Decoration method

Abstract

To provide a decoration method for producing a decorative article in which the unevenness of a pattern is finely expressed and which has a distinctive design appearance.SOLUTION: A decoration method for decorating a processing target region occupying at least a certain area of the surface of a base material includes: a first printing step S101 in which printing of a predetermined pattern is performed on the processing target region occupying at least a certain area of the surface of the base material with UV ink, based on image data representing the predetermined pattern; an ink curing step S102 in which the processing target region is irradiated with ultraviolet light to cure the UV ink printed on the surface of the base material; a foil forming step S105 in which foil is formed over the entire processing target region where the UV ink has been cured; and a second printing step S106 in which printing of the pattern is performed in superposition on the portions printed in the first printing step S101, targeting the entire processing target region on which the foil has been formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for decorating a substrate with foil. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Traditionally, decorative items using gold leaf, silver leaf, etc. have been known as traditional crafts.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a printed material with metallic luster, characterized by having a picture printed layer on a substrate, a raised printed area made of ultraviolet-curing (UV) resin in a partial area of ​​the picture printed layer, and metal foil provided on the entire surface of the raised printed area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-62928 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, unevenness is expressed by raising the surface, but the thickness of the raised portion is uniform, and foil is provided only on the raised portion.

[0006] In contrast, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a method of decorating to produce decorative items that have a unique design with a metallic feel due to the foil, in which the unevenness of the pattern is expressed in detail. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the decoration method of the present invention is a decoration method for decorating a processing target area occupying at least a certain area of ​​the surface of a base material, and includes: a first printing step for printing a predetermined pattern using UV ink on the processing target area occupying at least a certain area of ​​the surface of the base material based on image data representing the predetermined pattern; an ink curing step for irradiating the processing target area with ultraviolet light to harden the UV ink printed on the surface of the base material; a foil forming step for forming foil over the entire processing target area where the UV ink has hardened; and a second printing step for printing a pattern over the entire processing target area where the foil has been formed, superimposed on the area printed in the first printing step.

[0008] In the second printing process, the specified pattern may be printed on the entire processing area on which the foil is formed, based on image data representing a pattern similar to the specified pattern.

[0009] In the second printing process, the specified pattern may be printed on the entire processing target area on which the foil is formed, based on image data representing a pattern including the specified pattern.

[0010] The method may further include an adhesive application process for applying adhesive with a uniform thickness over the entire processing target area on the surface of the substrate on which the UV ink has been cured, and the foil formation process may form foil over the entire processing target area on which the adhesive has been applied.

[0011] The first printing process may involve binarizing image data representing the predetermined pattern, and printing the predetermined pattern using UV ink on a processing target area occupying at least a certain area of ​​the surface of the substrate based on the binarized image that distinguishes between areas where the UV ink is to be printed and areas where the UV ink is not to be printed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a system for executing a decoration method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing processing steps of a decorating method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the state after each processing step in a decoration method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) the state after the first printing step and the ink curing step, (b) the state after the foil forming step, and (c) the state after the second printing step are shown. [Figure 4] 1 is a photograph of the surface of a substrate on which a first printing step and an ink curing step have been performed in a decorating method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is a photograph of the surface of a substrate after an adhesive application step, an adhesive curing step, and a foil formation step have been performed in a decorating method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a photograph of the surface of a substrate on which a second printing step has been performed in the decorating method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] ●Details of the process Hereinafter, a decorating method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a system for realizing a decoration method according to this embodiment and the functional configuration of devices constituting the system. The system 1 comprises a printer 2 , a foil forming device 3 , and a controller 4 . The above-described configuration of system 1 is an example, and the hardware and software may be aggregated or distributed as appropriate in implementing the present invention. Furthermore, system 1 is configured to be able to communicate via a network such as a dedicated line or LAN, but it does not have to be configured to be able to communicate via a network as long as the data required for processing can be shared.

[0014] The printer 2 is a device that prints on a substrate. The printer 2 includes at least a printing mechanism 21 and a drying mechanism 22.

[0015] The printing mechanism 21 prints a design corresponding to predetermined image data onto a substrate. This printing mechanism 21 can handle UV-curable ink in printing, and may also be capable of handling other inks such as oil-based ink. The design corresponding to the predetermined image data may be anything that can be visually recognized, such as letters or patterns, and does not require a high level of design or aesthetic appeal. The substrate to be printed on can be a variety of materials, such as paper, board, metal, etc.

[0016] In this embodiment, decoration is applied to a processing target area that occupies at least a certain area of ​​the surface of the base material, although the processing target area may also cover the entire surface of the base material.

[0017] The drying mechanism 22 is disposed downstream of the printing mechanism 21, and irradiates ultraviolet rays onto a substrate that has been conveyed from the upstream printing mechanism 21 and printed with UV ink, thereby drying the UV ink. The drying mechanism 22 is realized by, for example, a UV lamp.

[0018] The foil forming device 3 is a device that forms foil on the base material on which the design has been printed by the printer 2. The foil forming device 3 includes at least a coating mechanism 31 and a foil stamping mechanism 32 .

[0019] The coating mechanism 31 applies an adhesive for adhering the foil to the substrate that has been printed with UV ink, and then dries the applied adhesive. Various adhesives can be used, such as varnish, which also serves to protect the UV ink printed on the substrate.

[0020] The foil stamping mechanism 32 forms a sheet-like foil on the base material coated with the adhesive material. Various methods, such as hot foil and cold foil, can be used to form the foil. The foil used is that used in general foil stamping, such as an aluminum sheet that has been appropriately colored, for example, in gold or silver.

[0021] The controller 4 is a computer that operates and controls the printer 2 and the foil forming device 3, and also stores data necessary for processing in the printer 2 and the foil forming device 3. This controller 4 includes at least an operation / control unit 41 for operating and controlling the printer 2 and the foil forming device 3, and an image storage unit 42 that stores image data that forms the basis of the design to be printed on the substrate. Regardless of this embodiment, the functions of the controller 4 may be distributed and held by the printer 2 and the foil forming device 3.

[0022] The operation / control unit 41 receives operations from the user and commands the printer 2 and the foil forming device 3 to perform processes corresponding to the operations. It also causes the printer 2 and the foil forming device 3 to output the processes executed by the printer 2 and the foil forming device 3 and data related to the processes to the controller 4.

[0023] The image storage unit 42 is a storage unit that stores image data that is the basis of the design to be printed on the substrate. The image data stored in the image storage unit 42 is referenced in a first printing step S101 and a second printing step S106, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0024] As will be described later, the first printing step S101 is a step of printing UV ink on a substrate, and the printed UV ink will be hidden under the foil when completed. In contrast, the second printing step S106 is a step of printing ink on the foil, and the printed ink will be visible above the foil when completed. In this embodiment, in the second printing step S106, a design is printed so as to be superimposed on the area printed in the first printing step S101. Superimposition here refers not only to the case where the inks printed in the first printing step S101 and the second printing step S106 come into direct contact with each other, but also to the case where an adhesive or foil is used.

[0025] Because printing is performed in this manner, in one example, the design represented in the image data referenced in the second printing step S106 is the same as the design represented in the image data referenced in the first printing step S101. Therefore, the image data referenced in the first printing step S101 and the second printing step S106 may be the same image data or may be copies. In this way, ink is post-printed on the foil portions that are raised by the ink printed on the substrate in the first printing step S101, thereby giving the foil a shading effect.

[0026] In another example, the image data referenced in the second printing step S106 may be image data consisting of a design including a predetermined design represented in the image data used in the first printing step S101, for example, a design in which another design is added to the predetermined design. Therefore, in this example as well, ink can be post-printed on the foil portions that are raised in a convex shape by the ink printed on the substrate in the first printing step S101, thereby giving the foil a shadow.

[0027] The image data referenced in the first printing step S101 may be binarized data (binarized image) of the original image data. That is, for the original image data, pixel values ​​below a predetermined value are converted to black, and pixel values ​​equal to or greater than a predetermined value are converted to white, to generate a reference image for the first printing step S101. Then, in UV ink printing, the portions converted to black are considered to be portions on which UV ink is printed, and the portions converted to white are considered to be portions on which UV ink is not printed. However, the image data referenced in the second printing step S106 does not have to be binarized, and multiple colors of ink may be used for printing.

[0028] Next, the processing steps of the decorating method according to this embodiment and the decorative article produced thereby will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 shows the processing steps performed in the decorating method according to this embodiment, and all of the processing steps are made up of a first printing step S101, an ink curing step S102, an adhesive application step S103, an adhesive curing step S104, a foil forming step S105, and a second printing step S106, which are performed in sequence. In this embodiment, the first printing step S101, the ink curing step S102, and the second printing step S106 are performed by the printer 2. Furthermore, the adhesive application step S103, the adhesive curing step S104, and the foil forming step S105 are performed by the foil forming device 3. FIG. 3 shows the state after each processing step, with a structure in which UV ink 11, adhesive (not shown in FIG. 3), foil 12, and ink 13 are layered in this order on substrate 10.

[0029] <First printing step S101> In the first printing step S101, first, the printing mechanism 21 performs inkjet printing using the UV ink 11 on the processing target area of ​​the substrate 10. Printing is performed based on image data representing a predetermined design, and the predetermined design is printed on the processing target area. Printing is performed, for example, by a drop-on-demand method, so as not to crush the unevenness of the UV ink 11 that has risen by rebounding from the surface of the substrate 10 immediately after printing. As a result, the UV ink 11 is printed on the substrate 10, as shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0030] <Ink curing process S102> In the ink curing step S102, the drying mechanism 22 irradiates an area including at least the area to be processed with ultraviolet light and dries the area, thereby curing the UV ink 11 printed on the surface of the substrate 10. This ink curing step S102 is carried out promptly after printing of the UV ink 11, before the UV ink 11 applied to the surface of the substrate 10 soaks into the substrate 10 or spreads to lose its thickness.

[0031] <Adhesive application step S103> In the adhesive application step S103, the application mechanism 31 applies an adhesive such as varnish to a uniform thickness on the processing target area on the surface of the base material 10 on which the UV ink 11 has been cured. The adhesive bonds the surface of the substrate 10 and the UV ink 11 cured on the surface of the substrate 10 to the foil 12 in the processing target area. In applying the adhesive, the amount of application is adjusted so that the thickness of the UV ink 11 that has protruded on the substrate 10 is not buried in the adhesive. That is, the adhesive applied on the cured UV ink 11 is repelled by the oil in the UV ink 11 on the surface of the UV ink 11, and flows into recesses where the UV ink 11 is not printed. After the subsequent adhesive curing step S104, the thickness of the adhesive that has cured on the substrate 10 prevents the top of the UV ink 11 from being buried in the adhesive, and the protruding thickness of the UV ink 11 remains.

[0032] <Adhesive curing process S104> In the adhesive curing step S104, the surface of the base material 10 to which the adhesive has been applied is irradiated with ultraviolet light to dry and cure the applied adhesive.

[0033] <Foil forming process S105> The foil forming step S105 is a so-called foil stamping step, in which the foil stamping mechanism 32 forms the foil 12 over the entire processing target area to which the adhesive material has been applied. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the foil 12 is formed over the entire processing target area, including the area that has been printed with the UV ink 11 in the first printing step S101.

[0034] <Second printing step S106> In the second printing step S106, the printing mechanism 21 prints a design superimposed on the area printed in the first printing step S101. That is, as described above, the image data referenced in the second printing step S106 may be the same image data as the image data referenced in the first printing step S101, or a copy of the image data referenced in the first printing step S101. Furthermore, the image data referenced in the second printing step S106 may be image data representing a design including a design similar to the design represented in the image data referenced in the first printing step S101. As a result, the ink 13-1 is post-printed onto the portion of the foil 12 that is raised in a convex shape by the UV ink 11 printed on the substrate 10 in the first printing step S101, thereby giving the foil 12 a shadow.

[0035] 3(c), the ink 13-2 is printed to represent the design added in the second printing step S106 without overlapping with the UV ink 11. When the second printing step S106 references the same image data as that referenced in the first printing step S101, only the ink 13-1 is printed. The ink 13 used in the second printing step S106 may be either a UV ink or an oil-based ink. However, if a UV ink is used, the UV ink is cured by irradiating it with ultraviolet light after printing. Furthermore, even if the image data is binarized in the first printing step S101, printing is performed in this second printing step S106 based on the image data before binarization, and minute shadows are expressed in a foil-like pattern.

[0036] ● Condition during each process Next, photographs of the product after each process are shown. FIG. 4 is a photograph of the substrate 10 that has been subjected to the first printing step S101 and the ink curing step S102. The UV ink 11 is printed on the substrate 10 and cured by exposure to ultraviolet light. The darker parts of the black and white design are raised, creating a three-dimensional effect.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a photograph of the substrate 10 after the adhesive application step S103, the adhesive curing step S104, and the foil formation step S105 have been carried out from the state shown in FIG. The foil 12 is formed all over the surface, giving it a metallic feel. The cured UV ink 11 on the substrate 10 creates a patterned texture on the surface.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a photograph of the substrate 10 after the second printing step S106 has been performed. The foil 12 applied all over the piece gives it a metallic feel, while the printing that follows the unevenness of the design creates a clear shadow effect.

[0039] According to the decorating method of the embodiment of the present invention described above, the unevenness of the pattern is expressed in detail in combination with the shading, and decorative items can be produced that have a unique design with a metallic feel due to the foil. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 Base material 11 UV ink 12 Foil 13. Ink

Claims

1. A decoration method for decorating a processing target area that occupies at least a certain area of ​​a surface of a base material, comprising: a first printing step of printing a predetermined pattern using UV ink on a processing target area occupying at least a certain area on the surface of the substrate based on image data representing the predetermined pattern; an ink curing step of irradiating the processing target area with ultraviolet light to cure the UV ink printed on the surface of the base material; a foil forming step of forming foil over the entire processing target area where the UV ink has been cured; A second printing process is performed to print a pattern on the entire processing area on which the foil is formed, superimposing the pattern on the area printed in the first printing process. Decoration method.

2. In the second printing step, the predetermined pattern is printed on the entire processing target area on which the foil is formed, based on image data representing a pattern similar to the predetermined pattern. The decorating method according to claim 1.

3. In the second printing step, the predetermined pattern is printed on the entire processing target area on which the foil is formed, based on image data representing a pattern including the predetermined pattern. The decorating method according to claim 1.

4. an adhesive application step of applying an adhesive to a uniform thickness over the entire processing target area on the surface of the base material on which the UV ink has been cured, The foil forming step forms a foil over the entire processing target area to which the adhesive is applied. The decorating method according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The first printing step involves binarizing image data representing the predetermined design, and printing the predetermined design with UV ink on a processing target area occupying at least a certain area of ​​the surface of the substrate based on the binarized image that distinguishes between areas where the UV ink is printed and areas where the UV ink is not printed. The decorating method according to claim 1 or 2.

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