Printing apparatus, printing method, and printing program

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a printing program capable of hardly causing bleeding of liquid.SOLUTION: A control device of a printing apparatus executes: a first process of discharging a first amount of first liquid from a first nozzle onto a first region of a printing medium; a second process of discharging a second amount of the first liquid, smaller than the first amount, from the first nozzle onto a second region different from the first region of the printing medium; a third process of discharging a third amount of the first liquid, smaller than the first amount, from the first nozzle onto an adjacent region or not discharging the first liquid; and a fourth process of discharging second liquid from a second nozzle onto the second region without discharging the second liquid from the second nozzle onto the first region. When an interval between a timing at which the first liquid is discharged onto the second region and a timing at which the second liquid is discharged onto the second region is a first interval, the third amount is greater than the third amount in a case where the interval is a second interval shorter than the first interval.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing device, a printing method, and a printing program. [Background technology]

[0002] A known conventional printing device is the recording device described in Patent Document 1 below. This recording device ejects ink from the recording head onto a print medium while moving the recording head back and forth in a scanning direction. This recording device ejects white ink first and then color inks, thereby forming a base layer of white ink on the print medium and then forming an image of color inks on the base layer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-050509 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] White ink is ejected when forming a base layer located below an upper layer formed by color inks, and also when forming a white image. The amount of white ink ejected to form this white image may be made larger than the amount of white ink ejected to form the base layer, thereby enhancing the whiteness of the white image.

[0005] However, if the difference between the combined amount of white ink ejected to form the base layer and the amount of color ink ejected to form the top layer and the amount of white ink ejected to form the white image becomes large, there is a risk of bleeding occurring between the color ink that forms the top layer and the white ink that forms the white image.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a printing device, a printing method, and a printing program that can reduce the risk of bleeding of liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The printing device of the present disclosure includes an ejection head unit having first nozzles that eject a first liquid onto a print medium and second nozzles that eject a second liquid different from the first liquid onto the print medium, and a control device, wherein the control device performs a first process of ejecting a first amount of the first liquid from the first nozzles onto a first region on the print medium, a second process of ejecting a second amount of the first liquid from the first nozzles onto a second region on the print medium that is different from the first region, the second process of ejecting a second amount of the first liquid that is smaller than the first amount from the first nozzles onto a second region on the print medium that is different from the first region, and a control device for ejecting a second amount of the first liquid from the first nozzles onto an adjacent region between the first region and the second region. a third process for ejecting a third amount of the first liquid, which is less than the first amount, from the first nozzle onto a region, or for not ejecting the first liquid; and a fourth process for ejecting the second liquid from the second nozzle onto the second region without ejecting the second liquid from the second nozzle onto the first region, wherein the third amount when the interval between the time when the first liquid is ejected onto the second region and the time when the second liquid is ejected onto the second region is a first interval is greater than the third amount when the interval is a second interval shorter than the first interval.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the first nozzle ejects a third amount of the first liquid to the adjacent region, the third amount being less than the first amount. This makes it less likely that the first liquid ejected to the first region and the second liquid ejected to the second region will bleed through the first liquid in the adjacent region, compared to when an amount equal to or greater than the first amount of the first liquid is ejected to the adjacent region. Furthermore, the third amount when the interval between the time when the first liquid is ejected to the second region and the time when the second liquid is ejected to the second region is the first interval is greater than the third amount when the interval is the second interval. Thus, when the interval is the first interval, the interval between the time when the first liquid is ejected to the second region and the time when the second liquid is ejected to the second region is longer than when the interval is the second interval. This makes it easier for the first liquid ejected to the first region or the second liquid ejected to the second region to dry first. Therefore, even if the third amount is greater than when the interval is the second interval, because the interval is the first interval, the first liquid ejected onto the first region and the second liquid ejected onto the second region are less likely to spread through the first liquid in the adjacent region. On the other hand, when the interval is the second interval, the third amount is less than when the interval is the first interval, so in this case too, the first liquid ejected onto the first region and the second liquid ejected onto the second region are less likely to spread through the first liquid in the adjacent region.

[0009] On the other hand, when the first nozzle does not eject the first liquid onto the adjacent region, a space can be left between the first liquid ejected onto the first region and the first and second liquid ejected onto the second region, making it less likely that the first liquid ejected onto the first region and the second liquid ejected onto the second region will bleed into the adjacent region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a printing device, a printing method, and a printing program that can make it difficult for liquid to bleed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing each nozzle in the ejection head unit of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the printing apparatus of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing layers formed by printing using the printing apparatus of FIG. [Figure 5] Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a layer formed when the predetermined interval is a first interval, and Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a layer formed when the predetermined interval is a second interval that is shorter than the first interval. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image related to image data. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of calculation of a predetermined interval when skip processing is not performed. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of calculation of a predetermined interval when the skip process is executed. [Figure 9] 9A is a cross-sectional view showing a layer formed when the first amount is a fourth amount, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing a layer formed when the first amount is a fifth amount that is less than the fourth amount. [Figure 10] Fig. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a layer formed when the color ink is a first color, and Fig. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing a layer formed when the color ink is a second color different from the first color. [Figure 11] Fig. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a case where a single layer is formed with white ink, and Fig. 11B is a cross-sectional view of a case where a plurality of layers are formed with white ink. [Figure 12] Figure 12A is a cross-sectional view showing layers formed on a print medium that is a non-permeable medium, and Figure 12B is a cross-sectional view showing layers formed on a print medium that is a permeable medium. [Figure 13]13A is a cross-sectional view showing a layer including a portion of an adjacent region formed by reducing the discharge amount at a second rate smaller than the first rate when the predetermined interval is a second interval, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view showing a layer including a portion of an adjacent region formed by reducing the discharge amount at the first rate when the predetermined interval is a first interval. [Figure 14] 14A is a cross-sectional view showing a layer including a portion of an adjacent region formed with a width dimension that is a first distance when the predetermined interval is a first interval, and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view showing a layer including a portion of an adjacent region formed with a width dimension that is a second distance when the predetermined interval is a second interval. [Figure 15] Fig. 15A is a cross-sectional view showing a layer formed when special color ink is ejected from special color nozzles in the fourth process, and Fig. 15B is a cross-sectional view showing a layer formed when color ink is ejected from reference nozzles in the fourth process. [Figure 16] Fig. 16A is a cross-sectional view showing a layer formed on a transfer film as a printing medium when the predetermined interval is a first interval, and Fig. 16B is a cross-sectional view showing a layer formed on a transfer film as a printing medium when the predetermined interval is a second interval. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A printing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The printing device described below is merely one embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and additions, deletions, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Note that, hereinafter, identical or corresponding elements will be designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted unless otherwise noted.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a printing device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing each nozzle in the ejection head unit HU of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system for the printing device 100 of FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, mutually orthogonal directions are referred to as a first direction Dy and a second direction Dx. In this embodiment, for example, the first direction Dy is the transport direction of the print medium W, and the second direction Dx is the movement direction of the carriage 41 (described below). In the following description, Dx is referred to as the movement direction, and Dy is referred to as the transport direction. One of the transport directions Dy is referred to as Dy1, and the direction opposite to the direction Dy1 is referred to as Dy2. The print medium W is transported in the direction Dy1 during printing. Furthermore, one of the movement directions Dx is referred to as Dx1, and the direction opposite to the direction Dx1 is referred to as Dx2. However, the above directions are merely examples and are not limiting.

[0014] The printing device 100 includes an output device 101 and an image processing device 102. The output device 101 and the image processing device 102 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other wirelessly or via a wired connection such as a network. The image processing device 102 generates print data from image data of a print image, which is an image to be printed on a print medium W by the output device 101, and transmits the generated print data to the output device 101 wirelessly or via a wired connection. The output device 101 prints the print image on the print medium W based on the print data received from the image processing device 102. Examples of the print medium W include fabric and sheet-fed film.

[0015] The output device 101 is, for example, a serial head type inkjet printer. Based on print data, the output device 101 alternately repeats a pass process in which an inkjet head (hereinafter referred to as a head) 20 is moved in a movement direction Dx to eject ink droplets to form ink layers L1, L2, etc., which will be described later, and a transport process in which the print medium W is transported in a transport direction Dy. In this way, a predetermined image is printed on the print medium W. The ink layers L1, L2, etc. will be described in detail later.

[0016] The output device 101 includes a discharge head unit HU having a plurality of heads 20, a platen 11, a plurality of tanks 12, a moving device 30, and a transporting device .

[0017] The head 20 prints an image on the print medium W using predetermined ink droplets based on print data. Examples of the multiple heads 20 include a first inkjet head (hereinafter referred to as the first head) 21, a second inkjet head (hereinafter referred to as the second head) 22, and a third inkjet head (hereinafter referred to as the third head) 23. Hereinafter, when referring to a head 20, the head 20 includes the first head 21, the second head 22, and the third head 23. The first head 21 prints on the print medium W using white ink. The second head 22 prints on the print medium W using special color ink. The third head 23 prints on the print medium W using color ink.

[0018] The platen 11 has a flat upper surface and determines the distance between the print medium W placed on the upper surface and the nozzle surface of the head 20 disposed opposite it. The platen 11 moves back and forth in the transport direction Dy. This causes the print medium W supported by the platen 11 to move back and forth in the transport direction Dy. Ink is stored in each tank 12. The tanks 12 are connected to the head 20 via flow paths (described below) to supply ink to the head 20. The tanks 12 are containers for storing ink. The number of tanks 12 is equal to or greater than the number of ink types. For example, the tanks 12 include four first tanks 12a each storing one of four color inks, one or more second tanks 12b storing white ink, and one or more third tanks 12c storing spot color inks. Examples of color inks include cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink. Examples of spot color inks include red ink, green ink, and blue ink.

[0019] The first tank 12a is connected to the third head 23 via a first flow path 13a. The color inks are supplied from the first tank 12a to the third head 23 via the first flow path 13a. The second tank 12b is connected to the first head 21 via the second flow path 13b. The white ink is supplied from the second tank 12b to the first head 21 via the second flow path 13b. The third tank 12c is connected to the second head 22 via a third flow path 13c. The spot color ink is supplied from the third tank 12c to the second head 22 via the third flow path 13c. In this embodiment, the white ink is ejected when forming an underlayer located below an overlayer formed with the color inks or the spot color inks, and is also ejected when forming a white image. The white ink corresponds to the first liquid, and at least one of the color inks and the spot color inks corresponds to the second liquid.

[0020] The transport device 40 has a drive unit including, for example, a ball screw or rack and pinion (not shown), and a transport motor 46. The drive unit is connected to the transport motor 46. Drive of the transport motor 46 causes the platen 11 to move back and forth in the transport direction Dy, transporting the print medium W in the transport direction Dy.

[0021] The movement device 30 has a carriage 41, two guide rails 42, a movement motor 34, and an endless belt 44. The two guide rails 42 extend in the movement direction Dx above the platen 11 so as to sandwich the carriage 41 between them in the transport direction Dy. The carriage 41 holds multiple heads 20. The carriage 41 is supported by the two guide rails 42 so as to be movable in directions Dx1 and Dx2 of the movement direction Dx. The endless belt 44 extends in the movement direction Dx, is attached to the carriage 41, and is attached to the movement motor 34 via a pulley 45. When the movement motor 34 is driven, the endless belt 44 operates, and the carriage 41 moves back and forth in the movement direction Dx along the guide rails 42. As a result, the heads 20 are moved back and forth in the movement direction Dx by the carriage 41.

[0022] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the ejection head unit HU has a plurality of first nozzles 24 that eject white ink as a first liquid onto the print medium W, and a plurality of second nozzles 25 that eject color inks and special color inks as second liquids onto the print medium W. Specifically, the first head 21, the second head 22, and the third head 23 are arranged side by side in the transport direction Dy. The first head 21 has a plurality of first nozzles 24 that eject white ink. The second head 22 has a plurality of special color nozzles 25a that eject special color inks other than the color inks. The third head 23 has a plurality of reference nozzles 25 that eject color inks as second nozzles 25. The special color nozzles 25a are arranged between the first nozzles 24 and the reference nozzles 25b in the transport direction Dy. Note that the arrangements of the first head 21, the second head 22, and the third head 23 are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate.

[0023] The first head 21 is provided with a plurality of (e.g., four) nozzle array groups NLG. One nozzle array group NLG includes a plurality of (e.g., three) nozzle arrays NL. One nozzle array NL is composed of a plurality of first nozzles 24 arranged at approximately equal intervals in the transport direction Dy. Each of the first nozzles 24 constituting one nozzle array NL included in one nozzle array group NLG is arranged at a predetermined offset in the transport direction Dy with respect to each of the first nozzles 24 constituting another nozzle array NL adjacent to that nozzle array NL in the movement direction Dx. In other words, each of the first nozzles 24 constituting one nozzle array NL is arranged at a different position in the transport direction Dy from each of the first nozzles 24 constituting another nozzle array NL adjacent to that nozzle array NL in the movement direction Dx. Furthermore, each of the nozzle array groups NLG in the first head 21 is arranged at approximately equal intervals in the movement direction Dx. Note that the number and arrangement of the first nozzles 24 in the first head 21 are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the number and arrangement of the special color nozzles 25 a in the second head 22 are the same as the number and arrangement of the first nozzles 24 in the first head 21 .

[0024] The third head 23 is provided with a plurality of (for example, four) nozzle array groups NLG. The number and arrangement of each nozzle array group NLG in the third head 23 are the same as the number and arrangement of each nozzle array group NLG in the first head 21 and the number and arrangement of each nozzle array group NLG in the second head 22. In the third head 23, a nozzle array group NLGc including a plurality of reference nozzles 25b that eject cyan ink, a nozzle array group NLGm including a plurality of reference nozzles 25b that eject magenta ink, a nozzle array group NLGy including a plurality of reference nozzles 25b that eject yellow ink, and a nozzle array group NLGk including a plurality of reference nozzles 25b that eject black ink are arranged in order in the movement direction Dx.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the first head 21 is provided with a first drive element 27. The second head 22 is provided with a second drive element 28. The third head 23 is provided with a third drive element 29. The first drive element 27 provided for each first nozzle 24, the second drive element 28 provided for each spot color nozzle 25a, and the third drive element 29 provided for each reference nozzle 25b are each a piezoelectric element, a heat generating element, an electrostatic actuator, or the like. When driven, each drive element 27, 28, 29 applies pressure to the ink in each head 21, 22, 23, causing ink droplets to be ejected from the corresponding nozzle 24, 25a, 25b.

[0026] 3, the output device 101 in the printing device 100 includes a second control device 50. The output device 101 also includes a second storage device 51, a second communication interface 52, a first head drive circuit 53, a second head drive circuit 54, a third head drive circuit 57, a movement drive circuit 55, and a transport drive circuit 56, which are connected to the second control device 50.

[0027] The second storage device 51 is a memory accessible from the second control device 50, and includes, for example, RAM and ROM. The RAM temporarily stores print data and various data used during calculations by the second control device 50. The ROM stores print programs and various data for performing various data processing.

[0028] The second control device 50 is configured as a computer and includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU or an integrated circuit such as an ASIC. The second control device 50 controls the operation of each part of the output device 101 by executing a print program while referring to data stored in the second storage device 51. The second control device 50 may be configured as a single device, or may be configured so that multiple independently arranged devices work together to perform the operation of the output device 101. The second control device 50 also receives various data such as print data from the image processing device 102 via the second communication interface 52.

[0029] The first head drive circuit 53 controls the operation of the first drive elements 27 based on instructions from the second control device 50. In this case, the second control device 50 outputs a control signal to the first head drive circuit 53 to drive the first drive elements 27. The first head drive circuit 53 generates a drive signal based on the control signal and outputs the drive signal to the first drive elements 27. The first drive elements 27 impart a predetermined amount of ejection energy to the white ink in the first head 21 at a predetermined timing based on the drive signal. This causes white ink to be ejected from the first nozzles 24. The second head drive circuit 54, like the first head drive circuit 53, controls the operation of the second drive elements 28 based on instructions from the second control device 50. This causes special color ink to be ejected from the special color nozzles 25a. The third head drive circuit 57, like the first head drive circuit 53 and the second head drive circuit 54, controls the operation of the third drive elements 29 based on instructions from the second control device 50. This causes color ink to be ejected from the reference nozzles 25b.

[0030] The movement drive circuit 55 controls the operation of the movement motor 34 of the movement device 30 based on instructions from the second control device 50. This causes the carriage 31 to move back and forth in the movement direction Dx. Therefore, the first head 21, the second head 22, and the third head 23 move back and forth in the movement direction Dx.

[0031] The transport drive circuit 56 controls the operation of the transport motor 42 of the transport device 40 based on instructions from the second control device 50. As a result, the platen 11 transports the print medium W intermittently or continuously along the transport direction Dy, and stops the print medium W at a predetermined position.

[0032] Next, the image processing device 102 in the printing device 100 is a device that processes print images to be printed by the output device 101, and is configured by, for example, a personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. The image processing device 102 includes a first control device 61, and a first storage device 62, a first communication interface 63, a reading device 64, and a display device 65 that are connected to the first control device 61.

[0033] The first storage device 62 is a memory accessible from the first control device 61, and includes, for example, RAM and ROM. The RAM temporarily stores image data and various data used in calculations by the first control device 61. The ROM stores printing programs and various data for various data processing. Examples of the image data include raster data that indicates the image to be printed on the print medium W.

[0034] The first control device 61 is configured as a computer and includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU or an integrated circuit such as an ASIC. The first control device 61 controls the operations of the output device 101 and the display device 65 by executing a printing program while referencing data stored in the first storage device 62. The first control device 61 may be configured as a single device, or may be configured such that multiple independently arranged devices cooperate to perform the operations of the image processing device 102. The first control device 61 cooperates with the second control device 50 of the output device 101 to configure the control device 70 of the printing device 100. The first control device 61 transmits various data, such as print data, to the output device 101 via the first communication interface 63.

[0035] The reading device 64 reads a printing program stored in a storage medium KB, such as a CD-ROM or a USB flash memory. The read printing program is stored in the first storage device 62. Alternatively, the printing program may be downloaded via a predetermined communication network and stored in the first storage device 62. The display device 65 is, for example, a touch panel display, and outputs operation information by the user to the first control device 61. The display device 65 also displays a print image to be printed by the output device 101 based on image data.

[0036] Next, a description will be given of layers formed by printing using the printing device 100 of this embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing layers formed by printing by the output device 101 of the printing device 100 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed when the interval T between the time when the white ink is ejected into the second region R2 and the time when the color inks are ejected into the second region R2 is a first interval. Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed when the interval T between the time when the white ink is ejected into the second region R2 and the time when the color inks are ejected into the second region R2 is a second interval.

[0038] The second control device 50 in the output device 101 executes the following first to fourth processes. The second control device 50 may execute the first to fourth processes in cooperation with the first control device 61. Alternatively, the first control device 61 in the image processing device 102 may execute the first to fourth processes in place of the second control device 50. Note that in the following first to fourth processes, a mode will be described in which the reference nozzle 25b that ejects color ink is used as an example of the second nozzle 25. Therefore, in the first to fourth processes, the special color nozzle 25a that ejects special color ink may be used as the second nozzle 25.

[0039] 4, the print medium W has a first region R1, a second region R2, and an adjacent region Ra. The second region R2 is a region different from the first region R1. The adjacent region Ra is a region between the first region R1 and the second region R2. The second control device 50 forms a layer L1 across the first region R1, the second region R2, and the adjacent region Ra by ejecting white ink from the first nozzles 24 of the first head 21 onto the first region R1, the second region R2, and the adjacent region Ra.

[0040] Specifically, the second control device 50 executes a first process to eject a first amount of white ink onto the first region R1 from the first nozzles 24. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D1 is formed in the first region R1.

[0041] The second control device 50 also executes a second process in which a second amount of white ink, which is less than the first amount, is ejected onto the second region R2 from the first nozzles 24. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D3 is formed in the second region R2.

[0042] The second control device 50 also executes a third process in which the first nozzles 24 eject a third amount of white ink, which is less than the first amount, onto the adjacent region Ra. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D2 is formed in the adjacent region Ra. As a result, the layer L1 made of white ink is formed across the first region R1, the second region R2, and the adjacent region Ra. Alternatively, the second control device 50 does not have to eject white ink from the first nozzles 24 onto the adjacent region Ra as the third process. The third amount will be described in detail later. The first process to the third process may or may not be formed in the same pass.

[0043] Furthermore, the second control device 50 executes a fourth process in which the reference nozzles 25b eject color ink to the second region R2 without ejecting color ink to the first region R1, thereby forming a layer L2 having a thickness D4 on the portion of the layer L1 in the second region R2.

[0044] Here, when white ink is ejected from the first nozzle 24 onto the adjacent region Ra in the third process, the second control device 50 changes the third amount in the third process depending on the interval T between the time when the white ink is ejected onto the second region R2 and the time when the color ink is ejected onto the second region R2.

[0045] Specifically, the second control device 50 makes the third amount greater when the interval T is the first interval than when the interval T is the second interval, which is shorter than the first interval. In this case, when the interval T is the first interval, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D2 is formed in the adjacent region Ra, as shown in FIG. 5A. In contrast, when the interval T is the second interval, which is shorter than the first interval, the third amount is reduced compared to the third amount in the case of FIG. 5A. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D21, which is smaller than the thickness D2, is formed in the adjacent region Ra.

[0046] Here, the reduction amount of the third amount will be described with a specific example. In FIG. 5A, for example, the ejection amount of white ink in the portion of the layer L1 in the first region R1 is set to 400%, and the ejection amount of white ink in the portion of the layer L1 in the second region R2 is set to 280%. Also, for example, the ejection amount of magenta ink as color ink in the layer L2 is set to 40%, and the ejection amount of yellow ink is set to 20%. In this case, the second control device 50 calculates the ink amount difference / interval T. Note that, as described above, the interval T is the interval between the time when the white ink is ejected into the second region R2 and the time when the color ink is ejected into the second region R2. The interval T is calculated by the first control device 61 when generating the print data, and information related to the interval T is sent to the output device 101 together with the print data. Note that, in this embodiment, the ejection amount is set to 100% when the head 20 moves once (one pass) in the movement direction Dx. For example, the first head 21 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with four nozzle array groups NLG, and therefore ejects 400% white ink in one pass.

[0047] The ink amount difference is calculated by (the amount of white ink ejected in the portion in the first region R1 - the amount of white ink ejected in the portion in the second region R2) + the amount of color ink ejected in the layer L2. In this case, according to the above example, the ink amount difference is 180%, which is calculated as (400% - 280%) + (40% + 20%). In this case, if the interval T is, for example, 30 seconds, the second control device 50 sets the reduction amount to 6.0, calculated by 180 / 30. On the other hand, if the interval T is, for example, 60 seconds, the second control device 50 sets the reduction amount to 3.0, calculated by 180 / 60. Alternatively, the reduction amount may be determined by multiplying the calculated numerical value (%) by a predetermined number. In this way, the second control device 50 increases the reduction amount as the interval T becomes shorter. Note that the above calculation formula for the reduction amount is merely an example, and the reduction amount may be calculated using a calculation formula different from the above formula as long as the condition that the reduction amount increases as the interval T becomes shorter is satisfied.

[0048] Next, a method for calculating the interval T until the color ink ejected by the third head 23 overlaps with the white ink ejected before the color ink will be described in detail.

[0049] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image based on image data. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the calculation of the interval T between the time when white ink is ejected into the second region R2 and the time when color inks are ejected into the second region R2 when skip processing is not being performed. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the calculation of the interval T between the time when white ink is ejected into the second region R2 and the time when color inks are ejected into the second region R2 when skip processing is being performed. Note that for simplification, the second head 22 on the carriage 41 is not shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, the image based on the image data has, in order of formation in the transport direction Dy, regions Rw1, Rr1, Rn1, Rr2, Rw2, and Rn2. Regions Rw1 and Rw2 are regions where a base layer made of white ink is formed. Regions Rr1 and Rr2 are regions where a base layer made of white ink is formed and where an upper layer made of color ink is formed on top of the base layer. Regions Rn1 and Rn2 are non-printing regions where ink is not ejected. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the dimensions of regions Rw1 and Rw2, regions Rr1 and Rr2, and regions Rn1 and Rn2 in the transport direction Dx are defined as Wh.

[0051] First, let Tlf be the travel time of the head 20 in the transport direction Dy of the print medium W per pass. Let Tmax be the travel time of the head 20 in the travel direction Dx when printing is performed across the maximum print width Wmax in the travel direction Dx. The first control device 61 calculates the travel time Tcr of the head 20 in the travel direction Dx during printing for the regions Rw1, Rw2, and the regions Rr1, Rr2 by (Wh / Wmax) × Tmax. The first control device 61 also calculates the required time Tp per pass by using Tlf + Tcr. Information on the travel time Tlf, the maximum print width Wmax, and the travel time Tmax is pre-stored in the first storage device 62. The first control device 61 obtains information on the dimension Wh from the print data and obtains information on the travel time Tlf, the maximum print width Wmax, and the travel time Tmax from the first storage device 62.

[0052] Next, the distance between the first head 21 and the third head 23 in the transport direction Dy is defined as Dhd. In this case, the distance Dhd can be defined as the distance between the first nozzle 24 on the most downstream side in the transport direction Dy of the first head 21 and the reference nozzle 25b on the most upstream side in the transport direction Dy of the third head 23. Furthermore, the movement distance of the print medium W in the transport direction Dy per pass is defined as Dp. For example, if a first head 21 having a printing resolution of 300 dpi per pass achieves 1200 dpi, the movement distance Dp is calculated by (300 / 1200) × head length. The head length is the distance between the first nozzle 24 on the most downstream side in the transport direction Dy of the first head 21 and the first nozzle 24 on the most upstream side. Furthermore, the distance in the transport direction Dy of a skip region Rs (hatched area in FIG. 8) in the skip processing described below is defined as De.

[0053] At this time, the first control device 61 calculates the number of passes P from the time the first head 21 ejects white ink until the color ink from the third head 23 overlaps the white ink using (Dhd-De) / Dp. Then, the first control device 61 calculates the interval T from the time the first head 21 ejects white ink until the color ink from the third head 23 overlaps the white ink using P×Tp. The first control device 61 calculates the interval T for each pass. Note that information on the distance Dhd and the movement distance Dp is stored in advance in the first storage device 62. The first control device 61 obtains information on the distance De from the print data, and obtains information on the distance Dhd and the movement distance Dp from the first storage device 62.

[0054] The skip process will be described below. The skip process is based on a configuration in which the ejection head unit HU is configured such that the first head 21 is positioned upstream of the third head 23 in the direction Dy1 in which the print medium W is transported. The skip process is a process in which, when there is no subsequent ejection operation by the first head 21 after the ejection operation of white ink by the first head 21 and the third head 23, which ejects color inks to be ejected onto the white ink, is not positioned at the ejection start position, the second control device 50 transports the print medium W in the transport direction Dy so that the third head 23 is positioned at the ejection start position. Note that a case in which there is no subsequent ejection operation by the first head 21 refers to a case in which a non-printing region Rn1 exists between regions Rr1 and Rr2, which are ejection regions of white ink.

[0055] 7, the skip process is performed by the third head 23 ejecting color ink onto the region Rr2 while the first head 21 ejects white ink onto the region Rw2. Therefore, the skip process is not performed by the second control device 50. In this case, the skip region Rs described above does not occur, so the first control device 61 calculates the number of passes P by setting the distance De in the above-mentioned calculation formula (Dhd-De) / Dp to 0.

[0056] On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 8 , after the first head 21 ejects ink onto region Rr1, there is no subsequent ejection operation by the first head 21. In other words, a non-printing region Rn1 exists between regions Rr1 and Rr2, which are the white ink ejection regions. Additionally, the third head 23, which ejects color inks onto the white ink, is not positioned at the ejection start position. In this case, the second control device 50 transports the print medium W a distance De in the transport direction Dy so that the third head 23 is positioned at the ejection start position. The example of FIG. 8 shows a state in which the position of the print medium W in the transport direction Dy relative to the first head 21 and the third head 23 is the position after the skip process. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 8 , since the print medium W is transported a distance De in the transport direction Dy during the skip process as described above, the first control device 61 calculates the number of passes P based on the value of the distance De by (Dhd-De) / Dp. The skip process described above speeds up the printing process.

[0057] In this embodiment, the second control device 50 may change the third amount as follows: A number of different modes will be described below.

[0058] 9A is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed when the first amount is a fourth amount, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed when the first amount is a fifth amount that is less than the fourth amount.

[0059] According to this embodiment, when the first amount is the fourth amount, the third amount is less than the third amount when the first amount is the fifth amount which is less than the fourth amount.

[0060] 9A, in the first process, the second control device 50 causes the first nozzles 24 to eject a fourth amount of white ink as a first amount onto the first region R1. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D1 is formed in the first region R1. In addition, in the third process, the second control device 50 causes the first nozzles 24 to eject a predetermined amount of white ink as a third amount, which is less than the first amount, onto the adjacent region Ra. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D21 is formed in the adjacent region Ra.

[0061] 9B, the second control device 50 forms a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D11 smaller than the thickness D1 in the first region R1 using a fifth amount of white ink as the first amount. In this case, in the third process, the second control device 50 causes the first nozzles 24 to eject a third amount of white ink onto the adjacent region Ra that is greater than the predetermined amount in the case of FIG. 9A. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D2 larger than the thickness D21 is formed in the adjacent region Ra.

[0062] Fig. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed when the color ink is a first color, and Fig. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed when the color ink is a second color different from the first color.

[0063] According to this aspect, the third amount when the color ink is a first color is less than the third amount when the color ink is a second color different from the first color. The first color is a color that easily bleeds or that easily notices bleeding. The second color is a color that does not easily bleed or that easily notices bleeding. Here, the first and second colors of color ink may be determined based on quantification items such as hue, lightness, saturation, and eye-catchingness, which can quantify the characteristics of mixed colors reproduced by each of RGB colors. For example, if the hue is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the color of that hue may be determined as the first color, and if the hue is less than a predetermined value, the color of that hue may be determined as the second color. Also, for example, if the lightness is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the color of that lightness may be determined as the first color, and if the lightness is less than a predetermined value, the color of that lightness may be determined as the second color. The first and second colors may be determined based on one or more of the quantification items described above. Examples of the first color include solid black ink and dark secondary colors such as reddish colors that are a mixture of magenta and yellow, and examples of the second color include bright colors such as solid yellow.

[0064] 10A, in the fourth process, the second control device 50 ejects the first color ink from the reference nozzle 25b onto the second region R2. As a result, a layer L2 made of the first color ink and having a thickness D4 is formed on the portion of the layer L1 in the second region R2. In addition, in the third process, the second control device 50 ejects a predetermined amount of white ink, which is a third amount and is less than the first amount, from the first nozzle 24 onto the adjacent region Ra. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D21 is formed in the adjacent region Ra.

[0065] In contrast, as shown in Fig. 10B, in the fourth process, the second control device 50 causes the reference nozzle 25b to eject the second color ink onto the second region R2. As a result, a layer L2 made of the second color ink and having a thickness D4 is formed on the portion of the layer L1 in the second region R2. In this case, in the third process, the second control device 50 causes the first nozzle 24 to eject a third amount of white ink onto the adjacent region Ra, the third amount being greater than the predetermined amount in the case of Fig. 10A. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 in the adjacent region Ra has a thickness D2 greater than the thickness D21.

[0066] Fig. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a case where a single layer is formed with white ink, and Fig. 11B is a cross-sectional view of a case where a plurality of layers are formed with white ink.

[0067] According to this aspect, the third amount when the number of layers is the first number is less than the third amount when the number of layers is the second number that is greater than the first number.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 11A, in the first process, the second control device 50 ejects a first amount of white ink from the first nozzles 24 onto the first region R1. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D1 is formed in the first region R1. In the second process, the second control device 50 ejects a second amount of white ink from the first nozzles 24 onto the second region R2. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D3 is formed in the second region R2. In the third process, the second control device 50 ejects a predetermined amount of white ink, which is a third amount and is less than the first amount, onto the adjacent region Ra from the first nozzles 24. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D21 is formed in the adjacent region Ra.

[0069] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 11B , in the first process, the second control device 50 may cause the first nozzles 24 to use white ink to form, for example, a portion of layer L1 and layer L12 in the first region R1, and to form, for example, a portion of layer L1 and layer L11 in the second region R2. In this case, for example, layer L1 is formed by one pass of printing with the first head 21, and layers L11 and L12 are formed by two passes or other printing intervals after the first pass. Note that the number of layers formed in the first region R1 may be three or more, and the number of layers formed in the second region R2 may be three or more. The portion of layer L1 in the first region R1 has a thickness D12, and layer L12 formed on layer L1 has a thickness D13. The sum of thickness D12 and thickness D13 may be the same as or different from thickness D1 in FIG. 11A . The portion of layer L1 in second region R1 has a thickness D31, and layer L11 formed on layer L1 has a thickness D32. The sum of thickness D31 and thickness D32 may be the same as or different from thickness D3 in FIG. 11A.

[0070] In this case, in the third process, the second control device 50 causes the first nozzles 24 to eject a third amount of white ink onto the adjacent region Ra, the third amount being greater than the predetermined amount in the case of Fig. 11A. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D2 greater than the thickness D21 is formed in the adjacent region Ra.

[0071] Here, the reduction amount of the third amount mentioned above will be explained using FIG. 11B as an example. In FIG. 11B, for example, the white ink ejection amount in the portion of layer L1 in the first region R1 is set to 250%, and the white ink ejection amount in layer L12 is set to 250%. Also, for example, the white ink ejection amount in the portion of layer L1 in the second region R2 is set to 200%, and the white ink ejection amount in layer L11 is set to 200%. Furthermore, for example, the magenta ink ejection amount as a color ink in layer L2 is set to 50%, and the yellow ink ejection amount is set to 25%. In this case, as in the case of FIG. 5A, the second control device 50 calculates the ink amount difference / interval T.

[0072] In this embodiment, the ink amount difference is calculated for each layer. The ink amount difference for the first layer is calculated as (the amount of white ink ejected in the portion of layer L1 in the first region R1 - the amount of white ink ejected in the portion of layer L1 in the second region R2) + the amount of color ink ejected in layer L2. In this case, the ink amount difference for the first layer is 125%, calculated as (250% - 200%) + (50% + 25%). In this case, if the interval T between the time when white ink is ejected to form layer L1 in the second region R2 and the time when color ink is ejected to form layer L2 in the second region R2 is 100 seconds, for example, the second control device 50 sets 1.25, calculated as 125 / 100, as the reduction amount for the first layer.

[0073] Next, the ink amount difference for the second layer is the same as the ink amount difference for the first layer, so it is 125%. At this time, if the interval T between the time when white ink is ejected to form layer L11 in second region R2 and the time when color ink is ejected to form layer L2 in second region R2 is, for example, 30 seconds, the second control device 50 sets 4.17, calculated by 125 / 30, as the reduction amount for the second layer. Then, the second control device 50 sets the sum (5.42) of the reduction amounts for the first and second layers as the reduction amount for the third amount in this mode. As a result, the shorter the interval T, the greater the reduction amount for each layer, and the greater the reduction amount for the sum.

[0074] Fig. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed on a print medium W, which is a non-permeable medium W1. Fig. 12B is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed on a print medium W, which is a permeable medium W2.

[0075] According to this embodiment, the third amount when the print medium W is a non-permeable medium W1 is less than the third amount when the print medium W is a permeable medium W2 that is more permeable than the non-permeable medium W1. Examples of the non-permeable medium W1 include film. Examples of the permeable medium W2 include cloth and paper.

[0076] 12A, the second control device 50 forms a layer L1 on the print medium W, which is a non-permeable medium W1, using the first nozzles 24. In this case, in the third process, the second control device 50 ejects a predetermined amount of white ink, which is a third amount that is less than the first amount, from the first nozzles 24 onto the adjacent region Ra. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D21 is formed in the adjacent region Ra.

[0077] 12B, the second control device 50 causes the first nozzles 24 to form a layer L1 on the print medium W, which is a permeable medium W2. In this case, in the third process, the second control device 50 causes the first nozzles 24 to eject a third amount of white ink onto the adjacent region Ra, the third amount being greater than the predetermined amount in the case of FIG. 12A. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D2 greater than the thickness D21 is formed in the adjacent region Ra.

[0078] 13A is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 including a portion of adjacent region Ra formed by reducing the ejection amount at a second rate smaller than the first rate when the interval T between the time when white ink is ejected into second region R2 and the time when color inks are ejected into second region R2 is a second interval. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 including a portion of adjacent region Ra formed by reducing the ejection amount at a first rate when the interval T between the time when white ink is ejected into second region R2 and the time when color inks are ejected into second region R2 is a first interval.

[0079] According to this aspect, as shown in FIG. 13A , when the interval T is a first interval, the second control device 50 reduces the amount of white ink ejected from the first nozzle 24 to the adjacent region Ra in the third process from the first region R1 to the second region R2 at a second rate smaller than the first rate, as described below. As a result, the portion of the layer L1 in the adjacent region Ra is formed with a downward slope from the first region R1 to the second region R2. In this case, the portion of the layer L1 in the adjacent region Ra may be connected to the portion of the layer L1 in the second adjacent region R2. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13A , a portion L14 in the adjacent region Ra, which corresponds to a portion of the layer L1, may not be connected to a portion L13 in the second adjacent region R2, which corresponds to a portion of the layer L1. In this case, a non-ejection region CS, to which white ink is not ejected, is provided between the portion L14 and the portion L13.

[0080] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the interval T is the second interval, the second control device 50 reduces the amount of white ink ejected from the first nozzle 24 to the adjacent region Ra at a first rate from the first region R1 to the second region R2 in the third process. As a result, the portion of the layer L1 in the adjacent region Ra is formed with a gentler right-shoulder slope from the first region R1 to the second region R2 than in FIG. 13A. In this case, the total amount of white ink ejected to the adjacent region Ra in FIG. 13B is greater than the total amount of white ink ejected to the adjacent region Ra in FIG. 13A. In FIG. 13, the thickness of the connecting portion of the portion in the adjacent region Ra with the portion in the second region R2 is illustrated as D21. Note that as long as the amount of white ink ejected to the adjacent region Ra is reduced at a first rate from the first region R1 to the second region R2, a non-ejection region CS to which white ink is not ejected may be provided, as in FIG. 13A.

[0081] 14A is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 including a portion of adjacent region Ra formed with a width dimension that is a first distance when the interval T between the time when white ink is ejected into second region R2 and the time when color inks are ejected into second region R2 is a first interval. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 including a portion of adjacent region Ra formed with a width dimension that is a second distance when the interval T between the time when white ink is ejected into second region R2 and the time when color inks are ejected into second region R2 is a second interval.

[0082] According to this aspect, when the interval T is the first interval, as shown in FIG. 14A, the second control device 50 sets the width dimension of the adjacent region Ra to a first distance from the second region R2 toward the first region R1 in the third process, and ejects white ink from the first nozzle 24 into the adjacent region Ra.

[0083] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 14B , when the interval T is the second interval, the second control device 50 sets the width dimension of the adjacent region Ra from the second region R2 toward the first region R1 in the third process to a second distance longer than the first distance, and causes the first nozzles 24 to eject white ink onto the adjacent region Ra. In this case, white ink is ejected onto an expanded adjacent region Rae, which is an area obtained by expanding the adjacent region Ra in FIG. 14A in the width direction. Note that FIG. 14B illustrates a portion of the first region R11 in which the width dimension of the first region R11 is shorter than the width dimension of the first region R1 in FIG. 14B by providing an expanded adjacent region Rae that is wider than the adjacent region Ra in FIG. 14A. However, this is not limited thereto, and the portion of the layer L1 in the first region R11 may be formed so that the width dimension of the first region R11 in FIG. 14B is the same as the width dimension of the first region R1 in FIG. 14A.

[0084] Fig. 15A is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed when special color ink is ejected from special color nozzles 25a in the fourth process, and Fig. 15B is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed when color ink is ejected from reference nozzles 25b in the fourth process.

[0085] According to this aspect, the third amount when the special color ink is ejected as the second liquid from the special color nozzle 25a in the fourth process is less than the third amount when the color ink is ejected as the second liquid from the reference nozzle 25a in the fourth process.

[0086] 15A, in the fourth process, the second control device 50 causes the spot color ink to be ejected from the spot color nozzles 25a onto the second region R2. As a result, a layer L2 made of the spot color ink and having a thickness D4 is formed on the portion of the layer L1 in the second region R2. In addition, in the third process, the second control device 50 causes the first nozzles 24 to eject a predetermined amount of white ink, which is a third amount and is less than the first amount, onto the adjacent region Ra. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D21 is formed in the adjacent region Ra.

[0087] In contrast, as shown in Fig. 15B, in the fourth process, the second control device 50 causes the reference nozzle 25b to eject color ink onto the second region R2. As a result, a layer L2 made of color ink and having a thickness D4 is formed on the portion of the layer L1 in the second region R2. In this case, in the third process, the second control device 50 causes the first nozzle 24 to eject a third amount of white ink onto the adjacent region Ra, the third amount being greater than the predetermined amount in the case of Fig. 15A. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 in the adjacent region Ra has a thickness D2 that is greater than the thickness D21.

[0088] Fig. 16A is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed on a transfer film as a printing medium W when the interval T between the time when the white ink is ejected into the second region R2 and the time when the color inks are ejected into the second region R2 is a first interval. Fig. 16B is a cross-sectional view showing layers L1 and L2 formed on a transfer film as a printing medium W when the interval T between the time when the white ink is ejected into the second region R2 and the time when the color inks are ejected into the second region R2 is a second interval.

[0089] Unlike the above-described embodiment in which an image is formed directly on the print medium W, when an image is transferred to the print medium W using a thermal transfer device, the image is formed on a transfer film as the print medium W by the output device 101.

[0090] In this embodiment, the second control device 50 forms the layer L2 and the portion of the layer L1 in the second region R2 in the embodiment of Fig. 5A upside down. This is because the transfer film is placed in the thermal transfer device with the main surface on which the image is formed facing downward (i.e., the main surface faces the transfer medium).

[0091] In this case, when the interval T is the first interval, the second control device 50 ejects color ink from the reference nozzle 25b onto the second region R2 as shown in FIG. 16A. As a result, a layer L2 having a thickness D4 is formed. The second control device 50 also ejects a second amount of white ink, which is less than the first amount, from the first nozzle 24 onto the layer L2 previously formed in the second region R2. As a result, a layer L3 having a thickness D3 is formed on the layer L2. Furthermore, the second control device 50 ejects a third amount of white ink, which is a predetermined amount less than the first amount, from the first nozzle 24 onto the adjacent region Ra between the first region R1 and the second region R2. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D2 is formed in the adjacent region Ra.

[0092] In contrast, when the interval T is the second interval, the second control device 50 causes the first nozzles 24 to eject a third amount of white ink onto the adjacent region Ra, which is less than the predetermined amount in the case of FIG. 16A, as shown in FIG. 16B. As a result, a portion of the layer L1 having a thickness D21 smaller than the thickness D2 is formed in the adjacent region Ra. Note that the other configurations in FIG. 16B are the same as the corresponding configurations in FIG. 16A.

[0093] As described above, according to the printing device 100, the first nozzles 24 eject a third amount of white ink, which is less than the first amount, onto the adjacent region Ra. This reduces the likelihood of bleeding between the white ink ejected into the first region R1 and the color inks ejected into the second region R2 through the white ink in the adjacent region Ra, compared to when the first amount or more of white ink is ejected onto the adjacent region Ra. Furthermore, the third amount when the interval T between the time when the white ink is ejected onto the second region R2 and the time when the color inks are ejected onto the second region R2 is the first interval is greater than the third amount when the interval T is the second interval, which is shorter than the first interval. Thus, when the interval T is the first interval, the interval between the time when the white ink is ejected onto the second region R2 and the time when the color inks are ejected onto the second region R2 is longer than when the interval T is the second interval. This reduces the likelihood of the white ink being ejected first among the white ink ejected onto the first region R1 and the color inks ejected onto the second region R2 drying. Therefore, even if the third amount is greater than when the interval T is the second interval, because the interval T is the first interval, the white ink ejected into the first region R1 and the color ink ejected into the second region R2 are less likely to bleed through the white ink in the adjacent region Ra. On the other hand, when the interval T is the second interval, the third amount is less than when the interval T is the first interval, so in this case too, the white ink ejected into the first region R1 and the color ink ejected into the second region R2 are less likely to bleed through the white ink in the adjacent region Ra.

[0094] On the other hand, when the first nozzles 24 do not eject white ink into the adjacent region Ra, a space can be left between the white ink ejected into the first region R1 and the white ink and color ink ejected into the second region R2, which makes it less likely for the white ink ejected into the first region R1 and the color ink ejected into the second region R2 to bleed into the adjacent region Ra.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third amount when the first amount is the fourth amount is less than the third amount when the first amount is the fifth amount, which is less than the fourth amount. According to this configuration, when the first amount is the fourth amount, the white ink in the first region R1 is less likely to dry than when the first amount is the fifth amount. Therefore, by reducing the third amount when the first amount is the fourth amount, the white ink in the first region R1 and the color inks in the second region R2 are less likely to bleed through the white ink in the adjacent region Ra.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third amount when the color ink is a first color is less than the third amount when the color ink is a second color different from the first color. According to this configuration, when the first color is, for example, a color that easily bleeds or a color in which bleeding is easily noticeable, and the second color is, for example, a color that does not easily bleed or a color in which bleeding is not easily noticeable, the third amount when the color ink is the first color is less than the third amount when the color ink is the second color. As a result, even when color inks having a first color that is highly susceptible to bleeding or highly noticeable bleeding are used, the white ink in the first region R1 and the color ink in the second region R2 are less likely to bleed through the white ink in the adjacent region Ra, or bleeding in the adjacent region Ra is less likely to be noticeable.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third amount when the number of layers is a first number is less than the third amount when the number of layers is a second number, which is greater than the first number. According to this configuration, when the number of layers formed in the first region R1 is the first number, the white ink forming the layers is less likely to dry than when the number of layers formed in the first region R1 is the second number. Therefore, the third amount is set less than when the number of layers formed in the first region R1 is the second number. This makes it less likely that the white ink ejected into the first region R1 and the color inks ejected into the second region R2 will bleed through the white ink in the adjacent region Ra.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third amount when the print medium W is a non-permeable medium W1 is less than the third amount when the print medium W is a permeable medium W2 that has greater permeability than the non-permeable medium W1. According to this configuration, the third amount when the print medium W is a non-permeable medium W1 is less than when the print medium W is a permeable medium W2. Therefore, even when the print medium W is a non-permeable medium W1 that is prone to bleeding, the white ink ejected into the first region R1 and the color inks ejected into the second region R2 are less likely to bleed through the white ink in the adjacent region Ra.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the interval T is the first interval, the second control device 50 reduces the amount of white ink ejected from the first nozzles 24 to the adjacent region Ra at a second rate smaller than the first rate from the first region R1 toward the second region R2 in the third process. In contrast, when the interval T is the second interval, the second control device 50 reduces the amount of white ink ejected from the first nozzles 24 to the adjacent region Ra at the first rate from the first region R1 toward the second region R2 in the third process. According to this configuration, the amount of white ink ejected is reduced in the adjacent region Ra closer to the second region R2, thereby suppressing the bleeding of color ink in the second region R2 into the adjacent region Ra. Furthermore, the shorter the interval T, the greater the rate at which the amount of white ink ejected is reduced, thereby further improving the reliability with which bleeding can be suppressed.

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the interval T is the first interval, the second control device 50 sets the width dimension of the adjacent region Ra to a first distance from the second region R2 toward the first region R1 in the third process, and causes the first nozzles 24 to eject white ink onto the adjacent region Ra. In contrast, when the interval T is the second interval, the second control device 50 sets the width dimension of the adjacent region Ra to a second distance from the second region R2 toward the first region R1 that is longer than the first distance in the third process, and causes the first nozzles 24 to eject white ink onto the adjacent region Ra. According to this configuration, when the interval T is the second interval, white ink is ejected onto the expanded adjacent region Rae, which has a second distance that is longer than the first distance when the interval T is the first interval. As a result, because the interval T is the second interval, which is shorter than the first interval, the white ink ejected into the first region R1 and the color inks ejected into the second region R2 are less likely to bleed through the white ink in the adjacent region Ra, even if the white ink in the first region R1 is not sufficiently dried.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third amount when the special color ink is ejected as color ink from the special color nozzles 25a in the fourth process is smaller than the third amount when the color ink is ejected as color ink from the reference nozzles 25a in the fourth process. According to this configuration, when the ejection head unit HU is a serial head type, the special color ink is ejected before the color ink into the second region R2. Therefore, even if the special color ink is ejected before the color ink in the first region R1 when the white ink in the first region R1 is not yet sufficiently dried, the third amount is relatively small. This makes it difficult for the white ink in the first region R1 and the special color ink in the second region R2 to bleed through the white ink in the adjacent region Ra.

[0102] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the following modifications are possible.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the first control device 61 is configured to calculate the interval T when generating the print data, but this is not limited to this. The interval T may also be calculated by the second control device 50 in the output device 101.

[0104] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the ejection head unit HU in which the second head 22 is disposed upstream of the third head 23 in the direction Dy1 in which the print medium W is transported has been described, but this is not limited to this. The third head 23 may also be disposed upstream of the second head 22 in the direction Dy1 in which the print medium W is transported.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the reduction amount of the third amount may be set depending on the type of color ink that constitutes layer L2 in second region R2. For example, because red ink tends to bleed more easily than yellow ink, the third amount when layer L2 is formed of red ink is set to be less than the third amount when layer L2 is formed of yellow ink.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the reduction amount of the third amount may be set according to the RGB values ​​of the color inks that make up the layer L2 in the second region R2. In this case, a color conversion lookup table that associates RGB values ​​with CMYK values ​​may be used. Furthermore, the reduction amount of the third amount may be set according to a color profile in addition to the RGB values.

[0107] 11B , when the white ink layer forming the base layer is divided into layer L1 and layers L11 and L12, white ink may be ejected first onto the portion of layer L1 in the adjacent region Ra. In this case, the interval between the time when white ink is ejected onto the portion in the adjacent region Ra and the time when color inks are ejected to form layer L22 in the second region R2 may be longer than when white ink is not ejected onto the portion in the adjacent region Ra first. This makes it less likely that the white ink in the first region R1 and the color inks in the second region R2 will bleed through the white ink in the adjacent region Ra.

[0108] In addition, in the above embodiment, the user may input information regarding whether the printing medium W is a non-permeable medium W1 or a permeable medium W2 into the printing device 100 in advance, or an imaging device provided in the printing device 100 may image the printing medium W before printing, and the control device 70 may determine whether the printing medium W is a non-permeable medium W1 or a permeable medium W2 based on the imaging results.

[0109] Furthermore, as a method for reducing the third amount, which is the amount of white ink ejected into the adjacent region Ra, in addition to reducing the amount of white ink ejected as in the above embodiment, the following methods are exemplified: namely, reducing the dot size of white ink droplets in the adjacent region Ra and reducing the number of white ink droplets ejected.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the ejection amount of color ink to the second region R2 may be changed in conjunction with the change in the third amount, which is the ejection amount of white ink to the adjacent region Ra.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the platen 11 supporting the print medium W moves back and forth in the transport direction Dy to transport the print medium W in the transport direction Dy, but this is not limiting, and a roll-shaped transfer film serving as the print medium W may be transported over the platen by a transport roller. According to this aspect, the image printed on the print medium W is transferred to the transfer medium by a thermal transfer device, and therefore the configuration of layers L1 and L2 is the same as that shown in Figures 16A and 16B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 24 No. 1 nozzle 25 Second nozzle 25a Special color nozzle 25b Reference nozzle 50 Second control device 61 First control device 70 Control device 100 Printing device 101 Output Device 102 Image processing device HU ejection head unit L1,L2 layer R1 1st area R2 2nd area Ra adjacent region W Printing medium W1 Non-permeable media W2 Permeable media

Claims

1. an ejection head unit having a first nozzle that ejects a first liquid onto a print medium and a second nozzle that ejects a second liquid different from the first liquid onto the print medium; a control device; The control device a first process for ejecting a first amount of the first liquid from the first nozzle onto a first region of the print medium; a second process of ejecting the first liquid from the first nozzles in a second amount that is smaller than the first amount onto a second area on the print medium that is different from the first area; a third process of ejecting the first liquid from the first nozzle in a third amount, which is less than the first amount, or not ejecting the first liquid, onto an adjacent region between the first region and the second region; a fourth process of ejecting the second liquid from the second nozzles onto the second region without ejecting the second liquid from the second nozzles onto the first region; A printing device wherein the third amount when the interval between the time when the first liquid is ejected onto the second area and the time when the second liquid is ejected onto the second area is a first interval is greater than the third amount when the interval is a second interval that is shorter than the first interval.

2. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the third amount when the first amount is a fourth amount is less than the third amount when the first amount is a fifth amount that is less than the fourth amount.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the third amount when the color of the second liquid is a first color is less than the third amount when the color of the second liquid is a second color different from the first color.

4. the control device causes the first nozzle to form a plurality of layers on the first region using the first liquid in the first process; The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the third amount when the number of layers is the first number is less than the third amount when the number of layers is a second number greater than the first number.

5. The printing device of claim 1 , wherein the third amount when the print medium is a non-permeable medium is less than the third amount when the print medium is a permeable medium that is more permeable than the non-permeable medium.

6. In the third process, the control device When the interval is the second interval, the ejection amount of the first liquid from the first nozzle to the adjacent region is reduced at a first rate from the first region toward the second region; 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein when the interval is the first interval, the amount of the first liquid ejected from the first nozzle to the adjacent region is reduced from the first region to the second region at a second rate that is smaller than the first rate.

7. In the third process, the control device When the interval is the first interval, the width dimension of the adjacent region is set to a first distance from the second region toward the first region, and the first liquid is ejected from the first nozzle onto the adjacent region; 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein when the interval is the second interval, the width dimension of the adjacent region is set to a second distance from the second region toward the first region that is longer than the first distance, and the first liquid is ejected from the first nozzle onto the adjacent region.

8. the second nozzles include reference nozzles that eject color ink as the second liquid, and special color nozzles that eject special color ink other than the color ink as the second liquid, the special color nozzle is disposed closer to the first nozzle than the reference nozzle; 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the third amount when the special color ink is ejected as the second liquid from the second nozzle in the fourth process is less than the third amount when the color ink is ejected as the second liquid from the second nozzle in the fourth process.

9. A printing method using a discharge head unit having a first nozzle that discharges a first liquid onto a print medium and a second nozzle that discharges a second liquid different from the first liquid onto the print medium, A first amount of the first liquid is ejected from the first nozzle onto a first region of the print medium; a second amount of the first liquid, which is smaller than the first amount, is ejected from the first nozzle onto a second area of ​​the print medium, the second area being different from the first area; ejecting a third amount of the first liquid, which is less than the first amount, from the first nozzle to an adjacent area between the first area and the second area, or not ejecting the first liquid; The second liquid is ejected from the second nozzles onto the second region without being ejected from the second nozzles onto the first region; A printing method, wherein the third amount when the interval between the time when the first liquid is ejected onto the second area and the time when the second liquid is ejected onto the second area is a first interval is greater than the third amount when the interval is a second interval that is shorter than the first interval.

10. A printing program executed by a computer in a printing device including: an ejection head unit having first nozzles that eject a first liquid onto a print medium; and second nozzles that eject a second liquid different from the first liquid onto the print medium; and a computer, The computer, ejecting a first amount of the first liquid from the first nozzle onto a first region of the print medium; ejecting a second amount of the first liquid from the first nozzle onto a second area on the print medium that is different from the first area; the second amount being smaller than the first amount; a step of discharging the first liquid from the first nozzle to an adjacent region between the first region and the second region, the third amount being less than the first amount, or not discharging the first liquid; ejecting the second liquid from the second nozzles onto the second region without ejecting the second liquid from the second nozzles onto the first region; a step of making the third amount larger when an interval between a time when the first liquid is ejected onto the second region and a time when the second liquid is ejected onto the second region is a first interval than the third amount when the interval is a second interval shorter than the first interval; The printing program that causes the

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