Printing device and test pattern printing method

Abstract

A test pattern is printed that allows for easy verification of the possibility of ink dripping on the media when confirming the maximum amount of ink ejected per unit area from the print head. [Solution] A printing apparatus comprising: a transport unit for transporting a medium in a transport direction; a print head capable of ejecting ink onto the medium; and a control unit for controlling the printing of a test pattern for determining the maximum amount of ink to be ejected per unit area of ​​the medium from the print head, wherein the test pattern has a continuous region in which the ink is continuous at a set recording density and the surrounding continuous region is not ejected with respect to the length in the width direction intersecting the transport direction, and the width of the end of the continuous region that is furthest downstream or furthest upstream in the transport direction is narrower than the maximum width of the continuous region, and the control unit controls at least the print head to print the test pattern having the continuous region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints a test pattern for determining the maximum amount of ink ejected per unit area of a medium from a print head, and a test pattern printing method.

Background Art

[0002] As a printing apparatus, a transfer system that transfers an image to a transfer medium by the DTF (Direct to Film) method is known. The transfer system, for example, prints an image and a white base ink layer on a transfer medium by an inkjet method, attaches a powdered hot melt adhesive to the wet base ink layer with an adhesive application unit such as a shaker device, and transfers the image to the transfer medium by a thermal transfer device. If too much ink is applied to the transfer medium, the ink that remains fluid flows around on the transfer medium, and the image quality deteriorates. Therefore, the maximum amount of ink applied to the transfer medium is set, and the ink is used within this maximum amount range.

[0003] Patent Document 1 shows that an adjustment pattern including a plurality of patches with different ink amounts per unit area of a recording medium is formed on the recording medium in order to confirm bleeding between inks of different colorants on the recording medium. The adjustment pattern includes a plurality of two-color patches in which the ink amount changes as a plurality of combinations in which patches of different colors contact each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] For example, when the process from printing an image onto a long transfer medium to applying powdered hot-melt adhesive is performed in a roll-to-roll process, the transfer medium discharged from the printing device descends, i.e., tilted in the transport direction, and enters the adhesive application section. If too much ink is applied to the transfer medium, the liquid ink will drip down the tilted transfer medium in the transport direction, degrading the image quality. Even if the adjustment pattern described above is formed on the recording medium, it is not easy to confirm the possibility of ink dripping on the recording medium due to the tilting of the recording medium in the transport direction. The aforementioned problems are not limited to printing equipment for DTFs, but can also exist in printing equipment that forms images on media not used for DTFs, such as paper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printing apparatus of the present invention is A transport unit that transports the medium in the transport direction, A print head capable of ejecting ink onto the aforementioned medium, The system includes a control unit that controls the printing of a test pattern for determining the maximum amount of ink to be ejected from the print head per unit area of ​​the medium, The test pattern has a continuous region in which the ink is continuous at a set recording density, and a continuous region in which the ink is not ejected around it. The length in the width direction intersecting the aforementioned transport direction is defined as the width, and the width of the end furthest downstream or furthest upstream in the transport direction within the continuous region is narrower than the maximum width of the continuous region. The control unit has an embodiment that controls at least the print head to print the test pattern having the continuous region.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a test pattern printing method for a printing apparatus comprising a transport unit for transporting a medium in a transport direction and a print head capable of ejecting ink onto the medium, wherein the method prints a test pattern for determining the maximum amount of ink to be ejected from the print head per unit area of ​​the medium, The test pattern has a continuous region in which the ink is continuous at a set recording density, and a continuous region in which the ink is not ejected around it. The length in the width direction intersecting the aforementioned transport direction is defined as the width, and the width of the end furthest downstream or furthest upstream in the transport direction within the continuous region is narrower than the maximum width of the continuous region. The aforementioned test pattern printing method is: A printing process comprising printing the test pattern having the continuous region by ejecting the ink from the print head onto the medium, The present invention includes a transport step in which the transport unit transports the medium having the test pattern in the transport direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing device. [Figure 2] A schematic plan view showing an example of a printer configuration. [Figure 3] A schematic bottom view showing an example of the nozzle surface of a print head. [Figure 4] A block diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a printing device. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printing method on a transfer medium. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of a transfer medium having a single-layer test pattern. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of a continuous region included in a single-layer test pattern. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of a transfer medium having a bilayer test pattern. [Figure 9] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of a continuous region included in a double-layer test pattern. [Figure 10] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of ink flow in a continuous region when the transfer medium is tilted in the transport direction. [Figure 11] A flowchart schematically illustrating an example of the process for setting the maximum ink ejection volume. [Figure 12]A diagram schematically showing a modified example of a continuous region. [Figure 13] A diagram schematically showing a modified example of a continuous region. [Figure 14] A diagram schematically showing a modified example of a continuous region. [Figure 15] A diagram schematically showing a modified example of a continuous region.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0009] <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​As illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, a printing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment comprises a transport unit 55, a print head 30, and a control unit 10. The transport unit 55 transports a medium (e.g., a transfer medium M1) in the transport direction D1. The print head 30 is capable of ejecting ink 36 onto the medium (M1). The control unit 10 controls the printing of a test pattern TP0 (see Figures 6 to 9, etc.) for determining the maximum amount of ink 36 to be ejected per unit area of ​​the medium (M1) from the print head 30. Here, the test pattern TP0 has a continuous region AR0 in which the ink 36 is continuous at a set recording density, and the continuous region AR0 in which the ink 36 is not ejected to the surrounding area. Furthermore, with the length in the width direction D2 intersecting the transport direction D1 as the width, the width W1 of the end E0 at the downstream 61 or upstream 62 in the transport direction D1 within the continuous region AR0 is narrower than the maximum width W2 of the continuous region AR0. The control unit 10 controls the print head 30 to print the test pattern TP0 having the continuous region AR0.

[0012] If the ink 36 that has landed on the medium (M1) retains some fluidity, and the medium (M1) is discharged from the printing device 1 in the transport direction D1 and tilts in the transport direction D1, such as by sagging, the ink 36 on the medium (M1) may drip along the transport direction D1. Note that the dripping of ink 36 can also be described as the ink 36 overflowing and flowing out from the area of ​​impact. For example, if the medium (M1) discharged from the printing device 1 sags, the ink 36 on the medium (M1) may drip in the transport direction D1, and if the medium (M1) moves upward, the ink 36 on the medium (M1) may drip in the opposite direction to the transport direction D1. Here, we will refer to the end E0 that is furthest downstream 61 in the transport direction D1 within the continuous region AR0 included in the test pattern TP0 as the "farthest downstream end E1", and the end E0 that is furthest upstream 62 in the transport direction D1 within the same continuous region AR0 as the "farthest upstream end E2". As illustrated in Figure 10, if the width of the downstream end E1 is narrower than the maximum width W2 of the continuous region AR0, a slope occurs in the medium (M1) such that the downstream end E1 is lower than the upstream end E2. In this case, the ink 36 flowing in the continuous region AR0 will gather at the narrow downstream end E1, making it more likely to drip from the downstream end E1. This makes it easy to confirm the possibility of ink 36 dripping when a slope occurs in the medium (M1) such that the downstream end E1 is lower than the upstream end E2. Also, as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, if the width of the upstream end E2 is narrower than the maximum width W2 of the continuous region AR0, a slope occurs in the medium (M1) such that the upstream end E2 is lower than the downstream end E1. In this case, the ink 36 flowing in the continuous region AR0 will gather at the narrow upstream end E2, making it more likely to drip from the upstream end E2. This makes it easy to confirm the possibility of ink 36 dripping due to a slope in the medium (M1) where the uppermost part E2 is lower than the lowermost part E1. Therefore, the above embodiment provides an apparatus for printing a test pattern that allows for easy confirmation of the possibility of ink dripping on the medium when checking the maximum amount of ink ejected per unit area of ​​the medium from the print head. If ink dripping does not occur in the continuous region because the continuous region has a shape that makes it easy for ink to drip, then it can be said that ink dripping is unlikely to occur when printing patterns other than the test pattern. Furthermore, the "maximum amount of ink ejected from the print head per unit area of ​​the media" will also be referred to as the "maximum ink ejection rate."

[0013] Various examples can be considered for the embodiments described above. The medium may be a transfer medium used to transfer an image onto a transfer medium, or it may be a medium not used for transfer, such as paper. The continuous area may contain one type of ink or two or more types of ink. The recording density within a continuous region may be constant or vary. Recording density (RD) refers to the ratio (including percentages) of the number of dots formed by droplets to a predetermined number of pixels. If dots of different sizes are formed, the ratio refers to the ratio converted to the largest dot (e.g., large dot). A pixel is the smallest element that constitutes an image, to which a color can be independently assigned. For example, if Nd large dots are formed for 100 pixels, the recording density RD will be Nd%. If the end that is the "lowest downstream" or "upstream" can be considered a point, then the width of that end can be said to be close to 0, and therefore narrower than the maximum width of the continuous region. In a continuous region, if the width of the downstream end is narrower than the maximum width of the continuous region, as illustrated in Figure 7, the width of the upstream end may be the maximum width of the continuous region. In a continuous region, if the width of the upstream end is narrower than the maximum width of the continuous region, as illustrated in Figure 15, the width of the downstream end may be the maximum width of the continuous region. The control unit only needs to control the print head, and may also control the transport unit if the printing device is a serial printer or the like. Of course, the above-mentioned supplementary statement also applies in the following embodiments.

[0014] [Aspect 2] As illustrated in Figures 7, 15, etc., the continuous region AR0 may include a main body AR2 whose width is the maximum width W2 of the continuous region AR0, and a transitional portion AR3 extending from the main body AR2 to the end E0. The transitional portion AR3 may have a tapered shape extending from the main body AR2 to the end E0. In the above case, the ink 36 flowing in the continuous region AR0 is guided to the tapered transition section AR3, making it easier for it to accumulate at the end E0, which in turn makes it easier for the ink 36 to drip from the end E0 in the continuous region AR0. Therefore, the above embodiment can provide an apparatus for printing a test pattern that makes it easier to confirm the possibility of ink dripping on the medium.

[0015] [Aspect 3] As illustrated in Figures 7 and 15, the transition portion AR3 may be triangular in shape, including the end portion E0, and the end portion E0 may be located at the vertex of the triangular shape. In the above case, since the end E0 of the continuous region AR0 is pointed, the ink 36 is more likely to drip from the end E0 in the continuous region AR0. Therefore, the above embodiment can provide an apparatus for printing a test pattern that makes it easier to confirm the possibility of ink dripping on the medium.

[0016] [Aspect 4] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, the print head 30 may be capable of ejecting image-forming ink (e.g., colored ink 36a) for forming the image IM1 and base ink 36b for forming the base ink layer UC1 onto the medium (M1) as the ink 36. The control unit 10 may, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 9, at least control the print head 30 to print the continuous region AR0 in which the base ink 36b exists. When the image IM1 and the underlay ink layer UC1 are superimposed, the underlay ink 36b is often used in greater quantities than the image-forming ink (36a). Because the underlay ink 36b, which is used in greater quantities, is present in the continuous region AR0, the possibility of the ink 36 on the medium dripping can be more easily confirmed.

[0017] Here, the base ink may be an ink other than the image-forming ink, or it may be an ink that is also used as an image-forming ink. Examples of base inks include white ink, black ink, gray ink, and clear ink that does not contain colorants. The ink present in the continuous region may consist only of the base ink, or it may contain both the base ink and the image-forming ink. The above-mentioned supplementary statement also applies in the following embodiments.

[0018] [Aspect 5] As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, both the image-forming ink (36a) and the base ink 36b may be present in the continuous region AR0. The control unit 10 may perform control on at least the print head 30 to print the continuous region AR0 in which the ink 36, which is a combination of the image-forming ink (36a) and the base ink 36b, is continuous. In the above case, the presence of both the image-forming ink (36a) and the base ink 36b in the continuous region AR0 makes it even easier to confirm the possibility of ink dripping on the medium.

[0019] [Aspect 6] As illustrated in Figures 6 and 8, the test pattern TP0 may have a plurality of continuous regions AR0 with different recording densities. The control unit 10 may control at least the print head 30 to print the test pattern TP0 having the plurality of continuous regions AR0. In the above case, since multiple continuous regions AR0 with different recording densities exist in the test pattern TP0, it is possible to provide a device that prints a test pattern capable of determining the maximum ink ejection amount while considering the possibility of ink dripping on the medium.

[0020] [Aspect 7] By the way, one embodiment of the test pattern printing method is a test pattern printing method for printing the test pattern TP0 in a printing apparatus 1 equipped with the transport unit 55 and the print head 30, and includes the following steps as illustrated in Figure 11. (a1) A printing step ST1 in which the test pattern TP0 having the continuous region AR0 is printed by ejecting the ink 36 from the print head 30 onto the medium (M1). (a2) A transport step ST2 in which the transport unit 55 transports the medium (M1) having the test pattern TP0 in the transport direction D1. The above embodiment provides a method for printing a test pattern that allows for easy confirmation of the possibility of ink dripping on the medium when checking the maximum amount of ink ejected from the print head per unit area of ​​the medium.

[0021] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are applicable to a printing system including the above-described printing device, a control method for the above-described printing device, a control program for the above-described printing device, a control method for the aforementioned printing system, a control program for the aforementioned printing system, a computer-readable non-temporary medium on which any of the aforementioned control programs are recorded, and so on. In addition, the above-described printing device may consist of multiple distributed parts.

[0022] (2) Specific examples of printing devices: Figure 1 schematically illustrates the configuration of a printing system SY1 that forms an image IM1 on a transfer medium M1 continuous in the transport direction D1 and transfers the image IM1 to a transfer medium M2. The printing system SY1 includes at least a printing device 1 and may include an adhesive application device 100 or a thermal transfer device 200. The printing device 1 may be a standalone printer 2, or it may consist of a printer 2 and a host device HO1. The host device HO1 shown in Figure 1 can generate image data DA1 corresponding to the image IM1 to be transferred, and can transmit the image data DA1 to the printer 2. Hereinafter, the image IM1 to be transferred will also be referred to as the transferred image IM1. The printer 2 comprises a print head 30, a drive unit 50, and a control unit 10, and forms the image IM1 corresponding to the image data DA1 on a long transfer medium M1. The transfer medium M1 is installed in the printer 2, for example, in a roll that can be unwound. The adhesive application device 100 comprises a shaker unit 110 that adheres powdered adhesive 111 to the ink of the transfer medium M1, and a heating unit 120 that heats the transfer medium M1 after the adhesive has been applied. The shaker unit 110 is an example of an adhesive application unit that adheres adhesive 111 to the transfer medium M1 having a base ink layer. The process from printing the image IM1 onto the transfer medium M1 to applying the adhesive 111 is performed using a roll-to-roll process. The adhesive application device 100 may include a winding section for winding up the transfer medium M1 after heat treatment. The thermal transfer device 200 transfers the image IM1 from the transfer medium M1 to the transfer medium M2.

[0023] For the transfer medium M1, a transfer film that can transfer an image by the DTF (Direct to Film) method can be used. Such a transfer film can preferably be a resin film such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film, or any film that does not easily absorb ink 36. Of course, the material of the transfer medium M1 may include paper, metal, etc., in addition to resin, and the transfer medium M1 may be a metal film, etc. For the adhesive 111, a powdered adhesive such as a powdered hot-melt adhesive can be used. A hot-melt adhesive is a thermoplastic resin powder that melts when heated above its melting point and solidifies when cooled. The hot-melt adhesive can contain one or more thermoplastic resins selected from polyurethane resin, polyolefin resin, polyamide resin, polyester resin, etc. For the transfer medium M2, fabrics such as knitted or woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, etc., can be used, and processed fabrics such as T-shirts may also be used.

[0024] As will be explained in more detail later, the printing device 1 performs the printing process ST1 and the transport process ST2. The adhesive application device 100 performs the adhesive application process ST3 and the heating process ST4. The heat transfer device 200 performs the transfer process ST5.

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating the configuration of a printer 2 equipped with a print head 30. In Figure 2, the transport direction D1 is downward, and the transfer medium M1 is transported from upstream 62 to downstream 61. Figure 3 is a schematic bottom view illustrating the nozzle surface 30a of the print head 30. Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing apparatus 1. Figure 5 schematically illustrates a printing method on the transfer medium M2. The print head 30 shown in Figures 2-4 is an inkjet head capable of ejecting multiple types of ink 36, and the printer 2 is an inkjet printer that ejects liquid ink droplets 37. The printer 2 includes a control unit 10, a printing unit 20, a semiconductor memory called RAM (Random Access Memory) 21, a communication interface 22, a storage unit 23, an operation panel 24, etc. The control unit 10, RAM 21, communication interface 22, storage unit 23, and operation panel 24 are connected to a bus and are capable of inputting and outputting information to each other. The printing unit 20 includes a print head 30 and a drive unit 50.

[0026] The control unit 10 includes a processor, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a color conversion unit 12, a halftone processing unit 13, a rasterization processing unit 14, a drive signal transmission unit 15, etc. The control unit 10 can be configured using an SoC (System on a Chip), etc. Based on image data DA1 acquired from a host device HO1, an external memory (not shown), etc., the control unit 10 controls the print head 30 and the drive unit 50 so that an image IM1 of colored ink 36a and a base ink layer UC1 (see Figures 5 and 9) for attaching adhesive 111 are formed on the transfer medium M1. The colored ink 36a is an example of an image forming ink for forming the image IM1 to be transferred to the transfer medium M2. The image data DA1 includes, for example, two pixels each containing R (red), G (green), and B (blue). 8 RGB data containing integer values ​​for grayscale can be applied.

[0027] The CPU 11 is the device that primarily handles information processing and control in the printer 2. The color conversion unit 12 has a color conversion LUT (lookup table) that defines the correspondence between the gradation values ​​of R, G, and B and the gradation values ​​of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), K (black), and W (white). In the color conversion LUT, the gradation value of W is, for example, the value at which the base ink 36b is used when at least one colored ink 36a of C, M, Y, and K is used. The base ink 36b is an ink for forming the base ink layer UC1, and in this specific example, it is the W ink. As an example of the color conversion LUT, the gradation value of W may be 0 when the gradation values ​​of C, M, Y, and K are 0, indicating that no colored ink is used, and the gradation value of W may be 128 in the remaining cases, indicating that 50% of the base ink is used. As a result, the base ink 36b is superimposed at the position of the image IM1. Of course, the amount of base ink 36b to be ejected onto the image IM1 may be less than 50% or more than 50%, as long as a good quality transferred image IM1 can be obtained. The color conversion unit 12 refers to the color conversion LUT and converts the RGB data to each pixel, for example, two of each of C, M, Y, K, and W. 8 The data is converted into ink quantity data having integer values ​​for gradation. The ink quantity data represents the amount of C, M, Y, K, and W ink 36 used per pixel. Note that the ink 36 shown in Figure 4 includes colored inks 36a of C, M, Y, and K, as well as undercoat ink 36b. Furthermore, if the resolution of the RGB data differs from the print resolution, the color conversion unit 12 first converts the resolution of the RGB data to the print resolution, or converts the resolution of the ink quantity data to the print resolution.

[0028] The halftone processing unit 13 generates dot data with a reduced number of gradations, for example, to 2 or 4, by performing halftone processing on the ink amount data using one of the following methods: dithering, error diffusion, etc. Dot data is generated for each of C, M, Y, K, and W. The dot data represents the formation state of the ink 36 dots on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The dot data may be binary data representing the presence or absence of dot formation, or it may be multi-level data with 3 or more gradations that can accommodate dots of different sizes, such as small, medium, and large. The rasterization processing unit 14 generates raster data by performing a rasterization process that rearranges the dot data for each of C, M, Y, K, and W in the order in which the dots are formed by the drive unit 50.

[0029] The drive signal transmission unit 15 generates a drive signal SG1 from the raster data that corresponds to the voltage signal applied to the drive element 42 of the print head 30, and outputs it to the drive circuit 41 of the print head 30. For example, if the raster data is "large dot formation", the drive signal transmission unit 15 outputs a drive signal SG1 that ejects ink droplets for large dots, and if the raster data is "small dot formation", it outputs a drive signal SG1 that ejects ink droplets for small dots. RAM21 stores image data DA1 and the like received from the host device HO1. Communication I / F22 inputs and outputs information to and from the host device HO1. Examples of host devices HO1 include personal computers, tablet terminals, mobile phones such as smartphones, etc. Storage unit 23 may be a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory, or a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk. Operation panel 24 includes an output unit 25 such as a liquid crystal panel for displaying information, an input unit 26 such as a touch panel for receiving operations on the display screen, etc.

[0030] The drive circuit 41 applies a voltage signal to the drive element 42 according to the drive signal SG1 input from the drive signal transmission unit 15. The drive element 42 may be a piezoelectric element that applies pressure to the ink 36 in a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle 34, or it may be a drive element that generates bubbles in the pressure chamber by heat to eject ink droplets 37 from the nozzle 34. Ink 36 is supplied to the pressure chamber of the print head 30 from the ink cartridge 35. The ink 36 in the pressure chamber is ejected as ink droplets 37 from the nozzle 34 toward the transfer medium M1 by the drive element 42. When the ink droplets 37 land on the transfer medium M1, dots are formed on the transfer medium M1. When dots of colored ink 36a are formed on the transfer medium M1, an image IM1 represented by a pattern of dots is formed on the transfer medium M1.

[0031] The print head 30 shown in Figure 3 includes a colored ink head 31 that ejects colored ink 36a, and a base ink head 32 that ejects base ink 36b. The colored ink head 31 includes a C ink head 31C that ejects C ink, an M ink head 31M that ejects M ink, a Y ink head 31Y that ejects Y ink, and a K ink head 31K that ejects K ink. Each ink head (31C, 31M, 31Y, 31K, 32) has a nozzle row in which multiple nozzles 34 are arranged in the nozzle alignment direction. The nozzle alignment direction shown in Figure 3 is the transport direction D1, but the nozzle alignment direction may be in a direction different from the transport direction D1. The multiple nozzles 34 of each ink head may be arranged in a staggered pattern in the nozzle alignment direction, in other words, in two rows in the nozzle alignment direction. Each nozzle 34 of the colored ink head 31 ejects colored ink 36a as an ink droplet 37, and each nozzle 34 of the undercoat ink head 32 ejects undercoat ink 36b as an ink droplet 37. The print head 30 shown in Figures 2-4 is mounted on a carriage 33 that is movable along the width direction D2, which is the main scanning direction. The main scanning direction may be a direction different from the width direction D2. When the printer 2 performs lateral printing, the carriage 33 shown in Figure 3 is also movable along the transport direction D1, which is the sub-scanning direction.

[0032] The drive unit 50, as a lateral system, comprises a main scanning drive unit 51, a sub-scanning drive unit 52, and a transport unit 55, which change the relative positional relationship between the print head 30 and the transfer medium M1. The main scanning drive unit 51 shown in Figure 2 performs a main scan, ejecting ink 36 from the print head 30 in at least one of the forward direction D11 and the return direction D12 while moving the print head 30 along the width direction D2, which is the main scanning direction. The sub-scanning drive unit 52 shown in Figure 2 performs a sub-scan, moving the print head 30 along the transport direction D1, which is the sub-scanning direction, between main scans. That is, during sub-scans, the print head 30 moves intermittently along the transport direction D1. The transport unit 55 transports the transfer medium M1 from a position facing the print head 30 towards the shaker unit 110 in the transport direction D1 between prints. That is, the transfer medium M1 moves intermittently along the transport direction D1 when not printing. The transport unit 55 shown in Figures 2 and 4 transports the transfer medium M1 along the transport path 59 in the transport direction D1. The platen 58 is located below the transport path 59 and supports the transfer medium M1 by contacting it in the transport path 59. The print head 30, controlled by the control unit 10, ejects ink droplets 37 toward the transfer medium M1 supported by the platen 58, thereby adhering ink 36 to the transfer medium M1. The control unit 10 controls the ejection of colored ink 36a from the colored ink head 31, the ejection of base ink 36b from the base ink head 32, and the drive unit 50.

[0033] Furthermore, the base ink head 32 can be positioned in various ways, as long as it can overlay the base ink 36b onto the image IM1 created by the colored ink 36a. For example, the base ink head 32 may be positioned in the forward direction D11 from the C ink head 31C shown in Figure 3, or it may be positioned in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction from the colored ink head 31.

[0034] Next, the printing method onto the transfer medium M2 will be described with reference to Figure 5. The printing method shown in Figure 5 includes the following steps. (c1) Printing step ST1, which involves ejecting colored ink 36a from the print head 30 to form an image IM1 on the transfer medium M1, and ejecting a base ink 36b from the print head 30 to form a base ink layer UC1 on the transfer medium M1. (c2) A transport step ST2 in which the transport unit 55 transports the transfer medium M1 having the image IM1 and the underlay ink layer UC1 in the transport direction D1. (c3) An adhesive application step ST3 in which adhesive 111 is attached to a transfer medium M1 having an image IM1 and a base ink layer UC1. (c4) Heating step ST4, which heats the transfer medium M1 to which the adhesive 111 has been applied. (c5) Transfer step ST5, in which the image IM1 is transferred to the transfer medium M2 by adhering the adhesive 111 to the transfer medium M2.

[0035] In the printing process ST1, a base ink layer UC1 is superimposed on the image IM1 on the transfer medium M1. In the example shown in Figure 1, during the transport process ST2, the transfer medium M1, which has an image IM1 and a base ink layer UC1, is intermittently transported from the printer 2 to the adhesive application device 100, and enters the shaker section 110 via a tilting downward section 60. The shaker section 110 applies powdered adhesive 111 to the base ink layer UC1, which is still wet. The shaker section 110 is an example of an adhesive application unit that applies adhesive 111 to the transfer medium M1 having the base ink layer UC1. If the transfer medium M1 discharged from the printer 2 sags, the ink 36 on the transfer medium M1 may drip along the transport direction D1. A test pattern TP0 (see Figures 6 and 8) to prevent the dripping of ink 36 will be described later.

[0036] Figure 5 shows the state in which the image IM1, the underlay ink layer UC1, and the powdered adhesive 111 are layered on the transfer medium M1 in the adhesive application step ST3. In the example shown in Figure 1, the transfer medium M1 to which the thermoplastic adhesive 111 has been applied is intermittently transported from the shaker section 110 to the heating section 120. During this time, excess adhesive 111 is shaken off by tilting the transfer medium M1 again, etc. The heating section 120 heats the transfer medium M1 to which the adhesive 111 has been applied. When the transfer medium M1 is heated above the melting temperature of the adhesive 111, the adhesive 111 melts. Figure 5 shows the state in which the image IM1, the dried underlay ink layer UC1, and the melted adhesive 111 are layered in order on the transfer medium M1 in the heating step ST4. If the thermal transfer apparatus 200 can heat the transfer medium M1, the heating section 120 may preheat the transfer medium M1 to a temperature below the melting temperature of the adhesive 111. In the example shown in Figure 1, the heated transfer medium M1 is intermittently discharged from the heating unit 120. The discharged transfer medium M1 is cut as needed, and the side with adhesive 111 applied is placed on top of the transfer medium M2, and then transported to the heat transfer apparatus 200.

[0037] The thermal transfer apparatus 200 applies pressure to the transfer medium M1 and the transfer medium M2 while the adhesive 111 applied to the transfer medium M1 is in contact with the transfer medium M2. Due to the pressure applied to the transfer medium M1 and the transfer medium M2, the image IM1 adheres to the transfer medium M2 via the base ink layer UC1 and the adhesive 111. In this way, the transfer process ST5 is performed to transfer the image IM1 to the transfer medium M2. When the transfer medium M1 is peeled off the transfer medium M2, the image IM1 remains on the transfer medium M2, and a transfer medium M2 with the image IM1 transferred to it is obtained as shown in Figure 1.

[0038] If too much ink 36 is applied to the transfer medium M1, when the transfer medium M1 discharged from the printer 2 tilts in the transport direction D1, the liquid ink 36 on the transfer medium M1 may drip in the transport direction D1. In particular, since the transfer medium M1 does not easily absorb ink 36, the ink 36 on the transfer medium M1 tends to drip. When ink 36 drips, the quality of the image IM1 transferred to the transfer medium M2 deteriorates. In this specific example, a test pattern TP0 (see Figures 6 and 8) is formed on the transfer medium M1 to determine the maximum ink discharge amount while taking into account the dripping of ink 36 due to the tilting of the transfer medium M1 in the transport direction D1.

[0039] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a transfer medium M1 having a single-layer test pattern TP1 as the test pattern TP0. For illustrative purposes, the W ink that has landed on the transfer medium M1 is shown in black. Figure 7 schematically illustrates a continuous region AR0 included in the single-layer test pattern TP1. The continuous region AR0 can be considered an inspection area for checking the possibility of ink 36 dripping on the transfer medium M1. In this specific example, the W ink, base ink 36b, is the most frequently used ink among the various types of ink 36. The single-layer test pattern TP1 is formed with the frequently used base ink 36b and includes multiple patches PA0 with different recording densities. The single-layer test pattern TP1 shown in Figure 6 includes seven patches PA0 in 10% increments from 40% to 100% recording density. The single-layer test pattern TP1 can be said to include multiple patches PA0 for determining the maximum ink ejection amount, that is, the maximum amount of ink 36 ejected from the print head 30 per unit area of ​​the transfer medium M1. Note that the range of recording density in the single-layer test pattern TP1 is not limited to 40-100%, and the difference in recording density between patches PA0 is not limited to 10%. Each patch PA0 includes a pentagonal continuous region AR0 and two triangular separation regions PA1. Each separation region PA1 and the continuous region AR0 are separated by a dividing line LN0 at a recording density of 0% where ink 36 is not ejected. The continuous region AR0 is surrounded by the non-ejection region AR1, where ink 36 is not ejected. In each continuous region AR0, the base ink 36b is continuously present at a constant recording density set from 40% to 100% in seven stages. Therefore, it can be said that the single-layer test pattern TP1 has multiple continuous regions AR0 with different recording densities.

[0040] Here, the length in the width direction D2 intersecting the transport direction D1 is defined as the width. As shown in Figure 7, the width W1 of the downstream end E1, which is the end E0 located furthest downstream 61 in the transport direction D1 within the continuous region AR0, is narrower than the maximum width W2 of the continuous region AR0. For convenience, the part of the continuous region AR0 with a width of the maximum width W2 will be called the main body AR2, and the part from the main body AR2 toward the downstream end E1 will be called the transition section AR3. The main body AR2 shown in Figure 7 is rectangular in shape with a width of the maximum width W2 from the upstream end E2 to the transition section AR3. The transition section AR3, including the downstream end E1, is an isosceles triangle, with the downstream end E1 located at the vertex of the aforementioned triangle. Therefore, the downstream end E1 can be considered a pointed point, and its width W1 is close to 0. Figure 7 also shows the remaining vertices AP1 and AP2 in the aforementioned triangle. The transition section AR3 can be described as tapering from the main body AR2 toward the downstream end E1. The presence of a dividing line LN0 in each patch PA0 causes the base ink 36b to collect at the downstream end E1 due to the surface tension of the base ink 36b when the transfer medium M1 is tilted. The dividing line LN0 in each patch PA0 is also to check for the collapse of fine lines. If the purpose is to check for the possibility of ink 36 on the transfer medium M1 dripping, the separation region PA1 in patch PA0 does not need to be present.

[0041] Figure 8 schematically illustrates a transfer medium M1 having a double-layer test pattern TP2 as test pattern TP0. For illustrative purposes, the W ink that landed on the transfer medium M1 is shown in black, and the colored ink 36a that landed on the transfer medium M1 is shown in shaded areas. Figure 9 schematically illustrates a continuous region AR0 included in the double-layer test pattern TP2. Within the dashed-dot box in Figure 9, a cross-section of the transfer medium M1 at position A1 is schematically illustrated. The continuous region AR0 of the double-layer test pattern TP2 can be considered an inspection area to check not only the possibility of ink 36 dripping, but also the possibility of colored inks 36a bleeding into each other.

[0042] The double-layer test pattern TP2 is formed with both colored ink 36a and base ink 36b. In each continuous region AR0, both colored ink 36a and base ink 36b are present. As shown in Figure 9, in each continuous region AR0, the image IM1 formed by colored ink 36a is in a narrower area than the base ink layer UC1 formed by base ink 36b. The double-layer test pattern TP2 includes multiple patches PA0 in which the recording density of colored ink 36a is varied in 5% increments in the width direction D2, and the recording density of base ink 36b is varied in 10% increments in the transport direction D1. The double-layer test pattern TP2 can also be said to include multiple patches PA0 for determining the maximum ink ejection amount. The difference in recording density of colored ink 36a between patches PA0 is not limited to 5%, and the difference in recording density of base ink 36b between patches PA0 is not limited to 10%. Each patch PA0 includes a pentagonal continuous region AR0 and two triangular separation regions PA1, with each separation region PA1 and the continuous region AR0 separated by a dividing line LN0 with a recording density of 0%. The continuous region AR0 of the double-layer test pattern TP2 is also surrounded by a non-ejection region AR1 where ink 36 is not ejected. In each continuous region AR0, the ink 36 is continuous with recording densities set in 5% increments for the colored ink 36a and in 10% increments for the base ink 36b. Therefore, it can be said that the double-layer test pattern TP2 has multiple continuous regions AR0 with different recording densities.

[0043] In the continuous region AR0 shown in Figure 9, the width W1 of the downstream part E1 is narrower than the maximum width W2 of the continuous region AR0. The rectangular main body part AR2 has an image IM1 of colored ink 36a that is present from the upstream part E2 to the transition part AR3, and a base ink layer UC1 of base ink 36b that is present throughout. The aforementioned image IM1 includes the regions of the first color C1, the second color C2, the third color C3, the fourth color C4, and the fifth color C5. In this application, "first," "second," etc., are terms used to identify each component included in a plurality of similar components, and do not necessarily mean order. The aforementioned colors (C1~C5) may be set by default or may be set according to user input. Each color (C1~C5) region is adjacent to any region of a different color. For example, the region of the first color C1 is adjacent to the regions of three colors (C2~C4). Therefore, in the main body AR2, it is possible to confirm the possibility of the colored inks 36a bleeding into each other. On the other hand, in the isosceles triangle-shaped transition section AR3, only the base ink layer UC1 made of base ink 36b exists, and the image IM1 made of colored ink 36a does not exist. Since the transition section AR3 tapers from the main body AR2 towards the downstream end E1, it is easy to confirm the possibility of the ink 36 dripping. The printing device 1 holds single-layer test pattern data for printing the single-layer test pattern TP1 shown in Figure 6, and double-layer test pattern data for printing the double-layer test pattern TP2 shown in Figure 8. The control unit 10 of the printer 2 can move the print head 30 to the drive unit 50 and eject base ink 36b to the base ink head 32 so that the single-layer test pattern TP1 is formed on the transfer medium M1 according to the single-layer test pattern data. The control unit 10 can also move the print head 30 to the drive unit 50 and eject ink 36 to the print head 30 so that the double-layer test pattern TP2 is formed on the transfer medium M1 according to the double-layer test pattern data. Both test pattern data may be stored in the storage unit 23 of the printer 2, or they may be stored in the host device HO1 and transmitted to the printer 2.

[0044] Figure 10 schematically illustrates how the ink 36 in the continuous region AR0 flows when a slope occurs in the transfer medium M1 such that the downstream end E1 is lower than the upstream end E2, using the single-layer test pattern TP1 as an example. Figure 10 shows the continuous region AR0 with a recording density of X1%, and the continuous region AR0 with a recording density of X2%, which is higher than the recording density of X1%. When a transfer medium M1 having a single-layer test pattern TP1 moves in the transport direction D1 and tilts so that the downstream end E1 is lower than the upstream end E2, the base ink 36b that remains fluid in the continuous region AR0 flows in the transport direction D1. In Figure 10, the flow 301 of the base ink 36b in the transport direction D1 is indicated by an arrow in the continuous region AR0 with a recording density of X2%. If there is a large amount of flowing base ink 36b, the base ink 36b is guided to the triangular transition section AR3 adjacent to the non-discharge region AR1 and collects in the narrow downstream end E1, causing a drip 302 in the downstream end E1. The drip 302 can also be described as the base ink 36b overflowing and flowing out of the continuous region AR0. Because the area surrounding the continuous region AR0 is the non-discharge region AR1, when the transfer medium M1 tilts, the base ink 36b collects in the downstream end E1 due to the surface tension of the base ink 36b. If the width W1 of the downstream section E1 is the maximum width W2, drip 302 is less likely to occur at the downstream section E1, making it difficult to confirm the possibility of the base ink 36b dripping. If the width W1 of the downstream section E1 is narrower than the maximum width W2, a slope occurs in the transfer medium M1 such that the downstream section E1 is lower than the upstream section E2, making it easy to confirm the possibility of the base ink 36b dripping. If the continuous region AR0 has a shape that makes the base ink 36b prone to dripping, and no dripping of the base ink 36b occurs in the continuous region AR0, it can be said that ink 36 is less likely to drip when printing patterns other than the test pattern TP0. Also, if no drip 302 occurs in the continuous region AR0 with a recording density of X1%, which is one step lower than the recording density X2%, the maximum ink ejection amount can be set to a recording density of X1% or more and less than X2%.

[0045] (3) Specific examples of printing device processing: Figure 11 schematically illustrates the process for setting the maximum ink ejection amount. When the control unit 10 shown in Figure 4 receives an instruction to set the maximum ink ejection amount from the host device HO1 or the operation panel 24, it starts the maximum ink ejection amount setting process. Here, step S104 corresponds to the printing process ST1, and step S106 corresponds to the transport process ST2. Hereafter, the term "step" may be omitted, and the step number may be indicated in parentheses. When the maximum ink ejection amount setting process starts, the control unit 10 selects the type of test pattern TP0 to print on the transfer medium M1 (S102). For example, the control unit 10 receives a selection from the host device HO1 or the operation panel 24 to print a single-layer test pattern TP1, a double-layer test pattern TP2, or both test patterns (TP1, TP2). The control unit 10 may also receive a setting for the recording density range of the test pattern TP0 from the host device HO1, etc., or a setting for the difference in recording density between patches PA0 from the host device HO1, etc.

[0046] Next, the control unit 10 performs a process to form the selected test pattern TP0 on the transfer medium M1 (S104). If a single-layer test pattern TP1 (see Figures 6 and 7) is selected, the control unit 10 moves the print head 30 to the drive unit 50 and causes the print head 32 to eject the base ink 36b so that a single-layer test pattern TP1 having multiple continuous regions AR0 where the base ink 36b is present is printed, based on the single-layer test pattern data. If a double-layer test pattern TP2 (see Figures 8 and 9) is selected, the control unit 10 moves the print head 30 to the drive unit 50 and causes the print head 30 to eject the ink 36 so that a double-layer test pattern TP2 having multiple continuous regions AR0 where the ink 36, a combination of colored ink 36a and base ink 36b, is continuous, is printed, based on the double-layer test pattern data. As described above, the control unit 10 controls the printing of a test pattern TP0 to determine the maximum amount of ink 36 to be ejected from the print head 30 per unit area of ​​the transfer medium M1. As a result, the test pattern TP0 is printed.

[0047] After printing the test pattern TP0, the control unit 10 controls the transport unit 55 so that the transfer medium M1 having the test pattern TP0 is transported in the transport direction D1 (S106). When the transport unit 55 transports the transfer medium M1 in the transport direction D1, as shown in Figure 1, the transfer medium M1 having the test pattern TP0 reaches the lowering unit 60, which tilts downwards. The user can view the test pattern TP0 located in the lowering unit 60, or capture the test pattern TP0 with an imaging device and transmit the image data to the printing device 1 (including the host device HO1).

[0048] After the transfer medium M1 has been transported, the control unit 10 sets the maximum ink discharge amount (S108) and terminates the maximum ink discharge amount setting process. For example, the control unit 10 accepts the setting of the maximum ink discharge amount from the host device HO1 or the operation panel 24. In this case, the user can look at the test pattern TP0 and input or select a recording density in which no ink 36 dripping occurs in the continuous region AR0, for example, the recording density X1% shown in Figure 10, into the host device HO1 or the operation panel 24. The input or selected recording density, for example, the recording density X1%, is set as the maximum ink discharge amount. Alternatively, the control unit 10 may acquire imaging data of the test pattern TP0, determine whether or not ink 36 dripping has occurred in each continuous region AR0 based on the imaging data, and set the highest recording density among the one or more continuous regions AR0 in which no ink 36 dripping has occurred as the maximum ink discharge amount.

[0049] Subsequently, in the image printing process (S110) in which various images IM1 are printed, the control unit 10 controls the printing of images IM1 so as not to exceed the set maximum ink ejection amount. A simple example is applying the set maximum ink ejection amount to the base ink 36b. In this case, even if the transfer medium M1 is tilted in the transport direction D1, the base ink 36b is ejected onto the transfer medium M1 at a maximum ink ejection amount that makes it difficult for the ink 36 to drip, thus making it difficult for the ink 36 to drip. Furthermore, when applying the maximum ink discharge rate by combining the colored ink 36a and the base ink 36b, the color conversion LUT may be constructed such that the output value of the color conversion LUT is limited to a value that limits the maximum ink discharge rate. When the color conversion unit 12 converts the RGB data into ink amount data by referring to the aforementioned color conversion LUT, the colored ink 36a and the base ink 36b are discharged onto the transfer medium M1 at the maximum ink discharge rate that minimizes ink dripping.

[0050] As explained above, when a slope occurs in the transfer medium M1 such that the downstream end E1 is lower than the upstream end E2, the ink 36 flowing in the continuous region AR0 tends to accumulate in the narrow downstream end E1, making it prone to dripping from the downstream end E1. This makes it easy to confirm the possibility of ink 36 dripping on the transfer medium M1 due to the aforementioned slope. By having multiple continuous regions AR0 with different recording densities in the test pattern TP0, the maximum ink discharge amount can be determined while considering the possibility of ink 36 dripping on the transfer medium M1.

[0051] (4) Variations: Various modifications of this invention are conceivable. For example, printer 2 could be a serial printer that performs serial printing, or a line printer that performs line printing, etc. The medium on which the test pattern TP0 is formed is not limited to the transfer medium M1, but may also be paper, fabric, or other media not used for transfer. The entity performing the above-described processing is not limited to the CPU; it may also be an electronic component other than the CPU, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Of course, multiple CPUs may cooperate to perform the above-described processing, or a CPU and another electronic component (such as an ASIC) may cooperate to perform the above-described processing. Some of the print control processing shown in Figure 11 may be performed by the host device HO1. In this case, the control unit of the printing device 1 will be a combination of the control unit 10 in the narrow sense and the host device HO1. The color combination of the colored ink 36a is not limited to C, M, Y, and K, and may include orange, green, light cyan at a lower concentration than C, light magenta at a lower concentration than M, dark yellow at a higher concentration than Y, light black at a lower concentration than K, etc. Of course, the embodiments of this application can also be applied when the colored ink 36a does not include some of the colors C, M, Y, and K.

[0052] The ink used to form the single-layer test pattern TP1 is not limited to the base ink 36b, but may be any of the multiple types of colored inks 36a. Here, the type of colored ink 36a used to form the single-layer test pattern TP1 may be the type that is expected to be used most frequently from the standpoint of color development of the colorant. For example, when expressing achromatic colors by combining C ink, M ink, and Y ink, if C ink is used more often than M ink and more often than Y ink, the single-layer test pattern TP1 may be formed with C ink. Furthermore, the transition area AR3 of the continuous region AR0 of the double-layer test pattern TP2 may also be formed with one of several types of colored inks 36a.

[0053] As illustrated in Figures 12-15, various shapes are possible for the continuous region AR0. Figures 12-15 schematically show modified examples of the continuous region AR0. As illustrated in Figure 12, the downstream end E1 is not pointed and may bulge in a curved shape. The transition section AR3 shown in Figure 12 is a semicircular shape that bulges in the transport direction D1 and is smoothly connected to the main body section AR2. The diameter of the transition section AR3 is the maximum width W2 of the continuous region AR0. Even in the transition section AR3 shown in Figure 12, the downstream end E1 can be considered a point, and the width W1 of the downstream end E1 is close to 0. Therefore, if a slope occurs in the transfer medium M1 such that the downstream end E1 is lower than the upstream end E2, the ink 36 flowing in the continuous region AR0 tends to accumulate in the narrow downstream end E1 and drip from the downstream end E1. Note that the transition section AR3 may be a semi-elliptical shape rather than a semicircular shape.

[0054] As illustrated in Figure 13, the downstream end E1 may be a linear shape shorter than the maximum width W2. The transition section AR3 shown in Figure 12 is a trapezoidal shape that tapers from the main body AR2 towards the downstream end E1, and is connected to the main body AR2 at vertices AP1 and AP2. In the transition section AR3 shown in Figure 13, the width W1 of the downstream end E1 is narrower than the maximum width W2. Therefore, if a slope occurs in the transfer medium M1 such that the downstream end E1 is lower than the upstream end E2, the ink 36 flowing in the continuous region AR0 tends to accumulate in the narrow downstream end E1, making it prone to dripping from the downstream end E1. In the examples shown in Figures 12 and 13, it is easy to see that the possibility of ink 36 dripping can occur due to a slope in the transfer medium M1 where the uppermost part E2 is lower than the lowermost part E1.

[0055] As illustrated in Figure 14, the width W1 of the uppermost part E2 within the continuous region AR0 may also be narrower than the maximum width W2. The continuous region AR0 shown in Figure 14 includes a downstream transition section AR3 extending from the main body AR2 to the lowermost part E1, and an upstream transition section AR3 extending from the main body AR2 to the uppermost part E2. The upstream transition section AR3, including the uppermost part E2, is an isosceles triangle, with the uppermost part E2 located at the vertex of the aforementioned triangle. Therefore, the uppermost part E2 can be considered a pointed point, and its width W1 is close to 0. The transition section AR3, including the uppermost part E2, can be said to have a tapered shape extending from the main body AR2 to the lowermost part E1. As illustrated in Figure 15, the continuous region AR0 includes a transitional section AR3 extending from the main body AR2 to the uppermost section E2, and the width of the lowermost section E1 may be the maximum width W2.

[0056] In the example shown in Figures 14 and 15, when a slope occurs in the transfer medium M1 such that the downstream end E1 is higher than the upstream end E2, the ink 36 flowing in the continuous region AR0 tends to accumulate in the narrow upstream end E2, making it prone to dripping from the upstream end E2. Therefore, it is easy to confirm the possibility of ink 36 dripping when a slope occurs in the transfer medium M1 such that the upstream end E2 is higher than the downstream end E1. In the example shown in Figure 14, if the transfer medium M1 is tilted so that the downstream end E1 is lower than the upstream end E2, the ink 36 flowing in the continuous region AR0 will accumulate in the narrow downstream end E1, making it prone to dripping from the downstream end E1. Therefore, regardless of which direction the transfer medium M1 with the test pattern TP0 is tilted in the transport direction D1, the possibility of ink 36 dripping due to that tilt can be easily confirmed. Thus, the printing apparatus 1 capable of printing the continuous region AR0 shown in Figure 14 can form a highly versatile test pattern TP0 that allows confirmation of the possibility of ink 36 dripping due to the tilt of the transfer medium M1 in the transport direction D1.

[0057] Although not shown in the diagram, there may be multiple edges E0 in the continuous region AR0 that can be considered to have a width of 0. Even in this case, the width W1 of the edges E0 is narrower than the maximum width W2, and the ink 36 flowing in the continuous region AR0 tends to drip from the edges E0 as it collects at the narrow edges E0. Therefore, it is easy to confirm the possibility that the ink 36 may drip due to the tilting of the medium in the transport direction D1.

[0058] (5) Conclusion: As described above, according to the present invention, in various embodiments, it is possible to provide a configuration that makes it easy to check the possibility of ink dripping on the medium when checking the maximum amount of ink ejected from the print head per unit area of ​​the medium. Of course, even in embodiments consisting only of the constituent elements of the independent claims, the basic functions and effects described above can be obtained. Furthermore, configurations obtained by substituting or changing the combinations of each configuration disclosed in the above-mentioned examples, configurations obtained by substituting or changing the combinations of each configuration disclosed in the prior art and the above-mentioned examples, etc., are also possible. The present invention also includes these configurations, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1...Printing device, 2...Printer, 10...Control unit, 20...Printing unit, 30...Print head, 31...Colored ink head, 32...Undercoat ink head, 34...Nozzle, 36...Ink, 36a...Colored ink, 36b...Undercoat ink, 37...Ink droplet, 50...Drive unit, 55...Transport unit, 60...Descending unit, 61...Downstream, 62...Upstream, 100...Adhesive application device, 110...Shaker unit, 111...Adhesive, 120...Heating unit, 200...Heat transfer device, 301...Flow, 302...Drip, AP1, AP2...Apex, AR0...Continuous region, AR1...Non-discharge region, AR 2...Main body, AR3...Transfer section, C1~C5...Color, D1...Transport direction, D2...Width direction, E0...End, E1...Lowest end, E2...Upper end, IM1...Image, LN0...Separating line, M1...Transfer medium, M2...Transfer medium, PA0...Patch, PA1...Separation area, ST1...Printing process, ST2...Transport process, ST3...Adhesive application process, ST4...Heating process, ST5...Transfer process, SY1...Printing system, TP0...Test pattern, TP1...Single-layer test pattern, TP2...Double-layer test pattern, UC1...Underlay ink layer, W1...Width, W2...Maximum width.

Claims

1. A transport unit that transports the medium in the transport direction, A print head capable of ejecting ink onto the aforementioned medium, The system includes a control unit that controls the printing of a test pattern for determining the maximum amount of ink to be ejected from the print head per unit area of ​​the medium, The test pattern has a continuous region in which the ink is continuous at a set recording density, and a continuous region in which the ink is not ejected around it. The length in the width direction intersecting the aforementioned conveying direction is defined as the width, and the width of the end furthest downstream or furthest upstream in the conveying direction within the continuous region is narrower than the maximum width of the continuous region. The control unit controls at least the print head to print the test pattern having the continuous region, in a printing apparatus.

2. The continuous region includes a main body portion whose width is the maximum width of the continuous region, and a transition portion extending from the main body portion to the end portion. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transition portion has a tapered shape from the main body portion toward the end portion.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transition portion, including the end portion, is triangular in shape, and the end portion is located at the vertex of the triangular shape.

4. The print head is capable of dispensing, as ink, an image-forming ink for forming an image and a base ink for forming a base ink layer onto the medium. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls the print head to print at least the continuous region in which the base ink is present.

5. In the aforementioned continuous region, both the image-forming ink and the base ink are present. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the print head to print the continuous region in which the combined image-forming ink and the base ink are continuous.

6. The test pattern has a plurality of continuous regions with different recording densities, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls at least the print head to print the test pattern having the plurality of continuous regions.

7. A printing apparatus comprising a transport unit for transporting a medium in a transport direction and a print head capable of ejecting ink onto the medium, wherein a test pattern printing method is provided for printing a test pattern for determining the maximum amount of ink to be ejected from the print head per unit area of ​​the medium, The test pattern has a continuous region in which the ink is continuous at a set recording density, and a continuous region in which the ink is not ejected around it. The length in the width direction intersecting the aforementioned conveying direction is defined as the width, and the width of the end furthest downstream or furthest upstream in the conveying direction within the continuous region is narrower than the maximum width of the continuous region. The aforementioned test pattern printing method is: A printing process comprising printing the test pattern having the continuous region by ejecting the ink from the print head onto the medium, A method for printing a test pattern, comprising a transport step of transporting the medium having the test pattern in the transport direction by the transport unit.

Images