Printing system, media dyeing method, and ink set

Abstract

Perform the printing process properly. [Solution] The printing system has a control device that controls printing by a printing device and a textile printing process by a heat treatment device. The control device has a print data creation unit, a print control unit that prints information onto a medium based on the print data, and a textile printing condition setting unit that sets at least the heating temperature and heating time of the medium in the textile printing process. Each of the inks in the ink set contains a sublimable dye as a coloring component, and the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 146. The textile printing condition setting unit sets the heating temperature in the textile printing process to a first temperature that is higher than the heating temperature when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60, and the heating time to a first time that is longer than the heating time when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a method for dyeing media, and an ink set.

Background Art

[0002] As one aspect of transfer printing, there is a transfer-type printing method using sublimation dyes. This printing method is performed according to the following procedure. (I) Information is printed on a transfer medium. (II) The transfer medium on which the information is printed is brought into contact with a printing object such as a fabric. (III) By heating and pressurizing the transfer medium and the printing object while they are in contact, the sublimation-type dye is sublimated, and the information printed on the transfer medium is transferred to the printing object. In addition to this, there is a direct-type printing method in which a sublimation dye is directly printed on a medium (printing object). This printing method is performed according to the following procedure. (I) Information is printed on a medium. (II) By heat-treating the medium on which the information is printed, the printed information is fixed to the medium.

[0003] Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose ink sets for sublimation transfer used for transfer-type printing. This ink set is used for printing information on a transfer medium by an inkjet printing device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Ink sets typically include a basic color scheme consisting of three inks: yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), or four inks including black (BK). These ink compositions contain sublimation dyes (disperse dyes) as color-developing components. Some of the sublimation dyes may be replaced with substitutes. The printing conditions with the substitutes may not necessarily match those with the original sublimation dyes. Therefore, printing under the same conditions may not yield the desired color. In such cases, adjustments to the printing conditions may be necessary. Therefore, there is a need to improve the accuracy of printing using inks that include sublimation dyes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of this case is, (1) A printing apparatus that prints information onto a medium using an ink set that includes at least one other ink in addition to magenta ink, A heat treatment apparatus for fixing the information printed on a media by a printing process of the media on which the aforementioned information is printed, A printing system having a control device, The control device is A print data creation unit that creates print data from input data of information to be printed on the aforementioned media, A print control unit controls the ejection of ink to the media based on the created print data and prints information onto the media. The printing process includes a printing condition setting unit that sets at least the heating temperature of the media and the heating time of the media, Each of the inks in the aforementioned ink set contains a sublimable dye as a color-developing component, and the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 146. The printing condition setting unit is, The heating temperature in the printing process is set to a first temperature that is higher than the heating temperature when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. This printing system sets the heating time in the heat treatment to a first time, which is longer than the heating time when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60.

[0007] With this configuration, a printing system can be provided that can perform printing properly even when the dye is changed from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146.

[0008] (2) The first temperature is 10 to 40°C higher than the heating temperature when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. The first time is up to 100 seconds longer than the heating time when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60.

[0009] With this configuration, a printing system can be provided that can perform printing properly even when the dye is changed from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146.

[0010] (3) The printing condition setting unit calculates the total amount of ink used by summing up the amount of each ink included in the ink set based on the created print data, calculates the proportion of the magenta ink to the calculated total amount of ink used, and sets the printing conditions based on the calculated proportion.

[0011] The extent of the impact of the dye change correlates with the proportion of magenta ink in the total amount of ink used for printing information. By varying the printing process conditions according to the proportion of magenta ink in the total ink usage, it is possible to set printing conditions that take into account the impact of dye changes on color development and quality. This makes it possible to minimize differences in color development and quality before and after changing the dye.

[0012] (4) The printing condition setting unit calculates the area of ​​the region in which the magenta ink is used based on the created print data, calculates the ratio of the area of ​​the region in which the magenta ink is used to the total print area specified by the print data, and sets the printing conditions based on the calculated ratio.

[0013] The extent of the impact of the dye change is correlated with the area of ​​the area where magenta ink was used relative to the total area of ​​the printed area. By varying the printing conditions according to the proportion of the area where magenta ink is used within the total area where information is printed, it is possible to set printing conditions that take into account the impact of dye changes on color development and quality. This makes it possible to minimize differences in color development and quality before and after changing the dye.

[0014] (5) The system has a table that stores the proportion of magenta ink in association with the first temperature and the first time, The printing condition setting unit sets the first temperature and the first time by referring to the table based on the calculated ratio.

[0015] Based on past test results and simulations, the first temperature and first time can be specified in a table for the proportion of magenta ink in the total amount of ink used for printing information. With this configuration, the printing condition setting unit can determine the appropriate values ​​for the first temperature and first time by referring to a table based on the calculated ratio. Even when changing the dye used in magenta ink from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, it is possible to minimize the difference in color development and quality before and after the dye change.

[0016] (6) The printing apparatus has multiple ink sets available in which the other inks included in addition to the magenta ink are different. The aforementioned table shows the relationship between the proportion of magenta ink and the conditions of the printing process for each of the multiple ink sets.

[0017] With such a configuration, for each of a plurality of ink sets having different combinations of inks contained therein, by defining in a table the ratio of magenta ink, the first temperature, and the first time, even when the ink set used in the printing apparatus is changed, it is possible to suppress the differences in color development and quality before and after changing the dye. Thereby, even when an ink containing another dye such as purple or orange is included in the ink set, it is possible to perform the resist printing with substantially the same color development and quality as before changing the dye.

[0018] (7) The heat treatment apparatus has a condition presenting unit that presents at least two candidates for the resist treatment conditions, In the table, color development data recording the color development state of the medium after the resist treatment is stored for each of the resist treatment conditions, The condition presenting unit, When presenting the candidates for the resist treatment conditions, presents the color development data when performing the resist treatment under the presented resist treatment conditions together.

[0019] With such a configuration, the user can set the resist treatment conditions after confirming the influence of the difference in the resist treatment conditions on the color development and quality. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the color development and quality after the resist treatment deviate significantly from the color development and quality desired by the user. Here, when the color development and quality after the resist treatment deviate significantly from the color development and quality desired by the user, the printing has to be redone. By setting the resist treatment conditions after the user confirms, it is possible to reduce the possibility of redoing the printing. When redoing the printing, the total working time increases and the yield in the production of the medium on which the information is printed decreases. By configuring as described above, the occurrence of such a situation can be suitably prevented.

[0020] One aspect of the present invention is, (8) A printing step of printing information on a medium using an ink set containing at least one other ink in addition to magenta ink, A method for dyeing media, comprising a heat treatment step of fixing the printed information to the media by a printing process of the media on which the information is printed, Each of the inks in the aforementioned ink set contains a sublimable dye as a color-developing component, and the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 146. The heating temperature in the printing process is set to a first temperature higher than the heating temperature when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. A method for dyeing media, wherein the heating time in the printing process is set to a first hour that is longer than the heating time when the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 60.

[0021] If the dye in the magenta ink is changed, even if the printing process conditions are the same, differences will occur in the color reproduction and quality of the printed information. As a result of diligent study, the inventors set the heating temperature in the printing process to a first temperature higher than the heating temperature when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. We found that by setting the heating time in the printing process to a first hour, which is longer than the heating time when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60, almost the same color development and quality as when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60 can be obtained. This allows for proper printing even when the dye is changed from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146.

[0022] (9) The first temperature is 10 to 40°C higher than the heating temperature when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. A method for dyeing media, wherein the first time is up to 100 seconds longer than the heating time when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60.

[0023] With this configuration, even when the dye is changed from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, printing can be performed properly.

[0024] One aspect of the present invention is, (10) An ink set comprising magenta ink and at least one other ink, Each of the inks in the aforementioned ink set contains a sublimable dye as a color-developing component, and the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 146.

[0025] Even if Disperse Thread 60, the coloring component of magenta ink among the sublimation dyes contained in the ink set, is replaced with Disperse Thread 146, the printing quality, such as color development, will not change significantly, and the printing will be able to be performed appropriately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the present invention, printing can be performed appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the printing system. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart illustrating the processes performed by the control device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the printing system.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the printing system 1 includes a printing device 2, a heat treatment device 3, and a control device 5. As an example, printing device 2 is an inkjet printer that prints information onto media M using a process color ink set. For example, the heat treatment apparatus 3 is a heat press machine. The heat treatment apparatus 3 performs a printing process on the media M on which the information is printed, thereby fixing the printed information to the media M. The control device 5 controls the printing in the printing device 2 and the textile printing process (heat treatment) in the heat treatment device 3.

[0030] [Media M] Media M is a woven fabric (cloth, textile) made from polyester yarn, which is a synthetic fiber. Media M may be a blend of polyester as the main component and other synthetic fibers. In this embodiment, it is preferable to use a polyester media M whose fiber opening temperature is in the range of 150°C to 180°C. In this case, in the polyester media M dyed with dye, the dye is held in the gaps between the polyester molecular chains that make up media M. The fiber opening temperature refers to the temperature at which the polyester molecular chains that make up media M loosen (the gaps widen) to the extent that the dye can penetrate between the polyester molecular chains.

[0031] Media M can be made from polyester yarn woven in either a plain weave or a twill weave. Examples of polyester fabrics (media) include Tropical (100% polyester), Pongee (100% polyester), Smooth (100% polyester), Honeycomb (100% polyester), and Lycra (registered trademark) (15% polyurethane - 85% polyester). Here, tropical and pongee are fabrics used for advertising and promotional tools such as roller blinds, pennants, and banners.

[0032] The "information" printed on media M does not refer only to the "patterns" or "designs" of the printed image, but also includes letters, symbols, and pictures. For printing information, inks containing sublimable dyes as colorants (dye-based inks) are used.

[0033] The printing device 2 used for printing information is equipped with a process color ink set. Process colors are yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK), which are the basic colors used in full-color printing. In this embodiment, the ink set of the printing device 2 may include, in addition to magenta (M) ink, at least one of the following inks: yellow (Y), cyan (C), and black (BK). The ink set may also further include green, purple, and orange inks, which are complementary colors to the basic color inks.

[0034] The printing device 2 has heads (inkjet heads: not shown) corresponding to each color of the ink set. Each color head is mounted on a carriage 21 that moves in the Y direction. The carriage 21 is supported so as to be movable in the Y direction by a Y bar 22 located above the platen 20. Media M is wrapped around the upper surface of the platen 20. The area of ​​media M wrapped around the platen 20 is the area between the feed roll R1 and the take-up roll R2. Media M is movable in the X direction by a drive mechanism (not shown). The media M, unfurled from the feed roll R1, is printed with information by ink ejected from the inkjet head in the area of ​​the platen 20. After printing is complete, the media M is finally wound onto the take-up roll R2. The media M wound onto the take-up roll R2 is cut to a predetermined length before being supplied to the heat treatment device 3.

[0035] In the printing apparatus 2, printing is performed by displacing the carriage 21 and the media M relative to each other in the Y and X directions using a drive mechanism (not shown).

[0036] The heat treatment apparatus 3 is supplied with media M on which information is printed, cut to a predetermined length. The heat treatment apparatus 3 has a pair of heating plates 31, 31. A heater 32 is installed inside the heating plate 31. In the heat treatment apparatus 3, the printed information is fixed to the media M by applying pressure for a predetermined time while the media M is held between a pair of heating plates 31, 31. The color development and quality of the information printed on the media M change depending on the heating temperature, heating time, and pressure during this process.

[0037] The control device 5 includes a processing unit 51, a storage unit 52, and an input / output port (I / O) 53. The processing unit 51, the storage unit 52, and the input / output port 53 are connected to each other via a bus 54. The input / output port 53 of the control device 5 is connected to the printing device 2, the heat treatment device 3, the input device 55, and the output device 56. In this embodiment, the printing apparatus 2 and the heat treatment apparatus 3 are shown as being connected to the control device 5 on a one-to-one basis. However, the printing apparatus 2 and the heat treatment apparatus 3 may be connected to the control device 5 via a network, whether wired or wireless, in a manner that allows for information exchange.

[0038] The input device 55 is an interface for inputting instructions to the control device 5. Examples of input devices 55 include keyboards, mice, touch panels, and terminals held by the worker. The output device 56 is an interface for outputting information such as text, images, and audio. Examples of output devices 56 include monitors, speakers, and terminals held by workers.

[0039] The processing unit 51 is a processor such as a CPU or GPU, and it executes the processing defined by the program based on the program stored in the memory unit 52. The memory unit 52 is a recording medium capable of storing and rewriting information, such as an HDD, SSD, or memory. The memory unit 52 stores programs for each process performed by the processing unit 51. Furthermore, the memory unit 52 also stores information generated during the processing process. Alternatively, the memory unit 52 may be provided to an external server (not shown) connected to the control device 5 via a network (not shown).

[0040] The memory unit 52 contains various programs, as well as a table 521 that summarizes the conditions for the textile printing process in the heat treatment apparatus 3. Here, the conditions for the printing process include, as an example, at least the heating temperature T and heating time t of the media M in the heat treatment apparatus 3. In the case of a direct-type printing method, it is preferable that the printing process includes parameters such as heating temperature T, heating time t, and heating airflow. In the case of a transfer-type printing method, it is preferable that the printing process includes parameters such as heating temperature T and heating time t.

[0041] Here, the inventors confirmed that when they changed the dye contained in the magenta ink included in the ink set from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, differences occurred in the color development and quality of the printed information, even when the printing process conditions were the same. Then, after examining various printing conditions when changing from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, we found printing conditions that could obtain almost the same color development and quality as when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. Specifically, we found printing conditions (heating temperature T, heating time t) that yielded almost the same color development and quality as when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60.

[0042] Table 521 stores the printing process conditions corresponding to the ink sets installed in the printing device 2. As an example, (a) different printing conditions are determined according to the proportion of magenta ink in the total amount of ink used to print the information. (b) different printing conditions are determined according to the proportion of the area where magenta ink is used in the total area where the information is printed.

[0043] The inventors of this case have found through experiments and simulations that (a) the degree of the effect of changing the dye is correlated with the proportion of magenta ink in the total amount of ink used to print the information, and (b) the degree of the effect of changing the dye is correlated with the area of ​​the region where magenta ink was used in relation to the total area of ​​the region where the information was printed. Table 521 contains the printing conditions based on the trends obtained through these experiments and simulations.

[0044] Furthermore, in Table 521, color development data is linked and stored to the printing process conditions. The color development data is data (e.g., image data) that allows the user to visually recognize the color development state of the media M after the printing process. In Table 521, one color development data is registered and linked to each registered printing process condition. In the printing device 2, multiple ink sets are available, each containing different inks in addition to the magenta ink, which includes the dispersing thread 146. Therefore, Table 521 provides the relationship between the proportion of magenta ink and the printing conditions for each of the multiple ink sets.

[0045] Therefore, by referring to Table 521 based on the type of ink set used, and (a) the proportion of magenta ink in the total amount of ink used to print the information, and (b) the proportion of the area where magenta ink was used in the total area where the information was printed, the most preferable printing conditions at that time can be extracted.

[0046] The processing unit 51 includes a print data creation unit 511, a print control unit 512, a textile printing condition setting unit 513, a textile printing process control unit 514, and a condition presentation unit 515, as functional blocks for controlling printing in the printing device 2 and the textile printing process in the heat treatment device 3.

[0047] The print data creation unit 511 processes the input image data (input data: digital data) and creates print data in a printable format. The print data creation unit 511 reads the program (RIP software (Raster Image Processor)) stored in the storage unit 52 and performs data conversion processing to convert vector images and text data into raster format, as well as color adjustment processing to perform color correction and color separation.

[0048] The print control unit 512 performs printing using the printing device 2 based on the print data. The print control unit 512 drives a drive mechanism (not shown) of the printing device 2 to control the relative displacement between the carriage 21 and the media M in the XY direction. At the same time, the print control unit 512 controls the ejection of ink droplets onto the media M based on the print data to print information onto the media M.

[0049] Prior to setting the printing conditions, the condition suggestion unit 515 presents several candidate conditions for the printing process. For example, the condition setting unit 515 calculates the total usage amount by summing up the usage amounts of each ink included in the ink set, based on the print data created by the print data creation unit 511. Then, the printing condition setting unit 513 calculates the proportion of magenta ink in the calculated total usage amount. The printing condition setting unit 513 obtains multiple (at least two) printing conditions by referring to table 521, based on the type of ink set used in the printing device 2 and the calculated magenta ink ratio. The condition presentation unit 515 then displays the acquired conditions for multiple printing processes on the output device 56 (for example, a monitor). At this time, it displays color development data, which indicates the color development state when the printing process is performed under the conditions of the printing process, in parallel with the printing process conditions.

[0050] As a result, the output device 56 displays, in parallel, at least two printing conditions and image data that allows the user to visually confirm the color development when printing is performed under each printing condition. This allows the user to select one of several printing process conditions from among those presented. Alternatively, instead of (a) the ratio of magenta ink to the total amount of ink used for printing the information, the conditions for the printing process may be obtained using (b) the ratio of the area of ​​the area where magenta ink was used to the total area of ​​the area where the information was printed.

[0051] When one printing treatment condition is selected from the multiple heat treatment condition candidates presented, the printing condition setting unit 513 sets the selected printing treatment condition as the printing treatment condition to be carried out by the heat treatment apparatus 3. Alternatively, the printing condition setting unit 513 may directly obtain the printing conditions by referring to Table 521, using the type of ink set and (a) the ratio of magenta ink to the total amount of ink used for printing the information, and (b) the ratio of the area where magenta ink was used to the total area where the information was printed. The obtained printing conditions may then be used as the printing conditions to be carried out by the heat treatment apparatus 3.

[0052] The textile printing control unit 514 controls the textile printing process (heat treatment) in the heat treatment apparatus 3 based on the set textile printing conditions. The printing process control unit 514 drives the drive mechanism (not shown) and heater 32 of the heat treatment apparatus 3 to control the pressure, temperature, and time when the heat press grips the media M, thereby performing the printing process on the media M.

[0053] [Magenta Ink] In an ink using Disperse Thread 60 as the color-developing component, a magenta ink was created by simply replacing Disperse Thread 60 with Disperse Thread 146 without changing any other components (solvent components, additives, etc.) except for the color-developing component, for evaluation purposes.

[0054] In this embodiment, the dispersing thread 146 shown in formula (1) below is used as the coloring component. Note that an ethoxy group (-OCH2-CH3) or an n-propoxy group (-OCH2-CH2-CH3) may be used instead of a methoxy group (-OCH3). In the TIFF2026056965000002.tif37158 printing process, dye penetrates between the molecular chains of the polyester that make up media M, resulting in coloring. Therefore, if the substituent is large, it may hinder penetration between the molecular chains. For this reason, it is preferable to limit the substituent change of the methoxy group portion to an ethoxy group.

[0055] [Ink set for printer 2] In the process color ink set in printing device 2, only the magenta (M) ink was replaced with an evaluation magenta ink.

[0056] [Evaluation media] Tropical (100% polyester), Pongee (100% polyester), Smooth (100% polyester), Honeycomb (100% polyester), and Lycra (registered trademark) (15% polyurethane - 85% polyester) were used as evaluation media M. Furthermore, a 25cm x 25cm test piece was prepared from media M after the information was printed, and the test piece was subjected to a printing process. The evaluation items were color development, whether or not the media yellowed, and whether or not the media changed dimensions.

[0057] [Evaluation of printing conditions] For media M printed with information using process ink containing magenta ink employing Disperse Thread 146 as the coloring component, the conditions of the textile printing process were evaluated by varying the heating temperature and heating time. In this process, the printing treatment was performed with heating temperatures T set to 180°C, 190°C, 200°C, 210°C, and 220°C, and heating times t set to 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, 120 seconds, and 150 seconds. Incidentally, for process inks containing magenta ink that uses Disperse Thread 60 as the coloring component, the standard conditions for the printing process are a heating temperature Ts of 180-210°C and a heating time ts of 30-60 seconds.

[0058] In evaluating the media M obtained after the printing process, the following parameters were used for evaluation: (a) whether or not the media M (fabric) yellowed or shrunk, (b) the color development of the ink (printed information), and (c) the quality of the printed information (whether or not the ink bled).

[0059] In evaluation item (a), "yellowing" was determined by visually checking the difference in color of the media before and after the printing process. In evaluation item (a), "shrinkage" was measured by measuring the change in the dimensions of the media before and after the printing process. For example, in the case of "yellowing" as an evaluation item, the degree of yellowing was evaluated on a 5-point scale from 1 to 5. In the case of "shrinkage" as an evaluation item, the dimensional changes in the vertical and horizontal directions of the media were measured, and the rate of change relative to the original dimensions was evaluated on a 5-point scale from 1 to 5. For example, if the rate of change was less than 2%, a score of 4 or 5 was given depending on the rate of change. If it was 2% or more, a score of 1 to 3 was given depending on the rate of change. In the table below, the evaluation values ​​for "yellowing" and "shrinkage" were used to determine the following: "○: No yellowing or shrinkage, △: Slight yellowing and slight shrinkage." (b) The color development in evaluation item is The color difference ΔE (average value for ink duty cycles of 10% to 100%) was used to evaluate printed materials using ink containing Disperse Thread 60 as the color component (comparison print) and printed materials using ink containing Disperse Thread 146 as the color component (evaluation print). In the table below, "〇: ΔE < 3, △: 3 ≤ ΔE < 5". For evaluation item (c), print quality was visually confirmed based on the print quality on the media after the printing process. In the table below, "○: No problem, △: Slightly inferior" is used. For evaluation item (d), the overall evaluation was calculated by assigning scores to each evaluation item (a) to (c) and then calculating the average score of the evaluation items. In the table below, scores between 5.0 and 4.1 are marked with "◎", scores between 4.0 and 3.1 are marked with "〇", and scores between 3.0 and 2.1 are marked with "△".

[0060] TIFF2026056965000003.tif120158

[0061] TIFF2026056965000004.tif42158

[0062] For tropical varieties, good results were obtained at 200-210°C for 90-120 seconds and 220°C for 60-90 seconds. In the case of tropical inks, it was confirmed that by using a temperature at least 20°C higher and a processing time up to 60 seconds longer than the conditions for printing with inks containing Disperse Thread 60 as a coloring component (heating temperature: 180°C, heating time: 60 seconds), the quality could be made almost equivalent to that of inks containing Disperse Thread 60 as a coloring component.

[0063] TIFF2026056965000005.tif119158

[0064] TIFF2026056965000006.tif44158

[0065] For sponges, good results were obtained at 200°C for 120 seconds, 210°C for 90-120 seconds, and 220°C for 60-120 seconds. In the case of pongee, it was confirmed that by using a temperature at least 20°C higher and a processing time up to 60 seconds longer than the conditions for printing with ink containing Disperse Thread 60 as a coloring component (heating temperature: 180°C, heating time: 60 seconds), the quality could be made almost equivalent to that of ink containing Disperse Thread 60 as a coloring component.

[0066] TIFF2026056965000007.tif120158

[0067] TIFF2026056965000008.tif45158

[0068] For smooth samples, good results were obtained at 200°C for 120 seconds, 210°C for 90-120 seconds, and 220°C for 60-120 seconds. In the case of smooth paper, it was confirmed that by using a temperature at least 20°C higher and a processing time up to 60 seconds longer than the conditions for printing with ink containing Disperse Thread 60 as a coloring component (heating temperature: 180°C, heating time: 60 seconds), the quality was good, although inferior to that of ink containing Disperse Thread 60 as a coloring component. If the focus is on color development, we confirmed that it is best to use a temperature at least 30°C higher and a processing time up to 60 seconds longer than the printing conditions (heating temperature: 180°C, heating time: 60 seconds) for inks containing Disperse Thread 60 as a color-developing component.

[0069] TIFF2026056965000009.tif120158

[0070] TIFF2026056965000010.tif43158

[0071] For honeycomb structures, good results were obtained at 200°C for 120 seconds, 210°C for 120 seconds, and 220°C for 90-120 seconds. In the case of honeycomb patterns, it was confirmed that by using a temperature at least 20°C higher and a processing time up to 60 seconds longer than the conditions for printing with ink containing Disperse Thread 60 as a coloring component (heating temperature: 180°C, heating time: 60 seconds), the quality was good, although inferior to that of ink containing Disperse Thread 60 as a coloring component.

[0072] TIFF2026056965000011.tif123158

[0073] TIFF2026056965000012.tif45158

[0074] In the case of Lycra (registered trademark), it was confirmed that yellowing and shrinkage were significant when the conditions for color development and quality were met. In the case of Lycra®, it was confirmed that by using a temperature at least 20°C higher and a processing time up to 60 seconds longer than the conditions for printing with ink containing Disperse Thread 60 as a coloring component (heating temperature: 180°C, heating time: 60 seconds), the quality was good, although inferior to that of ink containing Disperse Thread 60 as a coloring component.

[0075] Based on the evaluation results above, it was confirmed that for tropical, pongee, and smooth fabrics, good results can be obtained by setting the printing conditions to a temperature 10 to 60°C higher, preferably 20 to 40°C higher, and a maximum printing time 100 seconds longer, preferably 60 seconds longer, compared to the printing conditions (180°C, 60 seconds) for printed materials using ink with Disperse Thread 60 as the coloring component.

[0076] The following describes the processing performed by the control device 5, using the case where an image is printed using tropical media M as an example. Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the processes performed by the control device 5. When the control device 5 receives image data (input data) of the information to be printed on the media M (step S101, Yes), the print data creation unit 511 creates print data from the input image data (step S102).

[0077] Once the print data is generated, the printing condition setting unit 513 calculates the total usage amount by summing the usage amounts of each ink included in the ink set based on the created print data (step S103). Next, the printing condition setting unit 513 calculates the proportion of magenta ink in the calculated total amount used (step S104).

[0078] Furthermore, the printing condition setting unit 513 refers to the table 521 based on the calculated ratio and obtains at least two candidate printing conditions (printing conditions) that are determined according to the calculated ratio (step S105). The condition presentation unit 515 displays the acquired printing process conditions as candidates on the output device 56 (for example, a monitor) (step S106). At this time, the condition presentation unit 515 displays the acquired printing process conditions and image data that allows the color development state when the printing process is performed under each printing process condition to be visually confirmed.

[0079] This allows the user to confirm the impact of different printing conditions on color development and quality before deciding on the printing conditions. Then, the user operates the input device 55 to specify the printing conditions selected by the user. When the printing condition setting unit 513 receives an instruction input from the user specifying a printing process (step S107, Yes), it determines the conditions of the instructed printing process as the printing process conditions to be carried out by the heat treatment apparatus 3 (step S108).

[0080] Once the printing conditions are determined (step S108), the print control unit 512 outputs the print data generated in step S102 to the printing device 2. This enables the printing of information onto the media M (step S109). Then, the heat treatment of the printed media M is carried out according to the printing conditions (heat treatment conditions) determined in step S108 (step S110).

[0081] As mentioned above, Table 521 provides for each of the multiple ink sets the conditions for the printing process (first temperature T1 and first time t1), which have been optimized through experiments and simulations, as well as the proportion of magenta ink including the dispersing thread 146. Therefore, by referring to Table 521 and performing the printing process in the heat treatment apparatus 3 based on the acquired printing conditions, even when the dye for the magenta ink is changed from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, it is possible to minimize the difference in color development and quality before and after the dye change.

[0082] [Differentiation] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the printing conditions (first temperature T1 and first time t1), which have been optimized through experiments and simulations, are specified in Table 521. The correction amounts for the printing process conditions (first temperature T1 and first time t1) may be registered in relation to (a) the proportion of magenta ink in the total amount of ink used to print the information, or (b) the proportion of the area in which magenta ink was used in the total area in which the information was printed.

[0083] In this case, the conditions for the textile printing process (heating temperature and heating time) can be modified using the correction amount obtained by referring to Table 521 and then presented to the user. By doing so, even when the dye is changed from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, the textile printing can be performed appropriately without significantly changing the print quality, such as color development.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the case in which the heat treatment apparatus 3 is a heat press was illustrated. Instead of a heat press, a drying oven through which the media M on which the information is printed can be continuously passed may be used. In this case, the printing process is carried out by passing the media through a drying oven maintained at a heat treatment temperature. While a hot press machine performs the printing process in a batch manner, using a drying oven allows for continuous printing. Therefore, an improvement in the production efficiency of printed materials after the printing process can be expected.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which (a) the proportion of magenta ink in the total amount of ink used to print the information, and (b) the proportion of the area in which magenta ink was used in the total area in which the information was printed, were calculated from the print data created from the input data. Alternatively, the calculation data for the proportions of (a) and (b) can be learned from the print data, and then the proportions of (a) and (b) can be calculated from the print data using the learned data.

[0086] As described above, the printing system 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. (1) Printing system 1 is A printing device 2 that prints information onto media M based on print data using an ink set that includes at least one other ink in addition to magenta ink, A heat treatment apparatus 3 fixes the information printed on media M by printing the media M, It includes a control device 5. The control device 5 is A print data creation unit 511 creates print data from input data of information to be printed on media M, A print control unit 512 controls the ejection of ink to media M based on the created print data and prints information onto media M. It includes a printing condition setting unit 513 that sets at least the heating temperature T and heating time t of the media M in the printing process. Each ink in the ink set contains a sublimation dye as a color-developing component, and the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 146. The printing condition setting unit 513 is, The heating temperature T in the printing process is set to a first temperature T1 that is higher than the heating temperature Ts when the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 60. The heating time t in the heat treatment is set to a first time t1 that is longer than the heating time ts when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60.

[0087] With this configuration, even when changing the dye from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, it is possible to provide a printing system that can perform textile printing appropriately without significantly altering the print quality, such as color development.

[0088] (2) In (1) above, The first temperature T1 is 10 to 40°C higher than the heating temperature Ts when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. The first time interval t1 is up to 100 seconds longer than the heating time ts when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60.

[0089] With this configuration, even when changing the dye from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, it is possible to provide a printing system that can perform textile printing appropriately without significantly altering the print quality, such as color development.

[0090] In this situation, Disperse Red 60, which has been widely used as a magenta colorant in inks containing sublimable dyes (disperse dye inks), may be banned, and it is necessary to select an alternative colorant. The sublimable dyes (colorants) contained in the ink are designed to develop color through heat treatment (textile printing) after printing. On the other hand, the fabrics that can be used with sublimation ink are polyester (or nylon) or polyester blends. Therefore, depending on the temperature and time of the heat treatment, deterioration of the texture or deformation of the fabric may occur. For heat treatment (printing), the typical conditions for color development are a heating temperature of 180°C to 210°C and a heating time of 30 to 60 seconds. If the heating temperature is too high, depending on the type of dye, a phenomenon called "bleed-through" may occur, where the color bleeds to the back of the fabric, reducing the color development on the surface of the fabric. When changing the dye from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, the desired color can be obtained while suppressing deterioration of texture and deformation of the fabric by applying the above printing treatment conditions.

[0091] (I) In (1) or (2) above, The ink set includes magenta ink, as well as at least one other ink from the following: yellow ink, cyan ink, and black ink.

[0092] With this configuration, even if the dye in the process ink used in the printing device 2 is changed from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, the textile printing can be performed with almost the same color development and quality as before the dye change.

[0093] (3) In any one of the above (1), (2), or (I), The printing condition setting unit 513 calculates the total amount of ink used by adding up the usage amounts of each ink included in the ink set based on the created print data, calculates the proportion of magenta ink in the calculated total amount of ink used, and sets the printing conditions (heat treatment conditions) based on the calculated proportion.

[0094] The extent of the impact of the dye change correlates with the proportion of magenta ink in the total amount of ink used for printing information. By varying the printing process conditions according to the proportion of magenta ink in the total ink usage, it is possible to set printing conditions that take into account the impact of dye changes on color development and quality. This makes it possible to minimize differences in color development and quality before and after changing the dye. Furthermore, the proportion of magenta ink in the total amount of ink used for printing information can be calculated from the print data. This allows for setting the printing conditions while reducing the processing burden required for setting the printing conditions.

[0095] (4) In any one of the above (1) to (3) or (I), The printing condition setting unit 513 calculates the area of ​​the region where magenta ink is used based on the created print data, calculates the ratio of the area of ​​the region where magenta ink is used to the total print area specified by the print data, and sets the heat treatment conditions based on the calculated ratio.

[0096] The extent of the impact of the dye change is correlated with the area of ​​the area where magenta ink was used relative to the total area of ​​the printed area. By varying the printing conditions according to the proportion of the area where magenta ink is used within the total area where information is printed, the printing conditions can be set while taking into account the impact of the dye change on color development and quality. This makes it possible to minimize the difference in color development and quality before and after changing the dye. Furthermore, the ratio of the area where magenta ink is used to the total area where information is printed can be calculated from the print data. This allows for setting the printing conditions while reducing the processing burden required for setting the printing conditions.

[0097] (5) In any one of the above (1) to (4), (I), The control device 5 is The system has a table 521 that stores the proportion of magenta ink in association with a first temperature T1 (heating temperature) and a first time t1 (heating time). The printing condition setting unit 513 sets the first temperature T1 and the first time t1 by referring to the table 521 based on the calculated ratio.

[0098] Based on past test results and simulations, the first temperature T1 and first time t1 can be specified in Table 521 in relation to the proportion of magenta ink in the total amount of ink used for printing information. With this configuration, the printing condition setting unit 513 can determine appropriate values ​​for the first temperature T1 and the first time t1 by referring to the table 521 based on the calculated ratio. This makes it possible to minimize the difference in color development and quality before and after changing the dye in magenta ink, even when changing the dye from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146.

[0099] (6) In any one of the above (1) to (5) or (I), Printer 2 has multiple ink sets available, each containing different inks in addition to magenta. Table 521 shows the relationship between the proportion of magenta ink and the first temperature T1 and first time t1 for each of the multiple ink sets.

[0100] With this configuration, by defining the proportion of magenta ink, the first temperature T1, and the first time t1 for each of the multiple ink sets containing different combinations of inks, it is possible to minimize differences in color development and quality before and after changing the dye, even when the ink set used in the printing device 2 is changed. This makes it possible to minimize differences in color reproduction and quality before and after changing the dye, even if the ink set includes inks containing other dyes besides magenta, such as purple and orange.

[0101] (7) The control device 5 has a condition presentation unit 515 that presents at least two candidate conditions for the printing process. Table 521 stores color development data that records the color development state of media M after the printing process for each printing process condition. The condition presentation unit 515 is, When presenting candidate conditions for the textile printing process, color development data obtained when the textile printing process is performed under the presented conditions will also be provided.

[0102] This configuration allows users to confirm the impact of different printing conditions on color development and quality before setting the printing conditions. This reduces the possibility that the color development and quality after printing will deviate significantly from what the user desires. Furthermore, if the color and quality after printing deviate significantly from the user's desired color and quality, the printing process will have to be restarted. By setting the printing conditions after the user's confirmation, the possibility of having to restart printing can be reduced. Restarting printing increases the total work time and reduces the yield in creating media with printed information. By configuring the system as described above, the occurrence of such situations can be effectively prevented.

[0103] The present invention can also be identified as a method for dyeing media on which information has been printed using an ink set that includes at least one other ink in addition to magenta ink. (8) The method for staining the media is: A printing process that prints information onto a medium using an ink set that includes magenta ink and at least one other ink, The process includes a heat treatment step to fix the printed information to the media by a printing process of the media on which the information is printed. Each ink included in the ink set contains a sublimation dye as a color-developing component. The dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 146. The heating temperature T in the printing process is set to a first temperature T1 that is higher than the heating temperature Ts when the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 60. The heating time t in the printing process was set to a first time t1 which is longer than the heating time ts when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60.

[0104] With this configuration, even when changing the dye from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, the difference in color development and quality before and after the dye change can be minimized.

[0105] (9) In (8) above, The first temperature T1 is 10 to 40°C higher than the heating temperature Ts when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. The first time interval t1 is up to 100 seconds longer than the heating time ts when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60.

[0106] With this configuration, even when changing the dye from Disperse Thread 60 to Disperse Thread 146, the difference in color development and quality before and after the dye change can be minimized.

[0107] This invention can also be identified as an ink set. (10) The ink set is an ink set that includes at least one other ink in addition to magenta ink. Each ink in the ink set contains a sublimation dye as a color-developing component. The dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 146.

[0108] Even if Disperse Thread 60, the coloring component of magenta ink among the sublimation dyes contained in the ink set, is replaced with Disperse Thread 146, the difference in color development and quality before and after the dye change can be minimized.

[0109] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. It can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 1: Printing System 2:Printing device 3: Heat treatment equipment 5: Control device 51: Processing Unit 52: Storage section 55: Input device 56: Output device 511: Print Data Creation Department 512: Printing Control Unit 513: Printing Condition Setting Unit 514: Printing Processing Control Unit 515: Condition presentation part 521: Table M: Media T: Heating temperature T1: 1st temperature Ts: Heating temperature t:Heating time t1: Heating time t1: First hour ts: heating time

Claims

1. A printing apparatus that prints information onto a medium using an ink set that includes at least one other ink in addition to magenta ink, A heat treatment apparatus for fixing the information printed on a media by a printing process of the media on which the aforementioned information is printed, A printing system having a control device, The control device is A print data creation unit that creates print data from input data of information to be printed on the aforementioned media, A print control unit controls the ejection of ink to the media based on the created print data and prints information onto the media. The printing process includes a printing condition setting unit that sets at least the heating temperature of the media and the heating time of the media, Each of the inks in the aforementioned ink set contains a sublimable dye as a color-developing component, and the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 146. The printing condition setting unit is, The heating temperature in the printing process is set to a first temperature that is higher than the heating temperature when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. A printing system in which the heating time in the printing process is set to a first time that is longer than the heating time when the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 60.

2. In claim 1, The first temperature is 10 to 40°C higher than the heating temperature when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. A printing system in which the first time is up to 100 seconds longer than the heating time when the dye contained in the magenta ink was disperse thread 60.

3. In claim 2, The printing condition setting unit calculates the total amount of ink used by summing the amounts of each ink included in the ink set based on the created print data, calculates the proportion of the magenta ink to the calculated total amount of ink used, and sets the printing conditions based on the calculated proportion, in a printing system.

4. In claim 2, The printing condition setting unit calculates the area of ​​the region where the magenta ink is used based on the created print data, calculates the ratio of the area of ​​the region where the magenta ink is used to the total print area specified by the print data, and sets the printing conditions based on the calculated ratio, in a printing system.

5. In claim 3, The control device is The system has a table that stores the proportion of the magenta ink and the conditions of the printing process in association with each other. The printing condition setting unit sets the first temperature and the first time by referring to the table based on the calculated ratio, in a printing system.

6. In claim 5, In the aforementioned printing apparatus, multiple ink sets are provided, each containing different inks in addition to the magenta ink. The printing system is characterized in that the table shows the relationship between the proportion of magenta ink and the conditions of the printing process for each of the multiple ink sets.

7. In claim 5, The control device has a condition presentation unit that presents at least two candidate conditions for the printing process, The table stores color development data that records the color development state of the media after the printing process for each of the printing process conditions. The aforementioned condition presentation unit is, A printing system that, when presenting candidate conditions for the aforementioned textile printing process, also presents color development data obtained when the textile printing process is performed under the presented conditions.

8. A printing process that prints information onto a medium using an ink set that includes magenta ink and at least one other ink, A method for dyeing media, comprising a heat treatment step of fixing the printed information to the media by a printing process of the media on which the information is printed, Each of the inks in the aforementioned ink set contains a sublimable dye as a color-developing component, and the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 146. The heating temperature in the printing process is set to a first temperature that is higher than the heating temperature when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. A method for dyeing media, wherein the heating time in the printing process is set to a first time that is longer than the heating time when the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 60.

9. In claim 8, The first temperature is 10 to 40°C higher than the heating temperature when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60. A method for dyeing media, wherein the first time is up to 100 seconds longer than the heating time when the dye contained in the magenta ink was Disperse Thread 60.

10. An ink set that includes magenta ink and at least one other ink, Each of the inks in the aforementioned ink set contains a sublimable dye as a color-developing component, and the dye contained in the magenta ink is Disperse Thread 146.

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