Printer, control method, and control program

Abstract

To provide a printer, a control method and a control program which suppress occurrence of a streak-like pattern in an ink layer in a gloss printing mode, and can improve printing image quality.SOLUTION: A CPU of a printer 1A discharges ink onto a printed object M in the state where a distance L among a platen 5, a color side lamp 61, and a white clear side lamp 62 is a first distance L1 in a normal printing mode, and irradiates the discharged ink with light. The CPU discharges ink onto the printed object M in the state where the distance L is a second distance L2 larger than the first distance L1 in a gloss printing mode, and irradiates the discharged ink with light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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 lights up only the white / clear LED that is furthest upstream in the main scanning direction of the carriage, among the multiple white / clear LEDs, to ensure time for the clear ink layer to be formed on the printing object and smooth out.

[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 performed by smoothing the color ink layer. In this case, as with the white / clear ink LEDs, the printer can light up only the color LED that is most upstream in the carriage travel direction in the main scanning direction, to ensure time after the color ink layer is formed on the printing object until it is smoothed.

[0007] When performing these gloss printing operations, streaks may appear in the ink layers of the clear ink, color ink, etc., depending on how the ink hardens at the boundary between the irradiated and unirradiated areas in the ink layers during the first scan, which can result in a deterioration in print quality.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a printer, a control method, and a control program that can suppress the occurrence of streaks in the ink layer in gloss printing mode and improve print quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A printer according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises 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 ejects a second light-curable ink onto the printing object, an irradiation device aligned with the first head and the second head in a main scanning direction, the irradiation device including a light source that irradiates the printing object with light, and a controller, wherein the controller, in a normal printing mode different from a gloss printing mode, performs a normal movement process of moving the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device relative to the platen in the main scanning direction, with a distance between the platen and a predetermined position of the irradiation device in a height direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction being a first distance, and the controller executes a normal ejection process in which ink is ejected onto the printing object from at least one of the heads, and a normal irradiation process in which light from the light source is irradiated onto the ink ejected onto the printing object while the normal movement process is being executed, and in the gloss printing mode, the controller executes a gloss movement process in which the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device are moved relative to the platen in the main scanning direction while a distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction is a second distance that is greater than the first distance, a gloss ejection process in which ink is ejected onto the printing object from at least one of the first head and the second head while the gloss movement process is being executed, and a gloss irradiation process in which light from the light source is irradiated onto the ink ejected onto the printing object while the gloss movement process is being executed.

[0010] According to the first aspect, in gloss printing mode, the printer can suppress the occurrence of streaky patterns in the layer formed by the first ink or the second ink, thereby improving print quality.

[0011] A control method according to a second 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 ejects a second light-curable ink onto the printing object, and an irradiation device aligned with the first head and the second head in a main scanning direction, the irradiation device including a light source that irradiates the printing object with light, wherein in a normal printing mode different from a gloss printing mode, a normal movement process is performed to move the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device relative to the platen in the main scanning direction, in a state where a distance between the platen and a predetermined position of the irradiation device in a height direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction is a first distance, and a normal ejection process in which ink is ejected onto the printing object from at least one of the platen heads, and a normal irradiation process in which light from the light source is irradiated onto the ink ejected onto the printing object while the normal movement process is being executed; and in the gloss printing mode, a gross movement process in which the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device are moved relative to the platen in the main scanning direction while a distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction is a second distance that is larger than the first distance; a gross ejection process in which ink is ejected onto the printing object from at least one of the first head and the second head while the gloss movement process is being executed; and a gross irradiation process in which light from the light source is irradiated onto the ink ejected onto the printing object while the gloss movement process is being executed.

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

[0013] A control program according to a third 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 light-curable first ink onto the printing object, a second head that ejects a light-curable second ink onto the printing object, and an irradiation device aligned with the first head and the second head in a main scanning direction and including a light source that irradiates the printing object with light. The control program includes the following steps in a normal printing mode different from a gloss printing mode: a normal movement process that moves the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device relative to the platen in the main scanning direction, in a state where a distance between the platen and a predetermined position of the irradiation device in the height direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction is a first distance in the height direction; a normal ejection process in which ink is ejected onto the printing object from at least one of the platen heads, and a normal irradiation process in which light from the light source is irradiated onto the ink ejected onto the printing object while the normal movement process is being executed; and in the gloss printing mode, a gross movement process in which the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device are moved relative to the platen in the main scanning direction while a distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction is a second distance that is greater than the first distance; a gross ejection process in which ink is ejected onto the printing object from at least one of the first head and the second head while the gloss movement process is being executed; and a gross irradiation process in which light from the light source is irradiated onto the ink ejected onto the printing object while the gloss movement process is being executed.

[0014] The third aspect can achieve the same effects as the first aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [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 a carriage 20 seen 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] 10 is a flowchart of a main process. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a normal printing process. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a gloss printing process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of a white printing process. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the formation of a white ink layer 101 by white printing processing. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a color / clear printing process. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the formation of a color ink layer 102 and a clear ink layer 103 by color / clear printing processing. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a printer 1B as seen from the front. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a carriage 20 seen from below in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer 1B. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart of a main process. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart of a normal printing process. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart of a gloss printing process. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart of a white printing process. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart of a color printing process. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart of a clear ink printing process. [Figure 23] 10 is a schematic diagram of the printer 1C as seen from the front when the light-shielding walls 607 and 608 are in the lowered position P5. [Figure 24] 10 is a schematic diagram of the printer 1C as seen from the front when the light-shielding walls 607 and 608 are in the raised position P6. [Figure 25] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a carriage 20 seen from below in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A printer 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13. 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.

[0017] 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."

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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).

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the carriage 20 is equipped with a color head 51, a white clear head 52, a color side lamp 61, and a white clear side 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.

[0025] The color side lamp 61 and the white clear side lamp 62 are rectangular parallelepipeds and are aligned in the front-to-back direction. The color side lamp 61 is aligned to the right of the color head 51. The white clear side lamp 62 is aligned to the right of the white clear head 52. The color head 51, the white clear head 52, the color side lamp 61, and the white clear side lamp 62 move left and right as the carriage 20 moves left and right.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the color side 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 is exposed downward from the carriage 20. The substrate 612 is provided at the lower end of the housing 611. The substrate 612 has a rectangular shape when viewed from below, and extends in the front-rear and left-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 lower surface of the substrate 612. The multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614 emit ultraviolet light when turned on.

[0030] The white clear side lamp 62 includes a housing 621, a substrate 622, and multiple 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 is exposed downward from the carriage 20. The substrate 622 is provided at the lower end of the housing 621. The substrate 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 vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 3, multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 624 are provided in a lattice pattern on the lower surface of the substrate 622. The multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 624 emit ultraviolet light when turned on. The color side lamp 61 and the white clear side lamp 62 irradiate ultraviolet light downward by turning on the ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614 and 624, respectively. The lower surfaces of the substrates 612 and 622 are located at the same position in the vertical direction.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, in the first embodiment, the distance between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614, 624 in the vertical direction is referred to as the "irradiation distance L." The platen 5 moves vertically between an elevated position P1 and a lowered position P2. The elevated position P1 is the vertical position of the platen 5 when the irradiation distance L is a first distance L1. The lowered position P2 is the vertical position of the platen 5 when the irradiation distance L is a second distance L2. The second distance L2 is greater than the first distance L1.

[0032] The area where ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the printing object M by the color side lamp 61 is called the "irradiation area D." The front and rear ends of the irradiation area D are the boundaries between the area where ultraviolet light hits and the area where ultraviolet light does not hit. Irradiation area D1 is the irradiation area D when the platen 5 is located at the raised position P1. Irradiation area D2 is the irradiation area D when the platen 5 is located at the lowered position P2. The greater the irradiation distance L, the greater the width of the irradiation area D in the front-to-back direction. Because the second distance L2 is greater than the first distance L1, the width of the irradiation area D2 in the front-to-back direction is greater than the width of the irradiation area D1.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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).

[0035] Furthermore, while the carriage 20 is moving from right to left, one or both of the color side lamp 61 and the white clear side lamp 62 irradiate ultraviolet light onto the printing object M (see FIG. 2) on the platen 5. The color side lamp 61 and the white clear side lamp 62 are positioned 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.

[0036] 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 side lamp 61 and the white clear side lamp 62 irradiates ultraviolet light onto the printing object M on the platen 5.

[0037] 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 before. This increases the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the ink layer 100. Hereinafter, the cumulative amount per unit area of ​​ultraviolet light irradiated onto the ink layer 100 shown in FIG. 2 will be simply referred to as the "cumulative amount."

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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. The flash memory 44 stores, for example, the first distance L1 and the second distance L2 shown in FIG. 2.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] The normal printing mode specifies a printing method for producing a printed matter without smoothing or with reduced smoothing of the ink layer 100 shown in Figure 2. When a printing operation is performed with the normal printing mode set, the printer 1A can produce a matte printed matter 100A (see Figure 5) described below.

[0046] The gloss printing mode specifies a printing method for creating a printed matter by smoothing the ink layer 100 shown in Figure 2 more than in the normal printing mode. When a printing operation is performed with the gloss printing mode set, the printer 1A can create a glossy printed matter 100B (see Figure 6) described below.

[0047] A matte printed matter 100A and a glossy printed matter 100B will be described with reference to Figures 2, 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 the ink layer 100 in this order 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.

[0048] The matte printed matter 100A shown in Figure 5 is created by curing the ink layer 100 in a state where smoothing of the ink layer 100 has progressed relatively little. Therefore, the matte printed matter 100A has no gloss or has a relatively low gloss. The glossy printed matter 100B shown in Figure 6 is created by curing the ink layer 100 in a state where smoothing of the ink layer 100 has progressed more than in the matte printed matter 100A shown in Figure 5. Therefore, the glossy printed matter 100B has a higher gloss than the matte printed matter 100A.

[0049] Hereinafter, the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the color-side lamp 61 or the white-clear-side lamp 62 will be simply referred to as "illuminance." In the ink layer 100, the difference between the illuminance at the center in the front-to-back direction of the irradiation area D shown in FIG. 2 and the illuminance at both ends in the front-to-back direction of the irradiation area D will be referred to as "illuminance difference."

[0050] As shown in Fig. 2, if the illuminance difference is large, the curing speed of the ink layer 100 in the center of the irradiation area D will be faster in the front-to-back direction than the curing speed of the ink layer 100 at both ends of the irradiation area D. In this case, particularly in the glossy printed matter 100B shown in Fig. 6, the ink layer 100 is smoothed, and therefore, due to the contraction caused by the curing of the ink layer 100, streaky patterns may occur in the ink layer 100 at both ends of the irradiation area D in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, when producing the glossy printed matter 100B shown in Fig. 6, the printer 1A needs to reduce the illuminance difference in order to prevent streaky patterns from occurring in the ink layer 100.

[0051] The illuminance difference varies depending on factors such as the irradiation distance L. For example, as the irradiation distance L increases, the width of the irradiation area D in the front-to-rear direction increases, and the decrease in illuminance from the center of the irradiation area D in the front-to-rear direction to both ends of the irradiation area D in the front-to-rear direction becomes more gradual. Therefore, the illuminance difference is smaller when the platen 5 is in the lowered position P2 than when the platen 5 is in the raised position P1. 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 the platen 5 is in the lowered position P2 than when the platen 5 is in the raised position P1. Therefore, streaks 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 the platen 5 is in the lowered position P2 than when the platen 5 is in the raised position P1.

[0052] 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 object M. For this reason, for example, when creating the matte printed matter 100A shown in FIG. 5, if the irradiation distance L shown in FIG. 2 is long, there is a high possibility that the reflected ultraviolet light will hit the nozzle surfaces 511, 521. If the ultraviolet light hits the nozzle surfaces 511, 521, the ink in the nozzles 513, 523 will harden, which may result in ink not being ejected.

[0053] The irradiation distance L is smaller when the platen 5 is at the raised position P1 than when the platen 5 is at the lowered position P2. Therefore, the possibility of ink mis-ejection occurring is lower when the platen 5 is at the raised position P1 than when the platen 5 is at the lowered position P2.

[0054] In the main processing described below, the printer 1A produces a glossy printed matter 100B while suppressing the occurrence of streaks in the ink layer 100 by positioning the platen 5 at the lowered position P2 in the gloss printing mode. The printer 1A produces a matte printed matter 100A while suppressing the occurrence of ink non-ejection by positioning the platen 5 at the raised position P1 in the normal printing mode.

[0055] The main processing will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 13. The user places the printing object M on the platen 5 shown in Figure 2. The user operates the operation unit 37 shown in Figure 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 Figure 7.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] In the main scanning process described below, setting the ultraviolet light emitting diode 614 to light up is referred to as "turning the color side lamp 61 ON," and setting the ultraviolet light emitting diode 614 to light off is referred to as "turning the color side lamp 61 OFF." In the main scanning process, setting the ultraviolet light emitting diode 624 to light up is referred to as "turning the white clear side lamp 62 ON," and setting the ultraviolet light emitting diode 624 to light off is referred to as "turning the white clear side lamp 62 OFF." Note that setting 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.

[0059] 7, when the main process starts, the CPU 41 acquires print data specified by a print instruction from the flash memory 44 and stores it in the RAM 43 (S101). The CPU 41 then refers to the print mode setting in the flash memory 44 (S102).

[0060] Based on the reference result, the CPU 41 determines whether the currently set print mode is the gloss print mode (S103). If the currently set print mode is the normal print mode (S103: NO), the CPU 41 performs the normal print process shown in Figure 8 (S104). In the normal print process, the matte printed matter 100A shown in Figure 5 is created. The CPU 41 then ends the main process.

[0061] If the currently set print mode is the gloss print mode (S103: YES), the CPU 41 performs the gloss print process shown in Fig. 9 (S105). In the gloss print process, the glossy printed matter 100B shown in Fig. 6 is created. The CPU 41 ends the main process.

[0062] The normal printing process (S104) will be described with reference to Fig. 8. When the normal printing process starts, the CPU 41 determines whether the platen 5 is located at the raised position P1 shown in Fig. 2 based on the detection result from the encoder 341 shown in Fig. 4 (S111). If the platen 5 is located at the raised position P1 shown in Fig. 2 (S111: YES), the CPU 41 proceeds to S113.

[0063] If the platen 5 is not at the raised position P1 shown in Fig. 2 (S111: NO), the CPU 41 controls the lift motor 34 shown in Fig. 4 based on the detection result from the encoder 341 shown in Fig. 4 to move the platen 5 to the raised position P1 shown in Fig. 2 (S112). As a result, the irradiation distance L becomes the first distance L1 shown in Fig. 2. The CPU 41 proceeds to S113.

[0064] 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 from the set position shown in FIG. 1 to a platen print start position (not shown) (S113). The platen print start position is the position of the platen 5 when the front edge of the area (not shown) of 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 shown in FIG. 1 rightward from the standby position to the carriage print start position (S113). 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) of the print target M shown in FIG. 2 where an image is to be printed.

[0065] The CPU 41 performs a white printing process (S114). In the white printing process of S114, the platen 5 moves forward from the platen printing start position, while the white ink layer 101 shown in FIG. 5 is formed on the printing object M. The CPU 41 performs a color / clear printing process (S115). In the color / clear printing process of S115, the platen 5 moves backward, while the color ink layer 102 shown in FIG. 5 is formed on the white ink layer 101 on the printing object M, and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5 is formed on the color ink layer 102. The CPU 41 returns the process to the main process shown in FIG. 7.

[0066] The gloss printing process (S105) will be described with reference to Fig. 9. When the gloss printing process starts, the CPU 41 determines whether the platen 5 is located at the lowered position P2 shown in Fig. 2 based on the detection result from the encoder 341 shown in Fig. 4 (S121). If the platen 5 is located at the lowered position P2 shown in Fig. 2 (S121: YES), the CPU 41 proceeds to S123.

[0067] If the platen 5 is not at the lowered position P2 shown in Fig. 2 (S121: NO), the CPU 41 controls the lift motor 34 based on the detection result from the encoder 341 shown in Fig. 4 to move the platen 5 to the lowered position P2 shown in Fig. 2 (S122). As a result, the irradiation distance L becomes the second distance L2 shown in Fig. 2. The CPU 41 proceeds to S123.

[0068] 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 from the set position shown in FIG. 1 to the platen print start position (not shown) (S123). 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. 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 shown in FIG. 1 rightward from the standby position to the carriage print start position (not shown) (S123). 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. 2 are positioned to the right of the right end of the area (not shown) of the print target M where an image is to be printed.

[0069] The CPU 41 performs white printing processing (S124). In the white printing processing of S124, the platen 5 moves forward from the platen printing start position, while the white ink layer 101 shown in FIG. 6 is formed on the printing target M. The CPU 41 performs color / clear printing processing (S125). In the color / clear printing processing of S125, the platen 5 moves backward, while the color ink layer 102 shown in FIG. 6 is formed on the white ink layer 101 on the printing target M, and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 6 is formed on the color ink layer 102. The CPU 41 returns the processing to the main processing shown in FIG. 7.

[0070] The white printing process (S114 or S124) will be described with reference to Figure 10. The white printing process of S114 shown in Figure 8 and the white printing process of S124 shown in Figure 9 differ in the vertical position of the platen 5 shown in Figure 2, but the content of each process is the same. In normal printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the white printing process of S114 shown in Figure 8 with the platen 5 located at the raised position P1 shown in Figure 2. In gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the white printing process of S124 shown in Figure 9 with the platen 5 located at the lowered position P2 shown in Figure 2.

[0071] When the white printing process starts, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S141). The CPU 41 turns the white ink "ON" (S142). The CPU 41 turns the color ink "OFF" (S143). The CPU 41 turns the clear ink "OFF" (S144). The CPU 41 turns the white clear side lamp 62 "ON" (S145). The CPU 41 turns the color side lamp 61 "OFF" (S146).

[0072] 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 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, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 4 based on the print data to eject white ink from the nozzle row 52W of the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 3. 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. 3. 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. 3. 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 side lamp 62 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear side lamp 62 is irradiated onto the white ink layer 101 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. During the execution of movement control, in irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 shown in FIG. 2 to cause the color side lamp 61 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light toward the printing object M.

[0073] 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 inks (S153). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the clear ink (S154). The CPU 41 turns "ON" the white clear side lamp 62 (S155). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the color side lamp 61 (S156).

[0074] 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 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 side lamp 62 toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear side lamp 62 is irradiated onto the white ink layer 101 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. 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 side lamp 61 to stop irradiating ultraviolet light onto the printing object M.

[0075] The CPU 41 determines, based on the print data, whether or not the formation of the white ink layer 101 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 (S158). If the formation of the white ink layer 101 on the entire area of ​​the printing object 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-scanning direction to "forward" (S161). The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the setting in S161 (S162). In the sub-scanning processing of S162, 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 forward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 2 moves forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 transitions the processing to S141.

[0076] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process (S147, S157) and the sub-scanning process (S162) until the formation of the white ink layer 101 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 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 normal printing process shown in Figure 8 or the gloss printing process shown in Figure 9.

[0077] The formation of the white ink layer 101 in the white printing process (S114 or S124) will be described with reference to FIG. 11. Hereinafter, "N" and "K" are natural numbers. In FIG. 11, the white ink layer 101 is indicated by solid diagonal lines. FIG. 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 S157 shown in FIG. 10 is completed.

[0078] 10, a white ink layer 101(N) is formed on the printing target M by ejecting white ink from the white clear head 52. In the main scanning process of S147 shown in FIG. 10, the carriage 20 moves from right to left, and the white clear side lamp 62 is positioned to the right of the white clear head 52, that is, in the opposite direction to the movement direction of the carriage 20. Therefore, the white ink layer 101(N) is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear side lamp 62 during the Nth main scanning process of S147 shown in FIG. 10. This promotes curing of the white ink layer 101(N).

[0079] The white ink layer 101(N) is further irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear side lamp 62 during the Nth main scanning process of S157 shown in Fig. 10. 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).

[0080] The color / clear printing process (S115 or S125) will be described with reference to FIG. 12. The color / clear printing process of S115 shown in FIG. 8 and the color / clear printing process of S125 shown in FIG. 9 differ in the vertical position of the platen 5 shown in FIG. 2, but the content of each process is the same. In normal printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the color / clear printing process of S115 shown in FIG. 8 with the platen 5 located at the raised position P1 shown in FIG. 2. In gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the color / clear printing process of S125 shown in FIG. 9 with the platen 5 located at the lowered position P2 shown in FIG. 2.

[0081] When the color / clear printing process is started, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S201). The CPU 41 turns the white ink "OFF" (S202). The CPU 41 turns the color ink "ON" (S203). The CPU 41 turns the clear ink "ON" (S204). The CPU 41 turns the white / clear ink side lamp 62 "ON" (S205). The CPU 41 turns the color ink side lamp 61 "ON" (S206).

[0082] 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 end of the printing area 10. 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 in the ejection control. 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. 3 to discharge 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. 3 to discharge 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 irradiate ultraviolet light from the white clear side lamp 62 toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear side lamp 62 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. During the execution of movement control, in 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 side lamp 61 toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the color side lamp 61 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0083] 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 inks (S213). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the clear ink (S214). The CPU 41 turns "ON" the white clear side lamp 62 (S215). The CPU 41 turns "ON" the color side lamp 61 (S216).

[0084] 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 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 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 irradiate ultraviolet light from the white clear side lamp 62 toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the white clear side lamp 62 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. During the execution of movement control, in 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 side lamp 61 toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the color side lamp 61 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0085] Based on the print data, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the formation of both the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 has been completed over the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed (S218). If the formation of either the color ink layer 102 or the clear ink layer 103 over the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S218: NO), the CPU 41 sets the sub-scan direction to "rearward" (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 backward. When the platen 5 has moved backward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scan motor 32 shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 41 transitions the processing to S201.

[0086] The CPU 41 repeatedly performs the main scanning process (S207, S217) and the sub-scanning process (S222) until the formation of both the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 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 both the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 is completed over the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Figures 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed (S218: YES), the CPU 41 returns the process to the normal printing process shown in Figure 8 or the gloss printing process shown in Figure 9.

[0087] The formation of the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 in the color / clear printing process (S115 or S125) will be described with reference to Figure 13. In Figure 13, the white ink layer 101 is indicated by solid diagonal lines, the color ink layer 102 is indicated by solid vertical lines, and the clear ink layer 103 is indicated by dashed diagonal lines. Figure 13 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 12 is completed.

[0088] 12, a color ink layer 102(N) is formed on the white ink layer 101 on the printing target M by ejecting color inks from the color head 51. According to the configuration of the first embodiment, in the main scanning process of S207 shown in FIG. 12, the carriage 20 moves from right to left, and the color-side lamp 61 is positioned to the right of the color head 51, that is, opposite the movement direction of the carriage 20. Therefore, the color ink layer 102(N) is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the color-side lamp 61 during the Nth main scanning process of S207 shown in FIG. 12. This promotes curing of the color ink layer 102(N).

[0089] The color ink layer 102(N) is further irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the color side lamp 61 during the Nth main scanning process of S217 shown in Fig. 12. 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).

[0090] 12, the platen 5 shown in Fig. 2 moves from front to rear, that is, in the direction from the color head 51 to the white clear head 52. Therefore, in the Nth main scanning process of S207 described above, that is, the main scanning process of S207 that formed the color ink layer 102(N), the clear ink layer 103(N) is further formed on the color ink layer 102(NK) on the printing target M by ejecting clear ink from the white clear head 52. Note that Fig. 13 shows an example where K=2.

[0091] According to the configuration of the first embodiment, in the main scanning process of S207, the carriage 20 moves from right to left, and the white clear side lamp 62 is positioned to the right of the white clear head 52, that is, in the opposite direction to the movement direction of the carriage 20. Therefore, the clear ink layer 103(N) is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear side lamp 62 during the Nth main scanning process of S207 shown in FIG. 12. This promotes curing of the clear ink layer 103(N).

[0092] The clear ink layer 103(N) is further irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the white clear side lamp 62 during the Nth main scanning process of S217 shown in Fig. 12. This increases the amount of irradiation onto the clear ink layer 103(N), allowing the printer 1A to reliably cure the clear ink layer 103(N).

[0093] As a result of the above, the white ink layer 101, the color ink layer 102, and the clear ink layer 103 are formed as the ink layer 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.

[0094] The progress of smoothing of the ink layer 100 varies depending on factors such as illuminance. For example, the lower the illuminance, the slower the curing speed of the ink layer 100 tends to be, and therefore the smoothing of the ink layer 100 tends to progress. The illuminance also varies depending on factors such as the irradiation distance L. For example, the greater the irradiation distance L, the lower the illuminance. Therefore, the illuminance is lower when the platen 5 is in the lowered position P2 than when the platen 5 is in the raised position P1.

[0095] In the normal printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the color / clear printing process of S115 shown in FIG. 8 with the platen 5 positioned at the raised position P1 shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, in the normal printing mode, the illuminance is relatively high, and smoothing of the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 is relatively difficult to achieve. Therefore, in the normal printing mode, the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5 have unevenness. As a result, in the normal printing mode, the matte printed matter 100A shown in FIG. 5 is produced.

[0096] On the other hand, in gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the color / clear printing process of S125 shown in FIG. 9 with the platen 5 positioned at the lowered position P2 shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, in gloss printing mode, the illuminance is lower than in normal printing mode, so smoothing of the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 is more likely to proceed. Therefore, in gloss printing mode, the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 6 have no unevenness, or have smaller unevenness than the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the glossy printed matter 100B shown in FIG. 6 has a higher gloss than the matte printed matter 100A shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the glossy printed matter 100B shown in FIG. 6 is produced in gloss printing mode.

[0097] As described above, in the first embodiment, in the gloss printing mode, the white printing process in S124 is performed when the platen 5 is located at the lowered position P2, i.e., when the irradiation distance L is the second distance L2. Therefore, the printer 1A can prevent streaks from appearing in the white ink layer 101 compared to when the white printing process in S124 is performed when the irradiation distance L is the first distance L1. In the gloss printing mode, the color / clear printing process in S125 is performed when the platen 5 is located at the lowered position P2, i.e., when the irradiation distance L is the second distance L2. Therefore, the printer 1A can prevent streaks from appearing in the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 compared to when the color / clear printing process in S125 is performed when the irradiation distance L is the first distance L1. In the normal printing mode, the white printing process in S114 is performed when the platen 5 is located at the raised position P1, i.e., when the irradiation distance L is the first distance L1. Therefore, the printer 1A can reduce ink non-ejection by the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 compared to when the white printing process of S114 is performed with the irradiation distance L set to the second distance L2. In the normal printing mode, the color / clear printing process of S115 is performed with the platen 5 positioned at the raised position P1, that is, with the irradiation distance L set to the first distance L1. Therefore, the printer 1A can reduce ink non-ejection by the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 compared to when the color / clear printing process of S115 is performed with the irradiation distance L set to the second distance L2. Therefore, the printer 1A can improve print quality by reducing the occurrence of streaks in the ink layer 100 in the gloss printing mode and reducing ink non-ejection in the normal printing mode.

[0098] The direction from right to left is the direction from the color side lamp 61 to the color head 51, and the direction from the white clear side lamp 62 to the white clear head 52. In the normal printing mode and the gloss printing mode, when the carriage 20 moves from right to left by movement control in the main scanning process of S147 or S207, color ink is ejected from the color head 51 by ejection control, or white ink or clear ink is ejected from the white clear head 52 by ejection control. When the carriage 20 moves from right to left by movement control in the main scanning process of S147 or S207, ultraviolet light is irradiated from the color side lamp 61 onto the color ink layer 102, or ultraviolet light is irradiated from the white clear side lamp 62 onto the white ink layer 101 or the clear ink layer 103 by irradiation control. This allows the printer 1A to both form the ink layer 100(N) and cure the formed ink layer 100(N) during the Nth movement of the carriage 20 from right to left. Therefore, for example, in gloss printing mode, printer 1A can shorten the processing time required for printing while suppressing the occurrence of streaky patterns in ink layer 100. For example, in normal printing mode, printer 1A can shorten the processing time required for printing while suppressing ink non-ejection by color head 51 and white clear head 52.

[0099] The white clear head 52 is aligned with the color head 51 in the front-to-back direction. The color side lamp 61 is aligned with the color head 51 in the left-to-right direction. The white clear side lamp 62 is aligned with the white clear head 52 in the left-to-right direction. Therefore, the printer 1A can be prevented from becoming larger in size in the left-to-right direction compared to, for example, a case in which the color head 51, white clear head 52, color side lamp 61, and white clear side lamp 62 are aligned in the left-to-right direction.

[0100] The CPU 41 sets the irradiation distance L to the first distance L1 or the second distance L2 by moving the platen 5 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the printer 1A can change the irradiation distance L without moving the color side lamp 61 and the white clear side lamp 62 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the printer 1A can control the irradiation distance L to the first distance L1 or the second distance L2 while preventing the color side lamp 61 and the white clear side lamp 62 from colliding with components located above the color side lamp 61 and the white clear side lamp 62, for example.

[0101] For example, ink is less likely to adhere to plastic, metal, ceramic, etc. than to typical printing substrates M such as cloth and paper. In the first embodiment, the ink is UV-curable, so the printer 1A can print on printing substrates M on which ink is relatively less likely to adhere. This allows the printer 1A to diversify the materials of the printing substrate M. In the second and third embodiments described below, the printers 1B and 1C can also achieve similar effects.

[0102] The color head 51 ejects color inks. 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 color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103. In the second and third embodiments described below, the printers 1B and 1C can also achieve the same effects.

[0103] The white clear head 52 also ejects white ink. This allows the printer 1A to form a color ink layer 102 on the white ink layer 101. This allows the printer 1A to improve the color development of the color ink. In the second and third embodiments described below, the printers 1B and 1C can also achieve the same effects.

[0104] A printer 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 22. The printer 1B shown in FIG. 14 is an inkjet UV printer, similar to the printer 1A shown in FIG. 1. The printer 1B differs from the printer 1A in the positional relationship between the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The printer 1B also differs from the printer 1A in that it is equipped with a lamp 60 shown in FIG. 14 instead of the color side lamp 61 and the white clear side lamp 62 shown in FIG. 2. The other mechanical configurations of the printer 1B are the same as those of the printer 1A. In the second embodiment, components having equivalent functions to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same or corresponding reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0105] The mechanical configuration of the printer 1B will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. In the printer 1B, the color head 51, the white clear head 52, and the lamp 60 are arranged from left to right in the order of color head 51, white clear head 52, and lamp 60. The lamp 60 includes a housing 601, a circuit board 602, and multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 604. The housing 601 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is supported by the carriage 20. The lower end of the housing 601 is exposed downward from the carriage 20. The circuit board 602 is provided at the lower end of the housing 601. The circuit board 602 has a rectangular shape when viewed from below and extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. As shown in Figure 14, the circuit board 602 is located above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 from above. As shown in Figure 15, the multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 604 are arranged in a grid pattern on the lower surface of the circuit board 602. The multiple ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 604 emit ultraviolet light when turned on.

[0106] The lamp 60 moves vertically between a lowered position P3 and an uppered position P4. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the irradiation distance L indicates the distance in the vertical direction between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 614, 624. The lowered position P3 is the vertical position of the lamp 60 when the irradiation distance L is a first distance L1. The uppered position P4 is the vertical position of the lamp 60 when the irradiation distance L is a second distance L2.

[0107] The electrical configuration of printer 1B will be described with reference to Figure 16. A plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 604 are electrically connected to CPU 41 instead of the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 and the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624, and an elevator motor 35 is also electrically connected. The plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 604 and elevator motor 35 are driven under the control of CPU 41. When elevator motor 35 is driven, lamp 60 shown in Figure 14 moves up and down. An encoder 351 is provided on elevator motor 35. Encoder 351 detects the rotation angle of elevator motor 35 and outputs a detection signal to CPU 41. The rest of the electrical configuration of printer 1B is the same as that of printer 1A.

[0108] The main processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 22. In printer 1B, CPU 41 performs the main processing shown in FIG. 17 instead of the main processing shown in FIG. 7. Of the steps in the main processing shown in FIG. 17, the description of steps equivalent to the steps in the main processing shown in FIG. 7 will be omitted or simplified. The user places the printing target M on the platen 5 shown in FIG. 14. The user operates operation unit 37 shown in FIG. 16 to input a print instruction to printer 1B. When the print instruction is input, CPU 41 reads and operates a control program from ROM 42, thereby executing the main processing shown in FIG. 17.

[0109] The following description will be given taking as an example the case of producing 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. 17, 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. In the main scanning processing described below, setting the ultraviolet light emitting diode 604 to light up is referred to as "turning the lamp 60 ON," and setting the ultraviolet light emitting diode 604 to light off is referred to as "turning the lamp 60 OFF."

[0110] 17, when the main processing starts, the CPU 41 performs the processes of S301 and S302 and makes a determination in S303. The processes of S301 and S302 and the determination in S303 are the same as the processes of S101 and S102 and the determination in S103 shown in FIG.

[0111] If the currently set print mode is the normal print mode (S303: NO), the CPU 41 performs the normal print process shown in FIG. 18 (S304). In the normal print process, a matte printed matter 100A shown in FIG. 5 is created. The CPU 41 ends the main process. If the currently set print mode is the gloss print mode (S303: YES), the CPU 41 performs the gloss print process shown in FIG. 19 (S305). In the gloss print process, a gloss printed matter 100B shown in FIG. 6 is created. The CPU 41 ends the main process.

[0112] The normal printing process (S304) will be described with reference to Fig. 18. When the normal printing process starts, the CPU 41 determines whether the lamp 60 is located at the lowered position P3 shown in Fig. 14 based on the detection result from the encoder 351 shown in Fig. 16 (S311). If the lamp 60 is located at the lowered position P3 shown in Fig. 14 (S311: YES), the CPU 41 proceeds to S313.

[0113] If the lamp 60 is not at the lowered position P3 shown in Fig. 14 (S311: NO), the CPU 41 controls the lift motor 35 based on the detection result from the encoder 351 shown in Fig. 16 to move the lamp 60 to the lowered position P3 shown in Fig. 14 (S312). As a result, the irradiation distance L becomes the first distance L1 shown in Fig. 14. The CPU 41 proceeds to S313.

[0114] The CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 16 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 14 backward from the set position shown in FIG. 1 to the platen print start position (not shown) (S313). As described above, when the platen 5 is located at the platen print start position, the front end of the area (not shown) of the print target M shown in FIG. 14 where an image is to be printed is located behind the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 14. 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 shown in FIG. 1 rightward from the standby position to the carriage print start position (not shown) (S313). As described above, when the carriage 20 is located at the carriage print start position, the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 14 are located to the right of the right end of the area (not shown) of the print target M where an image is to be printed.

[0115] The CPU 41 performs white printing processing (S314). In the white printing processing of S314, the platen 5 moves forward from the platen printing start position, while the white ink layer 101 shown in FIG. 5 is formed on the printing target M. The CPU 41 performs color printing processing (S315). In the color printing processing of S315, the platen 5 moves backward, while the color ink layer 102 shown in FIG. 5 is formed on the white ink layer 101 on the printing target M. The CPU 41 performs clear printing processing (S316). In the clear printing processing of S316, the platen 5 moves forward, while the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5 is formed on the color ink layer 102 on the printing target M. The CPU 41 returns the processing to the main processing shown in FIG. 17.

[0116] The gloss printing process (S305) will be described with reference to Fig. 19. When the gloss printing process starts, the CPU 41 determines whether the lamp 60 is located at the raised position P4 shown in Fig. 14 based on the detection result from the encoder 351 shown in Fig. 16 (S321). If the lamp 60 is located at the raised position P4 shown in Fig. 14 (S321: YES), the CPU 41 proceeds to S323.

[0117] If the lamp 60 is not at the raised position P4 shown in Fig. 14 (S321: NO), the CPU 41 controls the lift motor 35 based on the detection result from the encoder 351 shown in Fig. 16 to move the lamp 60 to the raised position P4 shown in Fig. 14 (S322). As a result, the irradiation distance L becomes the second distance L2 shown in Fig. 14. The CPU 41 proceeds to S323.

[0118] The CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection result from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 16 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 14 backward from the set position shown in FIG. 1 to the platen print start position (not shown) (S323). As described above, when the platen 5 is located at the platen print start position, the front end of the area (not shown) of the print target M shown in FIG. 14 where an image is to be printed is located behind the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 14. 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 shown in FIG. 1 rightward from the standby position to the carriage print start position (not shown) (S323). As described above, when the carriage 20 is located at the carriage print start position, the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 14 are located to the right of the right end of the area (not shown) of the print target M where an image is to be printed.

[0119] The CPU 41 performs white printing processing (S324). In the white printing processing of S324, the platen 5 moves forward from the platen printing start position, and a white ink layer 101 shown in FIG. 6 is formed on the printing target M. The CPU 41 performs color printing processing (S325). In the color printing processing of S325, the platen 5 moves backward from the platen printing start position, and a color ink layer 102 shown in FIG. 6 is formed on the white ink layer 101 on the printing target M. The CPU 41 performs clear ink printing processing (S326). In the clear ink printing processing of S326, the platen 5 moves backward from the platen printing start position, and a clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 6 is formed on the color ink layer 102 on the printing target M. The CPU 41 returns the processing to the main processing shown in FIG. 17.

[0120] The white printing process (S314 or S324) will be described with reference to Figure 20. The white printing process of S314 shown in Figure 18 and the white printing process of S324 shown in Figure 19 differ in the vertical position of the lamp 60 shown in Figure 14, but the content of each process is the same. In normal printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the white printing process of S314 shown in Figure 18 with the lamp 60 located at the lowered position P3 shown in Figure 14. In gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the white printing process of S324 shown in Figure 19 with the lamp 60 located at the raised position P4 shown in Figure 14.

[0121] When the white printing process starts, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S341). The CPU 41 turns the white ink "ON" (S342). The CPU 41 turns the color inks "OFF" (S343). The CPU 41 turns the clear ink "OFF" (S344). The CPU 41 turns the lamp 60 "ON" (S345).

[0122] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S341 to S345 (S346). In the main scanning processing of S346, 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. 16 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 14 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. 16 based on the print data to cause the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 15 to eject 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. 15 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. 15 from ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of the movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 604 shown in Fig. 14 to irradiate ultraviolet light from the lamp 60 toward the printing target M. The ultraviolet light from the lamp 60 is irradiated onto the white ink layer 101 shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0123] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S351). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the white ink (S352). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the color inks (S353). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the clear ink (S354). The CPU 41 turns "ON" the lamp 60 (S355).

[0124] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S351 to S355 (S356). In the main scanning processing of S356, 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. 16 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 14 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. 15 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. 15 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. 15 from ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, the CPU 41 performs irradiation control by turning on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 604 shown in Fig. 14 and causing the lamp 60 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing target M. The ultraviolet light from the lamp 60 is irradiated onto the white ink layer 101 shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0125] The CPU 41 determines based on the print data whether or not the formation of the white ink layer 101 has been completed on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 5 where an image is to be printed (S357). If the formation of the white ink layer 101 on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Fig. 5 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S357: NO), the CPU 41 sets "forward" as the sub-scanning direction (S361).

[0126] The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the settings made in S361 (S362). In the sub-scanning processing of S362, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection results from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 16 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 14 forward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 14 moves forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in FIG. 16. The CPU 41 transitions the processing to S341. When the formation of the white ink layer 101 is completed over the entire area of ​​the printing target M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed (S357: YES), the CPU 41 returns the processing to the normal printing processing shown in FIG. 18 or the gloss printing processing shown in FIG. 19.

[0127] According to the white printing process (S314 or S324), during the Nth main scanning process of S346, a white ink layer 101(N) is formed on the printing target M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 by ejecting white ink from the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 15. The white ink layer 101(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the lamp 60 shown in FIG. 15 during the Nth main scanning process of S346. This promotes curing of the white ink layer 101(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The white ink layer 101(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is further irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the lamp 60 shown in FIG. 15 during the Nth main scanning process of S356. This increases the amount of irradiation onto the white ink layer 101(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, allowing the printer 1B to reliably cure the white ink layer 101(N). As a result, the white ink layer 101 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is formed on the printing target M.

[0128] The color printing process (S315 or S325) will be described with reference to Figure 21. The color printing process of S315 shown in Figure 18 and the color printing process of S325 in Figure 19 differ in the vertical position of the lamp 60 shown in Figure 14, but the content of each process is the same. In normal printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the color printing process of S315 shown in Figure 18 with the lamp 60 located at the lowered position P3 shown in Figure 14. In gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the color printing process of S325 shown in Figure 19 with the lamp 60 located at the raised position P4 shown in Figure 14.

[0129] When color printing processing starts, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S371). The CPU 41 turns white ink "OFF" (S372). The CPU 41 turns color ink "ON" (S373). The CPU 41 turns clear ink "OFF" (S374). The CPU 41 turns lamp 60 "ON" (S375).

[0130] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S371 to S375 (S376). In the main scanning processing of S376, the CPU 41 drives the main scanning motor 31 shown in FIG. 16 based on the detection results from the encoder 311 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 14 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. 15 from discharging white ink from the nozzle row 52W. During the movement control, the CPU 41 stops the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 15 from discharging clear ink from the nozzle row 52L. During the movement control, the CPU 41 drives the head drive unit 33 shown in FIG. 16 based on the print data to cause the color head 51 shown in FIG. 15 to discharge color inks from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of the movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 604 shown in Fig. 14 to irradiate ultraviolet light from the lamp 60 toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the lamp 60 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0131] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S381). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the white ink (S382). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the color inks (S383). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the clear ink (S384). The CPU 41 turns "ON" the lamp 60 (S385).

[0132] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S381 to S385 (S386). In the main scanning processing of S386, 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. 16 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 14 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. 15 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. 15 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. 15 from ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, the CPU 41 performs irradiation control by turning on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 604 shown in Fig. 14 and causing the lamp 60 to irradiate ultraviolet light toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the lamp 60 is irradiated onto the color ink layer 102 shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0133] 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 Figures 5 and 6 where the image is to be printed (S387). If the formation of the color ink layer 102 on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Figures 5 and 6 where the image is to be printed is in progress (S387: NO), the CPU 41 sets "rear" as the sub-scanning direction (S391).

[0134] The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the settings made in S391 (S392). In the sub-scanning processing of S392, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection results from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 16 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 14 backward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 14 has moved backward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in FIG. 16. The CPU 41 transitions the processing to S371. When the formation of the color ink layer 102 is completed over the entire area of ​​the printing target M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where the image is to be printed (S387: YES), the CPU 41 returns the processing to the normal printing processing shown in FIG. 18 or the gloss printing processing shown in FIG. 19.

[0135] According to the color printing process (S315 or S325), in the Nth main scanning process of S376, a color ink layer 102(N) is formed on the white ink layer 101 on the printing object M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 by ejecting color inks from the color head 51 shown in FIG. 15. The color ink layer 102(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the lamp 60 shown in FIG. 15 during the Nth main scanning process of S376. This promotes curing of the color ink layer 102(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The color ink layer 102(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is further irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the lamp 60 shown in FIG. 15 during the Nth main scanning process of S386. This increases the amount of irradiation onto the color ink layer 102(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, allowing the printer 1B to reliably cure the color ink layer 102(N). As a result of the above, the color ink layer 102 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is formed on the white ink layer 101 on the printing object M.

[0136] In the normal printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the color printing process of S315 shown in Fig. 18 with the platen 5 positioned at the lowered position P3 shown in Fig. 14. Therefore, in the normal printing mode, the illuminance is relatively high, and smoothing of the color ink layer 102 is relatively slow. Therefore, in the normal printing mode, the color ink layer 102 shown in Fig. 5 has irregularities.

[0137] On the other hand, in gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the color printing process of S325 shown in Fig. 19 with the platen 5 located at the raised position P4 shown in Fig. 14. For this reason, in gloss printing mode, the illuminance is lower than in normal printing mode, and smoothing of the color ink layer 102 is more likely to proceed. Therefore, in gloss printing mode, the color ink layer 102 shown in Fig. 6 has no unevenness, or has unevenness that is smaller than that of the color ink layer 102 shown in Fig. 5.

[0138] The clear printing process (S316 or S326) will be described with reference to Figure 22. The clear printing process of S316 shown in Figure 18 and the clear printing process of S326 shown in Figure 19 differ in the vertical position of the lamp 60 shown in Figure 14, but the content of each process is the same. In normal printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the clear printing process of S316 shown in Figure 18 with the lamp 60 located at the lowered position P3 shown in Figure 14. In gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the clear printing process of S326 shown in Figure 19 with the lamp 60 located at the raised position P4 shown in Figure 14.

[0139] When the clear ink printing process is started, the CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "left" (S401). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the white ink (S402). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the color inks (S403). The CPU 41 turns "ON" the clear ink (S404). The CPU 41 turns "ON" the lamp 60 (S405).

[0140] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S401 to S405 (S406). In the main scanning processing of S406, 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. 16 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 14 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. 15 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. 16 based on the print data to eject clear ink from the nozzle row 52L of the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 15. During the movement control, in the ejection control, the CPU 41 stops the color head 51 shown in FIG. 15 from ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of the movement control, in the irradiation control, the CPU 41 turns on the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 604 shown in Fig. 14 to irradiate ultraviolet light from the lamp 60 toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the lamp 60 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103 shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0141] The CPU 41 sets the main scanning direction to "right" (S411). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the white ink (S412). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the color inks (S413). The CPU 41 turns "OFF" the clear ink (S414). The CPU 41 turns "ON" the lamp 60 (S415).

[0142] The CPU 41 performs main scanning processing based on the settings made in S411 to S415 (S416). In the main scanning processing of S416, 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. 16 to move the carriage 20 shown in FIG. 14 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. 15 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. 15 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. 15 from ejecting color ink from the nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K. During the execution of movement control, the CPU 41 performs irradiation control by turning on a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 604 shown in Fig. 14 to irradiate ultraviolet light from the lamp 60 toward the printing object M. The ultraviolet light from the lamp 60 is irradiated onto the clear ink layer 103 shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0143] Based on the print data, the CPU 41 determines 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 Figures 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed (S417). If the formation of the clear ink layer 103 on the entire area of ​​the printing object M shown in Figures 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed is in progress (S417: NO), the CPU 41 sets "forward" as the sub-scanning direction (S421).

[0144] The CPU 41 performs sub-scanning processing based on the settings made in S421 (S422). In the sub-scanning processing of S422, the CPU 41 controls the sub-scanning motor 32 based on the detection results from the encoder 321 shown in FIG. 16 to move the platen 5 shown in FIG. 14 forward. When the platen 5 shown in FIG. 14 moves forward a predetermined amount, the CPU 41 stops the sub-scanning motor 32 shown in FIG. 16. The CPU 41 transitions the processing to S401. When the formation of the clear ink layer 103 is completed over the entire area of ​​the printing target M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where an image is to be printed (S417: YES), the CPU 41 returns the processing to the normal printing processing shown in FIG. 18 or the gloss printing processing shown in FIG. 19.

[0145] According to the clear printing process (S316 or S326), during the Nth main scanning process of S406, a clear ink layer 103(N) is formed on the color ink layer 102 on the printing object M shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 by ejecting clear ink from the white clear head 52 shown in FIG. 15. The clear ink layer 103(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the lamp 60 shown in FIG. 15 during the Nth main scanning process of S406. This promotes curing of the clear ink layer 103(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The clear ink layer 103(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is further irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the lamp 60 shown in FIG. 15 during the Nth main scanning process of S416. This increases the amount of irradiation onto the clear ink layer 103(N) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, allowing the printer 1B to reliably cure the clear ink layer 103(N).

[0146] 5 and 6, the clear ink layer 103 is formed on the color ink layer 102. Therefore, the white ink layer 101, the color ink layer 102, and the clear ink layer 103 are formed as the ink layer 100 from the top surface of the printing object M upward in the order of the white ink layer 101, the color ink layer 102, and the clear ink layer 103.

[0147] In the first embodiment, the printer 1A adjusts the illuminance by adjusting the position of the platen 5 in the vertical direction. That is, in the first embodiment, the printer 1A adjusts the degree of progress of smoothing of the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 by adjusting the position of the platen 5 in the vertical direction. In this way, the printer 1A differentiates the print results between the normal printing mode and the gloss printing mode. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the printer 1B adjusts the position of the lamp 60 in the vertical direction, rather than the position of the platen 5 in the vertical direction. In this way, the printer 1B can adjust the illuminance and the degree of progress of smoothing of the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103.

[0148] In the second embodiment, in the normal printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the clear printing process of S316 shown in Fig. 18 with the lamp 60 in the lowered position P3 shown in Fig. 14. Therefore, the illuminance is relatively high in the normal printing mode, based on the same principle as in the color printing process of S315 shown in Fig. 18. Therefore, in the normal printing mode, the clear ink layer 103 shown in Fig. 5 has irregularities, and the matte printed matter 100A shown in Fig. 5 is produced.

[0149] On the other hand, in gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the clear printing process of S326 shown in FIG. 19 with the lamp 60 positioned at the raised position P4 shown in FIG. 14. Therefore, based on the same principle as the color printing process of S325 shown in FIG. 19, the illuminance is relatively low in gloss printing mode. 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 higher gloss than the matte printed matter 100A shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the glossy printed matter 100B shown in FIG. 6 is produced in gloss printing mode.

[0150] As described above, in the second embodiment, in the gloss printing mode, the white printing process of S324, the color printing process of S325, and the clear ink printing process of S326 are each performed with the lamp 60 in the raised position P4 shown in FIG. 14, i.e., with the irradiation distance L set to the second distance L2. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the printer 1B can prevent streaks from appearing in the white ink layer 101, the color ink layer 102, and the clear ink layer 103. In the normal printing mode, the white printing process of S314, the color printing process of S315, and the clear ink printing process of S316 are each performed with the lamp 60 in the lowered position P3, i.e., with the irradiation distance L set to the first distance L1. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the printer 1B can prevent ink failures from occurring in the color head 51 and the white clear ink head 52. Therefore, the printer 1B can improve print quality by suppressing the occurrence of streaky patterns in the ink layer 100 in the gloss printing mode and suppressing ink non-ejection in the normal printing mode.

[0151] The direction from right to left is the direction from the lamp 60 toward the color head 51 and the white clear head 52. In the normal printing mode and the gloss printing mode, when the carriage 20 moves from right to left by movement control during the main scanning process of S346, S376, or S406, color ink is ejected from the color head 51, or white ink or clear ink is ejected from the white clear head 52 by ejection control. When the carriage 20 moves from right to left by movement control during the main scanning process of S346, S376, or S406, ultraviolet light is irradiated from the lamp 60 onto the white ink layer 101, the color ink layer 102, or the clear ink layer 103 by irradiation control. As a result, the printer 1A can both form the ink layer 100(N) and harden the formed ink layer 100(N) during the Nth movement of the carriage 20 from right to left, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, for example, in gloss printing mode, printer 1B can shorten the processing time required for printing while suppressing the occurrence of streaky patterns in ink layer 100. For example, in normal printing mode, printer 1B can shorten the processing time required for printing while suppressing ink non-ejection by color head 51 and white clear head 52.

[0152] The white clear head 52 is aligned with the color head 51 in the left-right direction (main scanning direction). Therefore, the printer 1B can irradiate the white ink layer 101, the color ink layer 102, and the clear ink layer 103 with ultraviolet light using a single lamp 60. Therefore, the printer 1B does not need to be equipped with three lamps 60 for irradiating the white ink layer 101, the color ink layer 102, and the clear ink layer 103 with ultraviolet light, respectively. This makes it possible to prevent the printer 1B from becoming larger overall.

[0153] Printer 1B sets irradiation distance L to first distance L1 or second distance L2 by moving housing 601 in the vertical direction. Therefore, printer 1B can change irradiation distance L while maintaining the distance between platen 5 and each of color head 51 and clear white head 52 in the vertical direction. Therefore, printer 1B can produce matte printed matter 100A in normal printing mode and glossy printed matter 100B in gloss printing mode while stabilizing print image quality.

[0154] A printer 1C according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 25. The printer 1C shown in FIG. 23 is an inkjet type UV printer, similar to the printer 1A shown in FIG. 1 and the printer 1B shown in FIG. 14. The printer 1C differs from the printer 1B in that the lamp 60 further includes light-shielding walls 607, 608, and 609, and the housing 601 is fixed to the carriage 20. The other mechanical configurations of the printer 1C are the same as those of the printer 1B. In the following, in the third embodiment, components having the same functions as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals as those in the second embodiment, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0155] In printer 1C, light-shielding walls 607 to 609 are each plates that block ultraviolet light. Light-shielding walls 607 and 608 are supported by carriage 20. Light-shielding wall 607 is lined up in front of lamp 60 and extends in the up-down and left-right directions. The left end of light-shielding wall 607 is located to the left of the left end of lamp 60. The right end of light-shielding wall 607 is located to the right of the right end of lamp 60. Light-shielding wall 608 is lined up behind lamp 60 and extends in the up-down and left-right directions. The left end of light-shielding wall 608 is located to the left of the left end of lamp 60. The right end of light-shielding wall 608 is located to the right of the right end of lamp 60. Light-shielding walls 607 and 608 face each other in the front-to-back direction, with lamp 60 between them.

[0156] The light-shielding wall 609 is fixed to the carriage 20. The light-shielding wall 609 is lined up to the left of the lamp 60 and extends in the front-to-back and up-and-down directions. The light-shielding wall 609 extends downward from the carriage 20. The lower end of the light-shielding wall 609 is located above the platen 5. The front end of the light-shielding wall 609 is located forward of the front end of the lamp 60. The rear end of the light-shielding wall 609 is located rearward of the rear end of the lamp 60. The light-shielding wall 609 is located between the lamp 60 and the white clear head 52 in the left-to-right direction.

[0157] The light-shielding walls 607, 608 move up and down between a lowered position P5 shown in Fig. 23 and an elevated position P6 shown in Fig. 24. In the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 23, when the light-shielding walls 607, 608 are located at the lowered position P5, the lower ends of the light-shielding walls 607, 608 are located at the lower end of the lamp 60. As shown in Fig. 24, when the light-shielding walls 607, 608 are located at the elevated position P6, the lower ends of the light-shielding walls 607, 608 are located above the lower surface of the housing 601. Therefore, when the light-shielding walls 607, 608 are located at the elevated position P6, the lower surface of the housing 601 is located at the lower end of the lamp 60.

[0158] As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 , in the third embodiment, the irradiation distance L indicates the vertical distance between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the lower surface of the housing 601 and the lower portions of the light-shielding walls 607 and 608. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23 , when the light-shielding walls 607 and 608 are in the lowered position P5, the irradiation distance L indicates the vertical distance between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the lower ends of the light-shielding walls 607 and 608. The lowered position P5 is the vertical position of the light-shielding wall 607 when the irradiation distance L is the first distance L1. As shown in FIG. 24 , when the light-shielding walls 607 and 608 are in the raised position P6, the irradiation distance L indicates the vertical distance between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the lower surface of the housing 601. The raised position P6 is the vertical position of the light-shielding wall 607 when the irradiation distance L is the second distance L2.

[0159] The electrical configuration of printer 1C is the same as the electrical configuration of printer 1B shown in Fig. 16. In the third embodiment, the lift motor 35 shown in Fig. 16 is driven to move light-shielding walls 607, 608 in the vertical direction. In printer 1C, instead of the main processing shown in Fig. 17, the CPU 41 performs main processing in which the determination contents of S311 and S321 and the processing contents of S312 and S322 shown in Fig. 17 are different. The other steps of the main processing in the third embodiment are the same as the main processing shown in Fig. 17.

[0160] In the main processing in the third embodiment, in S311 shown in Fig. 17, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the light-shielding walls 607, 608 are located at the lowered position P5 shown in Fig. 23 based on the detection result from the encoder 351 shown in Fig. 16 (S311). If the light-shielding walls 607, 608 are located at the lowered position P5 shown in Fig. 23 (S311: YES), the CPU 41 proceeds to S314.

[0161] If the baffle walls 607, 608 are not at the lowered position P5 shown in Fig. 23 (S311: NO), in S312 shown in Fig. 17, the CPU 41 controls the lifting motor 35 based on the detection result from the encoder 351 shown in Fig. 16 to move the baffle walls 607, 608 to the lowered position P5 shown in Fig. 23 (S312). As a result, the irradiation distance L becomes the first distance L1 shown in Fig. 23. The CPU 41 proceeds to S314 shown in Fig. 17.

[0162] In the main processing in the third embodiment, in S321 shown in Fig. 17, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the light-shielding walls 607, 608 are located at the raised position P6 shown in Fig. 24 based on the detection result from the encoder 351 shown in Fig. 16 (S321). If the light-shielding walls 607, 608 are located at the raised position P6 shown in Fig. 24 (S321: YES), the CPU 41 proceeds to S324 shown in Fig. 17.

[0163] If the baffle walls 607, 608 are not located at the raised position P6 shown in Fig. 24 (S321: NO), the CPU 41 controls the lifting motor 35 based on the detection result from the encoder 351 shown in Fig. 16 in S322 shown in Fig. 17 to move the baffle walls 607, 608 to the raised position P6 shown in Fig. 24 (S322). As a result, the irradiation distance L becomes the second distance L2 shown in Fig. 24. The CPU 41 proceeds to S324 shown in Fig. 17.

[0164] In the first embodiment, the printer 1A adjusts the vertical position of the platen 5. In the second embodiment, the printer 1B adjusts the vertical position of the lamp 60. This allows the printers 1A and 1B to adjust the illuminance and the degree of progress in smoothing the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103. Meanwhile, in the third embodiment, the printer 1C adjusts the vertical positions of the light-shielding walls 607 and 608. This allows the printer 1C to adjust the illuminance and the degree of progress in smoothing the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103.

[0165] In the third embodiment, in the normal printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the white printing process of S314, the color printing process of S315, and the clear printing process of S316 shown in FIG. 18 with the light-shielding walls 607, 608 located at the lowered position P5 shown in FIG. 23. Therefore, in the normal printing mode, the irradiation distance L is relatively small, and the illuminance is relatively high. Therefore, in the normal printing mode, the white ink layer 101, the color ink layer 102, and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5 have unevenness, and the matte printed matter 100A shown in FIG. 5 is produced.

[0166] On the other hand, in gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 performs the white printing process of S324, the color printing process of S325, and the clear printing process of S326 shown in FIG. 19 with the platen 5 positioned at the raised position P6 shown in FIG. 24. Therefore, since the gloss printing mode is relatively large, the illuminance is relatively small. Therefore, in gloss printing mode, the white ink layer 101, the color ink layer 102, and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 6 have no unevenness or have smaller unevenness than the white ink layer 101, the color ink layer 102, and the clear ink layer 103 shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the glossy printed material 100B shown in FIG. 6 has a higher gloss than the matte printed material 100A shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the glossy printed material 100B shown in FIG. 6 is produced in gloss printing mode.

[0167] As described above, in the third embodiment, the printer 1C sets the irradiation distance L to the first distance L1 or the second distance L2 by moving the light-shielding walls 607 and 608 vertically. Therefore, the printer 1C can change the irradiation distance L while maintaining the vertical distance between the platen 5 and the color head 51 and the white clear head 52. Therefore, the printer 1C can produce a matte print 100A in the normal printing mode and a gloss print 100B in the gloss printing mode while maintaining stable print quality. Furthermore, even when the light-shielding walls 607 and 608 move vertically, the vertical position of the housing 601 does not change. Therefore, when changing the irradiation distance L, the printer 1C can prevent the housing 601 from colliding with components above the housing 601. Therefore, the printer 1C can effectively utilize the space above the housing 601.

[0168] 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-described embodiments." The present invention can be modified in various ways from the above-described embodiments. The various modifications described below can be combined with each other as long as no contradictions arise. For example, 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 are not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, printers 1A, 1B, and 1C may use cylinders or the like instead of motors to move various components such as the platen 5 and carriage 20. Printers 1A, 1B, and 1C may also be configured to move the platen 5 in the left-to-right direction relative to the carriage 20.

[0169] In the first embodiment, the color side lamp 61 may be provided to the left of the color head 51. The printer 1A may be provided with multiple color side lamps 61. For example, multiple color side lamps 61 may be provided on both the right and left sides of the color head 51. The white clear side lamp 62 can also be changed in the same way as the color side lamp 61. In the second and third embodiments, the lamp 60 may be provided between the color head 51 and the white clear head 52 in the left-right direction, or may be provided to the left of the color head 51. The printers 1B and 1C may be provided with multiple lamps 60. For example, multiple lamps 60 may be provided to the left of the color head 51 and the right of the white clear head 52.

[0170] When multiple color-side lamps 61, multiple white-clear-side lamps 62, and multiple lamps 60 are provided, so-called bidirectional printing may be performed. That is, the CPU 41 may control the color head 51 and the white-clear head 52 to eject ink even when the carriage 20 moves from right to left. For example, the CPU 41 turns the white ink "ON" in S152, turns the color inks "ON" in S213, and turns the clear ink "ON" in S214. In this case, after S147, the CPU 41 may move the platen 5 forward a predetermined amount if the formation of the white ink layer 101 is not complete. After S207, the CPU 41 may move the platen 5 backward a predetermined amount if the formation of the color ink layer 102 and the clear ink layer 103 is not complete.

[0171] The color head 51 and the white clear head 52 may be line heads. In this case, the carriage 20 is fixed so as not to move. The color head 51 and the white clear head 52 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. Nozzle rows 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K are configured with multiple nozzles 513 aligned in a row in the left-to-right direction. Nozzle rows 52L and 52W are configured with multiple nozzles 523 aligned in a row in the left-to-right direction. The printer 1A may be equipped with either a color side lamp 61 or a white clear side lamp 62. In the printer 1A, either the color side lamp 61 or the white clear side lamp 62 is aligned behind and / or in front of the color head 51 and the white clear head 52. In the printers 1B and 1C, the lamp 60 is aligned behind and / or in front of the color head 51 and the white clear head 52. The color head 51 and the white clear head 52 move relative to the platen 5 in the front-to-rear direction as the platen 5 moves in the front-to-rear direction.

[0172] Printers 1A, 1B, and 1C may use ink that hardens when exposed to light, such as visible light or infrared light. In this case, color-side lamp 61, white-clear-side lamp 62, and lamp 60 emit visible light or infrared light. Color-side lamp 61, white-clear-side lamp 62, and lamp 60 may also be incandescent lamps, mercury lamps, fluorescent lamps, etc.

[0173] In the first embodiment, the CPU 41 determined the illumination distance L in S111 and S121 based on the detection result from the encoder 341. In the second and third embodiments, the CPU 41 determined the illumination distance L in S311 and S321 based on the detection result from the encoder 351. In contrast, for example, the printers 1A, 1B, and 1C may be equipped with a sensor for detecting the illumination distance L. The sensor may be an optical sensor, an image sensor, a switch sensor, or the like. In this case, the CPU 41 may determine the illumination distance L based on the detection result from the sensor. For example, the user may input the illumination distance L to the printer 1A by operating the operation unit 37 or an external device. In this case, the CPU 41 may acquire the input illumination distance L and make the determinations in S311 and S321 based on the acquired illumination distance L.

[0174] In the above embodiment, the first distance L1 may be a specific value or may be configured to be one of a plurality of consecutive values, and the second distance L2 may also be a specific value or may be configured to be one of a plurality of consecutive values, as long as the second distance L2 is a value greater than the first distance L1.

[0175] In the above embodiment, in both the normal printing mode and the gloss printing mode, three layers are laminated as the ink layer 100: a white ink layer 101, a color ink layer 102, and a clear ink layer 103. In contrast, the printers 1A, 1B, and 1C may form some of the white ink layer 101, the color ink layer 102, and the clear ink layer 103 in either or both of the normal printing mode and the gloss printing mode. For example, if the printer 1A omits forming the clear ink layer 103 in the gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 can simply turn the clear ink "OFF" in S204.

[0176] In the first embodiment, in the white printing process, the CPU 41 turns on the white clear side lamp 62 when the main scanning direction is set to "left" or "right." In the color / clear printing process, the CPU 41 turns on the color side lamp 61 when the main scanning direction is set to "left" or "right."

[0177] In the second and third embodiments, the CPU 41 may turn the lamp 60 "ON" when the main scanning direction is set to "left" or when the main scanning direction is set to "right." For example, the CPU 41 may turn the lamp 60 "OFF" when the main scanning direction is set to "left." In this case, the printers 1B and 1C irradiate the ink layer 100 with ultraviolet light during main scanning processing when the main scanning direction is set to "right." The CPU 41 may turn the lamp 60 "OFF" when the main scanning direction is set to "right."

[0178] In the first embodiment, the processing content of the white printing processing in S114 and the processing content of the white printing processing in S124 may be different from each other. The processing content of the color / clear printing processing in S115 and the processing content of the color / clear printing processing in S125 may be different from each other. For example, in the color / clear printing processing in S115, the white / clear side lamp 62 may be turned "OFF" in S205 and the color side lamp 61 may be turned "OFF" in S206, and in the color / clear printing processing in S125, the white / clear side lamp 62 may be turned "ON" in S205 and the color side lamp 61 may be turned "ON" in S206.

[0179] In the second and third embodiments, the white printing process in S314 may differ from the white printing process in S324. The color printing process in S315 may differ from the color printing process in S325. The clear printing process in S316 may differ from the clear printing process in S326.

[0180] In the above embodiments, the printers 1A, 1B, and 1C may form the white ink layer 101 while moving the platen 5 backward. The printers 1A, 1B, and 1C may form the color ink layer 102 while moving the platen 5 forward. The printers 1B and 1C may form the clear ink layer 103 while moving the platen 5 backward. The printer 1A may form the color ink layer 102 over the entire area of ​​the printing object M where an image is to be printed, and then form the clear ink layer 103 on the color ink layer 102 on the printing object M. In this case, the printer 1A may form the color ink layer 102 while moving the platen 5 forward. The printer 1A may form the clear ink layer 103 while moving the platen 5 forward.

[0181] In the first embodiment, when forming the white ink layer 101 in, for example, gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 may turn the white clear side lamp 62 "OFF" in S145. In this case, the white ink layer 101(N) is not irradiated with ultraviolet light during the Nth main scanning process of S147, but is irradiated with ultraviolet light during the (N+K)th main scanning process of S147. This lengthens the time from when the white ink layer 101 is formed until when the white ink layer 101 is irradiated with ultraviolet light. This makes it easier for the printer 1A to ensure time for the white ink layer 101 to smoothen. Similarly, when forming color ink layers 102 over the entire area of ​​the printing target M where an image is to be printed, and then forming a clear ink layer 103 on the color ink layers 102 on the printing target M, the CPU 41 may perform the following control. That is, for example, in gloss printing mode, when forming the clear ink layer 103, the CPU 41 may control the color ink side lamp 61 to irradiate the clear ink layer 103 with ultraviolet light, without irradiating it with ultraviolet light from the white clear ink side lamp 62. In this case, after main scanning, the CPU 41 sets the sub-scanning direction to "forward," that is, the direction from the white clear ink head 52 to the color ink head 51, and performs sub-scanning. For example, in gloss printing mode, when forming the color ink layer 102, the CPU 41 may control the white clear ink side lamp 62 to irradiate the color ink layer 102 with ultraviolet light, without irradiating it with ultraviolet light from the color ink side lamp 61. In this case, the printer 1A may form the color ink layer 102 while moving the platen 5 backward, that is, in the direction from the color ink head 51 to the white clear ink head 52.

[0182] In the above-described embodiment, the printers 1A, 1B, and 1C 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, and 1C 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.

[0183] In the first embodiment, the printer 1A may move the carriage 20 in the vertical direction. In this case, the CPU 41 may move the carriage 20 in the vertical direction in S112 or S122 so that the irradiation distance L becomes the first distance L1 or the second distance L2. The printer 1A may move the color side lamp 61 and the white-clear side lamp 62 in the vertical direction separately or together. In this case, the CPU 41 may move the color side lamp 61 and the white-clear side lamp 62 in the vertical direction in S112 or S122 so that the irradiation distance L becomes the first distance L1 or the second distance L2. In S112 or S122, the CPU 41 may move the color side lamp 61 in the vertical direction so that the irradiation distance L of the color side lamp 61 becomes the first distance L1 or the second distance L2. In S112 or S122, the CPU 41 may move the white-clear side lamp 62 in the vertical direction so that the irradiation distance L of the white-clear side lamp 62 becomes the first distance L1 or the second distance L2.

[0184] In the first embodiment, the positions of the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 and the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 may be different from each other in the vertical direction. In this case, the irradiation distance L may be determined based on either the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 or the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624. For example, if the printer 1A moves the color side lamp 61 and the white / clear side lamp 62 separately in the vertical direction, the first distance L1 and the second distance L2 of the color side lamp 61 may be the same as or different from the first distance L1 and second distance L2 of the white / clear side lamp 62, respectively.

[0185] In the first embodiment, in gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 performs at least one of the main scanning processes of S147, S157, S207, and S217 with the irradiation distance L set to the second distance L2, and may perform other processes with the irradiation distance L set to the first distance L1. For example, if the clear ink layer 103 is the outermost layer, in gloss printing mode, it is preferable that the CPU 41 perform at least one or both of S207 and S217 of the main scanning processes of S147, S157, S207, and S217 with the irradiation distance L set to the second distance L2. This is because the printer 1A can prevent streaks from appearing in the outermost layer (clear ink layer 103). Similarly, in the second and third embodiments, in gloss printing mode, the CPU 41 performs at least one of the main scanning processes of S346, S356, S376, S386, S406, and S416 with the irradiation distance L set to the first distance L1, and may perform other processes with the irradiation distance L set to the first distance L1. For example, if the clear ink layer 103 is the outermost layer, in gloss printing mode, it is preferable that the CPU 41 perform at least one or both of S406 and S416 of the main scanning processes of S346, S356, S376, S386, S406, and S416 with the irradiation distance L set to the second distance L2. For example, when the color ink layer 102 is the outermost layer, in the gloss printing mode, it is preferable that the CPU 41 performs at least one or both of S376 and S386 of the main scanning processes of S346, S356, S376, and S386 with the irradiation distance L set to the second distance L2.

[0186] In the first embodiment, the printer 1A may move the platen 5 up and down using a cylinder or the like instead of the lift motor 34. The lift mechanism 8 may be a cam mechanism, a ball screw, or the like.

[0187] In the second embodiment, the printer 1B may move the lamp 60 in the vertical direction using a cylinder or the like instead of the lift motor 35. The printer 1B may move the substrate 602 in the vertical direction relative to the housing 601. In this case, the CPU 41 may control the irradiation distance L in S312 or S322 so that the distance from the upper surface of the platen 5 to the substrate 602 is the first distance L1 or the second distance L2. In the second embodiment, the CPU 41 may control the irradiation distance L to be the first distance L1 or the second distance L2 by moving the platen 5 in the vertical direction instead of the lamp 60 in S312 or S322.

[0188] In the third embodiment, the printer 1C may move the light-shielding walls 607, 608 up and down using a cylinder or the like instead of the lifting motor 35. The light-shielding walls 607, 608 may be supported by the housing 601 instead of the carriage 20. The light-shielding wall 609 may be fixed to the housing 601 instead of the carriage 20.

[0189] In the third embodiment, when the light-shielding walls 607, 608 are located at the raised position P6, the lower ends of the light-shielding walls 607, 608 may be located below the lower surface of the housing 601. In this case, the irradiation distance L indicates the distance between the upper surface of the platen 5 and the lower ends of the light-shielding walls 607, 608 in the vertical direction.

[0190] In the first embodiment, in the color side lamp 61, the substrate 612 and the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 may be housed in a housing 611. For example, the bottom surface of the substrate 612 may be located higher than the bottom surface of the housing 611. The white clear side lamp 62 can also be modified in the same way as the color side lamp 61. In the second and third embodiments, the lamp 60 can also be modified in the same way as the color side lamp 61.

[0191] In the first embodiment, the color side lamp 61 may omit the housing 611. The white-clear side lamp 62 may also omit the housing 621. In other words, the boards 612 and 622 may be exposed in the up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions.

[0192] In the first embodiment, the white clear head 52 may be arranged in front of the color head 51. The white clear head 52 may be located in front of or behind the color head 51, shifted to the left or right of the color head 51. In the second and third embodiments, the white clear head 52 may be arranged to the left of the color head 51.

[0193] The setting to turn on during main scanning processing may mean that at least one of the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 or at least one of the multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 is turned on constantly or at a predetermined timing. The number of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 604 may be one instead of multiple. The number of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 614 may be one instead of multiple. The number of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 624 may be one instead of multiple.

[0194] In the above embodiment, the platen 5 corresponds to the "platen" of the present invention. The color head 51 corresponds to the "first head" of the present invention. The white clear head 52 corresponds to the "second head" of the present invention. The ultraviolet light emitting diodes 604, 614, and 624 correspond to the "light source" of the present invention. The lamp 60, the color side lamp 61, and the white clear side lamp 62 correspond to the "irradiation device" 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.

[0195] The movement control processing performed in each of the main scanning processes of S147 and S157 during the white printing process of S114, the main scanning processing of S207 and S217 during the color / clear printing process of S115, the main scanning processing of S346 and S356 during the white printing process of S314, the main scanning processing of S376 and S386 during the color printing process of S315, and the main scanning processing of S406 and S416 during the clear printing process of S316 corresponds to the "normal movement processing" of this invention. The ejection control processing performed in each of the main scanning processes of S147 during the white printing process of S114, the main scanning processing of S207 during the color / clear printing process of S115, the main scanning processing of S346 during the white printing process of S314, the main scanning processing of S376 during the color printing process of S315, and the main scanning processing of S406 during the clear printing process of S316 corresponds to the "normal ejection processing" of this invention. The irradiation control processing performed in each main scanning process, namely, the main scanning processes of S147 and S157 during the white printing process of S114, the main scanning processes of S207 and S217 during the color / clear printing process of S115, the main scanning processes of S346 and S356 during the white printing process of S314, the main scanning processes of S376 and S386 during the color printing process of S315, and the main scanning processes of S406 and S416 during the clear printing process of S316, corresponds to the "normal irradiation processing" of this invention.

[0196] The movement control processing performed in each of the main scanning processes, namely, the main scanning processes of S147 and S157 during the white printing process of S124, the main scanning processes of S207 and S217 during the color / clear printing process of S125, the main scanning processes of S346 and S356 during the white printing process of S324, the main scanning processes of S376 and S386 during the color printing process of S325, and the main scanning processes of S406 and S416 during the clear printing process of S326, corresponds to the "gloss movement processing" of this invention. The ejection control processing performed in each main scanning process, namely, the main scanning process of S147 during the white printing process of S124, the main scanning process of S207 during the color / clear printing process of S125, the main scanning process of S346 during the white printing process of S324, the main scanning process of S376 during the color printing process of S325, and the main scanning process of S406 during the clear printing process of S326, corresponds to the "gloss ejection processing" of this invention. The irradiation control processing performed in each main scanning process, namely, the main scanning processes of S147 and S157 during the white printing process of S124, the main scanning processes of S207 and S217 during the color / clear printing process of S125, the main scanning processes of S346 and S356 during the white printing process of S324, the main scanning processes of S376 and S386 during the color printing process of S325, and the main scanning processes of S406 and S416 during the clear printing process of S326, corresponds to the "gloss irradiation process" of this invention.

[0197] The movement control processing performed in each of the main scanning processes, i.e., the main scanning processing of S147 during the white printing processing of S114, the main scanning processing of S207 during the color / clear printing processing of S115, the main scanning processing of S346 during the white printing processing of S314, the main scanning processing of S376 during the color printing processing of S315, and the main scanning processing of S406 during the clear printing processing of S316, corresponds to the "first normal movement processing" of this invention. The movement control processing performed in each of the main scanning processes, i.e., the main scanning processing of S147 during the white printing processing of S124, the main scanning processing of S207 during the color / clear printing processing of S125, the main scanning processing of S346 during the white printing processing of S324, the main scanning processing of S376 during the color printing processing of S325, and the main scanning processing of S406 during the clear printing processing of S326, corresponds to the "first gloss movement processing" of this invention.

[0198] The color side lamp 61 corresponds to the "first lamp" of the present invention. The white clear side lamp 62 corresponds to the "second lamp" of the present invention. The housing 601 corresponds to the "housing" of the present invention. The lowered position P5 corresponds to the "advance position" of the present invention. The raised position P6 corresponds to the "retracted position" of the present invention. The light-shielding walls 607 and 608 correspond to the "pair of walls" of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0199] 1A, 1B, 1C Printers 5 Platen 41 CPU 51 Color Head 52 White Clear Head 60 Lamp 61 Color side lamp 62 White clear side lamp 601 Case 604, 614, 624 UV light-emitting diodes 607, 608 Light blocking wall

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 that ejects a photocurable second ink onto the printing object; an irradiation device arranged next to the first head and the second head in a main scanning direction, the irradiation device including a light source that irradiates light onto the printing object; Controller and Equipped with In a normal printing mode different from a gloss printing mode, the controller a normal movement process that automatically switches the distance between the platen and a predetermined position of the irradiation device in a height direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction to a first distance in accordance with a print mode during the period from when a print command is input until when printing is started, and moves the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device relative to the platen in the main scanning direction; a normal ejection process of ejecting ink from at least one of the first head and the second head onto the printing object during the normal movement process; a normal irradiation process for irradiating light from the light source onto the ink ejected onto the printing object during the normal movement process; In the gloss printing mode, the controller a gross movement process that automatically switches the distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction to a second distance that is greater than the first distance in accordance with the print mode, and moves the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device relative to the platen in the main scanning direction, during the period from when the print command is input until when printing is started; a gloss ejection process of ejecting ink from at least one of the first head and the second head onto the printing object during execution of the gloss movement process; During the execution of the gloss movement process, a gloss irradiation process is executed in which light is irradiated from the light source onto the ink ejected onto the printing object; the irradiation device includes a housing having the light source, and a pair of walls positioned in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the height direction with respect to the housing, the walls being movable between an advanced position and a retracted position in the height direction; The predetermined position is a position of the housing and the pair of walls that is closest to the platen in the height direction, when the pair of walls are positioned at the advanced position, the distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction is the first distance, when the pair of walls are positioned at the retracted position, the distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction is the second distance, The controller A printer characterized in that the pair of walls are moved between the advanced position and the retracted position, so that the distance between the platen and the specified position in the height direction is set to the first distance or the second distance.

2. In the normal printing mode, the controller a first normal movement process for moving the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device relative to the platen in a direction from the irradiation device toward the first head in the main scanning direction, in the normal movement process; The normal discharge process and the normal irradiation process are performed during the execution of the first normal movement process; In the gloss printing mode, the controller a first gross movement process is executed in which the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device are moved relative to the platen in a direction from the irradiation device toward the first head in the main scanning direction, in the gross movement process; 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the gloss ejection process and the gloss irradiation process are executed during execution of the first gloss movement process.

3. the second head is aligned with the first head in the main scanning direction, 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation device is a single lamp including the light source.

4. the second head is aligned with the first head in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the height direction, 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation device comprises: a first lamp that is aligned with the first head in the main scanning direction and includes the light source; and a second lamp that is aligned with the second head in the main scanning direction and includes the light source.

5. The controller A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that by moving the housing in the height direction, the distance between the platen and the light source at the predetermined position in the height direction is set to the first distance or the second distance.

6. The controller A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that by moving the platen in the height direction, the distance between the platen and the light source at the predetermined position in the height direction is set to the first distance or the second distance.

7. the first head ejects the first ink, which is ultraviolet curable; the second head ejects the second ink, which is ultraviolet curable; 7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the light source emits ultraviolet light.

8. the first head ejects a color ink as the first ink, 8. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the second head ejects, as the second ink, a clear ink having higher light transmittance than the color inks.

9. 9. The printer according to claim 8, wherein the second head further ejects white ink as a third ink.

10. 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 that ejects a photocurable second ink onto the printing object; an irradiation device arranged next to the first head and the second head in the main scanning direction, the irradiation device including a light source that irradiates light onto the printing object; A method for controlling a printer comprising: In normal printing mode, which is different from gloss printing mode, a normal movement process that automatically switches the distance between the platen and a predetermined position of the irradiation device in a height direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction to a first distance in accordance with a print mode during the period from when a print command is input until when printing is started, and moves the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device relative to the platen in the main scanning direction; a normal ejection process of ejecting ink from at least one of the first head and the second head onto the printing object during the normal movement process; a normal irradiation process for irradiating light from the light source onto the ink ejected onto the printing object during the normal movement process; In the gloss printing mode, a gross movement process that automatically switches the distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction to a second distance that is greater than the first distance in accordance with the print mode, and moves the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device relative to the platen in the main scanning direction, during the period from when the print command is input until when printing is started; a gloss ejection process of ejecting ink from at least one of the first head and the second head onto the printing object during execution of the gloss movement process; During the execution of the gloss movement process, a gloss irradiation process is executed in which light is irradiated from the light source onto the ink ejected onto the printing object; the irradiation device includes a housing having the light source, and a pair of walls positioned in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the height direction with respect to the housing, the walls being movable between an advanced position and a retracted position in the height direction; The predetermined position is a position of the housing and the pair of walls that is closest to the platen in the height direction, when the pair of walls are positioned at the advanced position, the distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction is the first distance, when the pair of walls are positioned at the retracted position, the distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction is the second distance, A control method characterized by moving the pair of walls between the advanced position and the retracted position, thereby setting the distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction to the first distance or the second distance.

11. 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 that ejects a photocurable second ink onto the printing object; an irradiation device arranged next to the first head and the second head in the main scanning direction, the irradiation device including a light source that irradiates light onto the printing object; A controller of a printer having In normal printing mode, which is different from gloss printing mode, a normal movement process that automatically switches the distance between the platen and a predetermined position of the irradiation device in a height direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction to a first distance in accordance with a print mode during the period from when a print command is input until when printing is started, and moves the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device relative to the platen in the main scanning direction; a normal ejection process of ejecting ink from at least one of the first head and the second head onto the printing object during the normal movement process; a normal irradiation process for irradiating light from the light source onto the ink ejected onto the printing object during the normal movement process; In the gloss printing mode, a gross movement process that automatically switches the distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction to a second distance that is greater than the first distance in accordance with the print mode, and moves the first head, the second head, and the irradiation device relative to the platen in the main scanning direction, during the period from when the print command is input until when printing is started; a gloss ejection process of ejecting ink from at least one of the first head and the second head onto the printing object during execution of the gloss movement process; During the execution of the gloss movement process, a gloss irradiation process is executed in which light is irradiated from the light source onto the ink ejected onto the printing object, the irradiation device includes a housing having the light source, and a pair of walls positioned in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the height direction with respect to the housing, the walls being movable between an advanced position and a retracted position in the height direction; The predetermined position is a position of the housing and the pair of walls that is closest to the platen in the height direction, when the pair of walls are positioned at the advanced position, the distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction is the first distance, when the pair of walls are positioned at the retracted position, the distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction is the second distance, A control program characterized by moving the pair of walls between the advanced position and the retracted position, thereby setting the distance between the platen and the specified position in the height direction to the first distance or the second distance.

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