Printers, printed materials, and printing methods

Abstract

To prepare a printed matter which can give more kinds of tactile sensations at the time of touching the printed matter with a finger tip.SOLUTION: A control device 160 of a printer 100 performs control so that a print layer 12 is printed on a medium 10. The print layer 12 comprises first print regions 21 having a plurality of first protrusions 25 and second print regions 22 having a plurality of second protrusions 26. Any one or more of a size, a height H11, a planar shape, an arraying interval L21 and an array direction D21 of the first protrusion 25 in the first print region 21 are different from a size, a height H12, a planar shape, an arraying interval L22 and an array direction D22 of the second protrusion 26 in the second print region 22. An extraction region 30 of 3 cm in four directions at an arbitrary position of the print layer 12 is extracted. The first print region 21 and the second print region 22 are arranged in the extraction region 30, and the number of regions of at least either of the first print region 21 and the second print region 22 in the extraction region 30 is plural.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer, printed matter, and a printing method.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses printed matter with a tactile sensation imparted to the surface of a base material. This printed matter includes a first printing area in which a plurality of protrusions are arranged on the surface of the base material, and a second printing area in which a plurality of protrusions are arranged on the surface of the base material. Here, the arrangement interval of the protrusions in the first printing area is different from the arrangement interval of the protrusions in the second printing area. For example, the arrangement interval of the protrusions in the first printing area is larger than the arrangement interval of the protrusions in the second printing area.

[0003] Thus, by making the arrangement interval of the protrusions in the first printing area different from the arrangement interval of the protrusions in the second printing area, the tactile sensation of the first printing area can be made different from the tactile sensation of the second printing area. For example, by making the arrangement interval of the protrusions in the first printing area larger than the arrangement interval of the protrusions in the second printing area, the concavo-convex feeling of the first printing area can be made stronger than the concavo-convex feeling of the second printing area. In this way, without changing the height of the protrusions, the tactile sensations of the first printing area and the second printing area can be changed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the printed material disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, when the printed material is touched with a fingertip, only the first printed area, only the second printed area, or an area spanning both the first and second printed areas is touched, and the types of tactile sensations of the printed material obtained with the fingertip are limited. It is preferable to obtain a wider variety of tactile sensations using a simpler method.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to provide a printer that prints printed materials that can obtain a greater variety of tactile sensations when the printed material is touched with the fingertips, a printed material, and a printing method for printing said printed material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The printer according to the present invention comprises a support stand for supporting a medium, an ink head for ejecting ink onto the medium supported by the support stand, a movement mechanism for moving the ink head relative to the medium supported by the support stand, and a control device for controlling the printing of a print layer onto the medium. The print layer comprises a first print area having a plurality of first protrusions and a second print area having a plurality of second protrusions. One or more of the size, height, planar shape, spacing, and arrangement direction of the first protrusions in the first print area differ from the size, height, planar shape, spacing, and arrangement direction of the second protrusions in the second print area. When a 3 cm square extraction area at any position in the print layer is extracted from the print layer, the extraction area contains the first print area and the second print area, and the number of at least one of the first print area and the second print area in the extraction area is multiple.

[0008] For example, the size of the 3cm square extraction area is determined based on the size of the contact area when the printed layer is touched with a fingertip. According to the above printer, the printed layer produced by the printer has different tactile sensations in the first and second printed areas. Here, when the printed layer on the medium is touched with a fingertip, it is possible to simultaneously touch the first and second printed areas, which have different tactile sensations, and to simultaneously touch multiple areas of at least one of the first and second printed areas. Therefore, by producing multiple printed materials with varying tactile sensations in the first and second printed areas that can be touched simultaneously with a fingertip, it is possible to produce printed materials that offer a variety of tactile sensations.

[0009] The printed material according to the present invention comprises a medium and a printed layer formed on the medium with ink, The printed layer comprises a first printed area having a plurality of first protrusions and a second printed area having a plurality of second protrusions. The size, height, planar shape, spacing, and arrangement direction of the first protrusions in the first printed area differ from the size, height, planar shape, spacing, and arrangement direction of the second protrusions in the second printed area. When a 3 cm square extraction area at any position in the printed layer is extracted from the printed layer, the extraction area contains the first printed area and the second printed area, and the number of at least one of the first printed area and the second printed area in the extraction area is multiple.

[0010] The printing method according to the present invention comprises a preparation step of preparing a medium and a printing step of printing a printing layer on the medium. The printing layer comprises a first printing region having a plurality of first protrusions and a second printing region having a plurality of second protrusions. One or more of the size, height, planar shape, arrangement spacing, and arrangement direction of the first protrusions in the first printing region are different from the size, height, planar shape, arrangement spacing, and arrangement direction of the second protrusions in the second printing region. When a 3 cm square extraction region is extracted from the printing layer at any position, the extraction region contains the first printing region and the second printing region, and the number of at least one of the first printing region and the second printing region in the extraction region is multiple. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer that prints printed materials that can obtain a greater variety of tactile sensations when the printed material is touched with a fingertip, a printed material, and a printing method for printing said printed material. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of a printed material according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a printer. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the printer with the cover open. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram of a printer. [Figure 5] This is a bottom view showing the carriage, ink head, and light irradiation device. [Figure 6] This is a plan view showing the second printed layer of a printed material according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing the extracted region extracted from the second printing layer. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the printing method. [Figure 9]A table showing the sizes of the first printing area, the second printing area, the first protrusion, and the second protrusion in Examples 1 to 12. [Figure 10] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer of a printed matter according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] A table showing the sizes of the first printing area, the second printing area, the first protrusion, and the second protrusion in Examples 13 to 24. [Figure 16] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 18] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 19] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 20] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 21] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to another embodiment. [Figure 22] A cross-sectional view of a printed matter according to another embodiment. [Figure 23] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to another embodiment. [Figure 24] A plan view showing an extraction area extracted from the second printing layer according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are not intended to particularly limit the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for components and parts that perform the same function, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0014] <First Embodiment> First, the printed material 5 according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the printed material 5 according to the first embodiment. The printed material 5 shown in Figure 1 is produced, for example, using the printer 100 (see Figure 2) described later. As shown in Figure 1, the printed material 5 comprises a medium 10, a first printing layer 11, and a second printing layer 12.

[0015] The medium 10 is, for example, paper. However, the type of medium 10 is not particularly limited. For example, the medium 10 may be a sheet made from a resin material such as PCV or polyester, a metal plate, a glass plate, a wooden board, or something with a relatively thick thickness. The medium 10 may also be a three-dimensional object such as a smartphone case.

[0016] In this embodiment, the first printing layer 11 and the second printing layer 12 are layers formed by ink ejected from the printer 100. The first printing layer 11 is the layer printed on the medium 10. The first printing layer 11 is the layer formed on the medium 10 (in other words, on the surface (or top surface) of the medium 10). In this embodiment, the first printing layer 11 is a base layer, and is a layer formed by a base ink such as primer ink or white ink.

[0017] However, the first printing layer 11 may be an image-forming layer in which images such as pictures, patterns, figures, or characters are formed based on image data, for example. Alternatively, the first printing layer 11 may be a layer in which a base layer and an image-forming layer are stacked from below. In other words, the first printing layer 11 may be a layer composed of a base layer and an image-forming layer.

[0018] In the first printing layer 11, for example, multiple layers may be stacked to form one underlay layer or one image-forming layer. The number of layers constituting the underlay layer and the number of layers constituting the image-forming layer may be one or multiple, respectively.

[0019] The second printing layer 12 is a layer printed on the medium 10. Here, the second printing layer 12 is a layer printed on the first printing layer 11 so as to overlap with the first printing layer 11 printed on the medium 10. The second printing layer 12 is formed on the medium 10 (in other words, on the surface (or top surface) of the medium 10). In this embodiment, the second printing layer 12 is a layer formed on the surface (or top surface) of the first printing layer 11, and is a layer formed on the surface of the medium 10 via the first printing layer 11.

[0020] The second printing layer 12 is an example of a printing layer of the present invention. The second printing layer 12 is a layer on which clear ink is ejected and printed. That is, the second printing layer 12 is formed of clear ink. The second printing layer 12 may also be a layer formed by laminating multiple layers. The number of layers constituting the second printing layer 12 may be one or multiple. The detailed structure of the second printing layer 12 will be described later.

[0021] In this embodiment, a first printing layer 11 is printed on the medium 10, and a second printing layer 12 is printed on the first printing layer 11 so as to overlap it. The first printing layer 11, which is an example of a base layer, is a layer formed between the second printing layer 12 and the medium 10 from the viewpoint of adhesion between the ink of the second printing layer 12 and the medium 10. Therefore, if, for example, the adhesion between the ink of the second printing layer 12 and the medium 10 is high, the first printing layer 11 can be omitted. In this case, the second printing layer 12 will be printed directly onto the medium 10.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the printer 100 that prints the first printing layer 11 and the second printing layer 12 on the medium 10 will be described. Figures 2 and 3 are perspective and front views of the printer 100 according to this embodiment, respectively. Figure 4 is a block diagram of the printer 100 according to this embodiment. In the following, the symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings indicate the front, back, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 100, respectively. The symbols Y and X indicate the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction, respectively. For example, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The sub-scanning direction X intersects with the main scanning direction Y in a plan view and is orthogonal here. The sub-scanning direction X is, for example, the front-back direction. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation configuration of the printer 100 in any way.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the printer 100 ejects ink onto the medium 10 and performs printing on the medium 10. Here, the printer 100 prints a first printing layer 11 and a second printing layer 12 onto the medium 10. As a result, the first printing layer 11 and the second printing layer 12 are stacked on the surface of the medium 10. The printer 100 produces the printed material 5 shown in Figure 1.

[0024] The printer 100 is an inkjet printer. In this embodiment, the printer 100 is a so-called flatbed type printer, and as the support base 140 (see Figure 3), described later, moves in the sub-scanning direction X, the medium 10 also moves in the sub-scanning direction X. However, the printer 100 may also be a so-called roll-to-roll type printer, and may move only the roll-shaped medium 10 in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the printer 100 comprises a case 111 and a cover 112. The case 111 is, for example, rectangular and has an internal space. In this internal space, the first printing layer 11 and the second printing layer 12 are printed on the medium 10. As shown in Figure 3, an opening 115 is formed in the front of the case 111.

[0026] The cover 112 is supported by the case 111 so that the opening 115 can be opened and closed. The cover 112 is configured to rotate around its rear end as an axis. As shown in Figure 2, windows 116 are provided on the front and top of the cover 112. The windows 116 are made of a transparent or translucent material, such as an acrylic sheet. The user can see the internal space of the case 111 through the windows 116.

[0027] Next, the internal configuration of the printer 100 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the printer 100 includes a guide rail 118, a carriage 120, an ink head 122, a light irradiation device 130, and a support base 140.

[0028] The guide rail 118 is fixed to the case 111 within the internal space of the case 111. The guide rail 118 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The carriage 120 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 118. The carriage 120 is configured to be movable along the guide rail 118 in the main scanning direction Y.

[0029] The ink head 122 ejects ink onto the medium 10 supported by the support base 140. The ink head 122 is mounted on the carriage 120. The ink head 122 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y together with the carriage 120. The number of ink heads 122 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, there are four ink heads 122. The four ink heads 122 are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction Y.

[0030] Figure 5 is a bottom view showing the carriage 120, the ink head 122, and the light irradiation device 130. As shown in Figure 5, the ink head 122 has a nozzle surface 123. The nozzle surface 123 constitutes the bottom surface of the ink head 122. The nozzle surface 123 is exposed downward from the carriage 120. Multiple nozzles 124 are formed on one nozzle surface 123. In this embodiment, the multiple nozzles 124 on one nozzle surface 123 are arranged in a line in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, a row of multiple nozzles 124 arranged in the sub-scanning direction X is called a nozzle row 125. In this embodiment, the number of nozzle rows 125 on one nozzle surface 123 is two. However, the number of nozzle rows 125 on one nozzle surface 123 may be one or three or more.

[0031] In this embodiment, a different color of ink is ejected from a nozzle 124 for each nozzle row 125 of the ink head 122. The ink ejected from the nozzle 124 is, for example, a color ink or a spot color ink. Here, "color ink" refers to process color ink. Process color inks include, for example, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink. Spot color ink is an ink of a color other than process color ink. Spot color inks include base inks. Base inks include, for example, primer ink or white ink. Spot color inks further include, for example, clear ink, gloss ink, fluorescent ink, metallic ink, orange ink, red ink, violet ink, blue ink, and green ink.

[0032] In this embodiment, the ink head 122 that ejects clear ink is an example of the first ink head of the present invention. The ink head 122 that ejects color ink is an example of the second ink head of the present invention.

[0033] The ink ejected from the nozzle 124 of the ink head 122 is a photocurable ink whose drying is accelerated when exposed to light. The light is, for example, ultraviolet light, and in this case, the ink is a UV-curable ink whose drying is accelerated when exposed to ultraviolet light. However, the ink may also be, for example, a water-based ink.

[0034] In this embodiment, the ink ejected from the ink head 122 is contained in an ink cartridge 126, as shown in Figure 3. The ink cartridge 126 is located, for example, in the internal space of the case 111. One ink cartridge 126 is connected to, for example, one ink head 122. However, one ink cartridge 126 may be connected to, for example, one nozzle row 125. The ink cartridge 126 is connected to the ink head 122 via, for example, a tube (not shown). The ink contained in the ink cartridge 126 is supplied to the ink head 122 through the tube.

[0035] The light irradiation device 130 is a device that irradiates light onto the ink ejected from the nozzle 124 of the ink head 122. In this embodiment, the light irradiation device 130 is configured to irradiate light onto the ink ejected onto the medium 10 supported by the support base 140. In this embodiment, as described above, the ink ejected from the nozzle 124 is an ultraviolet-curable ink, so it is preferable that the light irradiation device 130 is an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ink ejected from the nozzle 124. However, the light irradiation device 130 may also be an infrared irradiation device that irradiates infrared light. In this case, the ink ejected from the nozzle 124 of the ink head 122 may be a so-called water-based ink.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, the light irradiation device 130 is mounted on the carriage 120 and is configured to move in the main scanning direction Y together with the carriage 120 and the ink head 122. In this embodiment, the light irradiation device 130 is mounted on one side of the main scanning direction Y in the carriage 120 (here, the left side) and on one side of the main scanning direction Y in the ink head 122. However, the light irradiation device 130 may also be mounted on the other side of the main scanning direction Y in the carriage 120 (here, the right side) and on the other side of the main scanning direction Y in the ink head 122. In Figure 5, there is one light irradiation device 130, but there may be multiple (for example, two). The light irradiation devices 130 may be mounted on both the left and right sides of the carriage 120.

[0037] The configuration of the light irradiation device 130 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the light irradiation device 130 has an irradiation body 131 (see Figure 5) and a light source 132 (see Figure 4). As shown in Figure 5, the irradiation body 131 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped and hollow. An irradiation port 133 is formed on the bottom surface of the irradiation body 131. The shape of the irradiation port 133 is square, but is not particularly limited. The light source 132 emits light (in this case ultraviolet light) and is located inside the irradiation body 131. The light emitted from the light source 132 passes through the irradiation port 133 and irradiates the ink ejected onto the medium 10.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the support base 140 supports the medium 10. Here, the medium 10 is placed on the upper surface of the support base 140. Printing is performed on the medium 10 on the support base 140. The upper surface of the support base 140 extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the printer 100 is equipped with a moving mechanism 150. The moving mechanism 150 is a mechanism that moves the ink head 122 relative to the medium 10 supported on the support base 140 in a three-dimensional direction. The configuration of the moving mechanism 150 is not particularly limited. Here, the moving mechanism 150 includes a head moving mechanism 151 and a medium moving mechanism 152.

[0040] The head movement mechanism 151 is a mechanism that moves the ink head 122 relative to the support base 140 in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the head movement mechanism 151 is a mechanism that moves the carriage 120, the ink head 122, and the light irradiation device 130 along the guide rail 118 in the main scanning direction Y.

[0041] The configuration of the head movement mechanism 151 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the head movement mechanism 151, although not shown in the figures, includes, for example, left and right pulleys, a belt, and a scan motor. The left pulley is provided around the left end of the guide rail 118, and the right pulley is provided around the right end of the guide rail 118. The belt is, for example, an endless belt, which is wrapped around the left and right pulleys. The carriage 120 is attached and fixed to the belt. The scan motor is connected to one of the left and right pulleys. When the scan motor is driven, the pulley rotates, and the belt travels between the left and right pulleys. As a result, the carriage 120, the ink head 122, and the light irradiation device 130 move along the guide rail 118 in the main scanning direction Y.

[0042] The media movement mechanism 152 is a mechanism that moves the media 10 supported on the support base 140 relative to the ink head 122 in the sub-scanning direction X. In this embodiment, the media movement mechanism 152 is a mechanism that moves the media 10 supported on the support base 140 in the sub-scanning direction X by moving the support base 140 in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0043] The configuration of the media moving mechanism 152 is not particularly limited. Here, the media moving mechanism 152, although not shown in the figures, includes a support base carriage that supports the support base 140, and a pair of left and right slide rails that slidably support the support base carriage and extend in the sub-scanning direction X. The media moving mechanism 152, although not shown in the figures, further includes a pair of front and rear slide pulleys provided in front of and behind the slide rails, and a slide belt wrapped around the pair of front and rear slide pulleys. The support base carriage is fixed to this slide belt. A feed motor is connected to one of the front and rear slide pulleys. Here, when the feed motor is driven and the slide belt moves, the support base 140 and the media 10 move in the sub-scanning direction X together with the support base carriage.

[0044] In this embodiment, although the detailed configuration is omitted, as shown in Figure 3, the printer 100's moving mechanism 150 includes a support base 140 and a lifting mechanism 153 for raising and lowering the media 10.

[0045] The printer 100 includes a control device 160. The control device 160 performs printing-related processing. In this embodiment, the control device 160 is programmed to control the printing of a first printing layer 11 (see Figure 1) and a second printing layer 12 (see Figure 1) on the medium 10. The configuration of the control device 160 is not particularly limited. The control device 160 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 160 includes, for example, an interface, a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The control device 160 is located inside the case 111. However, the control device 160 may be implemented as a computer or the like installed outside the case 111. In this case, the control device 160 is communicated with the control board (not shown) of the printer 100 via wired or wireless connection.

[0046] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the control device 160 is communicatively connected to the ink head 122, the light irradiation device 130 (specifically the light source 132), and the movement mechanism 150 (specifically the head movement mechanism 151, the medium movement mechanism 152, and the lifting mechanism 153). The control device 160 controls the ink head 122, the light irradiation device 130, and the movement mechanism 150.

[0047] The configuration of the printer 100 that prints the first printing layer 11 and the second printing layer 12 of the printed material 5 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the second printing layer 12 of the printed material 5 produced by the printer 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. Figure 6 is a plan view showing the second printing layer 12 of the printed material 5. Figure 7 is a plan view showing the extracted region 30 extracted from the second printing layer 12 of the printed material 5. Here, in the drawings relating to the printed material, reference numeral D11 indicates the first direction. Reference numeral D12 indicates the second direction. The first direction D11 and the second direction D12 intersect (in this case are orthogonal) in a plan view. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the orientation of the printed material in any way.

[0048] In this embodiment, as described above, the second printing layer 12 is a layer printed on the medium 10, as shown in Figure 1, and is formed, for example, by clear ink. The second printing layer 12 is a layer that constitutes the surface (in this case, the top surface) of the printed material 5 and is exposed to the outside of the printed material 5. The second printing layer 12 can be a tactile layer that imparts a tactile feel to the printed material 5. The second printing layer 12 has irregularities formed on it. Therefore, the second printing layer 12 creates irregularities on the surface of the printed material 5. The user touches the second printing layer 12, for example, by touching the surface of the printed material 5 with their fingertips. As a result, the tactile feel of the printed material 5 is given to the fingertips. Here, by changing the spacing and size of the irregularities of the second printing layer 12, it becomes possible to express various types of tactile sensations.

[0049] In this embodiment, the second printing layer 12 comprises a first printing area 21 and a second printing area 22. In Figure 6, the first printing area is shaded to make the difference between the first and second printing areas clearer. The first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 are configured to provide different tactile sensations to the fingertips. As shown in Figure 7, one first printing area 21 has a plurality of first protrusions 25. One second printing area 22 has a plurality of second protrusions 26. In drawings where the first printing area is shaded, the first and second protrusions are omitted from the illustration.

[0050] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the first projection 25 and the second projection 26 each protrude upward on the medium 10. As shown in Figure 7, the size, height H11 (see Figure 1), plan shape, and side shape of each first projection 25 are the same. However, some first projections 25 may differ from others in size, height H11, plan shape, or side shape. Similarly, the size, height H12 (see Figure 1), plan shape, and side shape of each second projection 26 are the same. However, some second projections 26 may differ from others in size, height H12, plan shape, or side shape.

[0051] In this embodiment, one or more of the size, height H11, planar shape, arrangement interval L21, and arrangement direction D21 of the first protrusion 25 in the first printing area 21 differ from the size, height H12, planar shape, arrangement interval L22, and arrangement direction D22 of the second protrusion 26 in the second printing area 22. This makes it possible to make the tactile feel of the first printing area 21 and the tactile feel of the second printing area 22 different. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 25 and the second protrusion 26 have different sizes. Here, "size" refers to at least one of the area, volume, and maximum dimension in plan view of the protrusions 25 and 26.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first projection 25 is larger than the second projection 26. Here, the maximum dimension (here, the diameter) L11 of the first projection 25 is larger than the maximum dimension (here, the diameter) L12 of the second projection 26. Also, in a plan view, the area of ​​the first projection 25 is larger than the area of ​​the second projection 26. The volume of the first projection 25 is larger than the volume of the second projection 26. However, the first projection 25 may be smaller than the second projection 26, or it may be the same size as the second projection 26. For example, the maximum dimension L11 of the first projection 25 may be smaller than the maximum dimension L12 of the second projection 26, or it may be the same as the maximum dimension L12.

[0053] In this embodiment, the maximum dimension L11 of the first projection 25 and the maximum dimension L12 of the second projection 26 in a plan view are 1 mm or less, preferably 0.8 mm or less, and particularly preferably 0.6 mm or less.

[0054] In this embodiment, the heights H11 and H12, planar shape, arrangement spacing L21 and L22, and arrangement directions D21 and D22 are the same for the first projection 25 and the second projection 26. As shown in Figure 1, for example, the height H11 of the first projection 25 is the same as the height H12 of the second projection 26. Here, the heights H11 of the first projection 25 and H12 of the second projection 26 are 10 mm or less, preferably 8 mm or less, and particularly preferably 6 mm or less.

[0055] As shown in Figure 7, the planar shapes of the first projection 25 and the second projection 26 are both circular. However, the planar shapes of the first projection 25 and the second projection 26 are not limited to circular shapes. The planar shapes of the first projection 25 and the second projection 26 may be polygonal, such as triangular or quadrilateral shapes, or they may be elliptical or ring-shaped. Here, as shown in Figure 1, the side shapes of the first projection 25 and the second projection 26 are semicircular, but they are not particularly limited. The side shapes of the first projection 25 and the second projection 26 may be polygonal, such as quadrilateral or triangular shapes.

[0056] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the spacing L21 of the multiple first protrusions 25 and the spacing L22 of the multiple second protrusions 26 are the same. The spacing L21 refers to the distance between the centers C11 of adjacent first protrusions 25 in the first direction D11 or the second direction D12. Similarly, the spacing L22 refers to the distance between the centers C12 of adjacent second protrusions 26 in the first direction D11 or the second direction D12. In this embodiment, the multiple first protrusions 25 are arranged regularly, for example, at equal intervals. The multiple second protrusions 26 are also arranged regularly, for example, at equal intervals. However, the spacing L21 and L22 of some of the multiple first protrusions 25 or the multiple second protrusions 26 may differ from the other spacing L21 and L22.

[0057] For example, the spacing between adjacent first protrusions 25 (here, the spacing L21 of the first protrusions 25) and the spacing between adjacent second protrusions 26 (here, the spacing L22 of the second protrusions 26) is 2 mm or less, preferably 1.8 mm or less, and particularly preferably 1.6 mm or less. Also, the spacing L21 of the first protrusions 25 and the spacing L22 of the second protrusions 26 are 20 μm or more, preferably 30 μm or more, and particularly preferably 50 μm or more.

[0058] The arrangement direction D21 of the first projection 25 and the arrangement direction D22 of the second projection 26 are the same. In this embodiment, the arrangement directions D21 and D22 are the first direction D11. In other words, the first projection 25 is arranged along the first direction D11, and the second projection 26 is also arranged along the first direction D11. Here, multiple first projections 25 and multiple second projections 26 are arranged at equal intervals in the first direction D11 and the second direction D12. Therefore, it can also be said that the first projections 25 and the second projections 26 are arranged along the second direction D12. Thus, it can also be said that the arrangement direction D21 of the first projection 25 and the arrangement direction D22 of the second projection 26 are the second direction D12. Note that the arrangement directions D21 and D22 are not limited to the first direction D11 and the second direction D12, but may be, for example, directions inclined from the first direction D11 and the second direction D12.

[0059] In this embodiment, the number of first protrusions 25 in one first printing area 21 and the number of second protrusions 26 in one second printing area 22 are not particularly limited. Here, the number of first protrusions 25 in one first printing area 21 and the number of second protrusions 26 in one second printing area 22 are the same, but may be different. Also, the number of first protrusions 25 per unit area of ​​the first printing area 21 and the number of second protrusions 26 per unit area of ​​the second printing area 22 are the same, but may be different.

[0060] In this embodiment, in the first printing area 21, ink is not ejected in the areas where the first protrusion 25 is not formed, and the first printing layer 11 is exposed. Similarly, in the second printing area 22, ink is not ejected in the areas where the second protrusion 26 is not formed, and the first printing layer 11 is exposed. However, in the first printing area 21, a layer formed by ink (e.g., clear ink) (here, a layer shorter in height than the first protrusion 25) may be formed in the areas where the first protrusion 25 is not formed. Similarly, in the second printing area 22, a layer formed by ink (e.g., clear ink) (here, a layer shorter in height than the second protrusion 26) may be formed in the areas where the second protrusion 26 is not formed.

[0061] Next, the relationship between the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22, including their position and size, will be explained. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, there are multiple first printing areas 21 and multiple second printing areas 22 in the second printing layer 12. The size of each first printing area 21 (e.g., area, length in the first direction D11, length in the second direction D12) is the same, and the size of each second printing area 22 is also the same. However, the size of some of the multiple first printing areas 21 may differ from the size of the other first printing areas 21. Similarly, the size of some of the multiple second printing areas 22 may differ from the size of the other second printing areas 22.

[0062] For example, the area of ​​one first printing area 21 and the area of ​​one second printing area 22 are 400 μm².2 The above, preferably 500 μm 2 The above, and especially preferably 600 μm 2 That's all.

[0063] In this embodiment, the shape of each first printing area 21 is the same, and the shape of each second printing area 22 is also the same. However, the shape of some of the first printing areas 21 may differ from the shape of the other first printing areas 21. Similarly, the shape of some of the second printing areas 22 may differ from the shape of the other second printing areas 22.

[0064] In this embodiment, the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 are the same in size and shape. Here, the shape of the first printing area 21 and the shape of the second printing area 22 are both polygonal, for example, quadrilateral. More specifically, the shape of the first printing area 21 and the shape of the second printing area 22 are square. However, the shapes of the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 may be different. Furthermore, the specific shapes of the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 are not limited to polygonal shapes.

[0065] In this embodiment, the length L31 of the first printing area 21 in the first direction D11 and the length L32 of the second printing area 22 in the first direction D11 are the same. Also, the length L41 of the first printing area 21 in the second direction D12 and the length L42 of the second printing area 22 in the second direction D12 are the same. The area of ​​one first printing area 21 and the area of ​​one second printing area 22 are the same. However, the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 may be different in size. In other words, the lengths L31 and L32 in the first direction D11 of the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 may be different, and the lengths L41 and L42 in the second direction D12 may be different. Also, the areas of the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 may be different.

[0066] Multiple first printing areas 21 are spaced apart. Similarly, multiple second printing areas 22 are also spaced apart. In this embodiment, the first printing areas 21 and the second printing areas 22 are arranged alternately. More specifically, the first printing areas 21 and the second printing areas 22 are arranged alternately along the first direction D11. Furthermore, the first printing areas 21 and the second printing areas 22 are arranged alternately along the second direction D12.

[0067] In this embodiment, a portion of the second printed layer 12 is extracted, and this extracted region is called the extracted region 30. The extracted region 30 is a region extracted from any position on the second printed layer 12. Therefore, the extracted region 30 can be extracted from any position on the second printed layer 12. As shown in Figure 6, for example, the extracted region 30 may be extracted from the second printed layer 12 at a position such as the extracted region 30a, or it may be extracted from the second printed layer 12 at a position such as the extracted region 30b.

[0068] This extraction region 30 is a 3cm square area. In the extraction region 30 according to this embodiment, the length in the first direction D11 is 3cm, and the length in the second direction D12 is 3cm. The size of the extraction region 30 is approximately the size of the contact area when a fingertip touches the printed material 5. For example, when touching the printed material 5 with a finger, it is often the index finger, and especially the part of the fingertip (for example, the part opposite the nail) rather than the first joint of the index finger. The area of ​​the pad of an adult's index finger can fit within an area of ​​approximately 3cm square. Therefore, assuming that an adult touches the printed material 5 with the pad of their index finger, the size of the extraction region 30 was set to 3cm square.

[0069] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, both the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 are located in one extraction area 30. The number of at least one of the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 located in one extraction area 30 is multiple. In this embodiment, the number of first printing areas 21 and the number of second printing areas 22 are multiple. Here, even if only a part of the first printing area 21 (or second printing area 22) is located in the extraction area 30, as in extraction area 30b in Figure 6, the part of the first printing area 21 (or part of the second printing area 22) is counted as one.

[0070] Next, the printing method according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 8. The printing method according to this embodiment is implemented by the printer 100 shown in Figure 2. Here, the printing method is a method of printing a first printing layer 11 and a second printing layer 12 on a medium 10, as shown in Figure 1. The printing method includes a preparation step S1 and a printing step S2, as shown in Figure 8.

[0071] First, in preparation step S1, the medium 10 on which the first printing layer 11 and the second printing layer 12 will be printed is prepared. Here, preparing the medium 10 means making it ready for printing by the printer 100. In this preparation of the medium 10, as shown in Figure 3, the medium 10 is supported on the support base 140 of the printer 100. For example, the medium 10 is placed on the support base 140.

[0072] As shown in Figure 8, after preparing the medium 10 in preparation step S1, the printing step S2 prints on the medium 10 using the printer 100. In this embodiment, the printing step S2 includes a first printing step S21 and a second printing step S22.

[0073] In the printing process S2, first, in the first printing process S21, the first printing layer 11 (see Figure 1) is printed on the medium 10. The control device 160 of the printer 100 operates the head moving mechanism 151 to move the ink head 122 in the main scanning direction Y, and while doing so, ejects ink (e.g., undercoat ink) from the ink head 122 toward the medium 10 to print one line of the first printing layer 11. After printing one line, the control device 160 controls the medium moving mechanism 152 to move the support base 140 that supports the medium 10 by a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction X. Then, the control device 160 moves the ink head 122 in the main scanning direction Y to print the next line of the first printing layer 11 on the medium 10. In this way, by repeatedly alternating between printing one line of the first printing layer 11 and moving the support base 140 toward the sub-scanning direction X, the first printing layer 11 can be printed on the medium 10.

[0074] After the printing of the first printing layer 11 in the first printing process S21 is completed, in the second printing process S22 (Figure 8), the second printing layer 12 (see Figure 1) is printed on the medium 10. Here, the second printing layer 12 is printed on top of the first printing layer 11 that has been printed on the medium 10. In the second printing process S22, the first protrusion 25 of the first printing area 21 and the second protrusion 26 of the second printing area 22 are printed on the medium 10. For example, image data including images of the first printing area 21 (e.g., the first protrusion 25) and the second printing area 22 (e.g., the second protrusion 26) of the first printing layer 11 is stored in the memory of the control device 160. In the second printing process S22, the above image data is read and the second printing layer 12 is printed based on the image data.

[0075] In the second printing process S22, the control device 160 of the printer 100 operates the head moving mechanism 151 to move the ink head 122 in the main scanning direction Y, while simultaneously ejecting ink (e.g., clear ink) from the ink head 122 toward the medium 10 to print one line of the second printing layer 12. After printing one line, the control device 160 controls the medium moving mechanism 152 to move the support base 140 supporting the medium 10 by a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction X. Then, the control device 160 moves the ink head 122 in the main scanning direction Y to print the next line of the second printing layer 12 onto the medium 10. In this way, by repeatedly alternating between printing one line of the second printing layer 12 and moving the support base 140 toward the sub-scanning direction X, the second printing layer 12 can be printed onto the medium 10. In this manner, the printed material 5 can be produced.

[0076] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the printer 100 includes a support base 140 for supporting the medium 10, an ink head 122 for ejecting ink onto the medium 10 supported by the support base 140, a movement mechanism 150 for moving the ink head 122 relative to the medium 10 supported by the support base 140, and a control device 160 for controlling the printing of a first printing layer 11 and a second printing layer 12 onto the medium 10. The printer 100 produces a printed object 5 (see Figure 1). As shown in Figure 1, the printed object 5 includes the medium 10 and a second printing layer 12 formed on the medium 10 and formed by ink. As shown in Figure 7, the second printing layer 12 includes a first printing area 21 having a plurality of first protrusions 25 and a second printing area 22 having a plurality of second protrusions 26. At least one of the following characteristics of the first protrusion 25 in the first printing area 21 is different from the size, height H11 (see Figure 1), planar shape, arrangement spacing L21, and arrangement direction D21 of the second protrusion 26 in the second printing area 22. As shown in Figure 6, when a 3 cm square extraction area 30 at an arbitrary position in the second printing layer 12 is extracted from the second printing layer 12, as shown in Figure 7, the extraction area 30 contains both the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22, and the number of at least one of the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 in the extraction area 30 is multiple.

[0077] Figure 9 is a table showing the sizes of the first printing area 21, the second printing area 22, the first projection 25, and the second projection 26 in Examples 1 to 12. In this embodiment, using the above printing method and the printer 100 in Figure 2, printed materials 5 according to Examples 1 to 12, as shown in Figure 9, were produced. In Examples 1 to 12, the planar shape of the first projection 25 and the second projection 26 of the second printing layer 12 is circular, and the side shape is semicircular.

[0078] In Examples 1 to 3, the length of one side of the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 of the second printing layer 12 (lengths L31 and L32 in the first direction D11 (see Figure 6), and lengths L41 and L42 in the second direction D12 (see Figure 6)) was set to 0.5 mm. As shown in Figure 6, the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 are alternately arranged in the first direction D11 and alternately arranged in the second direction D12.

[0079] As shown in Figure 9, in Example 1, the maximum dimension L11 of the first protrusion 25 in the first printing area 21 is 50 μm, and the spacing L21 of the first protrusion 25 is 150 μm. The maximum dimension L12 of the second protrusion 26 in the second printing area 22 is 100 μm, and the spacing L22 of the second protrusion 26 is 150 μm.

[0080] In Example 2, the maximum dimension L11 of the first protrusion 25 is 50 μm, and the spacing L21 of the first protrusion 25 is 300 μm. The maximum dimension L12 of the second protrusion 26 is 250 μm, and the spacing L22 of the second protrusion 26 is 300 μm. In Example 3, the maximum dimension L11 of the first protrusion 25 is 50 μm, and the spacing L21 of the first protrusion 25 is 150 μm. The maximum dimension L12 of the second protrusion 26 is 50 μm, and the spacing L22 of the second protrusion 26 is 300 μm.

[0081] Examples 4, 5, and 6 are the same as Examples 1, 2, and 3, respectively, except that the length of one side of the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 of the second printing layer 12 is 1 mm. Examples 7, 8, and 9 are the same as Examples 1, 2, and 3, respectively, except that the length of one side of the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 of the second printing layer 12 is 1.5 mm. Examples 10, 11, and 12 are the same as Examples 1, 2, and 3, respectively, except that the length of one side of the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 of the second printing layer 12 is 2 mm. Printed materials 5 according to Examples 1 to 12 as described above were prepared.

[0082] In this embodiment, for example, the size of the extraction area 30 (see Figure 7), which is 3 cm square, is determined based on the size of the contact area when the second printed layer 12 is touched with a fingertip. In this embodiment, the second printed layer 12 printed by the printer 100 has different tactile sensations in the first printed area 21 and the second printed area 22. Here, when the second printed layer 12 printed on the medium 10 is touched with a fingertip, the first printed area 21 and the second printed area 22, which have different tactile sensations, can be touched simultaneously, and multiple areas of at least one of the first printed area 21 and the second printed area 22 can be touched simultaneously. Therefore, by creating multiple printed materials 5 with varying tactile sensations in the first printed area 21 and the second printed area 22 that can be touched simultaneously with a fingertip, it is possible to create printed materials 5 that have various types of tactile sensations.

[0083] For example, as shown in Figure 9, when comparing printed materials 5 from Examples 1 to 12, at least one of the first printed area 21 and the second printed area 22 has a different tactile feel. Therefore, even printed materials 5 produced in Examples 1 to 12 can have different tactile sensations.

[0084] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, multiple first printing areas 21 are arranged at intervals from each other. Similarly, multiple second printing areas 22 are also arranged at intervals from each other. This allows for the scattering of first printing areas 21 and second printing areas 22 with different tactile properties. By changing the way these areas are scattered, various types of tactile sensations can be expressed.

[0085] In this embodiment, the shape of the first printing area 21 and the shape of the second printing area 22 are all the same. This allows the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 to be continuously and regularly spaced.

[0086] In this embodiment, the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 are arranged alternately along the first direction D11. Furthermore, the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 are arranged alternately along the second direction D12, which intersects with the first direction D11. This allows the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 to be regularly scattered in the first direction D11 and the second direction D12. Therefore, the same tactile pattern can be obtained when tracing the printed material 5 with a fingertip along the first direction D11 and when tracing the printed material 5 along the second direction D12.

[0087] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the maximum dimensions (here, diameter) L11 of the first protrusion 25 and the maximum dimensions (here, diameter) L12 of the second protrusion 26 in a plan view are 1 mm or less. If the maximum dimensions L11 and L12 of the first protrusion 25 and the second protrusion 26 were larger than 1 mm, there would be a possibility of mistaking the protrusions 25 and 26 for Braille. However, as in this embodiment, by making the maximum dimensions L11 and L12 of the first protrusion 25 and the second protrusion 26 1 mm or less, it is possible to suppress the possibility of mistaking them for Braille, and at the same time, a microscopic texture can be expressed in the second printed layer 12.

[0088] In this embodiment, the spacing L21 between adjacent first protrusions 25 and the spacing L22 between adjacent second protrusions 26 are 2 mm or less. If the spacing L21 and L22 between the first protrusions 25 and the second protrusions 26 were larger than 2 mm, the spacing would be too wide, potentially leading to the protrusions 25 and 26 being mistaken for Braille. However, by setting the spacing L21 and L22 between the first protrusions 25 and the second protrusions 26 to 2 mm or less, as in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the possibility of mistaking them for Braille, while also enabling the expression of a microscopic texture in the second printed layer 12.

[0089] In this embodiment, the spacing L21 between adjacent first protrusions 25 and the spacing L22 between adjacent second protrusions 26 are 20 μm or more. If the spacings L21 and L22 between the first protrusions 25 and second protrusions 26 are made too narrow (for example, less than 20 μm), the first protrusions 25 and second protrusions 26 will aggregate, and the unevenness caused by the protrusions 25 and 26 may not be properly represented. However, as in this embodiment, by setting the spacings L21 and L22 between the first protrusions 25 and second protrusions 26 to 20 μm or more, the first protrusions 25 and second protrusions 26 can be properly formed, and the unevenness can be properly represented.

[0090] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the height H11 of the first projection 25 and the height H12 of the second projection 26 are 10 mm or less. If the heights H11 and H12 of the first projection 25 and the second projection 26 are made too high (for example, greater than 10 mm), the time required for the printer 100 to form the projections 25 and 26 may increase. However, as in this embodiment, by setting the heights H11 and H12 of the first projection 25 and the second projection 26 to 10 mm or less, the time required for the printer 100 to form the projections 25 and 26 can be shortened.

[0091] In this embodiment, in a plan view, the area of ​​the first printing area 21 and the area of ​​the second printing area 22 are 400 μm². 2 That concludes the explanation. For example, the minimum dot size of the ink ejected from the nozzle 124 (see Figure 5) of the printer 100 is approximately 30 μm to 50 μm. Therefore, the area of ​​the first printing area 21 and the area of ​​the second printing area 22 are 400 μm. 2 By doing so, the ink ejected from the printer 100 can properly form the first protrusion 25 of the first printing area 21 and the second protrusion 26 of the second printing area 22.

[0092] In this embodiment, the control device 160 controls the printing of the second printing layer 12 by ejecting clear ink onto the medium 10. That is, the first protrusions 25 and the second protrusions 26 are formed with clear ink. The first protrusions 25 and the second protrusions 26 are formed to provide a tactile sensation and do not need to be visible. Therefore, by forming the first protrusions 25 and the second protrusions 26 with clear ink, the first protrusions 25 and the second protrusions 26 can be made difficult to see when the surface of the printed material 5 is visually inspected.

[0093] <Modified form of the first embodiment> Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described. Figures 10 to 13 are plan views showing extracted regions 30 extracted from the second printed layer 12 according to a modified example of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the shape of the first printed region 21 and the shape of the second printed region 22 were rectangular. However, as shown in Figure 10, the shape of the first printed region 21a and the shape of the second printed region 22a may be circular. In Figure 10, the region 24 of the entire area of ​​the second printed layer 12, excluding the first printed region 21 and the second printed region 22, does not have any protrusions or the like formed by ink, and the first printed layer 11 is exposed.

[0094] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the shapes of the first printing areas 21b and 21c, and the shapes of the second printing areas 22b and 22c may be triangular. In this case, as shown in Figure 11, the triangular first printing area 21b and the triangular second printing area 22b may be arranged alternately in the first direction D11 and the second direction D12. Also, as shown in Figure 12, the triangular first printing area 21c and the triangular second printing area 22c may be arranged alternately in the first direction D11, but the first printing area 21c and the second printing area 22c may not be arranged alternately in the second direction D12. In this case, for example, the first printing area 21c may be arranged continuously along the second direction D12, and the second printing area 22c may be arranged continuously along the second direction D12.

[0095] In this way, the shapes of the first printing areas 21, 21a, 21b, and 21c, and the shapes of the second printing areas 22, 22a, 22b, and 22c are made circular or polygonal. This allows for various types of tactile sensations to be obtained depending on the shape of the first printing areas 21, 21a, 21b, and 21c, or the shape of the second printing areas 22, 22a, 22b, and 22c.

[0096] In the first embodiment, the shapes of the first printing area 21 and the second printing area 22 were the same. However, as shown in Figure 13, the shapes of the multiple first printing areas 21d may be different. The shapes of the multiple second printing areas 22d may also be different. In Figure 13, of the entire area of ​​the second printing layer 12, the area 24 excluding the first printing areas 21d and the second printing areas 22d does not have any protrusions or other shapes formed by ink, and the first printing layer 11 is exposed.

[0097] <Second Embodiment> Next, a printed material 5A according to the second embodiment will be described. Figure 14 is a plan view showing an extracted region 30 extracted from the second printing layer 12A of the printed material 5A according to the second embodiment. The printed material 5A according to this embodiment comprises a medium 10 (see Figure 1), a first printing layer 11 (see Figure 1), and a second printing layer 12A (see Figure 14). As shown in Figure 14, the second printing layer 12A comprises a first printing region 21A and a second printing region 22A.

[0098] In this embodiment, the outer periphery of the first printing area 21A and the shape of the second printing area 22A are circular. The size of the first printing area 21A and the size of the second printing area 22A are different. Here, the first printing area 21A is larger than the second printing area 22A. The maximum dimension (here, diameter) L51 of the first printing area 21A is larger than the maximum dimension (here, diameter) L52 of the second printing area 22A. The second printing area 22A is located within the first printing area 21A. Therefore, the shape of the first printing area 21A is ring-shaped. Here, the center C21 of the first printing area 21A and the center C22 of the second printing area 22A coincide.

[0099] In this embodiment, the area 24 of the second printing layer 12A excluding the first printing area 21A and the second printing area 22A is not formed with ink protrusions, and the first printing layer 11 is exposed. Although a detailed explanation is omitted, the multiple first protrusions 25 of the first printing area 21A and the multiple second protrusions 26 of the second printing area 22A are similar to the first protrusions 25 and second protrusions 26 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 7, for example.

[0100] Figure 15 is a table showing the sizes of the first printing area 21A, the second printing area 22A, the first projection 25, and the second projection 26 in Examples 13 to 24. In this embodiment, using the above printing method and the printer 100 in Figure 2, printed materials 5A of Examples 13 to 24, as shown in Figure 15, were produced. In Examples 13 to 24, the planar shape of the first projection 25 and the second projection 26 of the second printing layer 12A is circular, and the side shape is semicircular.

[0101] In Examples 13 to 18, the diameter L51 (see Figure 14) of the first printing area 21A of the second printing layer 12A is 1 mm, and the diameter L52 (see Figure 14) of the second printing area 22A is 0.5 mm. As shown in Figure 14, the first printing area 21A is arranged side by side in the first direction D11 and the second direction D12, and the second printing area 22A is also arranged side by side in the first direction D11 and the second direction D12.

[0102] As shown in Figure 15, in Example 13, the maximum dimension L11 of the first protrusion 25 in the first printing area 21A is 50 μm, and the spacing L21 of the first protrusion 25 is 150 μm. The maximum dimension L12 of the second protrusion 26 in the second printing area 22A is 100 μm, and the spacing L22 of the second protrusion 26 is 150 μm.

[0103] In Example 14, the maximum dimension L11 of the first protrusion 25 in the first printing area 21A is 50 μm, and the spacing L21 of the first protrusion 25 is 300 μm. The maximum dimension L12 of the second protrusion 26 in the second printing area 22A is 250 μm, and the spacing L22 of the second protrusion 26 is 300 μm.

[0104] In Example 15, the maximum dimension L11 of the first protrusion 25 in the first printing area 21A is 50 μm, and the spacing L21 of the first protrusion 25 is 150 μm. The maximum dimension L12 of the second protrusion 26 in the second printing area 22A is 50 μm, and the spacing L22 of the second protrusion 26 is 300 μm.

[0105] In Example 16, the maximum dimension L11 of the first protrusion 25 in the first printing area 21A is 100 μm, and the spacing L21 of the first protrusion 25 is 150 μm. The maximum dimension L12 of the second protrusion 26 in the second printing area 22A is 50 μm, and the spacing L22 of the second protrusion 26 is 150 μm.

[0106] In Example 17, the maximum dimension L11 of the first protrusion 25 in the first printing area 21A is 250 μm, and the spacing L21 of the first protrusion 25 is 300 μm. The maximum dimension L12 of the second protrusion 26 in the second printing area 22A is 50 μm, and the spacing L22 of the second protrusion 26 is 300 μm.

[0107] In Example 18, the maximum dimension L11 of the first protrusion 25 in the first printing area 21A is 50 μm, and the spacing L21 of the first protrusion 25 is 300 μm. The maximum dimension L12 of the second protrusion 26 in the second printing area 22A is 50 μm, and the spacing L22 of the second protrusion 26 is 150 μm.

[0108] Examples 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 are the same as Examples 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, respectively, except that the diameter L51 of the first printing area 21A is 2 mm and the diameter L52 of the second printing area 22A is 1 mm.

[0109] Comparing the printed materials 5A from Examples 13 to 24, at least one of the first printed area 21A and the second printed area 22A has a different feel. Therefore, even with printed materials 5A produced in Examples 13 to 24, different tactile sensations can be obtained. Thus, even with printed materials 5A like those in this embodiment, it is possible to produce printed materials 5A that can provide a variety of tactile sensations.

[0110] In this embodiment, the size of the first printing area 21A and the size of the second printing area 22A are different. In this way, various types of tactile sensations can be obtained depending on the degree to which the sizes of the first printing area 21A and the second printing area 22A, which have different tactile sensations, differ.

[0111] <Third Embodiment> Next, a printed material 5B according to the third embodiment will be described. Figure 16 is a plan view showing an extracted region 30 extracted from the second printed layer 12B according to the third embodiment. The printed material 5B according to this embodiment comprises a medium 10 (see Figure 1), a first printed layer 11 (see Figure 1), and a second printed layer 12B (see Figure 16). As shown in Figure 16, the second printed layer 12B comprises a first printed region 21B and a second printed region 22B.

[0112] In this embodiment, there are multiple first printing areas 21B. Multiple first printing areas 21B are arranged spaced apart from each other. All of the first printing areas 21B have the same shape. Here, all of the first printing areas 21B have a polygonal shape (in this case, a quadrilateral shape).

[0113] Multiple first printing areas 21B are arranged along a first direction D11. Here, the spacing between adjacent first printing areas 21B in the first direction D11 is the first spacing L61. Furthermore, multiple first printing areas 21B are arranged along a second direction D12. Here, the spacing between adjacent first printing areas 21B in the second direction D12 is the second spacing L62. In this embodiment, the first spacing L61 and the second spacing L62 are the same. However, the first spacing L61 and the second spacing L62 may be different.

[0114] In this embodiment, the second printing area 22B is the area obtained by subtracting the first printing area 21B from the entire area of ​​the second printing layer 12B.

[0115] In this embodiment, one of the printing areas (in this case, the first printing area 21B) of the first printing area 21B and the second printing area 22B is arranged in multiples at intervals from each other. This allows the first printing area 21 to be scattered. By changing the way in which it is scattered, various types of tactile sensations can be expressed.

[0116] In this embodiment, the shape of one of the printing areas (in this case, the first printing area 21B) between the first printing area 21B and the second printing area 22B is the same. This allows the first printing area 21 to be regularly spaced.

[0117] In this embodiment, multiple printable areas (here, the first printable area 21B) of the first printable area 21B and the second printable area 22B are arranged along the first direction D11 at a first interval L61. In addition, multiple printable areas (here, the first printable area 21B) of the first printable area 21B and the second printable area 22B are arranged along the second direction D12 at a second interval L62. This allows the first printable area 21B to be regularly scattered in the first direction D11 and the second direction D12. Therefore, the same tactile pattern can be obtained when tracing the printed material 5B with a fingertip along the first direction D11 and when tracing the printed material 5B along the second direction D12.

[0118] <Modified form of the third embodiment> Next, a modified example of the third embodiment will be described. Figures 17 to 20 are plan views showing the extracted region 30 extracted from the second printed layer 12B according to a modified example of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, as shown in Figure 16, the shape of the first printed region 21B was rectangular (for example, square). However, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, for example, the shapes of the first printed regions 21Ba and 21Bb may be circular. For example, as shown in Figure 17, adjacent circular first printed regions 21Ba may be touching. For example, as shown in Figure 18, adjacent circular first printed regions 21Bb may be spaced apart.

[0119] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19, the shape of the first printing area 21Bc may be triangular.

[0120] In this way, the shape of each of the first printing areas 21B, 21Ba, 21Bb, 21Bc and one of the second printing areas 22B (in this case, the first printing areas 21B, 21Ba, 21Bb, 21Bc) can be made circular or polygonal. This allows for various types of tactile sensations to be obtained depending on the shape of the first printing areas 21B, 21Ba, 21Bb, 21Bc.

[0121] In the third embodiment, the shape of the first printing area 21B was the same. However, as shown in Figure 20, the multiple first printing areas 21Bd may have different shapes.

[0122] <Other Embodiments> Next, other embodiments will be described. Figure 21 is a plan view showing an extracted region 30 extracted from the second printed layer 12C according to another embodiment. As shown in Figure 21, the arrangement direction D21 of the first protrusions 25 in the first printed region 21Ca of the second printed layer 12C and the arrangement direction D22 of the second protrusions 26 in the second printed region 22Ca of the second printed layer 12C may be different. In Figure 21, the arrangement direction D21 of the first protrusions 25 is a direction tilted 45 degrees from the first direction D11. The arrangement direction D22 of the second protrusions 26 is the first direction D11.

[0123] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of a printed material 5C according to another embodiment. As shown in Figure 22, the height H11 of the first projection 25 in the first printing area 21Cb of the second printing layer 12C in the printed material 5C and the height H12 of the second projection 26 in the second printing area 22Cb of the second printing layer 12C in the printed material 5C may be different. In Figure 22, the height H11 of the first projection 25 is lower than the height H12 of the second projection 26. However, the height H11 of the first projection 25 may be higher than the height H12 of the second projection 26.

[0124] In each of the embodiments described above, there were two types of printing regions in the second printing layer: a first printing region and a second printing region. However, there may be three or more types of printing regions in the second printing layer. Figure 23 is a plan view showing an extracted region 30 extracted from the second printing layer 12C according to another embodiment. For example, as shown in Figure 23, the second printing layer 12C comprises a first printing region 21Cc, a second printing region 22Cc, and a third printing region 23, and is composed of three printing regions. The first printing region 21Cc has a plurality of first protrusions 25 (see Figure 7), and the second printing region 22Cc has a plurality of second protrusions 26 (see Figure 7). Although not shown here, the third printing region 23 has a plurality of third protrusions.

[0125] Here, one or more of the size, height, planar shape, spacing, and arrangement direction of the third protrusion of the third printing area 23 is configured to differ from the size, height H11, planar shape, spacing L21, and arrangement direction D21 of the first protrusion 25 of the first printing area 21Cc, and also differs from the size, height H12, planar shape, spacing L22, and arrangement direction D22 of the second protrusion 26 of the second printing area 22Cc.

[0126] In each of the embodiments described above, the first protrusions 25 in the first printing area and the second protrusions 26 in the second printing area were arranged regularly. However, the first protrusions 25 or the second protrusions 26 may be arranged randomly and irregularly. Figure 24 is a plan view showing an extracted area 30 extracted from the second printing layer 12C according to another embodiment. For example, as shown in Figure 24, in the first printing area 21Cd of the second printing layer 12C, the first protrusions 25 are arranged at equal intervals along the first direction D11 and the second direction D12, and are arranged regularly. On the other hand, in the second printing area 22Cd of the second printing layer 12C, the second protrusions 26 are arranged randomly. That is, the second protrusions 26 are arranged irregularly, and the spacing between adjacent second protrusions 26 is different. The number of second protrusions 26 arranged in each second printing area 22Cd may be different or the same.

[0127] In each of the embodiments described above, the second printing layer 12, etc., was formed by ejecting clear ink onto the medium 10. That is, the first protrusions 25 and second protrusions 26 of the second printing layer 12, etc., were formed by clear ink. However, the second printing layer 12 may also be formed by ejecting clear ink and color ink, thereby forming a combination of clear ink and color ink. The control device 160 may control the ink head 122 and the moving mechanism 150 to print the second printing layer 12 by ejecting clear ink and color ink onto the medium 10. That is, the first protrusions 25 and second protrusions 26 of the second printing layer 12 may be formed by clear ink and color ink. The color ink forming the second printing layer 12 may be, for example, the same color ink used in the first printing layer 11 that overlaps with the second printing layer 12.

[0128] Furthermore, the second printing layer 12 may be formed by ejecting color ink instead of clear ink. That is, the first protrusions 25 and the second protrusions 26 of the second printing layer 12 may be formed by color ink instead of clear ink. The control device 160 may control the ink head 122 and the moving mechanism 150 to print the second printing layer 12 by ejecting color ink onto the medium 10.

[0129] In this way, by forming the first protrusion 25 and the second protrusion 26 with clear ink and color ink, the first protrusion 25 and the second protrusion 26 can be formed using ink of the same color as the color ink used in the first printing layer 11. Therefore, when the surface of the printed material 5 is viewed with the naked eye, the first protrusion 25 and the second protrusion 26 can be made difficult to see. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 5 Printed matter 10 Medium 11 1st printing layer 12 2nd printing layer 21 1st printing area 22 2nd printing area 30 Extraction area 100 Printers 122 Inkhead 140 Support stand 150 Moving mechanism 160 Control device

Claims

1. A support stand for the media, An ink head that ejects ink onto a medium supported on the aforementioned support base, A moving mechanism for moving the ink head relative to the medium supported on the support base, A control device that controls the printing of a printing layer onto a medium, Equipped with, The aforementioned printed layer is A first printing area in which multiple first protrusions are arranged in a predetermined pattern, A second printing area in which multiple second protrusions are arranged in a predetermined pattern, Equipped with, One or more of the size, height, planar shape, spacing, and arrangement direction of the first protrusions in the first printing area differs from the size, height, planar shape, spacing, and arrangement direction of the second protrusions in the second printing area. When a 3 cm square extraction area at any position in the printed layer is extracted from the printed layer, A printer in which the extraction region contains the first printing region and the second printing region, and the number of at least one of the first printing region and the second printing region in the extraction region is multiple.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein one of the first printing area and the second printing area is arranged in multiple locations spaced apart from each other.

3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the shape of one of the first and second printing areas is the same.

4. The printer according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the shape of one of the first and second printing areas is circular or polygonal.

5. A printer according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein one of the printing areas of the first printing area and the second printing area is arranged in a plurality at first intervals along a first direction.

6. The printer according to claim 5, wherein one of the first printing area and the second printing area is arranged in a plurality at second intervals along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

7. Multiple first printing areas are arranged so as to be spaced apart. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the second printing area is arranged in multiple locations spaced apart from each other.

8. The printer according to claim 7, wherein the shape of the first printing area and the shape of the second printing area are all the same.

9. The printer according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first printing area and the second printing area are arranged alternately along a first direction.

10. The printer according to claim 9, wherein the first printing area and the second printing area are alternately arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

11. The printer according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the shape of the first printing area and the shape of the second printing area are circular or polygonal.

12. A printer according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the size of the first printing area and the size of the second printing area are different.

13. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, in a plan view, the maximum dimension of the first projection and the maximum dimension of the second projection are 1 mm or less.

14. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the distance between adjacent first protrusions and the distance between adjacent second protrusions is 2 mm or less.

15. The printer according to claim 14, wherein the distance between adjacent first protrusions and the distance between adjacent second protrusions is 20 μm or more.

16. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the height of the first projection and the height of the second projection are 10 mm or less.

17. In a plan view, the area of ​​the first printing region and the area of ​​the second printing region are 400 μm². ２ The printer described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The aforementioned ink head has a first ink head that ejects clear ink, The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the control device controls the printer to print the printing layer by ejecting clear ink onto the medium.

19. The aforementioned ink head is The first ink head that ejects clear ink, The second ink head ejects color ink, It has, The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the control device controls the printing of the printing layer by ejecting clear ink and color ink onto the medium.

20. The medium and A printed layer formed on the aforementioned medium and formed with ink, Equipped with, The aforementioned printed layer is A first printing area in which multiple first protrusions are arranged in a predetermined pattern, A second printing area in which multiple second protrusions are arranged in a predetermined pattern, Equipped with, One or more of the size, height, planar shape, spacing, and arrangement direction of the first protrusions in the first printing area differs from the size, height, planar shape, spacing, and arrangement direction of the second protrusions in the second printing area. When a 3 cm square extraction area at any position in the printed layer is extracted from the printed layer, A printed material wherein the extraction region contains the first printing region and the second printing region, and the number of at least one of the first printing region and the second printing region in the extraction region is multiple.

21. The preparation process for preparing the media, The printing process involves printing a printing layer onto a medium, It includes, The aforementioned printed layer is A first printing area in which multiple first protrusions are arranged in a predetermined pattern, A second printing area in which multiple second protrusions are arranged in a predetermined pattern, Equipped with, One or more of the size, height, planar shape, spacing, and arrangement direction of the first protrusions in the first printing area differs from the size, height, planar shape, spacing, and arrangement direction of the second protrusions in the second printing area. When a 3 cm square extraction area at any position in the printed layer is extracted from the printed layer, A printing method wherein the extraction region includes the first printing region and the second printing region, and the number of at least one of the first printing region and the second printing region in the extraction region is multiple.

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