Printing apparatus and printing method

Abstract

To secure color developability without impairing glossiness in a gloss designation area.SOLUTION: The printing apparatus 1 includes a head unit U having a nozzle row M including a plurality of nozzles N capable of discharging a liquid onto the medium S, and a control unit 4 that forms an image on the medium S by controlling a discharge operation of the head unit U. When the media S is a glossy fabric having an uneven shape in which fibers in different directions intersect with each other and the liquid is pigmented ink containing pigments as color materials, the control unit 4 arranges the discharge region a to which the liquid is discharged and the non-discharge region b to which the liquid is not discharged in the gloss designation region 81a that is a region designated to leave the gloss in the printed image 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet recording method in which a pigment ink is ejected onto a fabric made of synthetic fibers by an inkjet method to form an image on the fabric. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-030291 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when forming an image on a glossy fabric by ejecting a pigment ink onto the fabric, the pigment needs to be aggregated near the surface of the fabric to produce color, which causes a problem that the glossiness of the fabric itself is lost in the area where the pigment ink is ejected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] a print head unit having a nozzle group made up of a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting liquid onto a medium; a control unit for forming an image on the medium by controlling the ejection operation of the print head unit; Including, The control unit When the medium is a glossy fabric having an uneven shape in which fibers in different directions intersect, and the liquid is a pigment ink containing a pigment as a coloring material, In a gloss designation area, which is an area of ​​the input image that is designated to retain glossiness, a discharge area where the liquid is discharged and a non-discharge area where the liquid is not discharged are arranged. A first printing mode is executable; A printing device is provided.

[0006] A printing method for forming an image on a medium by controlling the ejection operation of a print head unit having a nozzle group consisting of a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting liquid onto the medium, the method comprising: The computer, When the medium is a glossy fabric having an uneven shape where fibers in different directions intersect, and the liquid is a pigment ink containing a pigment as a coloring material, a first printing mode is executed in which a discharge area where the liquid is discharged and a non-discharge area where the liquid is not discharged are arranged in a gloss-designated area, which is an area of ​​the input image designated to retain gloss. A printing method is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing device. [Figure 2] 1 is a control flow of a printing device. [Figure 3] 1 is a control flow of a printing device. [Figure 4] 10 is an example of a printed image. [Figure 5] 10 is an example of a warning screen. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of a gloss-specified image. [Figure 7] 10 is an example of a glossy print setting screen. [Figure 8] This is a specific example of a tile. [Figure 9] This is an example of a mask. [Figure 10] This is a printed image with a mask applied. [Figure 11] This is a modified example of a tile. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0009] In each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three spatial axes that are orthogonal to one another. In this specification, the directions along these axes are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction. In each figure, the direction indicated by the arrow is referred to as the positive (+) direction, and the direction opposite the arrow is referred to as the negative (-) direction. Furthermore, the directions of the three spatial axes that are not limited to the positive and negative directions are referred to as the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 is a so-called serial digital textile printing machine equipped with a head unit U having multiple nozzle rows M each consisting of multiple nozzles N. While transporting a medium S in the X-axis direction, the head unit U reciprocates in the Y-axis direction, ejecting liquid from the multiple nozzles N toward the medium S in the +Z direction. The head unit U is a specific example of a printing head unit. The medium S can be made of any material, such as fabric, recording paper, or resin film. The fabric is not particularly limited. The material constituting the fabric is not particularly limited, and examples include natural fibers such as cotton, linen, wool, and silk; synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyester, acetate, triacetate, polyamide, and polyurethane; and biodegradable fibers such as polylactic acid. Blends of these fibers are also acceptable. The fabric may be made of any of the above-listed fibers, such as woven fabric, knitted fabric, or nonwoven fabric, or may be a blended fabric. The liquid ejected by the printing device 1 may be a pigment ink containing a pigment as a coloring material, a reaction liquid containing an aggregating agent that aggregates the pigment ink, a treatment liquid containing a softening agent, an overcoat liquid, etc. Pigment ink is one specific example of a liquid.

[0011] Pigment inks contain at least a pigment and water. Examples of pigments contained in pigment inks include color pigments such as cyan, yellow, magenta, and black, as well as special color pigments such as white and pearlescent pigments. The pigments may be mixtures. Pigments have excellent storage stability, including lightfastness, weather resistance, and gas resistance, and from this perspective, organic pigments are preferred. Specifically, examples of pigments include azo pigments such as insoluble azo pigments, condensed azo pigments, azo lakes, and chelate azo pigments; polycyclic pigments such as phthalocyanine pigments, perylene and perinone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxane pigments, thioindigo pigments, isoindolinone pigments, and quinophthalone pigments; dye chelates, dye lakes, nitro pigments, nitroso pigments, aniline black, daylight fluorescent pigments, and carbon black. The above pigments may be used alone or in combination. Furthermore, white pigments, luster pigments, and the like may also be used.

[0012] Such a printing device 1 includes a head unit U, a liquid storage section 3, a control unit 4 serving as a control section, a transport mechanism 5 that feeds out the medium S, a movement mechanism 6, a display 70, and a touch panel 71. The display 70 is a specific example of a display means. The touch panel 71 is a specific example of an input means. The display 70 and the touch panel 71 are typically arranged one on top of the other.

[0013] The control unit 4 includes, for example, a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a storage device such as a semiconductor memory. The control unit 4 is electrically connected to the head unit U via external wiring (not shown). The control unit 4 generally controls each element of the printing device 1, i.e., the head unit U, the transport mechanism 5, the movement mechanism 6, etc., in accordance with print image data acquired from an external device, typically a personal computer.

[0014] The transport mechanism 5 transports the medium S in the X-axis direction and has a transport roller 5a. That is, the transport mechanism 5 transports the medium S in the X-axis direction by rotating the transport roller 5a. The transport roller 5a is rotated by driving a transport motor (not shown). The control unit 4 controls the transport of the medium S by controlling the driving of the medium transport motor.

[0015] The movement mechanism 6 is a mechanism for reciprocating the head unit U in the Y-axis direction, and includes a holder 7 and a conveyor belt 8. The holder 7 is a so-called carriage that holds the head unit U, and is fixed to the conveyor belt 8. The conveyor belt 8 is an endless belt that is installed along the Y-axis direction. The conveyor belt 8 is rotated by the drive of a conveyor motor (not shown). The control unit 4 controls the drive of the conveyor motor to rotate the conveyor belt 8, and moves the head unit U back and forth together with the holder 7 in the Y-axis direction.

[0016] Under the control of the control unit 4, the head unit U performs a discharge operation in which the liquid supplied from the liquid storage section 3 is discharged as droplets in the +Z direction from each of the multiple nozzles N. This discharge operation by the head unit U is performed in parallel with the transport of the medium S by the transport mechanism 5 and the reciprocating movement of the head unit U by the movement mechanism 6, so that the liquid is applied to the medium S and an image is formed on the medium S, i.e., so-called printing is performed.

[0017] There are two printing processing methods: a bidirectional printing method and a unidirectional printing method. Hereinafter, moving the head unit U once in the Y-axis direction will be referred to as one pass (abbreviated as one pass). The period of one pass is the period required to move the head unit U once in the Y-axis direction.

[0018] In the bidirectional printing method, the printing device 1 executes a +Y direction printing process in which the head unit U is moved in the +Y direction while ejecting liquid, thereby forming a partial image of a bandwidth corresponding to the first pass on the medium S. Next, the printing device 1 executes a movement process in which the medium S is moved in the X axis direction by the bandwidth, and then executes a -Y direction printing process in which the head unit U is moved in the -Y direction while ejecting liquid, thereby forming a partial image of a bandwidth corresponding to the second pass on the medium S. Thereafter, the printing device 1 repeats the +Y direction printing process and the -Y direction printing process until an image is formed on the medium S.

[0019] In the unidirectional printing method, the +Y direction printing process described above is executed. Next, the printing device 1 executes a movement process that moves the medium S in the X-axis direction by the bandwidth. Thereafter, the printing device 1 repeats the +Y direction printing process and movement process until an image is formed on the medium S.

[0020] The control unit 4 is capable of selectively executing a normal printing mode and a glossy printing mode. The glossy printing mode is a specific example of the first printing mode.

[0021] When the control unit 4 executes the normal printing mode, it forms an image on the medium S by ejecting pigment ink onto the medium S in accordance with print image data.

[0022] In contrast, when executing the glossy printing mode, the control unit 4 masks the print image data and forms an image on the medium S by ejecting pigment ink onto the medium S in accordance with the print image data after masking. Specifically, by using the masking process, the control unit 4 alternately arranges ejection areas where pigment ink is ejected and non-ejection areas where pigment ink is not ejected in the gloss-designated areas, which are areas of the print image indicated by the print image data that are designated to retain gloss. This exposes the medium S in places in the gloss-designated areas, making it possible to retain a certain degree of the glossiness of the medium S itself while bringing out the color of the gloss-designated areas.

[0023] Therefore, when the control unit 4 executes the glossy printing mode, the medium S is limited to glossy fabrics having an uneven surface where fibers of different directions intersect. Fabrics having an uneven surface where fibers of different directions intersect include fabrics having an uneven surface where multiple fibers intersect. Having an uneven surface where fibers of different directions intersect means that the fabric is woven or knitted, rather than a nonwoven fabric. A glossy fabric typically means that the light reflection characteristics change depending on the angle from which the fabric is observed. For example, if a fabric is wrinkled to create a wavy pattern, the crests of the waves will typically appear white if the lighting in the observation environment is white. In this case, the fabric can be said to have a glossy surface. One example of a glossy fabric is a fabric woven with synthetic fibers. This is because synthetic fibers have a smoother surface compared to natural fibers. As mentioned above, examples of chemical fibers include synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyester, acetate, triacetate, polyamide, and polyurethane. Examples of glossy fabrics include twill and satin woven fabrics. This is because twill and satin woven fabrics have more warp threads exposed on the surface than plain woven fabrics, resulting in glossy fabrics.

[0024] Next, the operational flow of the printing device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0025] First, the control unit 4 receives print image data (S100). The print image data is typically data representing a print image 80, as shown in FIG. 4, created by a user using an application installed on a personal computer. The print image 80 is an image that represents a pattern or design. The print image 80 is also referred to as an input image. The print image 80 shown in FIG. 4 has, as an example, a width of 45,000 pixels and a height of 45,000 pixels. The print image 80 shown in FIG. 4 is, as an example, a grayscale image. However, the print image 80 may also be a color image.

[0026] Next, the control unit 4 acquires medium type information indicating the type of the medium S, which is input by the user via the touch panel 71 (S110).

[0027] Next, the control unit 4 displays a screen on the display 70 for selecting either the normal printing mode or the glossy printing mode as the printing mode, and acquires the printing mode selected by the user via the touch panel 71 (S120).

[0028] Next, in step S130, if the printing mode acquired in step S120 is the normal printing mode, the control unit 4 executes the normal printing mode (S140) to form the printing image 80 indicated by the printing image data on the medium S, and then ends the processing.

[0029] On the other hand, in step S130, if the printing mode acquired in step S120 is the glossy printing mode, the control unit 4 determines whether the medium S on which the print image 80 is formed in the glossy printing mode is a glossy fabric based on the medium type information of the medium S acquired in step S110 (S150). If the medium S is not a glossy fabric (S150: NO), the control unit 4 proceeds to step S160. On the other hand, if the medium S is a glossy fabric (S150: YES), the control unit 4 proceeds to step S200.

[0030] In step S160, the control unit 4 displays a warning screen 72 shown in FIG. 5 on the display 70. The glossy printing mode assumes that the medium S is a glossy fabric. This is because, if the medium S is not a glossy fabric, the visual effect unique to the glossy printing mode, which achieves both color and gloss with pigment ink, will not be achieved. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the warning screen 72 indicates that the medium S is not suitable for the glossy printing mode and asks the user whether or not to execute the glossy printing mode. If the user selects to execute the glossy printing mode in step S170 (S170: YES), the control unit 4 proceeds to step S200. On the other hand, if the user selects not to execute the glossy printing mode in step S170 (S170: NO), the control unit 4 terminates the process.

[0031] In step S200, the control unit 4 receives gloss designation data (S200). The gloss designation data is typically data representing a gloss designation image 81, as shown in FIG. 6, created by a user using an application installed on a personal computer. The gloss designation image 81 shown in FIG. 6 typically has the same size as the print image 80. That is, in this embodiment, the gloss designation image 81 has a width of 45,000 pixels and a height of 45,000 pixels. In the gloss designation image 81 shown in FIG. 6, the white areas are gloss designation areas 81a, and the black areas are non-gloss designation areas 81b.

[0032] The gloss-designated area 81a is an area of ​​the printed image 80 that is designated to retain glossiness. In other words, the gloss-designated area 81a is an area of ​​the printed image 80 that is designated to prioritize glossiness over color development. The non-gloss-designated area 81b is an area of ​​the printed image 80 that is designated to prioritize color development. In other words, the non-gloss-designated area 81b is an area of ​​the printed image 80 that is designated to prioritize color development over glossiness.

[0033] The gloss-designation area 81a and the non-glossiness area 81b are complementary to each other. That is, the portion of the gloss-designation image 81 other than the glossiness-designation area 81a corresponds to the non-glossiness area 81b. In the present embodiment, as an example, the non-glossiness area 81b is designated to surround the glossiness-designation area 81a.

[0034] The method of specifying the gloss-designated area 81a and the non-gloss-designated area 81b in the print image 80 is not limited to the two-color image shown in Fig. 6. For example, if the gloss-designated area 81a is rectangular, it may be specified by the coordinates of the upper left and lower right of the gloss-designated area 81a. For example, if the gloss-designated area 81a is circular, it may be specified by the center coordinates and radius of the gloss-designated area 81a. A gloss-designated image 81 in which the gloss-designated area 81a is red and the non-gloss-designated area 81b is blue may also be considered.

[0035] Next, the control unit 4 outputs a glossy print setting screen 82 shown in Fig. 7 to the display 70. The glossy print setting screen 82 is configured to allow the user to input, via the touch panel 71, for example, the output resolution of the print image, whether to prioritize glossiness or color development, or whether to prioritize printing speed or color development.

[0036] Specifically, the glossy print setting screen 82 has an image format radio button 82a labeled "1200 DPI" and an image format radio button 82b labeled "600 DPI." The user selects either radio button 82a or radio button 82b via the touch panel 71. Similarly, the glossy print setting screen 82 has an image format radio button 82c labeled "Gloss Priority," an image format radio button 82d labeled "Standard," and an image format radio button 82e labeled "Color Priority." The user selects either radio button 82c, radio button 82d, or radio button 82e via the touch panel 71. Similarly, the glossy print setting screen 82 has an image format radio button 82f labeled "Speed ​​Priority," and an image format radio button 82g labeled "Color Priority." The user selects either the radio button 82f or the radio button 82g via the touch panel 71.

[0037] A settings completion button 82h is also provided on the glossy print setting screen 82. After the user has finished inputting the output resolution of the print image, whether to prioritize glossiness or color development, and whether to prioritize print speed or color development on the glossy print setting screen 82 via the touch panel 71, the user taps the settings completion button 82h. In response to the tapping of the settings completion button 82h, the control unit 4 obtains the output resolution of the print image (S210), obtains whether to prioritize glossiness or color development (S220), and obtains whether to prioritize print speed or color development (S230).

[0038] Next, control unit 4 selects tiles for generating a mask to be applied to printed image 80 (S240).

[0039] In this embodiment, the region of the mask corresponding to the gloss designation region 81a includes a tiling pattern in which a single tile is repeatedly laid out in a predetermined direction, defining a discharge region a and a non-discharge region b. A tile is typically a unit pattern that is repeated in the tiling pattern, such as a rectangular two-color image. FIG. 8 illustrates multiple types of tiles 83. The storage device of the control unit 4 pre-stores tile data representing the multiple types of tiles 83 shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the multiple types of tiles 83 include tiles 83a, 83b, 83c, 83d, 83e, and 83f. Each tile 83, for example, is 80 pixels wide and 80 pixels long. In this embodiment, each tile 83 is a monochrome image. Each tile 83 defines at least one discharge region a and at least one non-discharge region b. The discharge region a is a region to which pigment ink is discharged. The non-discharge region b is a region to which pigment ink is not discharged. As an example, each tile 83 has a lattice pattern. More specifically, each tile 83 has a checkered pattern, which is a type of lattice pattern.

[0040] In Figure 8, as an example, the two-color image is a monochrome image, with the black areas being ejection areas a and the white areas being non-ejection areas b. However, instead of this, the two-color image may be composed of, for example, cyan and magenta. In this case, it is conceivable that either the cyan or magenta area is the ejection area a, and the other is the non-ejection area b.

[0041] Tiles 83a, 83c, and 83e are tiles used when the output resolution of the print image is set to 1200 DPI. In contrast, tiles 83b, 83d, and 83f are tiles used when the output resolution of the print image is set to 600 DPI. The number of vertical and horizontal pixels of one discharge area a in tile 83a is twice the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of one discharge area a in tile 83b. The number of vertical and horizontal pixels of one discharge area a in tile 83c is twice the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of one discharge area a in tile 83d. The number of vertical and horizontal pixels of one discharge area a in tile 83e is twice the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of one discharge area a in tile 83f.

[0042] In this way, by using different tiles 83 depending on the output resolution of the print image, it is possible to ensure that the outer dimensions of the non-ejection area b in the print product are equal to or greater than a predetermined outer dimension. The outer dimensions of the non-ejection area b in the print product are typically 0.3 mm or more and less than 3 mm, preferably 0.5 mm or more and less than 1 mm, and more preferably 0.7 mm or more and less than 0.9 mm.

[0043] Tiles 83a and 83b are tiles used when glossiness is prioritized over coloring. Therefore, in tiles 83a and 83b, the total area of ​​the non-ejection regions b is larger than the total area of ​​the ejection regions a. In tiles 83a and 83b, the area ratio of the ejection regions a to the non-ejection regions b is 2:7. Tiles 83e and 83f are tiles used when coloring is prioritized over glossiness. Therefore, in tiles 83e and 83f, the total area of ​​the ejection regions a is larger than the total area of ​​the non-ejection regions b. In tiles 83e and 83f, the area ratio of the ejection regions a to the non-ejection regions b is 7:2. Tiles 83c and 83d are tiles used when glossiness and coloring are not prioritized. Therefore, in tiles 83c and 83d, the total area of ​​the ejection regions a and the total area of ​​the non-ejection regions b are equal. In tiles 83c and 83d, the area ratio of the discharge region a to the non-discharge region b is 1:1. In this way, the control unit 4 has multiple types of tiles 83 for mask processing, each having a different area ratio of the discharge region a to the non-discharge region b.

[0044] Therefore, the control unit 4 selects one tile 83 from the multiple types of tiles 83 shown in Fig. 8 based on the output resolution of the print image acquired in step S210 and whether to prioritize glossiness or coloring acquired in step S220 (S240). As an example, as shown in Fig. 7, if the output resolution of the print image is set to 1200 DPI and it is set so that there is no preference between glossiness and coloring, the control unit 4 will select tile 83c from the multiple types of tiles 83.

[0045] Next, the control unit 4 generates a mask 85 shown in FIG. 9 using the gloss-designated image 81 acquired in step S200 and the tiles 83 selected in step S240 (S250). The mask 85 shown in FIG. 9 typically has the same size as the print image 80 and the gloss-designated image 81. That is, in this embodiment, the mask 85 has a width of 45,000 pixels and a height of 45,000 pixels. The control unit 4 generates the mask 85 shown in FIG. 9 by tiling the tiles 83 selected in step S240 vertically and horizontally without gaps in the gloss-designated region 81a of the gloss-designated image 81 shown in FIG. 6. In the mask 85, the non-gloss-designated region 81b and the pixels in the gloss-designated region 81a corresponding to the ejection region a are black, and the other pixels, i.e., the pixels in the gloss-designated region 81a corresponding to the non-ejection region b, are white. The black pixels in the mask 85 are pixels that allow the ejection of pigment ink. In contrast, white pixels in the mask 85 are pixels that prohibit the ejection of pigment ink.

[0046] Next, the control unit 4 applies the mask 85 generated in step S250 to the print image 80 (S260). Specifically, the control unit 4 maintains the color information (RGB values, CMYK values, and alpha values) of pixels in the print image 80 that correspond to black pixels in the mask 85, and changes the color information of pixels in the print image 80 that correspond to white pixels in the mask 85 to white or fully transparent. FIG. 10 shows the print image 80 to which the mask 85 has been applied. As shown in FIG. 10, in the gloss-designated region 81a of the print image 80, the discharge regions a and the non-discharge regions b are alternately arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions. As a result, the print image 80 is thinned out in the gloss-designated region 81a. In contrast, in the non-gloss-designated region 81b of the print image 80, the print image 80 is not thinned out at all, and the color information obtained in step S100 is maintained unchanged for all pixels. As a result, in the gloss-designated region 81a, the presence of many non-ejection regions b thins out the printed image 80 in places, so that the medium S is exposed without being covered in parts with pigment ink. As a result, in the printed product, the presence of many ejection regions a in the gloss-designated region 81a ensures a certain degree of color development of the pattern expressed in the printed image 80, and the presence of many coexisting non-ejection regions b simultaneously achieves the glossiness of the pattern.

[0047] Next, the control unit 4 adjusts the input level of the print image 80 to which the mask 85 has been applied (S270). Specifically, the control unit 4 intentionally reduces the color development of the non-glossy region 81b by lowering the input level of the non-glossy region 81b of the print image 80. Here, lowering the input level means increasing the RGB value of the corresponding pixel, or reducing the CMYK value of the corresponding pixel to make the pixel closer to white, or reducing the alpha value of the corresponding pixel to make the pixel closer to transparency. In other words, the gloss-specified region 81a loses color development compared to before the mask is applied due to the presence of numerous non-ejection regions b, so the color development of the gloss-specified region 81a is lower than that of the non-glossy region 81b. Therefore, by intentionally lowering the color development of the non-glossy region 81b, the color development of the gloss-specified region 81a and the color development of the non-glossy region 81b can be made closer to each other.

[0048] Next, if the color information of the printed image 80 to which the mask 85 has been applied is expressed in RGB values, the control unit 4 performs a color conversion process to convert the color information of the printed image 80 to which the mask 85 has been applied into CMYK values ​​(S280).

[0049] Next, the control unit 4 executes halftone processing to generate dot data based on the print image 80 to which the mask 85 has been applied (S290).

[0050] The control unit 4 then executes a rasterization process (S300) to generate dot data for each pass based on the dot data generated in step S290. At this time, the control unit 4 generates the dot data for each pass so that pigment ink is ejected multiple times onto the same location on the medium S. This makes it possible to recover to a certain degree the coloring of the gloss-designated area 81a, whose coloring has been reduced due to the presence of many non-ejection areas b.

[0051] For example, if pigment ink is ejected once to the same location when performing standard printing mode, it is conceivable that pigment ink will be ejected twice to the same location in glossy printing mode.Also, if pigment ink is ejected four times to the same location when performing standard printing mode, it is conceivable that pigment ink will be ejected eight times to the same location in glossy printing mode.

[0052] The control unit 4 also changes the number of times pigment ink is ejected onto the same location depending on whether printing speed or coloring is prioritized, as obtained in step S230. In other words, as the number of times pigment ink is ejected onto the same location increases, the amount of medium S fed between passes decreases, inevitably resulting in a decrease in printing speed. Therefore, as an example, when setting in step S230 to prioritize printing speed over coloring, the control unit 4 sets the number of times pigment ink is ejected onto the same location to four, and when setting in step S230 to prioritize coloring over printing speed, the control unit 4 sets the number of times pigment ink is ejected onto the same location to eight. The number of times ejection when prioritizing printing speed is a specific example of the first number of times. The number of times ejection when prioritizing coloring is a specific example of the second number of times. The first number of times is set to be less than the second number of times.

[0053] As described above, when performing overprinting, in which ink is ejected multiple times onto the same location, there is a risk that the color development of the non-glossy area 81b may become excessive. However, since the color development of the non-glossy area 81b is intentionally reduced in step S270, the increase in color development due to overprinting and the decrease in color development due to input level adjustment are offset.

[0054] Finally, the control unit 4 executes inkjet printing based on the dot data for each pass generated in step S300 (S310), forms the print image 80 on the medium S, and then ends the process.

[0055] When performing inkjet printing, it is optional whether or not to apply an overcoat liquid to the medium S. However, if an overcoat liquid is applied to a glossy medium S, the color of the glossiness of the medium S will become slightly darker. Therefore, when performing glossy printing mode, it is possible to omit the application of the overcoat liquid.

[0056] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. The above embodiments have the following features.

[0057] The printing device 1 includes a head unit U (print head unit) having a nozzle array M (nozzle group) consisting of multiple nozzles N capable of ejecting liquid onto a medium S, and a control unit 4 (controller) that forms an image on the medium S by controlling the ejection operation of the head unit U. When the medium S is a glossy fabric having an uneven shape with fibers intersecting in different directions and the liquid is a pigment ink containing a pigment as a colorant, the control unit 4 alternately arranges ejection regions a, onto which the liquid is ejected, and non-ejection regions b, onto which the liquid is not ejected, in a gloss-designated region 81a, which is an area of ​​the print image 80 (input image) designated to retain gloss. With the above configuration, color development can be ensured in the gloss-designated region 81a without compromising gloss.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the gloss designation area 81a is a part of the printed image 80, but instead, the entire printed image 80 may be the gloss designation area 81a.

[0059] In this specification, "alternately arranging ejection regions a that eject liquid and non-ejection regions b that do not eject liquid" is not limited to alternately arranging the ejection regions a and non-ejection regions b so that the appearance ratio of the ejection regions a to the non-ejection regions b is 1:1 in the vertical and horizontal directions of the page, as in tiles 83c and 83d shown in Fig. 8. For example, this may include cases where the ejection regions a and non-ejection regions b are alternately arranged so that the appearance ratio of the ejection regions a to the non-ejection regions b is 1:2 or 2:1 in the vertical and horizontal directions of the page, as in tiles 83a, 83b, 83e, and 83f shown in Fig. 8, cases where the ejection regions a and non-ejection regions b are alternately arranged so that the appearance ratio of the ejection regions a to the non-ejection regions b is 1:9 in the vertical direction of the page and 1:4 in the horizontal direction of the page, as in tile 83 shown in Fig. 11, and cases where the ejection regions a and non-ejection regions b are alternately arranged in any other appearance ratio.

[0060] Furthermore, when executing the glossy printing mode, the control unit 4 generates dot data so that liquid is ejected multiple times onto the same location (S300). With the above configuration, the color development in the gloss designation area 81a is improved, and it is possible to compensate for the decrease in color development caused by the presence of the non-ejection area b.

[0061] Furthermore, the control unit 4 can select either a first number or a second number different from the first number as the number of times to eject liquid onto the same location. According to the above configuration, for example, when prioritizing printing speed over color development, the printing speed can be increased by selecting the smaller number of times from the first number or the second number. Similarly, when prioritizing color development over printing speed, the color development can be increased by selecting the larger number of times from the first number or the second number. In this way, the number of times to eject liquid onto the same location can be changed depending on whether color development or printing speed is prioritized, thereby realizing a printing device 1 that can flexibly respond to user requests. The number of times to eject liquid onto the same dot is also referred to as the number of overlapping strikes.

[0062] Furthermore, when executing the glossy printing mode, the control unit 4 reduces the input level of the non-gloss-specified area 81b, which is an area excluding the gloss-specified area 81a of the print image 80. With the above configuration, the color development in the gloss-specified area 81a and the color development in the non-gloss-specified area 81b can be made closer to each other.

[0063] Furthermore, when executing the glossy printing mode, the control unit 4 arranges the ejection areas a and the non-ejection areas b alternately in the vertical direction (first direction) and the horizontal direction (second direction) perpendicular to the vertical direction in the gloss designation area 81a. With the above configuration, the visual effect unique to the glossy printing mode can be achieved regardless of the direction from which the printed product is viewed.

[0064] Furthermore, the outer dimensions of the non-ejection regions b are set so that they are equal to or greater than a predetermined outer dimension in the printed product. That is, when visually observing the surface characteristics of the medium S, if the exposed area of ​​the medium S is excessively small, the pigment ink will be formed in a raised shape on the medium S, which inevitably reduces the angle of incidence (reflection angle) of light required to achieve gloss. As a result, the angle at which gloss can be perceived is limited. To put it in extreme terms, glossiness can only be perceived when observed from the normal direction to the medium S. In contrast, if the outer dimensions of the non-ejection regions b are equal to or greater than a predetermined outer dimension, even the medium S on which the print image 80 is recorded can be perceived as having a certain degree of gloss.

[0065] Furthermore, when executing the glossy printing mode, the control unit 4 can select either a first area ratio or a second area ratio different from the first area ratio as the area ratio between the ejection region a and the non-ejection region b. See tiles 83a, 83c, and 83e in FIG. 8. With the above configuration, for example, if glossiness is prioritized over coloring, selecting tile 83a can enhance glossiness. Alternatively, if coloring is prioritized over glossiness, selecting tile 83e can enhance coloring. In this way, the area ratio between the ejection region a and the non-ejection region b can be changed depending on whether coloring or glossiness is prioritized, thereby realizing a printing device 1 that can flexibly respond to user requests. The area ratio between the ejection region a and the non-ejection region b may be replaced with the coverage rate, which is the area ratio of the ejection region a in the tile 83.

[0066] Furthermore, when executing the glossy printing mode, the control unit 4 realizes the ejection area a and the non-ejection area b in the gloss designation area 81a by masking the print image 80. With the above configuration, the glossy printing mode can be executed with simple image processing.

[0067] In the above embodiment, gloss is ensured by thinning the print image 80 in the printed product by performing mask processing on the print image 80. However, instead of this, gloss may be ensured by thinning the print image 80 in the printed product by performing mask processing on the dot data for each pass. In other words, mask processing may be performed at any stage as long as the print image 80 is thinned in the printed product.

[0068] 9, the area of ​​the mask 85 corresponding to the gloss designation area 81a is a tiling pattern in which a single tile 83 is repeatedly laid out in a predetermined direction. With the above configuration, it is possible to uniformly achieve a visual effect that retains gloss in the gloss designation area 81a.

[0069] The above embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows.

[0070] That is, in the above embodiment, the tile 83 to be used for masking is selected from the multiple types of tile 83 shown in Fig. 8 based on whether glossiness or coloring is to be prioritized, which is acquired in step S220. However, when the control unit 4 executes the glossy printing mode, it is not necessary to consider whether glossiness or coloring is to be prioritized. In this case, the control unit 4 selects either tile 83c or tile 83d from the multiple types of tile 83 shown in Fig. 8 in accordance with the output resolution of the print image 80.

[0071] Similarly, in the above embodiment, the number of times pigment ink is ejected for the same dot in the rasterization process in step S300 is increased or decreased based on whether printing speed or coloring is prioritized, as obtained in step S230. However, when the control unit 4 executes the glossy printing mode, it is not necessary to consider whether printing speed or coloring is prioritized. In this case, the control unit 4 leaves the number of times pigment ink is ejected for the same dot unchanged at a predetermined number of times.

[0072] Similarly, in the above embodiment, a mask is applied in step S260, and then halftone processing is performed in step S290. However, the mask application process may be performed after halftone processing is performed. In this case, there is no possibility that areas designated as non-discharge areas by the mask will be discharged by the halftone processing, for example, and it is possible to reliably avoid discharging into areas designated as non-discharge areas by the mask.

[0073] When applying a mask after halftone processing, the process of applying a mask occurs for each color for which halftone processing is performed, so the process can be simplified by applying a mask before performing halftone processing, as shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the order in which the processes are performed may be changed as appropriate.

[0074] It is also known that a mask is used in halftone processing, but it goes without saying that what is important in the present invention is to use a mask in a process separate from the halftone processing.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the mask 85 has the same size as the print image 80 and the gloss-designation image 81. However, instead of this, the mask 85 may have the same size as the gloss-designation region 81a in the gloss-designation image 81. In this case, the mask 85 is applied only to the region of the print image 80 that corresponds to the gloss-designation region 81a in the gloss-designation image 81.

[0076] Furthermore, as described above, when executing the glossy printing mode, the control unit 4 realizes the discharged areas a and the non-discharged areas b in the glossy designation area 81a by masking the print image 80. However, instead of this, the discharged areas a and the non-discharged areas b in the glossy designation area 81a may be realized by other data processing. For example, the discharged areas a and the non-discharged areas b in the glossy designation area 81a may be realized by storing the two-dimensional image data of the print image 80 in a one-dimensional array, converting the color information of elements in the one-dimensional array whose array index is divided by 7 and has a remainder of 2, 3, or 4 to white or fully transparent color, and then converting the converted one-dimensional array into two-dimensional image data.

[0077] FIG. 11 shows a modified example of tile 83. As shown in FIG. 11, the non-ejection regions b may have a rhombic grid pattern. In tile 83 shown in FIG. 11, the area ratio of the ejection regions a to the non-ejection regions b is 1:9. In other words, the coverage, which is the proportion of the ejection regions a in tile 83, is 10%. In tile 83 shown in FIG. 11, the ejection regions a and the non-ejection regions b are alternately arranged so that the appearance ratio of the ejection regions a to the non-ejection regions b is 1:9 in the vertical direction of the page and 1:4 in the horizontal direction of the page.

[0078] In the above examples, the program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives) and magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks). Further examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R / W, and semiconductor memory (e.g., mask ROM). Further examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, and RAM (Random Access Memory). The program may also be supplied to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1...printing device, 3...liquid storage section, 4...control unit, 5...transport mechanism, 5a...transport roller, 6...movement mechanism, 7...holding body, 8...transport belt, 70...display, 71...touch panel, 72...warning screen, 80...print image, 81...glossy image, 81a...glossy area, 81b...non-glossy area, 82...glossy print setting screen, 82a...radio button, 82b...radio button, 82c...radio button, 82d...radio button, 82e...radio button, 82f...radio button, 82g...radio button, 82h...setting complete button, 83...tile, 83a...tile, 83b...tile, 83c...tile, 83d...tile, 83e...tile, 83f...tile, 85...mask, a...discharge area, b...non-discharge area, N...nozzle, M...nozzle row, U...head unit, S...medium

Claims

1. a print head unit having a nozzle group made up of a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting liquid onto a medium; a control unit for forming an image on the medium by controlling the ejection operation of the print head unit; Including, The control unit When the medium is a glossy fabric having an uneven shape in which fibers in different directions intersect, and the liquid is a pigment ink containing a pigment as a coloring material, In a gloss designation area, which is an area of ​​the input image that is designated to retain glossiness, a discharge area where the liquid is discharged and a non-discharge area where the liquid is not discharged are arranged. A first printing mode is executable. Printing device.

2. When the first printing mode is executed, the control unit generates dot data so as to eject the liquid onto the same location a plurality of times. The printing device of claim 1 .

3. the control unit is capable of selecting, as the number of times to eject the liquid onto the same location, either a first number of times or a second number of times different from the first number of times; The printing device according to claim 2 .

4. When the first printing mode is executed, the control unit reduces an input level of a non-glossy region of the input image, which is a region excluding the glossy region. The printing device of claim 1 .

5. When the first printing mode is executed, the control unit arranges the ejection regions and the non-ejection regions alternately in a first direction in the gloss designation region and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The printing device of claim 1 .

6. The outer dimensions of the non-ejection area are set to be equal to or larger than a predetermined outer dimension in the printed product. The printing device of claim 1 .

7. When executing the first printing mode, the control unit is capable of selecting, as the area ratio between the ejection region and the non-ejection region, either a first area ratio or a second area ratio different from the first area ratio. The printing device of claim 1 .

8. When executing the first printing mode, the control unit realizes the ejection area and the non-ejection area in the gloss designation area by masking the input image. The printing device of claim 1 .

9. an area of ​​the mask used in the mask processing that corresponds to the gloss designation area is a tiling pattern in which a single tile is laid out; The printing device according to claim 8.

10. The mask applied to the glossy designated area is a lattice pattern. The printing device according to claim 8.

11. The fabric has glossiness in that the light reflection characteristics change depending on the angle at which the fabric is observed. The printing device of claim 1 .

12. The glossy fabric is a fabric woven from chemical fibers. The printing device of claim 1 .

13. The glossy fabric is a twill or satin woven fabric. The printing device of claim 1 .

14. A printing method for forming an image on a medium by controlling the ejection operation of a print head unit having a nozzle group consisting of a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting liquid onto the medium, the method comprising: The computer, When the medium is a glossy fabric having an uneven shape in which fibers in different directions intersect, and the liquid is a pigment ink containing a pigment as a coloring material, a first printing mode is executed in which ejection regions onto which the liquid is ejected and non-ejection regions onto which the liquid is not ejected are alternately arranged in a gloss-designated region, which is a region of the input image designated to retain gloss. Printing method.

Images