Method of manufacturing printed matter and printing system

Abstract

To appropriately create a printed matter with high designability.SOLUTION: A method of manufacturing a printed material for creating a printed material in which a functional powder-containing liquid containing functional powder is applied to at least a part of a medium 50, the method including an applied medium preparation step of preparing an applied medium which is the medium 50 in which a coating film 52 of the functional powder-containing liquid is formed on at least a part thereof, an ink layer on coating film formation step of forming an image layer 54 which is an ink layer on a coating film by ejecting ink onto the coating film 52 using a printing device, and a light-transmitting layer formation step of forming a light-transmitting layer 56 which is a light-transmitting layer covering the image layer 54, the printing device includes an inkjet head and a curing means, and in the ink layer forming step on the coating film, the printing device is caused to form the image layer 54 under a printing condition in which the ink discharged from the inkjet head is cured in a matte tone by the curing means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a printed matter and a printing system.

[0002] Conventionally, a method of screen printing using pearl ink containing a pearl pigment (see, for example, Patent Document 1) has been known. Patent Document 1 discloses that a pearl print layer is formed by screen printing using pearl ink on matte paper that is suitable for printing with an inkjet printer, and an image layer is also formed by an inkjet printer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-159536 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When using functional powders (functional powders) such as pearl pigments, the size (particle diameter) of the pigments (powder) can become large, which can affect the resulting design. Therefore, when using a coating liquid containing pearl pigments or the like to express a design in a printed matter, it is desirable to create the printed matter in a more appropriate manner. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing printed matter and a printing system that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The inventors of the present application conducted extensive research into a method for printing on a medium at least partially coated with a functional powder-containing liquid, which is a liquid containing functional powder such as a pearl pigment. They discovered that forming an ink layer on a coating of the functional powder-containing liquid on the medium can sometimes make it difficult to express a desired design, as the ink layer is affected by the condition of the underlying coating. More specifically, for example, when a pearl coating liquid containing a pearl pigment is used as the functional powder-containing liquid, the large size (particle diameter) of the pearl pigment can cause the surface of the medium (the surface of the coating film) to become rough after the application of the pearl coating liquid. In this case, even if ink dots that land on the coating film are sufficiently leveled during the operation of forming an ink layer on the coating film, the surface of the ink layer is likely to become rough. Furthermore, as a result, for example, the state of the coating film visible through the ink layer loses the sparkle and luster characteristic of the pearl pigment, which can make it difficult to properly express a design using the pearl coating liquid.

[0006] In response to this, the inventors of the present application, through further intensive research, came up with the idea of ​​forming an ink layer on a coating film of functional powder-containing liquid using an inkjet method, deliberately curing it to a matte finish, and then forming an additional light-transmitting layer on top of that. Then, through various actual experiments, they confirmed that this method can more appropriately express a desired design even when the surface of the coating film of functional powder-containing liquid is rough. Furthermore, the inventors of the present application further discovered the characteristics necessary to achieve this effect, leading to the present invention.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for producing a printed matter, in which a functional powder-containing liquid, which is a liquid containing a functional powder that is a powder having a predetermined function, is applied to at least a portion of a medium, the method comprising: a coated medium preparation step of preparing a coated medium, which is the medium on at least a portion of which a coating film, which is a film formed by applying the functional powder-containing liquid; an on-coated film ink layer formation step of forming an on-coated film ink layer, which is an ink layer that overlaps with the coating film, by ejecting ink onto the coating film using a printing device; and a light-transmitting layer formation step of forming a light-transmitting layer, which is a light-transmitting layer that covers the on-coated film ink layer, wherein the printing device comprises an inkjet head that ejects ink by an inkjet method and a curing means that hardens the ink ejected by the inkjet head, and in the on-coated film ink layer formation step, the printing device forms the on-coated film ink layer under printing conditions in which the ink ejected by the inkjet head is hardened to a matte finish by the curing means.

[0008] In this configuration, for example, by forming an ink layer on the coating film of the functional powder-containing liquid, a design expressed by the coating film of the functional powder-containing liquid and a design expressed by the ink layer on the coating film can be combined to create a highly aesthetically pleasing printed product. Furthermore, by forming the ink layer on the coating film under printing conditions that result in a matte finish and then forming a light-transmitting layer on top of it, a highly aesthetically pleasing printed product can be created while appropriately suppressing the influence of the surface condition of the coating film of the functional powder-containing liquid. In this configuration, the medium can be considered, for example, as a substrate on which the functional powder-containing liquid is applied. Furthermore, in the post-coating medium preparation step, for example, the functional powder-containing liquid is applied to the medium to prepare a medium on which a coating film of the functional powder-containing liquid is formed at least in part. In the post-coating medium preparation step, for example, a medium on which the functional powder-containing liquid has been applied in advance can be prepared. Regarding the ink layer on the coating film formation step, curing the ink to a matte finish can be considered, for example, as curing ink dots formed by ink landing at the ejection position without flattening them. Furthermore, in a printing device, for example, if matte printing conditions and glossy printing conditions are prepared in advance, the matte printing conditions prepared in advance in the printing device can be suitably used as the printing conditions for curing the ink to a matte finish.

[0009] Furthermore, for example, pearl pigments can be suitably used as the functional powder. In this case, the functional powder-containing liquid can be considered, for example, as a pearl coating liquid, which is a coating liquid containing a pearl pigment. For example, known pigments with particle sizes of approximately tens to hundreds of micrometers can be suitably used as the pearl pigment. In this case, for example, the large size of the pearl pigment in the coating film of the pearl coating liquid may cause the surface of the ink layer on the coating film to become rough, even if the ink dots are leveled (flattened) during the formation of the ink layer on the coating film. Furthermore, in this case, for example, if the ink layer on the coating film is formed under printing conditions that sufficiently flatten the ink dots, the rough surface of the coating film of the pearl coating liquid may cause the ink dots to spread in unintended directions during the time it takes for the ink dots to flatten, making it difficult to properly form an ink layer in a glossy state. This may also result in, for example, an impact on the design to be expressed.

[0010] In contrast, with the above-described configuration, for example, by forming the ink layer on the coating film under printing conditions that cure the ink to a matte finish, ink dots that land on the coating film of functional powder-containing liquid such as pearl coating liquid can be properly cured in a short time. This also allows the ink to be more properly cured in the intended state, even when the surface of the functional powder-containing liquid is rough, for example. Furthermore, in this case, for example, by forming a light-transmitting layer on the ink layer on the coating film, the influence of the ink layer on the coating film formed to a matte finish can be reduced, allowing the desired design to be more appropriately expressed. More specifically, in this case, in the ink layer on the coating film formation stage, for example, the ink layer on the coating film is formed so that the coating film of the functional powder-containing liquid is visible through the ink layer on the coating film in at least a portion of the ink layer on the coating film. Then, in the light-transmitting layer formation stage, for example, the light-transmitting layer is formed to reduce the influence of diffuse reflection of light that occurs in the matte ink layer on the coating film. This configuration, for example, allows for more appropriately producing printed materials with high design quality.

[0011] In this configuration, the inkjet head of the printing device ejects ultraviolet-curable ink that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light, for example. In this case, the curing means is, for example, an ultraviolet light source that generates ultraviolet light. The printing device also includes a main scanning driver that causes the inkjet head to perform a main scanning operation, ejecting ink while moving relative to the medium in a predetermined main scanning direction. In this case, during the main scanning operation, the ultraviolet light source, for example, moves relative to the medium together with the inkjet head and irradiates ultraviolet light toward the medium. In the ink layer formation step on the coating film, the ultraviolet light source, for example, irradiates the ink ejected by the inkjet head with ultraviolet light during one main scanning operation, thereby curing the ink to a matte finish. This configuration allows, for example, the ink to be appropriately cured to a matte finish during the formation of the ink layer on the coating film. In this case, curing the ink can be considered, for example, to harden the ink to a state where the dots do not flatten.

[0012] In this configuration, the printing device includes, for example, an ink layer head on the coating film, which is an inkjet head that ejects ink that is the material for the ink layer on the coating film, and a light-transmitting layer head that is an inkjet head that ejects ink that is the material for the light-transmitting layer. In this case, in the ink layer on the coating film formation stage, for example, the ink layer on the coating film is formed by curing the ink ejected from the ink layer head on the coating film to a matte finish using a curing unit. Then, in the light-transmitting layer formation stage, for example, the ink ejected from the light-transmitting layer head is cured to a glossy finish using a curing unit to form the light-transmitting layer. With this configuration, for example, the ink layer on the coating film and the light-transmitting layer can be appropriately formed in the printing device. Regarding the method for forming the light-transmitting layer, curing the ink to a glossy finish can be considered, for example, to be curing the ink after ink dots formed by ink landing on the ink layer on the coating film are sufficiently flattened. Curing the ink to a glossy finish can also be considered, for example, to be curing the ink under glossy printing conditions that are pre-set in the printing device. As described above, the ink used to form the ink layer on the coating film may be, for example, an ultraviolet-curable ink. The ink used to form the light-transmitting layer may also be, for example, an ultraviolet-curable ink. The ink used to form the light-transmitting layer may also be, for example, a light-transmitting ink. In this case, a colorless, light-transmitting ink such as clear ink may be suitably used as the ink used to form the light-transmitting layer. In a printing device, for example, a single inkjet head may be used to serve both as a head for the ink layer on the coating film and a head for the light-transmitting layer. In this case, for example, a printing device equipped with multiple inkjet heads may be used, with some of the inkjet heads serving both as a head for the ink layer on the coating film and a head for the light-transmitting layer.

[0013] Furthermore, the light-transmitting layer may be formed by a method other than forming an ink layer using a printing device. More specifically, in the light-transmitting layer formation step, the light-transmitting layer may be formed by applying a coating agent, which is the material for the light-transmitting layer, onto the ink layer on the coating film. In this case, the coating agent may be applied using a device or tool other than a printing device. Even with this configuration, the light-transmitting layer can be appropriately formed on the ink layer on the coating film. Furthermore, in this case, a colorless, light-transmitting clear coating agent, for example, can be suitably used as the coating agent. The light-transmitting layer may also be formed by attaching a film (thin film) such as a laminate film. In this case, the light-transmitting layer is formed by attaching a light-transmitting film onto the ink layer on the coating film. Even with this configuration, the light-transmitting layer can be appropriately formed on the ink layer on the coating film.

[0014] Furthermore, when forming an ink layer on a medium on which a coating film of functional powder-containing liquid has been formed using a printing device, it is possible to form an ink layer on the side of the medium opposite the side on which the coating film of functional powder-containing liquid has been formed, rather than on the coating film of functional powder-containing liquid. In this case, too, for example, by using a translucent medium, it is possible to express a design that combines the coating film of functional powder-containing liquid and the ink layer. However, in this case, for example, problems may arise during the printing operation depending on the configuration of the printing device. More specifically, the printing device may include, for example, a transport mechanism for transporting the medium. In this case, to form an ink layer on the side opposite the side on which the coating film of functional powder-containing liquid has been formed, it is necessary to transport the medium with the side on which the coating film of functional powder-containing liquid has been formed facing downward. Therefore, in this case, for example, the friction force generated between the platform member supporting the medium and the medium increases, making transport problems such as jamming more likely to occur. Furthermore, friction between the platform member and the coating film of functional powder-containing liquid may cause the functional powder to fall off the coating film. In contrast, as described above, when an ink layer is formed on a coating film of functional powder-containing liquid using a printing device, for example, when a medium is transported in the printing device, the medium can be transported more appropriately. It is also possible to use, for example, a rolled medium as the medium. In this case, the transport mechanism in the printing device unwinds and transports the medium from the rolled medium. With this configuration, even when a rolled medium is used, for example, an ink layer on the coating film can be properly formed on the coating film of functional powder-containing liquid while properly transporting the medium. Furthermore, as a configuration of the present invention, for example, a configuration of a printing system having the same characteristics as above can also be considered. In this case, for example, the same effects as above can be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, for example, printed matter with a high level of design can be appropriately created. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a printing system 10 that executes a method for producing a printed matter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1A shows an example of the configuration of the printing system 10. Fig. 1B shows an example of the configuration of a coating liquid ejection device 14. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a more detailed configuration of the printing device 12. Fig. 2A shows an example of the configuration of the printing device 12. Fig. 2B shows an example of the configuration of a head unit 102 in the printing device 12. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing performed on a medium 50 in a printing system 10. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a printing system 10 that executes a method for producing a printed matter according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) shows an example of the configuration of the printing system 10. In this example, the printing system 10 is a system for producing a printed matter at least partially coated with a pearlescent coating liquid (pearlescent pigment-containing coating liquid), which is a liquid containing a pearlescent pigment. The printing system 10 includes a printing device 12, a coating liquid ejection device 14, a coating liquid curing device 16, and a control device 22. Except as described below, the printing system 10 and its components may have the same or similar features as known printing systems and their components. In this example, the pearlescent pigment and pearlescent coating liquid are examples of effect pigments and effect pigment-containing liquids. The effect pigments and effect pigment-containing liquids are examples of functional powders and functional powder-containing liquids. The functional powder can be considered, for example, as a powder having a predetermined function. The functional powder can also be considered, for example, as a functional pigment. The functional powder-containing liquid can be considered, for example, as a liquid containing functional powder. Furthermore, effect pigments can be considered to be, for example, pigments that produce effects due to light interference or the like. Effect pigment-containing liquids can be considered to be, for example, liquids containing effect pigments. Pearlescent pigments can be considered to be, for example, pigments that exhibit pearlescent luster due to light interference or the like. Known pearlescent pigments can be suitably used as pearlescent pigments. Effect pigments such as pearlescent pigments can also be considered to be, for example, pigments that develop color due to the interference of light of a specific wavelength.

[0018] The printing device 12 is an inkjet printer having an inkjet head that ejects ink using an inkjet method, and prints on a medium, which is the printing target, by ejecting ink from the inkjet head. In this case, the printing device 12 can be thought of as forming an ink layer on the medium. The ink ejected from the inkjet head can also be thought of as, for example, a liquid of a different color from the pearlescent coating liquid. In this example, the printing device 12 ejects ink onto a medium at least partially coated with the pearlescent coating liquid, thereby forming an ink layer on the coating film of the pearlescent coating liquid. The configuration and operation of the printing device 12 will be described in more detail below.

[0019] The coating liquid ejection device 14 is a device that ejects the pearlescent coating liquid onto a medium. The coating liquid ejection device 14 can be considered, for example, as a device (pearl pigment coating liquid applicator) that performs decoration on a medium other than printing performed by the printing device 12. In this example, the coating liquid ejection device 14 applies the pearlescent coating liquid to a medium 50 before printing is performed on the medium in the printing device 12. In this way, the coating liquid ejection device 14 creates (prepares) a medium at least partially coated with the pearlescent coating liquid. In this case, the medium can also be considered, for example, as a substrate (a target object for coating) onto which a functional powder-containing liquid such as the pearlescent coating liquid is applied. In this example, the coating liquid ejection device 14 ejects the pearlescent coating liquid to an ejection position set within a coating area on the medium, which is an area where the pearlescent coating liquid is to be applied. In this case, the pearlescent coating liquid ejected to the ejection position gradually spreads within the coating area, thereby being applied to the coating area. Therefore, the operation of the coating liquid ejection device 14 to eject the pearlescent coating liquid to the ejection position can be considered, for example, to correspond to the operation of applying the pearlescent coating liquid to a coating area. In this example, the coating liquid discharge device 14 discharges an ultraviolet-curable pearlescent coating liquid that hardens when irradiated with ultraviolet light. In this case, for example, the pearlescent coating liquid can be properly hardened by irradiating it with ultraviolet light after it has spread within the coating area. The configuration and operation of the coating liquid discharge device 14 will be described in more detail later. The coating liquid hardening device 16 hardens the pearlescent coating liquid discharged into the coating area by the coating liquid discharge device 14. In this example, the coating liquid hardening device 16 is an example of an ultraviolet irradiation unit and has an ultraviolet light source such as a mercury lamp or UV LED. After the pearlescent coating liquid has spread within the coating area, the pearlescent coating liquid is hardened by irradiating it with ultraviolet light. In this way, the coating liquid hardening device 16 fixes the pearlescent coating liquid to the medium.

[0020] The control device 22 is configured to control each device in the printing system 10. The control device 22 can be considered, for example, as a control unit in the printing system 10. A computer executing a program for controlling each device can be suitably used as the control device 22. In this example, the control device 22 determines, for example, printing conditions (printing conditions) to be executed by the printing device 12 and conditions (coating conditions) for applying the pearlescent coating liquid to the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16 based on user instructions and operations. In this case, the control device 22 controls the operation of the printing device 12 based on the determined printing conditions. The control device 22 also controls the operation of the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16 based on the determined coating conditions. According to this example, for example, the application of the pearlescent coating liquid to a medium and the printing of an image can be appropriately performed. In this case, for example, by applying the pearlescent coating liquid to at least a portion of the medium using the coating liquid discharge device 14 and drawing an image on the medium using the inkjet head in the printing device 12, a highly designed printed matter can be appropriately created.

[0021] Next, the configurations and operations of the printing device 12 and the coating liquid discharge device 14 will be described in more detail. For ease of explanation, the configuration and operation of the coating liquid discharge device 14 will be described first. FIG. 1(b) shows an example of the configuration of the coating liquid discharge device 14. In this example, the coating liquid discharge device 14 includes a discharge unit 202, a base unit 204, a solvent supply unit 206, a pigment supply unit 208, an air pressure supply unit 210, and a control unit 212. The discharge unit 202 is configured to discharge a pearlescent coating liquid onto a medium 50. Furthermore, in this example, the discharge unit 202 is an example of a functional powder-containing liquid discharge unit and an effect pigment-containing liquid discharge unit. The discharge unit 202 generates a pearlescent coating liquid by internally kneading a solvent supplied from the solvent supply unit 206 and a pearlescent pigment supplied from the pigment supply unit 208, and discharges the pearlescent coating liquid from a nozzle (discharge nozzle) toward the medium 50. In this case, the discharge unit 202 can also be considered, for example, as a discharge head for the pearlescent coating liquid having a kneading unit and a nozzle. The kneading unit can be considered, for example, as a portion that kneads the pearl pigment and solvent upstream of the nozzle. In this example, the ejection unit 202 has a nozzle that can adjust the range over which the ejected pearl coating liquid spreads, and changes the ejection method of the pearl coating liquid in response to, for example, user instructions or operations. More specifically, in this example, the ejection unit 202 switches between spray ejection, which ejects the pearl coating liquid in a wide spray (mist) state, and dispenser ejection, which ejects the pearl coating liquid toward the ejection position over a narrower range than the spray ejection. In this case, spray ejection can be considered, for example, as ejection for directly applying the pearl coating liquid to a wide range. Dispenser ejection can be considered, for example, as ejection for applying the pearl coating liquid to the application area by ejecting the pearl coating liquid to a specified ejection position within the application area and spreading it around the ejection position. Dispenser ejection can also be considered, for example, as ejection in which the ejected pearl pigment lands in a dripping manner at the ejection position rather than in a spray state. For example, a known nozzle that can switch between spray discharge and dispenser discharge can be suitably used as the nozzle of the discharge unit 202. In this case, it is conceivable to change the discharge method by, for example, switching the setting regarding whether or not atomization is performed during discharge.In this case, it is also possible to adjust the atomization settings when spraying from the discharge unit 202, thereby appropriately adjusting the range over which the pearlescent coating liquid is spread. With this configuration, the pearlescent coating liquid can be discharged onto the medium 50 in a variety of ways. Furthermore, by using such a discharge unit 202, it is possible to more appropriately discharge the pearlescent coating liquid, for example, even when using a pearlescent pigment with a size that is difficult to discharge using an inkjet method (for example, a particle size exceeding 50 μm).

[0022] Furthermore, in this example, the discharge unit 202 continuously discharges the pearl coating liquid, unlike, for example, inkjet discharge. In this case, the discharge unit 202 discharges the pearl coating liquid, for example, by setting the amount of pearl coating liquid discharged per unit time to a predetermined constant amount. The continuous discharge of the pearl coating liquid by the discharge unit 202 can be considered, for example, as continuous discharge of the pearl coating liquid in an operation of discharging a predetermined amount of the pearl coating liquid. In this case, the discharge unit 202 can also be considered, for example, as having a configuration in which the amount of pearl coating liquid discharged in one discharge to one discharge position is variable. Furthermore, the discharge unit 202 may, for example, discharge the pearl coating liquid to multiple discharge positions within one application area. In this case, the discharge unit 202 continuously discharges a predetermined amount of the pearl coating liquid for each discharge position. Furthermore, the discharge unit 202 may, for example, move along a movement path passing through multiple discharge positions and continuously discharge the total amount of pearl coating liquid to the multiple discharge positions.

[0023] The base 204 is a table-like member that holds the medium 50 in a position facing the ejection unit 202. The solvent supply unit 206 supplies the solvent for the pearlescent coating liquid to the ejection unit 202. In this example, the solvent for the pearlescent coating liquid is a colorless, transparent, ultraviolet-curable liquid. Such a solvent can also be considered, for example, as a transparent coating liquid. Regarding the solvent, the term "colorless and transparent" can also be considered, for example, as meaning that the solvent is not intentionally colored. For example, an ultraviolet-curable clear ink with an appropriately adjusted viscosity can be suitably used as such a solvent. The pigment supply unit 208 supplies the pearlescent pigment to the ejection unit 202. As described above, for example, known pearlescent pigments can be suitably used as the pearlescent pigment. More specifically, for example, a pigment in which the surface of mica is coated with titanium oxide, silica, or the like can be suitably used as the pearlescent pigment. In this case, for example, a scaly pearlescent pigment can be suitably used.

[0024] In this example, the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid generated by kneading with the pearl pigment is, for example, a viscosity that gradually spreads over time within the coating area after being discharged to the discharging position. In this case, the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid can be considered to be, for example, a viscosity that allows the discharging unit 202 to perform spray discharging and dispenser discharging, and that allows the pearlescent coating liquid discharged to the discharging position to spread appropriately within the coating area when dispenser discharging is performed. In this case, if the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid is too high, it may be difficult for the discharging unit 202 to properly discharge the pearlescent coating liquid. On the other hand, if the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid is too low, for example, the pearlescent pigment may not be pulled when the solvent spreads within the coating area, making it impossible to properly apply the pearlescent coating liquid to the coating area. Furthermore, if the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid is too low, for example, the pearlescent pigment may easily settle within the pearlescent coating liquid. If the pearlescent pigment settles within the pearlescent coating liquid, it may be difficult to re-disperse the pearlescent pigment, even if subsequent stirring or other procedures are performed. Therefore, it is preferable that the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid be set to a value that prevents sedimentation of the pearlescent pigment from occurring between the time the pearlescent pigment and the solvent are mixed and the time the pearlescent pigment is discharged. Taking these points into consideration, the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid may be set to, for example, about 100 to 1000 cp (centipoise) (for example, about 50 to 5000 cp, preferably about 80 to 3000 cp). In this case, the viscosity of the solvent supplied to the discharge unit 202 by the solvent supply unit 206 may be set to match the viscosity of the pearlescent coating liquid. This configuration allows the pearlescent coating liquid to be appropriately produced by, for example, mixing the pearlescent pigment and the solvent in the discharge unit 202. Furthermore, using a pearlescent coating liquid with such a viscosity makes it possible, for example, to appropriately apply the pearlescent coating liquid to the coating area and appropriately prevent sedimentation of the pearlescent pigment in the pearlescent coating liquid. Furthermore, in this case, the viscosity of the solvent can be set to a value that facilitates liquid delivery, for example, when supplying the solvent from the solvent supply unit 206 to the discharge unit 202, and facilitates mixing with the pearlescent pigment.Furthermore, the particle size of the pearl pigment supplied from the pigment supply unit 208 to the discharge unit 202 may be, for example, about several tens of micrometers (e.g., about 10 to 90 micrometers). By using such a pearl pigment, for example, the discharge unit 202 can appropriately generate a pearl coating liquid. The particle size of the pearl pigment may be selected, for example, according to the desired texture. Furthermore, the pigment supply unit 208 may supply a pearl pigment with a smaller particle size or a larger particle size to the discharge unit 202 depending on the desired texture. More specifically, for example, if a silky feel is desired to be expressed by the pearl coating liquid, a pearl pigment with a particle size of about 10 micrometers (e.g., about 5 to 20 micrometers) may be used. For example, if a sparkling feel is desired to be expressed by the pearl coating liquid, a pearl pigment with a particle size of about several hundred micrometers (e.g., about 100 to 500 micrometers) may be used.

[0025] The air pressure supply unit 210 is configured to output positively pressurized air, which is air at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. In this example, the air pressure supply unit 210 supplies positively pressurized air to the solvent supply unit 206 and the pigment supply unit 208, thereby moving the solvent and pearlescent pigment from the solvent supply unit 206 and the pigment supply unit 208 to the discharge unit 202. With this configuration, for example, the solvent and pearlescent pigment can be appropriately supplied from the solvent supply unit 206 and the pigment supply unit 208 to the discharge unit 202. In this case, the solvent, etc. supplied from the solvent supply unit 206 to the discharge unit 202 can also be considered to transmit the pressure of the air supplied from the air pressure supply unit 210 to the discharge unit 202. In this case, the air pressure supply unit 210 can also be considered to apply pressure to the discharge unit 202 to cause the discharge unit 202 to discharge the pearlescent coating liquid. The air pressure supply unit 210 may apply pressure to the discharge unit 202 to cause the discharge unit 202 to discharge the pearlescent coating liquid without going through the solvent supply unit 206 or the like. Also, the control unit 212 is configured to include, for example, a CPU of the coating liquid discharge device 14, and controls the operation of each part of the coating liquid discharge device 14. According to this example, the coating liquid discharge device 14 can appropriately discharge the pearlescent coating liquid onto the medium 50. In this case, the pearlescent coating liquid can be appropriately applied to the medium 50 by subsequently curing it using the coating liquid curing device 16.

[0026] Next, the configuration and operation of the printing device 12 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the printing device 12 in more detail. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the configuration of the printing device 12. FIG. 2(b) shows an example of the configuration of the head unit 102 in the printing device 12. In this example, the printing device 12 includes the head unit 102, a platform unit 104, a transport mechanism 106, a main scanning drive unit 108, a sub-scanning drive unit 110, and a control unit 120. The head unit 102 ejects ink onto the medium 50 and includes, for example, multiple inkjet heads 112 and multiple ultraviolet light sources 114, as shown in FIG. 2(b). The head unit 102 may further include a carriage or the like that holds these components. The multiple inkjet heads 112 are ejection heads that eject ink using an inkjet method, and eject, for example, inks of different colors. In this example, the multiple inkjet heads 112 eject ultraviolet-curable ink (UV ink) that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. At least some of the inkjet heads 112 eject color inks for color printing, for example. The color inks may be inks of process colors, which are the basic colors used for color expression. The process colors may be inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). More specifically, in this example, the head unit 102 includes inkjet heads 112 for the CMYK colors. The head unit 102 may further include inkjet heads 112 for specific spot colors in addition to the inkjet heads 112 for the process colors. The spot colors may be considered to be colors other than the process colors, for example. More specifically, in this example, the head unit 102 includes inkjet heads 112 for clear ink (CL) as the spot color inkjet heads 112. The clear ink may be considered to be colorless, light-transmitting ink, for example. The light-transmitting property may be considered to be light-transmitting to visible light, for example. The head unit 102 may further include an inkjet head 112 for a special color other than the clear ink.For example, the head unit 102 may further include an inkjet head 112 for a special color such as white.

[0027] In this example, the inkjet heads 112 for each color (CMYK) and the inkjet head 112 for the clear ink are examples of heads for the ink layer on the coating film. The inkjet head 112 for the clear ink is an example of a head for the light-transmitting layer. In this case, the head for the ink layer on the coating film can be considered, for example, as an inkjet head that ejects ink that will be the material for the ink layer on the coating film, which is an ink layer that overlaps the coating film of the pearlescent coating liquid. The head for the light-transmitting layer can be considered, for example, as an inkjet head that ejects ink that will be the material for the light-transmitting layer, which is a light-transmitting layer that covers the ink layer on the coating film. In this example, the inkjet head 112 for the clear ink can be considered, for example, as a head for both the ink layer on the coating film and the light-transmitting layer. Furthermore, depending on the design to be expressed in the printed matter, any inkjet head 112 other than the clear ink head may also function as a head for the ink layer on the coating film and a head for the light-transmitting layer. Furthermore, the inkjet head 112 may be configured to eject inks of multiple colors, for example. In this case, the inkjet head 112 that ejects ink of multiple colors can be considered to be configured to double as multiple inkjet heads 112 for multiple colors. In this example, the inkjet heads 112 for each of the CMYK colors are aligned in a sub-scanning direction (X direction in the figure) preset in the printing device 12 and arranged side by side in a main scanning direction (Y direction in the figure) perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. The inkjet head 112 for the clear ink is arranged at a position offset in the sub-scanning direction from the inkjet heads 112 for each of the CMYK colors. In a modified configuration of the head unit 102, the arrangement of the multiple inkjet heads 112 may be different from the configuration shown in FIG. 2(b). In addition, in the head unit 102, the multiple ultraviolet light sources 114 are light sources that irradiate ultraviolet light to cure the inks ejected by the multiple inkjet heads 112. In this case, curing the ink can be considered to mean, for example, curing the ink to a state where the ink does not flatten at least.For example, a UV LED or the like can be suitably used as the ultraviolet light source 114. In this example, the ultraviolet light source 114 is an example of a curing means, and is disposed on one side and the other side of the inkjet heads 112 in the main scanning direction so as to sandwich the inkjet heads 112 therebetween.

[0028] The base 104 is a table-like member that holds the medium 50 in a position facing the multiple inkjet heads 112. The base 104 holds the medium 50, at least a portion of which has been coated with a pearlescent coating liquid, with the surface on which the pearlescent coating liquid is formed facing the head unit 102. The transport mechanism 106 is configured to transport the medium 50 in a position facing the head unit 102. The transport mechanism 106 has, for example, multiple rollers that rotate to move the medium 50 on the base 104. In this case, the transport mechanism 106 can be considered to transport the medium 50 with the surface on which the pearlescent coating liquid is formed facing the head unit 102. The transport mechanism 106 can also be considered to transport the medium 50 without the pearlescent coating liquid contacting the base 104. This configuration allows for more appropriate transport of the medium 50, for example, with the pearlescent coating liquid formed on the medium 50.

[0029] The main scanning driver 108 is a driver that causes the multiple inkjet heads 112 in the head unit 102 to perform a main scanning operation. The main scanning operation can be considered, for example, as an operation of ejecting ink while moving relative to the medium 50 in the main scanning direction. In this example, the main scanning driver 108 causes the multiple inkjet heads 112 to perform a main scanning operation by moving the head unit 102 in the main scanning direction. In this case, the main scanning driver 108 also moves multiple ultraviolet light sources 114 in the main scanning direction together with the multiple inkjet heads 112, and, for example, causes the ultraviolet light sources 114 to irradiate ultraviolet light during the main scanning operation, thereby curing the ink that has landed on the medium 50. The operation of curing the ink using the ultraviolet light sources 114 will be described in more detail later. The sub-scanning driver 110 is a driver that causes the multiple inkjet heads 112 to perform a sub-scanning operation. The sub-scanning operation can be considered, for example, as an operation of moving relative to the medium 50 in the sub-scanning direction. The sub-scanning driver 110, for example, causes the multiple inkjet heads 112 to perform sub-scanning operations between main scanning operations, thereby changing the area on the medium 50 that is the target of the main scanning operation. The area that is the target of the main scanning operation can be considered, for example, as an area onto which ink can be ejected from the multiple inkjet heads 112 during the main scanning operation. The sub-scanning operation can also be considered, for example, as a feeding operation that changes the area on the medium 50 that is the target of the main scanning operation. In this example, the sub-scanning driver 110 causes the transport mechanism 106 to transport the medium 50, thereby moving the multiple inkjet heads 112 relative to the medium 50. This also causes the sub-scanning driver 110 to perform sub-scanning operations on the multiple inkjet heads 112. This configuration allows, for example, the multiple inkjet heads 112 to appropriately eject ink to each position on the medium 50. The control unit 120, which includes, for example, a CPU of the printing device 12, controls the operation of each unit of the printing device 12. According to this example, for example, the printing device 12 can appropriately print a desired image or the like onto the medium 50.

[0030] Here, the operation of curing ink using the ultraviolet light source 114 will be described in more detail. In this example, the printing device 12 performs a printing operation on the medium 50 according to printing conditions set based on, for example, a user's selection or instruction. Furthermore, the printing device 12 has, in advance, printing conditions for a matte finish and a gloss finish, for example, prepared for ink curing. In this case, the matte finish printing conditions can be considered, for example, as printing conditions in which ink ejected from the inkjet head 112 is cured to a matte finish using the ultraviolet light source 114. The gloss finish printing conditions can be considered, for example, as printing conditions in which ink ejected from the inkjet head 112 is cured to a gloss finish using the ultraviolet light source 114. Furthermore, curing ink to a matte finish can be considered, for example, as curing ink dots formed by ink that has landed at a discharge position without flattening them. Not flattening the ink dots can be considered, for example, as curing ink dots before they are sufficiently flattened over time. Sufficiently flattening ink dots can be considered, for example, as reaching a state where the ink dots can be considered flat at the required printing quality. Curing ink to a glossy finish can be considered, for example, as curing ink after ink dots formed by ink that landed at the ejection positions have sufficiently flattened. Curing ink to a glossy finish can be considered, for example, as curing ink after a predetermined time has elapsed since the ink landed, allowing the ink dots to flatten. The printing conditions for matte and gloss finishes can be considered, for example, to be the same as or similar to the printing conditions for matte and gloss finishes used in known inkjet printers. In this case, curing ink to a matte finish can be considered, for example, as curing ink under matte finish printing conditions that are pre-set in the printing device 12. Curing ink to a glossy finish can be considered, for example, as curing ink under gloss finish printing conditions that are pre-set in the printing device 12.

[0031] More specifically, as described above, in the head unit 102 of this example, the ultraviolet light sources 114 are disposed on one side and the other side of the inkjet heads 112 in the main scanning direction. Furthermore, during the main scanning operation, the ultraviolet light sources 114 move together with the inkjet heads 112. In this case, for example, ink ejected by the inkjet heads 112 during the main scanning operation can be cured by ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source 114 located behind the inkjet heads 112 in the direction of movement of the inkjet heads 112 during the main scanning operation. In this case, for example, the ink can be properly cured to a matte finish by curing the ink to a state where the ink dots do not spread. For example, a method of curing the ink can be considered in which the ultraviolet light source 114 overlaps the inkjet heads 112 in the sub-scanning direction and irradiates ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 114 to the ink ejected by the inkjet heads 112 during one main scanning operation, thereby curing the ink to a matte finish.

[0032] Furthermore, in this example, when curing ink under glossy printing conditions, it is possible to, for example, not complete the curing of ink ejected by the inkjet head 112 during each main scanning operation, but to complete the curing of the ink after the ink dots have sufficiently flattened. More specifically, in this case, for example, it is possible to pass the area where ink was ejected by the inkjet head 112 during the main scanning operation through the ultraviolet light source 114 to complete the curing of the ink. In this case, it is possible to complete the curing of the ink by, for example, moving the ultraviolet light source 114 in the same manner as during the main scanning operation while irradiating the ultraviolet light source 114 with ultraviolet light of an intensity sufficient to complete the curing of the ink. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately cure ink under glossy printing conditions, for example. In this case, it is also possible for the ultraviolet light source 114 to irradiate ultraviolet light of a low intensity that does not complete the curing of the ink during the main scanning operation. In this case, for example, it is possible to prevent ink bleeding (e.g., inter-color bleeding) and irradiate ultraviolet light of an intensity that increases the viscosity of the ink to a state where the ink dots flatten over time, using the ultraviolet light source 114. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to more appropriately prevent bleeding and the like, while appropriately curing the ink to a glossy finish.

[0033] Next, the processing performed on the medium 50 in the printing system 10 (see FIG. 1 ) of this example will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 shows an example of processing performed on the medium 50 in the printing system 10. As described above, in the printing system 10 of this example, the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16 (see FIG. 1 ) form a coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid on the medium 50, thereby preparing the medium 50 on at least a portion of which the coating film 52 is formed. In this case, the coating film 52 is an example of a film formed by applying a functional powder-containing liquid. The medium 50 on which the coating film 52 is formed is an example of a coated medium. Furthermore, the operation of forming the coating film 52 on the medium 50 by the coating liquid discharge device 14 and the coating liquid hardening device 16 is an example of an operation in a coated medium preparation stage. In a modified configuration of the printing system 10, for example, instead of applying the pearlescent coating liquid to the medium 50 in the printing system 10, the medium 50 may be prepared in advance by coating the pearlescent coating liquid.

[0034] After forming the coating film 52 on the medium 50, the printing device 12 (see FIG. 1 ) ejects ink onto the coating film 52 to form an image layer 54, which is an ink layer that overlaps the coating film 52. In this case, the image layer 54 is an example of an ink layer on the coating film. The operation of forming the image layer 54 using the printing device 12 is an example of an ink layer on the coating film forming step. In this example, the image layer 54 is an ink layer that at least partially represents an image. The image layer 54 can also be considered, for example, as an ink layer for expressing a design using an image. More specifically, in this example, the printing device 12 forms the image layer 54, which has a translucent region 152 and an image region 154, on the coating film 52. In this case, the translucent region 152 is a region that is formed to be translucent so that the coating film 52 can be seen through the image layer 54. The translucent region 152 can be, for example, a colorless, transparent region formed with clear ink. Alternatively, the transmissive region 152 may be formed using a colored translucent region using a clear ink and a colored ink (e.g., an ink of one of the colors CMYK). Forming the image layer 54 having the transmissive region 152 allows, for example, a viewer viewing the medium 50 to properly view at least a portion of the coating film 52 even after the image layer 54 is formed. The image region 154 is a region where an image is drawn using colored ink. The image region 154 may be a region with lower translucency than the transmissive region 152. Forming the image layer 54 having the transmissive region 152 and the image region 154 allows, for example, a design that combines a design expressed by the coating film 52 visible through the transmissive region 152 with the design of an image drawn on the image layer 54 to be properly expressed. In this example, the coating film 52 can also be considered to function as a background to the image region 154. The image region 154 may also be formed as a region with a certain degree of translucency. With this configuration, for example, a design that reflects the state of the coating film 52 that serves as the background can be appropriately expressed in the image area 154.

[0035] In this example, the printing device 12 forms the image layer 54 under printing conditions in which ink ejected from an inkjet head 112 (see FIG. 2) for forming the image layer 54 is cured to a matte finish by an ultraviolet light source 114 (see FIG. 2). In this case, the uneven (matte) surface of the image layer 54 may, for example, cause diffused reflection of light. As a result, for example, when only the image layer 54 is formed on the coating film 52, the glitter and gloss characteristic of the pearl pigment in the coating film 52 may be lost. In contrast, in this example, as shown in the figure, the printing device 12 further forms a light-transmitting layer 56, which is a light-transmitting layer covering the image layer 54, on the image layer 54. In this case, the printing device 12 can be considered to also function as, for example, a light-transmitting layer forming unit. The operation of forming the light-transmitting layer 56 by the printing device 12 is an example of a light-transmitting layer forming step. For example, the light-transmitting layer 56 may cover only a portion of the image layer 54. In this case, for example, the portion of the image layer 54 covered by the light-transmitting layer 56 can be considered to be an example of an ink layer on a coating film. Furthermore, the light-transmitting layer 56 covering the image layer 54 can also be considered to correspond to the light-transmitting layer 56 covering at least a portion of the image layer 54. In this example, the light-transmitting layer 56 can be considered to be, for example, a layer of light-transmitting ink formed on the image layer 54. Furthermore, the light-transmitting layer 56 can also be considered to be formed on the image layer 54 so that the coating film 52 is visible through the light-transmitting layer 56 and at least a portion of the image layer 54. In the printing device 12, the inkjet head 112 used to form the light-transmitting layer 56 can be suitably, for example, an inkjet head 112 for clear ink. In this case, for example, clear ink can be used as the material for the light-transmitting layer 56. Furthermore, when forming the light-transmitting layer 56 in this example, the printing device 12 forms the light-transmitting layer 56 under printing conditions in which the ink ejected from the inkjet head 112 used to form the light-transmitting layer 56 is cured to a glossy finish by the ultraviolet light source 114. With this configuration, for example, the light-transmitting layer 56 can be appropriately formed by the printing device 12.Furthermore, in this case, by forming the light-transmitting layer 56 under glossy printing conditions, it is possible to form a light-transmitting layer 56 having a higher surface smoothness (flatness) than, for example, the image layer 54. Therefore, according to this example, it is possible to appropriately suppress the influence of diffused reflection of light that occurs in the image layer 54 when the light-transmitting layer 56 is not formed, for example. This also makes it possible, for example, to appropriately express the sparkle and luster that are characteristic of pearl pigments in the medium 50 after the light-transmitting layer 56 has been formed.

[0036] As explained above, in this example, for example, an image layer 54 is formed on a coating film 52 of a pearlescent coating liquid, and a printed matter is created so that the coating film 52 is visible through at least a portion of the image layer 54. This allows for the combination of the design expressed by the coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid and the design expressed by the image layer 54, resulting in a highly aesthetically pleasing printed matter. In this case, it may seem appropriate to form the image layer 54 under glossy printing conditions rather than matte printing conditions to prevent the loss of the sparkle characteristic of pearlescent pigments. However, the pearlescent pigment contained in the pearlescent coating liquid is typically a pigment with a particle size of, for example, several tens to several hundred micrometers. In this case, the large size of the pearlescent pigment in the coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid may result in a rough surface of the coating film 52. As a result, even if ink dots are leveled (flattened) during the formation of the image layer 54 on the coating film 52, the surface of the image layer 54 may still be rough. Furthermore, in this case, for example, if the image layer 54 is formed under printing conditions that produce a glossy finish, the rough surface of the underlying coating film 52 may cause the ink dots to spread in unintended directions during the time it takes for the ink dots to flatten, making it difficult to properly form an ink layer in a glossy finish. This may result in, for example, bleeding or distortion of the image to be expressed in the image layer 54, which may affect the intended design. In contrast, in this example, by forming the image layer 54 under printing conditions that cure the ink to a matte finish, it is possible to properly cure the ink dots that land on the coating film 52 in a short period of time. This also allows the ink to more appropriately cure in the intended state, even when the surface of the coating film 52 is rough, for example.

[0037] As described above, in this example, the printing device 12 further forms a light-transmitting layer 56 on the image layer 54. This configuration can suppress the effects of diffused reflection of light, which occurs in the image layer 54 formed with a matte finish, as described above. This also appropriately reduces the effects of the matte finish of the image layer 54, allowing for a more appropriate representation of a desired design. Therefore, this example allows for the creation of a highly designed printed matter while appropriately suppressing the effects of the surface condition of the coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid. In this regard, the influence of the surface condition of the coating film 52 can be considered to be greater when printing at a higher resolution, for example, in terms of the relationship between the size of the pearlescent pigment and the printing resolution. Therefore, the above-described effect can be considered to be more pronounced when printing at a resolution of approximately 600 dpi or higher. This effect can also be considered to be particularly significant when printing at a resolution of approximately 1200 dpi or higher.

[0038] Next, supplementary explanations and explanations of modified examples regarding the configuration described above will be provided. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the modified examples described above or below will be referred to as the configuration of this example. As described above, in this example, a coating film 52 of pearlescent coating liquid is formed on a medium 50 using a coating liquid discharge device 14 and a coating liquid curing device 16 (see FIG. 1 ). In this case, the coating liquid discharge device 14 discharges the pearlescent coating liquid from a discharge unit 202 (see FIG. 1 ) to a discharge position within the coating area and spreads it within the coating area, thereby forming the coating film 52 on the medium 50. Therefore, according to this example, the pearlescent coating liquid can be appropriately applied to the medium 50 without using, for example, a printing plate for screen printing. This also appropriately reduces, for example, the effort and cost required for applying the pearlescent coating liquid. In this case, the pearlescent coating liquid can be easily and appropriately applied to various media 50. For example, a rolled medium (roll media) can be used as the medium 50. A medium wound in a roll can also be considered, for example, as a medium whose length in the direction perpendicular to the width direction is indefinite. A medium wound in a roll can also be considered, for example, as a medium that is provided in a rolled state and is sequentially unwound and used as needed. In this case, for example, in the printing device 12, the transport mechanism 106 (see FIG. 2 ) unwinds and transports the medium 50 from the rolled medium 50. As a result, the printing device 12 forms an image layer 54 and a light-transmitting layer 56 on a coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid while transporting the medium 50.

[0039] As described above, in this example, the printing device 12 forms an ink layer, such as the image layer 54, on the coating film 52 formed on the medium 50. In this regard, as a method for forming an ink layer on the medium 50 on which the coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid has been formed, the printing device 12 may, for example, form an ink layer on the side of the medium 50 opposite to the side on which the coating film 52 has been formed, rather than on the coating film 52. In this case, too, a design combining the coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid and the ink layer can be expressed by using, for example, a light-transmitting medium 50. However, in this case, problems may arise in the printing operation, depending on the configuration of the printing device 12. More specifically, when the medium 50 is transported using the transport mechanism 106 as in the printing device 12 of this example, in order to form an ink layer on the side of the medium 50 opposite to the side on which the coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid has been formed, the transport mechanism 106 must transport the medium 50 with the side on which the coating film 52 has been formed facing downwards. In this case, for example, the frictional force generated between the medium 50 and the base 204 (see FIG. 2 ) supporting the medium 50 increases, making transport problems such as jamming more likely to occur. Furthermore, friction between the base 204 and the coating film 52 may, for example, make it more likely for the pearl pigment to fall off from the coating film 52. Furthermore, the coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid may remain slightly sticky even after curing. In such a case, transporting the medium 50 with the surface on which the coating film 52 is formed facing downwards is particularly likely to cause transport problems. In contrast, when an ink layer such as the image layer 54 is formed on the coating film 52 as in this example, the printing device 12 can more appropriately transport the medium 50. This also allows for, for example, more appropriate production of printed matter with a high level of design.

[0040] Furthermore, in the printing system 10, for example, a device that combines the functions of multiple devices in the configuration shown in FIG. 1( a) may be used. More specifically, in this case, a single device may be used that combines the functions of the printing device 12, the coating liquid ejection device 14, and the coating liquid curing device 16. With this configuration, for example, a single device can appropriately apply the pearlescent coating liquid and form an ink layer on the medium 50. Furthermore, in this case, by forming an ink layer such as an image layer 54 on the coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid, the pearlescent coating liquid and the ink layer can be appropriately applied to the medium 50 without, for example, turning the medium 50 over. Furthermore, such a device can be considered to include, for example, an ejection unit for the pearlescent coating liquid and an inkjet head for forming the ink layer. In this case, the device further includes, for example, a transport mechanism for transporting the medium along a path that passes through a position where the ejection unit ejects the pearlescent coating liquid and a position where the ink is ejected by the inkjet head. Also in this case, various media such as a rolled medium can be suitably used as the medium 50.

[0041] Furthermore, when forming an image layer 54 or the like on the coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid, as in this example, a non-transparent medium 50 can be used to appropriately express a design that combines the design expressed by the coating film 52 with the design of the image depicted in the image layer 54. Depending on the design to be expressed in the printed matter, a translucent medium 50 can also be used. This configuration allows, for example, a printed matter to be created in which the coating film 52 of the pearlescent coating liquid is visible from the side opposite the surface on which it is formed. This also allows, for example, a printed matter with a higher level of design quality to be appropriately produced. Suitable examples of the translucent medium 50 include colorless translucent media. Suitable examples of the translucent medium 50 include translucent films. The medium 50 is not limited to a rolled medium, but may also be a leaf-shaped medium with a fixed length in the direction perpendicular to the width direction. In this case, the medium 50 may also be a resin plate such as an acrylic plate.

[0042] As explained above, in this example, the pearlescent pigment and pearlescent coating liquid are examples of effect pigments and effect pigment-containing liquids. Furthermore, the effect pigment and effect pigment-containing liquid are examples of functional powders and functional powder-containing liquids. Pigments such as effect pigments can also be considered, for example, as examples of powders contained in coating liquids. In a modified example of the configuration and operation of the printing system 10, for example, a coating liquid containing an effect pigment or functional powder other than pearlescent pigments (effect pigment-containing liquid or functional powder-containing liquid) can be used. In this case, instead of the pearlescent coating liquid described above, a coating liquid containing an effect pigment other than pearlescent pigments can be used. In this case, for example, a pigment that exhibits a special color through light reflection or absorption can be used as the effect pigment. For example, a scaly pigment can be suitably used as such an effect pigment. More specifically, glitter pigments and glitter pigments can be used as effect pigments other than pearlescent pigments. For example, a glitter pigment can be used that is made of an aluminum-deposited resin film, a metal foil such as aluminum foil, or a multilayer film. As the resin film, for example, a PET film or the like can be suitably used. As the multilayer film, for example, a configuration in which multiple thin resin films are stacked can be suitably used. Furthermore, as the glitter pigment, for example, a pigment having a particle size of about several hundred μm to several mm (for example, about 100 μm to 3 mm) can be used. As the glitter pigment, for example, a pigment having a larger particle size than the glitter pigment can be suitably used. In this case, for example, a pigment having a particle size of several mm or more (for example, 3 mm or more) can be used as the glitter pigment. Furthermore, as the coating liquid, for example, a liquid containing various functional powders other than those described above can be used. For example, as the functional powder, various functional powders (pigments) other than effect pigments can be used. More specifically, as the functional powder, for example, a phosphorescent, antifouling, or conductive powder can be used. As the functional powder, for example, a functional powder or filler material that imparts other mechanical or chemical properties can be used.Even when using a coating liquid containing such various functional powders, the coating liquid can be appropriately applied to a medium by using, for example, a printing system 10 having the same or similar configuration as described above. When using a coating liquid containing various functional powders, it is preferable to appropriately adjust the viscosity of the coating liquid, for example, depending on the type and particle size of the functional powder contained in the coating liquid. Furthermore, even when using a coating liquid other than a pearlescent coating liquid, it is possible to form an ink layer on the coating film of the coating liquid in the printing device 12 in the same or similar manner as when forming the image layer 54 and the light-transmitting layer 56 described above. With this configuration, for example, an ink layer can be appropriately formed on the coating film of a coating liquid containing various functional powders. This also makes it possible to appropriately create printed materials with high design quality, for example.

[0043] In this example, the light-transmitting layer 56 can also be considered, for example, as a coating layer that covers the surface of the printed material. In this case, the ink used to form the light-transmitting layer 56 can also be considered, for example, as a coating agent that serves as the material for the coating layer. In a modified configuration of the printing system 10, the light-transmitting layer 56 can also be formed by a method other than the method of forming an ink layer using the printing device 12. In this case, for example, the light-transmitting layer 56 is formed by applying a coating agent that serves as the material for the light-transmitting layer 56 to the image layer 54 using a device or tool other than the printing device 12. This results in the light-transmitting layer 56 having a smoother surface than the image layer 54. More specifically, in this case, the light-transmitting layer 56 can be formed using, for example, a spray that ejects the coating agent in a mist form. In this case, the device or tool used to apply the coating agent can also be considered to be included in the printing system 10. This device or tool can also be considered, for example, as a light-transmitting layer forming means. Even with this configuration, the light-transmitting layer 56 can be appropriately formed on the image layer 54. This can also suppress the effects of diffused reflection of light that occurs in a matte-finished image layer 54. A colorless, light-transmitting clear coating agent, for example, can be suitably used as the coating agent. The light-transmitting layer 56 can also be formed by, for example, attaching a film (thin film) such as a laminate film, rather than by applying a material for the light-transmitting layer 56. In this case, the light-transmitting layer 56 can also be considered to have a smoother surface than the image layer 54. More specifically, in this case, the light-transmitting layer 56 is formed by, for example, attaching a light-transmitting film onto the image layer 54 after the image layer 54 is formed in the printing device 12. In this case, the device or tool used for attaching the film can also be considered to be included in the printing system 10. This device or tool can also be considered to be an example of a light-transmitting layer forming means. Even with this configuration, the light-transmitting layer 56 can be appropriately formed on the image layer 54. This also makes it possible to suppress the influence of diffused reflection of light that occurs in the image layer 54 formed in a matte finish, for example. [Industrial Applicability]

[0044] The present invention can be suitably used in, for example, a method for producing printed matter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 printing system, 102 head unit, 104 base unit, 106 transport mechanism, 108 main scanning drive unit, 110 sub-scanning drive unit, 112 inkjet head, 114 ultraviolet light source, 12 printing device, 120 control unit, 14 coating liquid ejection device, 152 transparent area, 154 image area, 16 coating liquid hardening device, 202 ejection unit, 204 base unit, 206 solvent supply unit, 208 pigment supply unit, 210 air pressure supply unit, 212 control unit, 22 control device, 50 medium, 52 coating film, 54 image layer, 56 light-transmitting layer

Claims

1. A method for producing a printed matter in which a functional powder-containing liquid, which is a liquid containing functional powder that is powder having a predetermined function, is applied to at least a part of a medium, a coated medium preparation step of preparing a coated medium, which is the medium having a coating film formed on at least a portion thereof by applying the functional powder-containing liquid; an on-coating-film ink layer forming step of forming an on-coating-film ink layer, which is an ink layer overlapping the coating film, by ejecting ink onto the coating film using a printing device; a light-transmitting layer forming step of forming a light-transmitting layer that is a light-transmitting layer covering the ink layer on the coating film; Equipped with The printing device an inkjet head that ejects ink by an inkjet method; a curing means for curing the ink ejected by the inkjet head; Equipped with a printing device for forming the ink layer on the coating film under printing conditions in which the ink ejected from the inkjet head is cured to a matte finish by the curing means in the ink layer forming step on the coating film.

2. In the step of forming an ink layer on the coating film, the ink layer on the coating film is formed so that the coating film of the functional powder-containing liquid is visible through the ink layer on the coating film in at least a part of the ink layer on the coating film, The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 1 , wherein the light-transmitting layer is formed in the light-transmitting layer forming step, thereby reducing the influence of diffused reflection of light occurring in the ink layer on the coating film.

3. The inkjet head ejects ultraviolet curable ink, the curing means is an ultraviolet light source that generates ultraviolet rays, the printing device further includes a main scanning drive unit that causes the inkjet head to perform a main scanning operation in which the inkjet head ejects ink while moving relatively to the medium in a predetermined main scanning direction; During the main scanning operation, the ultraviolet light source irradiates the medium with ultraviolet light while moving together with the inkjet head relative to the medium; 2. The method for manufacturing a printed matter according to claim 1, wherein in the ink layer formation step, the ink ejected from the inkjet head in one main scanning operation is cured to a matte finish by irradiating ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source in the same main scanning operation.

4. The printing device a head for ink layer on coating film, which is the inkjet head that ejects ink that is a material for the ink layer on coating film; a light-transmitting layer head, which is the inkjet head that ejects ink that is a material for the light-transmitting layer; Equipped with In the ink layer on the coating film forming step, the ink ejected from the ink layer on the coating film head is cured to a matte finish by the curing means, thereby forming the ink layer on the coating film; 2. The method for manufacturing a printed matter according to claim 1, wherein in the light-transmitting layer forming step, the light-transmitting layer is formed by curing ink ejected from the light-transmitting layer head to a glossy finish by the curing means.

5. 2. The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 1, wherein in the light-transmitting layer forming step, the light-transmitting layer is formed by applying a coating agent, which is a material for the light-transmitting layer, onto the ink layer on the coating film.

6. 2. The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 1, wherein in the light-transmitting layer forming step, the light-transmitting layer is formed by attaching a light-transmitting film onto the ink layer on the coating film.

7. Using the medium wound in a roll, The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 1 , wherein the printing device further comprises a transport mechanism that unwinds and transports the medium from a roll of the medium.

8. The method for producing a printed matter according to claim 1 , wherein the functional powder-containing liquid contains a pearl pigment as the functional powder.

9. A printing system for producing a printed matter in which a functional powder-containing liquid, which is a liquid containing functional powder, which is powder having a predetermined function, is applied to at least a part of a medium, a printing device that ejects ink onto a coated medium having a coating film formed on at least a portion thereof by applying the functional powder-containing liquid, thereby forming an ink layer on the coated medium, the ink layer being an ink layer overlapping the coating film; a light-transmitting layer forming means for forming a light-transmitting layer that is a light-transmitting layer covering the ink layer on the coating film; Equipped with The printing device an inkjet head that ejects ink by an inkjet method; a curing means for curing the ink ejected by the inkjet head; Equipped with A printing system characterized in that the ink layer is formed on the coating film in the printing device under printing conditions in which the ink ejected from the inkjet head is cured to a matte finish by the curing means.

Images