Printer

Abstract

To provide a printer in which the discharge amounts of a pretreatment liquid and white ink for suppressing generation of white spots can be easily set.SOLUTION: A control section controls a pretreatment liquid discharge head, a white ink discharge head, and a color ink discharge head so that a plurality of patches 42 with respectively different printing conditions that are obtained by combining a discharge amount of a pretreatment liquid and a discharge amount of white ink, are printed on a cloth. The control section determines a white spot level for each patch 42 on the basis of image data generated by reading the plurality of printed patches 42, and presents the printing condition and the white spot level for each patch 42, to receive a selection of a printing condition for the actual printing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In an inkjet printing device capable of color printing with multiple color inks, a technique is known in which a test pattern is printed and the image data of the printing target is corrected using the results of measuring the color of the printed image (see Patent Document 1). This technique makes it possible to obtain good images by reducing the deterioration of color reproducibility caused by individual differences in the device and aging. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-192942 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, among inkjet printing devices that print on fabrics such as clothing, there are some that eject a pretreatment liquid that aggregates the inks and a white ink that conceals the color of the fabric before ejecting the color inks.

[0005] In such inkjet printing devices, even if the image data is corrected by measuring the color of the printed image of the test pattern described above, a good image may not be obtained. Specifically, the white ink underneath the color ink may be exposed due to fuzzing of the fabric fibers or mixing of the white ink and the color ink, resulting in white spots.

[0006] Here, the likelihood of white spots occurring varies depending on the ejection amounts of the pretreatment liquid and the white ink, and the ejection amounts of the pretreatment liquid and the white ink appropriate for suppressing the occurrence of white spots vary depending on the type of fabric, the state of the fabric surface such as fuzz, and the environmental temperature and humidity during printing.

[0007] For this reason, users need to perform test printing repeatedly in order to appropriately set the ejection amounts of the pretreatment liquid and the white ink, which increases the work time and the amount of fabric that is discarded.Therefore, there has been a demand for a technology that makes it possible to easily set the ejection amounts of the pretreatment liquid and the white ink to suppress the occurrence of white spots.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a printing device that makes it possible to easily set the ejection amounts of pretreatment liquid and white ink for suppressing the occurrence of white spots. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a printing device of the present invention includes a first ejection unit that ejects a pretreatment liquid that aggregates ink, a second ejection unit that ejects a white ink, a third ejection unit that ejects color inks, and a control unit that controls the first ejection unit to eject the pretreatment liquid onto a cloth, the second ejection unit to eject the white ink by a wet-on-wet method onto the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid has been ejected, and the third ejection unit to eject the color inks by a wet-on-wet method onto the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid and the white ink have been ejected, thereby printing onto the cloth, wherein the control unit controls the first to third ejection units to print onto the cloth a plurality of patches each having different printing conditions formed by a combination of an ejection amount of the pretreatment liquid and an ejection amount of the white ink, and determines a degree of occurrence of white spots in each patch based on image data generated by reading the printed patches, presents the printing conditions and the degree of occurrence of white spots in each patch, and accepts a selection of printing conditions for actual printing. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the printing device of the present invention, it is possible to easily set the ejection amounts of the pretreatment liquid and the white ink for suppressing the occurrence of white spots. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing unit of the printing device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 13 is a flowchart of a printing condition determination process. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a printed test chart. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a printing condition display field. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are denoted by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[0013] The following embodiments are examples of devices for embodying the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention does not limit the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of each component to those described below. The technical idea of ​​the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing unit of the printing device shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is the up-down direction, and the front direction of the paper surface is the up direction. In addition, the front-rear and left-right directions of the paper surface in Fig. 2 are the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a printing device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a printing unit 2, a transport unit 3, an operation panel 4, and a control unit 5.

[0016] The printing unit 2 performs printing on the fabric, which is a printing medium, by an inkjet method. The printing unit 2 includes a head unit 11 and a rail unit 12.

[0017] Examples of the fabric include natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool, and hemp; chemical fibers such as polyester, acrylic, polyurethane, nylon, rayon, cupra, and acetate; and blends of these fibers. The fabric may be woven, knitted, or nonwoven.

[0018] The head unit 11 performs printing by ejecting a pretreatment liquid, white ink, and color inks onto the fabric. The head unit 11 includes a pretreatment liquid ejection head (corresponding to a first ejection section) 21, a white ink ejection head (corresponding to a second ejection section) 22, a plurality of color ink ejection heads (corresponding to a third ejection section) 23, and a head holder 24.

[0019] The pretreatment liquid ejection head 21 ejects the pretreatment liquid. The pretreatment liquid ejection head 21 has a plurality of nozzles (not shown) that open on its lower surface (ejection surface) and are arranged along the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction), and ejects the pretreatment liquid from the nozzles. The details of the pretreatment liquid will be described later.

[0020] The white ink ejection head 22 ejects white ink. The white ink ejection head 22 has the same configuration as the pretreatment liquid ejection head 21, except for the liquid that is ejected. The white ink ejection head 22 is disposed behind the pretreatment liquid ejection head 21 in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction). The white ink will be described in detail later.

[0021] The color ink ejection heads 23 eject color inks. In this embodiment, four color ink ejection heads 23 are provided, which eject black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, respectively. The color ink ejection heads 23 have the same configuration as the pretreatment liquid ejection head 21, except that the liquids they eject are different. The four color ink ejection heads 23 are arranged behind the white ink ejection head 22 in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction). The four color ink ejection heads 23 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (main scanning direction). The color inks will be described in detail later.

[0022] The head holder 24 holds the pretreatment liquid ejection head 21, the white ink ejection head 22, and the four color ink ejection heads .

[0023] The rail portion 12 reciprocates the head unit 11 in the left-right direction (main scanning direction).

[0024] The transport section 3 has a support section (not shown) that supports the fabric, and transports the fabric supported by the support section below the head unit 11 in a transport direction (sub-scanning direction) from the front side to the rear side.

[0025] The operation panel 4 receives input operations from a user and displays various screens etc. The operation panel 4 includes a display unit 31 and an input unit 32.

[0026] The display unit 31 displays various screens, etc. The display unit 31 has a liquid crystal display panel, etc.

[0027] The input unit 32 receives an input operation by a user and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation. The input unit 32 has various operation keys, a touch panel, and the like.

[0028] The control unit 5 controls the overall operation of the printing device 1. The control unit 5 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, and the like.

[0029] The control unit 5 executes a printing condition determination process to determine printing conditions for the main printing before performing the main printing, which is printing on the fabric based on the image data of the printing target. The printing conditions are a combination of the ejection amount of the pretreatment liquid and the ejection amount of the white ink.

[0030] In the printing condition determination process, the control unit 5 controls the printing unit 2 to print a test chart 41 (see FIG. 4) consisting of a plurality of patches 42 (described later) each having different printing conditions on the fabric. After that, the control unit 5 determines a white dot level indicating the occurrence degree of white dots 44 in each patch 42 based on read image data, which is image data generated by reading the printed test chart 41. The control unit 5 also determines a density level of each patch 42 based on a measurement result of the density of each printed patch 42. Next, the control unit 5 presents the printing conditions, white dot level, and density level of each patch 42, and accepts the selection of the printing conditions for the actual printing. Then, the control unit 5 determines the selected printing conditions as the printing conditions for the actual printing.

[0031] The control unit 5 controls the printing unit 2 so that, during printing of the test chart 41 and during actual printing, the pretreatment liquid ejection head 21 ejects pretreatment liquid onto the cloth, the white ink ejection head 22 ejects white ink by a wet-on-wet method onto the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid has been ejected, and the color ink ejection head 23 ejects color ink by a wet-on-wet method onto the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid and the white ink have been ejected.

[0032] Here, the wet-on-wet method is a method in which a liquid is ejected onto a cloth that is already wet from a previously ejected liquid. The time from ejecting the pretreatment liquid onto the cloth until ejecting the white ink, and the time from ejecting the white ink onto the cloth until ejecting the color ink, are the times during which the cloth is kept wet, and are, for example, 0.1 to 200 seconds.

[0033] Next, the above-mentioned pretreatment liquid will be described.

[0034] The pretreatment liquid is a liquid that aggregates the ink. As the pretreatment liquid, a pretreatment liquid containing an aggregating agent and water can be preferably used.

[0035] The flocculant may be a component that has the effect of flocculating the coloring material in the ink on the cloth, which is the printing medium. As a result, when ink is further applied to the cloth to which the pretreatment liquid has been applied, the coloring material in the ink will flocculate on the cloth, making it possible to further increase the image density and prevent bleeding of the image. Specific examples of the flocculant that may be used include metal salts, cationic polymers, organic acids, and the like, or combinations of these.

[0036] The total amount of the flocculant, in terms of the amount of active ingredients, is preferably 1 to 30 mass %, more preferably 3 to 30 mass %, and even more preferably 5 to 15 mass %, based on the total amount of the pretreatment liquid.

[0037] As the metal salt, a polyvalent metal salt can be preferably used.

[0038] Polyvalent metal salts are composed of divalent or higher polyvalent metal ions and anions. Examples of divalent or higher polyvalent metal ions include Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Cu 2+ , Ni 2+ , Zn 2+ , B.A. 2+ Examples of the anion include Cl. - , NO 3- , C.H. 3 COO - , I - , Br - , ClO 3 - Specific examples of polyvalent metal salts include calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, copper nitrate, calcium acetate, and magnesium acetate.

[0039] As the cationic polymer, a cationic water-soluble resin can be preferably used. As the cationic water-soluble resin, for example, polyethyleneimine (PEI), polyvinylamine, polyallylamine and its salt, polyvinylpyridine, cationic acrylamide copolymer, etc. can be mentioned. More specifically, for example, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, etc. can be used.

[0040] Examples of organic acids include formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, tricarballylic acid, glycolic acid, thioglycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, isocitric acid, gluconic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalacetic acid, diglycolic acid, benzoic acid, phthalic acid, mandelic acid, and salicylic acid.

[0041] The pretreatment liquid preferably contains water, and may contain a water-soluble organic solvent in addition to or instead of water.

[0042] The water is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include ion-exchanged water, distilled water, and ultrapure water.

[0043] The content of water is preferably from 30 to 90 mass %, more preferably from 40 to 85 mass %, and further preferably from 50 to 80 mass %, based on the total amount of the pretreatment liquid.

[0044] As the water-soluble organic solvent, an organic compound that is liquid at room temperature (25° C.) and dissolves in water can be used, and it is preferable to use a water-soluble organic solvent that is uniformly mixed with the same volume of water at 20° C. under 1 atmosphere. For example, Lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, isopropanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and 2-methyl-2-propanol; Glycols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol; Glycerols such as glycerin, diglycerin, triglycerin, and polyglycerin; Acetins such as monoacetin and diacetin; glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monopropyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, triethylene glycol monopropyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monoethyl ether, tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and tetraethylene glycol diethyl ether; Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent that can be used include β-thiodiglycol, sulfolane, etc. The boiling point of the water-soluble organic solvent is preferably 100° C. or higher, and more preferably 150° C. or higher.

[0045] These water-soluble organic solvents may be used alone, or two or more kinds may be used in combination as long as they form a single phase with water. When two or more kinds of water-soluble organic solvents are contained, the total content of the water-soluble organic solvents is preferably 10 to 50 mass %, more preferably 15 to 40 mass %, and further preferably 15 to 30 mass %, based on the total amount of the pretreatment liquid.

[0046] The pretreatment liquid may further contain a surfactant. As the surfactant, any of anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and nonionic surfactants may be used, with nonionic surfactants being more preferred. In addition, any of low molecular weight surfactants and polymeric surfactants may be used.

[0047] The HLB value of the surfactant is preferably 5-20, and more preferably 10-18.

[0048] Examples of nonionic surfactants include ester-type surfactants such as glycerin fatty acid esters and fatty acid sorbitan esters, ether-type surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers and polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, ether ester-type surfactants such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, acetylene-based surfactants, silicone-based surfactants, fluorine-based surfactants, etc. Among these, acetylene-based surfactants such as acetylene glycol-based surfactants can be preferably used.

[0049] Examples of the acetylene-based surfactant include acetylene glycol-based surfactants, acetylene alcohol-based surfactants, and surfactants having an acetylene group.

[0050] The acetylene glycol surfactant is a glycol having an acetylene group, preferably a glycol having a symmetrical structure with the acetylene group located in the center, and may have a structure in which ethylene oxide is added to acetylene glycol.

[0051] Commercially available acetylene surfactants include, for example, the Surfynol series manufactured by Evonik Industries Ltd., such as "Surfynol 104E," "Surfynol 104H," "Surfynol 420," "Surfynol 440," "Surfynol 465," and "Surfynol 485," and the Olfin series manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., such as "Olfin E1004," "Olfin E1010," and "Olfin E1020" (all trade names).

[0052] Examples of silicone surfactants include polyether-modified silicone surfactants, alkyl / aralkyl-co-modified silicone surfactants, and acrylic silicone surfactants.

[0053] Commercially available silicone surfactants include, for example, "Silface SAG002" and "Silface 503A" manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (both are trade names).

[0054] Other nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene alkyl ether surfactants such as the Emulgen series manufactured by Kao Corporation, including "Emulgen 102KG," "Emulgen 103," "Emulgen 104P," "Emulgen 105," "Emulgen 106," "Emulgen 108," "Emulgen 120," "Emulgen 147," "Emulgen 150," "Emulgen 220," "Emulgen 350," "Emulgen 404," "Emulgen 420," "Emulgen 705," "Emulgen 707," "Emulgen 709," "Emulgen 1108," "Emulgen 4085," and "Emulgen 2025G" (all trade names).

[0055] Examples of anionic surfactants include Kao Corporation's EMAL series, such as "EMAL 0," "EMAL 10," "EMAL 2F," "EMAL 40," and "EMAL 20C," the Neopelex series, such as "Neopelex GS," "Neopelex G-15," "Neopelex G-25," and "Neopelex G-65," the Pelex series, such as "Pelex OT-P," "Pelex TR," "Pelex CS," "Pelex TA," "Pelex SS-L," and "Pelex SS-H," and the Demol series, such as "Demol N," "Demol NL," "Demol RN," and "Demol MS" (all product names).

[0056] Examples of cationic surfactants include the Acetamine series (manufactured by Kao Corporation) such as "Acetamine 24" and "Acetamine 86", the Cortamine series (manufactured by Kao Corporation) such as "Cortamine 24P", "Cortamine 86P", "Cortamine 60W", and "Cortamine 86W", and the Sanisol series (manufactured by Kao Corporation) such as "Sanisol C" and "Sanisol B-50" (all trade names).

[0057] Examples of amphoteric surfactants include the Amphitol series manufactured by Kao Corporation, such as "Amphitol 20BS," "Amphitol 24B," "Amphitol 86B," "Amphitol 20YB," and "Amphitol 20N" (all trade names).

[0058] The surfactant may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0059] The amount of the surfactant in terms of active ingredient is preferably 0.1 to 10 mass %, more preferably 0.2 to 5 mass %, based on the total amount of the pretreatment liquid. When two or more surfactants are used, the above content of the surfactants refers to their total content.

[0060] The pretreatment liquid may further contain other components, such as a pH adjuster, a preservative, a rust inhibitor, and a defoamer.

[0061] The method for producing the pretreatment liquid is not particularly limited, and the pretreatment liquid can be produced by any known method. For example, the pretreatment liquid can be obtained by dispersing all the components in a stirrer such as a Three-One Motor or in portions, and passing the mixture through a filter such as a membrane filter, if desired.

[0062] Next, the above-mentioned white ink will be described.

[0063] The white ink is ejected onto the fabric to conceal the color of the fabric, which is the print medium, and make the printed image easier to see, even if the fabric is a dark color such as black.

[0064] The white ink can contain a white pigment as a coloring material. By containing the white pigment, the white ink can be used to form an image that exhibits white color. The white pigment may be either an inorganic pigment or an organic pigment, or a combination of these may be used.

[0065] Examples of the white pigment include white inorganic pigments such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, zinc sulfide, antimony oxide, and zirconium oxide. Furthermore, white organic pigments such as hollow resin fine particles and solid resin fine particles can also be used. Among them, it is preferable to use titanium oxide pigment from the viewpoint of hiding power. The average particle size of the white pigment is preferably 50 nm or more, 100 nm or more, or 200 nm or more from the viewpoint of hiding power, and is preferably 500 nm or less, 400 nm or less, or 300 nm or less from the viewpoint of ejection stability. The average particle size of the titanium oxide pigment is more preferably 200 to 300 nm from the viewpoint of hiding power and ejection stability. When using titanium oxide pigment, it is preferable to use one that has been surface-treated with alumina, silica, or the like in order to suppress photocatalysis. The amount of surface treatment is preferably 5 to 20 mass% in the pigment.

[0066] A self-dispersing pigment may be used as the white pigment. A self-dispersing pigment is a pigment in which a hydrophilic functional group has been introduced to the surface of the pigment by chemical or physical treatment. The hydrophilic functional group introduced to the self-dispersing pigment is preferably one having ionic properties, and by charging the pigment surface anionically or cationic, the pigment particles can be stably dispersed in water by electrostatic repulsion. The anionic functional group is preferably a carboxy group, a sulfo group, a phosphate group, or the like. The cationic functional group is preferably a quaternary ammonium group, a quaternary phosphonium group, or the like.

[0067] These hydrophilic functional groups may be bonded directly to the pigment surface or via other atomic groups. Examples of the other atomic groups include, but are not limited to, alkylene groups, phenylene groups, naphthylene groups, etc. Methods for treating the pigment surface include diazotization treatment, sulfonation treatment, hypochlorous acid treatment, humic acid treatment, vacuum plasma treatment, etc.

[0068] In addition, a pigment dispersion in which a pigment is previously dispersed with a pigment dispersant may be used as the white pigment, or a microencapsulated pigment in which a pigment is coated with a resin may be used as the white pigment.

[0069] The white pigment may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0070] From the viewpoint of hiding power and the like, the content of the white pigment is preferably from 5 to 30% by mass, more preferably from 8 to 20% by mass, and even more preferably from 10 to 12% by mass, based on the total amount of the white ink.

[0071] In order to stably disperse the white pigment in the white ink, a pigment dispersant such as a polymer dispersant or a surfactant-type dispersant can be used.

[0072] Examples of commercially available polymer dispersants include the TEGO Disperse series manufactured by EVONIK, such as "TEGO Disperse 740W," "TEGO Disperse 750W," "TEGO Disperse 755W," "TEGO Disperse 757W," and "TEGO Disperse 760W," and the Solsperse series manufactured by Lubrizol Japan, such as "Solsperse 20000," "Solsperse 27000," "Solsperse 41000," "Solsperse 41090," "Solsperse 43000," "Solsperse 44000," and "Solsperse 46000." Examples of such products include the Joncryl series manufactured by BASF Japan Ltd., such as "Joncryl 57", "Joncryl 60", "Joncryl 62", "Joncryl 63", "Joncryl 71", and "Joncryl 501", and the like; products manufactured by BYK Japan Ltd., such as "DISPERBYK-102", "DISPERBYK-185", "DISPERBYK-190", "DISPERBYK-193", and "DISPERBYK-199", and products manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., such as "Polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30" and "Polyvinylpyrrolidone K-90" (all of which are trade names).

[0073] Examples of surfactant-type dispersants include anionic surfactants such as the Demol series manufactured by Kao Corporation, "Demol P," "Demol EP," "Demol N," "Demol RN," "Demol NL," "Demol RNL," and "Demol T-45," and nonionic surfactants such as the Emulgen series manufactured by Kao Corporation, "Emulgen A-60," "Emulgen A-90," "Emulgen A-500," "Emulgen B-40," "Emulgen L-40," and "Emulgen 420" (all trade names).

[0074] The pigment dispersants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0075] When a pigment dispersant is used, its content in the ink varies depending on the type and is not particularly limited, but in general, the mass ratio of the active ingredient to the white pigment is preferably 0.005 to 0.5.

[0076] The white ink preferably contains water, and the main solvent may be water. The water is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the water contains as few ionic components as possible. In particular, from the viewpoint of the storage stability of the white ink, it is preferable that the content of polyvalent metal ions such as calcium is small. As the water, for example, ion-exchanged water, distilled water, ultrapure water, etc. may be used.

[0077] From the viewpoint of adjusting the ink viscosity, the water content is preferably 30 to 90% by mass, more preferably 40 to 85% by mass, and even more preferably 50 to 80% by mass, based on the total amount of the white ink.

[0078] The white ink may contain a water-soluble organic solvent.

[0079] The water-soluble organic solvent may be selected from those described above for the pretreatment liquid.

[0080] Among these, from the viewpoints of adjusting the ink viscosity and moisturizing properties, glycols, glycerins, or combinations thereof are preferred. As glycols, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and tripropylene glycol are preferred. As glycerins, glycerin is preferred.

[0081] The water-soluble organic solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds as long as they form a single phase with water. When two or more kinds of water-soluble organic solvents are contained, the total content of the water-soluble organic solvents is preferably 10 to 50% by mass, more preferably 15 to 40% by mass, and even more preferably 15 to 30% by mass, based on the total amount of the white ink.

[0082] The white ink may further contain a surfactant. The surfactant may be selected from those described above for the pretreatment liquid. As the surfactant, any of anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and nonionic surfactants may be used, with nonionic surfactants being more preferred. In addition, any of low molecular weight surfactants and polymeric surfactants may be used.

[0083] The content of the surfactant is preferably from 0.1 to 5% by mass, and more preferably from 0.2 to 2% by mass, based on the total amount of the white ink.

[0084] The white ink may further include a water-dispersible resin, a water-soluble resin, or a combination thereof. From the viewpoint of sufficiently fixing the pigment to the fabric and thereby obtaining high coloring properties with a small amount of the pigment, it is preferable that the white ink includes at least one of a water-dispersible resin and a water-soluble resin.

[0085] Examples of the water-soluble resin include polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, neutralized polyacrylic acid, acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymer, acrylic acid / sulfonic acid copolymer, styrene / maleic acid copolymer, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0086] The water-dispersible resin is preferably resin particles that can be dispersed in an aqueous medium. The water-dispersible resin can be blended in the ink as, for example, an oil-in-water type resin emulsion.

[0087] The water-dispersible resin may be a self-emulsifying type in which a hydrophilic component is introduced to stably disperse it in water, or may be a type which becomes water-dispersible by the use of an external emulsifier.

[0088] From the viewpoint of inkjet ejection properties, the average particle size of the water-dispersible resin is preferably 300 nm or less, more preferably 200 nm or less, and even more preferably 150 nm or less. For example, the average particle size of the water-dispersible resin may be in the range of 10 nm to 300 nm.

[0089] Here, the average particle size of the resin is a volume-based average particle size, and is a value measured by a light scattering method.

[0090] The water-dispersible resin may be anionic, cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric. From the viewpoint of more stably dispersing the water-dispersible resin in the aqueous ink, the water-dispersible resin is preferably anionic or nonionic.

[0091] The water-dispersible resin is preferably an anionic water-dispersible resin having an anionic functional group such as a carboxy group, a sulfo group, or a hydroxy group.

[0092] The type of water-dispersible resin used is preferably a resin that forms a transparent coating film. The water-dispersible resin can be blended as a resin emulsion when producing the ink.

[0093] Representative examples include urethane resins, (meth)acrylic resins, styrene / (meth)acrylic resins, polyester resins, olefin resins, vinyl chloride resins, vinyl acetate resins, melamine resins, amide resins, ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer resins, styrene-(meth)acrylic resins, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer resins, vinyl acetate-(meth)acrylic copolymer resins, vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer resins, silicone resins, and composite resins thereof.

[0094] The water-dispersible resin is preferably a water-dispersible urethane resin, a water-dispersible polyester resin, or a combination thereof.

[0095] Examples of commercially available water-dispersible resins include "Superflex 470" (water-dispersible urethane resin) manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd. and "Ellytel KT9204" (water-dispersible polyester resin) manufactured by Unitika Ltd. (all trade names).

[0096] The above-mentioned water-dispersible resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0097] The water-dispersible resin preferably has a non-volatile content of 1% by mass or more, more preferably 5% by mass or more, and even more preferably 10% by mass or more, based on the total amount of the white ink. The water-dispersible resin preferably has a non-volatile content of 40% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less, and even more preferably 20% by mass or less, based on the total amount of the white ink. For example, the water-dispersible resin preferably has a non-volatile content of 1 to 40% by mass, more preferably 5 to 30% by mass, and even more preferably 10 to 20% by mass, based on the total amount of the white ink.

[0098] The mass ratio of the non-volatile content of the water-dispersible resin to the pigment is preferably 0.1 to 10, and more preferably 1 to 3.

[0099] The total amount of the water-dispersible resin and the water-soluble resin is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 5% by mass or more, and even more preferably 10% by mass or more, based on the total amount of the white ink, in terms of the nonvolatile content. The total amount of the water-dispersible resin and the water-soluble resin is preferably 40% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less, and even more preferably 20% by mass or less, based on the total amount of the white ink, in terms of the nonvolatile content. For example, the total amount of the water-dispersible resin and the water-soluble resin is preferably 1 to 40% by mass, more preferably 5 to 30% by mass, and even more preferably 10 to 20% by mass, based on the total amount of the white ink, in terms of the nonvolatile content.

[0100] The total amount of the water-dispersible resin and the water-soluble resin is preferably 0.1 to 10, and more preferably 1 to 3, parts by mass of non-volatile content relative to 1 part by mass of the pigment.

[0101] The white ink may further contain other components such as a pH adjuster, a preservative, an anti-rust agent, an antifoaming agent, and an amine compound.

[0102] The method for producing the white ink is not particularly limited, and the ink can be produced by any known method. For example, all the components are added to a stirrer such as a Three-One Motor or the like all at once or in portions to be dispersed, and if desired, the mixture is passed through a filter such as a membrane filter to obtain an ink.

[0103] From the viewpoint of storage stability of the ink, the pH of the white ink is preferably from 7.0 to 10.0, and more preferably from 7.5 to 9.0.

[0104] The viscosity of the white ink can be adjusted as appropriate, but from the standpoint of jetting properties, for example, the viscosity at 23° C. is preferably 1 to 30 mPa·s.

[0105] Next, the above-mentioned color inks will be described.

[0106] In this embodiment, the color inks used are black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink.

[0107] The color inks may contain, as a colorant, a pigment, a dye, or a combination thereof, and preferably contain a pigment.

[0108] The pigment preferably includes a non-white pigment.

[0109] As the non-white pigment, organic pigments such as azo pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, polycyclic pigments, and dye lake pigments, and inorganic pigments such as carbon black and metal oxides can be used. As the azo pigments, soluble azo lake pigments, insoluble azo pigments, and condensed azo pigments can be used. As the phthalocyanine pigments, metal phthalocyanine pigments and metal-free phthalocyanine pigments can be used. As the polycyclic pigments, quinacridone pigments, perylene pigments, perinone pigments, isoindoline pigments, isoindolinone pigments, dioxazine pigments, thioindigo pigments, anthraquinone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, metal complex pigments, and diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) can be used. As the carbon black, furnace carbon black, lamp black, acetylene black, channel black, and the like can be used. These pigments may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0110] From the viewpoints of ejection stability and storage stability, the average particle size of the pigment particles in the ink, expressed as a volume-based average value in the particle size distribution measured by a dynamic light scattering method, is preferably 300 nm or less, more preferably 150 nm or less, and even more preferably 100 nm or less.

[0111] As the non-white pigment, a self-dispersing pigment may be used. Details of the self-dispersing pigment are as described above with respect to the white pigment.

[0112] As the self-dispersing pigment, for example, the CAB-O-JET series manufactured by Cabot Corporation, such as "CAB-O-JET200", "CAB-O-JET300", "CAB-O-JET250C", "CAB-O-JET260M", "CAB-O-JET270", and "CAB-O-JET450C", and Orient Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.'s "BONJET BLACK CW-1", "BONJET BLACK CW-2", "BONJET BLACK CW-3", and "BONJET BLACK CW-4" can be preferably used (all are product names).

[0113] As the pigment, a microencapsulated pigment in which the pigment is coated with a resin may be used.

[0114] A pigment dispersion in which the pigment is previously dispersed with a pigment dispersant may be used. Commercially available pigment dispersions in which the pigment is dispersed with a pigment dispersant include, for example, the HOSTAJET series manufactured by Clariant and the FUJI SP series manufactured by Fuji Pigment Co., Ltd.

[0115] As the dye, water-soluble dyes and water-soluble dyes that have been rendered water-soluble by reduction or the like can be preferably used among basic dyes, acid dyes, direct dyes, soluble vat dyes, acid mordant dyes, mordant dyes, reactive dyes, vat dyes, sulfur dyes, etc. Also preferably used are disperse dyes such as azo-based, anthraquinone-based, azomethine-based, and nitro-based dyes. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0116] The coloring materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0117] From the viewpoints of print density and ink viscosity, the content of the color material is preferably 0.1 to 20% by mass, more preferably 1 to 15% by mass, and even more preferably 2 to 7% by mass, based on the total amount of the color ink.

[0118] When a pigment is used as a color material in a color ink, in order to stably disperse the pigment in the color ink, a pigment dispersant such as a polymer dispersant, a surfactant-type dispersant, etc. As the pigment dispersant, for example, one selected from those described above for the white ink can be used.

[0119] When a pigment dispersant is used, its content in the color ink varies depending on the type and is not particularly limited, but in general, the mass ratio of the active ingredient to the pigment is preferably 0.005 to 0.5.

[0120] The color ink preferably contains water. The color ink may contain a water-soluble organic solvent in addition to water or instead of water. Details of the water and the water-soluble organic solvent are as described above for the white ink. The water-soluble organic solvent may be selected from those described above for the white ink, for example.

[0121] From the viewpoint of adjusting the ink viscosity, the water content is preferably 20% by mass to 80% by mass, and more preferably 30% by mass to 70% by mass, based on the total amount of the color ink.

[0122] The content of the water-soluble organic solvent is preferably 5 to 50% by mass, and more preferably 10 to 30% by mass, based on the total amount of the color ink.

[0123] The color ink may further contain a surfactant. The surfactant may be selected from those described for the white ink above. Among them, nonionic surfactants are preferred, and acetylene-based surfactants such as acetylene glycol-based surfactants are more preferred.

[0124] The amount of the surfactant in terms of active ingredient is preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass, and more preferably 0.2 to 5% by mass, based on the total amount of the color ink.

[0125] The color ink may further contain a resin such as a water-dispersible resin or a water-soluble resin. For example, the color ink may contain a fixing resin, which can improve the fixation of the printed image to the cloth and the coating strength of the image. The color ink preferably contains a water-dispersible resin from the viewpoint of obtaining ejection properties and storage stability suitable for inkjet ink. The water-dispersible resin is preferably blended in the color ink in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion and is dispersible in the color ink in the form of resin particles. The water-dispersible resin may be selected from those described in the white ink above, and may be a water-dispersible urethane resin, other water-dispersible resins, or a combination thereof.

[0126] The content of the water-dispersible resin is preferably from 1 to 30% by mass, more preferably from 3 to 30% by mass, and even more preferably from 5 to 20% by mass, based on the total amount of the color ink.

[0127] The color ink may further contain a crosslinking agent. When the color ink contains a crosslinking agent, the coating strength of the image can be further increased. By increasing the coating strength, cracking of the image can be further suppressed even after washing the printed material. Examples of the crosslinking agent include carbodiimide compounds, isocyanate compounds, and oxazoline compounds.

[0128] The content of the crosslinking agent is preferably 0.1 to 5% by mass, and more preferably 0.2 to 2% by mass, based on the total amount of the color ink.

[0129] The color ink may further contain other components, such as a pH adjuster, a preservative, an anti-rust agent, and an anti-foaming agent.

[0130] The method for producing the color ink is not particularly limited, and the color ink can be produced by any known method. For example, all the components are added to a stirrer such as a Three-One Motor all at once or in portions, dispersed, and, if desired, passed through a filter such as a membrane filter to obtain an ink.

[0131] The pH of the color ink is preferably from 7.0 to 10.0, and more preferably from 7.5 to 9.0, from the viewpoint of storage stability of the ink.

[0132] The viscosity of the color ink can be adjusted as appropriate, but from the viewpoint of ejection properties, for example, the viscosity at 23° C. is preferably 1 to 30 mPa·s.

[0133] Next, the operation of the printing device 1 will be described.

[0134] When printing on fabric with the printer 1, the control unit 5 determines the printing conditions in the above-mentioned printing condition determination process, and then executes printing (main printing) based on the image data of the print target under the determined printing conditions.

[0135] The printing condition determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0136] In step S1 in FIG. 3, the control unit 5 determines whether or not a command to start printing the test chart 41 (see FIG. 4) has been issued.

[0137] Here, in order to print the test chart 41, the user places a cloth of the same type as the cloth to be printed in the main printing on a support section (not shown) of the transport section 3, operates the input section 32 to select the type of cloth, and issues an instruction to start printing the test chart 41. When an operation to instruct the start of printing the test chart 41 is performed, the control section 5 determines that an instruction to start printing the test chart 41 has been issued. If it is determined that an instruction to start printing the test chart 41 has not been issued (step S1: NO), the control section 5 repeats step S1.

[0138] When it is determined that the start of printing the test chart 41 has been instructed (step S1: NO), the control unit 5 executes printing of the test chart 41 in step S2.

[0139] Specifically, first, the control unit 5 controls the transport unit 3 to move the cloth placed on the support unit to the initial printing position.

[0140] Next, the control unit 5 moves the head unit 11 in the main scanning direction and causes the pretreatment liquid ejection head 21 to eject the pretreatment liquid onto the same area on the fabric as the area on which each patch 42 of the test chart 41 is printed, thereby completing the ejection operation for the first pass.

[0141] Next, the control unit 5 moves the cloth backward by a predetermined distance using the conveying unit 3. Next, the control unit 5 moves the head unit 11 in the direction opposite to the ejection operation of the previous pass, while ejecting the pretreatment liquid from the pretreatment liquid ejection head 21 and ejecting the white ink from the white ink ejection head 22.

[0142] Here, the control unit 5 ejects the white ink onto the same region on the fabric as the region onto which the pretreatment liquid was ejected in the previous pass. The control unit 5 controls the ejection of the white ink to be performed by a wet-on-wet method.

[0143] Next, the control unit 5 causes the conveying unit 3 to move the cloth backward by a predetermined distance. Next, the control unit 5 causes the head unit 11 to move in the opposite direction to the ejection operation of the previous pass, ejecting the pretreatment liquid from the pretreatment liquid ejection head 21 and ejecting the white ink from the white ink ejection head 22, while ejecting color inks from the color ink ejection head 23 onto the area on the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid and white ink have been ejected up to the previous pass, thereby forming an image. The control unit 5 controls the ejection of the color inks to be performed by a wet-on-wet method.

[0144] The control unit 5 alternately repeats movement of the head unit 11 in the main scanning direction and movement toward the rear of the cloth as described above, and executes a process of ejecting pretreatment liquid onto the cloth, a process of ejecting white ink by a wet-on-wet method onto the area on the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid has been ejected, and a process of ejecting color ink by a wet-on-wet method onto the area on the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid and the white ink have been ejected, thereby printing a test chart 41 on the cloth.

[0145] An example of the printed test chart 41 is shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the test chart 41 is made up of a plurality of patches 42.

[0146] The patch 42 is formed by a cyan area 43C, a magenta area 43M, a yellow area 43Y, and a black area 43K. The cyan area 43C, the magenta area 43M, the yellow area 43Y, and the black area 43K are areas where solid images are formed using cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks, respectively. In the patch 42, white spots 44 where the white ink is exposed may occur.

[0147] Each patch 42 of the test chart 41 is printed under different printing conditions. As described above, the printing conditions are a combination of the ejection amount of the pretreatment liquid and the ejection amount of the white ink.

[0148] For example, the test chart 41 is made up of 25 patches 42 with five different combinations of ejection amounts of the pretreatment liquid and the white ink in increments of 20% in the range from 20% to 100%.

[0149] The ejection amount of the color inks (cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink) is the same for all the patches 42, for example, 100%.

[0150] Here, the ejection amounts of the pretreatment liquid and ink are expressed as a ratio to the maximum ejection amount per unit area of ​​the pretreatment liquid and ink in the printing device 1.

[0151] 3, in step S3, the control unit 5 obtains read image data generated by reading the printed test chart 41 with an external camera (not shown). The read image data is image data in RGB format.

[0152] The control unit 5 also acquires colorimetric data obtained by measuring the color of each patch 42 of the printed test chart 41 with an external colorimeter (not shown). The colorimetric data indicates density values ​​(OD values) that are the measurement results of the density of each patch 42.

[0153] Next, in step S4, the control unit 5 determines a white spot level indicating the occurrence rate of white spots 44 in each printed patch 42 based on the read image data.

[0154] Specifically, the control unit 5 determines that a pixel in the patch 42 whose R, G, and B values ​​are all equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value is a white pixel. Next, the control unit 5 determines that an area consisting of a predetermined number or more of white pixels surrounded by non-white pixels is a white dot 44. Next, the control unit 5 measures the number of white dots 44 for each patch 42. Then, the control unit 5 determines the white dot level for each patch 42 based on the number of white dots 44. The white dot level is expressed in multiple stages (for example, five stages).

[0155] The number of white pixels in a patch 42 divided by a predetermined number may be used as the number of white dots 44 in the patch 42. In this case, isolated white pixels consisting of a small number of white pixels may be regarded as noise and not included in the number of white pixels.

[0156] Next, in step S5, the control unit 5 determines the density level of each patch 42 based on the density value of each patch 42. The density level is expressed in multiple stages (for example, five stages).

[0157] Next, in step S6, the control unit 5 causes the display unit 31 to display a printing condition selection screen.

[0158] The printing condition selection screen displays a printing condition display field 51 shown in Fig. 5. The printing condition display field 51 displays the printing conditions (ejection amounts of the pretreatment liquid and the white ink) corresponding to each patch 42, and the white point level and density level for each printing condition in association with each other.

[0159] The control unit 5 displays the printing condition display field 51 on the printing condition selection screen to present the printing conditions, white dot level, and density level for each patch 42 to the user, and accepts the user's selection of printing conditions for actual printing.

[0160] When the printing condition selection screen is displayed on the display unit 31, the user, having checked the contents of the printing condition display field 51, operates the input unit 32 to select the printing conditions to be used for actual printing.

[0161] 3, in step S7, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the printing conditions for the actual printing have been selected by the user's operation. If it is determined that the printing conditions have not been selected (step S7: NO), the control unit 5 repeats step S7.

[0162] If it is determined that the printing conditions have been selected (step S7: YES), in step S8, the control unit 5 determines the selected printing conditions as the printing conditions for the actual printing, thereby completing the printing condition determination process.

[0163] After the printing conditions for the actual printing are determined by the printing condition determination process, the control unit 5 executes the actual printing based on the image data to be printed.

[0164] When performing the main printing, the user places the cloth to be printed in the main printing on the support part of the conveying unit 3 and instructs the start of printing. Image data of the printing target is obtained by the control unit 5 from an external storage device such as a USB memory, for example.

[0165] When an instruction to start printing is given, the control unit 5, similar to when printing the test chart 41 described above, alternately repeats movement of the head unit 11 in the main scanning direction and movement to the rear of the cloth by the transport unit 3, and controls the pretreatment liquid ejection head 21 to eject pretreatment liquid onto the cloth, the white ink ejection head 22 to eject white ink by a wet-on-wet method onto the area on the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid has been ejected, and the color ink ejection head 23 to eject color ink by a wet-on-wet method onto the area on the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid and the white ink have been ejected, thereby printing an image based on the image data of the object to be printed.

[0166] During this actual printing, the control unit 5 controls the ejection amount of the pretreatment liquid and the ejection amount of the white ink so that the ejection amounts are based on the printing conditions determined in the printing condition determination process.

[0167] When printing based on the image data to be printed is completed, the actual printing operation is completed.

[0168] As described above, in the printing device 1, the control unit 5 controls the printing unit 2 in the printing condition determination process to print on the fabric a test chart 41 consisting of a plurality of patches 42 each having different printing conditions. After that, the control unit 5 determines the white dot level of each patch 42 based on the read image data of the printed test chart 41. The control unit 5 also determines the density level of each patch 42 based on the measurement results of the density of each printed patch 42. Then, the control unit 5 presents the printing conditions, white dot level, and density level of each patch 42, and accepts the selection of printing conditions for actual printing.

[0169] This makes it possible to set appropriate ejection amounts of pretreatment liquid and white ink for printing at an appropriate density while suppressing the occurrence of white spots during actual printing, by printing the test chart 41 once. As a result, it is possible to easily set the ejection amounts of pretreatment liquid and white ink for printing at an appropriate density while suppressing the occurrence of white spots.

[0170] It is also possible to omit measuring the density of each printed patch 42, determining the density level of each patch 42, and presenting the density level of each patch 42. Even in this case, it is possible to easily set the ejection amounts of the pretreatment liquid and the white ink for suppressing the occurrence of white spots by determining the white spot level of each patch 42, presenting the determination, and accepting the selection of the printing conditions during actual printing.

[0171] In the above embodiment, the printed test chart 41 is read by a camera to determine the white point level, but it may be read by a scanner.

[0172] In the above embodiment, the density of each patch 42 of the printed test chart 41 is measured by a colorimeter, but the density of each patch 42 may be measured based on read image data generated by reading the test chart 41 with a scanner. In this case, the image data read by the scanner in RGB format is converted into grayscale image data. Then, the average value of the density of all pixels of each patch 42 in the grayscale image data is calculated as the density of the patch 42.

[0173] Here, when reading the test chart 41 with a scanner while the cloth on which the test chart 41 is printed is wet with the pretreatment liquid and ink, a scanner capable of reading without contact should be used.

[0174] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a printing device 1 is described in which the fabric is supported and transported by the support part of the transport unit 3. However, the printing device may be something like a garment printer in which a shirt-shaped fabric is set on a stage and the stage is moved to print.

[0175] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the components can be modified and embodied in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment.

[0176] [Note] This application discloses the following inventions.

[0177] (Appendix 1) a first ejection unit that ejects a pretreatment liquid that aggregates the ink; a second ejection unit that ejects white ink; a third ejection unit that ejects color ink; a control unit that controls the first discharge unit to discharge the pretreatment liquid onto a cloth, the second discharge unit to discharge the white ink by a wet-on-wet method onto the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid has been discharged, and the third discharge unit to discharge the color inks by a wet-on-wet method onto the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid and the white ink have been discharged, thereby printing on the cloth, The control unit is controlling the first to third ejection units so as to print, on the fabric, a plurality of patches each having different printing conditions formed by a combination of an ejection amount of the pretreatment liquid and an ejection amount of the white ink; determining the degree of white dot occurrence in each patch based on image data generated by reading the printed patches; A printing device that presents printing conditions and the degree of occurrence of white spots for each patch and accepts a selection of printing conditions for actual printing.

[0178] (Appendix 2) The control unit is Based on the measurement results of the density of each printed patch, the density level of each patch is determined. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a density level displaying means for displaying the density level of each patch together with the printing conditions and the degree of occurrence of white spots. [Explanation of symbols]

[0179] 1 Printing device 2 Printing Department 3. Conveyor 4 Operation Panel 5. Control section 11 Head Unit 12 Rail section 21 Pre-treatment liquid ejection head 22 White ink ejection head 23 Color ink ejection head 24 Head Holder 31 Display section 32 Input section 41 Test Chart 42 Patches 43C Cyan area 43M Magenta area 43Y Yellow Zone 43K Black Area 44 White dot 51 Printing condition display field

Claims

1. a first ejection unit that ejects a pretreatment liquid that aggregates the ink; a second ejection unit that ejects white ink; a third ejection unit that ejects color ink; a control unit that controls the first discharge unit to discharge the pretreatment liquid onto a cloth, the second discharge unit to discharge the white ink by a wet-on-wet method onto the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid has been discharged, and the third discharge unit to discharge the color inks by a wet-on-wet method onto the cloth onto which the pretreatment liquid and the white ink have been discharged, thereby printing on the cloth, The control unit is controlling the first to third ejection units so as to print, on the fabric, a plurality of patches each having different printing conditions formed by a combination of an ejection amount of the pretreatment liquid and an ejection amount of the white ink; determining the degree of white dot occurrence in each patch based on image data generated by reading the printed patches; A printing device that presents printing conditions and the degree of occurrence of white spots for each patch and accepts a selection of printing conditions for actual printing.

2. The control unit is Based on the measurement results of the density of each printed patch, the density level of each patch is determined.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a density level is displayed together with the printing conditions and the degree of occurrence of white spots in each patch.

Images