Printer, control method, and control program

Abstract

To provide a printer, a control method and a control program which can smoothen a layer of ink formed on a printed object in a gloss printing mode while suppressing increase in the size of the whole device.SOLUTION: A controller of a printer relatively moves a first head, a second head, a first lamp and a second lamp with respect to a platen in a main scanning direction (S267). The controller relatively moves the platen with respect to the first head, the second head, the first lamp and the second lamp in a direction from the second head toward the first head in the sub-scanning direction (S272). The controller discharges second ink to a printed object from the second head during execution of S267, in a gloss printing mode (S267). The controller irradiates the second ink discharged onto the printed object with light from the first lamp during execution of S267 (S267).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer, a control method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] Printers that perform gloss printing using photocurable ink are known. Gloss printing is a printing method that creates glossy prints by smoothing a layer of photocurable ink formed on a print target. For example, the printer described in Patent Document 1 has a color ink head, a clear ink head, multiple color LEDs, and multiple white / clear LEDs mounted on a carriage. The color ink head and clear ink head are aligned in the sub-scanning direction and eject photocurable color ink and photocurable clear ink, respectively, onto the print target. The multiple color LEDs are aligned in multiple rows on both sides of the color ink head in the main scanning direction and irradiate the print target with light. The multiple white / clear LEDs are aligned in multiple rows on both sides of the clear ink head in the main scanning direction and irradiate the print target with light.

[0003] During gloss printing, the printer ejects color inks from the color ink heads onto the print target and lights up multiple color LEDs while moving the carriage in the main scanning direction. The printer ejects clear ink from the clear ink head onto the print target and lights up multiple clear LEDs. The printer transports the print target in the sub-scanning direction, from the color ink heads toward the clear ink head. By repeating these operations, the printer forms a layer of color ink on the print target, and then forms a layer of clear ink on top of the color ink layer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-188962 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] During gloss printing, the above printer only lights up the white / clear LED that is furthest upstream in the carriage's direction of travel in the main scanning direction among the multiple white / clear LEDs, to ensure time for the clear ink layer to smooth out after it is formed on the print object. For this reason, the printer needs to position the white / clear LED in a position away from the white / clear ink head in the main scanning direction.

[0006] In the above printer, for example, if a layer of clear ink is not formed on top of a layer of color ink, gloss printing can be achieved by smoothing the color ink layer. In this case, as with the white / clear ink LEDs, the printer may light only the color LED that is most upstream in the carriage's direction of travel in the main scanning direction to ensure time between the formation of the color ink layer on the printing object and the smoothing. For this reason, it is considered necessary for the printer to position the color LEDs away from the color ink head in the main scanning direction.

[0007] If each LED is positioned away from each head in the main scanning direction, the printer may require a larger support member for each LED, which may result in the printer as a whole becoming larger.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a printer, a control method, and a control program that can smooth the ink layer formed on the printing object in gloss printing mode while suppressing an increase in the size of the entire device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A printer according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a platen on which a printing object is placed, a first head that ejects a first light-curable ink onto the printing object, a second head that is aligned with the first head in a sub-scanning direction and ejects a second light-curable ink onto the printing object, a first lamp that is aligned with the first head in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object, a second lamp that is aligned with the second head in the main scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object, and a controller, wherein the controller controls the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp to be moved relative to the platen in the main scanning direction. and a second movement process that moves the platen relative to the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp in the sub-scanning direction from the second head toward the first head, in the sub-scanning direction, and the controller, in a gloss printing mode, executes a gloss ejection process that ejects the second ink from the second head onto the printing object while the first movement process is being executed, and a gloss irradiation process that irradiates light from the first lamp onto the second ink ejected onto the printing object while the first movement process is being executed after the gloss ejection process and the second movement process are executed.

[0010] According to the first aspect, the printer can smooth the ink layer formed on the printing object in gloss printing mode while suppressing an increase in the size of the entire device.

[0011] A printer according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a platen on which a printing object is placed, a first head that ejects a photo-curable first ink onto the printing object, a second head that is aligned with the first head in a sub-scanning direction and ejects a photo-curable second ink onto the printing object, a first lamp that is aligned with the first head in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object, a second lamp that is aligned with the second head in the main scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object, and a controller, wherein the first lamp is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction relative to the platen. the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp are positioned at a position farther from the platen than the position of the second lamp, and the controller executes a first movement process that moves the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp relative to the platen in the main scanning direction, and the controller executes, in a gloss printing mode, a gloss ejection process that ejects the first ink from the first head onto the printing object while the first movement process is being executed, and a gloss irradiation process that irradiates light from the first lamp onto the first ink ejected onto the printing object while the first movement process is being executed.

[0012] The second aspect can achieve the same effects as the first aspect.

[0013] A printer according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: a platen on which a printing object is placed; a first head that ejects a photo-curable first ink onto the printing object; a second head that is aligned with the first head in a sub-scanning direction and ejects a photo-curable second ink onto the printing object; a first lamp that is aligned with the first head in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object; a second lamp that is aligned with the second head in the main scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object; and a controller, wherein the first lamp comprises a first light source and a housing that houses the first light source and is provided with a first opposing surface that faces the platen in a height direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction; the first light source and the second light source are disposed at the same position in the height direction, and the first opposing surface is disposed at a position farther from the platen in the height direction than the position of the second opposing surface with respect to the platen; the controller executes a first movement process that moves the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp relative to the platen in the main scanning direction; and the controller, in a gloss printing mode, executes a gloss ejection process that ejects the first ink from the first head onto the printing object while the first movement process is being executed, and a gloss irradiation process that irradiates light from the first lamp onto the first ink ejected onto the printing object while the first movement process is being executed.

[0014] The third aspect can achieve the same effects as the first aspect.

[0015] A control method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a control method for a printer including a platen on which a printing object is placed, a first head that ejects a first light-curable ink onto the printing object, a second head that is aligned with the first head in a sub-scanning direction and ejects a second light-curable ink onto the printing object, a first lamp that is aligned with the first head in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object, and a second lamp that is aligned with the second head in the main scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object, wherein the control method includes: moving the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp relative to the platen in the main scanning direction; and a second movement process that moves the platen relative to the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp in the sub-scanning direction from the second head toward the first head, and in a gloss printing mode, a gloss ejection process that ejects the second ink from the second head onto the printing object while the first movement process is being performed, and a gloss irradiation process that irradiates light from the first lamp onto the second ink ejected onto the printing object while the first movement process is being performed after the gloss ejection process and the second movement process are performed.

[0016] The fourth aspect can achieve the same effects as the first aspect.

[0017] A control program according to a fifth aspect of the present invention provides a printer controller including a platen on which a printing object is placed, a first head that ejects a first light-curable ink onto the printing object, a second head that is aligned with the first head in a sub-scanning direction and ejects a second light-curable ink onto the printing object, a first lamp that is aligned with the first head in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object, and a second lamp that is aligned with the second head in the main scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object, the control program causing the controller to control the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp in the main scanning direction relative to the platen. and a second movement process that moves the platen relative to the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp in the sub-scanning direction from the second head toward the first head, in a gloss printing mode, and executes a gloss ejection process that ejects the second ink from the second head onto the printing object while the first movement process is being executed, and a gloss irradiation process that irradiates light from the first lamp onto the second ink ejected onto the printing object while the first movement process is being executed after the gloss ejection process and the second movement process are executed.

[0018] The fifth aspect can achieve the same effects as the first aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer 1A. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the printer 1A as seen from the right side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the carriage 20 as viewed from below in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer 1A. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a matte printed matter 100A. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a glossy printed matter 100B. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart of a main process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a white / color printing process in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the formation of a white ink layer 101 and a color ink layer 102 by white / color printing processing in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of a clear normal printing process in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 1A to 1C are diagrams for explaining the formation of a clear ink layer 103 by a clear normal printing process or a clear gloss printing process in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a clear gloss printing process in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the printer 1B as seen from the right side. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart of a main process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a glossy printed matter 100C. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a glossy printed matter 100D. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printer 1C as seen from the right side. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a printer 1C as seen from the front. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the carriage 20 as viewed from below in the third embodiment. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart of a main process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart of a white printing process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart of a white printing process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart of a normal color printing process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 24]10 is a flowchart of a normal color printing process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 25] 13 is a flowchart of a clear normal printing process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 26] 13 is a flowchart of a clear normal printing process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart of a color gloss printing process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart of a color gloss printing process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 29] 10 is a flowchart of a clear gloss printing process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 30] 10 is a flowchart of a clear gloss printing process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a printer 1D as seen from the front. [Figure 32] 10 is a flowchart of a main process according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 33] 10 is a flowchart of a white / color printing process in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 34] 10 is a flowchart of a white / color printing process in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 35] 10A to 10D are schematic diagrams of modified printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D as viewed from the right. [Figure 36] 10 is a flowchart of a modified color gloss printing process. [Figure 37] 10 is a schematic diagram of the carriage 20 as seen from below to explain the lamp 60. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] A printer 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. The top, bottom, lower left, upper right, lower right, and upper left in Figure 1 correspond to the top, bottom, front, rear, right, and left of the printer 1A, respectively.

[0021] Hereinafter, white ink will be referred to as "white ink." When referring to black, cyan, yellow, and magenta inks collectively or when none of them is specified, they will be referred to as "color ink." Transparent or translucent ink will be referred to as "clear ink." When referring to white ink, color ink, and clear ink collectively or when none of them is specified, they will simply be referred to as "ink."

[0022] The printer 1A shown in Figure 1 is an inkjet-type UV printer that prints by ejecting ink onto a printing object M shown in Figure 2 and irradiating the ejected ink with ultraviolet light. The printing object M is not limited to a specific medium, but may be, for example, a plate or sheet, and may be made of, for example, cloth, paper, plastic, metal, or ceramics. The ink is ultraviolet-curable and hardens when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

[0023] White ink is used in printing to represent the white part of an image or as a base for color inks. Color inks are ejected directly onto the print target M or on top of a white ink base and are used to print color images. Clear ink has higher light transmittance than white ink and color inks. Clear ink is ejected on top of color images and is used to protect the color images.

[0024] The mechanical configuration of printer 1A will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figure 1, printer 1A includes a transport mechanism 6, an elevator mechanism 8, a platen 5, a pair of rails 11, and a carriage 20. The transport mechanism 6 is provided at the bottom of printer 1A and includes a pair of rails 12. The pair of rails 12 extend in the front-to-rear direction and are aligned with each other in the left-to-right direction. In the first embodiment, "one member is aligned with another member in a specific direction" means that one member is arranged so that part or all of the one member overlaps part or all of the other member when viewed from the specific direction (this also applies to other embodiments).

[0025] The lifting mechanism 8 is provided above the transport mechanism 6 and is supported by a pair of rails 12. The lifting mechanism 8 moves in the front-to-rear direction along the pair of rails 12. The lifting mechanism 8 is configured to be extendable and retractable in the up-and-down direction.

[0026] The platen 5 is provided above the lifting mechanism 8. The platen 5 is a plate that extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The platen 5 is rectangular in plan view and is supported by the lifting mechanism 8. The printing object M shown in FIG. 2 is placed on the upper surface of the platen 5. The platen 5 moves in the front-to-back direction as the lifting mechanism 8 moves in the front-to-back direction. The platen 5 moves in the up-to-down direction as the lifting mechanism 8 expands and contracts in the up-to-down direction.

[0027] The pair of rails 11 extend in the left-right direction and are aligned with each other in the front-rear direction. The carriage 20 is provided between the pair of rails 11 in the front-rear direction. The carriage 20 is a plate that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The carriage 20 is supported by the pair of rails 11. The carriage 20 moves in the left-right direction along the pair of rails 11.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the carriage 20 is equipped with a color head 51, a white clear head 52, a color right lamp 61, and a white clear right lamp 62. The color head 51 and the white clear head 52 are rectangular parallelepipeds and are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The color head 51 is located at the front of the carriage 20. The white clear head 52 is located behind the color head 51.

[0029] The color right lamp 61 and the white clear right lamp 62 are rectangular parallelepipeds and are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The color right lamp 61 is aligned to the right of the color head 51. The white clear right lamp 62 is aligned to the right of the white clear head 52. The color head 51, the white clear head 52, the color right lamp 61, and the white clear right lamp 62 move left and right as the carriage 20 moves left and right.

[0030] 2 and 3, a nozzle surface 511 is formed on the underside of the color head 51. A nozzle surface 521 is formed on the underside of the white clear head 52. The nozzle surfaces 511 and 521 are exposed downward from the carriage 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle surfaces 511 and 521 are located above the platen 5 and face the platen 5 in the up-down direction.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K are formed on the nozzle surface 511. The nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K are arranged in this order from left to right. Each of the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K is configured with a plurality of nozzles 513 lined up in a row in the front-to-rear direction. The plurality of nozzles 513 eject ink downward. In the first embodiment, the color head 51 ejects yellow ink from the nozzle row 51Y, magenta ink from the nozzle row 51M, cyan ink from the nozzle row 51C, and black ink from the nozzle row 51K.

[0032] Nozzle rows 52L and 52W are formed on the nozzle surface 521. Nozzle row 52W is aligned to the right of nozzle row 52L. Each of nozzle rows 52L and 52W is configured with a plurality of nozzles 523 lined up in a line in the front-to-rear direction. The plurality of nozzles 523 eject ink downward. In the first embodiment, the white clear head 52 ejects clear ink from nozzle row 52L and ejects white ink from nozzle row 52W.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the color right lamp 61 includes a housing 611, a substrate 612, and multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614. The housing 611 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is fixed to the carriage 20. The lower end of the housing 611 opens downward and is exposed downward from the carriage 20. Hereinafter, the area surrounded by the lower end of the housing 611 will be referred to as the "facing surface 613." In other words, the facing surface 613 is a virtual lower surface of the housing 611. As shown in Figure 2, the facing surface 613 is located above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 in the vertical direction.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the substrate 612 is provided inside the housing 611. Note that in Figure 2, the substrate 612 and the multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614 hidden by the housing 611 are indicated by dashed lines. The substrate 612 has a rectangular shape when viewed from below, and extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. As shown in Figure 2, the substrate 612 is located above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 in the up-down direction. As shown in Figure 3, the multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614 are provided in a lattice pattern on the underside of the substrate 612. The multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614 emit ultraviolet light when turned on.

[0035] The white clear right lamp 62 includes a housing 621, a substrate 622, and a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624. The housing 621 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is fixed to the carriage 20. The lower end of the housing 621 opens downward and is exposed downward from the carriage 20. Hereinafter, the area surrounded by the lower end of the housing 621 will be referred to as the "opposing surface 623." In other words, the opposing surface 623 is a virtual lower surface of the housing 621. As shown in FIG. 2, the opposing surface 623 is positioned above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 in the vertical direction.

[0036] 2 and 3, the substrate 622 is provided inside the housing 621. Note that in FIG. 2, the substrate 622 and the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 hidden by the housing 621 are shown by dashed lines. 622 is rectangular when viewed from below and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. As shown in FIG. 2, the substrate 622 is located above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 are arranged in a lattice pattern on the underside of the substrate 622. The plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 emit ultraviolet light when turned on. The facing surface 623 is an area surrounded by the lower end of the housing 621. The color right lamp 61 and the white clear right lamp 62 irradiate ultraviolet light downward by turning on the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 and 624, respectively.

[0037] 2, the color right lamp 61 and the clear white right lamp 62 are disposed at the same vertical position. Specifically, the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 and the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 are disposed at the same vertical position P1. That is, the lower surfaces of the substrates 612 and 622 are disposed at the same vertical position P1. Therefore, the vertical distance L1 between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 is the same as the vertical distance L2 between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624.

[0038] The housings 611 and 621 are disposed at the same position P2 in the vertical direction. That is, the opposing surfaces 613 and 623 are disposed at the same position P2 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the vertical distance H1 between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the opposing surface 613 is the same as the vertical distance H2 between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the opposing surface 623.

[0039] The printing operation of the printer 1A will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The area where the left-right movement path of the carriage 20 and the front-rear movement path of the platen 5 overlap in the vertical direction is called the "printing area 10" (see Figures 1 and 2). The printing operation is performed with the platen 5 and carriage 20 positioned in the printing area 10. During the printing operation, the carriage 20 repeatedly moves back and forth left and right and the platen 5 moves forward or backward a predetermined amount.

[0040] While the carriage 20 moves from right to left, one or both of the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 eject ink onto the printing object M (see FIG. 2) on the platen 5. This causes the ink to land on the printing object M. Hereinafter, the ink layer formed by the ink that has landed on the printing object M will be simply referred to as the "ink layer 100" (see FIG. 2).

[0041] Furthermore, while the carriage 20 is moving from right to left, one or both of the color right lamp 61 and the white clear right lamp 62 irradiate ultraviolet light onto the printing object M (see FIG. 2) on the platen 5. The color right lamp 61 and the white clear right lamp 62 are located opposite (to the right of) the color head 51 and the white clear head 52, respectively, from the direction of travel of the carriage 20. Therefore, when the carriage 20 moves from right to left, the ultraviolet light irradiated onto the printing object M is irradiated onto the ink layer 100 (see FIG. 2) formed on the printing object M during this movement of the carriage 20 from right to left. This hardens the ink layer 100.

[0042] While the carriage 20 is moving from left to right, both the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 stop ejecting ink onto the printing object M on the platen 5. While the carriage 20 is moving from left to right, one or both of the color right lamp 61 and the white clear right lamp 62 irradiate ultraviolet light onto the printing object M on the platen 5.

[0043] When the carriage 20 moves from left to right, the ultraviolet light irradiated onto the printing object M is irradiated onto the ink layer 100 (see FIG. 2) formed on the printing object M when the carriage 20 moved from right to left a predetermined number of times previously. This increases the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the ink layer 100. Hereinafter, the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated per unit area onto the ink layer 100 will be simply referred to as the "cumulative amount."

[0044] The electrical configuration of printer 1A will be described with reference to Figure 4. Printer 1A is equipped with a control board 40. Control board 40 is provided with a CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, and flash memory 44. CPU 41 controls printer 1A and is electrically connected to ROM 42, RAM 43, and flash memory 44.

[0045] The ROM 42 stores control programs for the CPU 41 to control the operation of the printer 1A, information required by the CPU 41 when executing various programs, etc. For example, the ROM 42 stores the rotation angles of the main scanning motor 31, sub-scanning motor 32, and lifting motor 34 (described below) in association with the left-right position of the carriage 20, the front-rear position of the platen 5, and the up-down position of the platen 5. The RAM 43 temporarily stores various data used in the control programs, etc. The flash memory 44 is non-volatile and stores print data for printing, etc.

[0046] The CPU 41 is electrically connected to the main scanning motor 31, the sub-scanning motor 32, the lift motor 34, the head drive unit 33, the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614, the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624, and the operation unit 37. The main scanning motor 31, the sub-scanning motor 32, the lift motor 34, the head drive unit 33, the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614, and the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 are each driven under the control of the CPU 41.

[0047] The main scanning motor 31 is driven to move the carriage 20 shown in Fig. 1 in the left-right direction. The sub-scanning motor 32 is driven to move the lifting mechanism 8 shown in Fig. 1 in the front-rear direction. The lifting motor 34 is driven to extend and retract the lifting mechanism 8 shown in Fig. 1 in the up-down direction.

[0048] The main scanning motor 31, the sub-scanning motor 32, and the lift motor 34 are provided with encoders 311, 321, and 341, respectively. The encoders 311, 321, and 341 detect the rotation angles of the main scanning motor 31, the sub-scanning motor 32, and the lift motor 34, respectively, and output detection signals to the CPU 41.

[0049] The CPU 41 can identify the position of the carriage 20 in the left-right direction based on the detection signal from the encoder 311. The CPU 41 can identify the position of the platen 5 shown in FIG. 1 in the front-rear direction based on the detection signal from the encoder 321. The CPU 41 can identify the position of the platen 5 shown in FIG. 1 in the up-down direction based on the detection signal from the encoder 341.

[0050] The head drive unit 33 is composed of a piezoelectric element or a heating element, and when driven, causes ink to be ejected from the color head 51 or the white clear head 52 shown in Figure 1. The operation unit 37 is a touch panel or the like, and outputs information to the CPU 41 in response to operations by the user. By operating the operation unit 37, the user can input print instructions and the like to the printer 1A to start printing with the printer 1A. By operating the operation unit 37, the user can set the printer 1A to either the normal print mode or the gloss print mode.

[0051] A matte printed matter 100A and a glossy printed matter 100B will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figures 5 and 6 show an example in which a white ink layer 101, a color ink layer 102, and a clear ink layer 103 are formed as ink layers 100 in the order white ink layer 101, color ink layer 102, and clear ink layer 103 from the top surface of the printing object M upward. In other words, in the matte printed matter 100A shown in Figure 5 and the glossy printed matter 100B shown in Figure 6, the clear ink layer 103 is the outermost layer.

[0052] The matte printed matter 100A shown in FIG. 5 is created by curing the top layer (clear ink layer 103) while smoothing of the top layer is relatively incomplete. As a result, the matte printed matter 100A has no gloss or a relatively low gloss. The glossy printed matter 100B shown in FIG. 6 is created by curing the top layer (clear ink layer 103) while smoothing of the top layer is relatively complete. As a result, the glossy printed matter 100B has a higher gloss than the matte printed matter 100A.

[0053] The smoothing of the ink layer 100 will now be described. The progress of smoothing of the ink layer 100 varies depending on factors such as the time from when the ink lands on the print target M until the landed ink is irradiated with ultraviolet light. Hereinafter, the time from when the ink lands on the print target M until the landed ink is irradiated with ultraviolet light will be referred to as the "time until irradiation." Smoothing of the ink layer 100 progresses until it is irradiated with ultraviolet light. Therefore, the longer the time until irradiation, the more easily the ink layer 100 will be smoothed.

[0054] By executing the main process described below, the printer 1A shortens the time until irradiation when irradiating the outermost layer (clear ink layer 103) with ultraviolet light in normal printing mode. This allows the outermost layer to harden before smoothing of the outermost layer progresses, allowing the printer 1A to create the matte printed matter 100A shown in Figure 5 in normal printing mode.

[0055] By executing the main process described below, printer 1A relatively lengthens the time before ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the outermost layer (clear ink layer 103) in gloss printing mode. This allows the outermost layer to be cured in a state where smoothing of the outermost layer has progressed relatively well, allowing printer 1A to create a glossy printed matter 100B shown in Fig. 6 in gloss printing mode.

[0056] The main processing will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The user places the printing object M on the platen 5 shown in Fig. 2. The user operates the operation unit 37 shown in Fig. 4 to input a print instruction to the printer 1A. When the print instruction is input, the CPU 41 reads and operates a control program from the ROM 42, thereby executing the main processing shown in Fig. 7.

[0057] The following description will be given taking as an example the case of creating a matte printed material 100A shown in Fig. 5 or a glossy printed material 100B shown in Fig. 6. At the start of the main processing shown in Fig. 7, the platen 5 is in the set position shown in Fig. 1, and the carriage 20 is in the standby position shown in Fig. 1. The set position is the front end of the range of movement of the platen 5 in the front-to-rear direction, and is the position of the platen 5 when the printing target M is set on the platen 5. The standby position is the left end of the range of movement of the carriage 20 in the left-to-right direction.

[0058] Setting the ink to be ejected in the main scanning process described below is referred to as “turning the ink ON,” and setting the ink to stop being ejected is referred to as “turning the ink OFF.” Note that setting the ink to be ejected in the main scanning process means setting the ink to a state in which it can be ejected so that the ink lands on the printing target M at a predetermined position based on the print data during the main scanning process.

[0059] In the main scanning process described below, setting the ultraviolet light emitting diode 614 to light up is referred to as "turning on the color right side lamp 61," and setting the ultraviolet light emitting diode 614 to light up is referred to as "turning off the color right side lamp 61." In the main scanning process, setting the ultraviolet light emitting diode 624 to light up is referred to as "turning on the white clear right side lamp 62," and setting the ultraviolet light emitting diode 624 to light up is referred to as "turning off the white clear right side lamp 62." Note that setting the ultraviolet light emitting diodes to light up in the main scanning process means that all of the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614, 624 are always on during execution of the main scanning process.

[0060] When the main processing starts, the CPU 41 obtains print data specified by a print instruction from the flash memory 44 and stores it in the RAM 43 (S100). The CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 2 backward to a platen print start position (not shown) (S101). The platen print start position is the position of the platen 5 when the front edge of an area (not shown) on the print target M shown in FIG. 2 where an image is to be printed is located behind the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 2. The CPU 41 controls the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection result from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 rightward from the standby position shown in FIG. 1 to the carriage print start position (S101). The carriage print start position is the position of the carriage 20 when the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 2 are located to the right of the right edge of the area (not shown) on the print target M shown in FIG. 2 where an image is to be printed.

[0061] The CPU 41 performs white / color printing processing (S102). In the white / color printing processing, the platen 5 moves forward from the platen printing start position, and a white ink layer 101 and a color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are formed on the printing target M. The CPU 41 references the print mode setting in the flash memory 44 (S103). Based on the reference result, the CPU 41 determines whether the currently set print mode is a gloss print mode (S104).

[0062] If the print mode being set is the normal print mode (S104: NO), the CPU 41 controls the sub-scan motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in Fig. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in Fig. 2 backward to the platen print start position (not shown) (S105). As described above, when the platen 5 is positioned at the platen print start position, the front end of the area (not shown) of the print target M shown in Fig. 2 where an image is to be printed is positioned behind the white clear head 52 shown in Fig. 2.

[0063] The CPU 41 performs clear normal printing processing (S106). In the clear normal printing processing, the platen 5 moves forward from the platen printing start position, and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5 is formed on the color ink layer 102 on the printing object M. This creates the matte printed matter 100A shown in FIG. 5. The CPU 41 then ends the main processing.

[0064] If the print mode being set is the gloss print mode (S104: YES), the CPU 41 controls the sub-scan motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in Fig. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in Fig. 2 rearward to the platen print start position (not shown) (S107). As described above, when the platen 5 is positioned at the platen print start position, the front end of the area (not shown) of the print target M shown in Fig. 2 where the image is to be printed is positioned rearward of the white clear head 52 shown in Fig. 2.

[0065] The CPU 41 performs clear gloss printing processing (S108). In the clear gloss printing processing, the platen 5 moves forward from the platen printing start position, and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 6 is formed on the color ink layer 102 on the printing target M. This creates the glossy printed matter 100B shown in FIG. 6. The CPU 41 then ends the main processing.

[0066] The white / color printing process will be described with reference to Figure 8. When the white / color printing process starts, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S141). The CPU 41 turns white ink "ON" (S142). The CPU 41 turns color ink "ON" (S143). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S144). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "ON" (S145). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "ON" (S146).

[0067] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S141 to S146 (S147). In the main scanning processing, movement control, ejection control, and irradiation control are performed. In the main scanning processing of S147, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4, and moves the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 1 from the right end of the printing area 10 to the left end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data, and causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3 to eject white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3 to stop ejecting clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the execution of movement control, in the discharge control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data, causing the color head 51 shown in FIG. 3 to discharge color inks from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 2, causing the white clear right lamp 62 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing target M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 is irradiated onto the white ink layer 101 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 2, causing the color right lamp 61 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing target M. The ultraviolet light from the color right lamp 61 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0068] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S151). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the white ink (S152). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the color ink (S153). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the clear ink (S154). The CPU 41 turns "ON" the white clear right lamp 62 (S155). The CPU 41 turns "ON" the color right lamp 61 (S156).

[0069] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S151 to S156 (S157). In the main scanning processing of S157, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 1 from the left end of the printing area 10 to the right end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3 to stop ejecting white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3 to stop ejecting clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 causes the color head 51 shown in FIG. 3 to stop ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 2 to irradiate ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 toward the printing target M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 is irradiated onto the white ink layer 101 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 2 to irradiate ultraviolet light from the color right lamp 61 toward the printing target M. The ultraviolet light from the color right lamp 61 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0070] Based on the print data, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the formation of both the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 has been completed over the entire area of ​​the printing target M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed (S158). If the formation of either the white ink layer 101 or the color ink layer 102 over the area of ​​the printing target M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S158: NO), the CPU 41 sets the sub-scan direction to "forward" (S161). The CPU 41 performs sub-scan processing based on the setting in S161 (S162). In the sub-scan processing of S162, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scan motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 2 forward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 2 moves forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scan motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 transitions the processing to S141.

[0071] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process (S147, S157) and the sub-scanning process (S162) until the formation of both the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 is completed over the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Figures 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed. When the formation of the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 is completed over the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Figures 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed (S158: YES), the CPU 41 returns the process to the main process shown in Figure 7.

[0072] The formation of the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layers 102 in the white / color printing process will be described with reference to Figure 9. Hereinafter, "N" and "K" are natural numbers. In Figure 9, the white ink layer 101 is indicated by solid diagonal lines, and the color ink layers 102 are indicated by solid vertical lines. Figure 9 shows the positional relationship in the front-to-rear direction between the carriage 20 and the printing target M when the Nth main scanning process of S157 shown in Figure 8 has been completed.

[0073] In the Nth main scanning process of S147 shown in Fig. 8, a white ink layer 101(N) is formed on the printing target M by ejecting white ink from the white clear head 52. According to the configuration of the first embodiment, in the main scanning process of S147 shown in Fig. 8, the carriage 20 moves from right to left, and the white clear right lamp 62 is positioned to the right of the white clear head 52, that is, opposite the movement direction of the carriage 20. Therefore, the white ink layer 101(N) is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear right lamp 62 during the Nth main scanning process of S147 shown in Fig. 8. Because the time until the white ink layer 101(N) is irradiated is relatively short, the white ink layer 101(N) hardens in an unsmoothed state or with relatively little progress in smoothing.

[0074] The white ink layer 101(N) is further irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear right lamp 62 during the Nth main scanning process of S157 shown in Fig. 8. This increases the amount of ultraviolet light accumulated on the white ink layer 101(N), allowing the printer 1A to reliably cure the white ink layer 101(N).

[0075] In the sub-scanning process of S162 shown in Fig. 8, the platen 5 shown in Fig. 2 moves from rear to front, that is, in the direction from the white clear right lamp 62 to the color right lamp 61. Therefore, in the Nth main scanning process of S147 described above, that is, the main scanning process of S147 that formed the white ink layer 101(N), a color ink layer 102(N) is further formed on the white ink layer 101(NK) on the printing target M by ejecting color inks from the color head 51. Note that Fig. 9 shows an example where K=2.

[0076] According to the configuration of the first embodiment, in the main scanning process of S147, the carriage 20 moves from right to left, and The color right lamp 61 is located to the right of the color head 51.That is, it is positioned on the opposite side to the direction of movement of the carriage 20. Therefore, the color ink layer 102(N) is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the right color lamp 61 during the Nth main scanning process of S147 shown in Figure 8. In this way, since the time until irradiation of the color ink layer 102(N) is relatively short, the color ink layer 102(N) hardens in an unsmoothed state or with relatively little progress in smoothing.

[0077] The color ink layer 102(N) is further irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the color right lamp 61 during the Nth main scanning process of S157 shown in Fig. 8. This increases the amount of ultraviolet light accumulated on the color ink layer 102(N), allowing the printer 1A to reliably cure the color ink layer 102(N).

[0078] As described above, the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 are irradiated with ultraviolet light relatively quickly. Therefore, the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 are cured in an unsmoothed state or in a state where smoothing has not progressed much. Therefore, the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 shown in Figures 5 and 6 have unevenness.

[0079] The clear normal printing process will be described with reference to FIG. 10. 。

[0080] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S201). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S202). The CPU 41 turns color ink "OFF" (S203). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "ON" (S204). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "ON" (S205). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "OFF" (S206).

[0081] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S201 to S206 (S207). In the main scanning processing of S207, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 1 from the right end of the printing area 10 to the left. During the movement control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3 from discharging white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data to cause the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3 to discharge clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, the CPU 41 stops the color head 51 shown in FIG. 3 from discharging color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 2 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5. During the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 2 to cause the color right lamp 61 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light toward the printing object M.

[0082] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S211). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the white ink (S212). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the color ink (S213). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the clear ink (S214). The CPU 41 turns "ON" the white clear right lamp 62 (S215). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the color right lamp 61 (S216).

[0083] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S211 to S216 (S217). In the main scanning processing of S217, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 1 from the left end of the printing area 10 to the right end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3 from ejecting white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3 from ejecting clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the color head 51 shown in FIG. 3 from ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 2 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5. During the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 2 to cause the color right lamp 61 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light toward the printing object M.

[0084] The CPU 41 determines, based on the print data, whether or not the formation of the clear ink layer 103 has been completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIG. 5 where an image is to be printed (S218). If the formation of the clear ink layer 103 on the area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIG. 5 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S218: NO), the CPU 41 sets the sub-scan direction to "forward" (S221). The CPU 41 performs sub-scan processing based on the setting in S221 (S222). In the sub-scan processing of S222, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scan motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 2 forward. When the platen 5 has moved forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scan motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 transitions the processing to S201.

[0085] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process (S207, S217) and the sub-scanning process (S222) until the formation of the clear ink layer 103 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 5 where the image is to be printed. When the formation of the clear ink layer 103 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 5 where the image is to be printed (S218: YES ), the CPU 41 returns the process to the main process shown in FIG.

[0086] The formation of the clear ink layer 103 in the clear normal printing process will be described with reference to Figure 11. In Figure 11, the white ink layer 101 is indicated by solid diagonal lines, the color ink layers 102 are indicated by solid vertical lines, and the clear ink layer 103 is indicated by dashed diagonal lines. In describing the formation of the clear ink layer 103 in the clear normal printing process, Figure 11 shows the positional relationship in the front-to-rear direction between the carriage 20 and the printing object M when the Nth main scanning process of S217 shown in Figure 10 has been completed.

[0087] In the normal printing mode, during the Nth main scanning process of S207 shown in FIG. 10 , a clear ink layer 103(N) is formed on the color ink layer 102 on the printing target M by ejecting clear ink from the white clear head 52. In the first embodiment, during the main scanning process of S207 shown in FIG. 10 , the carriage 20 moves from right to left, and the white clear right lamp 62 is positioned to the right of the white clear head 52, i.e., opposite the direction of movement of the carriage 20. Therefore, in the normal printing mode, the clear ink layer 103(N) is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear right lamp 62 during the Nth main scanning process of S207 shown in FIG. 10 . As such, in the normal printing mode, the time until irradiation of the clear ink layer 103(N) is relatively short, so the clear ink layer 103(N) hardens without being smoothed or with relatively little progress in smoothing. Therefore, in the normal printing mode, the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5 has irregularities.

[0088] The clear ink layer 103(N) is further irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear right lamp 62 during the Nth main scanning process of S217 shown in FIG. 10. This increases the amount of ultraviolet light accumulated on the clear ink layer 103(N), allowing the printer 1A to reliably cure the clear ink layer 103(N). As a result, the clear ink layer 103 is formed on the color ink layer 102 on the printing object M. As a result, in the normal printing mode, the matte printed matter 100A shown in FIG. 5 is produced.

[0089] The clear gloss printing process will be described with reference to FIG. 12. .figure When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 2 moves to the platen print start position (not shown), the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in FIG.

[0090] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S251). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S252). The CPU 41 turns color ink "OFF" (S253). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "ON" (S254). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "OFF" (S255). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "ON" (S256). In other words, the clear gloss printing process differs from the clear normal printing process shown in FIG. 10 in that the white clear right lamp 62 is turned "OFF" when the main scanning direction is set to left.

[0091] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S251 to S256 (S257). Although detailed description will be omitted, in the main scanning processing of S257, during the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 2 and causes the white clear right lamp 62 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing object M.

[0092] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S261). The CPU 41 turns off the white ink (S262). The CPU 41 turns off the color ink (S263). The CPU 41 turns off the clear ink (S264). The CPU 41 turns on the white clear right lamp 62 (S265). OFF " (S265). The CPU 41 turns the color right side lamp 61 "ON" (S266). That is, the clear gloss printing process differs from the clear normal printing process shown in FIG. 10 in that when the main scanning direction is set to right, the white clear right side lamp 62 is turned "OFF."

[0093] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S261 to S266 (S267). Although detailed description will be omitted, in the main scanning processing of S267, during the execution of movement control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 2 and causes the white clear right lamp 62 to stop emitting ultraviolet light to the printing object M in the irradiation control.

[0094] The CPU 41 determines, based on the print data, whether or not the formation of the clear ink layer 103 has been completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIG. 6 where an image is to be printed (S268). If the formation of the clear ink layer 103 on the area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIG. 6 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S268: NO), the CPU 41 sets the sub-scan direction to "forward" (S271). The CPU 41 performs sub-scan processing based on the setting in S271 (S272). In the sub-scan processing of S272, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scan motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 2 forward. When the platen 5 has moved forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scan motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 transitions the processing to S241.

[0095] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process (S257, S267) and the sub-scanning process (S272) until the formation of the clear ink layer 103 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 6 where the image is to be printed. When the formation of the clear ink layer 103 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 6 where the image is to be printed (S268: YES ), the CPU 41 returns the process to the main process shown in FIG.

[0096] The formation of the clear ink layer 103 in the clear gloss printing process will be described with reference to Figure 11. In Figure 11, the white ink layer 101 is indicated by solid diagonal lines, the color ink layers 102 are indicated by solid vertical lines, and the clear ink layer 103 is indicated by dashed diagonal lines. In describing the formation of the clear ink layer 103 in the clear gloss printing process, Figure 11 shows the positional relationship in the front-to-rear direction between the carriage 20 and the printing object M when the Nth main scanning process of S267 shown in Figure 12 is completed.

[0097] In gloss printing mode, during the Nth main scanning process of S257 shown in FIG. 12, clear ink is ejected from the white clear head 52 to form a clear ink layer 103(N) on the color ink layer 102 on the printing target M. In gloss printing mode, during the main scanning processes of S257 and S267 shown in FIG. 12, the ultraviolet light LED 624 of the white clear right lamp 62 is turned off. Therefore, in gloss printing mode, ultraviolet light is not irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103(N) during the Nth main scanning process of S257 and S267 shown in FIG. 12. Therefore, in gloss printing mode, during the Nth main scanning process of S257 and S267, the clear ink layer 103(N) does not harden, and smoothing of the clear ink layer 103(N) progresses.

[0098] In the first embodiment, in the sub-scanning process of S272 shown in FIG. 12, the platen 5 shown in FIG. 2 moves from rear to front, that is, in the direction from the white clear head 52 to the color head 51. Therefore, ultraviolet light emitted from the color right lamp 61 during the Nth main scanning process of S257 shown in FIG. 12 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103(NK). This initiates curing of the clear ink layer 103(NK). Note that FIG. 11 shows an example where K=2. As a result of the above, the glossy printed matter 100B shown in FIG. 6 is created.

[0099] As described above, in gloss printing mode, the clear ink layer 103(N) is not irradiated with ultraviolet light during the Nth main scanning process of S257 and S267 shown in FIG. 12. Furthermore, during the N+Kth main scanning process of S257 shown in FIG. 12, ultraviolet light emitted from the color right lamp 61 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103(N). Therefore, the time until irradiation of the clear ink layer 103(N) is longer than the processing time of K sub-scanning processes of S272. Therefore, the clear ink layer 103 is cured in a relatively smoothed state. Therefore, in gloss printing mode, the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 6 has no unevenness or has smaller unevenness than the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the glossy printed matter 100B shown in FIG. 6 has a greater gloss than the matte printed matter 100A shown in FIG. 5.

[0100] As explained above, in the first embodiment, in gloss printing mode, the clear ink layer 103 is smoothed during the time from when it is formed on the printing object M until it is irradiated with ultraviolet light, that is, during the execution of the sub-scanning process of S272. For this reason, the printer 1A can secure the processing time of the sub-scanning process of S272 as the time from when the clear ink layer 103 is formed on the printing object M until it is smoothed. Therefore, in order to secure the time from when the clear ink layer 103 is formed on the printing object M until it is smoothed, the printer 1A does not need to position, for example, the white clear right lamp 62 at a position distant from the white clear head 52 in the main scanning direction (left-right direction). Therefore, the printer 1A can suppress an increase in the size of the entire device while Gloss Print ModeThe clear ink layer 103 can be smoothed in this manner.

[0101] During the main scanning process of S257 and S267, the white clear right lamp 62 is turned off. Therefore, the printer 1A can reliably smooth the clear ink layer 103 formed on the printing object M during the Nth main scanning process of S257 while the Nth main scanning process of S257 and S267 is being executed.

[0102] The color head 51 ejects color ink. The white clear head 52 ejects clear ink. Therefore, in gloss printing mode, the printer 1A can improve the glossiness of the printed image by smoothing the clear ink layer 103.

[0103] Ink is less likely to adhere to printing objects M such as plastic, metal, and ceramic than to general printing objects M such as cloth and paper. In the first embodiment, the ink is UV-curable, so the printer 1A can print on printing objects M on which ink is relatively less likely to adhere. Therefore, the printer 1A can diversify the materials of printing objects M.

[0104] The white clear head 52 also ejects white ink, so the printer 1A can form the white ink layer 101 as a base for the color ink layer 102. This allows the printer 1A to improve the color development of the color inks.

[0105] A printer 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. The printer 1B shown in FIG. 13 is an inkjet type UV printer, similar to the printer 1A shown in FIG. 1. The printer 1B differs from the printer 1A in that the relative positions of the color right lamp 61 and the white clear right lamp 62 in the vertical direction are different. The other mechanical and electrical configurations of the printer 1B are the same as those of the printer 1A. In the second embodiment, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same or corresponding reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0106] 13, the color right lamp 61 is disposed higher than the white-clear right lamp 62. Specifically, the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 are disposed at a position P3 that is higher than the vertical position P4 of the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 relative to the platen 5. In other words, the lower surface of the substrate 612 is positioned higher than the lower surface of the substrate 622. Therefore, the vertical distance L1 between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 is greater than the vertical distance L2 between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624. Hereinafter, the distances L1 and L2 will be collectively referred to as the "irradiation distance L."

[0107] The housing 611 is disposed at a position P5 that is further upward from the platen 5 than a vertical position P6 of the housing 621 relative to the platen 5. In other words, the facing surface 613 is positioned higher than the facing surface 623. Therefore, the vertical distance H1 between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the facing surface 613 is greater than the vertical distance H2 between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the facing surface 623. Hereinafter, the distance H1 and the distance H2 will be collectively referred to as the "facing distance H."

[0108] A glossy printed matter 100C and a glossy printed matter 100D will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 shows an example in which a white ink layer 101 and a color ink layer 102 are formed as ink layers 100 in the order of white ink layer 101, color ink layer 102, and clear ink layer 103, from the top surface of the printing object M upward. That is, in the glossy printed matter 100C shown in FIG. 15, the color ink layer 102 is the outermost layer. FIG. 16 shows an example in which a white ink layer 101, a color ink layer 102, and a clear ink layer 103 are formed as ink layers 100 in the order of white ink layer 101, color ink layer 102, and clear ink layer 103, from the top surface of the printing object M upward. That is, in the glossy printed matter 100D shown in FIG. 16, the clear ink layer 103 is the outermost layer. For example, the print data indicates whether or not to form the clear ink layer 103.

[0109] Both the glossy printed matter 100C shown in Fig. 15 and the glossy printed matter 100D shown in Fig. 16 are produced by curing the outermost layer (the color ink layer 102 in the glossy printed matter 100C, and the clear ink layer 103 in the glossy printed matter 100D) in a state where the smoothing of the outermost layer has progressed relatively well. For this reason, both the glossy printed matter 100C shown in Fig. 15 and the glossy printed matter 100D shown in Fig. 16 have a high gloss.

[0110] Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the area on the printing object M irradiated with ultraviolet light by the color right lamp 61 will be referred to as the "irradiation area D1," and the area on the printing object M irradiated with ultraviolet light by the white clear right lamp 62 will be referred to as the "irradiation area D2." The irradiation area D1 and the irradiation area D2 will be collectively referred to as the "irradiation area D." The front and rear ends of the irradiation area D are boundaries between the area irradiated with ultraviolet light and the area not irradiated with ultraviolet light. The illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the color right lamp 61 or the white clear right lamp 62 will be simply referred to as "illuminance." In the ink layer 100, the difference between the illuminance at the center of the irradiation area D in the front-to-back direction and the illuminance at both ends of the irradiation area D in the front-to-back direction will be referred to as the "illuminance difference."

[0111] If the illuminance difference is large, the ink layer 100 will cure faster in the center of the irradiation area D in the front-to-back direction than at both ends of the irradiation area D. In this case, particularly in the glossy printed matter 100C shown in FIG. 15 and the glossy printed matter 100D shown in FIG. 16, the outermost layer (the color ink layer 102 in the glossy printed matter 100C and the clear ink layer 103 in the glossy printed matter 100D) is smoothed, and shrinkage caused by curing of the outermost layer may cause streaks to form in the outermost layer at both ends of the irradiation area D in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, when producing the glossy printed matter 100C shown in FIG. 15 and the glossy printed matter 100D shown in FIG. 16, the printer 1B needs to reduce the illuminance difference to prevent streaks from forming in the outermost layer.

[0112] The illuminance difference varies depending on the irradiation distance L, the facing distance H, etc. For example, as the irradiation distance L or the facing distance H increases, the width of the irradiation area D in the front-to-back direction increases, and therefore the decrease in illuminance from the center of the irradiation area D in the front-to-back direction to both ends of the irradiation area D in the front-to-back direction becomes more gradual.

[0113] On the other hand, the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614, 624 is reflected by the ink layer 100 or the printing target M. When the ultraviolet light hits the nozzle surfaces 511, 521, the ink in the nozzles 513, 523 hardens, which may result in ink not being ejected. For this reason, for example, if the irradiation distance L and the opposing distance H are large, the reflected ultraviolet light is more likely to hit the nozzle surfaces 511, 521, increasing the likelihood of ink not being ejected.

[0114] In the second embodiment, the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 are disposed at a position P3 that is farther from the platen 5 in the up-down direction than a position P4 of the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 relative to the platen 5. Therefore, the irradiation distance L is greater for the colored right lamp 61 (distance L1) than for the clear white right lamp 62 (distance L2). Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the housing 611 is disposed at a position P5 that is farther from the platen 5 in the up-down direction than a position P6 of the housing 621 relative to the platen 5. Therefore, the opposing distance H is greater for the colored right lamp 61 (distance H1) than for the clear white right lamp 62 (distance H2).

[0115] As a result, the width of the irradiation area D in the front-to-rear direction is larger for the color right lamp 61 (irradiation area D1) than for the white clear right lamp 62 (irradiation area D2). Therefore, the illuminance difference is smaller when ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the color right lamp 61 than when ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the white clear right lamp 62. Therefore, the difference in the front-to-rear direction between the curing speed of the ink layer 100 at both ends of the irradiation area D and the curing speed of the ink layer 100 at the center of the irradiation area D is smaller when ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the color right lamp 61 than when ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the white clear right lamp 62. Therefore, streaky patterns are less likely to occur in the ink layer 100 at both ends of the irradiation area D in the front-to-rear direction when ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the color right lamp 61 than when ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the white clear right lamp 62.

[0116] On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the irradiation distance L and the opposing distance H are smaller for the white clear right lamp 62 than for the color right lamp 61. For this reason, the possibility of ink non-ejection occurring is lower when ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the white clear right lamp 62 than when ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the color right lamp 61.

[0117] By executing the main process described below, the printer 1B reduces the illuminance on the top layer in gloss printing mode. This allows the printer 1B to prevent streaks from appearing on the top layer. Furthermore, by executing the main process described below, the printer 1B irradiates ultraviolet light onto the white ink layer 101 from the white clear right lamp 62 in gloss printing mode. This allows the printer 1B to prevent ink non-ejection by the white clear head 52.

[0118] The main processing will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the second embodiment, when a print instruction is input in gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 reads out a control program from the ROM 42 and operates to execute the main processing shown in Fig. 14.

[0119] The following description will be given taking as an example the case of producing a glossy printed matter 100C shown in Fig. 15 or a glossy printed matter 100D shown in Fig. 16. At the start of the main processing shown in Fig. 14, it is assumed that the platen 5 is located in the set position shown in Fig. 1 and the carriage 20 is located in the standby position shown in Fig. 1.

[0120] When the main processing starts, the CPU 41 obtains print data specified by a print instruction from the flash memory 44 and stores it in the RAM 43 (S300). The CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 13 backward to the platen print start position (not shown) (S301). As described above, when the platen 5 is located at the platen print start position, the front end of the area (not shown) on the print target M shown in FIG. 13 where an image is to be printed is positioned behind the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 13. The CPU 41 controls the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection result from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 rightward from the standby position shown in FIG. 1 to the carriage print start position (S301). As described above, when the carriage 20 is positioned at the carriage printing start position, the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 shown in Figure 13 are positioned to the right of the right end of the area (not shown) of the printing object M shown in Figure 13 where the image is to be printed.

[0121] The CPU 41 performs white / color printing processing (S302). The white / color printing processing of S302 is the same as the white / color printing processing of S102 shown in Fig. 7. That is, in the white / color printing processing of S302, the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 shown in Figs. 15 and 16 are formed on the printing target M while the platen 5 moves forward from the platen printing start position.

[0122] The formation of the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 in the white / color printing process of S302 differs from the formation of the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 in the white / color printing process of S102 shown in FIG. 7 in that the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted from the right color lamp 61 is lower than that when ultraviolet light is emitted from the right clear white lamp 62. That is, the white ink layer 101 is irradiated with ultraviolet light at a relatively high illuminance from the right clear white lamp 62. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the white ink layer 101 is cured in an unsmoothed state or with relatively little smoothing. On the other hand, in the gloss printing mode, the color ink layer 102 is irradiated with ultraviolet light at a relatively low illuminance from the right color lamp 61. As a result, in the gloss printing mode, the color ink layer 102 is cured in a relatively smoothed state, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0123] The CPU 41 determines based on the print data whether or not to form the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 16 on the color ink layer 102 on the printing object M (S303). If the clear ink layer 103 is not to be formed (S303: NO), the CPU 41 ends the main processing. As a result, in the gloss printing mode, the glossy printed matter 100C shown in FIG. 15 is created.

[0124] When the clear ink layer 103 is to be formed (S303: YES), the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in Fig. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in Fig. 13 rearward to the platen printing start position (not shown) (S304). As described above, when the platen 5 is positioned at the platen printing start position, the front end of the area (not shown) of the printing target M shown in Fig. 13 where the image is to be printed is positioned rearward of the white clear head 52 shown in Fig. 13.

[0125] The CPU 41 performs a clear gloss printing process (S305). The clear gloss printing process of S305 is the same as the clear gloss printing process of S108 shown in FIG. 7. That is, in the clear gloss printing process of S305, the platen 5 moves forward from the platen printing start position, while the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 16 is formed on the printing target M. The CPU 41 then ends the main process. As a result, a glossy printed matter 100D shown in FIG. 16 is created in the gloss printing mode.

[0126] The formation mode of the clear ink layer 103 in the clear gloss printing process of S305 differs from the formation mode of the clear ink layer 103 in the clear gloss printing process shown in Fig. 7 in that the illuminance of the ultraviolet light irradiated from the color right side lamp 61 is lower than when ultraviolet light is irradiated from the white clear right side lamp 62. That is, in the gloss printing mode, in addition to the time until irradiation of the clear ink layer 103 is relatively long, the clear ink layer 103 is irradiated with ultraviolet light of relatively low illuminance from the color right side lamp 61, so that the clear ink layer 103 hardens in a state in which smoothing has progressed relatively far, as shown in Fig. 16.

[0127] As described above, in the second embodiment, the multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614 are disposed at position P3, which is farther from the platen 5 in the vertical direction than position P4, where the multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 624 are disposed relative to the platen 5. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the housing 611 is disposed at position P5, which is farther from the platen 5 in the vertical direction than position P6, where the housing 621 is disposed relative to the platen 5. In gloss printing mode, ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 from the right color lamp 61. Therefore, the printer 1B can smooth the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103. In other words, in the printer 1B, in order to ensure time from when the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 are formed on the printing target M until they are smoothed, it is not necessary to dispose, for example, the right color lamp 61 or the right white clear lamp 62 at a position farther from the color head 51 or the white clear head 52 in the main scanning direction (left-right direction), respectively. Therefore, the printer 1B can perform the following while suppressing an increase in the size of the entire device. Gloss Print Mode In this mode, the clear ink layer 103 can be smoothed. Furthermore, the difference in illuminance is smaller when ultraviolet light is irradiated from the color right lamp 61 than when ultraviolet light is irradiated from the white clear right lamp 62. In gloss printing mode, ultraviolet light is irradiated from the color right lamp 61 onto the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103. This allows the printer 1B to prevent streaks from appearing in the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103. Ultraviolet light is irradiated from the white clear right lamp 62 onto the white ink layer 101. This allows the printer 1B to prevent ink non-ejection by the white clear head 52.

[0128] A printer 1C according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 30. The printer 1C shown in FIG. 17 is an inkjet UV printer, similar to the printers 1A and 1B. The printer 1C differs from the printer 1B in that it further includes a color left lamp 63 and a white clear left lamp 64 shown in FIG. 19 in addition to a color right lamp 61 and a white clear right lamp 62. The other mechanical and electrical configurations of the printer 1C are the same as those of the printer 1B, respectively. In the third embodiment, components having the same functions as those in the second embodiment are designated by the same or corresponding reference numerals as those in the second embodiment, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0129] In Fig. 17, the colored left lamp 63 and the clear white left lamp 64 are hidden to the left of the colored right lamp 61 and the clear white right lamp 62, respectively. In Fig. 18, the clear white left lamp 64 is hidden behind the colored left lamp 63. In Fig. 18, the clear white right lamp 62, except for its lower part, is hidden behind the colored right lamp 61.

[0130] The color left lamp 63 and the white clear left lamp 64 shown in Figures 17 to 19 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in Figures 17 to 19, the color left lamp 63 and the white clear left lamp 64 are aligned with each other in the front-to-rear direction. The color left lamp 63 is aligned to the left of the color head 51. The white clear left lamp 64 is aligned to the left of the white clear head 52. The color left lamp 63 and the white clear left lamp 64 move left and right as the carriage 20 moves left and right.

[0131] The color left lamp 63 includes a housing 631, a substrate 632, and multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 634. The housing 631 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is fixed to the carriage 20. The lower end of the housing 631 opens downward and is exposed downward from the carriage 20. Hereinafter, the area surrounded by the lower end of the housing 631 will be referred to as the "facing surface 633." In other words, the facing surface 633 is the imaginary lower surface of the housing 631. The facing surface 633 is located above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 in the vertical direction.

[0132] The substrate 632 is provided inside the housing 631. The substrate 632 is rectangular when viewed from below, and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The substrate 632 is located above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 in the up-down direction. A plurality of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 634 are provided in a lattice pattern on the underside of the substrate 632. The plurality of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 634 emit ultraviolet light when turned on.

[0133] The white clear left lamp 64 includes a housing 641, a substrate 642, and multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 644. The housing 641 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is fixed to the carriage 20. The lower end of the housing 641 opens downward and is exposed downward from the carriage 20. Hereinafter, the area surrounded by the lower end of the housing 641 will be referred to as the "facing surface 643." In other words, the facing surface 643 is the imaginary lower surface of the housing 641. The facing surface 643 is located above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 in the vertical direction.

[0134] The substrate 642 is provided inside the housing 641. When viewed from below, the substrate 642 has a rectangular shape and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The substrate 642 is positioned above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 in the up-down direction. A plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 are provided in a lattice pattern on the underside of the substrate 642. The plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 emit ultraviolet light when lit. The color left lamp 63 and the white clear left lamp 64 irradiate ultraviolet light downward by turning on the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 and 644, respectively.

[0135] 17 and 18, the clear white right lamp 62, the colored left lamp 63, and the clear white left lamp 64 are arranged at the same position in the vertical direction. Specifically, the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624, 634, and 644 are arranged at the same position P8 in the vertical direction. That is, the lower surfaces of the boards 622, 632, and 642 are arranged at the same position P8 in the vertical direction. The housings 621, 631, and 641 are arranged at the same position P10 in the vertical direction. That is, the opposing surfaces 623, 633, and 643 are arranged at the same position P10 in the vertical direction.

[0136] The color right lamp 61 is disposed higher than the white clear right lamp 62, the color left lamp 63, and the white clear left lamp 64. Specifically, the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 are disposed at a position P7 above the platen 5, which is further away from the platen 5 than the vertical position P8 of the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624, 634, and 644 relative to the platen 5. In other words, the lower surface of the substrate 612 is disposed higher than the lower surfaces of the substrates 622, 632, and 642.

[0137] The housing 611 is disposed at a position P9 above the platen 5, which is further away from the platen 5 than a vertical position P10 of the housings 621, 631, and 641 relative to the platen 5. In other words, the facing surface 613 is disposed above all of the facing surfaces 623, 633, and 643.

[0138] The main processing will be described with reference to Fig. 20. In the third embodiment, when a print instruction is input, the CPU 41 reads out a control program from the ROM 42 and runs it to execute the main processing shown in Fig. 20.

[0139] The following description will be given taking as an example the case of producing a matte printed matter 100A shown in Fig. 5, a glossy printed matter 100C shown in Fig. 15, or a glossy printed matter 100D shown in Fig. 16. At the start of the main processing shown in Fig. 20, it is assumed that the platen 5 is located in the set position shown in Fig. 1, and the carriage 20 is located in the standby position shown in Fig. 1.

[0140] When the main processing starts, the CPU 41 obtains print data specified by a print instruction from the flash memory 44 and stores it in the RAM 43 (S400). The CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 17 rearward to the platen print start position (not shown) (S401). As described above, when the platen 5 is positioned at the platen print start position, the front end of the area (not shown) on the print target M shown in FIG. 17 where an image is to be printed is positioned rearward of the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 17. The CPU 41 controls the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection result from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 rightward from the standby position shown in FIG. 1 to the carriage print start position (S401). As described above, when the carriage 20 is positioned at the carriage print start position, the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 17 are positioned to the right of the right edge of the area (not shown) of the print object M shown in FIG. 17 where the image is to be printed. The CPU 41 performs white printing processing (S402). In the white printing processing, the white ink layer 101 shown in FIGS. 5, 15, and 16 is formed on the print object M while the platen 5 moves forward from the platen print start position.

[0141] The CPU 41 references the print mode setting in the flash memory 44 (S403). Based on the reference result, the CPU 41 determines whether the currently set print mode is the gloss print mode (S404). If the currently set print mode is the normal print mode (S404: NO), the CPU 41 performs a color normal print process (S405). In the color normal print process, the platen 5 moves backward, and a color ink layer 102 shown in FIG. 5 is formed on the white ink layer 101 on the printing object M.

[0142] The CPU 41 performs clear normal printing processing (S406). In the clear normal printing processing, the platen 5 moves forward, and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5 is formed on the color ink layer 102 on the printing object M. The CPU 41 then ends the main processing. As a result, the matte printed matter 100A shown in FIG. 5 is created in the normal printing mode.

[0143] If the currently set print mode is the gloss print mode (S404: YES), the CPU 41 performs color gloss print processing (S407). In the color gloss print processing, the platen 5 moves backward, and a color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is formed on the white ink layer 101 on the printing object M.

[0144] The CPU 41 determines based on the print data whether or not to form the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 16 on the color ink layer 102 on the printing object M (S408). If the clear ink layer 103 is not to be formed (S408: NO), the CPU 41 ends the main processing. As a result, in the gloss printing mode, the glossy printed matter 100C shown in FIG. 15 is created.

[0145] If the clear ink layer 103 is to be formed (S408: YES), the CPU 41 performs clear gloss printing processing (S409). In the clear gloss printing processing, the platen 5 moves forward, and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 16 is formed on the color ink layer 102 on the printing object M. The CPU 41 then ends the main processing. As a result, the glossy printed matter 100D shown in FIG. 16 is created in the gloss printing mode.

[0146] The white printing process will be described with reference to Figures 21 and 22. As shown in Figure 21, when the white printing process starts, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S421). The CPU 41 turns white ink "ON" (S422). The CPU 41 turns color ink "OFF" (S423). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S424). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "ON" (S425). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "OFF" (S426). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "OFF" (S427). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "OFF" (S428).

[0147] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S421 to S428 (S429). In the main scanning processing of S429, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4, and moves the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 18 from the right end of the printing area 10 to the left end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data, and causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 to eject white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 to stop ejecting clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 causes the color head 51 shown in FIG. 19 to stop ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 19 to irradiate ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 toward the printing target M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 is irradiated onto the white ink layer 101 shown in FIGS. 5, 15, and 16. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color right lamp 61 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing target M. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear left lamp 64 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing target M. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color left lamp 63 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing target M.

[0148] As shown in Fig. 22, the CPU 41 sets "forward" as the sub-scanning direction (S431). The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the setting in S431 (S432). In the sub-scanning processing of S432, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in Fig. 4, and moves the platen 5 shown in Fig. 17 forward. When the platen 5 has moved forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in Fig. 4.

[0149] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S441). The CPU 41 turns white ink "ON" (S442). The CPU 41 turns color ink "OFF" (S443). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S444). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "OFF" (S445). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "OFF" (S446). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "ON" (S447). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "OFF" (S448).

[0150] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S441 to S448 (S449). In the main scanning processing of S449, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4, and moves the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 18 from the left end of the printing area 10 to the right end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data, and causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 to eject white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 to stop ejecting clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 causes the color head 51 shown in FIG. 19 to stop ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to stop emitting ultraviolet light to the printing substrate M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color right lamp 61 to stop emitting ultraviolet light from the printing substrate M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear left lamp 64 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing substrate M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear left lamp 64 is irradiated onto the white ink layer 101 shown in FIGS. 5, 15, and 16. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color left lamp 63 to stop emitting ultraviolet light to the printing substrate M.

[0151] Based on the print data, the CPU 41 determines whether the formation of the white ink layer 101 has been completed on the entire area of ​​the printing target M shown in FIGS. 5, 15, and 16 where an image is to be printed (S450). If the formation of the white ink layer 101 on the area of ​​the printing target M shown in FIGS. 5, 15, and 16 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S450: NO), the CPU 41 sets the sub-scan direction to "forward" (S451). The CPU 41 performs sub-scan processing based on the setting in S451 (S452). In the sub-scan processing of S452, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scan motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 17 forward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 17 moves forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scan motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 proceeds to S421 shown in FIG. 21.

[0152] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process and the sub-scanning process until the formation of the white ink layer 101 is completed over the entire area on which an image is to be printed of the printing object M shown in Figures 5, 15, and 16. When the formation of the white ink layer 101 is completed over the entire area on which an image is to be printed of the printing object M shown in Figures 5, 15, and 16 (S450: YES), the CPU 41 returns the process to the main processing shown in Figure 20.

[0153] The manner in which the white ink layer 101 is formed in the white printing process of S402 will be described. The white ink layer 101 formed during the Nth main scanning process of S429 shown in Fig. 21 is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear right lamp 62 during the Nth main scanning process of S429 shown in Fig. 21. The white ink layer 101 formed during the Nth main scanning process of S449 shown in Fig. 22 is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear left lamp 64 during the Nth main scanning process of S449 shown in Fig. 22. In this way, the time until the white ink layer 101 is irradiated is relatively short.

[0154] Furthermore, both the clear white right lamp 62 and the clear white left lamp 64 are positioned below the color right lamp 61. For this reason, the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted from the clear white right lamp 62 or the clear white left lamp 64 is greater than when ultraviolet light is emitted from the color right lamp 61. Because the time until irradiation is relatively short and the illuminance is relatively high, as shown in Figure 5, the white ink layer 101 hardens in an unsmoothed state or with relatively little progress in smoothing.

[0155] The normal color printing process will be described with reference to Figures 23 and 24. As shown in Figure 23, when the normal color printing process starts, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S461). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S462). The CPU 41 turns color ink "ON" (S463). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S464). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "OFF" (S465). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "OFF" (S466). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "OFF" (S467). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "ON" (S468).

[0156] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S461 to S468 (S469). In the main scanning processing of S469, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4, and moves the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 18 from the left end of the printing area 10 to the right end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 from ejecting white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 from ejecting clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data, and causes the color head 51 shown in FIG. 19 to eject color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing substrate M. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color right lamp 61 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing substrate M. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear left lamp 64 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing substrate M. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color left lamp 63 to irradiate ultraviolet light onto the printing substrate M. The ultraviolet light from the color left lamp 63 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in FIG. 5.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 24, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S471). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S472). The CPU 41 turns color ink "OFF" (S473). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S474). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "OFF" (S475). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "OFF" (S476). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "OFF" (S477). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "ON" (S478).

[0158] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in steps S471 to S478 (S479). In the main scanning processing of step S479, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection result from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4, and moves the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 18 to the position of the carriage 20 in the printing area 10. Right edge from left side Print area 10 Left edge19 to the printing target M. During the movement control, in the discharge control, the CPU 41 causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 to stop discharging white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the discharge control, the CPU 41 causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 to stop discharging clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the discharge control, the CPU 41 causes the color head 51 shown in FIG. 19 to stop discharging color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to stop emitting ultraviolet light to the printing target M. During the movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color right lamp 61 to stop emitting ultraviolet light to the printing target M. During the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 shown in Fig. 19 and causes the white clear left lamp 64 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing object M. During the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in Fig. 19 and causes the color left lamp 63 to irradiate ultraviolet light onto the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the color left lamp 63 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in Fig. 5.

[0159] The CPU 41 determines, based on the print data, whether or not the formation of the color ink layer 102 has been completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIG. 5 where an image is to be printed (S480). If the formation of the color ink layer 102 on the area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIG. 5 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S480: NO), the CPU 41 sets the sub-scanning direction to "rearward" (S481). The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the setting in S481 (S482). In the sub-scanning processing of S482, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 17 rearward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 17 moves rearward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 proceeds to S461 shown in FIG. 23.

[0160] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process and the sub-scanning process until the formation of the color ink layer 102 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 5 where the image is to be printed. When the formation of the color ink layer 102 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 5 where the image is to be printed (S480: YES), the CPU 41 returns the process to the main process shown in Fig. 20.

[0161] The formation of the color ink layer 102 in the normal color printing process of S405 will be described. In the normal printing mode, the color ink layer 102 formed during the N-th main scanning process of S469 shown in FIG. 23 is Color left lamp 63 The color ink layer 102 formed during the Nth main scanning process of S479 shown in Fig. 24 is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the left color lamp 63 during the Nth main scanning process of S479 shown in Fig. 24. In this way, in the normal printing mode, the time until irradiation of the color ink layer 102 is relatively short.

[0162] Furthermore, the left color lamp 63 is positioned lower than the right color lamp 61. For this reason, the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted from the left color lamp 63 is greater than when ultraviolet light is emitted from the right color lamp 61. In the normal printing mode, the time until irradiation is relatively short and the illuminance is relatively high, so as shown in FIG. 5, the color ink layer 102 hardens in an unsmoothed state or with relatively little progress in smoothing.

[0163] The clear normal printing process will be described with reference to Figures 25 and 26. As shown in Figure 25, when the clear normal printing process is started, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S491). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S492). The CPU 41 turns color ink "OFF" (S493). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "ON" (S494). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "ON" (S495). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "OFF" (S496). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "OFF" (S497). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "OFF" (S498).

[0164] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S491 to S498 (S499). In the main scanning processing of S499, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4, and moves the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 18 from the right end of the printing area 10 to the left end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the ejection of white ink from the nozzle row 52W of the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data, and causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 to eject clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the ejection of color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K of the color head 51 shown in FIG. 19. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 19 to irradiate ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 toward the printing target M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color right lamp 61 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing target M. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear left lamp 64 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing target M. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color left lamp 63 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing target M.

[0165] As shown in Fig. 26, the CPU 41 sets "forward" as the sub-scanning direction (S501). The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the setting in S501 (S502). In the sub-scanning processing of S502, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in Fig. 4, and moves the platen 5 shown in Fig. 17 forward. When the platen 5 has moved forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in Fig. 4.

[0166] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S511). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S512). The CPU 41 turns color ink "OFF" (S513). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "ON" (S514). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "OFF" (S515). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "OFF" (S516). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "ON" (S517). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "OFF" (S518).

[0167] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S511 to S518 (S519). In the main scanning processing of S519, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 18 from the left end of the printing area 10 to the right end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 from ejecting white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data to eject clear ink from the nozzle row 52L of the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the color head 51 shown in FIG. 19 from ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to stop emitting ultraviolet light to the printing object M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color right lamp 61 to stop emitting ultraviolet light to the printing object M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear left lamp 64 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear left lamp 64 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color left lamp 63 to stop emitting ultraviolet light to the printing object M.

[0168] The CPU 41 determines, based on the print data, whether or not the formation of the clear ink layer 103 has been completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIG. 5 where an image is to be printed (S520). If the formation of the clear ink layer 103 on the area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIG. 5 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S520: NO), the CPU 41 sets the sub-scanning direction to "forward" (S521). The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the setting in S521 (S522). In the sub-scanning processing of S522, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 17 forward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 17 has moved forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 proceeds to S491 shown in FIG. 25.

[0169] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process and the sub-scanning process until the formation of the clear ink layer 103 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 5 where the image is to be printed. When the formation of the clear ink layer 103 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 5 where the image is to be printed (S520: YES), the CPU 41 returns the process to the main process shown in Fig. 20.

[0170] The formation of the clear ink layer 103 in the clear normal printing process of S406 will be described. In normal printing mode, the clear ink layer 103 formed during the Nth main scanning process of S499 shown in FIG. 25 is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear right lamp 62 during the Nth main scanning process of S499 shown in FIG. 25. The clear ink layer 103 formed during the Nth main scanning process of S519 shown in FIG. 26 is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear left lamp 64 during the Nth main scanning process of S519 shown in FIG. As such, in normal printing mode, the time until irradiation of the clear ink layer 103 is relatively short.

[0171] Furthermore, both the white clear right lamp 62 and the white clear left lamp 64 are positioned lower than the color right lamp 61. For this reason, the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear right lamp 62 or the white clear left lamp 64 is greater than when ultraviolet light is emitted from the color right lamp 61. In the normal printing mode, the time until irradiation is relatively short and the illuminance is relatively high, so as shown in FIG. 5, the clear ink layer 103 hardens in an unsmoothed state or with relatively little progress in smoothing.

[0172] The color gloss printing process will be described with reference to Figures 27 and 28. As shown in Figure 27, when the color gloss printing process is started, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S531). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S532). The CPU 41 turns color ink "ON" (S533). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S534). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "OFF" (S535). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "ON" (S536). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "OFF" (S537). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "OFF" (S538).

[0173] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S531 to S538 (S539). In the main scanning processing of S539, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 18 from the right end of the printing area 10 to the left end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the ejection of white ink from the nozzle row 52W of the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 based on the print data to eject clear ink from the nozzle row 52L of the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the ejection of color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K of the color head 51 shown in FIG. 19. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color right lamp 61 to irradiate ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. The ultraviolet light from the color right lamp 61 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear left lamp 64 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color left lamp 63 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 28, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S541). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S542). The CPU 41 turns color ink "OFF" (S543). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S544). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "OFF" (S545). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "ON" (S546). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "OFF" (S547). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "OFF" (S548).

[0175] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S541 to S548 (S549). In the main scanning processing of S549, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 18 from the left end of the printing area 10 to the right end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 from ejecting white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 from ejecting clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the color head 51 shown in FIG. 19 from ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color right lamp 61 to irradiate ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. The ultraviolet light from the color right lamp 61 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear left lamp 64 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color left lamp 63 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M.

[0176] The CPU 41 determines, based on the print data, whether or not the formation of the color ink layer 102 has been completed on the entire area of ​​the printing target M shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 where an image is to be printed (S550). If the formation of the color ink layer 102 on the area of ​​the printing target M shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S550: NO), the CPU 41 sets the sub-scanning direction to "rearward" (S551). The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the setting in S551 (S552). In the sub-scanning processing of S552, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 17 backward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 17 moves backward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 proceeds to S531 shown in FIG. 27.

[0177] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process and the sub-scanning process until the formation of the color ink layer 102 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Figures 15 and 16 where the image is to be printed. When the formation of the color ink layer 102 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Figures 15 and 16 where the image is to be printed (S550: YES), the CPU 41 returns the process to the main process shown in Figure 20.

[0178] The formation of the color ink layer 102 in the color gloss printing process of S407 will be described. The right color lamp 61 is disposed above the left color lamp 63. Therefore, the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted from the right color lamp 61 is higher than that when the ultraviolet light is emitted from the left color lamp 63. small In the gloss printing mode, the color ink layer 102 is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the right color lamp 61. Therefore, in the gloss printing mode, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the color ink layer 102 is cured in a state where it has become relatively smooth.

[0179] The clear gloss printing process will be described with reference to Figures 29 and 30. As shown in Figure 29, when the clear gloss printing process is started, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S561). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S562). The CPU 41 turns color ink "OFF" (S563). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "ON" (S564). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "OFF" (S565). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "ON" (S566). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "OFF" (S567). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "OFF" (S568).

[0180] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S561 to S568 (S569). In the main scanning processing of S569, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4, and moves the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 18 from the right end of the printing area 10 to the left end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 from ejecting white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data, and causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 to eject clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the color head 51 shown in FIG. 19 from ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color right lamp 61 to irradiate ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. The ultraviolet light from the color right lamp 61 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 16. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear left lamp 64 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color left lamp 63 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M.

[0181] As shown in Fig. 30, the CPU 41 sets "forward" as the sub-scanning direction (S571). The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the setting in S571 (S572). In the sub-scanning processing of S572, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in Fig. 4, and moves the platen 5 shown in Fig. 17 forward. When the platen 5 has moved forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in Fig. 4.

[0182] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S581). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S582). The CPU 41 turns color ink "OFF" (S583). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "ON" (S584). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "OFF" (S585). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "ON" (S586). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "OFF" (S587). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "OFF" (S588).

[0183] CPU41 is S 581 ~S 58819. During the main scanning process of S589, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4, and moves the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 18 from the left end of the printing area 10 to the right end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the ejection of white ink from the nozzle row 52W of the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data, and causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 19 to eject clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the ejection of color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K of the color head 51 shown in FIG. 19. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to stop emitting ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color right lamp 61 to irradiate ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. The ultraviolet light from the color right lamp 61 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 16. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the white clear left lamp 64 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in FIG. 19 to cause the color left lamp 63 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing medium M.

[0184] The CPU 41 determines, based on the print data, whether or not the formation of the clear ink layer 103 has been completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIG. 16 where an image is to be printed (S590). If the formation of the clear ink layer 103 on the area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIG. 16 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S590: NO), the CPU 41 sets the sub-scanning direction to "forward" (S591). The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the setting in S591 (S592). In the sub-scanning processing of S592, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 17 forward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 17 has moved forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 proceeds to S561 shown in FIG. 29.

[0185] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process and the sub-scanning process until the formation of the clear ink layer 103 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 16 where the image is to be printed. When the formation of the clear ink layer 103 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 16 where the image is to be printed (S590: YES), the CPU 41 returns the process to the main process shown in Fig. 20.

[0186] The manner in which the clear ink layer 103 is formed in the clear gloss printing process of S409 will be described. Similar to the manner in which the clear ink layer 103 is formed in the clear gloss printing process of S305, in the gloss printing mode, the time until irradiation of the clear ink layer 103 is relatively long, and in addition, the clear ink layer 103 is irradiated with ultraviolet light of relatively low illuminance from the color right lamp 61. Therefore, in the gloss printing mode, as shown in FIG. 16, the clear ink layer 103 hardens in a state in which smoothing has progressed relatively well.

[0187] As described above, in the third embodiment, the right color lamp 61 is positioned farther from the platen 5 in the up-down direction than the multiple left color lamps 63 relative to the platen 5. Therefore, the illuminance of ultraviolet light emitted from the right color lamp 61 is lower than that of ultraviolet light emitted from the left color lamp 63. In gloss printing mode, when the main scanning direction is set to "left," ultraviolet light is emitted from the right color lamp 61 onto the color ink layer 102 during the main scanning process. Therefore, the printer 1C can smooth the color ink layer 102 in the gloss printing mode. In normal printing mode, when the main scanning direction is set to "right," ultraviolet light is emitted from the left color lamp 63 onto the color ink layer 102 during the main scanning process. Therefore, in normal printing mode, the printer 1C can cure the color ink layer 102 in an unsmoothed state or in a state where smoothing has not progressed significantly.

[0188] The printer 1C is equipped with a white clear left lamp 64. Therefore, the printer 1C turns on the white ink when the main scanning direction is set to "right" as well as when the main scanning direction is set to "left." Main scanning processing So-called bidirectional printing can be performed.

[0189] A printer 1D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 34. The printer 1D shown in FIG. 31 is an inkjet UV printer, similar to the printers 1A, 1B, and 1C. The printer 1D differs from the printer 1C in that the positional relationship between the left color lamp 63 and the right color lamp 61 in the vertical direction is different. The other mechanical and electrical configurations of the printer 1D are the same as those of the printer 1C, respectively. In the fourth embodiment, components having the same functions as those in the third embodiment are designated by the same or corresponding reference numerals as those in the third embodiment, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0190] In Figure 31, the white clear right lamp 62 is hidden behind the colored right lamp 61 except for its lower part. In Figure 31, the white clear left lamp 64 is hidden behind the colored left lamp 63 except for its lower part.

[0191] As shown in FIG. 31 , the color right lamp 61 and the color left lamp 63 are disposed at the same position in the vertical direction. Specifically, the multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614, 634 are disposed at the same position P11 in the vertical direction. That is, the lower surfaces of the boards 612 and 632 are disposed at the same position P11 in the vertical direction. The housings 611, 631 are disposed at the same position P12 in the vertical direction. That is, the opposing surfaces 613, 633 are disposed at the same position P12 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the color right lamp 61 and the color left lamp 63 are both disposed above the white-clear right lamp 62 and the white-clear left lamp 64.

[0192] The main processing will be described with reference to Fig. 32. In the fourth embodiment, when a print instruction is input in gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 reads out a control program from the ROM 42 and operates it to execute the main processing shown in Fig. 32.

[0193] The following description will be given taking as an example the case of producing the glossy printed matter 100C shown in Fig. 15 or the glossy printed matter 100D shown in Fig. 16. At the start of the main processing shown in Fig. 32, it is assumed that the platen 5 is located in the set position shown in Fig. 1 and the carriage 20 is located in the standby position shown in Fig. 1.

[0194] When the main processing starts, the CPU 41 obtains print data specified by a print instruction from the flash memory 44 and stores it in the RAM 43 (S600). The CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 31 backward to the platen print start position (not shown) (S601). As described above, when the platen 5 is located at the platen print start position, the front end of the area (not shown) on the print target M shown in FIG. 31 where an image is to be printed is positioned behind the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 31. The CPU 41 controls the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection result from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 rightward from the standby position shown in FIG. 1 to the carriage print start position (S601). As described above, when the carriage 20 is positioned at the carriage printing start position, the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 shown in Figure 31 are positioned to the right of the right end of the area (not shown) of the printing object M shown in Figure 31 where the image is to be printed.

[0195] The CPU 41 performs white / color printing processing (S602). In the white / color printing processing of S602, the platen 5 moves forward from the platen printing start position, and a white ink layer 101 and a color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are formed on the printing target M.

[0196] The CPU 41 determines based on the print data whether or not to form the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 16 on the color ink layer 102 on the printing object M (S603). If the clear ink layer 103 is not to be formed (S603: NO), the CPU 41 ends the main processing. As a result, in the gloss printing mode, the glossy printed matter 100C shown in FIG. 15 is created.

[0197] When the clear ink layer 103 is to be formed (S603: YES), the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in Fig. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in Fig. 31 rearward to the platen printing start position (not shown) (S604). As described above, when the platen 5 is positioned at the platen printing start position, the front end of the area (not shown) of the printing target M shown in Fig. 31 where the image is to be printed is positioned rearward of the white clear head 52 shown in Fig. 31.

[0198] The CPU 41 performs a clear gloss printing process (S605). The clear gloss printing process of S605 is the same as the clear gloss printing process of S409 shown in FIG. 20. That is, in the clear gloss printing process of S605, the platen 5 moves forward from the platen printing start position, while the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 16 is formed on the printing target M. The CPU 41 then ends the main process. As a result, the glossy printed matter 100D shown in FIG. 16 is created in the gloss printing mode.

[0199] The formation mode of the clear ink layer 103 in the clear gloss printing process of S605 is the same as the formation mode of the clear ink layer 103 in the clear gloss printing process of S409 shown in Fig. 20. That is, in addition to the time until irradiation of the clear ink layer 103 is relatively long, the clear ink layer 103 is irradiated with ultraviolet light of relatively low illuminance from the color right lamp 61. Therefore, in the gloss printing mode, the clear ink layer 103 is cured in a state where it has become relatively smooth, as shown in Fig. 16.

[0200] The white / color printing process (S602) will be described with reference to Figures 33 and 34. As shown in Figure 33, when the white / color printing process starts, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S611). The CPU 41 turns white ink "ON" (S612). The CPU 41 turns color ink "ON" (S613). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S614). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "ON" (S615). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "ON" (S616). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "OFF" (S617). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "OFF" (S618).

[0201] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S611 to S618 (S619). In the main scanning processing of S619, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 31 from the right end of the printing area 10 to the left end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data to cause the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 31 to eject white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the ejection of clear ink from the nozzle row 52L of the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 31. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data to cause the color head 51 shown in FIG. 31 to eject color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 to irradiate ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 toward the printing target M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 is irradiated onto the white ink layer 101 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 31 to irradiate ultraviolet light from the color right lamp 61 toward the printing target M. The ultraviolet light from the color right lamp 61 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644 to cause the white clear left lamp 64 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing target M. During the execution of movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in FIG. 31 to cause the color left lamp 63 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing target M.

[0202] As shown in Fig. 34, the CPU 41 sets "forward" as the sub-scanning direction (S621). The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the setting in S621 (S622). In the sub-scanning processing of S622, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in Fig. 4, and moves the platen 5 shown in Fig. 31 forward. When the platen 5 has moved forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in Fig. 4.

[0203] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S631). The CPU 41 turns white ink "ON" (S632). The CPU 41 turns color ink "ON" (S633). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S634). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "OFF" (S635). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "OFF" (S636). The CPU 41 turns the white clear left lamp 64 "ON" (S637). The CPU 41 turns the color left lamp 63 "ON" (S638).

[0204] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in steps S631 to S638 (S639). In the main scanning processing of step S639, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 31 from the left end of the printing area 10 to the right end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the head driver 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data to cause the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 31 to eject white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 31 from ejecting clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the head driver 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data to cause the color head 51 shown in FIG. 31 to eject color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624, causing the white clear right lamp 62 to stop emitting ultraviolet light to the printing substrate M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 31, causing the color right lamp 61 to stop emitting ultraviolet light from the printing substrate M. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 644, causing the white clear left lamp 64 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing substrate M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear left lamp 64 is irradiated onto the white ink layer 101 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. During movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 634 shown in FIG. 31, causing the color left lamp 63 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing substrate M. The ultraviolet light from the color left lamp 63 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0205] Based on the print data, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the formation of both the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 has been completed over the entire area of ​​the printing target M shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 where an image is to be printed (S640). If the formation of either the white ink layer 101 or the color ink layer 102 over the area of ​​the printing target M shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S640: NO), the CPU 41 sets the sub-scan direction to "forward" (S641). The CPU 41 performs sub-scan processing based on the setting in S641 (S642). In the sub-scan processing of S642, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scan motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 31 forward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 31 moves forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scan motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 proceeds to S611 shown in FIG. 33.

[0206] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process and the sub-scanning process until the formation of both the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 is completed over the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Figures 15 and 16 where an image is to be printed. When the formation of both the white ink layer 101 and the color ink layer 102 is completed over the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Figures 15 and 16 where an image is to be printed (S640: YES), the CPU 41 returns the process to the main processing shown in Figure 32.

[0207] S602 White / color printing process The manner in which the white ink layer 101 is formed will now be described. The white ink layer 101 is irradiated with ultraviolet light of relatively high illuminance from the white clear right lamp 62 or the white clear left lamp 64. Therefore, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the white ink layer 101 is cured in an unsmoothed state or with the smoothing not having progressed much. On the other hand, the color ink layer 102 is irradiated with ultraviolet light of relatively low illuminance from the color right lamp 61 or the color left lamp 63. Therefore, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the color ink layer 102 is cured in a state in which the smoothing has progressed relatively.

[0208] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the color right lamp 61 and the color left lamp 63 are arranged at the same positions in the up-down direction. Therefore, in the gloss printing mode, the clear ink is turned on when the main scanning direction is set to "right" as well as when the main scanning direction is set to "left." Main scanning processing So-called bidirectional printing can be performed.

[0209] Hereinafter, when the first, second, and third embodiments are collectively referred to or when none of them is specified, they will be referred to as "the above-mentioned embodiments." The present invention can be modified in various ways from the above-mentioned embodiments. The various modifications described below can be combined with each other as long as no contradictions arise.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 35 , in the above-described embodiment, the multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614 and the multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 624 may be arranged at the same vertical position P13, and the housing 611 may be arranged at a position P15 above the platen 5, which is further away from the platen 5 than the vertical position P14 of the housing 621 relative to the platen 5. In this case, the difference in illuminance is smaller when ultraviolet light is emitted from the color right lamp 61 than when ultraviolet light is emitted from the white clear right lamp 62. This allows the printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D to prevent streaky patterns from appearing in the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 in gloss printing mode. The white clear right lamp 62 irradiates ultraviolet light onto the white ink layer 101. This allows the printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D to prevent ink mis-ejection by the white clear head 52.

[0211] In the above-described embodiment, ultraviolet light may be irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 from the white clear right lamp 62 or the white clear left lamp 64. For example, in the first embodiment, the CPU 41 may not form the color ink layer 102 in the white / color printing process of S102, and may execute the color gloss printing process shown in FIG. 36 in the gloss printing mode before the clear gloss printing process of S108 or instead of the clear gloss printing process of S108.

[0212] As shown in Figure 36, when the color gloss printing process is started, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S711). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S712). The CPU 41 turns color ink "ON" (S713). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S714). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right lamp 62 "ON" (S715). The CPU 41 turns the color right lamp 61 "OFF" (S716).

[0213] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S711 to S716 (S717). In the main scanning processing of S717, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4, and moves the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 1 from the right end of the printing area 10 to the left. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 from ejecting white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3 from ejecting clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data, and causes the color head 51 shown in FIG. 3 to eject color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 2 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102. During the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 2 to cause the color right lamp 61 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light toward the printing object M.

[0214] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S721). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S722). The CPU 41 turns color ink "OFF" (S723). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S724). The CPU 41 turns the white clear right side lamp 62 "ON" (S725). The CPU 41 turns the color right side lamp 61 "OFF" (S726).

[0215] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S721 to S726 (S727). In the main scanning processing of S727, in the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 shown in FIG. 4 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 1 from the left end of the printing area 10 to the right end of the printing area 10. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3 to stop ejecting white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 causes the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3 to stop ejecting clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 causes the color head 51 shown in FIG. 3 to stop ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 shown in FIG. 2 to cause the white clear right lamp 62 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102. During the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns off the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 2 to cause the color right lamp 61 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light toward the printing object M.

[0216] Based on the print data, the CPU 41 determines whether the formation of the color ink layer 102 has been completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed (S728). If the formation of the color ink layer 102 on the area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S728: NO), the CPU 41 sets the sub-scan direction to "rearward" (S731). The CPU 41 performs sub-scan processing based on the setting in S731 (S732). In the sub-scan processing of S732, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scan motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 4 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 2 backward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 2 has moved backward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scan motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 proceeds to S711.

[0217] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process and the sub-scanning process until the formation of the color ink layer 102 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Figures 5 and 6 where the image is to be printed. When the formation of the color ink layer 102 is completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Figures 5 and 6 where the image is to be printed (S728: YES), the CPU 41 returns the process to the main process shown in Figure 7.

[0218] The formation of the color ink layer 102 in the color gloss printing process shown in Figure 36 will be described. The color ink layer 102 formed by the Nth main scanning process in S717 is not irradiated with ultraviolet light from the color right lamp 61 by the Nth main scanning process in S717, but is irradiated with ultraviolet light from the white clear right lamp 62 by the (N+K)th main scanning process in S717. For this reason, in the gloss printing mode, the time until irradiation of the color ink layer 102 is relatively long. Therefore, in the gloss printing mode, the color ink layer 102 is cured in a state where it has been smoothed relatively well. Therefore, the printer 1A can create the glossy printed matter 100C shown in Figure 15 without forming the clear ink layer 103.

[0219] In the above embodiment, the color right lamp 61 and the clear white right lamp 62 may be configured as a single lamp 60 as shown in FIG. 37. As shown in FIG. 37, the lamp 60 includes a housing 601 instead of housings 611 and 621. The housing 601 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is fixed to the carriage 20. The lower end of the housing 601 opens downward and is exposed downward from the carriage 20. The lamp 60 includes a board 602 instead of boards 612 and 622. The board 602 is provided inside the housing 601. The board 602 has a rectangular shape when viewed from below and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The board 602 is located above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 in the up-down direction. The multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614 and the multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 624 are both provided on the underside of the board 602. The color left lamp 63 and the clear white left lamp 64 may also be configured as a single lamp.

[0220] According to the above modification, the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 and the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 are provided on a single substrate 602. That is, both the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 and the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 are fixed to a single housing 601. Therefore, in the printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, it is easier to maintain a constant vertical distance between the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 and the platen 5 relative to the distance between the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 and the platen 5, compared to when the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 and the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 are fixed to different housings. Therefore, the printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D can easily stabilize the illuminance of the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 and the illuminance of the light from the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624.

[0221] In the above-described embodiment, the printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may employ other mechanisms as the mechanism for moving the platen 5 in the front-to-rear direction and the mechanism for moving the carriage 20 in the left-to-right direction. For example, the printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may use cylinders or the like instead of motors to move various components such as the platen 5 and carriage 20. The printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may also be configured to move the platen 5 in the left-to-right direction relative to the carriage 20.

[0222] In the above-described embodiments, printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may use ink that hardens when exposed to light, such as visible light or infrared light. In this case, the right color lamp 61, the right white clear lamp 62, the left color lamp 63, and the left white clear lamp 64 emit visible light or infrared light. The right color lamp 61, the right white clear lamp 62, the left color lamp 63, and the left white clear lamp 64 may be incandescent lamps, mercury lamps, fluorescent lamps, or the like.

[0223] In the above embodiment, the printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may omit forming some of the white ink layer 101, color ink layer 102, and clear ink layer 103 in either or both of the normal printing mode and gloss printing mode. For example, the printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may omit forming the white ink layer 101. The printers 1A and 1C may omit forming the clear ink layer 103 in the normal printing mode.

[0224] In the fourth embodiment, in the clear gloss printing process, it is sufficient that the clear ink is turned "ON" when at least one of the left and right directions is set as the main scanning direction, and it is sufficient that at least one of the color right lamp 61 and the color left lamp 63 is turned "ON" when at least one of the left and right directions is set as the main scanning direction. For example, the following patterns 1 to 4 are possible.

[0225] Pattern 1 will now be described. When either the left or right direction is set as the main scanning direction, the clear ink turns "ON", the right color lamp 61 turns "ON", and the left color lamp 63 turns "ON", and when the other of the left or right directions is set as the main scanning direction, the clear ink turns "ON", the right color lamp 61 turns "ON", and the left color lamp 63 turns "ON".

[0226] Pattern 2 will now be described. When either the left or right direction is set as the main scanning direction, the clear ink is turned "ON", the right color lamp 61 is turned "ON", and the left color lamp 63 is turned "OFF", and when the other of the left or right directions is set as the main scanning direction, the clear ink is turned "ON", the right color lamp 61 is turned "OFF", and the left color lamp 63 is turned "ON".

[0227] Pattern 3 will now be described. When either the left or right direction is set as the main scanning direction, the clear ink is turned "ON", the right color lamp 61 is turned "ON", and the left color lamp 63 is turned "ON", and when the other of the left or right directions is set as the main scanning direction, the clear ink is turned "ON", the right color lamp 61 is turned "OFF", and the left color lamp 63 is turned "ON".

[0228] Pattern 4 will now be described. When either the left or right direction is set as the main scanning direction, the clear ink is turned "ON", the right color lamp 61 is turned "ON", and the left color lamp 63 is turned "OFF", and when the other of the left or right directions is set as the main scanning direction, the clear ink is turned "ON", the right color lamp 61 is turned "ON", and the left color lamp 63 is turned "ON". Note that the fourth embodiment can be modified in various ways other than patterns 1 to 4 above.

[0229] In the above embodiments, the printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may form the white ink layer 101 while moving the platen 5 either backward or forward in the sub-scanning direction. The printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may form the color ink layer 102 while moving the platen 5 either backward or forward in the sub-scanning direction. In the second, third, and fourth embodiments, the printers 1B, 1C, and 1D may form the clear ink layer 103 while moving the platen 5 either backward or forward in the sub-scanning direction.

[0230] In the above-described embodiments, the printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may appropriately change the types and number of colors of ink ejected by the color head 51 and the white clear head 52. For example, the color head 51 may eject white ink or clear ink in addition to color inks. For example, the printers 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D may include three or more heads, such as a head that ejects color inks, a head that ejects white ink, and a head that ejects clear ink.

[0231] In the above embodiment, in the color right lamp 61, the substrate 612 and the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 may be provided outside the housing 611. For example, the substrate 612 may be provided at the lower end of the housing 611, and the lower surface of the substrate 612 may be located lower than the opposing surface 613. The white clear right lamp 62, the color left lamp 63, and the white clear left lamp 64 may also be modified in the same way as the color right lamp 61.

[0232] In the above embodiment, the housing 611 of the color right lamp 61 may be omitted. In other words, the circuit board 612 may be exposed in the vertical, horizontal, and front-to-back directions. The white-clear right lamp 62, the color left lamp 63, and the white-clear left lamp 64 may also be modified in the same way as the color right lamp 61.

[0233] In the above embodiment, the setting to turn on during main scanning processing may mean that at least one of the multiple ultraviolet LEDs is turned on constantly or at a predetermined timing. The number of ultraviolet LEDs 614 may be one instead of multiple. Similarly, the number of ultraviolet LEDs 624, 634, and 644 may each be one.

[0234] In the above embodiment, when the color right lamp 61 is turned "OFF," the ultraviolet light LED 614 does not have to be completely turned off. Similarly, when the white clear right lamp 62, the color left lamp 63, and the white clear left lamp 64 are turned "OFF," the ultraviolet light LEDs 624, 634, and 644 do not have to be completely turned off. For example, in the main scanning process of S257, the white clear right lamp 62 may light up the multiple ultraviolet light LEDs 624 with a luminous intensity sufficient to progress the smoothing of the clear ink layer 103.

[0235] In the above-described embodiments, the white clear right lamp 62 may be disposed higher than the color right lamp 61. In this case, in gloss printing mode, the time until irradiation is longer, but the clear ink layer 103 is irradiated with ultraviolet light from the color right lamp 61 at a relatively high illuminance. In the second, third, and fourth embodiments, the color right lamp 61 and the white clear right lamp 62 may be disposed at the same position relative to one another in the vertical direction. In the fourth embodiment, the color right lamp 61, the white clear right lamp 62, the color left lamp 63, and the white clear left lamp 64 may all be disposed at the same position relative to one another in the vertical direction.

[0236] In the first embodiment, the CPU 41 may determine, as the process of S104, whether the currently set print mode is the gloss print mode before the white / color print process (S102). In this case, the CPU 41 may perform a different white / color print process (S102) depending on the determination result. In the third embodiment, the CPU 41 may determine, as the process of S404, whether the currently set print mode is the gloss print mode before the white print process (S402). In this case, the CPU 41 may perform a different white print process (S402) depending on the determination result.

[0237] In the above embodiment, the platen 5 corresponds to the "platen" of the present invention. For example, the color head 51 corresponds to the "first head" of the present invention. White Clear Head 52 corresponds to the "second head" of the present invention. For example, the color right lamp 61 corresponds to the "first lamp" of the present invention. For example, the white clear right lamp 62 corresponds to the "second lamp" of the present invention. For example, the color left lamp 63 corresponds to the "third lamp" of the present invention. For example, the white clear left lamp 64 corresponds to the "fourth lamp" of the present invention. The CPU 41 corresponds to the "controller" of the present invention. The up and down direction corresponds to the "height direction" of the present invention. The main scanning process corresponds to the "first movement process" of the present invention. The sub-scanning process corresponds to the "second movement process" of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0238] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D printers 5 Platen 41 CPU 51 Color Head 52 White Clear Head 60 Lamp 61 Color right lamp 62 White clear right lamp 63 Color left lamp 64 White clear left lamp 601, 611, 621 housing 614, 624 Ultraviolet light-emitting diode

Claims

1. a platen on which an object to be printed is placed; a first head that ejects a photocurable first ink onto the printing object; a second head aligned with the first head in the sub-scanning direction and configured to eject a photo-curable second ink onto the printing object; a first lamp that is aligned with the first head in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction and that irradiates light onto the printing object; a second lamp aligned with the second head in the main scanning direction and configured to irradiate light onto the printing object; Controller and Equipped with The controller a first movement process of moving the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp relative to the platen in the main scanning direction; a second movement process of moving the platen relatively to the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp in a direction from the second head toward the first head in the sub-scanning direction; Repeatedly execute In a gloss printing mode, the controller a gloss ejection process in which the second ink is ejected from the second head onto the printing object during the first movement process; a gross irradiation process in which, after the execution of the gloss ejection process and the second movement process, the second ink ejected onto the printing object is irradiated with light from the first lamp during the execution of the first movement process; Run the first head ejects a clear ink as the first ink, the clear ink having higher light transmittance than the color inks; The printer is characterized in that the second head ejects the color ink as the second ink.

2. the first lamp includes a first light source; the second lamp includes a second light source; 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first light source is disposed at a position farther from the platen than the second light source is disposed relative to the platen in a height direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

3. the first lamp includes a first housing in which the first light source is provided; the second lamp includes a second housing in which the second light source is provided, The printer according to claim 2 , wherein the first housing is disposed at a position farther from the platen in the height direction than the second housing is disposed relative to the platen.

4. a platen on which an object to be printed is placed; a first head that ejects a photocurable first ink onto the printing object; a second head aligned with the first head in the sub-scanning direction and configured to eject a second photo-curable ink onto the printing object; a first lamp that is aligned with the first head in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction and that irradiates light onto the printing object; a second lamp aligned with the second head in the main scanning direction and configured to irradiate light onto the printing object; Controller and Equipped with the first lamp is disposed at a position farther from the platen than a position of the second lamp with respect to the platen in a height direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, The controller performing a first movement process of moving the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp relative to the platen in the main scanning direction; In a gloss printing mode, the controller a gloss ejection process in which the first ink is ejected from the first head onto the printing object during the first movement process; a gloss irradiation process in which the first ink ejected onto the printing object is irradiated with light from the first lamp during the first movement process; Run the first head ejects a clear ink as the first ink, the clear ink having higher light transmittance than the color inks; The printer is characterized in that the second head ejects the color ink as the second ink.

5. a third lamp that is provided on the opposite side of the first lamp with respect to the first head in the main scanning direction and that irradiates light onto the printing object; the first lamp and the third lamp are disposed at the same position as each other in the height direction, The controller In the first movement process, a forward path process in which the first head, the second head, the first lamp, the second lamp, and the third lamp are moved relative to the platen in one direction in the main scanning direction; a return path process for moving the first head, the second head, the first lamp, the second lamp, and the third lamp relative to the platen in the other direction in the main scanning direction; The controller, in the gross irradiation process, a first gloss irradiation process in which the first ink ejected onto the printing object is irradiated with light from the first lamp during execution of one or both of the forward pass process and the return pass process; 5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein after the forward process and / or the return process is performed, a second gloss irradiation process is performed in which the printing object is irradiated with light from the third lamp.

6. a third lamp that is provided on the opposite side of the first lamp with respect to the first head in the main scanning direction and that irradiates light onto the printing object; the first lamp is disposed at a position farther from the platen in the height direction than a position of the third lamp relative to the platen, The controller In the first movement process, a forward path process of moving the first head, the second head, the first lamp, the second lamp, and the third lamp relative to the platen in a direction from the first lamp toward the third lamp in the main scanning direction; a return path process in which the first head, the second head, the first lamp, the second lamp, and the third lamp are moved relative to the platen in a direction from the third lamp toward the first lamp in the main scanning direction; Run In the gloss printing mode, the controller The gross ejection process and the gross irradiation process are performed during the execution of the forward process, The controller, in a normal printing mode different from the gloss printing mode, a normal ejection process in which the first ink is ejected from the first head onto the printing object during the return process; 5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein a normal irradiation process is performed in which the third lamp irradiates the printing object with light while the return process is being performed.

7. 7. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth lamp that is disposed opposite the second lamp with respect to the second head in the main scanning direction and that irradiates light onto the printing object.

8. a platen on which an object to be printed is placed; a first head that ejects a photocurable first ink onto the printing object; a second head aligned with the first head in the sub-scanning direction and configured to eject a photo-curable second ink onto the printing object; a first lamp that is aligned with the first head in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction and that irradiates light onto the printing object; a second lamp aligned with the second head in the main scanning direction and configured to irradiate light onto the printing object; Controller and Equipped with The first lamp is The first light source, a first housing that houses the first light source and has a first opposing surface that faces the platen in a height direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction; The second lamp is A second light source; a second housing that houses the second light source and has a second opposing surface that faces the platen in the height direction; the first light source and the second light source are disposed at the same position in the height direction, the first opposing surface is disposed at a position farther from the platen in the height direction than a position of the second opposing surface relative to the platen, The controller performing a first movement process of moving the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp relative to the platen in the main scanning direction; In a gloss printing mode, the controller a gloss ejection process in which the first ink is ejected from the first head onto the printing object during the first movement process; a gloss irradiation process in which the first ink ejected onto the printing object is irradiated with light from the first lamp during the first movement process; Run the first head ejects a clear ink as the first ink, the clear ink having higher light transmittance than the color inks; The printer is characterized in that the second head ejects the color ink as the second ink.

9. In the gloss printing mode, the controller 9. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first lamp is caused to irradiate the printing object with light, and the second lamp is turned off.

10. 10. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first lamp and the second lamp are configured as a single irradiation device.

11. the first head ejects the first ink, which is ultraviolet curable; the second head ejects the second ink, which is ultraviolet curable; 11. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first lamp and the second lamp emit ultraviolet light.

12. 12. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the second head further ejects white ink as a third ink.

13. a platen on which an object to be printed is placed; a first head that ejects a photocurable first ink onto the printing object; a second head aligned with the first head in the sub-scanning direction and configured to eject a second photo-curable ink onto the printing object; a first lamp that is aligned with the first head in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction and that irradiates light onto the printing object; a second lamp that is aligned with the second head in the main scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object; A method for controlling a printer comprising: a first movement process of moving the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp relative to the platen in the main scanning direction; a second movement process of moving the platen relatively to the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp in a direction from the second head toward the first head in the sub-scanning direction; Repeatedly execute In gloss printing mode, a gloss ejection process in which the second ink is ejected from the second head onto the printing object during the first movement process; a gross irradiation process in which, after the execution of the gloss ejection process and the second movement process, the second ink ejected onto the printing object is irradiated with light from the first lamp during the execution of the first movement process; Run the first head ejects a clear ink as the first ink, the clear ink having higher light transmittance than the color inks; The control method is characterized in that the second head ejects the color ink as the second ink.

14. a platen on which an object to be printed is placed; a first head that ejects a photocurable first ink onto the printing object; a second head aligned with the first head in the sub-scanning direction and configured to eject a second photo-curable ink onto the printing object; a first lamp that is aligned with the first head in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction and that irradiates light onto the printing object; a second lamp that is aligned with the second head in the main scanning direction and irradiates light onto the printing object; A controller of a printer having a first movement process of moving the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp relative to the platen in the main scanning direction; a second movement process of moving the platen relatively to the first head, the second head, the first lamp, and the second lamp in a direction from the second head toward the first head in the sub-scanning direction; Repeatedly execute In gloss printing mode, a gloss ejection process in which the second ink is ejected from the second head onto the printing object during the first movement process; a gross irradiation process in which, after the execution of the gloss ejection process and the second movement process, the second ink ejected onto the printing object is irradiated with light from the first lamp during the execution of the first movement process; Execute the first head ejects a clear ink as the first ink, the clear ink having higher light transmittance than the color inks; The control program is characterized in that the second head ejects the color ink as the second ink.

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