) of an image to be printed by a printer and software (software RIP: Raster Image Processor) for creating print data based on the image data are installed in the memory. That is, the information processing device 10 functions as an image processing device that creates image data to be printed on the medium M. The information processing device 10 also functions as a control device that controls the operation of the printing device 2 by transmitting the created print data to the printing device 2. The memory of the information processing device 10 also stores various data required for creating image data and print data.

[0047] The information processing device 10 also includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. The information processing device 10 displays an operation screen for creating image data and print data on the display device, and accepts operation input from the user via the input device.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, the information processing device 10 includes, as its functional components, an image data creating section 11, a job management section 12, a print data creating section 13, and a correction section 14. The image data creation unit 11 creates image data to be printed by the printer on the medium M. The created image data is stored in the memory of the information processing device 10. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, when printing an image in which multiple ink layers are superimposed, the image data is composed of multiple layers including images formed by each ink layer.

[0049] The user can upload image data to be printed on the medium M and specify various printing conditions via an operation screen provided by the software of the information processing device 10. Note that the image data to be uploaded is not limited to that created by the image data creation unit 11, and may be that created by another information processing device 10. The job management unit 12 creates print jobs according to the image data uploaded by the user and the printing conditions specified by the user, and registers them in a job list. The job management unit 12 manages the progress of each print job registered in the job list, and reflects the printing progress status in the job list. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a job list. As shown in FIG. 8, the job list includes information such as the job name, thumbnails of images to be printed, and job attributes. When a user selects a print job to be executed from the job list and inputs an instruction to start printing, the job management unit 12 outputs the image data and printing conditions of the specified print job to the print data creation unit 13, and creates the print data. The job management unit 12 sends the created print data to the controller 8 of the printing device 2 and starts printing. When the job management unit 12 receives a notification of printing completion from the controller 8, it updates the job list and deletes the completed print job.

[0050] The print data creation unit 13 (see FIG. 7) performs the print data creation step. Based on image data, the print data creation unit 13 creates print data for controlling the operation of the printer 2. Specifically, the print data creation unit 13 performs RIP processing on the image data input from the job management unit 12 according to the specified printing conditions to create print data. RIP processing is a process for generating a raster image that specifies the ejection positions for ejecting ink of a color corresponding to image data. In RIP processing, a raster image is generated by performing halftone processing on a grayscale image corresponding to each of the color inks C, M, Y, and K and the special color inks. Furthermore, various commands for controlling the printing device 2 according to the specified printing conditions are added to the generated raster image, and print data is created.

[0051] When printing an image by overlapping a plurality of ink layers as in the print examples of FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, a composite job in which a plurality of print jobs are composited is registered in the job list. FIG. 8 shows an example in which a compositing job for printing the image shown in FIG. 5 is registered in the job list. The compositing job is a combination of a job (white plate) for forming an ink layer L2 with white ink from head 36 and a job (color plate) for forming an ink layer L1 with color ink from head 35. Furthermore, the compositing job indicates the stacking order of the ink layers. In the example of FIG. 8, the stacking order is the white plate, followed by the color plate. When printing the image shown in FIG. 3, the stacking order is the color plate, followed by the clear plate. When executing a compositing job, the print data creation unit 13 creates print data for forming each ink layer according to the stacking order indicated in the compositing job. As described above, since the image data is composed of multiple layers including images formed by each ink layer, the print data creation unit 13 creates print data using layers corresponding to each ink layer in the image data. The job management unit 12 sequentially transmits the created print data to the printing device 2. For example, in the composite job shown in Figure 8, the print data creation unit 13 creates print data PDb (second print data) for forming ink layer L2 with head 36, and print data PDa (first print data) for forming ink layer L1 with head 35.

[0052] Furthermore, in the print example of FIG. 5, pullback printing is performed as described above. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the flow of processing in the printing system 1 when executing a combination job including pullback printing. As shown in FIG. 9, when pullback printing is performed in a combination job, the print data creation unit 13 adds control data CDa for pullback printing to the print data PDb. The control data CDa for pullback printing is control data for forming the ink layer L2 with the head 36, as described in (b) of Figure 6, and then returning the printing area PA of the ink layer L2 to the position of the head 35 upstream in the transport direction with the feed mechanism 41, and detecting the mark mk with the sensor 38.

[0053] The print data creation unit 13 determines whether to add the control data CDa to the print data PDb based on the stacking order of the multiple ink layers indicated in the composition job. When forming ink layer L1 with head 35 after forming ink layer L2 with head 36 in the stacking order, print data creation unit 13 adds control data CDa to print data PDb for forming ink layer L2. When forming ink layer L2 with head 36 after forming ink layer L1 with head 35 in the stacking order, the print data creation unit 13 does not add control data CDa to the print data PDb for forming ink layer L2.

[0054] For example, in the printing example of Fig. 5 shown in the compositing job of Fig. 8, the stacking order is ink layer L2 (white plate), ink layer L1 (color plate), so the print data creation unit 13 adds the control data CDa for pullback printing to the print data PDb for the white plate. On the other hand, in the printing example of Fig. 3, the stacking order is ink layer L1 (color plate), ink layer L2 (clear plate), so the print data creation unit 13 does not add the control data CDa for pullback printing to the print data PDb for the clear plate.

[0055] When the layering order indicated in the merging job includes a layering order that requires pullback printing, the print data creation unit 13 adds control data CDb for printing marks to the print data for forming the first ink layer. The control data CDb for printing marks is control data for printing marks mk on the medium M by the head 35 or the head 36. In the printing example of FIG. 5 shown in the merging job of FIG. 8, the control data CDb for printing marks is added to the print data PDb for forming the first ink layer L2 (white plate).

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, when the printing data PDb is input, the printing device 2 forms the ink layer L2 according to the printing data PDb and prints the mark mk according to the control data CDb for mark printing. After forming the ink layer L2, the printing device 2 pulls the medium M back to the upstream side in the transport direction according to the control data CDa for pullback printing, and detects the mark mk. When the printing device 2 completes printing based on the printing data PDb, it transmits a printing completion notification to the information processing device 10. When the printing device 2 detects the mark mk, it transmits the printing completion notification including the position information of the mark mk to the information processing device 10. The job management unit 12 acquires the position information of the mark mk included in the printing completion notification, and causes the correction unit 14 to perform a correction process (correction step) of the image data before creating the printing data PDa. Specifically, the correction unit 14 corrects the image included in the layer corresponding to the ink layer L2 in the image data.

[0057] FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing the inclination of the ink layer L2 caused by pulling back the medium M, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing an example of correction of image data. As described above, the tilt caused by pulling back the medium M is slight, but in the drawings, the tilt of the image is shown exaggerated for ease of understanding. 10A shows an example in which a tilt of angle θ occurs with respect to the mark mk due to pulling back the medium M. As described above, the tilt of the mark mk can be considered as the tilt of the ink layer L2. The correction unit 14 calculates the inclination angle θ of the mark mk from the position information of the mark mk input from the controller 8 of the printing device 2. As shown in FIG. 10(b), the correction unit 14 inclines the image of the layer corresponding to the ink layer L2 in the image data according to the calculated inclination angle θ of the mark mk. The correction unit 14 rotates the entire print area PA of the image by the angle θ around the center of the print area PA as an axis. As a result, the image becomes inclined by the angle θ. The correction unit 14 uses a known method such as affine transformation to include the print area PA (dashed line in the figure) of the image tilted by rotation and set a new rectangular print area PA (dotted line in the figure) along the X and Y directions. This creates corrected image data.

[0058] The correction unit 14 does not need to perform correction if the ink layer L2 does not have a tilt that affects the print quality. Therefore, the correction unit 14 may compare the tilt angle θ of the mark mk input from the controller 8 with a preset threshold value, and perform correction processing if the tilt angle θ exceeds the threshold value.

[0059] The correction method using the inclination angle θ of the mark mk is merely one example, and the correction unit 14 can correct the image data using various methods based on the position information of the mark mk. For example, when using a thermosetting or ultraviolet curable ink in the printing device 2, it is conceivable that the medium M or the ink layer L2 may shrink slightly due to the heating process or ultraviolet irradiation process. In that case, the correction unit 14 may calculate the reduction ratio of the mark mk from the position information of the mark mk, and reduce the image of the image data according to the reduction ratio. Alternatively, the mark mk may not be tilted but may be displaced in the X or Y direction by pulling back the medium M. The correction unit 14 may calculate the amount of displacement from the position information of the mark mk, and move the position of the image of the image data according to the amount of displacement.

[0060] 9, the print data creation unit 13 performs RIP processing on the corrected image data to create print data PDa for forming the ink layer L1 with the head 35. As described above, in the RIP processing, a raster image that specifies the ejection position of the ink of the color corresponding to the image data is generated. That is, the print data creation unit 13 creates the print data PDa from the image data corrected in accordance with the inclination of the ink layer L2, and the printing device 2 forms the ink layer L1 according to the print data PDa, so that the ejection position of the ink in the ink layer L1 properly overlaps with the inclined ink layer L2.

[0061] Although a printing example of an image in which two ink layers are overlapped has been described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the number of stacked ink layers is not limited to two and can be changed as appropriate. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a printed image in which three or more ink layers are superimposed. When the printing device 2 prints these images, it performs printing including pullback printing. In (a) of FIG. 11, an image is printed by overlapping three ink layers on a transparent medium M. The layering order is an ink layer L1a of color ink, an ink layer L2 of white ink, and an ink layer L1b of color ink. The ink layer L1a and the ink layer L1b are formed using image data that is inverted relative to each other. This allows the same image to be viewed from both sides of the transparent medium M. In this case, after forming the ink layer L1a with the head 35, the printing device 2 sends the medium M downstream in the transport direction and forms the ink layer L2 with the head 36. After forming the ink layer L2, the printing device 2 performs pull-back printing to form the ink layer L1b with the head 35 on the upstream side in the transport direction. The printing device 2 can print the mark mk when first forming the ink layer L1a with the head 35. Furthermore, after forming the ink layer L2, the printing device 2 detects the mark mk with the sensor 38 when pulling back the medium M, and the information processing device 10 corrects the image data according to the position information of the mark mk and creates the print data PDa using the corrected image data.

[0062] In (b) of FIG. 11, an image is printed by overlapping four ink layers on a transparent medium M. The layering order is color ink ink layer L1a, white ink ink layer L2a, color ink ink layer L1b, and clear ink ink layer L2b. As in (b) of FIG. 11, ink layer L1a and ink layer L1b are formed using mutually inverted image data. Clear ink ink layer L2b can be formed as a protective layer. In the case of (b) in Fig. 11, the printing device 2 forms the ink layer L1a, the ink layer L2a, and the ink layer L1b in the same manner as in (a) in Fig. 11. The printing device 2 further sends the medium M downstream in the transport direction, and forms the ink layer L2b with the head 36.

[0063] In (c) of FIG. 11, an image is printed by overlapping five ink layers on a transparent medium M. The layering order is color ink layer L1a, white ink layer L2a, black ink layer L1b, white ink layer L2b, and color ink layer L1c. In (c) of FIG. 11, by forming black ink layer L1b as a shielding layer in the center, different images can be seen from one side and the other side of the transparent medium M. The color ink layer L1a and the ink layer L1b are formed using different image data. The white ink layer L2a and the ink layer L2b are the bases for the ink layer L1a and the ink layer L1c, respectively. The printing example in Fig. 11(c) includes two pullback printings, one when forming ink layer L2a after ink layer L1a, and one when forming ink layer L2b after ink layer L1b. In each pullback printing, the mark mk is detected and the image data is corrected according to the position information of the mark mk, and the print data PDa is created using the corrected image data. By detecting the mark mk and correcting the image data each time pullback printing is performed, the multiple ink layers can be appropriately overlapped with reduced misalignment.

[0064] In any of FIGS. 11(a) to 11(c), the printing device 2 can print the marks mk with the head 35 or the head 36 when forming the first ink layer.

[0065] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the information processing device 10. In addition, in FIG. 12, the process will be described from a state in which a print start instruction for a composite job registered in the job list (see FIG. 8) is input by the user.

[0066] The job management unit 12 refers to the stacking order indicated in the compositing job and determines whether or not pullback printing is required (step S01). If the stacking order includes a stacking order in which ink layer L1 is formed after ink layer L2 is formed, the job management unit 12 determines that pullback printing is necessary (step S01: Yes), and proceeds to processing for pullback printing from step S02 onwards. If the stacking order does not include a stacking order in which ink layer L1 is formed after ink layer L2 is formed, the job management unit 12 determines that pullback printing is not necessary (step S01: No) and proceeds to normal printing. In normal printing, the job management unit 12 causes the print data creation unit 13 to create print data for each job according to the stacking order, and transmits the data to the printer 2 in sequence to proceed with printing. Details of normal printing are omitted.

[0067] In step S02, the job management unit 12 sets an initial value n=1 for the number of jobs N included in the composite job, and starts the nth job. The number of jobs N corresponds to the number of ink layers (number of layers) that form the image printed on the medium. The job management unit 12 causes the print data creation unit 13 to create print data for the n-th job (step S03). The print data creation unit 13 performs RIP processing according to the specified printing conditions on the image of the layer corresponding to the ink layer formed in the n-th job in the image data input from the job management unit 12, and creates print data. If the nth job being executed is for forming an ink layer L2 and the next (n+1)th job is for forming an ink layer L1 (step S04: Yes), the print data creation unit 13 creates print data PDb, but adds control data CDa for reverse printing to this print data PDb (step S05).

[0068] Furthermore, if the n-th job being executed is the first job (n=1) (step S06: Yes), the print data creation unit 13 adds control data CDb for printing marks to the print data to be created (step S07). When the control data CDb is added to the print data PDa, the control data CDb has contents for printing the marks mk while the head 35 forms the ink layer L1. When control data CDb is added to print data PDb, the control data CDb has content for printing marks mk with the head 35 before the head 36 forms the ink layer L2.

[0069] The print data creation unit 13 creates print data by executing the print data creation steps of steps S04 to S07. The job management unit 12 transmits the created print data to the printer 2 (step S08). When the job management unit 12 receives a print completion notification from the printing device 2 (step S09: Yes), it determines whether the executed nth job has reached the job number N. If n=N is not true (step S10: No), the job management unit 12 sets n=n+1 (step S11) and starts the next job.

[0070] As described with reference to FIG. 9, when pullback printing is being performed in the printing device 2, the print completion notification includes the position information of the mark mk. If the print completion notice includes position information of the mark mk (step S12: Yes), the job management unit 12 inputs the position information of the mark mk to the correction unit 14. The correction unit 14 calculates, for example, the tilt angle θ from the position information of the mark mk. The correction unit 14 corrects the image data by tilting the image of the layer in the image data corresponding to the ink layer formed in the nth job according to the calculated tilt angle θ (step S13, correction step). The job management unit 12 proceeds to step S03 and causes the print data creation unit 13 to create print data for the next job. If correction processing has been performed in step S13, the print data creation unit 13 creates print data using the corrected image data. If the print completion notice does not include the position information of the mark mk (step S15: No), the job management unit 12 proceeds to step S03 without correcting the image data and starts the next job. In this case, the print data creation unit 13 creates print data using the uncorrected image data. Although not shown in the flowchart, as described above, the correction unit 14 may compare the calculated inclination angle θ of the mark mk with a preset threshold value and perform correction processing only if the inclination angle θ exceeds the threshold value. Job management unit 12 repeats the processes of steps S03 to S13 to sequentially execute each job included in the composite job. When the executed n-th job reaches the job number N (step S10: Yes), job management unit 12 ends the process.

[0071] As described above, the printing system 1 described in the embodiment has, for example, the following configuration. (1) The printing system 1 includes a printing device 2 capable of printing an image in which multiple ink layers are superimposed on a medium M, and an information processing device 10 (control device) that controls the operation of the printing device 2. Printing device 2 is a delivery mechanism 41 (transport mechanism) for transporting the media M; a head 35 (first head) having nozzles for ejecting ink onto the medium M; a head 36 (second head) that is provided with nozzles that eject ink onto the medium M and is shifted downstream in the transport direction of the medium M relative to the head 35; and a sensor 38 for detecting the mark mk printed on the medium M. The information processing device 10 includes: a print data creation unit 13 that creates print data for controlling the operation of the printer 2 based on image data (image data); and a correction unit that corrects the image data based on position information of the mark mk detected by the sensor. When printing an image in which an ink layer L1 formed by the head 35 is superimposed on an ink layer L2 formed by the head 36, the print data creation unit 13 The print data PDb (second print data) for forming the ink layer L2 with the head 36 is supplemented with control data CDa (control data) for pullback printing, in which after the ink layer L2 is formed with the head 36, the ink layer L2 is returned to the position of the head 35 upstream in the transport direction by the sending mechanism 41 and the mark mk is detected by the sensor 38. The print data creation unit 13 creates print data PDa (first print data) for forming the ink layer L1 with the head 35, using the image data corrected by the correction unit 14. Specifically, the correction unit 14 creates the print data PDa using a layer corresponding to the ink layer L2 corrected by the correction unit 14.

[0072] According to the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, when performing pull-back printing on the medium M, it is possible to reduce misalignment of the ink layer and reduce the effect on print quality. In the printing device 2, when printing an ink layer L1 formed by the head 35 on top of an ink layer L1 formed by the head 36, it is necessary to pull back the ink layer L2 formed on the media M by the head 36 to the position of the head 35 upstream in the transport direction. When the medium M is pulled back to the upstream side in the transport direction, the medium M may tilt slightly, causing a tilt in the ink layer L1 printed on the medium M. If the ink layer L2 is printed in a state in which the ink layer L1 is tilted, the multiple ink layers may not overlap properly, causing misalignment, which may affect the print quality. In this embodiment, when the printing device 2 prints an image in which an ink layer L1 formed by the head 35 is superimposed on an ink layer L2 formed by the head 36, the information processing device 10 adds control data CDa for pullback printing to the printing data PDb (second printing data) for forming the ink layer L2 by the head 36. When the printing device 2 pulls back the medium M after forming the ink layer L2 in accordance with the control data CDa, the sensor 38 detects the mark mk printed on the medium M. The correction unit 14 of the information processing device 10 corrects the image data based on position information of the detected mark mk. The print data creation unit 13 creates print data PDa for forming the ink layer L1 based on the corrected image data. This allows the printing device 2 to properly overlay the ink layer L1 on the tilted ink layer L2, reducing misalignment.

[0073] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the correction unit 14 calculates the inclination angle θ of the mark mk from the position information of the mark mk, but the controller 8 of the printing device 2 may calculate numerical values ​​required for correction of the inclination angle θ, etc. from the position information of the mark mk and transmit them to the information processing device 10.

[0074] (2) The print data creation unit 13 determines whether to add the control data CDa for pullback printing to the print data PDb based on the layering order of the multiple ink layers that make up the image.

[0075] The printing device 2 may print an image in which three or more ink layers are overlapped. The print data creation unit 13 determines whether to add control data CDa for pullback printing based on the layering order indicated in the composite job, so that even when three or more ink layers are overlapped, the sensor 38 can detect the mark mk and the correction unit 14 can correct the image data each time the medium M is pulled back. This allows multiple ink layers to be appropriately overlapped and printed.

[0076] (3) In the case where, in the stacking order, ink layer L2 is formed by head 36 and then ink layer L1 is formed by head 35, the print data creation unit 13 adds control data CDa for pullback printing to the print data PDb for forming ink layer L2 by head 36. In the case where, in the stacking order, ink layer L1 is formed by head 35 and then ink layer L2 is formed by head 36, the print data creation unit 13 does not add control data CDa for pullback printing to the print data PDb for forming ink layer L2 by head 36.

[0077] When printing an image in which multiple ink layers are superimposed, when ink layer L1 is superimposed on ink layer L2, it is necessary to pull back the medium M, but when ink layer L2 is superimposed on ink layer L1, it is not necessary to pull back the medium M. The print data creation unit 13 determines whether or not to add control data CDa for pullback printing based on the stacking state in the stacking order, thereby enabling appropriate control of the printing device 2.

[0078] (4) When the stacking sequence of multiple ink layers constituting an image includes a stacking sequence in which ink layer L2 is formed by head 36 and then ink layer L1 is formed by head 35, the print data creation unit 13 adds control data CDb for mark printing to print mark mk on medium M by head 35 or head 36 to the print data for forming the first ink layer.

[0079] When the printing device 2 performs pull-back printing, by printing a mark mk on the medium M when the first ink layer is formed, the same mark mk can be used each time the medium M is pulled back thereafter, thereby simplifying the processing.

[0080] (5) The print data includes information that specifies the position on the medium M where the ink is to be ejected. The correction unit 14 corrects the image data by tilting the image in accordance with the tilt angle θ of the mark mk detected by the sensor .

[0081] The inclination of the mark mk printed on the medium M reflects the inclination of the ink layer L2. The correction unit 14 corrects the image data by inclining the image of the image data according to the inclination angle θ of the mark mk, and in the print data PDa for the ink layer L1 created from the corrected image data, the ink ejection position is specified so as to overlap the inclined ink layer L2. As a result, multiple ink layers are printed in an appropriate overlapping manner, reducing misalignment of the ink layers and improving print quality.

[0082] (6) Sensor 38 is mounted on carriage 32 which has heads 35 and 36 mounted thereon and is movable in the Y direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The printing device 2 detects the marks mk printed on the medium M with the sensor 38 while moving the carriage 32 in the Y direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0083] For example, by disposing an optical sensor 38 on the carriage 32, the medium M can be scanned to detect the mark mk while the sensor 38 is moved in the Y direction by the carriage 32. This allows a small sensor 38 to be used, making it possible to make the printing device 2 more compact and reducing the cost of the sensor 38.

[0084] (7) The controller 8 of the printing device 2 causes the head 35 or the head 36 to print marks mk at positions surrounding the ink layer L2 formed by the head 36.

[0085] By printing the mark mk at a position surrounding the ink layer L2, the inclination of the mark mk is more likely to reflect the inclination of the ink layer L2, thereby improving the accuracy of the correction process by the correction unit 14. Furthermore, by printing the mark mk so as to surround the ink layer L2, the mark mk can be used not only for correcting the image data, but also to indicate the cutting position of the medium M after printing.

[0086] The above-mentioned effects can also be applied to a control method for controlling the printing device 2. In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the functions of the control device of the printing system 1 are realized by the information processing device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The functions of the control device may be realized by the controller 8 of the printing device 2. In this case, the controller 8 of the printing device 2 includes a hardware RIP that performs RIP processing on image data to create print data.

[0087] (Variation 1) FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a printing system 1A according to the first modification. As shown in Fig. 13, a printing system 1A according to the first modification includes a printing device 2 and an information processing device 10, similar to the embodiment. In the first modification, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted. The functional configuration of the information processing device 10 in the first modification is the same as that in Fig. 7, and therefore is not shown in the figure. In addition, in FIG. 12, the platen 4 of the printing device 2 and the stand 5 that supports the printing unit 3 are omitted from the illustration.

[0088] 13, the printing device 2 of the printing system 1A according to the first modification has a transfer unit 9 (transfer section) that transfers foil to the media M. The transfer unit 9 is disposed between the printing section 3 and the platen 4, and the winding section 7 in the transport direction of the media M. The transfer unit 9 can be removably installed in the printing device 2 as an option, for example.

[0089] The transfer unit 9 presses a foil transfer sheet FS, in which foil is formed on a base material, against the medium M, thereby transferring the foil to the portion of the medium M onto which the adhesive ink has been ejected. In the first modification, an example in which a primer ink having adhesiveness is used as an example of the adhesive ink will be described. Foils include not only metal foils made by beating and stretching metal into a thin sheet, but also powders of metal, resin, glass, etc., or pieces of paper solidified into a thin sheet.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 13, the transfer unit 9 includes a pair of transfer rollers 91a, 91b, a transfer roller 92 that pays out a foil transfer sheet FS to the transfer rollers 91a, 91b, and a foil winding section 95 that winds up the foil transfer sheet FS from the transfer section. The transfer roller 92 includes a shaft 93 that supports the medium M wound in a roll shape, and a roller 94 that guides the foil transfer sheet FS unwound from the shaft 93 between a pair of transfer rollers 91a, 91b. A core material is inserted around the shaft 93, and the foil transfer sheet FS is wound around the outer periphery of the core material.

[0091] The foil winding unit 95 includes a shaft 96 for winding up the foil transfer sheet FS after transfer into a roll, and a roller 97 for guiding the foil transfer sheet FS that has passed between a pair of transfer rollers 91a, 91b toward the shaft 96. The shaft 96 of the foil winding unit 95 rotates about a central axis Y4 by a drive mechanism (not shown) to wind up the foil transfer sheet FS. A core is fitted around the shaft 96, and the foil transfer sheet FS is wound around the outer periphery of the core. In response to the movement of the foil transfer sheet FS caused by the rotation of the shaft 96 of the foil winding unit 95, the shaft 93 of the transfer roller 92 is driven to rotate about the central axis Y3, and the foil transfer sheet FS is fed toward the transfer rollers 91a, 91b. The controller 8 of the printing device 2 controls the drive mechanism of the shaft 96 in addition to the controls described in the embodiment.

[0092] The foil transfer sheet FS fed from the foil winding unit 95 and the medium M transported from the printing unit 3 to the downstream side in the transport direction are sandwiched between a pair of transfer rollers 91a, 91b. Between the pair of transfer rollers 91a, 91b, the surface on which the foil of the foil transfer sheet FS is formed faces the printed surface of the image of the medium M. When the transfer sheet and the medium M are sandwiched and pressed between the pair of transfer rollers 91a, 91b, the foil of the foil transfer sheet FS peels off from the base material and adheres to the portion of the medium M on which the primer ink was ejected.

[0093] In the first modification as well, an image in which a plurality of ink layers including a foil transfer layer are superimposed can be printed. FIG. 14(a) is a diagram showing an example of an image printed using the transfer unit 9, and FIG. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 14(a). In the printing example of Fig. 13, a foil F is transferred to the portion where the adhesive primer ink Pr is ejected to form a foil transfer layer L3, and an ink layer L1 formed of color ink is overlaid on the foil transfer layer L3 to form an image. Also, in the printing example of Fig. 13, the foil transfer layer L3 is different in shape and size from the ink layer L1, and the ink layer L1 partially overlaps the foil transfer layer L3. 14 is an example, and the order and number of layers are not limited. For example, an ink layer L2 formed with a special color ink may be layered on the foil transfer layer L3. For example, by layering the ink layer L2 of a clear ink on the foil transfer layer L3, the foil F can be protected and made difficult to peel off. Alternatively, three or more ink layers L1 and L2 may be laminated on the foil transfer layer L3. Also, the ink layer L1 or the ink layer L2 may be formed under the foil transfer layer L3.

[0094] Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining a method for printing the image in Fig. 14. Note that Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram, and the sizes of the heads 35 and 36 relative to the medium M are exaggerated. 15(a), the printing device 2 moves the carriage 32 in the Y direction and causes the head 36 to eject the primer ink Pr onto the medium M. The primer ink Pr is ejected onto a portion corresponding to the shape of the foil transfer layer L3.

[0095] The printing device 2 further sends the medium M downstream in the transport direction, and the transfer unit 9 transfers the foil F to the primer ink Pr to form a foil transfer layer L3.

[0096] 15(b), the printing device 2 pulls the foil transfer layer L3 of the medium M back to the position of the head 35 on the upstream side in the transport direction. The printing device 2 moves the carriage 32 in the Y direction and ejects color inks from the head 35 to form an ink layer L1 so as to overlap the foil transfer layer L3.

[0097] In this way, even in the printing device 2 of the first modified example, pull-back printing may be performed in which the medium M is pulled back to the upstream side in the transport direction. As described above, when the medium M is pulled back, the medium M may tilt, causing the foil transfer layer L3 formed on the medium M to tilt. 15(a), the printing device 2 of Modification 1 prints a mark mk on the medium M using the head 35 or the head 36 when forming the foil transfer layer L3, similar to the embodiment. When printing the mark mk with color ink of the head 35, the printing device 2 prints the mark mk in the printing area PA of the foil transfer layer L3 while feeding the medium M downstream in the transport direction, and then forms the foil transfer layer L3 with the head 36 and the transfer unit 9. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15(b), when the printing device 2 pulls the medium M back from the transfer unit 9 to the position of the head 35 on the upstream side in the transport direction, the sensor 38 mounted on the carriage 32 detects the mark mk. The controller 8 of the printing device 2 transmits position information of the mark mk detected by the sensor 38 to the information processing device 10. The correction unit 14 of the information processing device 10 corrects the image data based on the position information of the mark mk. The print data creation unit 13 creates print data PDb for forming the ink layer L1 based on the corrected image data. The manner of image data correction is the same as that described in FIG. 10, so details will be omitted.

[0098] When printing an image by overlapping a plurality of ink layers including the foil transfer layer L3, a composite job obtained by combining a plurality of print jobs is registered in the job list (see FIG. 8) of the information processing device 10, as in the embodiment, and the progress of each job is managed by the job management unit 12. The job management unit 12 causes the print data creation unit 13 to create print data for each job, as in the embodiment.

[0099] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the flow of processing in the printing system 1A when executing a combination job in the first modification. As shown in Fig. 16, when printing the image of Fig. 14, the print data creation unit 13 creates print data PDc (foil transfer data) for forming the foil transfer layer L3 and print data PDb for forming the ink layer L1. The print data creation unit 13 creates each print data using layers corresponding to each layer constituting the image data. The print data PDc includes control for transporting the ink layer L2 to the transfer unit 9 in addition to the contents of the print data PDb for forming the ink layer L2 by the head 36, as described in the embodiment. Similarly to the embodiment, when pullback printing is performed in a combination job, the print data creation unit 13 adds control data CDa for pullback printing to the print data. As in the embodiment, the print data creation unit 13 determines whether to add the control data CDa to the print data based on the stacking order of the multiple ink layers indicated in the composition job. For example, in the printing example of Figure 14, when the ink layer L1 or ink layer L2 is formed after the foil transfer layer L3 is formed in the stacking order, the print data creation unit 13 adds control data CDa to the print data PDc for forming the foil transfer layer L3. Furthermore, when forming ink layer L2 after ink layer L2 in the stacking order, print data creation unit 13 adds control data CDa to print data PDb for forming ink layer L2.

[0100] Also, as in the embodiment, when the stacking order indicated in the composite job includes a stacking order that requires pullback printing, the print data creation unit 13 adds control data CDb for mark printing to the print data for forming the first ink layer. In the print example of FIG. 14, both the control data CDa for pullback printing and the control data CDb for mark printing are added to the print data PDc for forming the foil transfer layer L3. 16, when print data PDc is input, the printer 2 forms a foil transfer layer L3 according to the print data PDc, and prints a mark mk according to the control data CDb for mark printing. After forming the foil transfer layer L3, the printer 2 pulls the medium M back upstream in the transport direction according to the control data CDa for pullback printing, and detects the mark mk. The printer 2 transmits a print completion notification including position information of the mark mk to the information processing device 10. As in the embodiment, the information processing device 10 can obtain the position information from the print completion notification and perform a correction process on the image data in the correction unit 14.

[0101] As described above, the ink layer L2 of the special color ink may be superimposed on the foil transfer layer L3 instead of the ink layer L1 of the color ink. In this case, after the foil F is transferred in the transfer unit 9, the foil transfer layer L3 is pulled back to the position of the head 36. In this case, the sensor 38 may be disposed not only near the head 35 but also near the head 36 so that the mark mk printed in the printing area PA of the foil transfer layer L3 can be detected at the position of the head 36.

[0102] As described above, the printing system 1A described in the first modification has the following configuration. (8) In the printing system 1A, the head 36 of the printing device 2 is capable of ejecting adhesive ink onto the medium M. As the adhesive ink, for example, a primer ink Pr having adhesiveness can be used. Printing device 2 is The printer is provided with a transfer unit 9 (transfer section) that is disposed downstream of the head 36 in the transport direction and that transfers the foil F to the portion of the media M where the adhesive ink has been ejected by pressing a foil transfer sheet FS, on which the foil F is formed on a substrate, against the media M. When printing an image by superimposing an ink layer L1 or ink layer L2 formed by the head 35 or head 36 on a foil transfer layer L3 formed by transferring a foil F by the transfer unit 9 to the viscous ink ejected by the head 36, the print data creation unit 13: After the foil F is transferred by the transfer unit 9 to the printing data PDc (foil transfer data) for forming the foil transfer layer L3, the foil transfer layer L3 is pulled back by the feed mechanism 41 to the position of the head 35 or head 36 upstream in the transport direction, and control data CDa for pullback printing is added to detect the mark mk by the sensor 38. The print data creation unit 13 uses the image data corrected by the correction unit 14 to create print data PDa or PDb for forming the ink layer L1 or the ink layer L2 with the head 35 or the head 36.

[0103] In the printing system 1A of variant example 1, for example, when foil F is transferred by transfer unit 9 to primer ink Pr ejected by head 36 to form foil transfer layer L3, and then ink layer L1 or ink layer L2 is printed by head 35 or head 36, the media M is pulled back to the position of head 35 upstream in the transport direction, which may cause the foil transfer layer L3 to tilt. In the first modification, when pullback is performed after the formation of the foil transfer layer L3, the print data creation unit 13 adds control data CDa for pullback printing to the print data PDc in order to form the foil transfer layer L3. As a result, when the printing device 2 pulls back the medium M after forming the foil transfer layer L3 in accordance with the control data CDa, the sensor 38 detects the mark mk printed on the medium M. The correction unit 14 of the information processing device 10 corrects the image data based on the position information of the detected mark mk. The print data creation unit 13 creates print data PDa or print data PDb for forming the ink layer L1 or the ink layer L2 based on the corrected image data. As a result, the printing device 2 can properly overlay the ink layer on the foil transfer layer L3, reducing misalignment.

[0104] The above-mentioned effects can also be applied to the control method of the printing device 2.

[0105] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified examples, and may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. In addition, the modified examples may be combined with each other, not just the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1. 1A Printing System 2 Printing device 9 Transfer unit (transfer section) 10 Information processing device (control device) 13 Print data creation section 14 Correction section 35, 36 Inkjet head (head) 38 Sensors 41 Delivery mechanism (transport mechanism) 100 Processing equipment 102 Sensors M Media FS Foil Transfer Sheet Pr Primer ink (adhesive ink) F foil L1 1st layer L2 2nd layer mk mark

Claims

1. A printing device capable of printing an image having multiple ink layers on a medium; A printing system including a control device that controls an operation of the printing device, The printing device includes: a transport mechanism for transporting the medium; a first head having nozzles for ejecting ink onto the medium; a second head including nozzles that eject ink onto the medium, the second head being shifted downstream in a transport direction of the medium with respect to the first head; a sensor for detecting marks printed on the medium; The control device includes: a print data creation unit that creates print data for controlling the operation of the printing device based on the image data; a correction unit that corrects data of the image based on position information of the mark detected by the sensor, When printing the image in which an ink layer formed by the first head is superimposed on an ink layer formed by the second head, the print data creation unit adding control data to second print data for forming the ink layer with the second head, for returning the ink layer to a position of the first head on the upstream side in the transport direction by the transport mechanism after the ink layer has been formed by the second head, and for detecting the mark with the sensor; a printing system that creates first print data for forming the ink layer with the first head using the data of the image corrected by the correction unit;

2. In claim 1, The print data creation unit determines whether to add the control data to the second print data based on a layering order of a plurality of ink layers that form the image.

3. In claim 2, the print data creation unit, in the stacking order, when an ink layer is formed by the first head after an ink layer is formed by the second head, adds the control data to the second print data for forming an ink layer by the second head; A printing system in which, in the stacking order, when an ink layer is formed by the first head and then an ink layer is formed by the second head, the control data is not added to the second printing data for forming an ink layer by the second head.

4. In claim 2, A printing system in which, when the stacking order of multiple ink layers constituting the image includes a stacking order in which an ink layer is formed by the first head after an ink layer is formed by the second head, the print data creation unit adds control data for printing the mark on the media by the first head or the second head to the print data for forming a first ink layer.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, the print data includes information for designating an ejection position of the ink on the medium; The correction unit corrects data of the image by tilting the image in accordance with the tilt of the mark detected by the sensor.

6. In any one of claims 1 to 4, the sensor is disposed on a carriage that carries the first head and the second head and is movable in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction; The printing device detects the mark printed on the medium with the sensor while moving the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

7. In any one of claims 1 to 4, A printing system in which the printing device causes the first head or the second head to print the mark at a position surrounding an ink layer formed by the second head.

8. In any one of claims 1 to 4, the second head is capable of ejecting an adhesive ink onto the medium; The printing device includes: a transfer unit that is disposed downstream of the second head in the transport direction and that presses a foil transfer sheet having a foil formed on a base material against the medium to transfer the foil to the portion of the medium onto which the adhesive ink is ejected; When the print data creation unit prints the image by overlaying an ink layer formed by the first head or the second head on a foil transfer layer formed by transferring the foil to the adhesive ink ejected by the second head in the transfer unit, adding control data to foil transfer data for forming the foil transfer layer, for returning the foil transfer layer to the position of the first head or the second head on the upstream side in the transport direction by the transport mechanism after the foil is transferred by the transfer unit, and for detecting the mark by the sensor; A printing system which creates the first print data or the second print data for forming the ink layer with the first head or the second head using data of the image corrected by the correction unit.

9. A method for controlling a printing device capable of printing an image having multiple ink layers on a medium, comprising: The printing device includes: a transport mechanism for transporting the medium; a first head having nozzles for ejecting ink onto the medium; a second head including nozzles that eject ink onto the medium, the second head being shifted downstream in a transport direction of the medium with respect to the first head; a sensor for detecting marks printed on the medium; a print data creating step of creating print data for controlling an operation of the printing device based on the image data; a correction step of correcting data of the image based on position information of the mark detected by the sensor, In the printing device, when the image is printed by overlapping an ink layer formed by the first head on an ink layer formed by the second head, In the print data creation step, adding control data to second print data for forming the ink layer with the second head, for printing the mark with the first head or the second head, forming the ink layer with the second head, and then returning the ink layer to a position of the first head on the upstream side in the transport direction with the transport mechanism, and detecting the mark with the sensor; A control method for a printing device, comprising: creating first print data for forming the ink layer with the first head using data of the image corrected in the correcting step.

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